Good morning, Ross County. When the alarm blared at Home Buys early Saturday, it wasn't just signaling a break-in—it was marking the beginning of an impromptu game of hide-and-seek that ended poorly for Barry Lee Walls Jr. The would-be burglar was caught fleeing with a suspicious suitcase full of tools after officers discovered ladders, air conditioners, and camping equipment conveniently gathered near an exit—apparently his idea of a weekend shopping spree.
Meanwhile, the Pixelle paper mill situation continues to unfold with Mayor Feeney navigating both hope and caution as the city faces potential loss of 8% of its income tax revenue. On a brighter note, local athletes are showing what Ross County is truly made of—the Southern Ohio Volleyball Club just dominated the Ohio Valley Region Gold Division championship with a perfect record, adding another impressive title to their collection of more than a dozen regional championships.
🌤 Sky Skoop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🏪 Burglar caught fleeing Home Buys store with suspicious tools. Barry Lee Walls Jr. was arrested early Saturday morning after police responded to an alarm at the former Big Lots building in Chillicothe, Ohio. Officers discovered Walls inside the premises where he fled deeper into the building before being apprehended near the adjacent Kroger store. Police found ladders, air conditioners, and camping equipment gathered near an exit, along with a suitcase containing tools with pry marks. Walls faces multiple charges including breaking and entering, possessing criminal tools, and has an outstanding parole violation warrant.
🏭 Paper mill closure threatens 8% of Chillicothe's income tax revenue. Mayor Luke Feeney cautioned the city council about the economic impact of the Pixelle paper mill's announced December closure. While initially pessimistic, Feeney expressed renewed hope following a rally that drew unprecedented political support from officials. The mayor is pursuing dual strategies: working with JobsOhio to potentially save the facility while instructing department directors to prepare budget contingencies. Feeney also updated council on Yoctangee Park renovations, including traffic changes and improvements to the Bolmer Field parking lot.
🏐 Southern Ohio Volleyball Club dominates with 17A championship win. The team secured the Ohio Valley Region Gold Division title on Sunday with a perfect pool play record. They swept through the tournament, defeating HOVA Club in the quarterfinals, Grand Lake in the semifinals, and Zero Gravity in the championship match. The roster features talented players from multiple area schools including Adena, Chillicothe, and Wheelersburg. SOVC has now claimed more than a dozen OVR Gold championships, establishing them as the most successful volleyball club in the region.
⚾ Baseball Scoreboard
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Zane Trace (12-3) | ||
@ Southeastern | W 13-2 |
🥎 Softball Scoreboard
The Cavaliers came to Jackson and left with bragging rights, edging the Ironladies 4-2 in a tight Frontier Athletic showdown. With both teams set for an immediate rematch Tuesday, Jackson (15-4) will be looking for revenge against a Chillicothe squad (14-4) that's suddenly got their number.Meanwhile, Westfall made short work of Paint Valley, cruising to a commanding 16-4 victory in league action. The Mustangs improved to 9-6 while the Bearcats dropped to 5-11, both teams now pivoting to non-league matchups with the quick turnaround of late-season softball.
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
Chillicothe (14-4) | ||
@ Jackson | W 4-2 | |
Adena (10-6) | ||
vs Huntington | W 17-7 | |
Huntington (8-11) | ||
@ Adena | L 17-7 | |
Southeastern (8-10) | ||
vs Zane Trace | W 5-1 | |
Paint Valley (5-11) | ||
vs Westfall | L 16-4 | |
Unioto (10-8) | ||
@ Piketon | W 6-5 | |
Zane Trace (7-11) | ||
@ Southeastern | L 5-1 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals |
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🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
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🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
-Psalm 23:1-3
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