Home / Newsletters / Ohio / Scioto County / July 8, 2025

๐Ÿ  Sidewalk struggles

Scioto County • July 8, 2025

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Good morning, Scioto County. A single day of escalating crisis in Portsmouth has laid bare our community's homeless challenges in stark relief, with incidents unfolding "block by block, sidewalk by sidewalk" across the city. What began with a woman unconscious on an Esplanade bench Wednesday morning spiraled into a day marked by concerning reports of public sleeping, bomb mentions, and mental health emergenciesโ€”highlighting the complex intersection of homelessness, healthcare access, and public safety that demands our collective attention.

On a more hopeful note, Lawrence County's innovative EMT training program is already filling critical healthcare gaps, with five of six students from the inaugural class earning national certification and immediate employment. This local solution, created after aspiring EMTs lost access to training at Collins Career and Technical Center, builds a sustainable pipeline of emergency responders while Ashland commissioner DJ Rymer shares his thoughts on "Cars, budgets and bears" in his latest opinion column published in The Daily Independent.

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โ˜•๏ธ What's Brewing Locally

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๐Ÿš— Ashland commissioner DJ Rymer pens opinion piece about local issues. The article titled "Cars, budgets and bears in June" appears to be a column from Rymer, who serves as an Ashland city commissioner. While the full content of Rymer's opinion isn't visible in the provided excerpt, the headline suggests a focus on transportation, financial matters, and possibly wildlife concerns affecting the local community. The piece was published on July 4, 2025, in The Daily Independent newspaper of Ashland, Kentucky.

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๐Ÿš‘ Local EMT training program fills critical healthcare gap in Lawrence County. Five of six students from the county's new EMT class passed their national certification and were immediately hired. Lawrence County EMS Director David Hamm established the program after identifying a shortage of trained emergency medical technicians in the area. Previously, aspiring EMTs had to travel to Ashland, Kentucky for training after the Collins Career and Technical Center program ended. The agency is already planning another basic EMT class while currently running an advanced EMT program, creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified emergency responders for the community.

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๐Ÿ™๏ธ Portsmouth's homeless crisis erupts into citywide chaos in a single day. Reports flooded in of a woman passed out on the Esplanade bench early Wednesday morning, marking the start of an alarming sequence of incidents. Throughout the day, the situation escalated with mentions of bombs, snipers, and people sleeping in public spaces across Portsmouth. The crisis unfolded "block by block, sidewalk by sidewalk" according to local reports, highlighting the intersection of homelessness, mental health issues, and public safety concerns. Local authorities responded to multiple incidents, underscoring the growing severity of the city's homeless situation.

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๐Ÿก Real Estate Reveals

Real estate listing image Cozy Wheelersburg home under $130k: This $129,900 Wheelersburg cottage boasts three bedrooms, a fenced yard, and a covered porch. With its move-in ready condition, it's perfect for both homeowners and investors.
Real estate listing image Waterfront Dual Living Paradise: Holiday Point Marina-front home offered at $248,000 features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a dual living area layout perfect for family life, while the covered back porch creates an ideal setting for water-loving homeowners.
Real estate listing image Spacious glass sunroom needs updating: For $239,900, this spacious home at the end of Orchard Dr. has brand new carpet, large yard with fenced back for pets, and glass sunroom, though it needs some updating.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Happenings & Hoopla

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Jul. 8 - Masonic Lodge Meeting: Join Western Sun Masonic Lodge for their monthly Stated Business Meeting on July 8 at 11800 Gallia Pike in Wheelersburg. Members gather to discuss lodge affairs and upcoming initiatives.
๐Ÿ•๏ธ Jul. 12 - Camp E'nCOURAGE Ohio: Saddle up for Camp E'nCOURAGE 2025 at Ohio Horse Park on July 12! This animal-lovers' gathering promises shows, performances, and community fun in the heart of Franklin Furnace.
๐ŸŽ„ Jul. 12 - Christmas Craft Fair: Get a jump on holiday shopping at the Christmas in July Craft & Vendor Fair! Browse unique treasures from local artisans at The Gathering Place in Wheelersburg on July 12, from 10am-3pm.
๐ŸŒฑ Jul. 12 - Biodiversity Farmers' Market: Celebrate the wonders of nature at MSPIB Farmers Market's Biodiversity Day! Join Shawnee State University scientists on the Roy Rogers Esplanade (Chillicothe & Gallia St) on July 12 to discover local wildlife.
๐ŸŽธ Jul. 12 - Corduroy Brown Live: Groove to the soulful sounds of Corduroy Brown at Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center on July 12! Catch this captivating performance at 1:00 PM in downtown Portsmouth.
๐ŸŽ“ Jul. 12 - Class of 2010 Reunion: Pirates of 2010, reunite! Wheelersburg High School welcomes you back for your 15-year reunion on July 12. Support the celebration with optional donations via CashApp or PayPal to Izetta Davis.
๐Ÿ‡ Jul. 12 - Ohio Horse Park $1500: Saddle up for excitement at the KY07 Ohio Horse Park event with $1500 added money! Join the action in Franklin Furnace on July 12, co-sanctioned with KY05 for double the competitive thrills.
๐Ÿ“š Jul. 12 - Street Cat Zine Fest: Calling all zine enthusiasts! Street Cat Zine Fest returns for its 9th year celebrating DIY creativity and Appalachian spirit at Scioto Township Hall on July 12. Bring your curiosity and support local artists!

๐Ÿž Daily Bread Crumb

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

-Galatians 6:9

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