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Thursday, June 12
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety
    BAD BEHAVIOR

    Neighbor Accuses Boy of Torturing Cats

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    Police Investigate Multiple Reports of Sexual Assault 

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    Fired and Flustered: Man Refuses to Leave Tim Hortons After Getting the Boot 

    Hot Wheels: Truck Catches Fire—Twice—After Driver Tries to Restart It 

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    Donald Sharp

    From Park Panic to Aldi Alley: Donald Sharp Arrested Again 

    Midnight Madness: Cops Respond to Back-to-Back Assaults at PMHA Properties 

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    Gunfire, Stick Fights, and a Royal Rumble Leave Cops Scrambling 

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    Tammy Harmon

    Threats and Felonies: Woman Busted for Witness Intimidation 

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    “Next Time, I Won’t Call Police” 

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    🚓 From Disturbance to Compassion: Portsmouth Police Step Up to Help Woman in Need 

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    Domestic Disputes, Prowlers, and Pileups: Busy Sunday for Scioto County First Responders 

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    🔥“I’ll Burn It Down!” — Landlord Reports Scary Comment After Eviction Hearing 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics
    Cathy Coleman

    ‘Small Steps, Big Faith’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Edges Closer to Recovery 

    ‘Praise God!’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Remarkable Progress After Harrowing Weeks

    Cathy Coleman

    Cautious Hope and Harsh Realities: New Details Emerge on Commissioner Cathy Coleman’s Condition 

    Scioto County Commissioners Cancel This Week’s Meeting 

    Robert Horton

    Sudden Twist: Horton Court Dates Scrapped Ahead of Trial 

    ‘A Sign of Hope’: Commissioner Cathy Coleman Shows Small Improvements Amid Ongoing Critical Condition 

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder Gary Jenkins Unveils New Office Website 

    Staggering 236 Recovery Houses in Area — and the Fight for Reform Faces Pushback 

    Cathy Coleman

    Community Urged to Pray For Cathy Coleman as Family Faces Devastating Update 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Scottie Powell on Trans Sanctuary Resolution: “Symbolic, Not Substantive” 

    Cathy Coleman

    Update from the Scioto County Commissioners on Commissioner Cathy Coleman 

    What Did Portsmouth’s LGBTQ+ Sanctuary Resolution Really Say? 

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    Portsmouth Rejects LGBTQ+ Sanctuary City Status in Heated Council Vote 

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    It’s a Miracle! – Scioto County Rallies Around Commissioner Cathy Coleman After Medical Crisis Turnaround 

    Scioto County Rallies in Prayer for Commissioner Cathy Coleman After Tragic Crash 

    Risky Business? City Wants to Sell $4.5 Million in Bonds

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    Portsmouth Council Takes First Step Toward Homelessness Task Force 

    Scioto County Commissioners Cancel Without Explanation 

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  • Feel Good

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    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

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    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

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    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

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    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

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    The Best Freshwater Fish To Catch This Summer

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    Lost Kid Calls Cops for Help 

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  • Obituaries
    Barbara Williams

    Julie Kay Johnson, 50 of Portsmouth

    Lloyd Logan

    Lloyd Logan, 98 of South Shore

    William McGinnis

    William McGinnis, Jr., 84, of Wheelersburg

    Harvey A. Ruel

    Harvey A. Ruel, 75 of Portsmouth

    Patricia A. Lewis

    Patricia A. Lewis, 72 of West Portsmouth

    Martha Byers Yost

    Martha Byers Yost, 84, of Portsmouth

    Patricia Ann Burchett

    Patricia Ann Burchett, 83 of Hillsboro

    Constance V. McQuay

    Constance V. McQuay, 89, of Waverly

    Jerry Paul Igaz

    Jerry Paul Igaz Sr. 55, of West Portsmouth

    Barbara Williams

    Lori Smith, 56 of McDermott

    Tina Marie Gollihue

    Tina Marie Gollihue, 61 of Franklin Furnace,

    Nichole Leigh Blanton

    Nichole Leigh Blanton, 41 of Portsmouth

    Deborah Sue Ratliff Bell

    Deborah Sue Ratliff Bell, 66 of Portsmouth

    Brenda K. Bentley

    Brenda K. Bentley 75 of West Portsmouth

    Rex Fitzgerald

    Rex Fitzgerald, 67 of Portsmouth

    Diana Lynn Redden

    Diana Lynn Redden, 57 of Vanceburg

    Richard Lee Biggers jjr

    Richard Lee Biggers, Jr.75 of Wheelersburg

    Ruth Evelyn Burns

    Ruth Evelyn Burns, 83 of Grove City

    Carolyn Sue Martin

    Carolyn Sue Martin, 77 of Portsmouth

    William McGinnis

    Paul White Wagner, 99 of Wheelersburg

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YOU’RE FIRED – Horton Out of a Job & Out on Bail  

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
4 months ago
in Politics
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The political drama in Scioto County just hit a new level of chaos and consequence as county commissioners officially moved to oust embattled Economic Development Director Robert Horton. The commissioners met in executive session Tuesday morning to discuss terminating Horton, who is currently under indictment for a laundry list of corruption charges. 

Commissioner Scottie Powell explained that due to legal requirements, the commissioners had to handle the HR matter in private before taking a public vote. After an hour of deliberation, they unanimously voted to fire Horton, bringing an end to his tenure as the county’s top economic official. 

However, Horton’s role as the director of the Southern Ohio Port Authority isn’t as easily severed. According to the Ohio Revised Code, the Port Authority Board must meet and vote on his termination. In an interesting turn of events, the board later announced it had canceled its regularly scheduled meeting for the evening, leaving Horton’s fate in that position in limbo. 

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Commissioners Defend Their Controversial Past Decisions 

Facing scrutiny over their handling of the corruption scandal, Commissioners Bryan Davis and Cathy Coleman stood by their previous actions, stating they had always followed legal counsel’s advice throughout the months-long investigation. That guidance appears to have included their controversial 2-1 vote to reinstate Horton after initially placing him on paid leave when investigators executed search warrants at county offices. 

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When asked whether any of them felt they had a conflict of interest in handling Horton’s fate, Powell and Coleman said they did not. Commissioner Davis, offering a more philosophical take, said, “For me, it’s—you’ve got to do what’s right for the county.” 

Commissioner Scottie Powell, who vocally opposed reinstating Horton from the start, struck a more forward-thinking tone. “I view this as an opportunity to move forward. There’s a lot more to come.” 

Horton & Wife Appear in Court, Plead Not Guilty 

While his firing was being decided by the commissioners, Robert Horton made his first court appearance before Judge Harcha in Scioto County Common Pleas Court for an arraignment on the multiple felony charges against him. Horton pleaded not guilty, and his bond was set at $50,000. However, in a surprising move, Judge Harcha recused himself from the case, leaving the Ohio Supreme Court to appoint a new judge to oversee the proceedings. 

As part of his bond conditions, Horton was ordered to report to the Scioto County Jail for fingerprinting and DNA swabbing before being released on a signature bond. His wife, Lioubov Horton, who faces her own set of felony charges, also entered a not guilty plea and was released on a $50,000 bond. 

What Happens Next? 

With Horton now officially booted from his county role but still holding his Port Authority position until further notice, all eyes are on the next steps in this unfolding corruption saga. Will the Port Authority Board finally meet to terminate Horton? Will more indictments follow? And how will this scandal impact the political future of Scioto County’s leadership? 

One thing’s for sure—this circus is far from over. 

Tags: ArrestsCounty CommissionersFeaturedNewsletterScioto County
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