Good morning, Athens.

Ohio University and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio have partnered for Bobcat Build, a project to construct a home for a local family; volunteers are invited from Oct.

3 on campus to help, and the new house will later be moved to Chillicothe.

The Port Authority board approved a lease for Toronto-based CCC Plastics to manufacture extruded plastic pellets at a 60,000 sqft facility in Bill Theisen Industrial Park (west of The Plains) with operations set to begin in 2027 and up to 25 new jobs to be created.

Data from the American Automobile Association shows that on Thursday, Ohio gas prices averaged $4.51 per gallon (20 cents higher than the national rate), with diesel prices reaching record highs and increasing costs for municipal services.

Ohio University offered a compensation proposal on Aug.

26 that gives a 2% annual raise starting in 2027 and permanently freezes salaries from 2025, which UAOU representatives called unsatisfactory (faculty remain the lowest-paid among public four-year institutions). They will continue bargaining for a better contract.

Mitch Day, an associate professor at Ohio University, explained how hearing loss can reduce the brain's ability to isolate sounds in a busy environment.

The interview was conducted on Friday, Sept. 18, and his research compares normal and impaired auditory processing (hidden hearing loss).

The City of Athens will hold a non-religious graveside service on Sept.

21 at West Union Street Cemetery for four individuals with unclaimed remains (service lasts about 20-25 minutes). The public and anyone with information is invited to attend.

Frontier plans to remove copper phone lines from Ames Township around Oct.

23 as allowed by an FCC decision that may leave thousands without service in Athens County; local officials (including Commissioner Lenny Eliason) have been working with Verizon to ensure areas without cell or broadband coverage get reliable connections.

Athens County allocated approximately $335,000 (from a grant and revenue levy) to fund three programs that help older adults, including a Senior Emergency Assistance Program now using a lottery process, Healthy Aging Assessment Clinics set to launch in 2027, and revived Healthy Aging Community Grants for local organizations.

Ohio soccer lost 3-2 to Western Michigan on Thursday, Sept.

17 after a late penalty kick in a tense conference match at Chessa Field (3-4, 0-1 for the Bobcats). The team will host UMass on Sept. 20 while the Broncos head to Kalamazoo for Ball State.

Ohio Football won a four overtime win over Jacksonville State and will face South Alabama Jaguars on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile (Alabama) at 7 p.m. EST.

Injuries hurt their lineup, and the starter is not confirmed.