🕵️ Well discoveries

Good morning, Scioto County. In a stark reminder of the serious investigations unfolding locally, law enforcement agencies have uncovered potential human remains while searching a South Webster well for three missing persons. The excavation on Pine Creek Road, temporarily halted by severe weather earlier this month, has now yielded evidence including a bullet, with Sheriff Thoroughman urging anyone with information to contact the confidential Task Force hotline.

On a brighter note, spring celebrations are bringing the community together. Harbor Health Care's Easter egg hunt drew 250 excited children who enjoyed age-grouped hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, and special golden eggs redeemable for large prizes. Meanwhile, middle school students at Ironton and Rock Hill put their engineering skills to the test in a thrilling egg drop challenge, with the Ironton Fire Department's ladder truck providing the perfect 100-foot testing ground for their protective container designs.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Portsmouth

55°

72°

Wheelersberg

55°

72°

New Boston

55°

72°

Minford

55°

72°

South Webster

55°

73°

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🐰 Harbor Health Care's Easter egg hunt drew 250 excited children. The Ironton facility organized hunts for four different age groups during the April 12 event, which included special golden eggs that could be exchanged for large prizes. Children also enjoyed photos with the Easter Bunny, food vendors, and Easter basket giveaways. The community-supported celebration featured numerous donations from local businesses and individuals, including bikes, Easter baskets, candy, and cash to make the pre-Easter festivities possible.

🔍 Human remains possibly discovered in South Webster well investigation. Law enforcement agencies have uncovered evidence, including a bullet and potential human remains, while searching for three missing persons in South Webster, Ohio. The excavation of a well on Pine Creek Road began in early April, was temporarily halted due to severe weather, and resumed on April 14. Multiple agencies are collaborating on the investigation, including the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Sheriff David Thoroughman has requested that anyone with information contact the Task Force anonymously at their confidential hotline.

🥚 Middle schoolers compete to save eggs from 100-foot drop. Students at Ironton and Rock Hill middle schools designed special containers to protect eggs during a thrilling design challenge. The Project Lead the Way event, led by instructor Holly Stone, saw the Ironton Fire Department dropping the student-created containers from their ladder truck. Seventh and eighth graders were judged on both egg survival and "hang time" as their designs made the journey to the ground. The educational challenge helped students learn about physics and engineering principles while having fun with a hands-on STEM activity.

Rural fixer-upper big potential: For $125,000, this brick ranch in Minford School District offers 3 bedrooms and 1 bath in a family-friendly neighborhood. The home needs some TLC but promises to be a solid investment for conventional financing or cash buyers.

Vacant Lots Passive Income Ready: Opportunity alert: $59,500 for a .95-acre tract with 8 lots, including one rented to a mobile homeowner, plus a storage garage and utility hookups. No value assigned to on-site mobile homes.

Ranch Paradise With Income Potential: This beautifully maintained $299,900 ranch offers an open-concept living space with hardwood floors, inground pool, and a detached two-car garage with bonus suite perfect for multi-generational families or guests.

🙏 In Remembrance

Gregory Roger Schneider

Gregory Roger Schneider, 68, of Portsmouth, passed away on April 15, 2025, at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. He was a retired water treatment operator at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant after 42 years of service, and was known for his gentle and humble nature. Greg is survived by his wife Lori Lynn, his mother Carol Sue, two daughters, two sisters, four stepsons, five grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, and his beloved pets. Funeral services will be held on April 18 at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home, with memorial contributions directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Nikki Anna Frye

Nikki Anna Frye passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2025, at 42 years old. She was a cherished daughter, wife, mother, sister, and friend to many. The Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth is handling her funeral arrangements. Her sudden death has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her.

Rodney Barnett

Rodney Barnett, aged 71, from South Webster, died on April 15, 2025. His funeral arrangements are being handled by D.W. Swick Funeral Home in South Webster. No further details about his life, cause of death, or surviving family members were provided in this brief announcement. The obituary serves primarily as a notification of his passing and information about the funeral home responsible for arrangements.

Jerrie Ann Sutherland

Jerrie Ann Sutherland, 84, of Portsmouth, died at her home on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Her funeral arrangements are currently being handled by the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth. Further details about services are still pending. Additional information can be found on the funeral home's website at www.RalphFScott.com.