Tuesday, November 2nd is election day, featuring everything from a special congressional race to local community candidate races and tax issues.
In our coverage area, the 15th Congressional District special election featured Democrat Allison Russo vs Republican Mike Carey. This fills the unexpired term of Republican Steve Stivers, who resigned to become the president of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. Mike Carey was projected as the winner in that race.
Locally, area counties saw school tax issues, school board races, municipal and village council seats, township races and local tax issues.
(Columbus) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine awarded 28 water infrastructure projects with nearly $44 million in financial support as part of the second round of funding offered through the new Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure grant program.
“It’s astonishing to me that there are communities in Ohio today where it’s difficult to get clean water. For our people to thrive and for our communities to grow, clean water and reliable infrastructure are an absolute must,” said Governor DeWine. “There is a tremendous need for water infrastructure upgrades all over our state, and through Ohio BUILDS, we’re funding projects that will be life-changing in some communities.”
Several area communities will benefit from Round Two of the Ohio BUILDS Project Drinking Water/Waste Water Infrastructure Projects.
(Photo: Chillicothe Wastewater Treatment Plant off Renick Avenue)
Chillicothe (Ross County, House District 92- Rep. Mark Johnson, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $5 million grant to make needed repairs, update wastewater treatment capabilities to prepare for economic growth and address upcoming Ohio EPA regulatory requirements to reduce phosphorus discharges. The majority of the equipment at the Chillicothe Wastewater Treatment Plant is 35 years old and has reached the end of its useful life. Major renovations will include replacing most of the mechanical and electrical equipment, changing the biosolids digestion process to aerobic digestion process, and adding phosphorus removal. This project will benefit 22,000 people.
Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney told Litter Media’s Mike Smith the entire project will cost an estimated $40 million.
Leesburg (Highland County, House District 91- Rep. Shane Wilkin, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $974,563 grant to replace 4,500 linear feet of watermain, install monitoring and water treatment plant components to assist in preventing depressurization, and replace old and faulty water meters. The watermain in the project area is cast iron and has exceeded its useful life, experiencing numerous breaks during the past year along State Route 28. The existing system lacks sufficient valves, therefore, when breaks occur in this area, the result is widespread water outages. This project will benefit 1,455 people.
Wilmington (Clinton County, House District 91- Rep. Shane Wilkin, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $5 million grant to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet new phosphorus discharge requirements to help improve the water quality in Lytle Creek and address deficiencies at the plant. The project consists of a 50 percent capacity expansion to the wastewater treatment plant, improvements to the treatment process, and conversion of existing tanks for solids handling. This project will benefit 12,400 people.
Logan (Hocking County, House District 78- Rep. Brian Stewart, Senate District 20- Senator Tim Schaffer) will receive a $250,000 grant to cover the planning and engineering design for a project that will replace 20,000 linear feet of sewer line, 1700 linear feet of storm sewer lines, 68 manholes, add 300 service connections, and five new catch basins. The city completed an extensive infiltration and inflow study after Ohio EPA issued a schedule of compliance to the sewer system serving. This project addresses the highest‐priority areas identified in the study. This project benefits 7,020 people.
Jackson (Jackson County, House District 93- Rep. Jason Stephens, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $1.01 million grant for the Mill Street Area Sewer Extension Project, which will extend public sewer to approximately 24 households who do not currently have access to it. This project will bring reliable sewer infrastructure to unsewered residents with failing household sewage treatment systems on Mill Street, Putnam Street, Ohio Street, Summit Street and Crossin Street. This project will benefit 80 people.
Ashville (Pickaway County, House District 78- Rep. Brian Stewart, Senate District 20- Senator Tim Schaffer) will receive a $250,000 grant to cover the planning and engineering design for a sanitary sewer replacement project. The proposed improvements north of Church Street include replacing the aged sanitary sewer lines, providing an adequate storm sewer system, and to separate roof drains, sump pumps, and sanitary services. This project will benefit 4,500 people.
Pike County Board of Commissioners (Pickaway County, House District 91- Rep. Shane Wilkin, Senate District 17- Senator Bob Peterson) will receive a $400,000 grant to install new storm sewer lines, new manholes, and a new curb and gutter system on Waverly Gables Blvd. The stormwater drainage system on Waverly Gables Blvd. is more than 50 years old and is highly corroded due to the excessive amounts of salt used on the roadway. Pike County cannot allow failure of this system since the boulevard is the only way to access Pike County’s hospital. This project will benefit 27,088 people.
COLUMBUS, OH. – The end of daylight saving time at 2am on Sunday, November 7th is a perfect reminder to not only move clocks back an hour but also test each of your smoke alarms.
State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon urges all Ohioans to check their home’s smoke alarms regularly and replace when expired. “We see the life-saving impact properly functioning smoke alarms can have when the worst happens,” Reardon said. “Working smoke alarms save lives, cutting your risk of dying in a house fire in half.”
Along with making sure all smoke alarms have a fresh set of batteries, checking the expiration date is crucial in early fire detection. To find out how old a smoke alarm is, as well as its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date. Any alarms with a manufacture date of 2011 or earlier should be replaced.
For improved protection, install smoke alarms on every level of the home and inside and outside of each sleeping area. Ohioans are also encouraged to develop an escape plan with two ways out and make sure every family member knows what to do and where to meet outside if the smoke alarm sounds. Taking the time to practice both a primary and secondary escape plan is vital for knowing what to do if a real emergency were to occur.
Smoke alarms save lives but only if they are working properly. See additional fire prevention resources at the State Fire Marshal website: https://www.com.ohio.gov/fire.
Ohio’s Division of State Fire Marshal is the oldest established office of its kind in the United States. The Division’s mission is to safeguard the public, its property and the environment from fire and related risks through education, regulation, investigation and enforcement.
GIRLS SOCCER (Division 2 Regional Semis) Fairfield Union 3, Dresden Tri-Valley 0 Steubenville vs. Bexley at West Muskingum High School, Tues., 6:30 p.m.
(Division 3 Regional Semis) Fairbanks 1, Lynchburg-Clay 0 Eastern Brown 2, Berlin Hiland 0
The Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce’ Board of Directors has approved the following nominating slate for the board, beginning in 2022.
According to the Chamber’s newsletter:
For a second, three-year term to end at the close of 2024: Nick Bailey, Atomic Credit Union Ben Barker, V.A. Medical Center/Buckeye Design and Engraving Jessica Beatty, Northwest Title Lisa Wiseman, Kingston National Bank Misty Tuttle, Horizon Julie Violette, Child Protection Center/Downtown Blowout Bar
For their first, three-year term to conclude at the close of 2024: Jade Berry, The Stack Bill Betson, Edward Jones Tammy Eallonardo, Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development Nathan Horsley, Pioneer Center Taylor Carnes, Shelter Insurance Elizabeth Kunzelman, Petland
Board officers for 2022 will be named at a later date.
The Southern Ohio Conference volleyball coaches have selected their all league team, with divisional champs South Webster and Notre Dame earning the most honors.
In the SOC 2 Division, Faith Maloney of the Jeeps was “Player of the Year” for leading them to a perfect SOC season. She was joined by teammates Graci Claxon (“Defensive Player of the Year”), Bri Claxon and Bella Claxon. Darcee Claxon of South Webster was “Coach of the Year.”
The remaining (First Team) SOC 2 honors went to: Ryleigh Meeker- Wheelersburg Makenna Walker- Wheelersburg Catie Boggs- Wheelersburg Kelli Stewart- Waverly Hallie Oyer- Waverly Reagan Lewis- Northwest Ava Jenkins- Northwest Maaelynn Howell- Portsmouth West Addison Cochenour- Eastern Pike Kynedi Davis- Minford Chloe Chambers- Oak Hill Haley Whitt- Lucasville Valley
(Second Team) Skylar Zimmerman- South Webster Rylee McGraw- South Webster Madie Mays- Wheelersburg Lexie Rucker- Wheelersburg Sara Thompson- Waverly Annie Silcott- Waverly Abby Springs- Northwest Kloe Montgomery- Northwest Emma Sayre- Portsmouth West Megan Nickell- Eastern Pike Lindsee Williams- Minford Baylee Howell- Oak Hill Emilie Johnson- Lucasville Valley
In the SOC 1, Portsmouth Notre Dame’s Annie Dettwiller is “Player of the Year”, Kenzie Ferneau of Western is “Defensive Player of the Year” and Ali Herrforth of New Boston is “Coach of the Year.”
SOC 1 (First Team): Annie Dettwiller- Notre Dame Gwen Sparks- Notre Dame Gracie Ashley- Notre Dame Mallory Boland- Notre Dame Kenzie Whitley- New Boston Dylan O’Rourke- New Boston Jadelyn Lawson- New Boston Kylee Jenkins- Symmes Valley Layren Wells- Symmes Valley Kyleigh Oliver- Portsmouth Clay Lori Brown- Green Kenzie Ferneau- Western Caiden Maddix- Sciotoville East
(Second Team) Brianne Hicks- Notre Dame Kamryn Bradford- Notre Dame Cadence Williams- New Boston Riley McClintic- New Boston Kylee Thompson- Symmes Valley Hailee Beckett- Symmes Valley Jordyn Mathias- Clay Morgan McCoy- Clay Adriah Barber- Green Taylor Grooms- Western Felicia Smith- Sciotoville East
Frankfort’s Austin Hill hopes to be an Indy Car racer one day, and he’s off to an impressive start in what one day could fulfill that goal.
(Photo: Austin Hill 2021 Forumla Race Promotions Atlantic Season Champ)
The 14-year-old Adena School District student is the 2021 Formula Race Promotions Atlantic Season Champion, the youngest driver to ever accomplish that feat.
On Wednesday, Austin learned he had also won the points title for the SCCA Hoosier Super Tour National Championship in the FX Class.
Hill joined Mike Smith on Litter Media LIVE- Special Edition, Tuesday, to discuss how he got into racing and where he hopes it will take him from here. Austin also talks about how he conditions himself for the grueling race circuit, including his he keeps up with his school work over the 30-week race season.
(Photo: Austin Hill with his Dad, Andy)
Watch our Litter Media interview with Austin Hill in our link to #LitterMediaLIVE Special Edition November 2, 2021. CLICK HERE:
(Photo: Austin Hill with Mike Smith on Litter Media LIVE- Special Edition 11/2/21)
(Chillicothe) — The Purple Heart Committee in Chillicothe has announced that the Purple Heart Monument Dedication ceremony will be held November 11th at 1pm.
The ceremony will be at the Veterans Memorial Park on the corner of Park and Chestnut Streets where the monument will be located. The ceremony will be open to the public.
A short program that will include the Honor Guard and presentation of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Guest speakers include Chillicothe Mayor, Luke Feeney; Purple Heart Committee Chairperson, Melody Lapczynski; and Ben Daughters, a local Purple Heart recipient.
Gerry Palmer, President of the Ross County Veterans Council, will serve as Master of Ceremony during the event.
