🏙️ Main street magic

Good morning, Meigs County. A small-town renaissance is brewing in Rutland, where Mayor Eblin recently welcomed revitalization experts from Small Nation to transform vacant storefronts into thriving businesses. This potential partnership could mirror the remarkable turnaround seen in Bellefontaine, where empty buildings now house bustling shops and restaurants. It's a promising blueprint for breathing new life into Main Street's historic buildings that once formed the heart of local commerce.

Meanwhile, summer entertainment plans are taking shape at Spencer's Landing, where the 2025 Vienna Freedom Festival is consolidating into two action-packed days. The festival promises something for everyone – from carnival rides and rodeo thrills to hot air balloon experiences and performances by Home Free and "America's Got Talent" golden buzzer winners Chapel Hart. With free general admission and a spectacular drone light show finale, next summer's calendar already has its first must-attend event.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Pomeroy

70°

93°

Racine

71°

92°

Middleport

70°

93°

Reedsville

72°

91°

Long Bottom

73°

93°

Mason, WV

70°

93°

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🏙️ Small Ohio village eyes downtown revival with expert help. Rutland officials recently hosted Small Nation leaders to discuss a potential revitalization partnership for the village's business district. Mayor Tyler Eblin led a tour of Main Street, showcasing local landmarks and vacant buildings that once thrived as commercial hubs. The visit followed Eblin's trip to Bellefontaine, where Small Nation transformed a struggling district into a vibrant destination. Rutland plans to continue working with Small Nation on downtown assessment, economic development training, community branding, and tailored redevelopment strategies.

🏛️ Ohio University closes diversity centers amid controversial new law. President Gonzalez announced the closure of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, including the Multicultural Center, Women's Center, and Pride Center, in compliance with the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act. Based on community feedback, these spaces in Baker University Center are being temporarily repurposed as student-focused areas, including the "Visible Student Lounge" and informal study spaces. Cultural programming will continue under new departmental leadership, while the university reaffirms its commitment to respect across differences as a core institutional value.

🎡 Vienna Freedom Festival packs two days of thrills at Spencer's Landing. The 2025 festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, will consolidate all activities to one location after being spread across two weekends last year. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, a rodeo, hot air balloon experiences, and performances by acapella group Home Free and "America's Got Talent" golden buzzer winners Chapel Hart. The event, organized by nonprofit Friends of Vienna, will conclude with a spectacular drone light show on Saturday night, with general admission free to the public.

Multi-property investment high traffic: This 9.9-acre investment opportunity at $65,000 features two homes (one could be demolished), detached garage, outbuildings, and high-traffic visibility with potential commercial uses near major state routes.

Modern dream home near everything: This fully renovated $190,000 home features 3 bedrooms, 2 new bathrooms, a remodeled kitchen with granite countertops, new appliances, refinished floors, plus a new roof and AC system—all conveniently located near major roadways.

Handyman's dream needs cleanup: Priced at $35,000, this vacant Pomeroy property needs serious TLC with .45 acres across two lots, featuring a garage, storage building, and city utilities. Buyer responsible for removing personal items and debris.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

📚 Jun. 26 - Spicy Romance Book Club: Spice up your reading at Not Your Mama's Book Club! Join fellow romance enthusiasts at Pomeroy Library (216 W Main St) on June 26 at 5:30pm for literary discussions with a dash of heat.

📚 Jun. 26 - Thriller Thursday Book Club: Mystery lovers unite at Thriller Thursday! Join fellow suspense enthusiasts at Pomeroy Library on June 26 at 4:00 PM to discuss heart-pounding reads at this monthly book club. 216 W Main St.

📚 Jun. 27 - Inspirational Book Club: Dive into inspiring fiction at the Meigs County Library's monthly book club! Gather with fellow readers on June 27 to discuss this month's selection from the Inspirational Fiction collection. 216 W Main St, Pomeroy.

🚚 Jun. 27 - Food Truck Feast: Satisfy your cravings at the Food Truck Roundup outside Pomeroy Library! Jill's Highway Cafe, That's A Wrap, and GyrOH Turkish & Greek Street Food will serve delicious eats from 11am-6pm on June 27.

🎸 Jun. 27 - Russ & Misty Fields: Tap your toes to local melodies as Russ & Misty Fields perform at the Racine Library pavilion on June 27. Enjoy this free showcase of hometown talent at 608 Tyree Blvd.

🌽 Jun. 28 - Meigs County Farmers Market: Fresh local produce awaits at Meigs County Farmers Market every Saturday through October 25! Stroll through stalls of seasonal goodies on Main Street in Pomeroy from 10am to 1pm.

🎂 Jun. 28 - First Anniversary Celebration: Celebrate a year of culinary delights at Rutland Civic Center's One Year Anniversary bash! Sample tasty treats and enjoy exclusive offerings on June 28 as they mark their first milestone of catering deliciousness.

🎸 Jun. 29 - Mend The Broken: Rock out with Mend The Broken at the Court Grill on June 29! Catch this energetic local band as they bring their signature sound to 112 Court St in Pomeroy for an unforgettable summer night.

🙏 In Remembrance

John "Philip" Follrod

John "Philip" Follrod, 79, of Pomeroy, Ohio, passed away on June 23, 2025, at his home. A 1963 graduate of Pomeroy High School, Philip retired from the United Auto Workers after more than 30 years of service and was known for his charitable giving to St. Jude's and veterans. He is survived by his son, daughter, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, one brother, two sisters, and extended family. Private family services will be held at a later date through Ewing Funeral Home.

Josepg "Jeff" Hilleary

Joseph "Jeff" Hilleary, a 67-year-old Pomeroy resident and 1976 Meigs High School graduate, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. He spent his life working for the Daily Sentinel delivering newspapers and was known for his compassion, love of reading, and volunteering at the Meigs County Public Library. Jeff was an avid Jeopardy fan who nearly became a contestant and had a deep affection for his cats, especially his emotional support cat Thomas. He is survived by his caregiver Michelle Price and her family, special friends, extended family, and three cats, while being preceded in death by his wife Christine, aunt Bernice, and several beloved pets.