HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio — A Hocking County man is scheduled back in court today for a change of plea/ sentencing hearing. Franklin “TJ” Varney Jr. faces multiple felony charges of rape, GSI, and child endangerment. Varney made headlines earlier this year when deputies with the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office and the Logan-Hocking Special Response Team […]
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Sentencing date set for George Wagner IV
PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — The fate of George Wagner IV will be determined later this month. According to court officials, sentencing in the case has been set for December 19. Wagner was convicted on 22 counts for his role in the mass slaying of 8 members of the Rhoden family. It has been six years since […]
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Man arrested, accused of killing his brother during a dispute
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Ohio — A Fairfield County man is in jail today, charged with the alleged murder of his brother. According to Sheriff Alex Lape, deputies were dispatched to 2899 Arter Road in Amanda. 9-1-1 dispatchers, the sheriff said, received a call regarding the shooting shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. When deputies arrived on […]
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Investigation into an overnight fire continues
ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Firefighters in Ross County responded to a fire overnight near Richmond Dale. It happened in the 3000 block of Vigo Road. According to reports, multiple township fire departments responded to the residence. Officials at the scene said one person was injured. They were transported to Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe […]
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Chillicothe High School goes into modified lockdown after disruption
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A local high school went into lockdown Friday afternoon. It happened at around 1:45 p.m. at Chillicothe High School after a call was reported that there was a “fight” outside the school. Police officers and deputies responded to the building as administrators placed classrooms on a modified lockdown. There was no threat […]
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Drug raid nets four arrests in Athens Co.
Agents with the Southeast Major Crimes Task Force conducted a raid at 128 North Plains Road in Athens County on Thursday for alleged drug trafficking activity at the residence. Agents, reports say, located numerous individuals inside the home with active arrest warrants. Those persons were secured by Task Force agents and turned over to deputies […]
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ODNR awards $17 million to transform abandoned mine lands
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will grant $17 million to encourage economic and community development across Appalachian Ohio. Pending federal approval for the recommended Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program (AMLER) projects, the Division of Mineral Resources Management (MRM) will fund six projects that eliminate hazards left behind by historical mining activity and/or […]
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Deputies in Ross Co. responded to a reported accidential shooting
ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — The Ross County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accidental shooting that occurred Friday morning. It happened shortly before 9 a.m. According to initial reports, medics with Union Township responded to the 13000 block of Westfall Road in Ross County. Dispatchers told responding medics that a male individual was suffering from a […]
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Multiple injuries reported in Pickaway Co. crash
PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — Emergency crews responded to a crash in Pickaway County. The call came into 9-1-1 dispatchers around 7:30 a.m. this morning. According to first responders, the crash happened near the intersection of Cochran Road and Route 56. One person, the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office said, was trapped inside the wreckage. Motorists are […]
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Former Chillicothe principal files to have conviction overturned
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Former Chillicothe High School principal Jeffrey Fisher wants a court to throw out his conviction after he was sent to prison for having sex with students. Fisher filed a nearly 400-page motion to the Ross County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday, saying that new evidence proves his innocence. Fisher was charged […]