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Tuesday, October 28
Scioto County Daily News
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  • Public Safety
    Hisle Park Apartments

    Trouble in “Safe” Housing: Hisle Park Apartments Hit With More Police Calls 

    Ohio House Broadens Cryptocurrency Reserve into Wider Strategic Investment Fund

    How Access to More Information Can Reduce Decision-Making Risks

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  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    Latest Updates: Bryan Davis Gets Bail Modification, Next Hearing Set for December

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    Democrats Blast Bryan Davis: “Quit Collecting a Paycheck You’re Not Earning” 

    Robert Horton

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    Portsmouth Council Weighs Asking Davis to Resign 

    Turning Point USA

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    Turning Point USA

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    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder’s Office Increases Fees 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Powell Responds to Conflict of Interest Questions 

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    Bryan Davis

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  • Feel Good
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    Tips for Staying Calm During Police Encounters

    Cyn Mackley

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    Shawnee State University SSU

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  • 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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“We Can Shut Down a Bad Diner—But Not a Bad Rehab?”: Powell Pushes for Recovery Housing Reform 

Cyn Mackley by Cyn Mackley
3 months ago
in Public Safety
Recovery Housing Scioto County
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Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell says change could finally be coming to the Wild West of recovery housing—but only if Columbus lawmakers are willing to listen. 

At Thursday’s meeting, Powell gave a passionate update on Ohio House Bill 58, which would create real oversight for recovery housing in the state. And the numbers driving the conversation are staggering. 

“There are 132 recovery facilities in Scioto County alone,” Powell said. “That’s more than Franklin County, which has over a million people. We have just 72,000.” 

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A System with No Brakes 

Right now, there are 236 registered recovery houses in the tri-county area of Scioto, Lawrence, and Adams Counties—and that doesn’t include the ones operating under the radar. 

And unlike restaurants, nursing homes, or tattoo parlors, there’s no state-level requirement for inspections, certificates of need, or local oversight. 

“If someone tells me they’re putting in a recovery house down the road, people ask, ‘Can I stop it?’” Powell said. “Right now, the answer is no. There’s no legal mechanism.” 

Behind the Scenes in Columbus 

Powell recently spent a day at the Statehouse with Representative Justin Pizzulli, the bill’s sponsor, and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman, attending what are known as “interested party meetings.” In these meetings, supporters and opponents of the bill go through it line-by-line to try and find common ground. 

“To be this intimately involved in the process has been enlightening,” Powell said. “Even people who oppose it in theory are realizing we need standards of care—and the ability to shut down those who won’t comply.” 

One major issue? Right now, complaints go to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which is already overloaded with major crimes like human trafficking. 

Powell says the bill aims to bring some authority back to local communities, including the ADAMH boards (Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health) and even the county prosecutor, who could be given power to seek injunctions against dangerous or substandard homes. 

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“We can shut down a bad diner,” Powell said. “But not a bad rehab home? That’s insane.” 

What House Bill 58 Would Do 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what the bill would require: 

  • ✅ State approval before opening, expanding, or relocating recovery housing
  • ✅ Annual inspections and complaint investigations by local mental health boards 
  • ✅ A Certificate of Need (CON) process to control how many homes can operate in each area 
  • ✅ A focus on fair distribution of homes based on population and need 

The Pushback 

Powell said one of the biggest hurdles is getting lawmakers in Columbus to realize this isn’t just a Southern Ohio issue. 

“There’s a mindset that this is a Scioto County problem,” he said. “But Ohio Recovery Housing’s own data shows a quarter of counties have more beds than they need, while others have none. This is a statewide imbalance.” 

What’s Next? 

The bill is still in committee, but Powell is hopeful it will make it to the House floor this fall. Until then, conversations—and compromises—continue. 

“We’re not against recovery,” Powell stressed. “We’re fighting for quality recovery. Because our communities deserve better. And so do the people trying to get clean.” 

Stay tuned—this could be one of the most important pieces of legislation to hit Scioto County in years. 

Tags: Attorney GeneralHealthHuman TraffickingMental HealthOhioScioto CountyScottie PowellShane TiemanSouthern Ohio
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