Good morning, Marion County. The scent of slow-smoked brisket will soon have a permanent home in Clintonville as Ray Ray's BBQ transitions from food truck fame to brick-and-mortar reality on June 3. Chef James Anderson's journey from mobile smoker to six locations across Columbus represents the kind of homegrown success story that makes our local food scene so vibrant – with the new "Hog Pit" concept promising to bring even more barbecue brilliance to North High Street.
Meanwhile, big achievements come in small packages at Ridgedale High School, where 34 seniors just collected an impressive $518,000 in scholarships. And nature enthusiasts have something to celebrate as Ohio hunters have set a wild turkey harvest record this season with 15,911 birds checked so far. As Superintendent Bower aptly noted about Ridgedale's graduates, we're clearly a community "doing big things" – whether in education, entrepreneurship, or enjoying our natural resources.
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88%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🍖 Beloved BBQ joint Ray Ray's gets a permanent Clintonville home. The popular food truck operation will open a brick-and-mortar location on June 3 at 4214 N. High St., inside the former Wizard of Za pizzeria space. This "Hog Pit" concept will replace Ray Ray's longtime food truck stationed at Ace of Cups, marking the second permanent location opened this year following their Marion restaurant. Founded in 2009 by Chef James Anderson, Ray Ray's has grown to six locations across Columbus, with management excited about potential collaborations with neighboring restaurants FUSIAN and Wario's Beef & Pork.
🎓 Small school, big achievements at Ridgedale High's graduation ceremony. Thirty-four seniors from the class of 2025 received their diplomas on May 18, with Kadence Guadagno and Sofia Daughtery earning top academic honors. The graduating class secured over $518,000 in scholarships, with 14 students planning to attend college and three continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Three graduates will also receive associate degrees from Marion Technical College, while seven plan to enter the workforce directly. "At Ridgedale we are a small district doing big things," noted Superintendent Erika Bower.
🦃 Ohio hunters bag record number of wild turkeys this season. Hunters have checked 15,911 wild turkeys during the 2025 spring season through May 25, surpassing last year's count of 15,535 birds. Ashtabula County leads with 466 turkeys harvested, followed by Monroe and Belmont counties. While hunting has concluded in the south zone's 83 counties, the northeast zone remains open until June 1. The Division of Wildlife has issued over 52,000 spring turkey permits as part of their mission to conserve wildlife resources for sustainable use.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Updated home move-in ready: This charming $164,900 home offers 3 bedrooms, updated kitchen with butcher block countertops, new roof and AC, plus detached garage, all freshly painted inside and out with new flooring throughout.
Classic home modern updates ready: A move-in ready home in classic charm with practical updates, priced at $149,900, offers three spacious bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a finished attic, second-floor laundry, and ample off-street parking.
Affordable ranch awaits renovation: Priced at $130,000, this ranch style home offers a functional layout with three bedrooms, one bathroom, and outdoor space—ideal for homeowners seeking value or investors looking to make improvements.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
💰 Financial Friday
Consider creating a budget that reflects your values and priorities; tracking your spending can help you identify areas where you can cut back and free up more money for things that truly matter to you.
🙏 In Remembrance
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