SGT. KOCHERAN: After six days in coma, he is awake with long recovery ahead

PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Pike County Sheriff Tracy D. Evans is proud to announce the appointment of Deputy Tara Williams-Tackett as the new DARE Officer of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Tackett has been a member of the Sheriff’s Office since 1999, serving in various positions including dispatch, jail, road and investigations, court security, and more. After a five-year break, during which she earned her certification as a Licensed Practical Nurse, Tackett has returned to the Sheriff’s Office to take over the DARE program.

SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio — In a shocking turn of events, a local woman was shot by her live-in boyfriend on January 27th, according to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred after a heated argument, during which the suspect threatened the victim with a firearm. The victim, 34-year-old, Sara Swallows, was rushed to a nearby hospital following the shooting.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Auditor of State, Keith Faber, has called for increased training of government officials to detect and report suspected fraud and corruption in public offices. The call was made a day after the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) under Faber’s office closed its 100th criminal prosecution.

Margaret Louise Fordyce, 86 of Charleston, South Carolina formerly of Waverly, Ohio passed away Friday, January 27th 2023 at her home. She was born December 26, 1936 in Clark County, Indiana.The daughter of the late Eldon and Flossie Whiteside Bagshaw. On September 9, 1961 she was united in marriage to...

ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — The Ross County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported drive-by shooting Tuesday evening. It was shortly after 8:30 p.m. when dispatchers received a call from a resident in the 1400 block of Normal Hill Road. According to the caller, an SUV (described as a...

ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — The Ross County Prosecutor’s Office responds to former Chillicothe principal Jeff Fisher’s motion to vacate his plea and overturn his conviction. In December of last year, Former Chillicothe High School principal Jeffrey Fisher filed a nearly 400-page motion to the Ross County Court of Common Pleas asking to vacate his plea and have his case dismissed, saying that new evidence proves his innocence.

Beverly Jean Mounts, age 74, of Chillicothe, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023 surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. She was born July 25, 1948 in Springfield, Ohio. She was a caregiver, landscaper, and former employee of Armco/Steelox in Washington C.H. She is survived by one daughter,...

It is with great sorrow that our dear mother, Annalee Chester, passed on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at her residence unexpectedly. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who was always there when we needed her. Annalee cherished her family and many friends. She was born May 7, 1937, in...

Cecilia K. Biddle, 52, of Clarksburg, passed away on Friday afternoon, January 27, 2023 at the Adena Regional Medical Center. She was born December 5, 1970 in New Mexico, daughter of Barbara Lear, who survives. Also surviving is her longtime friend and caregiver, Sharon Cochenour. A memorial service to celebrate...

NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Officers with the Nelsonville Police Department showed their love for their community by lending a helping hand in keeping the streets clean. During their day watch patrol, they went on a mission to rescue stray grocery buggies that had wandered away from their proper homes. While...

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.

Alva “Al” Leonard Green, 92, of Columbus, OH transferred his earthly membership to Hallelujah Square on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at his residence in Columbus, OH. He was born on January 2, 1931, in Pike County, OH to the late Leonard and Lenora (Vanhoy) Green. Alva was a...

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Mayor Luke Feeney announced this week that the City of Chillicothe has been awarded a $25,000 “Canopy Restoration” grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry. This grant will allow the city to preserve and expand its existing tree canopy in city parks and neighborhoods.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former Columbus police officer, Marco R. Merino, was sentenced to 108 months in prison by a federal court on Thursday. Merino, 45, of Columbus, was charged with conspiring to distribute more than eight kilograms of fentanyl and accepting bribes in exchange for protecting the transportation of cocaine. He was arrested by federal agents in September 2021 and later pleaded guilty in February 2022.

James A. McNeal, 81, of Chillicothe, passed 9:27 am Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at ProMedica following an extended illness. He was born January 23, 1942 in Chillicothe to the late Gale E. and AnnaBelle Phillips McNeal. On December 29, 1963 he married his love, Gale R. Johnson who survives him.

ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — On January 31st, 2023, the Southeast Major Crimes Task Force made multiple arrests at 25 May Avenue in Chauncey in response to multiple theft and drug-related complaints received by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and local residents. The Task Force was assisted by Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority and the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office.

WELLSTON, Ohio — The Wellston Police Department is warning local residents and businesses to be on the lookout for fake money. The fake currency, which has been passed at a local business, is not real and has several noticeable signs that it is counterfeit. The police are advising people...

Terry Lee Oppy, age 63, of Wilmington, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Clinton Memorial Hospital. He was born the son of the late Gene Osborn and Betty (Edingfield) Osborn on May 20, 1959 in Hillsboro, Ohio. Terry worked for Borten Builders and always liked to have...

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio — A Beavercreek, Ohio man, Naser Almadaoji, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release by a federal court for attempting to join the ISIS terrorist group. Almadaoji, 23, an Iraqi-born US citizen, was arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force at John Glenn International Airport in 2018 while trying to travel to Afghanistan to join ISIS or ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K). Almadaoji pleaded guilty in November 2021, just before his jury trial was scheduled to begin. He admitted to attempting to provide material support – himself, as personnel – to foreign terrorist organizations, namely ISIS and ISIS-K. The defendant intended to travel to Astana, Kazakhstan, where he planned to be smuggled into Afghanistan so that he could join and receive military training from ISIS-K.

Richard Lee Smith, age 70, of South Salem, Ohio, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the OSU Medical Center in Columbus. He was born January 22, 1953 in Greenfield, Ohio, the son of Arnold E. and Romaine (Schiller) Smith. He is survived by two sons, Christopher Smith of Proctorville,...