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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

Alexander schools levy fails by 21 votes

Plus, Athens hosts Dover in Friday's playoffs and The Summit FM turns five.

The Today in Athens team1 story9 sources3 min read

SchoolsTop story

Alexander Local Schools' tax levy fails by 21 votes in unofficial results

The Alexander levy failed by 21 votes

Unofficial results from the Athens, Meigs and Vinton county boards of elections

Alexander Local Schools 0.75% levy

✓Against2,42850.2%
For2,40749.8%

Source: The Crescent-News

View as table
RaceCandidateVotesShare
Alexander Local Schools 0.75% levyAgainst, won2,42850.2%
Alexander Local Schools 0.75% levyFor2,40749.8%

If you live in the , Tuesday's levy came up 21 votes short. Unofficial results from the Athens, Meigs and Vinton county boards of elections show 2,428 voters rejected the 0.75% levy and 2,407 approved it.

The levy was meant to address a $1.5 million budget shortfall. Superintendent Will Hampton told The Messenger in October that the district is in an unsustainable financial situation.

“We’re at a point where we know we can’t sustain where we are.”

Will Hampton, Alexander Local Schools superintendent
  • By county: passed in Athens, failed in Vinton and Meigs
  • Likely cuts: field trips, busing, clubs and athletic options
  • Likely fee increases: technology, athletics and clubs

Athens County has 50 precincts, and polls were open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The failed levy by the numbers

21
votes separated yes and no
$1.5 million
budget shortfall the levy targeted
0.75%
levy the district proposed

Source: The Crescent-News

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News Notes

Football

The No. 4-seeded Athens Bulldogs (9-1, 6-0 TVC-Ohio) host No. 5-seeded Dover (9-2) at on Friday, Nov. 6, after a first-round bye. Athens won its first league title since 2018 with a 14-13 win over Nelsonville-York. The Athens Messenger

Athens and Nelsonville-York both host playoff games

GameSeeds
Dover at AthensNo. 5 at No. 4
Garaway at Nelsonville-YorkNo. 7 at No. 2

Sources: The Athens Messenger, The Crescent-News

Buckeyes

No. 2-seeded Nelsonville-York welcomes No. 7-seed Garaway for its playoff opener. The Buckeyes' 14-13 loss to Athens ended a 24-game regular-season win streak. The Crescent-News

City Council

Athens City Council met Monday and unanimously adopted an ordinance amending how the arts, parks and recreation levy is allocated to the debt fund and income tax fund. Two ordinances on annexing 29.5342 acres had a second reading. The Post

The Summit

The Summit FM marks five years of broadcasting in Athens County with a free celebration Sat., Nov. 7, at the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music from Scott Terry of Red Wanting Blue starts at 7 p.m., and you can reserve tickets on Eventbrite. Athens County Independent

Gatsby

Lost Flamingo Theater Company opens "The Great Gatsby" Friday at 7 p.m. at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., with shows Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door, cash only. The Post

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Zeus has a legendary origin story, and the heterochromia to match. The 4-year-old Australian shepherd mix was left behind at the Days Inn in Athens and is now the Athens County Independent's Dog of the Week. He's smart, obsessed with fetch, and has two different-colored eyes. He's ready to rule your couch.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Athens schools' income tax levy passes; health levy falls short

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Every source in this edition9 links · 6 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. The Crescent-Newscrescent-news.com
  3. The Athens Messengerathensmessenger.com
  4. The Athens Messengerathensmessenger.com
  5. The Crescent-Newscrescent-news.com
  6. The Postthepostathens.com
  7. Athens County Independentathensindependent.com
  8. The Postthepostathens.com
  9. Athens events calendartodayinathens.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4Athens schools' income tax levy passes; health levy falls short
  2. Tues., Nov. 3Ohio football plays at Akron tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN2
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Today in Athensto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

Alexander schools levy fails by 21 votes

Plus, Athens hosts Dover in Friday's playoffs and The Summit FM turns five.

The TLDR

  1. Alexander Local Schools' levy fails by 21 votes
  2. Athens hosts Dover in a Friday playoff game
  3. City Council adopts a levy allocation change
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Today in Athens’ other editions

All the news
SchoolsAthens voters renew the city schools' 1% income tax levy with no end dateIf you live in the Athens City School District, your 1% income tax levy just became open-ended. Voters renewed it Tuesday night, 5,675 to 4,034, in unofficial results from the Athens County Board of Elections. It had been set to expire at the end of 2028. Countywide, 20,572 of 36,003 registered voters cast ballots, around 57%.Wednesday’s editionRead ElectionsAthens County voters reject the health department's 10-year levyIf you were counting on one simpler levy for the Athens City-County Health Department, voters said no. Issue 7, the one mill levy, was defeated Tuesday, with 9,788 votes for and 10,001 against in unofficial results.Wednesday’s editionRead Bobcat SportsUnbeaten-in-conference Ohio plays at Akron tonight in its first midweek MACtion gameIf you want to watch tonight, it's on ESPN2. Ohio (6-2, 4-0 MAC) plays at Akron at 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium. The Zips are 1-7 and 0-4 in the MAC.Tuesday’s editionRead

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