Home / Newsletters / Ohio / Scioto County / September 23, 2025

🌊 Lake bottoms up

Scioto County • September 23, 2025

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Good morning, Scioto County. The muddy bottom of Lake Vesuvius is emerging as Wayne National Forest officials tackle urgent dam repairs that have drained the 143-acre reservoir. This dramatic landscape transformation—with water levels dropping 31 feet below normal—serves as a stark reminder of infrastructure vulnerabilities in our natural spaces. Visitors should heed warnings to avoid the hazardous lakebed while officials work toward solutions that could take years to fully restore this beloved recreation area.

Meanwhile, a different kind of healing continues as the Healing Appalachia music festival recently united entertainment and intervention, drawing 20,000 fans to see Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton while supporting addiction recovery efforts. Closer to home, a Burlington Elementary staff member faces scrutiny as Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies investigate allegations of misconduct, with authorities currently interviewing witnesses while keeping the employee's identity confidential as the investigation unfolds.

🌤 Sky Skoop

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

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🏫 Elementary school staff member under investigation for misconduct in Ohio. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office is looking into allegations involving a Burlington Elementary employee after being contacted by the school. Deputies are currently interviewing potential witnesses as part of their investigation. Authorities have not released the name of the staff member involved. No charges have been filed in the case as the investigation continues.

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🌊 Ohio's Lake Vesuvius drained for urgent dam gate repairs. The Wayne National Forest has closed the 143-acre lake to the public after a malfunctioning gate valve caused water levels to drop dramatically. Officials plan to lower the lake 31 feet below normal to access and fix the damaged gate, while surrounding recreation areas and campgrounds remain open. Visitors are warned against walking on the hazardous, muddy lakebed as it emerges. Recovery of the lake and its fish population could take years, with full infrastructure assessment planned for completion by the 2026 recreation season.

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🎵 Music festival battles addiction in the heart of Appalachia. Healing Appalachia brought superstars Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton to Boyd County, drawing over 20,000 people while providing resources for those struggling with substance abuse. The three-day event served as both entertainment and intervention, with attendees sharing personal stories of recovery alongside performances. Sheriff Jamie Reihs praised the event's economic boost to local businesses while maintaining public safety with only one arrest. Behind the music, recovery specialists like Chris Tucker worked the crowds, offering support and sharing how sobriety transformed his life after hitting rock bottom with a .417 blood alcohol level.

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🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Real estate listing image Two homes major potential: This $59,000 rare investment package offers two homes: an occupied 3-bedroom fixer-upper and an under-construction second home with design flexibility, plus a garage with concrete flooring and electricity.
Real estate listing image Midwest home with entertainer extras: This Midwest charmer priced at $270,000 offers three bedrooms, an entertainer's layout featuring a kitchen island, sunroom, deck with hot tub, and partially finished basement space.
Real estate listing image Rustic woodland family sanctuary: Log cabin priced at $359,000 sits on a secluded wooded lot, offering 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms with rustic charm throughout and natural surroundings perfect for a peaceful family retreat.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🍽️ Sep. 24 - Portsmouth A-Plant Workers Lunch: Former Portsmouth A-Plant workers, grab a guest and join our Educational Lunch event at Mr Gatti's Pizza on Sep 24! Enjoy valuable information and pizza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hosted by the caring nurses of CNS Cares.
🏃‍♂️ Sep. 24 - Bear Run 5K Race: Lace up for the Bear Run 5K at Shawnee State University on September 24! Starting at 6 p.m., this community race offers free entry for SSU students and those under 18 (no shirt option).
🎭 Sep. 25 - Shades of Bublé: Swoon to the smooth sounds of Shades of Bublé at the Vern Riffe Center on September 25! This trio delivers Michael Bublé's greatest hits with perfect harmony and irresistible charm.
🌱 Sep. 25 - Garden Closing Workshop: Green thumbs unite! Learn the art of putting your garden to bed for winter at the September Conservation Homestead Class on Thursday, September 25 at 12167 OH-104, Lucasville. Perfect timing for seasonal transitions!
🌱 Sep. 25 - Discovery Garden Imaginative Play: Spark your little one's imagination at Discovery Garden on Sep 25! Join this Easterseals partnership at Chillicothe Library for creative play, stories, art and music that will delight young minds.
🪕 Sep. 26 - Final Friday Bluegrass Night: Stomp your feet at Final Friday In Boneyfiddle Bluegrass Night! Three fantastic bands take the stage at 55 River Ave, Portsmouth on Sep 26, featuring toe-tapping talent from West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.
🎵 Sep. 26 - Boneyfiddle Final Friday Concert: Groove to the beat at Robert Black's Final Friday Concert Series in Portsmouth's Boneyfiddle district on September 26. Enjoy free live music under the stars at 515 2nd Street!
🎸 Sep. 26 - Ratcliff & Batson Live: Catch the "Appalachian Kurt Cobain" Justin Ratcliff performing alongside Elijah Batson at The Landing in Portsmouth on September 26. This Kentucky singer-songwriter is making waves with his unique sound at 603 2nd Street.

🍞 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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