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Tuesday, October 28
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety

    Ohio House Broadens Cryptocurrency Reserve into Wider Strategic Investment Fund

    The Unsung Role of Credit Cards in America’s Digital Growth

    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 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/24/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

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

    Good Samaritan 2

    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 

    Portsmouth OH 2

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

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/23/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/22/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    Loaded and Forgotten: Gun Left Behind in Wendy’s Bathroom Sparks Safety Scare 

    Family Dispute at School Leads to CPS Investigation – Did Dad go Too Far? 

    Apartment Break In PMHA

    Residents Sound Alarm Over Safety at PMHA Apartments: “I’ve Had Four Break-In Attempts” 

  • 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

    weird strange absurd

    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 

    This bench is a different bench located near Jim Dandy's

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

    crisis question

    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?

    good cops

    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

    good cops

    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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Main Street Portsmouth: What Do They Do?

SCDN Exclusive

Mark Craycraft by Mark Craycraft
5 years ago
in Feel Good
Main Street Portsmouth
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Main Street Portsmouth: What Do They Do?

Joseph Pratt of Main Street Portsmouth took some time out of his day to speak to us about their involvement in the community. I will give you the conversation starter I asked and then his detailed response. You will find this information compelling and eye-opening.

Under your Building Improvement Grant section, Main Street vows to award “a minimum of $25,000” each year “to improve the structural integrity, longevity, and overall physical appearance of commercial buildings”, what grants and amounts have been approved in the last 12 months?

RELATED POSTS

Carolyn Sue Wright Scaggs, 79, of Garrison

Donna Sue Jordan Mains, 69 of Raleigh

Ohio House Broadens Cryptocurrency Reserve into Wider Strategic Investment Fund

535 2nd Street Courtyard

We took a very dangerous space, preserved the historic facade after the building collapsed 10 years ago and it went wild and we developed Portsmouth’s first pocket park. It was about $70,000 and much, much donated time and labor. The city gave the property to us, but it was worth very little and the tax base wasn’t worth keeping private. We took ownership, made it public, and established a park without the city spending one dime. We even paid for legal fees to transfer.

This year’s recipients of the Building Improvement Grant

  • Bill and Marcia Spradlin, who received $6,500 for a roof and work valued at $18,675
  • Jeremy and Maddie Burnside, for steel reinforcements at $7,000, when the overall project is $50,000 (not counting the complete building renovation cost)
  • Trent Millison, for $5,000, for a roof valued at $10,750
  • 440 Group, for $6,500 to assist in a $25,800 roofing job

We do 55+ events a year

Everything from the Chocolate Walk to Wine and Dine, Farmers Market to Street Sales, Cut-Throat Karaoke to Tour of Lofts, Farm to Table to Celebrate Portsmouth. We do A LOT in the event category, too. Plus, we plan on bringing 3+ events next year to the calendar that includes a cookie crawl around Winterfest time, a big-budget Halloween dance called Glamour and Gore, and we are looking at turning a hit television show into a local event.


Christmas Lights

We took an extra $10,000 from the city this year and used it on Christmas lights, but leveraged it to get two other foundations to donate and dozens of businesses. We ended up providing the Tracy Park light show and the pole lights, valued at over $40,000 for just $10,000 invested by the city.

Please Support This Local Business

Main Street Portsmouth manages nearly every flower and decorative element downtown

The group developed the latest Alexandria Park design and continues to maintain it, assists the Portsmouth Shade Tree Commission in maintaining the city tree population, assists in odd jobs circled around Tracy Park, and oversees the maintenance of the Roy Roger’s Esplanade. They also maintain public hotspots, such as the Front Street pots along the floodwall, the City Building, and flower pots around the County Courthouse. Their work also includes the planting and maintenance of 64 hanging baskets; 63 flower pots and urns in public spaces, another 47 floral pots in front of local businesses; tree wells; parks, and hotspots. There are seasonal holiday displays on the Esplanade, Tracy Park, and in front of the City Building.

All of this works towards a beautiful and inviting downtown Portsmouth and made possible due to donors and volunteers.

What’s Next?

We also just received $60,000 to build a new public gym on the riverfront next year. The city will assist us in installation, but it, also, will cost taxpayers nothing, since we manage the project and received a grant to fund it from the Scioto Foundation. After that, we are looking at developing a public classroom on the riverfront for people to meet, churches to have bible study, schools to take children, counseling centers, and clinics to meet and have therapy sessions, etc.

Cost does not equal value

We get a set amount from the city, and we then utilize that budget to leverage more funding. We accomplish work with volunteer labor, to provide something of far greater value than the cost.

Tags: Choose Your PortsmouthexclusiveFeaturedLawNewsletterPortsmouth Ohio
Please Support This Local Business

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