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Pike County News Watchman
Super Load to roll through Pike County this week
The thirteenth of nearly two dozen “super loads” will make its way from a dock on the Ohio River near Manchester in Adams County to New Albany in Licking County. This load, an air processor known as a cold box used in the silicon chip manufacturing process, measures approximately 23’ tall, 20’ wide, 280’ long, and weighs 916,000 pounds. The “super load” will depart Manchester on Monday, July 8 and stop overnight in West Portsmouth before moving on to Lucasville on its second day before...
Ohio redistricting reform group submits more than 731,000 signatures
Reporting more than 731,000 signatures submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, Citizens Not Politicians said it cleared a massive hurdle in their plan to reform the state’s redistricting process by replacing politicians with a citizen commission. The group hoping to get a citizen-led redistricting commission inserted as an amendment to the Ohio Constitution was required to collect 413,487 signatures by July 3 in order to qualify for the Nov. 5 general election. That number accounts for 10% of the total votes cast in...
State Fire Marshal urges safe, responsible and legal fireworks use
COLUMBUS, Ohio — This Fourth of July, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM) urges Ohioans to put safety first. Since 2022, unless prohibited by local laws, Ohioans have been able to legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks in Ohio on certain days throughout the year when the use follows the Ohio Fire Code’s discharge rules. This year, where permitted, consumer fireworks usage will be permitted on the following dates from 4-11 p.m. ...
Ohio’s bald eagle population continues to thrive in 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Ohioans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, they can rest assured that the bald eagle, a symbol of our nation, is doing well in the Buckeye State. The 2024 annual spring survey showed a robust estimate of 841 active eagle nests, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Last year, biologists estimated 910 nests in Ohio. Although the number of estimated nests is lower in 2024, key indicators suggest that Ohio’s bald eagle population is resilient and...
AAA: Gas Prices Spike in Ohio Ahead of July 4th Holiday
The average price of gasoline across South Central Ohio is 18 cents higher this week at $3.549 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average: $3.549 Average price during the week of June 24, 2024 $3.368 Average price during the week of July 3, 2023...
Pike County courts receive new fingerprint scanners
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — A grant program designed to enhance the accuracy and completeness of the state’s criminal-records repository will pay for 77 new devices that courts across Ohio will use to capture defendants’ fingerprints for submission to the database, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. Pike County received two devices to used between the Pike County Common Pleas Court, the Pike County Juvenile Court and the Pike County Court. ...
Pike County receives funding in Capital Budget
COLUMBUS — The Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate, last week, passed Substitute House Bill 2, the state’s two-year construction budget for capital projects throughout the state. The Capital Budget will make historic investments in local community projects, announced State Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina). Peterson secured the following capital investment that will positively impact Pike County: $750,000 to support the Pike Emergency Operations Backup Power Project$75,000 to renovate...
Waverly cuts ribbon on new council chambers
Several community members joined Waverly Village Council prior to the June 26 council meeting to take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of the renovation of the council chambers in Canal Park. Pike County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Development Director Chandler Grooms started by talking about how this project was a long time coming and has taken six months to come to life. ”We’ve been waiting for...
Senate passes bill equalizing high school athletic ticket prices
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Senate passed House Bill 147, which includes a provision championed by State Senator Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) to equalize ticket prices for high school athletic events. “Last year, the Ohio High School Athletic Association decided to up the prices for tickets if parents, grandparents, and community members opted to pay in cash. That was a bad move that hurt people throughout Ohio who simply want to watch their loved ones play their sport,” Wilkin said. “I was proud to sponsor Senate Bill...
News of Record
Pike County Court June 10, 2024 Anthony P. Robinson: Type: Disorderly conduct: Pled no contest; Found guilty: Paid in court. Amy C. Bower: Type: Child endangerment: Paid in court. Martavious L. Cooper: Type: Possession of drugs; Possession of drug instruments:...
Governor DeWine celebrates Fish Ohio Day along the shores of Lake Erie
(PORT CLINTON, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted celebrated the 44th annual Governor’s Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day today, alongside Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and other leaders from the conservation and tourism industries. This annual event highlights the importance of protecting and improving Lake Erie and its great fishing. “Fish Ohio Day is a celebration of the world-class fishing on Lake Erie and the dedication of those who work to...
Many Ohio dispensaries move one step closer to being able to sell recreational marijuana
Ohioans will likely be able to legally purchase recreational marijuana sooner than initially expected. The state Division of Cannabis Control recently awarded about 60 dual-use provisional licenses to various medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivators, laboratories and processors, according to the state’s online database. Thirty-one dispensaries, 15 cultivators, 11 processors and five laboratories received licenses. However, a dual-use provisional license does not automatically allow the sale of recreational marijuana, according to an...
AAA: Gas prices on the downward slide in Ohio
The average price of gasoline across South Central Ohio is 13 cents lower this week at $3.368 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report. This week’s average prices for a gallon of unleaded gas in South Central Ohio is $3.368. The average price per gallon last week was $3.493 and last year this week’s average price for gas was $3.440. Pike County has the fifth highest price...
Courthouse to relocate in former Rite Aid building
The Pike County Commissioners announced Monday that the county is in agreement to purchase the former Rite Aid building with plans to move offices currently housed in the Pike County Courthouse into the former store. “None of us like that,” Commissioner Tony Montgomery said. “We all wish that it could stay, but it can’t.” The commissioners did say the courthouse could be “repurposed” but they were not sure by who...
Semi truck fire under US 23 overpass Sunday night
At approximately 11:56 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, Piketon Seal Township Fire Department was dispatched to the area of US 23 and state Route 32 for a fully engulfed semi truck fire. Once on scene, units found the fully engulfed semi on the state Route 32 eastbound lane under the US 23 south bound bridge. The fire was wrapping around the bridge making flames visible on US 23. With the...
Commissioners announce moving of courthouse offices
The Pike County Board of Commissioners (BOC) are in agreement to purchase the former Rite Aid pharmacy building in Waverly. The intended use is to house the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, the Pike County Prosecutor’s office and the Pike County Clerk of Courts employees. Additional offices or agencies, all or in part, may also be located at this facility pending completion of the final layout and design. The...
Two vehicle accident on state Route 104
According to a report prepared by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a two vehicle accident on state Route 104 occurred at 4:10 p.m. Monday afternoon. A Black GMC Yukon driven by Lindsay Kneisley of Piketon was southbound on state Route 104, while a green Ford Taurus was traveling northbound driven by Judy Ealey of Waverly. According to the report, Kneisely failed to yield on a left hand turn into a private drive and struck Ealey’s vehicle. One driver and one passenger were transported by Portsmouth Ambulance to Adena Pike Medical Center. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the accident.
Adena Health launches orthopedic express care service
CHILLICOTHE — Suffer a sprain, tear, or other common orthopedic-related injury and unsure whether the emergency room or an urgent care is the best place to go? There’s now a new option — Adena Orthopedic and Spine Institute Express Clinic — created specifically to provide patients suffering from common orthopedic-related injuries with fast access to specialized care targeting those injuries. “It’s express care created with the patient in mind,” said...
Super loads continue to travel through area
The twelfth of nearly two dozen “super loads” is making its way from a dock on the Ohio River near Manchester in Adams County to New Albany in Licking County. This load, an air processor known as a cold box used in the silicon chip manufacturing process, measures approximately 23’ tall, 20’ wide, 280’ long, and weighs 916,000 pounds. The move was scheduled to take more than a week. Stops were made in West Portsmouth, Lucasville and Waverly early in the week. ...
Weekly construction update
CHILLICOTHE — The following construction projects are anticipated to affect highways in Pike County next week. All outlined work is weather permitting. Projects with active or future traffic impacts are linked to OHGO.com NEW State Route 772 Culvert Replacement Work has begun as of June 19 for a culvert replacement project between S.R. 124 and...
Pike County News Watchman
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The seed that yielded The Pike County News Watchman was planted in the early 1800s, perhaps as early as the founding of Jefferson (present-day Piketon, which served as the first Pike County government seat) in 1814, though this very early portion of Pike County history is not altogether clear. The earliest publication known to have existed is the Waverly Democrat, which was first printed in 1832 and served, as its name implies, as a staple for the early Democratic settlers in the county. In 1861 name of the publication changed from the Waverly Democrat to the somewhat conventional Waverly News. The name would remain until the early 1900s when yet another change, this time reflecting the opinion of another political party, took place. The Republican Herald served as the county's news source. In this incarnation, the paper would keep people abreast of news concerning births, deaths, and perhaps most importantly, the happening of soldiers fighting overseas in two world wars. In 1954, the publication adopted the name of the Waverly Watchman, though Republican Herald was still printed on the header of the front page. Finally, around the year 1960, a variation of the present name was set in place; the Waverly Watchman. This paper, like the current Pike County News Watchman, was published twice weekly and focused on the local news and personal interest stories of citizens of that time. The Pike County News Watchman is available online at newswatchman.com
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