Good morning, Scioto County. Old Man Winter isn't just knocking on our neighbors' doors - he's kicked them down entirely. As Jackson and Vinton Counties hunker down under Level 3 Snow Emergencies, their streets have transformed into winter wonderlands that only emergency vehicles dare to traverse. While we're watching their battle with the elements from a relatively safer distance, it's a stark reminder that Mother Nature still writes her own rules in the Ohio Valley.
But neither snow nor cold can dampen our local spirit. While snowplows wage war with drifts up north, Fairland's Brody Buchanan was heating up the hardwood with a scorching 31-point performance against Ironton. And speaking of warming sights, Portsmouth's iconic floodwall just got its 55th masterpiece - a stunning Smokey Bear mural that adds another chapter to our city's outdoor art gallery.
🌤 Sky Skoop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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62% 
☕️ What's Brewing Locally
❄️ Massive winter storm paralyzes Jackson and Vinton Counties in Ohio. Both counties have declared Level 3 Snow Emergencies, effectively shutting down all non-emergency travel on local roadways since Sunday evening. The severe weather has forced the closure of all local school districts, including Jackson City, Oak Hill Union, Wellston City, and Vinton County, along with the University of Rio Grande. Government offices, including multiple courts and probation departments, have suspended operations through Tuesday, January 7. City crews are battling the winter conditions with a full arsenal of snowplows, skid steers, backhoes, and dump trucks to restore normal operations.
🏀 High school senior explodes for 31 points in commanding victory. Fairland's Brody Buchanan, who recently signed with the University of Rio Grande, led his team to a 65-51 win over Ironton in a key Ohio Valley Conference matchup. The senior guard's performance included 13 points in a pivotal second quarter, along with five rebounds, four assists and three steals. The Dragons improved to an impressive 8-1 overall record (5-0 in conference), while Ironton fell to 3-3. Supporting performances from Cliff Fransen (13 points) and Keegan Smith (11 points) helped secure Fairland's dominant conference win.
🎨 Historic Portsmouth floodwall gets stunning new Smokey Bear mural. Renowned artist Robert Dafford has added his 55th masterpiece to Portsmouth's iconic floodwall, partnering with Ohio's Department of Natural Resources to celebrate wildland firefighting heritage. The artwork showcases Shawnee State Forest, known as "The Little Smokies of Ohio," alongside historical and contemporary firefighters. This two-year project joins an impressive collection that has drawn visitors from every U.S. state and dozens of countries. With space for just one more mural remaining, Portsmouth Murals Inc. hints at an exciting final addition to this transformative public art installation.
🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Girls)
| Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
 Clay Panthers | ||
| @ Fairfield** | L 51-44 | |
 Green Bobcats | ||
| @ Eastern | W 66-37 | |
| vs Grace Christian | W 56-38 | |
 Minford Falcons | ||
| vs Blazer | L 43-28 | |
 Northwest Mohawks | ||
| vs Vinton County | L 46-30 | |
 Portsmouth Trojans | ||
| vs Gallia Academy | W 68-24 | |
 South Webster Jeeps | ||
| vs St. Joseph Central | L 40-34 |
🏡 Real Estate Reveals
Spacious family home with extras
This spacious home, listed at $385,000, offers 3,500 square feet of comfortable living with four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. Highlights include a seamlessly flowing living area, a finished basement with additional living space and a possible fifth bedroom, and energy-efficient solar panels, making it a cozy and functional retreat.
Discover the ideal setting for your dream log cabin or custom home, surrounded by beautiful white oaks and a few pines that create a serene atmosphere. This property offers a peaceful escape, with winding gravel driveways leading to your future retreat and nearby streams and the Ohio River providing ample outdoor recreational opportunities—all for a list price of $26,000.
Updated cottage with versatile spaces
This charming 1.5 story cottage is listed at $149,000 and boasts an updated kitchen with sleek quartz counters and modern appliances, all brand new in 2023. With two bedrooms and a bath on the main floor, plus a spacious finished attic serving as a third bedroom and a bonus room, the home also features inviting covered porches, a detached garage, a paved driveway, and a partially fenced yard with convenient alley access.
🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla
🙏 In Remembrance
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