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Sophia Seymour Crowned 2022 Miss Ashville 4th of July

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Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

Litter Media’s Dan Ramey interviews Sophia Seymour following the pageant.

Sophia Seymour, daughter of Neal and Tammy Seymour, was crowned 2022 Miss Ashville 4th of July Friday night.

The 15-year-old will be an incoming sophomore at Teays Valley High School this coming school year. Seymour follows in the footsteps of her mother (Tammy Younkin) who wore the crown in 1984.

Seymour told Litter Media she is excited for the upcoming school year because she’ll be on the TVHS varsity cheerleading squad. She also runs track for the Vikings and enjoys weightlifting and wood working. Following her high school days, she hopes to attend The Ohio State University and become a personal trainer.

Kiera Scott will serve as 1st Attendant and Marissa Purcell as 2nd Attendant.

Kiera Scott, daughter of Melissa Scott, is 17-years-old and an incoming senior at Teays Valley. Scott is a member of the Spanish Club and National Spanish Honor Society, a six year member of 4-H and a 4-year member of FFA. She plays Soccer for the Vikings and is a member of the Pickaway County Junior Fair Board and a 2022 Buckeye Girls State delegate. She hopes to attend Miami University in 2023 and attain a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

Marissa Purcell, daughter of Nate and Tiffany Purcell. The 15-year-old will enter her sophomore year at Teays Valley next school year. She’s a member of the TVHS Tennis Team, 4-H and the DECA emerging leaders and entrepreneurs program.

Outgoing Queen, Jordan Foster, said she attended twelve festivals since July of 2021, with the Wild Turkey Festival in McArthur being one of the most memorable. She also attended Chillicothe’s Feast of the Flowering Moon and enjoyed the festival queens’ dance with the Native American dancers in Yoctangee Park.

The Ashville 4th of July Celebration continues through Monday evening, culminating with the annual fireworks display at 10pm.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION

Miss Ashville 4th of July, Sophia Seymour address the audience as her first act following crowning Friday night at Ashville Village Park. Dan Ramey/Litter Media
2021 Miss Ashville 4th of July Jordan Foster gives her farewell address before the announcement of the 2022 Queen and Court. Dan Ramey/Litter Media
Miss Ashville 4th of July chaperons Kelly Spriggs and Debbie Hulse present 2021 Queen Jordan Foster with her portrait as a keepsake. Dan Ramey/Litter Media
2022 Royalty: 1st Attendant Kiera Scott, Queen Sophia Seymour and 2nd Attendant Marissa Purcell. photo Courtesy Jeremy Newman/Scioto Post
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Ohio Grants Demolition Funds To Area Communities

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Article Presented By Tomlinson Insurance Agency, Inc.

(Columbus)—More than $42.1 million in grant funding has been awarded to help communities in nearly every Ohio county turn blighted properties into new opportunities that attract investment, business, and jobs. 

Eighty-seven counties will receive up to $500,000 in grants as part of the first phase of the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, which funds the demolition of dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and the revitalization of surrounding properties.

“There are vacant, decaying buildings all over the state that are nothing but eyesores, and it’s time for these structures to go,” said Governor DeWine. “By investing to tear down these dangerous properties, we’re not only helping to transform the landscape of our communities, but we’re also clearing the way for redevelopment, more jobs, and new opportunities for Ohio residents.” 

In total, approximately $150 million in grants will be awarded for demolition and revitalization projects across the state in coming months.  As part of the program’s initial round of funding, $500,000 was set aside for all of Ohio’s 88 counties through June 30, 2022. The awards announced today represent the total amount requested by each county up to its $500,000 set-aside. The program’s remaining funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to counties that applied for funding in excess of $500,000. 

DETAILS: List of Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Grants (Initial Round)

“These investments lead to revitalization at its finest,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “It takes blighted properties that are a scar on the landscape of a community and turns them into parks, housing or thriving businesses.” 

The Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program was created with the support of the Ohio General Assembly, which funded the program as part of the state biennium budget bill, House Bill 110. The program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Development, is also part of the DeWine-Husted Administration’s strategic efforts to invest in Ohio’s future.

“With access to this funding communities can start on their projects and begin making room for future growth,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Clearing blight and dilapidated structures helps pave the way for future economic development.”

The Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program is part of Governor DeWine’s Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on supporting targeted solutions that impact quality of life, such as water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, the demolition of blighted buildings, and more.

For more information on the new Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, visit Development.Ohio.Gov/Demolition.

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AAA7 Summer Crisis Program Starts July 1st

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Article Presented By Classic Brands

The Ohio Department of Development will help income‐eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1, 2022, until September 30, 2022.

Locally, the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) works with local Energy Assistance Providers to assist with the Summer Crisis Program. To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with the partner in their county, which is provided in the list below:
*Adams County– Adams/Brown Economic Opportunities, Inc.
*Brown County– Adams/Brown Economic Opportunities, Inc.
*Gallia County– Gallia‐Meigs CAA, Inc.
*Highland County– Highland County Community Action Organization
*Jackson County– Jackson/Vinton Community Action, Inc.
*Lawrence County– Ironton‐Lawrence County Area Community Action
*Pike County– Community Action Committee of Pike County
*Ross County– Ross County Community Action Committee, Inc.
*Scioto County– Community Action Commission of Scioto County
*Vinton County– Jackson/Vinton Community Action, Inc.

Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:
*Copies of their most recent energy bills;
*A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member;
*Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members;
*Proof of disability (if applicable);
*Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).

The Summer Crisis Program assists low‐income households with an older household member (60 years or older), that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health, have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, are trying to establish new service on their electric bill, or require air conditioning. Conditions can include such things as lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or asthma.

For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact your local partner or the Area Agency on Aging District 7 at 1‐800‐582‐7277 or
info@aaa.org. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance Provider, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282‐0880.

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Ohio Christian University President Leaves For Indiana Wesleyan University’s President Post

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Article Presented By Rathkamp Financial

(Marion, Indiana) – Indiana Wesleyan University announced that Jonathan Kulaga, Ph.D., will become the 10th president of Indiana Wesleyan University on August 8, 2022.

Photo Courtesy of Indiana Wesleyan University

Kulaga comes to IWU after spending five successful years as President and CEO of Ohio Christian University. During his leadership at OCU, he decreased institutional debt, increased student retention to its highest levels in the school’s history, raised the percentage of campus faculty terminal degrees to 92%, increased the racial and ethnic diversity of the faculty and administration, and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to a Christ-centered mission and values. 

“It is an honor and privilege to be selected to serve as Indiana Wesleyan University’s next president.  IWU has long been the standard-bearer for innovative, academically excellent, and spiritually mature learning throughout the Wesleyan faith community,” said Dr. Jon Kulaga. “Lena and I look forward to immersing ourselves in the IWU communities, both locally and globally, as we seek to expand the University’s capacity to change lives—and as a result—change the world.”

(For more information on an article taken from IWU website story- See more here)