🎆 Skyline spectacle

Good morning, Scioto County. Fireworks will light up the Tri-State skies this week as communities across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia celebrate Independence Day with spectacular displays. From Thursday's kickoff events in Coal Grove and Huntington to Friday's shows in Portsmouth and Ashland, the holiday week culminates Saturday with a unique three-municipality collaboration illuminating the Ohio River between South Point, Kenova, and Catlettsburg—proving that even our celebrations cross state lines.

Summer fun extends beyond pyrotechnics at the Adams County Library, where their fair booth on July 6 marks just the beginning of seasonal activities. Once fair week concludes, families can dive into themed Storytimes and creative sessions like Bubble Art, while adults explore craft workshops including wind chime design. These community bright spots arrive as Portsmouth continues grappling with ongoing challenges at the intersection of homelessness and mental health services—a reminder of the complex issues facing our region.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Portsmouth

64°

86°

Wheelersberg

64°

86°

New Boston

64°

86°

Minford

64°

86°

South Webster

66°

82°

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

📚 Adams County Library brings summer fun beyond the fair. The library's booth at the Adams County Fair (July 6) will offer games, prizes, and stories, with regular programs resuming after fair week. Families can look forward to themed Storytimes, including Art with Nature and Crayons Storytime, plus creative activities like K'NEX building challenges and Bubble Art sessions. Adults can join craft sessions like designing wind chimes, while practical services like Nuwav Legal Documents remain available to all library cardholders.

🎆 Tri-State area lights up the sky for Independence Day celebrations. Communities across Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky have scheduled fireworks displays throughout the holiday week. Coal Grove kicks off festivities Thursday at Paul Porter Park, while Huntington's display will illuminate Harris Riverfront Park the same evening. Friday brings spectacular shows in Ashland and Portsmouth, with Saturday featuring multiple displays including a special three-municipality collaboration on the Ohio River between South Point, Kenova, and Catlettsburg. Baseball fans can catch additional fireworks following Saturday's Tri-State Coal Cats game at Marshall University.

🏠 Troubled homeless woman arrested again after public defecation incident. The woman, described as the "unofficial face of Portsmouth's mental health and homelessness crisis," has accumulated multiple police encounters and arrests. Her latest incidents add to what the article calls an "overwhelming timeline of breakdowns, bizarre behavior, and missed chances for help." The recurring situation highlights ongoing challenges with mental health services and homelessness in Portsmouth. Local officials appear to be facing increased pressure to address the underlying issues as public concerns mount.

Budget cottage massive garage upgrade: Priced at $139,900, this cottage on a half-acre fenced lot offers a living room, eat-in kitchen, two bedrooms, full bath, and a four-car garage with half bath, plus a new HVAC system and metal roof.

Modern golf club area home: This charming $299,000 home near Elks Country Club features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, hickory hardwood floors, and a first-floor master suite, all built in 2007 and move-in ready for your enjoyment.

Tranquil duplex investment opportunity: This cozy duplex is listed at $195,000, featuring two units with cathedral ceilings, each with two bedrooms and a full bath, nestled in a serene setting surrounded by mature trees.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🌍 Jul. 2 - Color Our World: Cultures: Immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural celebration at Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library on July 2! "Color Our World with Cultures" invites you to explore diverse traditions in our community's welcoming gathering space.

🎨 Jul. 2 - Paint the Stack Watercolor: Unleash your inner artist at "Paint the Stack" watercolor night on July 2 at Paper City Coffee! Join Portagree Pottery and Maddie Staten for a creative evening in downtown Chillicothe.

🎵 Jul. 2 - Summer Lawn Concert Series: Groove to local melodies at CRCPL's Summer Music Series '25! Bring your chair and snacks to the Northside Library lawn on July 2 for an hour of delightful tunes under the summer sky.

🏠 Jul. 3 - Family Resource Fair: Connect with essential services at the SCOJFS Family Resource Fair! Stop by the Chillicothe Library on July 3 to access housing assistance, utility help, and more from local providers in one convenient location.

🎆 Jul. 3 - July 4th Storytime & STEAM: Celebrate Independence Day early with stories and hands-on fun at Chillicothe Library! Join us July 3 for patriotic tales and exciting STEAM activities that spark curiosity and creativity in young minds.

🍔 Jul. 3 - Food Truck Festival: Kick off summer at First Thursday's Food Truck Festival! Enjoy tasty bites and groove to Drive On's live music at the Majestic Theatre on July 3rd. Just $5 entry gets you into all the fun.

🎆 Jul. 4 - Light Up The Sky: Celebrate Independence Day with a bang at Spartan Municipal Stadium! Enjoy live music from three fantastic bands starting at 5pm, then marvel at a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the Portsmouth sky at 10:15pm.

🐾 Jul. 5 - Red, Woof & Blue Fair: Wag your way to the Second Annual RED, WOOF, and BLUE! Adoption Event & Vendor Fair at Buckeye Forest's Rosemount Pavilion on July 5. Support small businesses and meet adorable adoptable pups!

🙏 In Remembrance

Nancy Ackerman-Nash

Nancy Ackerman-Nash, 71, of Granbury, Texas, passed away on June 27, 2025, while visiting family in Ohio. Born on October 27, 1953, in Portsmouth, she was a 1971 Wheelersburg High School graduate and retired from Desoto High School in Texas where she worked as a Principal's Assistant. She is survived by her husband Mike, three children, three grandchildren, three sisters, and many other family members. Funeral services will be held on July 5, 2025, at Living Faith Nazarene Church in Minford, with burial taking place in Arlington, Texas.

Cornel Cave

Cornel Cave, a 69-year-old Portsmouth resident and skilled carpenter with Carpenter's Local Union 437, passed away on June 27, 2025, after battling cancer. Born on March 5, 1956, he was known for his mechanical abilities and self-taught musical talents as a guitarist, drummer, keyboard player, and singer with the band Positive Image. Cornel is survived by his daughter Brya Coleman, two brothers, three sisters, and numerous extended family members. Funeral services will be held on July 3, 2025, at Beulah Baptist Church with Bishop Marcus Bendolph officiating.