Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 7th of August.
Good morning, Athens.
🎭 Culture
The Village of Amesville will hold the Alonzo Weed Festival on Saturday, Aug.
16 at 5—9 p.m. along State Route 550, where a tribute at 6 p.m. will honor the former mayor who briefly led the town in 1903 after winning a tie vote by drawing cards.
Local photographer Rich Joseph Facun, a former photojournalist, has launched his new book 1804 that shows how Ohio University helped shape Athens as a company town.
The book, which has 62 photos & an essay, will be released in November & explores how the town and the university face new challenges.
Kristina Estle, an OHIO Eastern alumna, now directs the Underground Railroad Museum and will move it from its longtime Flushing site to the historic Black Horse Inn in Morristown using $3.9 million in state capital funds for renovations and expanded exhibits.
She returned to college to pursue her passion for history and now offers internships and volunteer programs to link OHIO students with local heritage.
Amesville will hold a festival on Saturday, Aug.
16 to honor Alonzo Weed, the quirky former mayor who won office by drawing a winning card in 1903—the event will feature live music, food trucks, classic cars, vendors, and a tribute at 6 p.m. along State Route 550.
Local artists Katherine Moore and Kathryn Logan created an audio tour at Strouds Run State Park so visitors can hear guided prompts while walking trails—starting at the Bulldog Shelter House, then heading to the Black Haw Trail and finishing at the beach.
The project was installed June 3 and will be shown as an audio-video display in Columbus in summer of 2026—giving people a fresh way to connect with the park.
🎓 Education
Fourteen Ohio University students, faculty, and alumni have been awarded prestigious fellowships including Fulbright, CLS & Princeton in Asia to support research, teaching, and cultural exchange abroad.
The awards will allow them to begin projects from this summer to early next year and bring new perspectives back to OHIO.
🏛️ Government
Athens officials plan to build a new restroom at West State Street ball fields, but councilmember Alan Swank has objected to the $325,000 price tag—he compared it to a less expensive project in Michigan.
The ordinance will have its second reading at the council meeting next Monday while Mayor Patterson warned that delays could make costs rise.
🎉 Athens Events
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Beat the Heat: Song of the Sea
3-5 p.m. — The Athena Cinema — Ticket prices vary — Dive into the enchanting world of Irish folklore with a captivating animated tale of family and magic.
August Prospect Camp
10 a.m.–4 p.m. — Ohio Softball Field — Check website for cost — Enhance your skills with fun drills and live games at this elite youth softball event.
A.S. Coomer Music Gathering
9 PM – 1 AM — Near Athens, OH — Camping available — Experience original music in a forest setting with a taco enthusiast.
Lung Concert
7:30 PM - 1:30 AM — The Union — Ticketed — Experience Lung's fierce, ethereal sound that blends grunge with thunderous cello and drums.
🏠 Athens Real Estate
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💼 Athens Job Board
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📣 Athens Announcements
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