A sign saying “Stop the Data Center” sits among campaign signs on the corner of Putnam Street in March. Washington County Commissioners on Thursday approved a contract from the Ohio Public Defender’s office specifying the addition of a social worker and investigator during the regular commission meeting. Those contracts will begin January 2027 and would collaborate with county officials and the sheriff’s department. There was also lengthy discussion about the proposed data center in Waterford, with questions and comments from county residents as well as the commissioners. Read more about discussion in the commission meeting — in addition to more reporting on the future of data centers in our region — at mariettatimes.com and in the weekend print edition. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

A sign saying “Stop the Data Center” sits among campaign signs on the corner of Putnam Street in March. Washington County Commissioners on Thursday approved a contract from the Ohio Public Defender’s office specifying the addition of a social worker and investigator during the regular commission meeting. Those contracts will begin January 2027 and would collaborate with county officials and the sheriff’s department. There was also lengthy discussion about the proposed data center in Waterford, with questions and comments from county residents as well as the commissioners. Read more about discussion in the commission meeting — in addition to more reporting on the future of data centers in our region — at mariettatimes.com and in the weekend print edition.

(Photo by Amber Phipps)