Good morning, Ross County. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! What started as a typical day at the Circleville Pumpkin Show turned into a remarkable story of medical heroism when Dr. Hafeez Hassan and the Adena Health team saved 77-year-old Bernice Alexander's life in just 31 minutes - crushing the national benchmark for emergency cardiac care. Now that's the kind of pumpkin show drama we can all celebrate.
While life-saving miracles unfold at local festivals, our community's cultural scene is blooming too. Ohio University Chillicothe is partnering with the Ross County NAACP for a special Black History Month art exhibition, the Piketon facility just completed a million-gallon engineering marvel ahead of schedule, and local sports fans are reliving an epic 1994 playoff game where Chillicothe's "Twilight Zone" defense left Lancaster seeing stars. Meanwhile, there's good news on the job front, with Ohio's unemployment claims taking a surprising dip just in time for the holidays.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
❤️ Quick-thinking doctor saves grandma's life at pumpkin festival. During what was meant to be a fun trip to the Circleville Pumpkin Show, 77-year-old Bernice Alexander experienced a life-threatening "widowmaker" heart attack. Dr. Hafeez Hassan and the Adena Health team sprang into action, completing a critical stent procedure in just 31 minutes - far beating the national benchmark of 90 minutes. Despite having no prior heart issues, Alexander's unexpected medical emergency transformed from potential tragedy to triumph thanks to the rapid response of the local medical team. Now fully recovered, the grateful grandmother has chosen to make the 90-minute drive from Cincinnati to continue her cardiac care at Adena Health.
🎨 Local organizations team up to celebrate Black artists this February. Ohio University Chillicothe, Ross County NAACP, and the public library are joining forces to host a month-long Black History Month art exhibition. The show will run February 1-28 at the Patricia Scott Hall Memorial Gallery, with artists required to deliver their works by January 17. Artists interested in participating can contact Sue Colley for submission details. A special reception on February 20 will give the public a chance to meet the artists and discuss their work in person.
🏭 Piketon facility builds massive million-gallon tank ahead of schedule. The Department of Energy site in Ohio completed the storage tank construction in September as part of their Interim Leachate Treatment System. Once fully operational, the system will process an impressive 400 gallons of wastewater per minute from the On-Site Waste Disposal Facility. Engineers cleverly modified the tank's design, making it taller rather than wider, to accommodate space constraints near an existing thickener tank. The new storage capacity is crucial for maintaining uninterrupted waste operations while the permanent treatment plant is under construction.
🏀 Despite 26 turnovers, Chillicothe crushed Lancaster in bizarre 1994 playoff game. The Cavaliers overcame a sluggish start to demolish the Golden Gales 50-28 in a Division I sectional matchup at Athens High School. While Lancaster shot a dismal 19.4% from the field and missed their first 17 shots, Chillicothe's efficient 55.6% shooting and dominant defense, including 11 blocks, proved decisive. The game turned into a rout in the third quarter when Chillicothe's "Twilight Zone" defense sparked a devastating 30-7 run. Coach Rey Bradley called it "one of the best efforts" he'd ever seen from his team.
📊 Ohio jobless claims plunge by 2,000 in surprising December drop. The state recorded 8,579 new unemployment filings for the week ending December 14, marking a significant decrease from 10,578 the previous week. The decline comes as national unemployment claims held steady at 220,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis. While Delaware saw unemployment claims surge by 32.3%, Georgia emerged as the bright spot with claims plummeting by more than half. This latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor suggests continued resilience in Ohio's labor market heading into the holiday season.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Chillicothe Cavaliers | ||
| @ Miami Trace | L 56-47 | |
| @ Washington | W 59-54 | |
 Adena Warriors | ||
| vs Southeastern | L 48-25 | |
| @ Piketon | L 51-47 | |
 Huntington Huntsmen | ||
| vs Unioto | L 63-28 | |
 Paint Valley Bearcats | ||
| @ Zane Trace | L 76-42 | |
 Southeastern Panthers | ||
| @ Adena | W 48-25 | |
| vs Westfall | L 68-63 | |
| @ Amanda-Clearcreek | W 44-30 | |
 Unioto Shermans | ||
| @ Huntington | W 63-28 | |
| vs Zane Trace | W 48-36 | |
 Zane Trace Pioneers | ||
| vs Paint Valley | W 76-42 | |
| @ Unioto | L 48-36 | |
| vs Miami Trace | L 51-41 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals |
| PRESENTED BY Dwell Real Estate |
Spacious retreat with private pond
This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on 5 acres is listed at $225,000 and offers a tranquil retreat with its own private pond and a soothing hot tub for evenings of relaxation. With a newer metal roof and a 2-year-old HVAC system, this property beautifully combines comfort and nature in a serene setting.
Renovated home with modern upgrades
This beautifully renovated home is listed for $225,000 and features an array of modern upgrades, including a new metal roof, soft-close kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and completely updated bathrooms. Additional highlights include an attached 2-car garage, a detached workshop garage, and a charming pole barn, all nestled next to a small creek.
This charming two-story home is listed at $105,000 and boasts three bedrooms, a full bath upstairs, and a half bath on the main floor. Nestled on a corner lot with off-street parking, the property features a front porch that overlooks a nearby park, making it a lovely spot for relaxation.
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🚨 Cuff Notes
An individual is facing multiple charges, including harassment by an inmate and arson, after being apprehended by the local police. This situation highlights serious behaviors that could lead to a lengthy legal process.
Another person has been arrested for a series of crimes including breaking and entering, vandalism, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The involvement of local law enforcement demonstrates their commitment to combatting these issues.
A third arrest was made for theft without consent and obstructing official business. Such actions often complicate interactions with law enforcement, leading to additional charges.
Lastly, an individual is in custody for drug possession and trespassing, among other charges. This arrest underlines ongoing efforts to address illegal drug activity and safety concerns within the community.
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
St. Clair’s Defeat Revisited: A New View of the Conflict
Mound City Group Visitor Center 16062 SR 104, Chillicothe
December 23 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
St. Clair’s Defeat Revisited: A New View of the Conflict
Mound City Group Visitor Center 16062 SR 104, Chillicothe
December 24 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
St. Clair’s Defeat Revisited: A New View of the Conflict
Mound City Group Visitor Center 16062 SR 104, Chillicothe
December 25 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
St. Clair’s Defeat Revisited: A New View of the Conflict
Mound City Group Visitor Center 16062 SR 104, Chillicothe
December 26 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
“Music in the Park”
Chillicothe City Park City Park, Chillicothe
December 26 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
St. Clair’s Defeat Revisited: A New View of the Conflict
Mound City Group Visitor Center 16062 SR 104, Chillicothe
December 27 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
St. Clair’s Defeat Revisited: A New View of the Conflict
Mound City Group Visitor Center 16062 SR 104, Chillicothe
December 28 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Annual Anniversary Dinner – Lucy Webb Hayes & Rutherford B. Hayes
Lucy Hayes Heritage Center 90 W. Sixth Street, Chillicothe
December 28 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
🙏 In Remembrance
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🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13