RIP Tina Jenkins – SCDN Mourns Founding Member
The Scioto County Daily News Community is mourning the loss of one of its founding members today. Tina Jenkins, the first moderator and field reporter of the group that grew into the Scioto County Daily News organization, passed away after a valiant battle against cancer.
Unlike many of our team, Tina didn’t have a news or communications background. She was simply a concerned citizen who wanted to be informed and to make sure other members of the community stayed up-to-date.
She had an uncanny nose for news and an incredible way with people. Tina was instrumental in helping us locate two missing women and exposing the vehicle scandal involving 78 SCSO cars left rusting in a field instead of being properly sold at auction. Many believe this incident led to a leadership change at the once-troubled agency.
She was a fierce advocate for animals and one of the reasons that SCDN is deeply committed to protecting and sheltering the companion animals of Scioto County. She is the main reason for the “pet posts” on SCDN’s Social Media group. Tina wanted, Tina got.
She was reluctant to appear in videos, but agreed to in order to support the causes she loved. Tina introduced you to True Lure and Todd Dunn and the program that allowed folks with disabilities to enjoy deer hunting. She covered the Trout Derby, Neighborhood Watch, and loved anything to do with fast cars, and she was devoted to her family.
While Tina might come off to some as gruff and no-nonsense, she was loving, sensitive, and generous with help in her private life. Many people have related stories of how Tina came to their aid in times of need and never asked for anything in return.
SCDN contributor and award-winning journalist MJ Brickey says, “Tina is one of the people who made my success in life possible.”
Brickey says Tina was there for her during one of the roughest periods of her life. “I was pregnant with twins and taking care of a severely mentally ill husband, and I was the only one working.”
“She was there for me when no one else knew I needed people to be.”
“I had the babies, and Tina wanted to see them right away.” “She cried for me because although the babies brought joy, she knew I had a long road ahead of me.”
Scioto County Daily News publisher Mark Craycraft said he valued Tina’s support and treasured her friendship. “Even as the keyboard warriors sought to silence her, we stood by her, and she stood with us. I value and love every person on our team. As such, please remember Tina as the no-nonsense, turn-over-every-rock, badass chick that we all know and love so much.”
A resolution is before the Scioto County Commissioners to declare February 1st as “Local News Appreciation Day” in Tina’s honor.
