Good morning, Vinton County. The loss of a beloved educator often ripples through an entire community. Such is the case with Shevawn McLin, whose 69 years of life included a dedicated career at Wellston City Schools where she spoke her truth with confidence while nurturing generations of special education students. Her legacy lives on through her husband of 45 years, four children, and six grandchildren who were, as those who knew her can attest, her greatest loves.
On the advocacy front, county auditors from across Ohio recently gathered with a unified mission: tackling skyrocketing property taxes. Their bipartisan proposals include expanding the Homestead Exemption for seniors and creating new relief programs for low-income residents. This push for tax reform comes alongside challenging news for local food assistance programs, with Southeast Ohio Foodbank facing a 162,000-pound shortage of protein-rich foods after federal emergency shipments were canceled, creating difficult circumstances in our economically challenged region.
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📚 Beloved special education teacher Shevawn McLin dies at 69. The Wellston, Ohio educator passed away at home surrounded by family on March 27, 2025. A graduate of Vinton County High School with degrees from the University of Rio Grande, McLin dedicated most of her career to Wellston City Schools and Bundy Elementary. She leaves behind her husband of 45 years, Barry, four children, six grandchildren, and numerous other family members. Known for speaking her truth with confidence, McLin's greatest loves were her children and grandchildren.
🍽️ Federal cuts leave Ohio food banks 162,000 pounds short. The Trump administration canceled $500 million in emergency food shipments that were promised to food banks nationwide. Southeast Ohio Foodbank is losing 13 orders of protein-rich foods like eggs, cheese, and chicken that would have gone to local pantries. Officials say they can't replace these shipments with private donations in the economically distressed region. This comes as approximately 30% of Ohio's population qualifies for food bank services, with many facing impossible choices between basic necessities like car repairs or groceries.
🏠 Ohio auditors unite to fight skyrocketing property taxes. County auditors from across Ohio gathered in Athens to propose legislative solutions for homeowners facing rising tax bills. The bipartisan group, including Gallia County's Robbie Jacks, presented several relief measures: expanding the Homestead Exemption for seniors, increasing the Owner Occupancy Credit, limiting school levy growth, and creating new programs for low-income residents. With more than 460 of Ohio's 615 school districts at or near the "20-mill floor" threshold that prevents tax rate reductions, many homeowners have seen tax increases of 15% or more. Auditors are now holding briefings statewide to promote these solutions.
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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
-Matthew 11:28
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