(Chillicothe) — In light of the continued spread of COVID in our area, consultation with our local health district, and yesterdays release from our local hospitals, The Scioto Society will be requiring guests at Haunted Mountain to wear masks throughout the facility this fall.
“We will be requiring people to mask up when they’re out and about in the facility. This means anywhere that they are not seated for the show or in the restaurant area. Once people are seated for the performance, or if they choose to visit the restaurant for a refreshment and sit down, they can take them off. We are not taking political stand on this issue, we are simply following the guidelines and advice from the most respected people in the health field right now. We have a responsibility to provide the safest environment that we’re able to, while doing everything possible to ensure that live performances can continue not only in our venue, but around the region and the state. I have a great respect for our audience and am confident that while this may be a small imposition to some, they will all join us in this effort to be sure anyone who wants to come to the theatre may do so in a safe way.” said CEO, Brandon Smith
The company had already put several protocols in place for the fall run including limiting audience to 1/3 capacity.
A special Constitution Day event will be held at OU-Chillicothe’s Bennett Hall Auditorium on Friday, September 17th. The free event runs between 10:30am to noon and can be attended in-person or by Virtual Live Streaming on Microsoft Teams: https://bit.ly/3hilIOc
Dr. John O’Keefe will lead the session, along with special guest speakers.
The guest speakers will be Patricia Vegas (Pro Bono Coordinator) and Joshua Goodwin (Managing Attorney) from Southeastern Ohio Legal Services. Their lecture will be “Access to Justice in your Community”.
O’Keefe is an associate professor of history at Ohio University-Chillicothe and received his Ph.D. from George Washington University. He is the author of Stranger Citizens: Migrant Influence and National Power in the Early American Republic (Cornell University Press, 2021.)
His work focuses on the role of migrants in the United States and shaping of the rights of citizenship, and their intersections with racial and national identity. He has written articles on U.S. Diplomatic History for the web site of the Office of the Historian at the U.S. Department of State. He has also worked on an exhibition, HIV and AIDS 30 Years Ago at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which was on exhibition in 2011..
(Lancaster) – College data and review site Niche has listed Ohio University Lancaster and Ohio Christian University among the top 25 safest college campuses in America in its recent Safest College Campuses ranking.
“Our goal at Ohio University Lancaster is to educate and prepare the workforce of tomorrow,” said Jarrod Tudor, dean of campus and community relations. “Students are more likely to excel academically when provided a safe and healthy learning environment. We have taken extra steps to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff.”
The Safest College Campuses ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Factors considered in this ranking include campus crime rate, local crime rate, student surveys, residence hall date violence rate, residence hall rape rate, alcohol-related arrests and drug-related arrests.
“Year after year we see that campus safety is a huge priority for prospective students – and, perhaps even more so, their parents,” said Niche’s Natalie Tsay.
The Lancaster Police Department offers part-time security for the campus and patrols the parking lots throughout the day. The campus has also created a Safety and Security Council that regularly meets to discuss any safety and security concerns the campus is facing. The Safety and Security Council monitors issues by offering students, faculty and staff the opportunity to submit safety concerns through a form on the University’s website.
Ohio University Lancaster has a total student population of over 2,500. The campus offers 25 degree programs including its most popular programs, such as education, applied management and social work. For more information, visit ohio.edu/Lancaster.
Ohio Christian University, near Circleville, earned twelfth place on college data and review site Niche’s list of the top 25 safest college campuses in America. Niche analyzed data and student reviews to look at which campuses are the safest. This honor did not escape the attention of Newsweek magazine, read their article here.
Niche’s Safest College Campuses ranking is intended to highlight colleges with little to no campus crime, drugs, or alcohol usage. They consider not only the campus data, but also the crime incidents in the local area, rates for violence and arrests, and comb through student survey responses when considering a campus to be designated among the safest in America.
Student safety is highly important at Ohio Christian University as it helps foster a healthy learning environment for our students. Dr. Jon Kulaga, President, said this regarding campus safety, “Having a safe college environment is critical for students.”
The Ohio State University South Centers & Endeavor Center celebrates its 30th anniversary on September 29th. The site is located at 1864 Shyville Road in Piketon.
Photo from OSU Department of Agriculture
For three decades, the OSU South Centers has provided scientific research and educational programs through the collaboration of OARDC, OSU Extension and several local, state and national partners. While some programs focus on serving individual counties in Ohio’s Appalachian Region, others reach across our state, nation and internationally.
The heart of the center is a team of employees who demonstrate and develop leadership, facilitate technology advancement, educate and expand businesses and help people to be the best that they can be while conveying an image of respect, helpfulness, responsiveness and the ability to assist in solving problems.
The Center assists people with informed decision-making through responsive research, education, entrepreneurial application and collaborative partnerships and creates an environment where their research-based educational resources unite to inspire confident decision-making by:
Fostering objectivity in research and programming
Interacting with the public and responding respectfully to their needs and opportunities
Utilizing a holistic approach to problem-solving and program delivery to strengthen youth, individuals, families and communities
While many fairs and festivals are planning for their events to be held in 2021, the Washington Court House Scarecrow Festival is announcing they are cancelling this fall’s event.
The Scarecrow Festival Committee posted the announcement on the City of Washington Court House Economic Development Facebook page.
The 2021 festival was scheduled for September 17th-19th.
This decision in Washington Court House comes despite the recent announcement from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, which stated that fairs and festivals would be permitted to move forward with their 2021 events. DeWine said the events could be held- using whatever health safety precautions would be needed at that point in the pandemic.
(Athens) – The Athena Cinema has introduced a new film series focused on providing an accessible theater experience for visitors that features screenings of contemporary independent films.
This week, the Athena Cinema begins its Accessible for All Film Series. Each Saturday in September, the theater will feature a limited one-time-only screening of a contemporary art film. In addition to showcasing independent films, the Athena Cinema will create events that are inclusive for all, including for individuals who find traditional films screenings uncomfortable or inaccessible due to the atmosphere.
These screenings will support filmgoers with open captions displayed on the screen and maintain a sensory friendly environment. Screenings known as sensory “friendly” or “sensitive” adjust lighting and sound levels to create a comfortable atmosphere for all patrons, including those on the autism spectrum.
The Athena Cinema Director Alexandra Kamody said by creating more theatrical experiences built around the ideal of an accessible film and theater-going experience, the cinema is showing its support for people of all abilities.
“The thing we know about open captions is that it is a better experience for many people,” Kamody said. “Not only for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or hearing impaired, but also for individuals who are non-native English speakers, senior citizens and people on the autism spectrum.”
While the Athena offers Captiview captioning devices for closed captions, many individuals have had negative experiences with the devices that are prone to technical problems. Unfortunately, cinemas still can’t depend on film distributors to provide open caption technology for all films and must request specific files for each film in order to be able to offer the open captions technology.
By planning in advance the programming of films that offer open captions, the theater is able to guarantee an inclusive experience.
While some films deal directly with issues concerning accessibility, Kamody explains that the programming wasn’t originally planned to reflect on the topic of accessibility.
“We find a lot of sensory-friendly screenings are planned with children in mind, which is great, but we wanted to offer something different here,” Kamody said. “While booking films, a theme emerged, and we found all the films touched on the topic of accessibility in some way. It was quite beautiful to look at this collection of films and say, ‘What does accessibility mean in a broader sense?’ For some it might be a chance to be heard, for others it might be a chance to be seen.”
The Athena Cinema’s Accessible for All Film Series includes the following films:
Sept. 18: Swan Song Legendary actor Udo Kier stars as retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger, who escapes the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing. home after learning of his former client’s dying wish for him to style her final hairdo.
Sept. 25: Ailey Alvin Ailey was a trailblazing pioneer who found salvation through dance. Ailey traces the full contours of this brilliant and enigmatic man whose search for the truth in movement resulted in enduring choreography that centers on the Black American experience with grace, strength, and unparalleled beauty.
All shows begin at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $5 per screening.
The Athena Cinema partnered with the OHIO’s Performing Art & Film Series, OHIO’s Student Accessibility Services, Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Athens City Commission on Disabilities for this series.
Accessible for All at the Athena Cinema is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
The Athena Cinema is an auxiliary unit within Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts. It is a nonprofit cultural institution dedicated to creating a wide array of film-going experiences. For more information about the Athena Cinema visit its website here.
Watch our Litter Media Game of the Week Postgame Show by CLICKING HERE:
The Piketon Redstreaks are off to one of their best football starts in years, opening the SVC season with a 28-24 win over Zane Trace, Friday. The win elevates the Redstreaks record to (1-0/4-0), while Zane Trace drops to (0-1/2-2).
(ZT QB Ben Nichols on a run into Piketon territory- Litter Media/Mike Smith)
The Pioneers darted out to a 14-0 lead, holding the Redstreaks scoreless until late in the first quarter. Piketon was averaging 43 points per game, coming into the contest.
Zane Trace’s Blake Phillips put the Pioneers on the scoreboard first, capping a 72 yard drive, when he took the ball into the end-zone on 1 yard run. Noah Fetters PAT kick made it 7-0 ZT at 5:48 left in first quarter.
The Pioneers didn’t take long to up their lead to 14-0 as they got the ball back on a Piketon fumble on the ensuing kick-off. Ben Nichols then connected on a 19 yard TD pass to Daniel Barnhart followed by Fetters PAT kick with 4:20 left first half.
The Redstreaks finally got on the board at 1:19 left in the first quarter as quarterback Levi Gullion found John Burton on a 17 yard TD pass over the middle to cap a 72 yard scoring drive. The PAT 2-point try failed, leaving ZT with a 14-6 lead.
Piketon drives back down the field, getting a big pass play to Kydan Potts to keep the drive alive. The Streaks then cut the margin to 14-12 at 9:14 left in the second quarter when with Jayden Thacker scored from 2 yards out. Again, Piketon’s 2 point PAT failed, leaving Zane Trace with a 14-12 advantage after their 80 yard scoring drive.
The Redstreaks grabbed their first lead in the game, driving 91 yards for a score, capped off by Levi Gullion’s 7 yard TD run with 4:01 left first half. Gullion’s 2 point run gave a 20-14 Piketon lead.
The Pioneers came right back down the field, but their drive stalled and they settled for a Noah Fetters 30 yard field goal as time expired to pull ZT to within 20-17 at halftime.
Zane Trace drew first blood in the second half, gaining a short field as the result of a Jagger Stauffer interception off a deflected pass. Daniel Barnhart got the ball to the one yard line, appearing to score, but officials said his knee went down prior to the ball crossing the goal line. Barnhart on the next play scored on 1 yard run to cap a 24 yard drive followed by Fetters PAT kick for a Pioneers 24-20 lead with 6:11 left in third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Zane Trace had the ball approaching midfield, but their drive stalled. On fourth down and seven, Piketon’s Zane Brownfield intercepted a pass at midfield, giving the Redstreaks the ball and a chance to regain the lead.
A big Levi Gullion pass took the ball into the red-zone into ZT territory and Levi Gullion scored on an 8 yard run with 9:57 left in game. Gullion then ran the ball into the end-zone for the two point conversion- putting Piketon up 28-24 lead.
With Zane Trace getting one more chance with the ball, Piketon’s Camren Loar intercepted Ben Nichols pass to end game.
Piketon’s 28-24 win over Zane Trace has the Redstreaks at (1-0/4-0) on season. Zane Trace falls to (0-1/2-2).
In other area action for Friday 9/10 Football Finals:
… Piketon 28, Zane Trace 24 … Paint Valley 42, Westfall 7 … Adena 30, Southeastern 6 …. Unioto 33, Huntington 30 … Bloom Carroll 46, Circleville 0 … Teays Valley 49, Fairfield Union 22 … Hamilton Township 41, Logan Elm 14 … Amanda Clearcreek 20, Liberty Union 10 … Western Brown 33, Jackson 28 … Westerville North 48, Washington CH 14 … Hillsboro 21, Williamsburg 14 … Miami Trace 41, Goshen 6 …McClain 34, East Clinton 13 … Lucasville Valley 42, Eastern Pike 7 … Portsmouth West 41, Wellston 8 … Portsmouth Notre Dame 27, Fayetteville 21 … Pikeville 20, Wheelersburg 7 … CincinnatiMoeller 25, Ironton 7 …
(Chillicothe) – The Ross County Health District and Adena Health System are urging for more caution concerning the recent spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Since the original letter, area medical systems have added their names to the community plea. It now includes: Adena Health System, Fairfield Medical Center, Hocking Valley Community Hospital, Holzer Health System, Madison Health, Memorial Health System, OhioHealth and Southern Ohio Medical Center
The following is a letter to the community, sent out by the Ross County Health District on September 10th:
Take a moment and think back to what life in Ross County was like a year ago. What you’ll probably remember is school children doing much of their learning online. You’ll recall cancelations of events that normally add to the quality of life in this community. You may even remember when the Ross County case count of COVID-19 first reached 100 cases in one day. Now, look at the current state of the county. More children are being required to quarantine due to a lack of universal COVID-19 precautions in schools even in light of modified quarantine procedures for schools. More children are testing positive for COVID-19. The vaccine is readily available yet only 47.3% of the county is fully vaccinated.
There’s a new variant, Delta, which is more transmissible and impacting those who are unvaccinated at an uncontrollable rate. All of this is putting a strain on healthcare facilities across the region. If you need medical attention, you may find yourself waiting longer than before for a room or a bed due to high patient volumes.
After a lull that as recently as July saw the number of pandemic-related hospitalizations within Adena Health System dropped to zero, the pandemic is spiking again. Ross County saw more than 800 cases of COVID-19 in August and presently sits at 713 cases at this point in September. There are more hospital admissions and beds being used for COVID-19 patients than at any previous point since the pandemic began. That means less bed availability to treat other serious conditions and strains on staffing and other valuable resources that are needed to provide both critical and routine care to yourself, your family and your friends. As of this morning, Adena had 64 COVID inpatients – 55 of those are unvaccinated, while only nine are vaccinated. The hospital is also caring for eight COVID ICU patients – six unvaccinated/two vaccinated – and six COVID patients on a ventilator – four unvaccinated/two vaccinated.
It doesn’t have to be that way. The Ross County Health District and Adena Health System are counting on each member of the community to join the effort to defeat the virus, taking action to both stay safe themselves and protect their loved ones, friends and neighbors. That includes getting vaccinated and staying home if you feel sick – even if you think you have allergies.
“Hospitalizations locally and across the state are increasing at an alarming rate putting strain on healthcare infrastructure and a workforce that has been fighting this virus on the frontlines for over 18 months,” said Adena Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Kirk Tucker. “About 98% of the COVID-19 hospitalizations in Ohio this year have been among those not fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be our safest and most reliable means of alleviating pressure on our hospitals and healthcare providers. Vaccination is without any doubt your best bet, regardless of your age, to avoid getting severely ill with COVID-19 and avoid lasting complications. So we urge you to get the vaccine if you have not done so already. The COVID-19 vaccines were thoroughly researched and properly developed. They are safe. They are effective. And they save lives.”
The Delta variant has proven particularly challenging for Ross County schools, which are seeing increases in cases resulting from both classroom and extracurricular activities. There were 206 positive cases among Ross County students and staff as of September 8. Last school year, there were 211 total student cases.
The spread of the Delta variant is also troublesome as it has shown the ability to infect more individuals in less time than the original strain of COVID-19. As a result, the Ross County Health District is seeing more close contacts becoming positive cases now than in any previous month.
“We are gravely concerned about the ongoing surge of cases within our community,” said Health Commissioner Garrett Guillozet. “Our community must come together to help ease the burden on our local health system and to ensure that we are working to protect each other from COVID-19. We know that public health mitigation strategies work, and the vaccines remain effective against the Delta variant.”
Positive cases will be contacted by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) or the Ross County Health District (RCHD) to complete a contact tracing interview. It is important for those in our community to answer these calls and complete the interview so those who may have been exposed to the virus can be notified.
There are several ways you can take action to reduce exposure of COVID-19, including:
– Getting vaccinated.
– Wearing a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
– Social distancing when possible.
– Staying home if you are sick.
– Completing contact tracing interviews.
We understand that everyone is tired and is looking forward to getting back to a “normal” life, one with safe attendance at ballgames and birthday parties, festivals and family gatherings. That power rests with each of you.
For the nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, and other healthcare providers caring for our community, and on behalf of our public health nurses, health educators, environmental health professionals, and other staff working every day in response to the pandemic, we appreciate each one of you. We’re all tired, but we need to continue to support each other in an effort to end this pandemic.
If you have questions on isolation and quarantine guidelines, testing, contact tracing, or vaccines, please reach out to RCHD or your healthcare provider.
(Chillicothe) — Ross County Community Action is reminding income-eligible residents that there’s still time to apply for this year’s Home Energy Summer Crisis Program.
The Ohio Development Services Agency and Ross County Community Action will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioan’s assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air-cooling repairs. The 2021 program began on July 1st and continues through September 30th.
To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Ross County Community Action. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (740) 702-7222.
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 is not a household member over the age of 60). Statement documenting that someone in the household had COVID-19.
Last year more than 816 families in Ross County were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.
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 been diagnosed with COVID-19, 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, contact Ross County Community Action, Kristi Smith at 740-702-7222 ext.124. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider call (800)282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.
