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Wednesday, October 15
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  • Public Safety
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    Busted on the Sheriff’s Doorstep: Domestic Violence Arrests on Findlay Street 

    Fresh Out of the Slammer, Man Busted in Lucasville Domestic Violence Case

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    School Bus Thefts Traced Back to Wheelersburg 

    Domestic Disturbance Ends With Patrol Car Pee Incident 

    Officers & Medics Team Up to Help Man in Medical Crisis 

    Pike County Sheriff’s Office

    Pike County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes New K-9 Deputy 

    Kathy Shupert

    Kathy Shupert Faces Court Records Lawsuit

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/15/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

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    Late-Night Chaos at Wheelersburg Hotel Ends in Eviction 

    Bite Marks and Broken Rules: Phone Fight Lands Teen in Trouble 

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    Dog Locked in Truck Sparks Concern: Housing Instability Forces Owners to Make Tough Choices

    Maxwell McGuire

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    SWANIGAN, ARTHUR

    Portsmouth’s Most Familiar Face: Arthur Swanigan Arrested Again 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

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    Kelly Dummitt

    Arrest of Kelly Dummitt: Troubled Past Catches Up Again 

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    Officers Step In to Save Lives on the Front Lines of Mental Health Crisis 

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    New Details Emerge in Portsmouth Family’s Gross Abuse of a Corpse Case 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    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?

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    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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    Bryan Davis

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    Scottie Powell

    Powell Calls on Commissioner Davis to Resign 

    Scioto County Bryan Davis Scandal

    🗓 Timeline of a Scandal: How Scioto County’s Economic Development Crisis Unfolded 

  • Feel Good

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    Cyn Mackley

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  • Obituaries
    Robert Fraley

    Robert Luther Fraley, 89 of New Boston

    Jerod Von Hagen

    Jerod Von Hagen, 85 of Portsmouth

    Sally Joyce Reid, 90 of Tallahassee

    Walter Clark

    Walter Clark, 91, of Waverly

    Thelma Terry

    Thelma Isabelle Branham Terry, 91, of South Shore

    Ashley Nicole Lavey

    Ashley Nicole Lavey, 30 of Portsmouth

    Michael Van Swearingen

    Michael Van Swearingen, 89, of Portsmouth

    Donald H. Adkins

    Donald H. Adkins, 79 of South Shore,

    Suzi Bumgardner, 85 of Peebles

    Mary Lou Ratliff

    Mary Lou Ratliff, 90 of Portsmouth

    Gerry Conchita Kazee Mershon Osborne

    Gerry Conchita Kazee Mershon Osborne, 72, of West Portsmouth

    Thomas Marshall Redmon

    Thomas Marshall Redmon, 90 of Portsmouth,

     Larry Randall Williams

     Larry Randall Williams, 82 of West Portsmouth

    Marilyn Rosemary Bailey, 62 of Ironton

    Julia Mae Duke

    Julia Mae Duke, 83 of Piketon

    Dana LaMonte Messer

    Dana LaMonte Messer, 68 of Portsmouth

    Heath Aaron Pollard

    Heath Aaron Pollard, 43 Jackson

    Betty Kathleen Rowe

    Betty Kathleen Rowe, aged 91 of Wheelersburg

    Diana J. Todd

    Diana J. Todd, 81 of Sciotoville

    David W. Bauer

    David W. Bauer, 94 of Wheelersburg

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Scioto County Squirrel Scene: Facts & Lore

Mark Craycraft by Mark Craycraft
1 year ago
in Education
Scioto County Squirrel
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Squirrels are a familiar sight in Scioto County, Ohio, where an estimated population of tens of thousands scurry through forests, parks, and neighborhoods. These agile rodents play a crucial role in the ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal, which promotes forest regeneration. Common myths about squirrels include that they remember the exact location of all their buried nuts, which isn’t entirely true; they rely on a combination of memory and a keen sense of smell.

Historically, Native Americans in Scioto County used squirrels as a food source and for their fur. They also observed the squirrels’ behavior to predict weather changes. These small mammals are integral to the environment, helping maintain a balance by being both prey and predator.

Let’s explore Scioto County’s Squirrel Scene.

RELATED POSTS

Busted on the Sheriff’s Doorstep: Domestic Violence Arrests on Findlay Street 

Fresh Out of the Slammer, Man Busted in Lucasville Domestic Violence Case

School Bus Thefts Traced Back to Wheelersburg 

Page 1 of 6

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Features and Markings: The Eastern Gray Squirrel is easily identified by its predominantly gray fur, with a white underbelly and large bushy tail.

Eating Habits: These squirrels primarily eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi. They are known for burying nuts to save for winter.

Mating Habits: Eastern Gray Squirrels mate twice a year, typically in late winter and midsummer.

Where They Sleep: They build dreys (nests) in tree branches or use hollow tree cavities.

Reproduction: Litters usually consist of 2-4 young. The mother nurses her young for about 10 weeks until they are ready to forage on their own.

Fun Fact: Eastern Gray Squirrels can remember the locations of hundreds of their buried nuts.

Page 2 of 6

Fox Squirrel

Features and Markings: The Fox Squirrel is the largest tree squirrel in North America, with a rusty brown coat and a bushy tail.

Eating Habits: They enjoy a diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects.

Mating Habits: Fox Squirrels also mate twice a year, during the same seasons as the Eastern Gray Squirrel.

Where They Sleep: They prefer tree cavities but will also build dreys in the absence of suitable hollows.

Reproduction: Litters consist of 2-3 young. The mother cares for her young until they are about 12 weeks old.

Fun Fact: Fox Squirrels are excellent at planting trees as they often forget where they’ve buried their nuts.

Page 3 of 6

Red Squirrel

Features and Markings: Red Squirrels are smaller with reddish fur and a white underbelly.

Eating Habits: They mainly eat seeds from conifer cones, but they also consume nuts, fruits, and fungi.

Mating Habits: Red Squirrels mate once or twice a year, typically in late winter or early spring.

Where They Sleep: They build nests in trees or find shelter in hollow trees.

Reproduction: The average litter consists of 3-4 young. The mother weans them for about 8 weeks.

Fun Fact: Red Squirrels are very territorial and will defend their food stores aggressively.

Page 4 of 6

Southern Flying Squirrel

Features and Markings: This small squirrel has a gray-brown coat with a white belly and large eyes for nocturnal vision.

Eating Habits: They eat nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and even bird eggs.

Mating Habits: Mating typically occurs once a year, in the spring.

Where They Sleep: They nest in tree cavities, often using old woodpecker holes.

Reproduction: Litters usually consist of 2-3 young. The mother cares for them until they are 6-8 weeks old.

Fun Fact: Southern Flying Squirrels can glide up to 150 feet between trees using the patagium, a membrane stretching from wrist to ankle.

Page 5 of 6

Eastern Chipmunk

Features and Markings: The Eastern Chipmunk is small with reddish-brown fur and distinctive stripes down its back.

Eating Habits: They eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and occasionally insects.

Mating Habits: Eastern Chipmunks mate twice a year, in early spring and late summer.

Where They Sleep: They live in burrows that they dig themselves, often under logs or in bushes.

Reproduction: Litters usually consist of 4-5 young. The mother cares for her young until they are about 6 weeks old.

Fun Fact: Chipmunks can gather and store up to 165 acorns in a single day.

Page 6 of 6

Wrap it Up

As we wrap up our exploration of the squirrels of Scioto County, here are a few more fun facts. Did you know that squirrels can fall from heights of up to 100 feet without injury due to their bushy tails that act as parachutes? Additionally, their front teeth never stop growing, which is why they constantly gnaw on things to keep them in check. The best time to observe squirrels is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when they are most active, foraging for food and interacting with each other. Happy squirrel watching!

Tags: NewsletterScioto County
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