🎆 Boom town weekend

Good morning, Ross County. The skies over Chillicothe will soon be painted with bursts of color as Independence Day celebrations kick into high gear this weekend. From the synchronized fireworks display at dusk Friday to Lake White Marina's popular Boat Parade, there's no shortage of patriotic festivities to fill your holiday calendar. Meanwhile, young scientists at Waverly Primary School are creating chemical reactions and launching rockets thanks to a $1,500 boost from Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth, potentially sparking career paths for our next generation of innovators.

Amid the celebrations, it's worth noting that nearly half of America's dogs find fireworks terrifying rather than festive. Creating a safe space with favorite toys and exercising your furry friends before the booms begin can help keep them calm. In other community developments, Waverly's new Goodwill training center is opening doors of opportunity with specialized rooms for everything from VR gaming to practical life skills, while local libraries face challenging $25 million funding cuts that could impact services county-wide.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Chillicothe

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92°

Frankfort

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Kingston

62°

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Adelphi

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South Salem

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🔬 Tiny Tigers roar into science with $1,500 boost. Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth's donation to Waverly Primary School funded supplies for their fourth annual Science Day, where high schoolers led hands-on activities for younger students. Preschoolers made slime to learn about chemical reactions, while first and second graders explored rocket design. The program not only sparked scientific curiosity among the "Tiny Tigers" but also gave high school students valuable leadership experience. FBP regularly supports STEAM education across four Ohio counties, potentially influencing future career paths for young scientists.

🎆 Chillicothe's Fourth of July weekend bursts with festive celebrations. The annual fireworks display launches at dusk Friday with a synchronized soundtrack on 100.9 Hank FM. Lake White Marina hosts its popular Boat Parade at noon Saturday, where spectators can vote for the 2025 People's Choice Winner. Other weekend highlights include First Capital Rotary's food truck event, Harrison Township's fish fry, and a special pool party at Yoctangee Park featuring swimming, food, and prime fireworks viewing for $15. Bell Manor also offers a fireworks spectacular with live music and food vendors.

🤝 Goodwill opens innovative training center for people of all abilities. The new Waverly facility in Pike County features specialized rooms for art, VR gaming, karaoke, and practical life skills development. Attendees can learn everything from cooking and hygiene to retail operations in environments designed to be both educational and fun. The center even offers 3D printing capabilities to create accessibility tools like adaptive silverware grips and jar openers. Director Amy Conrad hopes more county residents will take advantage of these rewarding opportunities that can lead to local employment and community connection.

📚 Ohio libraries face $25 million funding cut in new state budget. The Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library will lose over $237,000 in the next two years as part of statewide reductions to the Public Library Fund. Nearly 60% of the library's funding comes from the state, making these cuts particularly concerning for its operations. Library officials warn of potential reductions in programming, digital services, operating hours, and even possible staff cuts or branch closures. While Governor DeWine signed the budget bill, he did veto a provision that would have required libraries to segregate materials related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

🐾 Fireworks terrify half of America's dogs on Independence Day. Creating a safe space with favorite toys can help pets cope with the noise and chaos. Exercise your dog thoroughly before festivities begin so they'll be tired when fireworks start. Take precautions to prevent pets from running away or ingesting debris from celebrations. Remember that cats, dogs and even horses can become frightened enough to flee, so proper preparation is essential for keeping your furry loved ones safe.

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🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🎆 Jul. 5 - Independence Carnival & Fireworks: Celebrate independence with a bang at Walnut Creek Campground's Under The Big Top Carnival! Enjoy festive fun and spectacular fireworks after dark on July 5 at 2342 Walnut Creek Rd, Chillicothe.

📚 Jul. 5 - Meet Author: DEADLY REACH: Dive into the world of "DEADLY REACH" at Wheatberry Books! Chat with the author, snag a signed copy, and discover the story behind the thriller on Saturday, July 5 from 1-3pm in downtown Chillicothe.

🎆 Jul. 5 - Mulgee Run Fireworks Show: Light up your summer night at Bell Manor with dazzling fireworks and live music from Mulgee Run on July 5! Head to 739 Musgrove Rd in Chillicothe for this unforgettable evening.

🌱 Jul. 5 - Native Garden Planting Workshop: Get your hands dirty at Garden Time! Join the Chillicothe Library and Wild Ones South Central Ohio on July 5 to plant, nurture, and learn about native species for our community garden.

🎸 Jul. 05 - Sugarloaf Rocks America's Birthday: Groove to live tunes as Sugarloaf Shakedown rocks Naz Winery for a post-Independence Day bash! Join the celebration with music, wine, and patriotic vibes on July 5 at 13414 Marietta Rd, Kingston.

☕ Jul. 5 - Coffee & Chat Social: Grab a cup of joe and make new friends at Coffee & Chat! Drop in anytime between 10am and noon at Chillicothe Library for complimentary coffee and snacks. All ages and allies welcome.

🧘 Jul. 6 - Yoga at Buzzard's Roost: Stretch into serenity at Buzzard's Roost! Join Kendra Doersam for Week 3 of Yoga in the Parks on July 6th from 11-12 PM. All experience levels welcome for this rejuvenating summer series.

💰 Financial Friday

Consider establishing an emergency fund that covers three to six months' worth of living expenses; this financial safety net not only provides peace of mind but also helps you navigate unexpected expenses without derailing your financial goals.

🙏 In Remembrance

Philip Shoemaker

Philip G. Shoemaker, 82, of Greenfield, passed away on June 29, 2025, at Greenfield Skilled Nursing. A 1961 graduate of Paint Valley High School with a master's in education from Ohio University, he taught for 38 years at various institutions including Bainbridge, Twin, Paint Valley, and Lighthouse Youth Center. Phil is survived by three sisters, a sister-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, while being preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. An avid sports enthusiast and Cincinnati Reds fan who enjoyed coaching youth baseball and basketball, Phil will be honored with a Celebration of Life on July 19, 2025, at Highland Community Building in Hillsboro.

Edna Ruth Kinzer

Edna Ruth Kinzer, 84, formerly of Bainbridge, passed away on July 1, 2025, at Embassy of Valley View in Frankfort. Born December 29, 1940, she married Harold "Pete" Kinzer in 1981, who preceded her in death in 2020, along with her parents, a son, a sister, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. Edna is survived by her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and other family members. She enjoyed gardening, painting, sewing, cooking, and baking, and was a member of the Bainbridge Senior Citizens and attended the Bainbridge Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held on July 5, 2025, at the Smith-Moore-Ebright Funeral Home with burial at Bainbridge Cemetery.

James H. Stroud

James H. Stroud, 88, of Chillicothe, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, at Copper Knoll Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in West Virginia in 1937, he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty, along with his daughters, grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren. James was known for his kind heart, his love of watching football with a Pepsi and Milky Way, and for being a caring husband and amazing father. His funeral service will be held on July 7, 2025, at the Ware Funeral Home, followed by burial in Grandview Cemetery.