🎶 Music as Medicine

Good morning, Scioto County. The healing power of music is about to get a whole lot closer to home. After five remarkable years in West Virginia, Tyler Childers' transformative Healing Appalachia festival is bringing its soul-stirring blend of recovery and rhythm to Boyd County. With past performances by powerhouses like My Morning Jacket and a track record of turning music into medicine - to the tune of $1 million in support for addiction recovery - this festival proves that sometimes the best medicine comes with a guitar riff.

Speaking of heart-pounding moments, the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers just wrote their own dramatic score on the basketball court. In a game that played out like a sports movie's final scene, Lola Hankins stepped to the free-throw line with ice in her veins and five seconds on the clock, sinking two shots that turned a nail-biting deficit into a victory that had the whole gym holding its breath.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Portsmouth

30°

32°

84%

Wheelersberg

30°

32°

84%

New Boston

30°

32°

84%

Minford

30°

32°

84%

South Webster

29°

32°

61%

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🎵 Recovery music festival moves to Kentucky, bringing hope and healing. The popular Healing Appalachia festival will relocate its "Blind Faith" event to Boyd County in September 2025 after five successful years in West Virginia. Founded by country star Tyler Childers, the festival has grown from 1,500 to 20,000 attendees while distributing over $1 million to combat the opioid crisis. The event, staffed by 500 recovery volunteers, celebrates National Recovery Month and honors overdose victims while featuring major artists like My Morning Jacket and Gov't Mule. Weekend tickets start at $169 for adults, with the 2025 lineup yet to be announced.

🏀 Ice-cold free throws with 5 seconds left seal dramatic victory. Lola Hankins sank two clutch free throws to give the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers a thrilling 39-38 win over Chesapeake Lady Panthers in Monday's Ohio Valley Conference matchup. The Panthers led most of the game after building a 24-17 halftime advantage behind Kate Ball's strong performance. Ironton mounted a fourth-quarter comeback powered by Peyton Deer's two three-pointers and Emerson White's crucial baskets. Ball led all scorers with 18 points, while Hankins finished with 10 points including the game-winning free throws.

🏀 Last-second free throws seal dramatic victory for Ironton girls. Down by seven at halftime, the Fighting Tigers mounted a fierce comeback against Chesapeake, with Peyton Deer draining crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Lola Hankins emerged as the hero, sinking two clutch free throws with just six seconds remaining to secure a 39-38 win. Hankins finished with 10 points, while Chesapeake's Kate Ball led all scorers with 18 points. The victory improved Ironton's record to 9-11 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Team	Opponent	Score
Green (17-1)
	@ Notre Dame	W 58-56
Minford (13-5)
	vs Wheelersburg	L 59-50
Northwest (9-11)
	@ Eastern	W 45-37
Portsmouth (20-0)
	vs Fairland	W 47-35
Portsmouth West (12-8)
	vs South Webster	W 45-26
South Webster (2-18)
	@ Portsmouth West	L 45-26
Wheelersburg (18-2)
	@ Minford	W 59-50

🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Inviting home with spacious yard: This inviting 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath home, listed at $149,000, boasts a spacious layout, a finished attic bonus room, and a large fenced backyard, all just minutes from essential amenities. Schedule your showing today.

Spacious modern home on acreage: This newly constructed 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in Wheelersburg sits on over 5 acres and is listed at $450,000. It's the perfect blend of space and modern living.

Welcoming tri-level with serene yard: This charming Tri-Level home in Wheelersburg School District is listed at $305,000 and features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and an inviting eat-in kitchen, perfect for gatherings. Enjoy cozy evenings by the gas log fireplace and relax in the spacious yard or nearby tranquil pond.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🐝 Feb. 05 - Family Dollar Spelling Bee: Buzz into the Chillicothe Library for "The Bee" event at Family Dollar on February 5th. Join your neighbors at 140 S Paint Street for this community gathering. (25 words)

🏀 Feb. 06 - Panthers vs Tigers Basketball: Crosstown rivals face off as the Clay Panthers take on the Glenwood Tigers in girls varsity basketball action! Catch the excitement February 6th at 6:00 pm at Glenwood High School.

🎵 Feb. 07 - Columbia Music Arena Live: Rock out at the historic Columbia Music Arena in Portsmouth! Local and touring bands take the stage on February 7th, bringing fresh sounds and electric energy to this beloved Ohio venue.

❤️ Feb. 07 - Wear Red, Save Lives: Show your heart some love at The Happy Pot! Sport your favorite red attire on February 7 and score 10% off while supporting women's heart health during this special 11AM-7PM event.

🏀 Feb. 07 - Flyers vs Titans Basketball: Crosstown rivals clash as the St. Joseph Flyers take on the Notre Dame Titans in a thrilling varsity basketball showdown at Notre Dame High School. Catch the action February 7th at 4:15 pm.

👭 Feb. 8 - Women's Circle: Connect and share at this month's Women's Circle gathering at Serendipity in Minford. Join fellow women for an evening of meaningful conversation and community on February 8th.

🌾 Feb. 08 - Chillicothe Winter Market: Fresh local produce and artisanal goods await at the Chillicothe Farmers Market! Stop by the Ross County Service Center parking lot every Saturday from 10AM to noon for winter's finest farm-fresh offerings.

🌶️ Feb. 08 - Church Chili Fundraiser Dinner: Warm up with a taste-testing adventure at McDermott Christian Church's chili fundraiser! Sample various homemade chilis with toasted cheese sandwiches on February 8 at the USPS location on Barker Street.

🙏 In Remembrance

Dale Hunter KlinkDale Hunter Klink

Dale Hunter Klink, 77, of Minford, passed away on January 31, 2025, at his home. Born on March 30, 1947, in Pottstown, PA, he worked as a Demand Forecaster for NiSource-Columbia Gas and was an active member of Salem Community Church, as well as a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge. He is survived by his wife, Patty, along with their son Derek, daughters Stacy and Kirsten, and two grandchildren. Private graveside services will be held by the family, with arrangements made by Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home.

Loueda "Fawn" LyonLoueda "Fawn" Lyon

Loueda "Fawn" Lyon, 94, of Minford, passed away on January 31, 2025, at her home. Born on October 3, 1930, she was a retired LPN from Mercy Hospital and a member of Madison Missionary Baptist Church. Fawn is survived by her three children, four grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren, but was preceded in death by her husband, siblings, and a great-grandson. Graveside services are scheduled for February 6, 2025, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are being handled by Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home.

🍞 Daily Bread Crumb

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Romans 12:12

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