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Monday, October 27
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety
    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” 

    Darnell Lisath

    Repeat OVI Offender Busted Again After 2 A.M. Traffic Stop 

    Paul Abram

    Domestic Drama on Scioto Trail Ends With Arrest — But Not for What You’d Think

    Jacob Thompson

    Protection Order Ignored: Deputies Arrest Lucasville Man After Tense Standoff 

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    A.M. Chase Through Portsmouth Ends With Fugitive’s Arrest 

    Sheriff night 1

    McDermott Mom Calls 911, Son Arrested on Probation Warrant 

    Elder Safety

    First Responders Sound the Alarm: Patient Found Living in “Deplorable” Conditions 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics
    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

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    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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    Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis

    Bryan Davis Arraignment Set, New Judge Assigned 

    Bryan Davis

    Why Commissioner Davis Staying in Office Raises Big Problems 

    Scottie Powell

    Powell Calls on Commissioner Davis to Resign 

  • 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 

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    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

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    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
    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

    Gary Ray Pyles,

    Wayne Edward Lykins, 78 of Beaver

    Mary Imogene Burchett

    Mary Imogene Burchett, 95 of Clarksburg

    Mary Jane Patterson

    Mary Jane Patterson, 92 of Wheelersburg

    Daniel Ray Osborne

    Daniel Ray Osborne, age 76, of Waverly

       Marvin Roger ‘Sonny’ Davis, 89, of Portsmouth

    Terrie Sue Lewis

    Terrie Sue Lewis, 73 of South Shore

    Denise Yvette Elizabeth (Potter) Bell

    Denise Yvette Elizabeth Bell, 79 of Portsmouth

    Gladys Belcher Fritz

    Gladys Belcher Fritz, 77 of Wheelersburg

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Portsmouth, OH Scioto County in PANIC?

Mark Craycraft by Mark Craycraft
6 years ago
in Opinion
Desperate Man Flees Group Home COVID Quarantine
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Many comments and messages have come in that Portsmouth, OH and Scioto County officials are inducing panic among the people. There are three items we need to identify.

1

Panic vs Informed

I am in daily contact with Portsmouth City Officials, Scioto County Officials, Emergency Management Personnel, Health Care Workers, Teachers, and First Responders.

These professionals are working (in most cases) seven days a week. There are constant updates and communications coming from the State of Ohio government and health agencies. On the local level, our front line representatives need to process that information, communicate with staff and committees, and develop plans to accommodate the mandates and data. Next, they begin to implement the required protocols.

RELATED POSTS

Dale Edward Ratliff, 78 of South Shore

Theresa Inez Barnett Mallory, 83, of South Shore

Charles E. Newton, 88, of Waverly

At each step of the process, members of those branches of government and healthcare release information to the public to keep them up to date.

It is a far cry to believe that local government has a spontaneous, knee-jerk reaction, on a whim. There are many brains (most of whom we elected to represent us and to appoint others to lead us) that are foregoing family obligations, the idea of an eight-hour workday, sleep, and even their own personal safety to ensure we remain safe, healthy and civil.

Now, you decide. Is this a government in Panic or a government that is keeping you Informed?

2

Renegade Management

Honestly ask yourself these questions:

  • Did my local officials decide to close the schools?
  • Did they want to reduce food service to take out or delivery only?
  • Did the Mayor, City Manager, Police Cheif, Sheriff, or County Commissioners demand that people should not gather in groups of more than 10?
  • What advantage does any of them have by closing nearly every business and daycare in Scioto County?
  • Is there a local conspiracy to prevent you from voting?
  • Do my elected or appointed leaders (most of whom are parents and grandparents) not want our children to play at the park or shoot some hoops?

This is the shortlist of the many questions like these we can ask ourselves. The natural conclusion is simple. There are no financial or political advantages to these difficult decisions. So, what does that leave? The safety and health of ourselves and those we love in Portsmouth and Scioto County.

This is not a local issue. It’s not a State issue. It’s not a national issue. The problem is global. There’s not one person shaking a golden pen trying to ruin our lives. Nobody asked for it. Nobody wants it. The problem came to us. Now, our local leaders work in lockstep with State and Federal Mandates to reduce the vulnerability of the citizens.

Let’s bring this right to your front door. If someone breaks down your door and comes into your home, what do you do? Wait to see if they go away on their own? Remind them that they weren’t invited and please exit? Or, do you do every single thing, implement every tool at your disposal, to protect yourself and your family?

3

Legit Concerns

The facts are clear. Every single household in Portsmouth, OH, and Scioto County is feeling several (or many) adverse concerns about the situation. It is also clear, from the Ohio Department of Health, that we won’t realize to the totality of this blight until it has passed. We are still climbing the mountain. In plain language, Dr. Acton states, adamantly, that we won’t begin to see the real face of this monster until May.

Steps have been taken to help keep people from losing their homes, utilities, food, and essentials. Recently, updates have been made to unemployment requirements and maximum payments. For the first time in history, the self-employed can file for unemployment.  An unprecedented stimulus package was passed to help individuals and small businesses.

Still, many jobs have been lost. Some families aren’t emotionally healthy and the strain of a “Stay at Home” Mandate will cause those underlying issues to magnify. Toilet paper…never mind. The church steeples that highlight our downtown skyline and greet us on a country drive, may crest a new wave of abandoned buildings. Gas is cheap, but there’s no place to go. Traditions from birthdays to funerals have, largely, been taken away.

Mental Health experts list many of these stressors as individual triggers that can cause someone grief, depression, anxiety, and a host of other serious issues. Trouble is, they are all hitting at once.

These leaves us to call on our internal morals, compassion, restraint, and sense of humanity to avoid civil unrest and anarchy. Side note to the anarchists: there’s nothing gain. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Therefore, suck it up, buttercup. We’re in it together.

Our community (like thousands of others) is resilient, enterprising, intuitive, and filled with people who raise their hands each day and offer to help.

Concerned? You bet

Panic? No

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Tags: CoronavirusFamilyFeaturedHealthsafety
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