Whether or not we should open up more to drilling for natural gases and various other resources has been heating up in the wake of economic downturns and monetary shortcomings at every level of governments in the United States.
The Ohio House of Representatives recently passed Ohio House Bill 133 which if passed in the Ohio Senate will allow drilling for natural gas and oil in state parks in Ohio, including Lake Erie (which has been previously protected by federal mandate), state universities (if a vote from their board of trustees allows for it) and lands controlled by mental health and rehabilitation centers.
Obviously, with a piece of legislation of this magnitude, people have vastly different opinions, and it's difficult to separate fact from fiction with some of the rhetoric flying around.
There are many pros and cons to the bill that has been passed, and many of them affect the Athens area directly, as this bill could end up allowing for drilling in Strouds Run State Park, so it is important to weigh all of the options.
In a recent state budget proposal, State Republicans proposed raising the maximum alcohol content allowed in beer from 12 percent to 18 percent.
Republican Senator Jimmy Stewart proposed the change after taking a trip to local breweries in Athens. Stewart says, "If it's good for the small, local, craft brewers in the state of Ohio, then I think it's good for the state. Compared to other states, it's still pretty conservative to even be at 18 percent when so many states in our region don't even have a limit."
The limit was already raised in 2002 from six percent to 12 percent.
Yesterday was the grand opening of the Ridges Cafe at the Ohio University Kennedy Museum of Art. There was live music, prizes, and even free samples of some of the signature breakfast and lunch items. The Cafe will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Ridges Cafe is located in historic Lin Hall on the Ridges and it is also the only Athens cafe with a museum attached. It's a rare combination that allows anyone who visits to enjoy the history of The Ridges while also enjoying some food and beverage. The Cafe will serve breakfast and lunch foods, expresso drinks, and an assortment of desserts.
The construction of the Cafe was funded by a gift from Ohio University alumni Wilfred and Ann Lee Konneker. The Konnekers have deemed that all proceeds from the Cafe will go directly to the Kennedy Museum of Art. So what exactly goes on at the Kennedy Museum? Well, here's a basic rundown of some of the events that take place at Kennedy.
School districts in Ohio are hurting for cash. Teachers are losing jobs, students are losing educational opportunities and the quality of education is suffering. That's why new legislation has been introduced to possibly allow school districts to sell ad space on the sides of buses. Advertising is one of the easiest ways for any entity to make money and schools are no different when it comes to needing the extra revenue.
Prescription drug abuse has long been a growing problem. In April, Governor John Kasich announced a $36 million dollars in new funds to go towards helping addicted Ohioans recover from their addiction. This will be done with the help of the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services along with The Rehabilitative Services Commission (RSC), Ohio Department of Mental Health, and Ohio's County, Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Services Board.
Last night, WOUB's Newswatch aired the In-Depth Program: Prescription Drug Abuse. Scioto County has one of the highest rates of prescription drug abuse in the state of Ohio. According the the In-Depth site on WOUB.org, almost one in ten babies born in Scioto County test positive for drugs and drug abuse is starting as early as middle school.
Laura Lander from the West Virginia University Prescription Drug Quitline says that the abuse often starts with people who have been prescribed from physicians because they have pain and then find themselves needing more medicine than prescribed because they have become dependent.
