Good morning, Meigs County. Talk about a teen with ambition! Sixteen-year-old Kloe Hickel is redefining what it means to be busy – juggling cosmetology training, theater roles, color guard performances, and statewide leadership positions on her way to the Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year award. Her fascinating career plan? Using hairdressing skills to finance her education while pursuing her true passion of solving homicides as a big-city detective.
Meanwhile, Parkersburg's financial story reads like a remarkable turnaround tale, transforming a staggering $63.7 million deficit into a healthy $10 million surplus in just seven years. The city's fiscal discipline has earned them six consecutive clean audits and an impressive Aa3 bond rating. In the community sphere, two dozen youth ministries are uniting for "Great Friday" on April 18, where students will pack 10,000 meals and build 20 playhouses while enjoying games and worship at South Parkersburg Baptist Church.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
89%
☕️ What's Brewing Locally
💇♀️ Teen hairdresser-in-training aims to solve murders one day. Kloe Hickel, a 16-year-old junior at Parkersburg South High School, was recently named Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg. Beyond her cosmetology studies at Wood County Technical Center, Hickel juggles theater roles as both actor and costume designer, performs with color guard and winter guard teams, and serves as a statewide teen ambassador for afterschool programs. She plans to use her hairdressing skills to finance her college education while pursuing her ultimate dream of becoming a homicide detective in a major city.
💰 Parkersburg's finances flip from massive deficit to healthy surplus. For the sixth consecutive year, the West Virginia city received a clean audit with no findings requiring corrective action. The city's financial position has dramatically improved from a $63.7 million deficit in 2017 to a $10 million surplus as of June 2024. Mayor Tom Joyce credits this turnaround to fiscal discipline, including closing existing police and fire pension plans to new hires and maintaining operating reserves. This financial improvement enabled the city to receive an Aa3 bond rating for financing new projects without additional burden on taxpayers.
🙏 Local youth ministries unite for powerful "Great Friday" service event. On April 18, two dozen youth groups will gather at South Parkersburg Baptist Church for an evening of service and worship. Middle and high school students will pack 10,000 meals for food insecure areas through Rise Against Hunger and build 20 playhouses for Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The event will also feature group games and student-led worship from 6-10 p.m. This marks the fourth year for the community service initiative, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals | |
|
Spacious ranch near elementary school: Recent ranch-style home in Middleport, OH lists for $198,000, featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, open concept living, carport, two outbuildings, and porches—conveniently located across from Meigs Elementary School.
Luxurious wooded Syracuse escape: Priced at $392,000, this immaculate Syracuse retreat offers a blend of luxury and nature with 3 bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, and a sprawling deck overlooking 6.4 acres of private land. Luxurious Syracuse country estate: For $392,000, this spacious Syracuse retreat offers 2,720 sq ft of luxury living with vaulted ceilings, three bedrooms, and a chef's kitchen, all nestled on 6.4 serene acres with additional space in the unfinished walkout basement.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb |
PRESENTED BY Northbend Church |
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
-1 Corinthians 16:13-14
|
|