Most Viewed Stories of 2022
It’s been a busy news year in Scioto County, and this week, we are counting down the most viewed news stories on SCDN’s website. This countdown does not include our “Busted,” which is nearly always the most-viewed story. (Our readers love a good mugshot.)
10 – Missing Woman Identified After 25 Years
This tragic tale really hit home for me. A former neighbor and grade-school classmate of mine lay unclaimed and unidentified for decades. The remains of America Frances Williams were discovered in an abandoned Youngstown housing project on Halloween 1995 and not identified until 2021.
9 – Sycamore Street Hell House
Many of you found this story from last spring to be especially disturbing. A Portsmouth, Ohio vet tech napped in her home next to the decomposing corpses of 20 dogs. A Portsmouth City Health Department Animal Control Officer was the first to discover the hellish scene after complaints of a stench coming from the house.
Additionally, SCDN discovered disturbing social posts regarding the use of animal skeletons to create collectibles. Animal control officers seized 28 living animals from the home as well.
8 – SOMC Nurse Contacts Patient for Hook-up
A Portsmouth man was puzzled when he received strange flirty messages from a stranger. When he pressed his would-be anonymous suitor about her identity, she admitted that she’d been his nurse during an Urgent Care visit earlier in the day and had gotten his information from his patient chart.
The woman told SCDN that she didn’t feel using that information to look for a date was a violation of HIPPA laws since she was already in the man’s file.
7 – Teen Dead After Overnight Stabbing
A West Portsmouth teenager died, and two minors were arrested after a late-night stabbing in late November.
West Graduate Jayson McGraw was killed in an incident on Second Street in West Portsmouth. Thus far, officials have not released many details surrounding any motivation for the stabbing.
6 – Double Homicide Under Investigation in Portsmouth
Two beloved employees of Toro Loco were gunned down not too far from the restaurant near Frank n Steins lounge.
Officers launched a manhunt for parolee Anthony Kearns whom they found hiding out in Jackson County after a month-long search.
5 – Judge William T. Marshall Kicked Out of Hillview Retirement for Bizarre Behavior
A disgraced Portsmouth Judge found himself in trouble with the law once again after an incident at Hillview Retirement Center. Marshall was permanently banned from the property. A few days after that incident, he contacted Portsmouth Police and demanded a ride and also that officers arrest the judge that replaced him on the bench.
In April 2018, Marshall was charged with professional misconduct related to his behavior when his 17-year-old daughter was pulled over for speeding and driving with expired tags.
4 – Portsmouth Used Car Dealer Arrested For Being a Fugitive
Local used car dealer, Brandon Osborne, was arrested and charged as a fugitive from justice. Osborne is the owner of Ozzy’s Used Car lot.
Osborne was indicted in West Virginia several years ago for 2 counts of Attempting to Commit a Felony, as well as Sexual Abuse, Burglary, Fleeing, Battery and Obstruction.
Additionally, he was previously arrested for Felonious Assault (2), Assault, Possession of Criminal Tools, and Obstruction of Justice.
3 – City of Portsmouth vs. the Bales Family
Our number three story of the year involved Portsmouth City Council’s attempts to ban advertising benches provided by a local company.
Council seemed to blame the advertising benches for contributing to the city’s homeless problems because they provided homeless individuals and addicts a place to sit and sleep.
2 – Scioto County Child Sex Trafficking Ring
A jury convicted one of the co-defendants in the case of a child sex trafficking ring that involved local parents allowing men to repeatedly rape their children in exchange for drugs.
1 – Search Continues for Missing Teen Swept Away by River
Jeremy “JJ” Sheppard was swimming in the Scioto River near Lucasville back in late July when he was swept away by the strong current.
Searchers launched a desperate rescue mission in hopes of finding the 10th grader, but tragically his body was discovered near the St. Rt. 104 Bridge two days later.
