One endangered species, one smoky stage, one urgent healthcare talk 🌿
Good morning, Jackson County. Ohio just permanently locked in 360 acres of rare, irreplaceable land — and a big chunk of it is right here in your backyard. The state's acquisition expands Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve and creates the brand-new White's Gulch State Nature Preserve, protecting 24 state-listed plant species including one of Ohio's largest populations of the endangered bigleaf magnolia. That's the kind of win that sticks around forever. On the national front, a government shutdown looms, a multistate cyclospora outbreak has topped 4,000 cases (wash that produce), and Middle East tensions are keeping fuel prices unsettled.
Locally, there's plenty to keep you busy — Alex Hawk delivered a standout performance closing out fair racing on a high note, and the week still has Rowdy's Smokehouse live music Wednesday. Fresh listings are waiting in Real Estate too.
🌤 Sky Skoop
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Wellston
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Oak Hill
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Coalton
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
ODNR Protects Nearly 360 Acres of Rare Natural Habitat in Jackson County
🌿 Ohio just permanently protected 360 acres of rare, irreplaceable habitat. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources acquired 357 acres in Jackson County, expanding Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve and creating the brand-new White's Gulch State Nature Preserve. Funded by $740,000 in EPA grants, the protected land harbors 24 state-listed plant species, including one of Ohio's largest populations of the endangered bigleaf magnolia. Lake Katharine now spans 2,213 acres—the largest preserve directly managed by ODNR—featuring over seven miles of hiking trails through sandstone cliffs, wetlands, and ancient forests. Read more
Hawk ends Jackson County Fair card in winner’s circle
🏇 Local driver Alex Hawk ends Jackson County Fair racing on a high note. After a weather-delayed start caused by Canadian wildfire smoke, Ohio's Southern Valley Colt Circuit packed two days of harness racing into one action-packed Saturday. Hawk, a Vinton County native, delivered standout performances across both sessions — winning the Bob Willis Memorial Signature Series with a dominant 6¾-length victory and closing the evening card with a triumph in the Ralph & Polly McCormick Memorial trot. Driver Hank Le Van also shone brightly, collecting multiple wins across both sessions to entertain an eager Jackson County crowd. Read more
Brand new to Wellston's community, this charming 3-bed, 2-bath home is barely lived-in and move-in ready — complete with appliances, a cozy electric fireplace, and even a 65" TV included!
Tucked along a quiet township road in Jackson County, this stunning 23-acre Southern Ohio retreat offers mature hardwood timber, trophy whitetail hunting, and gorgeous rolling terrain — a rare recreational gem just minutes from Richland Furnace State Forest!
This beautifully remodeled 1890 charmer near the heart of Wellston blends historic character with a stunning designer interior — including a dream kitchen and versatile flex space perfect for modern living!
Country music fans, don't miss American Idol star Alex Miller bringing his George Strait-inspired sound to the Jackson County Fair in Wellston, Ohio on July 22!
Healthcare leaders, this one's for you! Join three Southeast Ohio CEOs for a candid executive roundtable tackling workplace violence in healthcare on July 23 at Holzer Medical Center-Jackson, 500 Burlington Rd, Jackson, OH.
Get ready for a smokin' good time at Rowdy's Smokehouse on July 23! This crowd favorite on Ralph St in Jackson, OH always delivers amazing food and an electric atmosphere you won't want to miss!
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
Trump administration is racing to avert a shutdown by sending a stopgap funding bill through the House, buying Washington a few more weeks of drama.
Trump administration is pushing a Saudi nuclear-tech pact to Congress without the usual weapons safeguards, setting off fresh nonproliferation alarms.
Trump administration is pausing over $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while claiming fraud and compliance problems.
Israel and the U.S. traded another night of strikes with Iran, pushing fuel prices higher and keeping markets on edge.
Department of Justice is seeking a 2027 trial date for Nicolas Maduro in a drug-trafficking case, turning an old showdown into a very slow burn.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking more than 4,000 cyclospora cases tied to a multistate outbreak, putting produce suppliers back under the microscope.
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
— Isaiah 26:3
This verse reminds us that when we focus on God and trust in Him, He will give us a sense of calm and peace that surpasses our circumstances. By keeping our minds fixed on Him, we can experience peace even in the midst of life's challenges.
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