Good morning, Ross County. Talk about a heartwarming serving of community support! The Chillicothe Fire Department just received a $10,000 donation from The Dickey Foundation for a new Forcible Entry Door at their training facility. Local firefighters can now practice critical emergency response skills in a controlled environment, all thanks to the charitable arm of a barbecue chain that clearly believes in serving up more than just brisket and ribs.
While one local institution receives support, another faces a challenging transition. The upcoming Pixelle plant closure raises concerns about containing underground toxic chemicals that the mill has inadvertently been helping to control for years. In brighter news, OU Chillicothe is launching a monthly "Campus Jaunt 5K" every second Friday, inviting everyone from students to community members to enjoy the scenic campus grounds—proving that sometimes the best community connections happen one step at a time.
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☕️ What's Brewing Locally
🔥 Local barbecue chain serves up safety for Chillicothe firefighters. The Dickey Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Chillicothe Fire Department for a new Forcible Entry Door at their training facility. This specialized equipment will provide firefighters with a controlled environment to practice critical emergency response skills, improving their readiness for real-world scenarios. The grant presentation on July 22 was followed by a barbecue lunch provided by local Dickey's Barbecue Pit owner. The Dickey Foundation, the charitable arm of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, is dedicated to supporting first responders across the United States with essential equipment and resources.
☣️ Chillicothe paper mill closure threatens toxic chemical containment underground.The Pixelle plant, set to close in August, has been preventing cancer-causing chemicals from spreading into the surrounding environment. For decades, the mill's water usage has contained a plume of trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride at levels far exceeding safety standards, originally spilled by a former cookware manufacturer. Officials stress there's no immediate threat to residents' drinking water, as the city's water source is over two miles away. The Ohio EPA is requiring additional monitoring wells and working with the responsible parties to prevent migration of the chemicals, which experts say would move slowly enough to allow for intervention.
🏃♀️ OU Chillicothe launches monthly 5K to unite campus and community. The "Campus Jaunt 5K" will take place every second Friday from noon to 1pm, inviting students, faculty, staff and local residents to walk or run through the scenic campus. Interim Dean Michael Lafreniere, an outdoor enthusiast, designed the event to promote physical wellness, community engagement and campus spirit. Participants will gather at Bennett Hall's east entrance for this invigorating midday break that celebrates movement and connection. The inaugural event kicks off August 8, 2025, with all community members welcome to participate.
🍞 Daily Bread Crumb
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
-2 Timothy 1:7
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