🧹 Royal river rescue

Good morning, Scioto County. The waters of the Ohio River will soon be a little cleaner thanks to a royal visitor. The "Queen of Clean," a custom-built 30-foot barge equipped with a hydraulic crane, has arrived as part of Governor DeWine's $34.2 million riverfront revitalization initiative. This floating cleanup crew represents just one element of an ambitious project that will transform Portsmouth's connection to its waterways through new parks, trails, and gathering spaces.

Meanwhile, the Scioto community finds itself at the intersection of celebration and mourning. While Evangelistic Outreach prepares for its Memorial Camp Meeting on September 4 to honor the legacy of founders Dr. Calvin and Doris Evans, Boyd County High School faces the heartbreaking loss of senior Christopher "Howie" Wilks in a weekend crash. The school will open its doors tomorrow with support resources for students and staff navigating this difficult time.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Portsmouth

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Wheelersberg

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New Boston

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Minford

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South Webster

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

⛪ Religious gathering to honor ministry founders set for September. Evangelistic Outreach will host their Memorial Camp Meeting on September 4 at Christ Temple Church in Huntington, West Virginia. The event, themed "A Night to Remember," honors Dr. Calvin Evans and Doris Evans of Pedro, who founded the worldwide ministry in the 1950s. Musical guests will include Karen Peck & New River, The Yates Family, and Mike Blanton & Evidence, with preaching by current director Dr. Calvin Ray Evans and assistant director Brian Baer. The 7 p.m. service continues the legacy of a ministry that began in Pedro before relocating to Ironton and now New Boston.

💔 Teen driver dies in fiery rollover crash before senior year. Christopher "Howie" Wilks, 18, was killed Saturday night when his car left the road and rolled multiple times in Boyd County, Kentucky. The vehicle caught fire during the accident, and Wilks, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The Catlettsburg resident was preparing to enter his senior year at Boyd County High School this week. The school district will be open tomorrow offering support resources for grieving students and staff as authorities continue investigating the crash.

🧹 Ohio's "Queen of Clean" barge tackles river pollution head-on. Governor Mike DeWine visited Portsmouth to celebrate two major riverfront revitalization projects, including the launch of a custom-built debris-collecting vessel for the Ohio River. The 30-foot barge, equipped with a hydraulic crane, will help remove trash from the river and its banks as part of the H2Ohio Initiative. DeWine also broke ground on a $34.2 million riverfront development project featuring a reimagined park, amphitheater, and riverwalk trail network. The projects aim to improve water quality, enhance recreation opportunities, and reconnect communities to their natural heritage.

Modern country living ready now: For $189,900, this newly remodeled one-story home on 2.88 private acres features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and modern country finishes from foundation to roof, requiring no additional work before moving in.

Two suites wildlife paradise: Priced at $299,000, this secluded home offers two primary suites, a workshop, and a balcony overlooking a pond, surrounded by wildlife and fruit trees, with a partially finished basement providing additional living space.

Secluded hideaway near Portsmouth: A wooded retreat awaits in this $229,000 Portsmouth home featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths on over half an acre, complete with renovated kitchen, new roof, HVAC system, and a spacious basement perfect for a man cave.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🌿 Aug. 25 - Garden Cocktails Workshop: Turn your garden harvest into delightful drinks at the Chillicothe Library on Aug 25! Learn practical gardening tips and craft refreshing beverages using herbs and plants in the library's garden. 140 S Paint St.

🫂 Aug. 26 - Right to Life Meeting: Join Scioto County Right to Life for their next chapter meeting on Tuesday, August 26 at 7 p.m., located at 5581 State Route 139 in Rubyville, across from Craft's Custom Kitchens.

🍽️ Aug. 27 - Portsmouth Retirees Lunch & Learn: Former Portsmouth A-Plant workers and guests: Join us for an educational lunch at Mr Gatti's Pizza on August 27! CNS Cares nurses host this special gathering for nuclear site retirees. Bring a friend!

🪕 Aug. 28 - SamJam Bluegrass Festival: Stomp your feet at the SamJam Bluegrass Festival! Enjoy five fantastic bands including Slippery Creek, Union Town, and the Po' Ramblin' Boys at Pike County Fairgrounds on August 28.

🏐 Aug. 28 - East vs Oak Hill: Spike your Thursday evening with local volleyball action! East's varsity squad faces off against Oak Hill in a thrilling non-conference match on August 28 at 6pm at Scioto County's Marshall Street court.

🌊 Aug. 29 - River Days Festival: Dive into Portsmouth's cherished River Days tradition August 29-31 at 712 4th St! Enjoy a lively parade and mouthwatering food truck delights during this beloved community celebration along the riverfront.

🎸 Aug. 29 - Boneyfiddle Invades River Days: Boneyfiddle Project rocks River Days with The Adam Crank Band, Rob McNurlin & the Beatnik Cowboys, and Shelby Lore on August 29! Catch all the musical magic at OSCO Industries in Portsmouth.

👻 Aug. 30 - Spooky Campfire Stories Night: Gather 'round for SpooOOOooky tales at Scioto County Public Library's Campfire Stories on August 30! Make lanterns, craft friendship bracelets, and enjoy games while sharing slightly scary stories with friends and family.

🙏 In Remembrance

Garry E. Adkins

Garry E. Adkins died on Monday, August 18, 2025 at SOMC Hospice at the age of 74. The funeral arrangements are being handled by D. W. Swick Funeral Home, located in South Webster. No additional information about his life or surviving family members was provided in the brief notice. The obituary does not mention the cause of death or any scheduled memorial services.

Harry Gale Smith

Harry Gale Smith, 77, of McDermott, Ohio passed away on July 13, 2025 at SOMC Hospice in Portsmouth. Born in 1947 in Rarden, Ohio, he is survived by his four sons, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, as well as two brothers. A 1965 graduate of Northwest High School and U.S. Army veteran, Harry worked at Detroit Empire Steel and Detwiller's, and had a lifelong love for animals, particularly working with mules and trading horses. A graveside service will be held at Mustard Cemetery in Rarden, Ohio.

Thaddeus M. "Thad" Blizzard

Thaddeus "Thad" Matthew Blizzard, 58, of Fort Worth, TX, passed away on August 17, 2025. A partner and CFO at Peachtree Mortgage Services for 31 years, Thad was a Green High School valedictorian who earned a business degree from Georgia State University. Known for his warmth and generosity, he enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, and had an incredible knowledge of geography, earning him the nickname "Honorary Mayor of Arlington Heights" for his community involvement. Thad is survived by his husband Brian Bohl, four brothers, one sister, numerous nieces and nephews, while being preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.

Donald Richard Aeh

Donald Richard Aeh, aged 89, of Portsmouth, died on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, while under care at SOMC Hospice. The D.W. Swick Funeral Home's Wolfe-Nelson Chapel in Sciotoville handled the funeral arrangements. No additional details about his life or survivors were provided in the brief obituary notice.