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Wednesday, October 29
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety
    Cincinnati Baddie Eric Johnson

    Cincinnati Baddie Busted in Portsmouth: Crack, Cash & More

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    Calm Under Pressure: Deputies Talk Armed Man Out of Crisis, Preventing Tragedy in Lawrence County 

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    Domestic Dispute Boils Over at Wheelersburg Marathon 

    Hisle Park Apartments

    Trouble in “Safe” Housing: Hisle Park Apartments Hit With More Police Calls 

    Ohio House Broadens Cryptocurrency Reserve into Wider Strategic Investment Fund

    How Access to More Information Can Reduce Decision-Making Risks

    Ryan Stapleton

    4-Wheeler Rampage Ends with Citizen Tackle and Arrest on Disterdick Lane 

    Arrested 2

    Protective Order Ignored: Lucasville Man Flees Into Woods, Arrested an Hour Later 

    CPS CALLED IN: A Rough Week for Portsmouth Families 

    PPD 1522

    Nursing Home Scuffle Reported During Evening Smoke Break 

    Woman phone shocked WTF weird strange

    “I Don’t Care About Your Baby”: High School Fight Highlights Struggles of Pregnant Teens 

    Justin Holcomb

    Lucasville Man Charged After Domestic Assault Report 

    Good Kids CPS

    Children Rescued from Home Overnight as Drug Crisis Hits Another Portsmouth Family 

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    Double Trouble: Deputies Make Back-to-Back Domestic Violence Arrests 

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    Quick-Thinking Hotel Clerk Helps Woman Escape Alleged Abuser at Quality Inn 

    Convicted Predator at it Again: Stepfather’s “Hugs” Lead to Sex Crime Arrest 

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    Wall or No Wall? Resident Pushes Back on Portsmouth Riverfront Project 

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  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    Latest Updates: Bryan Davis Gets Bail Modification, Next Hearing Set for December

    Portsmouth City Bonds

    Portsmouth Moves Forward With Bonds to Fund New City Building 

    Democrats Blast Bryan Davis: “Quit Collecting a Paycheck You’re Not Earning” 

    Robert Horton

    Update in Robert Horton Corruption Case 

    Davis Commish

    No Updates, Just an Empty Seat: Powell and Smith Say Davis Drama is Out of Their Hands

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    Parking, Murals, and an Indicted Commissioner: Sparks Fly at Portsmouth City Manager’s Conference 

    Bryan Davis Due Back In Court October 21 

    Sean Dunne Next Mayor of Portsmouth?

    Dunne: “It’s Time for Portsmouth to Speak Up” on Davis Resignation 

    confused woman

    Portsmouth Council Weighs Asking Davis to Resign 

    Turning Point USA

    Student Democrats Deny Role in Petition to Ban Turning Point USA at SSU 

    Turning Point USA

    Portsmouth Politics Escalate: SSU Students Petition to Ban Turning Point USA

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder’s Office Increases Fees 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Powell Responds to Conflict of Interest Questions 

    FOP Endorses Malone, Neff in Portsmouth City Election 

    Bryan Davis

    Where’s Bryan Davis? GOP Says Step Down — Court Says Suspended

    SCDN File Photo

    Where’s Bryan Davis? After Two Missed Meetings, GOP Says It’s Time to Step Down 

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    Exclusive: The Bench Is Back — But the Political Drama Isn’t Over 

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    Where’s Bryan Davis? Commissioners, Citizens Ask the Same Question 

    Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis

    Bryan Davis Arraignment Set, New Judge Assigned 

    Bryan Davis

    Why Commissioner Davis Staying in Office Raises Big Problems 

  • Feel Good
    sending flowers to Japan

    Flower Delivery: Share Scioto’s Heart with Japan

    Honoring Scioto County’s First Town — and Its First People: New Heritage Trail Sign Dedicated at Earl Thomas Conley Park 

    A man approaching the bowling lane with a red bowling ball as his three friends in the background cheer him on.

    How Bowling Can Improve Your Mental Health

    A sleek blue sedan parked on concrete. Behind the vehicle is a view of the sky with a setting sun over a body of water.

    How To Make Your Daily Driver Feel Like a Sports Car

    A person's hand is holding a miniature wooden house with a green roof and a budding plant on top against a green background.

    How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

    A man sitting in a vehicle is handing over an ID card to a female police officer standing by his window.

    Tips for Staying Calm During Police Encounters

    Cyn Mackley

    Cyn Mackley Channels Haunted Appalachia

    A group of friends stand around a table, smiling, laughing, and drinking. There are plates of food on the table.

    Creative Ways To Host Outdoor Events This Summer

    A family of two parents and a young boy and girl are playing laser tag with vests and laser blasters in an arena.

    What Activities To Offer at a Family Fun Center

    Shawnee State University SSU

    Shawnee State University Joins New Athletic Conference, Adds Football to Lineup 

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    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 

    Three girls in quinceañera dresses stand beside one another. The one in middle has a gold dress while the other two wear pink.

    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

    An angler standing at the edge of a lake just after sunset with three fishing rods resting on the ground next to him.

    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

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    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

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    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

    A group of people stands outside with their arms in the air. They hold their hands together, making a pyramid shape.

    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

  • Obituaries
    Matthew Brisker

    Matthew Franklin Brisker, 57 of Cincinnati

    Peggy Jo (Hammond) Martin

    Peggy Jo Martin, 63, of South Portsmouth,

    Janet Sue Craycraft Deems

    Janet Sue Craycraft Deems, 78 of Greenup

    Carolyn Sue Wright Scaggs

    Carolyn Sue Wright Scaggs, 79, of Garrison

    David Lee Jividen

    David Lee Jividen, 76 of South Shore

    Donna Sue Jordan Mains, 69 of Raleigh

    Karen Burchett

    Karen Burchett, 59 of Minford

    Roberta Ilene Peach, 84 of Portsmouth

    Dale E. Ratliff

    Dale Edward Ratliff, 78 of South Shore

    Theresa Inez (Barnett) Mallory

    Theresa Inez Barnett Mallory, 83, of South Shore

    Luther Fredric Magee, age 79 of Myrtle Beach

    Charles E. Newton

    Charles E. Newton, 88, of Waverly

    Gary Ray Pyles,

    Orville McWhorter, Jr., 83 of Franklin Furnace

    Shirley Mae Miller

    Shirley Mae Miller, age 87, of Otway

    Floyd Fredrick Book

    Floyd Fredrick Book, 79 of Stout

    Jayne Adams Gaspich

    Harold Eugene Copas

    Harold Eugene Copas, 90 of Wheelersburg

    Patricia Lane Nagel

    Patricia Lane Nagel, 82 of South Shore

    Mildred Irene Metzler, 90 of South Webster

    Carmeta Lyn Twinam, 56 of Portsmouth

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“I’m Not Here to Replace Cathy”: New Commissioner Merit Smith Says He’ll Lead with Life Experience 

Scioto County’s newest commissioner vows to honor Coleman’s legacy while bringing decades of public service to the role 

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
3 months ago
in Politics
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Newly appointed Scioto County Commissioner Merit Smith knows he’s stepping into big shoes—but he’s not trying to fill them. Instead, he says, he hopes to honor the legacy of the late Commissioner Cathy Coleman by continuing the work she cared deeply about while using his own extensive life experience to serve the people of Scioto County. 

“I’m not here to replace Cathy,” Smith said. “Cathy was a great person. She was beloved by the staff here. She was beloved by the county. There’s no way you could ever replace that.” 

Smith, who was appointed by the Scioto County Republican Central Committee on July 29, spoke with sincerity and humility during his first week on the job. He expressed gratitude to county staff for helping him get up to speed and emphasized his desire to continue Coleman’s efforts. 

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“I want to say to her family, I hope I can at least be part of the things she was working on. The staff has been great to me coming in here to get me on my feet and running—but they also miss Cathy. I hope we can continue to build her memory through the things we do in this office.” 

Decades of Real-World Experience 

While he’s new to the commissioners’ table, Merit Smith brings decades of hands-on experience in fields that touch nearly every corner of public life. He’s worked in: 

  • Retail management 
  • Juvenile court, as chief probation officer 
  • Education, as director of attendance for the South Central Ohio ESC 
  • Facilities management, overseeing maintenance after retiring 
  • Pastoral ministry, leading churches for more than 40 years 
  • Emergency services, as a firefighter and EMT for four decades 

“There’s a lot of life experiences that I can draw from,” Smith said. “I’ve worked at the courthouse for 12 years. I understand somewhat how the budgeting system works in the county—and if you’ve ever been around government accounting, it’s a whole lot different from the rest of the world. If you don’t have a little understanding of how it works, then you don’t understand it. I have just enough there to be dangerous.” 

Ready to Roll Up His Sleeves 

Smith wasted no time putting that experience to work. During recent discussions about the MARCS emergency radio towers, he offered firsthand insight as a longtime first responder. 

“I understand that need because there are dead spots in the county where we don’t have access to the radio,” he said. 

He also weighed in on ongoing air conditioning issues at the Sheriff’s Office, drawing from his time in maintenance management. 

A Promise of Integrity 

Though he made no sweeping promises, Smith offered one clear commitment: 

“What I will promise is that I will always try to do the right thing for the citizens of Scioto County. I’m only one vote on this board, but I will do my part.” 

Commissioners Bryan Davis and Scottie Powell welcomed Smith to the board, which now returns to full strength following Coleman’s passing on July 4. Her memory, Smith said, will remain a guiding force. 

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“Cathy cared about kids. She cared about disabled people. She cared about this county. I hope I can be half the commissioner that she was.” 

Merit Smith may not be replacing Cathy Coleman—but with a career of service behind him and a heart for the county ahead, he’s ready to serve in her honor. 

Tags: Bryan DavisCathy ColemandifferentEducationFamilygovernmentMerit SmithNewsletterOhioScioto CountyScottie PowellSheriff
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