Free dental + 80s bangers tonight — your weekend just got wild 🎉
Good morning, Athens County. A New York firm wants to plant a 250,000-square-foot data center on 300 acres near Athens High School — and local officials are suddenly speed-running a crash course in zoning law. Meanwhile, this weekend brings something far more immediately useful: free dental, vision, and behavioral health services at Ohio University's Heritage Hall, no insurance or appointment required. That's the kind of news worth sharing at the dinner table.
On a lighter note, Nelsonville firefighters are making their annual hydrant rounds starting Monday, so don't panic if your tap runs a little rusty. Tonight's agenda includes DJ Barticus spinning 80s bangers and a Wild Kratts Tortuga Adventure for the kids. Fresh real estate listings and a Financial Friday tip on building your emergency fund are inside too.
🌤 Sky Skoop
Athens
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Nelsonville
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The Plains
62°85°
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Albany
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Chauncey
62°85°
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
(Updated) NY company exploring Athens County data center
🖥️ A New York firm eyes 300 acres in rural Ohio for a massive data center. Saadia Holding LLC has contacted Athens County officials about building a 250,000 square-foot facility near Athens High School, potentially employing 100 workers. The company plans to use a closed-loop cooling system, requiring just 10,000–20,000 gallons of water monthly—far less than traditional data centers. Local officials are scrambling to understand zoning gaps and regulatory options, with one health official warning that the window for public influence is "probably a tight one." Saadia previously had a $6.35 million property offer rejected in Pennsylvania under similar circumstances. Read more
Nelsonville hydrant testing starting next week
🚒 Nelsonville firefighters are testing every fire hydrant starting Monday. The annual checks, beginning July 27, will inspect for leaks, damage, missing caps, closed valves, and measure water pressure. Residents may notice briefly discolored water — this is normal sediment movement and doesn't require boiling. The city is also reminding residents that blocking hydrant access is illegal under Ohio Fire Code, with a mandatory 10-foot clearance zone required at all times. Read more
Free healthcare events Aug. 1–2
🏥 Free healthcare is coming to Athens, Ohio this weekend! GuardCare, a collaboration between the Ohio National Guard and Ohio Department of Health, will offer comprehensive medical services at Ohio University's Heritage Hall on August 1–2. Up to 1,000 attendees can receive free dental care, vision exams, behavioral health services, immunizations, and more — no appointment, insurance, or income requirements needed. Services run on a first-come, first-served basis, and free transportation is available through HAPCAP from local libraries and county sites. For details, contact Kate Cottrill at 740-592-4431 or visit the Athens City-County Health Department's website. Read more
Nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Albany, this stunning 4.7-acre wooded lot on Jonathan Lane offers incredible privacy and a serene natural setting — a rare gem ready for your dream home!
6 bed · 3 bath · Two remodeled homes on 0.66 acres
Tucked along State Route 684 in Albany, this versatile dual-home property on nearly ¾ of an acre offers a rare live-and-earn setup — or a ready-made turnkey investment with tenants already in place!
8+ acres · Detached garage/workshop · Newer metal roof & windows
Nestled on 8+ open acres in the Alexander School District, this 3-bed Albany property boasts a dream workshop, metal roof, new septic, and a blank-canvas interior ready for your personal finishing touches!
Dust off your leg warmers and tease that hair — DJ Barticus brings Athens' longest-running dance party back to Casa Nueva on July 24! Channel your inner Cyndi Lauper and get down!
Journey from the dinosaur age to today with Wild Kratts at Chauncey Public Library on July 24! Join PBS KIDS and WOUB Learning Lab to discover how turtles have survived millions of years.
Roll up your sleeves and make a difference at Community Make-It Day on July 24! Join fellow creators at the Community Makerspace (751 W Union St, Athens) to collaborate on projects that strengthen our community.
Give old stuff new life at UpCycle Fest 2026! Join UpCycle Ohio and Community Makerspace at 751 W. Union St. in Athens this July 25th from 11 AM–5 PM for a day of creative, sustainable fun.
Calling all aspiring collegiate female soccer players! Head to Peden Stadium on July 25 for Ohio University's ID Camp, where 8th graders and up can showcase their skills and catch a coach's eye.
Lace up your running shoes and head to Alexander High School's track in Albany on July 25 for the Athens Athletics Club's 2nd Annual Midsummer Mile Fest — an evening celebration of speed and community!
Grab your fiddle, banjo, or whatever you've got and join the Fourth Sunday Old Time Jam at ARTS/West (132 W State St) on July 26! All ages, levels, and instruments welcome.
Find your inner peace this Sunday! Join Athens KTC Buddhist Center for meditation and dharma presentations at Serenity Roots Yoga and Wellness Center (8950 Lavelle Rd) from 10–11 AM on July 26.
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on state election officials, warning all 50 states about possible criminal charges over noncitizen voter rolls.
U.S. jobless claims fell last week, keeping the labor market in its slow-hire, slow-fire groove despite June’s sharp job growth slowdown.
Planned Parenthood will resume billing Medicaid after a near-yearlong federal funding cutoff expired, restoring cash flow for abortion providers.
Anthropic got the Trump administration’s green light back for its Claude chatbot after a cybersecurity-related ban was lifted.
Reuters reported that a judge authorized $5.8 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll from Donald Trump’s civil verdict.
U.S. Treasury saw oil prices jump and stocks wobble as renewed Middle East conflict threatened shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
💰 Financial Friday
Building an easily accessible savings cushion, such as an emergency fund, can provide peace of mind and protect against financial shocks. By setting aside a portion of your income each month, you can create a buffer that helps you navigate unexpected expenses or interruptions in income.
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
— Jeremiah 29:11
This verse is a beautiful reminder that God has a plan for our lives, and it's a plan filled with hope and goodness. He wants to give us a bright future, and we can trust in His love and care for us.
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