Wading into rivers & earning free lunch 🌊 (plus your weekend sorted)
Good morning, Athens County. This Saturday, hundreds of volunteers will roll up their sleeves and wade into the Hocking River cleanup — which, honestly, sounds like a pretty great way to earn a free lunch. It's the kind of event that makes you proud to live somewhere people still show up for each other. Meanwhile, the national economy is sending mixed signals: a surprisingly strong August jobs report is bumping up against a widening trade deficit and a manufacturing sector that's clearly had better months.
Wall Street shook off the jitters by day's end, so at least someone's feeling optimistic. Locally, the weekend calendar is stacked — Rattletrap hits the early show Sunday, a Habitat for Humanity benefit follows Monday, and Adult Crafternoon lands on the 15th. Fresh real estate listings and obituaries are inside too.
🌤 Sky Skoop
Athens
62°82°
17%
Nelsonville
60°81°
18%
The Plains
62°82°
17%
Albany
62°82°
10%
Chauncey
62°82°
17%
☕️ What's Brewing Locally
River Sweep returns to Athens along the Hocking
🌿 Athens is gearing up for a river cleanup on Saturday, September 12, with volunteers set to fan out along the Hocking River. It’s the kind of hands-on community event that brings people together for a good cause — and ends with a free lunch.
2 bed · 2 bath · 1,092 sqft · Fenced yard · 1-car garage · Back porch
This sweet 2-bed, 2-bath gem in The Plains puts walkable favorites like Eclipse, GiGi's, and Little Italy right at your doorstep, plus a fenced backyard and cozy back porch made for relaxing!
3 bed · 2 bath · 1.9 acres w/ barn & detached 2-car garage
Nestled in The Plains, this charming 3-bed, 2-bath home shines with natural light, a cozy wood stove, sunroom, and nearly 2 acres complete with a barn and 2-car garage!
8,712 sqft lot · Corner lot · All utilities available
Here's a rare opportunity to build your dream home on a cleared, corner lot in the charming community of The Plains — just minutes from Ohio University and all the amenities Athens County has to offer!
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🎭 Sep. 07 - Early Show: Rattletrap
Kick off your Saturday night early with Rattletrap live at Casa Nueva in Athens, OH! Catch this can't-miss show on September 7th and enjoy great music in one of Athens' most beloved spots.
🎵 Sep. 08 - Habitat for Humanity Benefit
Rock out for a great cause at Casa Nueva in Athens! Head to the Habitat for Humanity Benefit Show on Sep 8 for a night of live music that helps build homes and strengthen our community.
🎨 Sep. 15 - Adult Crafternoon
Unleash your inner artist at the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery in Athens this Sep 15! Join fellow adults for a fun-filled Crafternoon of creative making and community connection.
🎵 Sep. 17 - Bluegrass Documentary Film Screening
Head to The Athena Cinema on Sep 17 for *From the Hills and Hollers*, a soul-stirring bluegrass documentary featuring Becks Lipshultz that celebrates the rich musical heritage of country soul!
📚 Sep. 19 - Meet Cute Book Fair
Book lovers, mark your calendars! The Meet Cute Market brings a charming book fair to Central Avenue Church's Uptown Location in Athens, OH on September 19 — the perfect spot to discover your next great read!
🎵 Sep. 25 - Athens Summer Concert Series
Summer nights just got better! Head to the Athens Community Center on September 25 for the Athens City Summer Concert Series, where live music and great community vibes make for an unforgettable evening.
🏳️⚧️ Sep. 25 - Gender-Affirming Fall Fest
Celebrate identity and community at the 4th Annual Gender-Affirming Fall Fest at Athens Community Center on September 25! Join neighbors for a joyful, inclusive gathering that uplifts and affirms everyone in true Athens spirit. 🏳️⚧️🌈
🎻 Oct. 03 - Dixon's Violin Live Athens
Get ready to be electrified! Dixon's Violin brings a stunning electric violin performance to ARTS/West in Athens, OH on October 3rd — a one-of-a-kind musical experience you won't want to miss!
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
U.S. Labor Department reported a surprisingly strong August jobs jump, with hiring roaring past forecasts and unemployment staying pinned at 4.1%.
U.S. Census Bureau said the trade deficit widened in July as imports surged, teeing up another drag on third-quarter growth.
U.S. services sector posted faster August activity as demand jumped, lifting price pressures and keeping the Fed’s nerves very much awake.
U.S. manufacturing sector cooled in August as new orders softened and firms grumbled about elevated input costs and tariff headaches.
Wall Street shook off earlier losses after investors piled back into stocks, even as oil and yields kept the mood twitchy.
U.S. private employers added fewer jobs than expected in August, with manufacturing losses offsetting gains in education and health services.
🙏 In Remembrance
Dean Wade Kennard II
Dean Wade Kennard, II September 27, 1954 – September 2, 2026 Dean Wade Kennard, II, 71, of Nelsonville, Ohio, passed away on September 2, 2026. Born September 27, 1954, Dean was the son of the late Mary and Dean Kennard. He was a man whose charismatic personality drew people to him wherever he...
Carolyn Victoria "Vikki" Goss
Carolyn Victoria “Vikki” Goss, 76, of Nelsonville, passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Vikki was born on May 2, 1950, in Cincinnati, the daughter of the late Harry Henry and Carolyn June (Pritchard) Oliver. She worked for many years at the Nelsonville VFW Post #...
Sammy (Joe) Joe Hook Jr.
Sammy Hook, Jr. Sammy Joe Hook, Jr., age 64, of Nelsonville, Ohio, passed away August 31, 2026, at his residence. “Joe” was born August 2, 1962, in Athens, Ohio to Sammy Joe Hook, Sr. and Barbara Hook. He enjoyed his time with his family; he liked working on vehicles; and going hunting and...
Donald Ray Hill
Donald Ray Hill, age 60, of Athens, passed away Monday, September 1, 2026 , at Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio. He was born January 11, 1966, in Columbus Ohio, son of the late Donald Harold Hill and Doris Jean O’Neill. Don graduated from Wellston High School with...
Candy Sue Howard
Candy Sue Howard, 68, of Athens, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at O’Bleness Hospital in Athens. Candy was born on December 2, 1957, in Nelsonville, the daughter of the late Carl and Mary (Childress) Howard. She was a longtime member of the Nelsonville Wesleyan Church. Candy was a...
Leo (Bill) William Perry Jr.
Leo William (Bill) Perry, Jr., 80, passed away on August 27, 2026, after a 16 year battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born on May 8, 1946, at Erie Army Depot, LaCarne, Ohio to Leo William, Sr and Esther (Keener) Perry. Bill was a life-long resident of Catawba Island. He was a 1964 graduate...
Clarence Edward Dixon Jr
Clarence Dixon Athens - Clarence Edward Dixon Jr, 72, of Athens, died unexpectedly, Friday, August 28, 2026, at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens. Born October 24, 1953, in Huntington, WV, he was the son of the late Clarence Edward and Jo Bader Dixon Sr. Clarence worked for many years...
Ronald Jutton
Athens Ronald Colin Jutton, 84, of Athens died Sunday evening, August 30, 2026 (his birthday) at OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital, Athens. Born August 30, 1942 in Rochester, NY, he was the son of the late Colin Grant Jutton and Ruth Myrtle VanWormer Jutton. He was a graduate of Gary Indiana High...
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
— Psalm 139:14
Remember that you are uniquely crafted by God, so embrace your strengths and quirks with confidence each day.
17%
