As we exit year 2020 at midnight — a year many would like to forget — the Guardian is taking a look back at the top ten stories of the year that our readers viewed the most:
#10 – Escaped inmate from Jackson County captured by federal agents
Britney D. Thompson, 33, escaped from the Jackson County Jail on January 31. Thompson was being held on drug charges when she broke free from her shackles and ran out the front door of the Sheriff’s office shortly before 2 p.m. She was caught the next afternoon by marshals.
#9 – Southern Ohio Boy Scout leader molested more than 18 boys, police report says
A local millionaire cable company CEO was accused of molesting at least 18 teenagers while he was leading a local Boy Scouts of America troop.
The Guardian obtained the police report from Chillicothe Police. In the report, at least 18 now-adult men are named as having been allegedly sexually molested while they were Boy Scouts. The men claim that William “Bill” McKell, the now-former CEO of a one-time cable television giant, abused them for years as he led a troop for decades. McKell would go on to admit to being a child molester in a now deleted Facebook post. He has yet to be charged.
#8 – Two people shot in Deer Creek late-night shooting
Two people were shot Deer Creek State Park on August 9.
A call said that someone was shot near the dam at Deer Creek State Park. Shortly after, a second call came in of another shooting victim at a gas station in Mount Sterling.The person shot at Deer Creek told deputies who shot her, but that person was not at the scene when law enforcement arrived. The victim was flown to Columbus. Suspects were later arrested.
#7 – Inmate dies in Ross County Jail, officials remaining tight-lipped
Scott Coldren, 20, died in February while incarcerated in the Ross County Jail. The Guardian was the first to report the incident while EMS was trying to resuscitate the young man. His mother later sued the jail in federal court, stating her son pleaded with officials that he was in a mental health crisis before taking his own life. The mother contended in federal court that the Sheriff failed to act to protect her son with his cries for help. The case is still pending.
#6 – Portsmouth attorney detained by agents, house and office raided
A prominent attorney in Portsmouth was briefly taken into custody in March by agents while his home and business were raided. Michael Mearan was seen being placed into handcuffs by agents in vests while crime lab trucks were at his home and business on Sixth Street. Mearan would later be charged with numerous counts of human trafficking. The charges are still pending.
#5 – Murder-suicide in Chillicothe
Two people were shot in May in Chillicothe in an apparent murder-suicide. “Chillicothe Police is investigating a shooting,” the Chief of Police told the Guardian. He added that officers arrived and found a man shot dead from a gunshot. Before taking his own life, he shot his girlfriend. She died after being flown to Columbus.
#4 – Ohio goes in lock down, everyone ordered to shelter-in-place
In a global pandemic that rocked the world, Ohio went into lockdown after the order of the Governor. The “shelter-in-place” was for the entire state. Citizens and workers were ordered — not recommended — to stay 6 feet away from another human.
#3 – Martial law declared in Ohio? One attorney says yes
Widespread protests took place across the nation in the wake of the death of black man named George Floyd. The Ohio Governor called in the National Guard to suppress the violent riots across the state. Under state law, Martial Law was declared.
#2 – Madison Bell has been found
Madison Bell, 18, vanished from Greenfield in Highland County without a trace in July after her car was found abandoned at a nearby church with her cell phone and keys inside while on her way to tan. She would later be found in Texas. Police said she fled to start a new life.
#1 – Teenager missing from Greenfield, keys and phone found
In May, deputies were called to Greenfield after Madison Bell, 18, did not show up to a scheduled appointment. When her phone was pinged for a location, it was found inside her abandoned car with keys at a local church, according to the Sheriff’s office. She would later be found in Texas. Police said she fled to start a new life.
