Monthly Archives: June 2021

Uncategorized

ODOT Weekly Road Reports

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

The following construction projects are anticipated to affect highways in the area next week. All outlined work is weather permitting.

ROSS COUNTY

U.S. 35 Slip Repair – U.S. 35 Westbound will be reduced to one lane west of Richmond Dale starting June 7. U.S. 35 Eastbound traffic will be unaffected by this construction. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

S.R. 327 Culvert Replacement – S.R. 327 will be closed between Poe’s Run Road and the Vinton County Line starting June 7. Traffic will be detoured via U.S. 50 and S.R. 671. Estimated completion: Summer 2021.

U.S. 35/U.S. 23 Bridge Maintenance – Project to perform maintenance work on various bridges along U.S. 35 and U.S. 23 in Ross County beginning May 12. Work on the U.S. 23/U.S. 35 Bypass will include some overnight and weekend work. Traffic will be maintained in one lane in each direction throughout construction. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

State Route 104 Resurfacing – S.R. 104 will be reduced to one lane daily between Fairgrounds Road and the Pickaway County Line from 7 AM to 5 PM, Mon-Fri starting April 19. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

State Route 28 Resurfacing – S.R. 28 will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM to 5 PM between S.R. 138 and Harper Station Road starting April 15. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

Ross County Guardrail Replacement – Various county roads will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM to 5 PM starting March 1. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

U.S. 23 Slide Repair – U.S. 23 northbound will experience intermittent single-lane closures south of S.R. 372, however most of the work will be on the shoulder. Restrictions will be set up as needed for construction. When in effect, restrictions will occur between 7 AM and 5 PM. Estimated completion: Spring 2021

PIKE COUNTY

Germany Road Slide Repair – Project to repair an existing slide on Germany Road between Dutch Run Road and Millstone Road. The road will be closed for the duration of construction. Traffic will be detoured via Adams Road, Red Hollow Road, and Coal Dock Road. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

S.R. 32 Resurfacing – S.R. 32 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Goff Road and S.R. 124 starting May 10 at 7 AM. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

S.R. 335 Resurfacing – S.R. 335 will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM – 5 PM, Mon-Fri between Simmons Hollow Road and the village of Waverly beginning May 10. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

U.S. 23 Signal Upgrade – U.S. 23 will be reduced to one lane in each direction daily from 7 AM to 5 PM on either side of the intersection with Second Street immediately south of the village of Waverly beginning March 24. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

S.R. 772 Slide Repair – S.R. 772 will be reduced to one, 13-foot lane between S.R. 124 and McKinney Road starting March 15 at 7 AM. Traffic will be maintained using temporary signals. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

Pike Lake State Park Resurfacing – Various park roads in Pike Lake State Park will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM – 5 PM starting March 15. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Spring 2021

S.R. 32/Shyville Road Intersection Improvement – Beginning March 15, traffic lanes on S.R. 32 will be shifted in advance of construction of a new RCUT intersection design. S.R. 32 is reduced to one lane in each direction immediately east and west of the Shyville Road intersection. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

HIGHLAND COUNTY

S.R. 134 Resurfacing – S.R. 134 will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM to 7 PM starting June 7. Work will take place between Murtland Road and U.S. 50, and between U.S. 50 and the Clinton County Line. Work will begin in the village of Lynchburg. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

S.R. 134 Resurfacing – S.R. 134 will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM to 7 PM between Greenbrush Road and Murtland Road starting June 1. Starting June 7, resurfacing work will begin and closures will occur daily Mon-Fri. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Fall 2021.

S.R. 28 Culvert Replacement – S.R. 28 will be closed between Ringer Lane and Monroe Road, immediately west of East Monroe June 1. Traffic will be detoured via S.R. 138 and S.R. 771. Estimated completion: Summer 2021.

S.R. 28/S.R. 138/S.R. 753 Resurfacing – This project will resurface portions of three routes in Highland County starting April 19: S.R. 28 between Leesburg and Greenfield; S.R. 138 between 7th Street and Jefferson Street in the village of Greenfield; S.R. 753 between Snake Road and McKell Avenue. The affected routes will be reduced to one lane daily from 7 AM to 5 PM during construction. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

U.S. 62 Resurfacing – U.S. 62 will be reduced to one lane between the village of Hillsboro and Warlamount Road daily from 7 AM to 5 PM starting March 29. Traffic will be maintained using temporary signals. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

JACKSON COUNTY

S.R. 139 Culvert Replacement – S.R. 139 will be closed between S.R. 279 and Bucklick Creek Road starting June 1. Traffic will be detoured via S.R. 139, S.R. 279, and S.R. 93. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

SCIOTO COUNTY

*NEW U.S. 52 Rail Bridge Maintenance – CSX Railroad is planning work on a railroad bridge that crosses US 52. This work will require the full closure of eastbound US 52 from 9am – 1pm daily on 6/14 – 6/18 and westbound on 6/21 – 6/25. The official detour is US 23 and SR 823. Portsmouth Police will also be directing traffic on Gallia Street at SR 335 and SR 140 during the closure. Estimated completion: June 25, 1 p.m.

U.S. 52 Culvert replacements – This project will replace two culverts along U.S. 52 starting April 1. The first culvert is located east of Upper Twin Creek Road. The second culvert is located between Pond Run Road and Ziegler Lane. Construction for both culverts will occur simultaneously. For both locations, traffic on U.S. 52 will be maintained in one lane using temporary signals. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

Riverfront Multi-Use Path – This project will construct a multi-use path between Front Street and Offnere Street beginning April 1. Traffic on affected city streets and school roads will be maintained in one lane using flaggers as needed. Restrictions may occur daily between 7:30 AM and 5 PM. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

U.S. 23/Feurt Hill Road Intersection Improvement – Feurt Hill Road may be reduced to one lane as needed during construction, with traffic maintained using flaggers. Two lanes in each direction will be maintained on U.S. 23 throughout construction. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

State Route 823 routine maintenance – State Route 823 will be reduced to one, 14-foot lane in each direction daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for routine maintenance, pavement grinding, and other work as needed from June 2 to June 19. Estimated completion: June 19, by 6:30 p.m.

ADAMS COUNTY

S.R. 32 Culvert Replacement – S.R. 32 will be reduced to one, 10-foot lane in each direction between Pine Hollow Road and Black Hollow Road starting April 26. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

S.R. 32 Resurfacing – S.R. 32 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Tranquility Pike and S.R. 73 starting April 5. Estimated completion: Fall 2021

BROWN COUNTY

S.R. 125 Culvert Replacement – S.R. 125 will be closed for 14 days between S.R. 505 and Fite Avenue in the village of Hamersville starting June 7. Traffic will be detoured via S.R. 774 and U.S. 68. Estimated completion: June 21 by 3:30 PM

S.R. 505 Culvert Replacement – S.R. 505 will be closed just south of the intersection with S.R. 756 starting May 24. Traffic will be detoured via U.S. 52, S.R. 133, and S.R. 756. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

S.R. 41 Slide Repair – Traffic is being maintained in one lane with temporary signals between Ellis Run Road and the Adams County Line as part of ongoing construction. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

S.R. 41 Safety Improvements – This project includes safety improvements on S.R. 41 between Ellis Run Road and Catbird Lane starting June 1. Improvements include resurfacing, widened shoulders, new signage and guardrail, and two culvert replacements. Traffic will be maintained in one lane using temporary signals for much of construction.  Estimated completion: Summer 2021

State Route 125 bridge replacement at Georgetown – S.R. 125 may be restricted to one lane to complete construction on the White Oak Creek bridge replacement project, with traffic maintained using flaggers as needed. Restrictions, when needed, will be in effect daily from 7 AM to 5 PM. Estimated completion: Spring 2021

U.S. 52 Culvert Replacement – U.S. 52 will be reduced to one lane between Elk River Road and Logan Gap Road starting April 12 at 7 AM. Traffic will be maintained using temporary signals. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

Village of Aberdeen Sidewalk Upgrades – This project will install new pedestrian facilities in the village of Aberdeen at the intersection of U.S. 52 and Elm Street starting March 29. Traffic on U.S. 52 will be maintained in one lane in each direction throughout construction, with minor traffic impacts possible. Estimated completion: Summer 2021

PICKWAY COUNTY

City of Circleville Resurfacing – U.S. 22 within the city of Circleville will have daily lane restrictions (7 a.m. – 5 p.m.) starting Monday, May 17 through September 2021 for resurfacing.

U.S. Route 62 Bridge Replacement – The U.S. 62 bridge over Deer Creek will close starting Monday, March 15 through September 2021 for bridge replacement. Detour: U.S. 62 to I-71 to SR 56 to U.S. 62 or reverse.

Uncategorized

State Coaches Name All Ohio HS Baseball Selections

Presented By Rathkamp Financial

A dozen area high school baseball players have been named to the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association All Ohio Teams for Divisions 1 through 4.

No area players in Division 1 made the all state squad.

(Division 2- First Team) includes:

Josh Moore- Bloom Carroll

(Second Team)

Scott Ryan- Hillsboro

Connor Bucher & Josh Gilmore- Miami Trace

(Honorable Mention)

Carson DeBord & Cameron DeBord- Unioto

Ethan Hyme- Fairfield Union

(Division 3- First Team) includes:

Luke Blackburn- Westfall

(Second Team)

Eric Green- Wheelersburg

(Honorable Mention)

Luke Howard- Portsmouth West

Cade Meade- North Adams

Ethan Stewart- Meigs

Titan Williams- Westfall

(Division 4- First Team) includes:

Clay Cottle- Portsmouth Clay

Shaden Malone- Portsmouth Clay

(Second Team)

Brock Blanton- Paint Valley

David Hurst- Berne Union

Matthew Keener- Fairfield Christian

Nick Krooner- Lancaster Fisher Catholic

To see the complete list for each division, go to the following link.

CLICK HERE:

Uncategorized

Ohio Vaccinations Now Up To 50% Among Ohio Adults

Presented By Classic Brands

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted on Friday provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

STATUS OF VACCINATIONS IN OHIO

More than 50 percent of Ohio’s adult population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, however, Governor DeWine encouraged more Ohioans, especially those in the 18-59 age-range, to get vaccinated. 

Despite the lift in pandemic-related restrictions, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, chief medical officer at the Ohio Department of Health, reminded Ohioans that the unvaccinated, including everyone under the age of 12, are still at risk. 

“COVID remains a very real danger to every unvaccinated Ohioan,” said Dr. Vanderhoff. “We often think of COVID as being benign for children, but it is now one of the top 10 causes of death for children in the United States. Vaccination is our best protection against COVID, and we really owe it not just to ourselves to get vaccinated, but to all we care about, including those who are not yet able to be vaccinated. While it is true that younger Ohioans may not have the level of risk that older Ohioans have, bad things can happen to people of any age who get COVID-19.”

OHIO VAX-A-MILLION

Ohio Vax-A-Million’s newest winners joined Governor DeWine this morning to discuss why they chose to be vaccinated and their excitement of being selected during this week’s drawing. 

Jonathan Carlyle from Toledo in Lucas County won this week’s $1 million prize, and Zoie Vincent from Mayfield Village in Cuyahoga County won this week’s college scholarship prize. 

“I actually had COVID-19, and it was the most sick I’d ever been,” said Vincent. “(This) played a significant role in my decision to get a vaccination because, if I can guarantee that I’ll never feel this way again or my family won’t have to feel this way again, I felt like I would definitely take it, and so I did get the vaccine.”

“My sister and her husband both came down with COVID, as well as his father who passed from COVID, and she was on me a lot to go and get the vaccination, and that played a very significant role in me getting my vaccination,” said Carlyle. “I was putting it off a lot because I was working all the time, but I knew that I needed to get it and that I wanted to get it. When (Governor DeWine) announced Vax-a-Million, as soon as I heard that, a few days later I got the Johnson & Johnson shot.” 

Ohio Vax-a-Million is a public outreach campaign and initiative to increase awareness of the availability and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and provide incentives to Ohioans to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Ohioans 18 and older who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can enter to win one of five $1 million prizes. Ohioans ages 12-17 who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can enter to win a four-year college scholarship to any Ohio state college or university.

For more information and to enter visit ohiovaxamillion.com. To find a vaccine provider near you, visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. 

Uncategorized

Free Fishing Weekend

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

(COLUMBUS) – The free fishing weekend for Ohio residents is Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio residents may fish for free in any of Ohio’s public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio river, during this weekend. It is the only weekend all year when those 16 years old and older are not required to obtain a fishing license to fish in the state’s public waters.
 
“All Ohioans are invited to enjoy the fun and excitement of fishing during our free fishing weekend,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “Fishing is a great way to introduce someone to the outdoors and make some lasting memories.”

 
Ohio offers extraordinary fishing opportunities in its lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams. The Division of Wildlife’s six state fish hatcheries stocked 46 million sport fish in more than 200 locations in 2020, including walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, rainbow trout, brown trout, muskellunge, channel catfish, blue catfish, and hybrid striped bass. An estimated 1.3 million Ohioans fish in the Buckeye State every year.
 
The free fishing weekend offers the chance to experience the thrill of catching a fish. Here are some helpful tips for taking a youngster out fishing: 

  • Keep the trip simple by considering a child’s age and skill level.
  • Choose a pond, lake, or stream where children are able to easily catch a few fish.
  • Use live bait to increase the chance of catching a fish. Live bait is also more interesting for children.
  • Bring a camera and snacks.
  • Be patient – plan on spending time untangling lines, baiting hooks, landing fish, and taking pictures.
  • Most of all, keep the trip fun.

 
Finding the perfect spot to wet a line has never been easier. Visit the Find a Destination page at ohiodnr.gov to explore public fishing locations near you. If you are new to fishing and need a bit more guidance before getting started, the Division of Wildlife provides many resources to make your fishing trip fun and successful. Find information on fishing special locations, such as Lake Erie and the Ohio River, fishing tips and tricks, and suggestions on fishing for specific species on the Fishing License and Resource page at wildohio.gov.
 
Anglers 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs, or turtles from Ohio waters when not fishing during Ohio’s free fishing weekend. A fishing license is available from participating agents and at wildohio.gov. Remember to check the 2021 Ohio Fishing Regulations Guidebook if you plan to keep your catch.

Uncategorized

Ohio State Parks Fully open

Presented By Atomic Speedway

(COLUMBUS)—The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced today that all of Ohio’s state parks and watercraft facilities are now fully open for the public to enjoy this summer.
 
“The Ohio State Parks team is so happy to welcome our guests back for in-person activities and programming this summer,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Families can plan for group activities, such as reunions, and visitors of all ages are welcome back to our nature centers and educational programming.”
 
Several state parks, such as Malabar Farm and Marblehead Lighthouse state parks, will resume regular hours for public tours.

  • Tours of the Big House at Malabar Farm will be given daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. On Fridays and Saturdays, a 4:30 p.m. tour is also available. Fees apply.
  • Marblehead Lighthouse tours will be available seven days a week from noon until 4 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. The last tour begins at 3:40 p.m. Cash fee for adults and children over 6 years old. Gift shop hours vary.

 
At the peak of the pandemic, Ohioans visited Ohio’s state parks in record numbers to safely enjoy recreational activities outdoors, but indoor recreation was suspended as a safety precaution. With Ohio’s increase in vaccinations and decrease in coronavirus spread, newly reopened facilities include all group activity areas such as shelterhouses and other day-use group facilities; nature centers; campground stores; pools; park offices; and commissaries. Many areas which may have had limited occupancy (showerhouses, playgrounds, and ball courts) have returned to pre-pandemic rules of operation.
 
Although masks are no longer required for visitors inside state park buildings, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reminds citizens that the pandemic is ongoing and that a large number of Ohioans remain unvaccinated and at-risk, including everyone under the age of 12. ODH strongly encourages visitors who have not been fully vaccinated to continue to wearing masks indoors and following other preventative measures.
 
The best way to plan a trip to a state park is to begin by visiting our website at ohiostateparks.gov. Each park web page offers details on day-use facilities, such as hiking trails, boat launch areas, specialty features, and overnight accommodations. Webpages also host the most updated information regarding closures due to weather or construction. Reservations may be made online or by calling (866) OHIOPARKS.
 
Special activity permits are now being accepted for events like fishing derbies, races, and other events coordinated by outside organizations. Special permit applications must be completed by an adult and submitted to the applicable state park no less than 30 days prior to the event date to allow adequate time to process the permit. It is highly recommended you submit the application 60 days in advance. To obtain a special activity permit, click here .

Uncategorized

Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Available For Qualifying Rural Fire Departments

Presented By Rathkamp Financial

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has allocated funds to Ohio through the Wildfire Risk Reduction program.

These funds will be distributed to fire protection agencies commensurate with program scope and federal guidelines.

The shaded area in the graphic to the right shows the ODNR Forestry Wildfire protection area. Only Fire Departments who provide primary fire service coverage within this area are eligible for this opportunity.

Among the guidelines are it is available only to fire departments who provide primary fire service coverage within the ODNR Forestry Wildfire Protection Area are eligible for this opportunity, the Fire Department must have a signed Cooperative Agreement for Wildland Fire Suppression to be eligible to receive this opportunity, and the grants are 50/50 matching reimbursement grants. This means a fire department that receives a grant must purchase the equipment prior to receiving reimbursement for 50% of the total project amount. A maximum of $3,000 has been placed upon the amount of federal reimbursement grant dollars to be awarded to any individual project.

Because of USDA Forest Service property control guidelines applied to items purchased using federal funding, no single item may exceed $4,999.00 in cost.

For a link with more information and the grant application PDF, go to the provided link. CLICK HERE:

The deadline for return of the application to the Division of Forestry is 6/14/2021.

Litter Media spoke with representatives of the Pebble Township Fire Department in November of 2020 about some of their firefighting equipment for brush fires used in Pike County, that came from a FEMA grant. Watch our video below.

Uncategorized

Girl Scout Cookies Sent To Area Veterans

Presented By Classic Brands

Watch our interview with Bobbi Jo Hoffman and Jamie Russell

The annual sale of Girls Scout cookies is a treat for many of us, and veterans of the U.S. military are no different.

This year, a group called Soldiers Angels helped facilitate the delivery of 9,092 cases of the cookies to the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Bobbi Jo Hoffman of Soldiers Angels says that many cases totals more than 100,000 boxes of cookies.

Jamie Russell, Voluntary Service Specialist at the Chillicothe V.A. Medical Center says the cookies are presented to the hospital’s in-patients and out-patients, along with the Veterans Service Office distributing Girl Scout cookies to veterans in the community as well.

Hoffman says this is one of the many things Soldiers Angels does to help make veterans lives “a little brighter.”

She says they need more volunteers and hopes to see more people in our area get involved.

For more information on how you get become involved volunteering with Soldiers Angels in our area, contact Bobbi Jo Hoffman (740) 520-4252 or email bhoffman@soldiersangels.org

Uncategorized

8 Run Second Inning Propels Paints To Win at West Virginia

Presented By Atomic Speedway

After the Chillicothe Paints and West Virginia Miners traded one run in the first inning, the Paints broke the game open in the top of the second inning with an 8-run offensive explosion and went on to a 10-1 Prospect League victory.

The Paints big inning got off to a start with the help of shaky pitching control from the Miner’s, as the first three Chillicothe batters reached on walks, then a fourth player was hit by a pitch, followed by a sacrifice fly.

Leading 9-1, Chillicothe added a run in third, with both teams going scoreless the rest of the game.

The Paints had 10 runs on 7 hits, committing no errors. The Miners scored one run on 8 hits and committed 2 errors.

Multiple hit games for Chillicothe only came from Drew Wilson with a 2/4 day at the plate. Ben Gbur and Isaac Bair each had 2 RBI’s with base hits.

Bradley Dunn was the winning pitcher with 4 innings on the mound, yielding 5 hits and 1 walk and fanning 2 batters.

The Chillicothe Paints improve to (2-3) on the season and return home Wednesday vs West Virginia at 7:05pm.