Community Corner
🌱 How an Athens grad now shapes the county’s economic future
Be sure to catch Messy STEAM Day on the Athens Patch calendar
Greetings Athens! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How an Athens grad now shapes the county’s economic future
- How a grant snag and Verizon merger could affect Athens County services
- How OU students are spending winter break in and away from Athens
Also on today's calendar: LEMONFEST 2025 and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: A.M. flurries; cloudy, cold, with a high of 33 and low of 28 degrees.
- Friday: Snow and flurries at times, temps: high: 35, low: 29.
- Saturday: A little snow, up to 1", with a high of 35 and low of 10 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. Fitzgerald brings local development perspective to Voinovich School Advisory Board (ohio.edu) — Athens residents may recognize Mollie Fitzgerald, who now leads the Athens County Economic Development Council and has joined Ohio University’s Voinovich School Advisory Board, bringing a strong local voice to regional development discussions. After returning to Athens for graduate studies, she applied her MPA training to expand public‑private partnerships, and today she and her family continue to live and work in the community. 
2. Athens County Commission: Commissioners discuss firefighter grant, fiber broadband and Verizon merger (athensmessenger.com) — County commissioners are weighing how to fund new MARCS radios for volunteer fire departments and heard that Athens County isn’t eligible to apply directly for a key federal firefighter grant. They also received assurances that Frontier’s pending merger with Verizon won’t disrupt service as fiber broadband slowly replaces aging copper lines across Athens County. The next commission meeting is set for Tuesday, Dec. 16.
3. Bobcats dispersing over winter break (thepostathens.com) — Ohio University students and staff are scattering for winter break, but some, like sports dietitian and professor Jessica Arquette, are staying close to Athens to celebrate family birthdays and local holiday traditions. Others are heading to places like Brazil, Cleveland, and Sandusky, balancing travel, work, and a bit of prep for spring classes before campus buzz returns in January.
4. College football coach placed on paid leave in mysterious circumstances (themirror.com) — Athens residents following Ohio University football face uncertainty as head coach Brian Smith remains on unexplained paid leave while the Bobcats prepare for the Dec. 23 Frisco Bowl. His attorney says he’s received no accusations, Athens Police report no related cases, and defensive coordinator John Hauser is serving as interim coach during a crucial recruiting stretch.
5. A former Pike County police officer has been sentenced to prison for running a drug trafficking ring (woub.org) — From a federal courtroom in Athens, a former Pike County law enforcement officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison for running a steroid and cocaine trafficking ring based in Waverly. Prosecutors say he imported steroid materials from China, mailed thousands of packages nationwide, and sought new cocaine suppliers as far away as Colombia before pleading guilty earlier this year.
📸 Around Athens
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Messy STEAM Day
Ohio Valley Museum Of Discovery, 67 Columbus Rd, Athens
10:00 am
Saturday December 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Silver Sneakers Boom Move
Athens, OH Calendar , 701 East State Street , Athens
9:30 am - Yoga 50+
Athens, OH Calendar , 701 East State Street , Athens
10:30 am - Wee Wigglers
Athens Community Center Gym B , 701 East State Street , Athens
11:00 am - LEMONFEST 2025
The Union , 18 W Union St , Athens
7:00 pm - Scottish Folk Dance Intermediate
Athens, OH Calendar , 701 East State Street , Athens
2:00 pm - Spirit Art & Tea Party
8950 Lavelle Rd , Athens
9:00 pm - Bootcamp
Athens, OH Calendar , 701 East State Street , Athens
6:30 am
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
📣 Athens Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- English-Spanish Storytime
Chauncey Public Library , 29 Converse St , Chauncey
11:00 am - Holiday Bazaar
Dairy Barn Arts Center , 8000 Dairy Ln , Athens
3:00 pm - Hatha Yoga December 2025 — Michelle Greenfield
Village Productions , 16 State St , Amesville
9:00 am - Pins & Needles Craft Time
Wells (Albany) Public Library , 5200 Washington Rd , Albany
1:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Tuesday December 16
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Molly Maid posted a job opening for Copia - House Cleaner in Athens. Apply here.
- Ohio University posted a job opening for Department Chair, Social Work in Athens. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Athens here.
Ok Athens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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