Pike County • July 9, 2025
Good morning, Pike County. Summer's construction season strikes again! Starting Sunday, State Route 139 will close completely between Horton Sisters Road and Red Brush Road for nearly three weeks. The culvert replacement project means detour signs are already appearing like mushrooms after rain, guiding drivers around the closure until July 25th. Time to dust off those alternate route maps or, better yet, keep WSAZ bookmarked for the latest updates.
Meanwhile, art enthusiasts have a Renaissance revival to look forward to this month. Circleville artist Steven Riggs brings his oil paintings and graphite works to The Pump House Center for the Arts throughout July, channeling the meticulous realism of the Old Masters. His exhibition kicks off with live music on July 10th, featuring standout works like his portrait of silent film star Lillian Gish. And history buffs might appreciate the timely reminder that it was 55 years ago this month when Ohio University Chillicothe received the magnificent 14-room Mead staff house, transforming a banker's mansion into an educational asset.
π€ Sky Skoop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|

π§ Ohio State Route 139 closing for nearly three weeks. Both lanes between Horton Sisters Road and Red Brush Road will be shut down from July 7 to approximately July 25. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office announced the closure is necessary for a culvert replacement project. Detour and road closure signs are already in place to guide motorists around the affected area. Drivers should plan alternate routes and check WSAZ for updates throughout the closure period.
π¨ Circleville artist brings Renaissance-inspired realism to Chillicothe exhibit. Steven Riggs will showcase his oil paintings and graphite works at The Pump House Center for the Arts throughout July, with an opening reception featuring live music on July 10th. A professional artist specializing in realistic portraits in the tradition of Renaissance Masters, Riggs maintains a studio in Circleville where he offers classes and accepts portrait commissions. His featured works include "Beau Deese," a graphite drawing of silent film actress Lillian Gish, and "Cherokee Path," an oil painting depicting a wooded trail in North Carolina. Riggs passionately advocates for "HIGH ART," believing that artistic excellence requires unwavering standards and no compromise.
ποΈ Historic mansion finds new purpose at Ohio University Chillicothe. In July 1969, Mead Corporation transferred ownership of its 14-room staff house on East Fifth Street to the university during a special luncheon ceremony. The property, originally home to banker George Hunter Smith, was purchased by Mead in 1946 and had housed visiting dignitaries and served as a meeting venue. Ohio University President Vernon Alden gratefully accepted the gift, noting it would help accommodate increased activities at the growing Chillicothe campus. The donation strengthened the university's ability to contribute to the educational and cultural interests of the city.
Rustic log cabin needs moving: This tiny log home is on the market for $55,000, offering 560 sq. ft. of rustic charm with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, though buyers should note it requires relocation from its current campground lot.
Wooded cabin paradise near forest: Priced at $184,000, this 5-acre wooded retreat offers a new Amish-built cabin with open living space, full bath, and spacious deck bordering Pike State Forestβperfect for weekend escapes or full-time living in nature.
Woodland gem needs investor love: Priced at $139,900, this 6.4-acre property offers a mix of woodland and pasture, complete with wildlife and a stone-layered stream. The spacious house needs significant repairs but presents numerous possibilities for an investor.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
-2 Corinthians 5:17
|
|