🧪 Mental health lifeline

Good morning, Pike County. By 2026, a vital lifeline will arrive for our region's mental health landscape. The $7.9 million behavioral health crisis center taking shape in Ross County represents a significant investment in community wellbeing, with mobile response teams already serving local youth. Meanwhile, ODOT is transforming Chillicothe's Bridge Street into a modern thoroughfare with new lanes, roundabouts, and pedestrian-friendly features—though shoppers can breathe easy knowing traffic will flow during peak retail seasons despite the 2.5-year timeline.

The ancient Greeks knew something about transformation too, as Piketon High School demonstrates with their ambitious production of "Hadestown: Teen Edition." The show marks the school's 50th anniversary of musical productions with a technically impressive staging featuring trap doors and a rotating robotic platform. Alumni will gather after the March 29 matinee to celebrate this golden milestone in the community's performing arts tradition.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Waverly

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Piketon

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Beaver

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Latham

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Stockdale

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🏥 Highland County gets progress update on behavioral health crisis center. Paint Valley ADAMH representatives met with county commissioners to share developments on their $7.9 million facility being built in Ross County with a targeted April 2026 opening date. The center will provide critical walk-in crisis support, while mobile response teams are already serving youth in Highland County. Regional data shows tobacco use remains higher than state averages, while alcohol and marijuana usage rates fall below state concerns. Commissioners also met with the Ohio Land and Liberty Coalition to discuss renewable energy projects, emphasizing the challenge of balancing landowners' rights with community concerns.

🛣️ Bridge Street is getting a major facelift in Chillicothe. ODOT has outlined a 1.12-mile improvement project that will take approximately two and a half years to complete. Project Manager Tom Barnitz assured that traffic lanes will remain open during shopping seasons despite the lengthy construction timeline. The project includes adding new lanes, a roundabout, access roads, and pedestrian paths, plus aesthetic enhancements like pocket parks and decorative fencing. Seven intersections will receive upgraded traffic signals and equipment as part of the comprehensive overhaul.

🎭 Greek mythology hits Piketon High School stage in "Hadestown: Teen Edition." The musical, based on the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice, will run for four performances during the final weekend of March. Director Jessie Hablitzel explains the production explores themes of sacrifice, love, and standing up for what's right, featuring challenging jazz music and original choreography. The ambitious production includes trap doors and a rotating robotic stage as part of its post-apocalyptic set design. This marks the 50th anniversary of musicals at Piketon, with special recognition planned for alumni after the March 29 matinee.

Modern Farmhouse with bonus buildings: A $459,900 newly constructed Farmhouse style home featuring a wrap-around porch, vaulted ceilings, and main floor primary suite, with an unfinished basement, barn with stalls, and a 1999 Doublewide in unknown condition.

Rural luxury awaits nature lovers: This countryside paradise, priced at $275,000, features a spacious 4-bedroom home on nearly 2 acres with updated interiors, oversized bedrooms, a heated garage, and an above-ground pool for summer enjoyment.

Spacious lakeside ranch price cut: Listed at $435,000, this lake-view ranch home features 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a walkout basement on nearly 1.5 acres, with recent updates including new sliding doors and hot water tank.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

💻 Mar. 26 - Piketon EMIS Open Lab: Get your EMIS questions answered at META Solutions' Piketon Open Lab on March 26! Join this in-person only session at 175 Beaver Creek Rd for personalized help—registration required.

🍽️ Mar. 26 - Portsmouth Workers Lunch & Learn: Former Portsmouth A-Plant workers, bring a guest to our Educational Lunch event at Bob Evans in Waverly! Join CNS Cares nurses on March 26 from 10:00-11:30am for valuable information and support.

🎵 Mar. 28 - D16 Honor Band: Young musicians showcase their talents at the D16 Honor Band performance at Waverly High School on March 28. Come support these gifted students as they fill Tiger Drive with impressive harmonies!

🎭 Mar. 29 - Mike Rambo Remy Event: Join the excitement at Mike Rambo Remy Event on March 29! Head to 6727 Red Hollow Rd in Waverly for a community gathering filled with fun and connection. Check website for latest updates.

🏭 Mar. 30 - On-Site Tour Day: Explore our facility during our extended On-Site Tour at 444 Cherry St in Waverly! Drop by anytime between 9am and 7pm on March 30 to see what we have to offer.

🏠 Mar. 30 - On-Site Tour Day: Explore River Run Healthcare's Crystal Care Center during their all-day open house! Tour the facilities and learn about amenities from 9am-7pm on March 30 at 4734 Gallia Pike, Franklin Furnace.

🙏 In Remembrance

Rex David Evans

Rex David Evans, Sr., 74, passed away on March 21, 2025, at his home in Waverly, Ohio. He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Roxanne, three sons, two brothers, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Rex worked as a guard at CCI for 36 years before retiring in 2008, and was a member of Open Door Ministries in Chillicothe. Funeral services will be held on March 26, 2025, at Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Waverly.

Flossie Montgomery

Flossie Montgomery, a 96-year-old retired dairy farmer and homemaker from Piketon, Ohio, passed away on March 24, 2025, at her home. Born in Kentucky in 1928, she was married to her late husband Esaw Montgomery for 64 years until his death in 2011. Flossie is survived by eight children, 16 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and a sister, while she was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, five grandsons, two sons-in-law, and multiple siblings. Her funeral will be held on March 28, 2025, at the Boyer Funeral Home with burial following at Gardner Cemetery.

Joseph Lorenzo Helton

Joseph Lorenzo Helton, 62, of Chillicothe, Ohio passed away on March 18, 2025 at Adena Regional Medical Center. Born on July 10, 1962 in Ross County, Ohio to the late William and Zellia Helton, he is survived by his children Kaylee and Gary Joe Helton, two grandchildren, his sister Nancy Hughes, and a cousin Laura Bethel. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Kenneth and Billy Helton. No visitation will be held, with arrangements being handled by Boyer Cremation Services.

Terry McCreary

Terry Lee McCreary, 77, of Piketon, Ohio, passed away on March 22, 2025, at his home. Born in Manchester, Ohio in 1947, he was married to his late wife Linda for 47 years until her death in 2014. He is survived by his two children, Jodi and Todd, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a sister, while being preceded in death by his parents, wife, a son, a sister, and a brother. Funeral services will be held on March 28, 2025, at Botkin Hornback Funeral Home in Waverly, with burial following at Stockdale Cemetery.