Good morning, Pike County. Behind every thriving business stands an entrepreneur with vision, and Dave Strickland has just claimed the spotlight. The local State Farm agent who quadrupled his client base to 5,000 households has been named 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce. His impact extends beyond insurance policies to cemetery restoration projects, exemplifying how business success and community investment can go hand-in-hand in small-town America.
Meanwhile, spring brings tournament excitement as Unioto baseball secures the coveted No. 1 seed in Division IV, preparing to host either McClain or Vinton County on May 22. The diamond isn't the only place seeing developments—Ohio's prison system is rolling out a $350,000 taser pilot program at two facilities, including Ross Correctional Institution. The initiative connects these devices to body cameras that activate automatically when removed from safe mode, representing a technological response to safety concerns.
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0%☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🏆 Local insurance agent's success story earns top entrepreneurial honor. Dave Strickland was named 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce for growing his State Farm business from 1,200 households to 5,000 households with 16,000 policies. He's also made an impact as co-owner of Chillicothe Monument/Hardy Memorials since 2015, contributing to community restoration projects at Greenlawn Cemetery. The Chamber's Annual Awards Dinner also recognized other local business leaders, including Joshua Walter as Young Professional of the Year and Rock for Tots for their $2 million in charitable contributions over 40 years.
⚾ Unioto baseball claims top seed in Division IV tournament. The Shermans will host either No. 9 McClain or No. 8 Vinton County on May 22 after receiving the No. 1 seed in the Southeast District. Westfall earned the No. 3 seed and will host Gallia Academy, while Waverly (No. 4) will face New Lexington at home. In other divisions, Zane Trace secured the No. 3 seed in Division V, Huntington took the No. 4 spot in Division VI, and Paint Valley landed at No. 10 in Division VII.
⚡ Ohio prisons arm staff with tasers in $350,000 pilot program. Two facilities—Trumbull and Ross Correctional Institutions—are implementing Taser 10 devices that connect to body-worn cameras and activate recording when taken off safe mode. The initiative comes after a correctional officer was beaten to death on Christmas Day, the first such fatality since 1996. Prison officials cite increasing violence among inmates as justification, while the Ohio Justice & Policy Center has called for pausing the program, warning that tasers pose lethal risks and citing a report linking 104 prison deaths to taser use between 2000-2017.
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Spacious countryside steal under $130k: This 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home on an acre of land is listed at $129,900. The main floor features a primary suite with luxurious bath options, while upstairs hosts four additional bedrooms for flexible living arrangements.
Rural fixer-upper with acreage: For $139,900, snag 6.4 beautiful country acres loaded with wildlife and a stone-layered stream. The spacious house needs major repairs, but this wooded and pasture property offers many possibilities for investors.
Nature retreat near state park: This $375,000 home for nature lovers sits seconds from Pike Lake State Park and offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a covered front porch, and a flat yard with deck, all surrounded by wooded privacy.🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
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🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
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