🎬 Movie musical chairs

Good morning, Athens County. The curtain falls on one Athens cinematic chapter as Athena Grand closes its doors, but the spotlight shines brighter on downtown's Athena Cinema, where $4 tickets are drawing crowds for everything from mainstream films to a 50th anniversary celebration of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." This shift in the local theater landscape offers both students and community members a centralized entertainment hub that's bringing diverse film experiences to Court Street.

Meanwhile, Ohio University is strengthening its communication foundation with three dynamic new faculty members specializing in debate, global migration, and applied improvisation. As Jack Cross, Sabiha Mahbuba, and Vicki Crooks join the School of Communication Studies, they'll help meet rising demand for public speaking courses while equipping students across all majors with the expressive tools that translate directly to professional success—proving that in any field, how you communicate your ideas matters just as much as the ideas themselves.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Athens

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Nelsonville

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The Plains

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Albany

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Chauncey

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🎓 Ohio University boosts communication skills with three dynamic faculty additions. The School of Communication Studies welcomes visiting professors who bring expertise in debate, global migration, and applied improvisation to meet rising demand for public speaking courses. Jack Cross, Sabiha Mahbuba, and Vicki Crooks will help students across all majors develop essential communication skills that translate to professional success. Their diverse backgrounds—from debate coaching to international research on borders and refugee rhetoric to storytelling agility—provide students with practical tools for expressing ideas effectively. These faculty members underscore how communication remains fundamental across industries, disciplines, and communities.

🎬 Athens theater scene shifts as Athena Grand closes its doors. The shutdown has driven more moviegoers to the downtown Athena Cinema, which offers affordable tickets starting at just $4. Assistant manager Daniel Schwartze noted they're working to accommodate both students and community members with diverse film offerings. Beyond mainstream movies, the theater hosts special events including a Hispanic film series and a 50th anniversary celebration of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." For students without transportation, the Court Street location provides a convenient and accessible entertainment option that brings together campus and community.

🚔 Athens County deputies tackle crime, chaos, and a tree on US-33. The sheriff's department responded to various incidents including assault complaints, theft reports, and vandalism across multiple townships. In one case, deputies arrested Jerrod Losey who had multiple felony warrants after he attempted to flee into the woods. Other notable incidents included removing a tree blocking US-33, investigating a camper vandalism, and helping a methamphetamine user who was struggling to determine reality from hallucination. Deputies also responded to a resident at Hickory Creek Nursing Home who was intoxicated and threatening other residents.

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