ASHVILLE, Ohio — In a decision that is already drawing scrutiny from environmental advocates and residents, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has formally determined that a lowering of water quality in the Upper Scioto watershed is “necessary” to allow construction of the proposed Arsenal‑1 Hyperscale Manufacturing Facility in Pickaway County. The determination appears in the […]
Posted inLocal News
State permit clears way for new medical center in Chillicothe
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has approved a construction stormwater permit for the planned Great Seal Medical Center on River Road in Chillicothe, clearing the way for site work to begin on the 47‑acre development. The permit, issued Jan. 16, authorizes stormwater discharges associated with construction activity under the state’s National Pollutant […]
Posted inFEATURED
Sheriff breaks silence days after fatal hit-and-run in Ross County
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ross County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information in a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a man in Huntington Township over the weekend, releasing its first public statement nearly five days after the incident. Sheriff George Lavender on Thursday identified the victim as 49-year-old Joshua R. Hopkins and said the investigation remains […]
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Traffic stop turns chaotic in Ross County; suspect tasered, arrested
FRANKFORT, Ohio — A traffic stop for an equipment violation escalated into a brief pursuit and arrest Thursday night in Frankfort, during which two Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers temporarily stopped responding over the radio, prompting a multi-agency law enforcement response. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers from the Chillicothe Post stopped a […]
Posted inLocal News
Ross Co. Sheriff Crime Log – January 15, 2026
Today, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office reported five incidents, including an unauthorized use of a vehicle, an emergency hospitalization due to a mental illness hold, a non-criminal complaint investigation, a landlord dispute, and a disorderly conduct case. Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle Case Number: SO-P2600201 Christina Coyle reported the theft of her 2014 Nissan Pathfinder […]
Posted inLocal News
Police pursuit in Frankfort ends at home; suspect arrested
FRANKFORT, Ohio — A suspect was taken into custody Thursday night after a law enforcement pursuit ended at a residence in Frankfort, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The pursuit ended around 8:20 p.m. in the area of North Second Street, where troopers followed the suspect into a home and made an arrest. During […]
Posted inLocal News
Ohio lawmakers propose bipartisan panel to study growing data center footprint
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill to create a bipartisan commission to study the impacts of the state’s rapidly expanding data center industry, amid rising concerns over energy use, water consumption, and environmental effects. House Bill 646, sponsored by Republican state Reps. Gary Click of Vickery and Kellie Deeter of Norwalk would […]
Posted inNational News
Federal indictment targets 20 in college basketball point-shaving; Ohio governor calls for prop-bet ban
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Federal authorities on Thursday revealed charges against 20 people accused of orchestrating a sweeping point‑shaving and game‑fixing network that touched more than two dozen NCAA Division I men’s basketball games and multiple matchups in China’s professional league. Prosecutors say the conspiracy, outlined in an indictment from the U.S. District Court for the […]
Posted inStatewide
Ohio AG blocks marijuana repeal petition, citing misleading language
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has rejected the summary language for a proposed referendum that would let voters repeal recently enacted changes to the state’s marijuana and hemp laws, saying the wording was misleading and failed to give a fair picture of the measure supporters want to overturn. The petition, filed Dec. […]
Posted inLocal News
Gallia County couple pays back nearly $20K in Food Stamp fraud case
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Gallia County couple has repaid nearly $20,000 in restitution after admitting they falsified applications to obtain food assistance benefits they were not eligible to receive, state officials said. Garrett Fulk and Molly Smith pleaded guilty in November to two felony counts each of illegal use of food stamps or Women, Infants, […]