🏃‍♀️ Healthcare hurdles

Good morning, Jackson County. The hallways of Buckeye Hills echoed with achievement this week as eight nursing students reached a remarkable milestone in their healthcare journeys. After completing an intensive 1,382-hour program with hundreds of hands-on clinical hours, these dedicated individuals are now poised to take their licensing exams and join the ranks of healthcare professionals serving our community. Their accomplishment reminds us that behind every medical success story stands someone who once nervously attended their first nursing class.

From healthcare heroes to athletic champions, Southern boys cross country team dominated the district meet with an impressive first-place finish, while Gallia Academy and River Valley teams also secured spots in regionals. Meanwhile, the Area Agency on Aging District 7 is opening its doors for a crucial advisory meeting on October 23, inviting community members to help shape services that allow our seniors to maintain their independence—a mission that touches countless families across our region.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Jackson

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Wellston

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73%

Oak Hill

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Coalton

44°

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Byer

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

👩‍⚕️ Eight nursing students celebrate milestone achievement at Buckeye Hills pinning ceremony. The graduates completed an intensive 1,382-hour practical nursing program, including 564 hours of hands-on clinical experience across various healthcare settings. Students Catherine Abell, Ashton Bauer, Miranda Cox, Mary Lamb, Rhainee Lowe, Kylie Moore, Keely Myers, and Ty Smittle received special recognition, with several earning prestigious awards for their performance. The ceremony featured scholarship presentations from healthcare partners and the traditional nursing pin conferral by program instructors. Graduates are now eligible to take their licensing exam, with enrollment for the next cohort open through October 30.

👵 Southern Ohio aging agency invites community to crucial advisory meeting. The Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) will host its Advisory Council meeting on October 23 at their Jackson office, welcoming in-person and virtual attendees from their ten-county service area. The council plays a vital role in guiding the agency's mission of developing services for seniors, serving as the official advisory body to AAA7's Board of Trustees. AAA7 provides various services helping older adults and individuals with disabilities maintain independent living, supported through Medicare, Medicaid, and other funding sources. Community members interested in senior needs can contact AAA7's Resource Center for more information or to register for the meeting.

🏃‍♂️ Southern boys dominate district cross country meet with first-place finish. The Tornadoes topped the Division IV leaderboard with a score of 65, led by Andre Chandler's fifth-place finish. In Division III competition, both Gallia Academy teams qualified for regionals with the boys finishing sixth and girls taking eighth place. River Valley's boys team also advanced by securing 11th place, while their girls team had three individual qualifiers despite not making the team cut. The meets were held Saturday at the University of Rio Grande, with Fairfield Union winning both Division III competitions.

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🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

👶 Oct. 20 - Toddler Time Fun: Little ones will delight at Toddler Time with Miss Meghan at Wellston Public Library on Oct 20! Perfect for ages 18 months to 3 years, this hour of stories, fingerplays, and crafts sparks early learning fun.

👶 Oct. 20 - Bouncing Babies Story Time: Wiggle and giggle at Bouncing Babies Story Time with Miss Meghan! Little ones (0-18 months) will enjoy stories, finger plays, and songs at Sylvester Memorial Wellston Public Library on October 20th.

🧠 Oct. 22 - Teen Advisory Board: Calling all teens in grades 6-12! Join Miss Meghan for the Teen Advisory Board meeting on October 22 at Sylvester Memorial Wellston Public Library, where you'll explore ways to help with children's programs.

🐄 Oct. 22 - Feeder Calf Special: Round up your cattle for the Feeder Calf Special at 357 Jackson Pike in Gallipolis! Join the regular auction starting at 10 a.m. on October 22—call Joe or the office with questions.

🎸 Oct. 24 - PorterHouse Pure Rock LIVE: Rock out at Stockroom601 as PorterHouse brings Pure Rock classics with their LIVE monthly broadcast! Stop by 601 Main St, Jackson on Oct 24 for great music, food, and drinks.

🏛️ Oct. 25 - Jackson Ohio Community Event: Join us in Jackson, OH at 800 Van Fossan Rd on October 25 for a special community gathering! Mark your calendars for this local event where neighbors come together to celebrate the season.

👻 Oct. 25 - JAFAC Monster Mash: Get spooky at the 1st Annual JAFAC Monster Mash! Join the Halloween fun on October 25th at Jackson Area Family Activity Center (594 Main St) for a night of thrills and chills.

🎀 Oct. 25 - Red Ribbon Celebration Day: Join the Red Ribbon Celebration Day at Jackson Church of the Nazarene on October 25th! Festivities kick off at 3:00 PM with a special film showing at 251 Powell Drive, Jackson.