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Tuesday, September 30
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety
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    Chicken Coop Clash on Summit Street Ends With Gun Threat 

    Grandview Avenue Chaos: Woman Crashes, Spits at Officers, and Lands in Jail 

    Broad Daylight Gun Drama on Gay Street: Van Break-In, $50 Dispute, and a Chase 

    Creeper in Kroger: Woman Reports Being Followed and Touched in Local Store 

    Elder Safety

    Portsmouth Police Step Up to Check on Seniors in Need  

    Good Kids CPS

    Portsmouth Police Back Up CPS Workers During a Tough Weekend of Calls 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 09/29/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    pigs

    When Pigs Fly the Coop: Deputies Called to Hog Wild Property Dispute 

    Lawrence County

    Body Discovered in Wheelersburg: Township Trustee Called to Fulfill Sad Duty

    Historic McKinney Church Deserved a Sermon—Got a Springer Show Instead 

    Tracy Park 2

    Naked Man in Tracy Park Headlines Another Rough Day in Portsmouth’s Homeless Crisis

    Man’s Paranoid Call Leads to Arrest, Hospitalization in Scioto County 

    Gary Holsinger

    Assault in Minford Ends in Arrest at Pizza Shop 

    Wild Week in New Boston: Drugs, Gazebos, Go-Karts & a Buckeye Bandit 

    Missing Woman Found Dead Amid String of Southern Ohio Cases 

    Two Wheelersburg Trespassing Cases Highlight Dangers of Ignoring Warnings 

    Gun Found In Hotel Room

    Snapchat Gun Threat: Mom Says Teen Feud Has Gone Too Far 

    Beanie Baby Blamed in Bizarre Portsmouth Theft Report 

    Troubled Bad Youth Kids

    Door-Kicking, Spray Paint, and Ten-Year-Old Suspects: Portsmouth Police Investigate

    police investigation

    Out of Jail in the Morning, Accused of Waving Gun by Afternoon 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics
    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 

    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 

    Bryan Davis

    Commissioner Bryan Davis and Wife Indicted in Scioto Scandal 

    Joey Sandlin

    Joey Sandlin Announces Inauguration Ceremony  

  • Feel Good
    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

    good cops

    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

    Good Samaritan 2

    Good Neighbor and Officer to the Rescue 

    Portsmouth Flood Wall Stars

    Meet the New Flood Wall Stars! 

    A bearded man is sitting on the floor and comforting his dog in a wheelchair. The dog has his ears pinned back.

    Training Tips To Help Your Dog Get Used to Their Wheelchair

    U.S. housing market

    Tips for Making Your New House Feel Like a Home

  • Obituaries

    Patricia Salmons Smith 78 of McDermott

    Billy Ray White

    Billy Ray White, 66 of Portsmouth

    Leatha S. Queen

    Leatha S. Queen, 67 of Rosemount

    Timothy Eugene Coldiron

    Timothy Eugene Coldiron, 55 of Wheelersburg

    Penny Sue (Scaggs) Henthorn

    Penny Sue Henthorn

    Eric Vaughn “Bubba” Kratzer II

    Eric Vaughn “Bubba” Kratzer II, 35, of Otway

    Richard L. Phillips

    Richard L. Phillips, 88 of McDermott

    Barbara Williams

    Diana Marie Clark, 43 of Lucasville

    The Reverend Donald Henry Moeser” 90 of Powellsville,

    Barbara Williams

    Diana Marie Clark, 43 of Lucasville

    Cheryl Lynne Porter

    Cheryl Lynne Porter, aged 67 of Sciotoville

    Angela Flores-Kelly

    Angela Flores-Kelly, 57 of Blue Creek

    Bobby Nelson Sparks

    Bobby Nelson Sparks, 76 of West Portsmouth

    Ralph Arelious Fordyce of Charleston

    Alice Ann Newman

    Alice Ann Newman, 81 of Rarden

    Gary Ray Pyles,

    Randall Eugene Herdman 66, of New Boston

    Anna Elizabeth McClintic

    Anna Elizabeth McClintic, 92 of Wheelersburg

    Barbara Williams

    Betty Ruth Childers, 98 of Lucasville,

    Paul R. Humphrey, 87 of Wheelersburg

    Robert Lee Barbee

    Robert Lee Barbee, 83, of Waverly

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Viral Post Sparks Concern Over “Poisoned Door Handle” Incident 

Ross Madison by Ross Madison
4 weeks ago
in Public Safety
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A Facebook post shared early Friday morning in Ross County quickly went viral, sparking alarm across the region. In the post, a woman described a terrifying sequence of events after stopping at a gas station near Chillicothe. 

She claimed that after touching a door handle she felt “dirt” on her hand, was followed by a suspicious vehicle, and soon after experienced dizziness, nausea, and blacking out while driving with her child. According to her account, a sheriff’s deputy later administered Narcan and she revived instantly. The woman wrote “EMS finally showed up and took me to Adena. There they said that they had seen this, and people have been trying to sex traffic women and children by putting fentanyl on any surface. I walked right into that trap unknowingly.” 

Hospital Response 

Given the seriousness of the claim, we contacted Adena Regional Medical Center directly to ask whether they had seen other cases of alleged drug-laced surfaces tied to human trafficking. 

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A hospital spokesperson responded: 

“Adena Regional Medical Center has not treated other patients for similar circumstances in our emergency department.” 

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This statement directly contradicted the viral post’s suggestion that the hospital had encountered multiple similar cases.  

Sheriff’s Office Response 

The Ross County Sheriff’s Office also weighed in. Sheriff George W. Lavender, Jr. confirmed that deputies were made aware of the incident and investigated: 

“My office is aware of an incident that occurred at a local business yesterday evening. My detectives have spent the day investigating this incident, which has included speaking to both the business and complainant. At this time, there does not appear to be a threat to community safety. We continue to encourage citizens to utilize good safety measures and remember my office is here if you need us.” 

While not dismissing the woman’s experience, the sheriff’s statement makes clear investigators have not identified any broader community threat. 

 The Original Poster’s Reaction 

After her post drew widespread attention—and skepticism—the woman later deactivated her Facebook account and issued an update: 

“I will not delete my post, because that is what happened. But as for the harassment? Miss me with that. I know my truth, no one else aside from me and the dude/ whoever and how many ‘whoevers’ was in that car. I wholeheartedly understand now why people do not speak up when it comes to these kind of circumstances, because there is always an idiotic side waiting to dismiss and belittle them for it.” 

She insisted her account was true and criticized those who questioned it.  

What the Experts Say 

On “Door Handle Overdoses” 

Medical toxicologists have been consistent: casual skin contact with fentanyl will not cause an overdose. While fentanyl is extremely dangerous when ingested or inhaled, it cannot be absorbed through the skin in a way that would cause sudden collapse from touching a door handle. National organizations, including the American College of Medical Toxicology, have issued statements debunking this rumor, which has circulated in various forms for years. 

The “poisoned car door handle” warning is considered a modern urban legend. Law enforcement agencies across the country have investigated similar claims but found no evidence that traffickers or criminals are using this tactic. In addition, toxicology experts at UC Davis Health and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center have published findings that fentanyl is not readily absorbed through the skin in a way that would cause overdose. Medical fentanyl patches do allow for skin absorption, but they’re specially formulated and require hours of continuous contact to deliver a controlled dose. 

On How Human Traffickers Operate 

While the viral post framed the incident as a trafficking attempt, experts stress that abduction by strangers is not the typical method traffickers use. 

We interviewed a human trafficking expert, who explained that traffickers usually groom and manipulate victims over time, often through relationships, social media, or even trusted family connections. Vulnerable teens may be lured with gifts, attention, or promises of love. Once trust is built, traffickers use manipulation, threats, or blackmail to maintain control. 

She noted: 

  • Ohio has seen over 1,000 confirmed cases of child human trafficking in just a two-year span, with thousands more suspected. 
  • 8 out of 10 trafficking victims are minors. 
  • Victims are not always girls—boys, particularly LGBTQ youth, are also targeted. 
  • Trafficking networks are organized, with recruiters, groomers, drivers, and enforcers all playing specific roles.

How Traffickers Target People 

Experts say traffickers are strategic in choosing victims. They often look for individuals who seem isolated, insecure, or struggling at home. A teen posting online about fights with parents or feeling unwanted may catch a trafficker’s attention. In person, traffickers may strike up “chance” friendships at malls, schools, or even churches, slowly offering rides, food, or expensive gifts. In some cases, they target entire families—gaining trust by helping with bills, groceries, or child care, only to later exploit that trust for access to children or teens. Traffickers often play the long game, waiting weeks or months until the victim feels indebted or emotionally attached.  

The FBI Director, Kash Patel specifically called out Ohio as a major contributor to the national human trafficking crisis. Read that article here: Ohio Highways Fuel Human Trafficking, Says FBI Director Kash Patel  

We are continuing to investigate this incident. The woman insists her account is true. However, hospital officials say they have not seen other similar cases, the sheriff’s office found no ongoing threat, and medical experts widely agree that fentanyl overdoses do not occur from touching a surface like a door handle. 

What remains certain: human trafficking is a devastating reality in Ohio, but experts emphasize it is driven by grooming, manipulation, and exploitation of vulnerable people—not poisoned car door handles. 

Tags: ChildrenEventsFacebookFamilyFBIFeaturedHealthHuman TraffickingLawNationalNewsletterOhiorelationshipsRoss CountysafetySCDN ExclusiveschoolsSheriff
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