Good morning, Meigs County. Amid the late summer buzz, the Mason County Fair has crowned its newest royalty, with Lillian Bowles claiming the 2025 Fair Queen title during opening night festivities. The pageantry wasn't limited to the main event—little ones had their moment in the spotlight too, as Brooke Engle and Dexter Peaytt earned their Little Miss and Mr. Mason County sashes earlier in the day.
From crowns to crime reports, Athens County police had their hands full with some truly unusual incidents—including a man claiming a bee attack while punching himself in the face. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of a remarkable local talent in Bradley Whitlatch, whose artistic legacy lives on through his extraordinary craftsmanship. The 44-year-old Parkersburg native transformed ordinary materials into works of art, leaving behind not just beautiful creations but a testament to finding beauty in the everyday.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
👑 Small-town pageantry crowns new royalty at Mason County Fair. Lillian Bowles was named the 2025 Mason County Fair Queen during the opening night festivities, with Olivia Stanley, Malea Bechtle, and Delaney Pearson as runners-up. The queen pageant featured seven contestants competing to succeed 2024 queen Jaidyn Patrick, with special awards distributed for community service, parade floats, and congeniality. Earlier that day, Brooke Engle and Dexter Peaytt claimed the titles of Little Miss and Mr. Mason County, respectively. Pageant Director Brandy Barkey Sweeney praised all the little contestants, saying "they were all fantastic."
🚨 Bees, break-ins, and K9 heroics fill Athens County police reports. A man found punching himself in the face claimed he was escaping a bee attack before being arrested on drug charges. Other incidents included a false break-in report, suspicious bike riders, a Facebook hacking threat involving nude photos, and K9 officer Cody successfully sniffing out narcotics during a traffic stop. The police blotter also featured children looking lost after getting off a bus, a barricaded man with a gun, and several minor disputes that were resolved without serious consequences.
🎨 Talented craftsman Bradley Whitlatch leaves behind artistic legacy at 44. The Parkersburg native passed away on August 4, 2025, with his parents at his bedside. Known for his exceptional tile work in the family construction business, Whitlatch was a self-taught artist who transformed ordinary materials into extraordinary creations. He crafted wall hangings from slate shingles, welded sculptures from discarded metal, and repaired broken items to give to those in need. Whitlatch is survived by his parents, two brothers, children, grandchildren, and his faithful yorkie companion, Jacob.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Historic fixer-upper needs love: For $49,000, this 3-story home on Wehe Terrace offers hardwood floors and intricate woodwork throughout, though it needs renovation. Located on a quiet dead-end road, it's being sold as-is.
Hidden gem near everything: Priced at $87,400, this cozy 3-bedroom home offers an updated kitchen, fenced backyard, and convenient location near schools and amenities, just 15 minutes from Ravenswood or Pomeroy.
Wooded retreat awaits nature lovers: For $114,900, this 14.5-acre wooded retreat in Meigs County offers pristine timber, a year-round creek, gated entrance with gravel driveway, and utilities available at the road, perfect for a home, cabin, or recreational getaway.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:11
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