Good morning, Jackson County. The final credits have rolled at the Athena Grand, marking the end of an era for local moviegoers. As the curtain falls on this East State Street staple, our historic Athena Cinema - a treasure that's been entertaining audiences since Woodrow Wilson was president - steps into an even bigger spotlight as Athens' primary silver screen destination.
While one door closes in Athens' entertainment scene, our community grapples with other significant changes. A proposed affordable housing project along Pomeroy Road hits pause amid neighborhood concerns, reminding us that growth often comes with growing pains. Meanwhile, our hearts go out to the Portsmouth family mourning the loss of young Logan Etterling, whose tragic accident on State Route 139 serves as a sobering reminder of life's fragility.
🌤 Sky Skoop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
87%
☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🎬 Local theater's closure leaves Athens moviegoers scrambling for alternatives. The Athena Grand on East State Street shut its doors January 5th after years of financial struggles and pandemic-related challenges. The historic Athena Cinema, one of America's oldest theaters dating back to 1915, emerges as the primary alternative for local film enthusiasts. While the Cinema offers tickets at $5-6.50 and has expanded to showing mainstream films alongside independent ones, some patrons worry about potentially rising prices. For students without cars, the next closest option is Movies 10 & Fun Barn in Nelsonville, though its distance poses a challenge.
💔 Teen driver dies in head-on collision after crossing center line. Logan Etterling, 18, of Portsmouth, Ohio, was killed Wednesday afternoon when his Mazda struck an oncoming Ford Escape on State Route 139. The crash occurred just after 2:40 PM in Clay Township, Scioto County. The Ford's driver was rushed to Grant Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the tragic incident.
🏘️ Developer abandons affordable housing project amid neighborhood backlash in Athens. Columbus-based Spire Development withdrew its rezoning request that would have created a 50-unit low-income housing complex along Pomeroy Road. Local residents, who gathered 375 petition signatures against the project, cited concerns about traffic and flooding issues. Spire blamed "confusion and misinformation" about the low-income housing tax credit program for their withdrawal. The City Council voted 5-1 to table the rezoning ordinance, leaving the door open for future development proposals.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
Oak Hill squeezed past South Gallia 41-37 in a defensive slugfest that had all the excitement of watching paint dry in slow motion. The Oaks (12-10) played just well enough to win, while the Rebels (5-17) added another tough loss to their growing collection.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Oak Hill (12-10) | ||
vs South Gallia | W 41-37 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Modern home in serene setting: A newly renovated manufactured home is listed at $224,900, offering modern design with four bedrooms, an elegant master suite, and a spacious kitchen, all nestled in a private wooded setting. The property also features energy-efficient appliances, a covered porch, and a gravel drive, with offers accepted only from owner-occupiers until March 21.
Blank canvas for home dreams: This charming property is available for $199,000, offering a blank canvas for your future home dreams. Imagine the possibilities waiting for you in this spacious and inviting space.
Victorian home with modern amenities: 141 South Street, listed at $330,000, features a charming Victorian with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and beautiful original woodwork. The property includes a spacious detached garage with an office and a delightful front porch for relaxing.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
| ||
|
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
-Philippians 4:8
|
|