Good morning, Ross County. A century-old governance structure at Adena Health is getting a modern makeover — and honestly, if it strengthens care across southern Ohio's 11 counties, we're here for the upgrade. On a warmer note, your local first responders are trading their gear for softball gloves on October 3rd for the "Cuffs N' Hoses" charity game at Yoctangee Park, raising money so their colleagues can access mental health care without the stigma or the bill. It's the kind of community event that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting.
Halloween season is already shaking things up for Chillicothe's free downtown trolley, so plan accordingly before October 31st sneaks up on you. Sports scores, fresh real estate listings, and a smart budgeting tip round out today's edition — dive in.
🌤 Sky Skoop
Chillicothe
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Kingston
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Adelphi
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South Salem
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
Adena Health overhauls board governance structure
🏥 Ohio health system ditches century-old board for a modern structure. Adena Health, which serves 11 counties across southern Ohio, is replacing its single Board of Trustees with a new system-level Board of Directors overseeing five local hospital advisory boards. The change was approved unanimously and is designed to strengthen oversight while preserving community input at each of its five hospitals. The new 17-member board will include representatives from Adena's seven corporate member churches, which have shared governance since the system's founding. The restructured governance model is targeted to launch Jan. 1, 2027. Read more
Cuffs N’ Hoses softball game to benefit first responder mental health fund
🧢 First responders swap sirens for softballs to fund mental health care. Ross County's police, fire, and EMS crews will face off Oct. 3 at Yoctangee Park in Chillicothe, Ohio, for the fourth annual "Cuffs N' Hoses" charity game. Proceeds benefit the Kocheran Strong Foundation, which covers the full cost of mental health treatment for first responders — including co-pays and entire bills for the uninsured — using telehealth and anonymous client numbers to protect privacy. The foundation was started by retired sheriff's Sgt. Eric Kocheran, who was shot in the line of duty in November 2022 and waited eight months before seeing a therapist. The free event includes equipment displays and food from Texas Roadhouse, with donations welcome. Read more
Chillicothe trolley sets October schedule, shortens hours for Halloween
🎃 Chillicothe's free downtown trolley is adjusting its schedule for Halloween. The trolley will run its regular Friday and Saturday hours throughout most of October, but will cut service short on Oct. 31, shutting down at 2 p.m. to make way for downtown road closures, trick-or-treating, and the Chillicothe Jaycees' Halloween Parade. The trolley will also skip its Enderlin Circle stop on Oct. 9 and 10 during the downtown Halloween Festival. Riders can track the trolley in real time using the Ride Pingo app — and the service remains free and wheelchair accessible. Read more
5 bed · 3 bath · 21-stall equestrian barn w/ indoor arena
Saddle up for this stunning Kingston equestrian estate featuring a 5-bed farmhouse, 21-stall barn, indoor arena, and 9.1 gorgeous acres complete with a creek, hay fields, and scenic countryside views!
This charming South Salem fixer-upper on Main Street sits on a spacious lot and offers serious potential for the right visionary buyer — a classic 1900s two-story just waiting for its next chapter!
🌎 What Else Is Brewing
Federal Reserve held rates steady while markets kept obsessing over whether the economy can stay upright without tripping on inflation.
OpenAI fired three researchers after a sensitive-information mishandling episode, reminding everyone that AI drama still has a human side.
Pentagon sent an extra carrier and 10,000 troops toward the Middle East, adding more muscle to an already tense standoff.
U.S. Treasury slapped new sanctions on a Russian firm accused of helping dodge Western restrictions, tightening the financial screws again.
U.S. Supreme Court let the Trump administration resume deportations to third countries, handing immigration officials a fresh green light.
Lyft agreed to pay $272.5 million in California’s biggest worker-classification settlement, finally putting a giant price tag on the driver fight.
💰 Financial Friday
Create a simple monthly budget that carves out a modest slice for an emergency fund, then check it each month to keep your spending on track. Treat it as a friendly roadmap that quietly steers you toward financial peace of mind.
Chester E. Burns, 75, of Chillicothe, passed at 7:52 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026 at his residence unexpectedly. He was born April 30, 1951, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to the late Paul B. and Daisy “Irene” Mercer Burns. In July of 1991, he married the former Cassandra “Sandy”... Read full obituary
Our beloved Robert went to be with the Lord on September 23, 2026 at the age of 90. He died peacefully at home with his family by his side. Robert was born to George and Nina Ricketts on March 19, 1936 in Chillicothe, Ohio. He grew up in Adelphi, Ohio, the ninth of ten siblings. He graduated from... Read full obituary
Lynden Michelle Jones passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026. The family is being cared for by Haller Funeral Home & Crematory - Chillicothe. Read full obituary
Carolyn K. Clary, 82, of Chillicothe, passed at 1:40 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Care Core at Westmorland following an extended illness. She was born February 5, 1944, in Ross County, Ohio, to the late James H. and Elizabeth E. (Sheets) Shaw. On August 7, 1965, she married the late... Read full obituary
Marsha L. DuBois, 84, of Chillicothe, went to be with her Lord at 10:14 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2026 in the Adena Regional Medical Center unexpectedly. She was born January 11, 1942 to the late John F. and Irene E. Howerton Franz. On May 12, 1974, she married Jerry L. DuBois who died April... Read full obituary
Keith was born July 8, 1945 in Chillicothe OH. He passed away September 18, 2026 in Flagstaff AZ. Keith was 81 years old. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, W. Paul and Esther Schrader, both of Chillicothe OH, and by a brother Gary Schrader, also of Chillicothe OH. He is survived by a... Read full obituary
Melissa Kay Posey passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The family is being cared for by Haller Funeral Home & Crematory - Chillicothe. Read full obituary
Naomi Ruth Glandon, age 87, of Frankfort, passed away peacefully and entered Heaven on Thursday, September 24, 2026. When she entered Heaven, she met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as all her family members who were waiting for her. She was born on Tuesday, April 4, 1939, at... Read full obituary
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
— Psalm 121:2
Whenever you feel uncertain, remember that God is the source of steady help, ready to support you in every step of your day.
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