WOUB News

Study Finds Community Action Agencies Affect Economy

WOUB Staff Writer — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:59:07 +0000

Athens, OH

WOUB Staff Writer

Community Action Agencies in Ohio have a big effect on improving the local business climate: a new study found that 40 percent of Community Action Agency funding goes toward economic development.

The study out of Ohio University shows that charitable agencies that work with low income families within Ohio, are looking to create economic growth, as well as hand out food to those in economic crisis.

Doug Stanley, executive director of the Athens, Hocking, Perry Community Action Agency, says he hopes this study highlights the focus of these organizations.

"When we work with state legislators, to demonstrate to them that what we do, it's not just helping someone with a food box or a head-start program or a weatherization program, but it is actually improving the economy for everybody, not just low income people," said Stanley.

Stanley uses the GoBus partnership as one example of the agency's economic development work.

"GoBus provides very low cost, $10 is a roundtrip ticket, to go from Athens to Columbus and Athens to Cincinnati. There are two runs made each day, round-trip. And most recently we opened a spur line that goes to Marietta-Parkersburg," said Stanley.

The agency's partnership with GoBus began in November 2010 as an effort to fill a void in public transportation in Southeast Ohio.

The Athens, Hocking, Perry Community Action Agency, also known as HAPCAP, is just one of the 50 Community Action Agencies that serve every county in the state of Ohio.

Cambridge Man Faces Charges In Foster Father's Murder

Fred Kight — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:00:49 +0000

Cambridge, OH

Fred Kight

Guernsey County Prosecutor Daniel Padden says Perry Buco has been indicted for aggravated murder.

The announcement Friday says Buco has also been indicted for aggravated robbery, theft and grand theft.

Buco is 21-years-old and from Cambridge.

He's accused of killing 47-year-old Robert Caples of Cambridge in April.

Caples was Buco's foster father.

Kasich Signs Texting Ban

Associated Press — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:03:22 +0000

Columbus, OH

Associated Press

Ohio has become the 39th state to prohibit texting while driving.

Gov. John Kasich signed a ban Friday on writing, reading and sending texts from behind the wheel. It goes into effect in 90 days.

The measure includes a stricter crackdown on teen drivers' use of electronic devices. Minors would be banned from using cellphones, iPads or other electronics while driving.

Texting would be a secondary offense for adult drivers. They could be ticketed for typing messages only if they were first pulled over for another offense, such as running a red light.

Teens could more easily be pulled over for violating the texting ban.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the measure would be among the broadest in the country in terms of teen distracted driving restrictions.

Morning Audio Update for June 1

Taylor Pool — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:51:45 +0000

Athens, OH

Taylor Pool

The trip to and from school will become a little safer for Washington and Athens County students.

Plus, Ohio is poised to become the 39th state to prohibit texting while driving.

Morning Update for June 1.mp3

Energy Assessments Free To Athens County Residents

Kelsey Borza — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:11:53 +0000

Athens, OH

Kelsey Borza

A free program that aims to help Athens County homeowners save energy and reduce costs launched in Athens on Thursday.

The Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development is providing more than 150 free energy home assessments to Athens County residents. The assessments include suggestions for basic energy improvements, and auditors can troubleshoot potentially dangerous problems.

Mary Ann Bennick, an Athens County homeowner, says it didn't take much to convince her to get a home audit.

"If it saves you money and it makes your home more comfortable to live in, then do it," she said.

The home auditors primarily target basic fixes like water usage, lightbulbs and doorways, but can also provide homeowners with information about utility rebate programs and access to low-interest financing through the Ohio University Credit Union.

Bennick's auditor, Dustin Bolin, recommended that she make the switch to energy saving household items that won't break the bank. This includes purchasing a new shower head and low wattage lightbulbs.

"We'll also be pointing out some health and safety issues along with, if they do decide to seal up their home. If they have a bad furnace or something like that, it can be very dangerous for the homeowner," said Bolin.

Bennick said she thinks the home assessment was well worth the inconvenience of opening up her home to a stranger.

"If they have an issue with someone coming into their home and finding something then that's up to them, but don't get me wrong its helpful," she said.

The Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development says it may open up the program to people from other areas in the region if the pilot project is successful.

Athens Offering Tax Amnesty

Christa Lamendola — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:42:23 +0000

Athens, OH

Christa Lamendola

The City of Athens is offering a one time opportunity for "non-taxpayers" to get back on track without penalties starting Friday.

Failing to pay your income taxes could get you into hot water with the government, along with penalties and interest.

Prior to signing a new contract with the Central Collection Agency, the City of Athens is offering delinquent taxpayers a chance to come clean through an income Tax Amnesty program.

"What we wanted to do was offer an amnesty program, which is an opportunity to file delinquent tax returns or delinquent employer withholdings with no penalty and half interest charges," said Tina Timberman, City of Athens income tax administrator.

This gives taxpayers an opportunity to do redeem themselves before the city joins with the collection agency to compare Athens' database to the IRS database.

These records will be used to pursue non-filing and under reporting taxpayers.

After researching a Dayton amnesty program done back in 2008, Timberman says that this program is expected to bring in between $10,000 and $20,000 in revenue for the city of Athens.

"For every person that comes forward, it's money that we hadn't previously collected," said Timberman. "So, it's going to be increased revenue as well as that becomes a future taxpayer, so not only do we get the previous seven years back taxes but we also get taxes going forward."

The City of Athens is currently accepting tax returns for the amnesty program and will continue accepting them until June 29.

Athens City tax forms can all be found on the city's website along with a list of items that are taxable and non-taxable for the city.

Warren School Board Cuts High School Busing

Regina Donizetti — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:14:44 +0000

Marietta, OH

Regina Donizetti

The buses won't run at Warren High School this upcoming school year.

In a 3-2 vote, the Warren Local Board of Education voted against bringing the buses back in the fall.

The elimination was one of several cuts intended to save the school money to repair its aging facilities.

"The whole concern was over financials. We just don't have the revenue to make the improvements to our buildings that we need," said Bob Allen, president of the school board.

Allen says the school board saw an increase in attendance at its meetings after the decision was made to cut the school transportation.

"I understand the impact. I don't like it. I wish we could do otherwise and provide busing. It is a hardship for families, and I understand it," he said.

Allen says the school board will spend about $1.5 million dollars each year for the next several years for repairs and renovations to existing systems.

Afternoon Audio Update for May 31

Steffany Hiett — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:26:13 +0000

Athens, OH

Steffany Hiett

To reduce the risk of accidents in Athens, the city will spend $110,000 on sidewalk improvements.

The annual payment by major cigarette manufacturers to West Virginia under a settlement will increase slightly this year.

Details in your afternoon audio update.

5-31afternoonupdate.Mp3

Elementary School Honored With Safety Award

Kelsey Hoak — Thu, 31 May 2012 17:02:14 +0000

Jackson, OH

Kelsey Hoak

A boy from Westview Elementary in Jackson has a new bicycle for summer thanks to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Fourth grader Sebastian Kirby was awarded a bicycle for having the best poster on bicycle safety.

The Westview Elementary Fourth Grade Team worked on an ODOT campaign.

The campaign is called "Every Move You Make, Keep It Safe."

Principle John Balzer says the school wants to promote bike and ATV safety because in most accident,s kids are not wearing a helmet.

Balzer says he wants his students to be safe.

"We really do want to stress to kids that it's not somebody else, it can happen to you. Because they always think that it's somebody else far away that things like that happen to and its not, it happens right here in your own hometown," said Balzer.

The fourth grade teachers also accepted a $1,000 award from ODOT.

The award will be used next school year to teach safety going to and from school.

Marriage License Fees To Increase For Some In West Virginia

Associated Press — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:30:03 +0000

Charleston, W. Va.

Associated Press

The cost of a marriage license for some couples in West Virginia is about to go up.

Starting June 8, couples who do not undergo four hours of premarital counseling will pay $56 - or an extra $20 - for a marriage license. The Legislature enacted the change in March.

To avoid paying the higher fee, a couple must provide a certificate showing that a class was completed.

While some advocates say the change will help reduce the divorce rate and strengthen families, others are skeptical.

West Virginia Association of Counties Executive Director Patti Hamilton says the state hasn't provided funding for new forms that must be printed and ask about pre-marriage counseling sessions.