SGT. KOCHERAN: Remains in medically-induced coma Friday night as he heals

WAVERLY, Ohio — The Waverly Police Department is mourning the loss of K9 Sergeant Gold who recently passed away. The department will be holding a memorial ceremony in honor of the fallen K9 on Tuesday, January 31, starting at 11 a.m. at the Waverly American Legion located at 201 James Road.

GALLIA COUNTY, Ohio — On Sunday morning, January 29, 2023, the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office was called to respond to a residence on Hawthorne Lane in Springfield Township, on a report of a male who had brandished a firearm and was threatening to use it on himself. Upon arrival, deputies were able to speak with the individual, but he was uncooperative and barricaded himself in a second-story apartment.

ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A Ross County homeowner was awoken to flames coming from an outbuilding on his property late Sunday evening. According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the 2200 block of Massieville Road shortly after 10:30 p.m. on a structure fire. Reports...

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A serious crash was reported on Sunday evening on the east side of Chillicothe along South Watt Street. The call was received by dispatchers shortly before 8 p.m. According to initial reports, two individuals were found unconscious inside the vehicle involved in the crash. The cause...

ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — A local dispatcher was awarded for her bravery and courage after quickly rendering aid to a wounded Ross County deputy. On November 17, 2022, Dispatcher Matson said she heard what sounded like gunshots outside of the Ross County Law Complex. According to the Chillicothe Police Department, moments later, Matson was notified of a deputy down.

WAVERLY, Ohio — The Waverly Police Department announced on Saturday that their K-9, Gold, a long-time dual-purpose working K9 assigned to the department had died. The eleven-year-old Belgian Malinois passed at Ohio MedVet on Saturday morning with his handler and family, along with Chief John Winfield by his side. Sergeant K9 Gold began his career with the Pike County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 and transferred to the Waverly Police Department in 2016. Gold was born in France in 2011 and was trained in tracking, article searches, handler protection, building searches, narcotic detection, and criminal apprehension, the police department said. Gold, throughout his career, assisted multiple agencies, countless drug seizures, evidence location, and apprehensions of fleeing suspects.

PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the driver killed in a fatal wrong-way crash along Route 23. The crash happened late Saturday evening, just south of Circleville. According to the sheriff’s office, “66-year-old Samuel G. Browning from Jackson, Ohio was...

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Ross County school district is mourning the loss of one of its beloved teachers. Robin Bumgardner, 55, Chillicothe, passed away on Friday after an extended battle with cancer. She served as a teacher with the Union-Scioto Local School District for over 20 years. Unioto High...

ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — In response to community concerns, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and the US-23 Pipeline Major Crimes Task Force conducted increased enforcement efforts from Thursday, January 26 to Saturday, January 28, 2023. Over the three-day period, 40 traffic stops were made resulting in 6 citations for driving under suspension and 6 people being arrested on active arrest warrants.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — A major traffic disruption is taking place on Route 23 Southbound just south of Columbus near the I-270 exit. The highway has been closed due to a tractor-trailer that is blocking both southbound lanes. Law enforcement and a heavy wrecker are currently on the scene...

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A man wanted for marijuana trafficking in Colorado was arrested at a McDonald’s in Chillicothe. According to the Chillicothe Police Department, officers were dispatched to McDonald’s on North Bridge Street for a suspicious person, possibly under the influence. Upon arrival, officers said, they located...

Jordan Allen Ryan, age 39, of Peebles, departed this Earth, bound for Heaven on Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, with his family and close friends by his side. Jordan was born on May 18, 1983, at Clinton Memorial Hospital in Wilmington, Ohio. Jordan was a...

Reynold L. Freshour, age 85, of Greenfield, Ohio passed away Friday, January 27, 2023 at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe. He was born August 26, 1937, in Bainbridge, Ohio, the son of Leslie and Beatrice (Newland) Freshour. Reyn joined the U.S. Navy in January of 1955 where he served...

VINTON COUNTY, Ohio — On January 30, 2023, the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported theft in progress at Steelial Construction on Mine Road. According to the caller, multiple males were seen going in and out of one of the buildings and taking items. Deputies arrived...

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ohio University Chillicothe is hosting a community blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross on February 7, 2022. The drive will take place at the Shoemaker Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to all members of the community who are interested in donating blood.

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — On January 28, 2023, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of animal cruelty at 379 Wynn Rd. in Piketon, Ohio. In response, a search warrant was executed and a shocking discovery was made. A deceased dog was found tied to a tractor nearby the roadway and appeared to have been beaten.

Diana Kay Brooks of Robin Road Waverly passed away peacefully on January 28, 2023 at her residence with her sons Timothy and Scott by her side. Diana was born at home near Waverly on August 10th 1946 to the late Gordon and Blanche (Rider) Williamson. She attended school in Beaver...

Ronald Murphy, 84 of Columbus, OH passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. He was born on June 6, 1938 in Lawrence Co., KY to the late Sherman and Opal (Campbell) Murphy. Ron was the longtime owner of Ron Murphy Heating and Cooling. He loved...

VINTON COUNTY, Ohio — The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to local residents and businesses after multiple reports of fake money being circulated in the area. The sheriff’s office has received reports of fake money being passed off as genuine currency at local businesses in the past few months.

Belinda M. Moss, 61, of Chillicothe, died unexpectedly at 8:08am, January 29, 2023, at Adena Regional Medical Center. She was born April 21, 1961, in Chillicothe to the late Berman E. and Donnamae K. (Morrison) Moss, Jr. Surviving is her daughter Breeanna K. Moss and her significant other Danny Tackett,...