🚐 Jobs on wheels

Good morning, Pike County. Opportunities are rolling into town—literally—as the OMJ Pike County Van prepares to bring job resources directly to rural veterans next week. The mobile job center will park at Pike Outreach on April 9, creating a convenient hub where residents can explore employment options and educational training without traveling far from home. This innovative "On-the-Road" initiative represents just one way local organizations are breaking down barriers for job seekers in our community.

The spring season also brings new beginnings for career-minded residents as Ohio University Chillicothe prepares to host its Bobcat Career Fairs later this month. While these opportunities unfold, the community pauses to remember beloved Jackson resident Jeff Gillum, whose passion for music, sports, and family gatherings created a legacy that extends far beyond his 71 years of life. His memorial services Friday will celebrate a life deeply connected to the rhythm of small-town Ohio.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Waverly

52°

74°

Piketon

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74°

Beaver

53°

75°

Latham

53°

70°

84%

Stockdale

53°

75°

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🚐 Mobile job center rolls into Waverly to help rural veterans. The OMJ Pike County Van will visit Pike Outreach on April 9 from 10am to 2pm as part of their "On-the-Road" initiative. Representatives will provide information about local job opportunities, educational training, and supportive services for job seekers. The Community Action Committee of Pike County's Workforce & Business Development Program organizes these monthly visits throughout the area to connect residents with valuable employment resources. For more information, residents can contact Andy Rice or visit the workforce development website.

💔 Jackson mourns beloved community member Jeff Gillum at age 71. The longtime resident passed away suddenly on March 16, leaving behind his wife of 45 years, Jeanne, and a loving family. A Jackson High School graduate who retired from Plibrico, Gillum was known for his passion for music, having played with the Holberg Hollow Band in his youth. He was an avid Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes fan who enjoyed camping, traveling, and family gatherings. Memorial services will be held Friday at Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home with contributions directed to local AMVETS or VFW posts.

🎓 Ohio University Chillicothe to host career fairs for eager job seekers. The Bobcat Career Fairs will take place on April 22 and 24 at the Shoemaker Center, with different industry focuses on each day. Students and alumni can attend for free to network with employers from banking, healthcare, social services, and more. Free virtual workshops on resume building, interviewing, and professionalism will prepare students for the events, with participants who complete all three receiving a portfolio. The April 24 fair will conclude with a fashion show featuring outfits from the university's Student Resource Center.

Spacious rural retreat with animals: Priced at $245,000, this spacious five-bedroom property features a covered porch, detached garage, and a barn suitable for 4-H animals, with a private wooded area offering recreational space.

Country cottage near downtown Waverly: Priced at $145,000, this cozy 2-bed, 1-bath country home offers a peaceful setting with modern comforts, featuring an inviting living space, private deck, and low-maintenance gardens within walking distance to downtown Waverly.

Country dream with bonus buildings: This rural farmhouse-style retreat is listed at $459,900, offering a picturesque setting with wraparound porches, vaulted ceilings, main floor primary suite, and additional features including barn stalls and a separate doublewide.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🥃 Mar. 19 - Maker's Mark Bourbon Tasting: Sip and savor at the Eagles Lodge with a blind bourbon tasting featuring special pours from Maker's Mark distillery. Join the laid-back evening of premium spirits on March 19 in Waverly.

🔧 Mar. 19 - CTE Reports Troubleshooting Workshop: Master your CTE reporting skills at Piketon's META Solutions on March 19! Education pros will troubleshoot FTE reports and dive into CTE Report Card essentials during this in-person workshop at 175 Beaver Creek Rd.

📊 Mar. 20 - ProgressBook Help Session: Need a ProgressBook refresher? Drop by META Solutions in Piketon on March 20 for a helpful training session. Get all your questions answered by experts at 175 Beaver Creek Road.

👥 Mar. 21 - Executive Board Meeting: Boilermakers Local 105 hosts their Executive Board Meeting at 6:00pm on March 21 at 4561 US-23, Piketon. Members in good standing welcome to attend this important union gathering.

🏢 Mar. 22 - Southeast Regional Meeting: Connect with fellow organizations at the 2025 Region 9 Regional Meeting at Lillian Jones Museum in Jackson on March 22! Register by March 14 for this essential Southeast Ohio networking opportunity.

🙏 In Remembrance

William R. Branscomb

William Ray Branscomb, 79, passed away at home on March 15, 2025, following a brief illness. Born in Berea, KY in 1946 and later adopted by Jessie and Emmett Branscomb, he was a 1964 graduate of Paint Valley High School. Bill was a lifelong farmer who served on the Pike County Fair Board, as a 4-H Advisor, and as Perry Township Trustee President. He is survived by his wife Paula, their three children, eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, along with several siblings.