Ohio was recently in the middle of the worst drought our state has seen in over a century. It’s been particularly bad in Southeast Ohio, but Ohioans all over our state are feeling its effects.

During drought conditions, crops don’t grow as high, yields are stunted, and dry fields put farms at a higher risk of fires. Right now, Ohio farmers are reporting poor pasture conditions, weak hay growth, low ponds, and dry creeks. They are spending more money on buying and hauling feed and water just to salvage crop yields and keep animals alive. And this is all coming at a time in which farmers were already struggling with low commodity prices and high input costs.

Farmers are used to uncertainty and bad weather, but this is worse than a dry spell. This is an emergency.

One-in-seven Ohioans depend on agriculture for work. This drought could mean dire financial consequences for farmers, and it’s a challenge for our whole state’s economy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has declared disaster conditions in 38 Ohio counties so far, and an additional 18 counties are eligible for disaster assistance due to their proximity. That’s over half of Ohio’s 88 counties. And conditions are only expected to get worse before they get better.

Farmers shouldn’t have to deal with these challenges alone. That’s why we’re working to connect farmers with resources and get the word out about disaster assistance programs available to them.

I serve on the Agriculture Committee – one of the least partisan committees in the Senate – and some of the most important work we do is making sure that farmers have these tools they need when things happen out of their control.

Through important bipartisan work over the years, we’ve worked to support farmers during difficult and uncertain times. We’ve worked to create and strengthen the crop insurance system and many of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s disaster relief programs — like the Emergency Loan Program, the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, and Tree Assistance Program – that are available to Ohio farmers right now.

Ohio farmers are resourceful and resilient – and they help feed and power our country and the world.

We’re working hard to make sure they have what they need to come out strong.

Sherrod Brown (D) is a United States Senator from the state of Ohio.

In the National Football League, a win is a win, despite how a team managed to pull out a victory. On Sunday night, Cincinnati found a way to squeeze out an ugly victory over the Giants and I’ll take an ugly offensive victory over a toss-up shootout every single week.

While I will certainly write about the poor offensive performance, we first have to give credit where it is due, to the defense. BJ Hill had the best game of his career that I can recall, Lou Anarumo had a perfect defensive scheme to limit deep yardage and the entire defensive line finally looked healthy and cohesive. With the Browns, Eagles and Raiders approaching on the schedule, now is the time for Cincinnati to string together three more wins and to get right back in the race. First, it’ll take beating Cleveland in the Dawg Pound, which hasn’t happened for Cincinnati since 2017. One game at a time, Cincinnati can get right back in this race.

Positives

· Cincinnati won the game. It doesn’t matter how, they won the game. 2-4 with a good opportunity to win again this week against Cleveland.

· I forgot that Joe Burrow had some wheels on him. He reached 19.86 mph on his 47-yard touchdown run on a third and 18 play. The “I’ll do it myself” mentality from #9 is what truly got points on the scoreboard throughout the night for Cincinnati. His scrambling, running and avoiding sacks led to big enough plays to win this game.

· BJ Hill, stand up! What a game from the ex-Giant. The 29-year old had a true revenge game and he showed why he is a captain on this team. Seven tackles, two major deflections, and a few hits on Daniel Jones for Hill.

· DJ Turner had a season-saving play on fourth down. What could’ve turned into a disaster, turned into a great moment for Turner and a shutdown to the momentum that the Giants were gaining.

· Chase Brown, just by the eye-test, is by far the team’s best back. He has explosiveness that Zach Moss simply doesn’t have, while Moss has blocking capabilities in pass protection that Brown lacks. 5.3 yards per carry for Brown is a nice sight and I’m glad I am not typing about the near-fumble right now.

· Pittsburgh still has games remaining against the Commanders, Ravens, Bengals, Chiefs, Eagles and more. That offense, to me, isn’t good enough to win the AFC North. Cincinnati really needs Baltimore to lose some games they aren’t supposed to.

Negatives

· The offensive line gave up many pressures, resulting in Burrow taking some brutal hits on the field and making a trip to the tent.

· Cam Taylor-Britt covers the long-ball well, but is still struggling on the quick turnaround from receivers. I am glad that Nabers wasn’t present for this game.

· Cincinnati had five straight punts after the opening drive. Zac Taylor’s play calling was in shambles all night with zero rhythm. He has to find a way to open up his playbook for this team to be successful.

· Jermaine Burton was healthy, yet inactive for this game. There has to be more to the story, as he should be on the field simply because his vertical abilities. You’re telling me he isn’t better at returning kicks than Charlie Jones either? What’s going on here?

· The biggest negative is that Cincinnati didn’t squeeze out victories against Washington, Baltimore, New England or Kansas City. All of these could have been wins and while I hate to live in the past, these losses will haunt for the entire season.

Prediction

With 6 games already in the books and Cincinnati currently sitting at 2-4, what is your final record prediction for the Bengals? Here is my overly optimistic prediction for the rest of the season:

10/20 vs Browns – Bengals win

10/27 vs Eagles – Bengals win

11/3 vs Raiders – Bengals win

11/7 vs Ravens – Bengals lose

11/17 vs Chargers – Bengals win

12/1 vs Steelers – Bengals lose

12/9 vs Cowboys – Bengals lose

12/15 vs Titans – Bengals win

12/19 vs Browns – Bengals win

12/29 vs Broncos – Bengals win

1/5 vs Steelers – Bengals win

This would bring the Bengals record to 10-7 and it is honestly a “best-case scenario.” This would require health to be on Cincinnati’s side and some one score games to finally fall in the Queen City’s favor. What does your prediction look like?

Email me at matthew.mcadow@yahoo.com or follow me on Twitter (X) to discuss. Who Dey!

SPORTS EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, The People’s Defender will profile an Adams County senior student/athlete so our community and readers can get to know better these outstanding young people who participate both in athletics and academics in their high school.

NAME:

Raylan Eldridge

SCHOOL:

North Adams High School

PARENTS:

Jacob Eldridge, Patsy Bricking

SPORTS PLAYED IN HIGH SCHOOL:

Soccer

FAVORITE SPORT:

Soccer

FAVORITE THING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:

Meeting new friends

LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:

Losing

MOST MEMORABLE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MOMENT:

Laughing with my teammates

FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST OR GROUP:

Three Days Grace

PLACE YOU’D LOVE TO TRAVEL TO:

Japan

YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE:

“Hunger Games”

YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW:

Jane The Virgin

FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:

Math

FAVORITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY:

Riding horses

YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT:

Raising Cane’s

WOULD LOVE TO TRADE PLACE FOR A DAY WITH:

Ms. Sherry

FUTURE PLANS:

Become a great cosmetologist with good money to support my future family

SPORTS EDITOR’S NOTE: Each week, The People’s Defender will profile an Adams County senior student/athlete so our community and readers can get to know better these outstanding young people who participate both in athletics and academics in their high school.

NAME:

Maddie Lejzerowicz

SCHOOL:

Manchester High School

PARENTS:

Phil Lejzerowicz, Heather Jones

SPORTS PLAYED IN HIGH SCHOOL:

Cross-Country, Track

FAVORITE SPORT:

Cross-Country

FAVORITE THING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:

Placing

LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:

The injuries

MOST MEMORABLE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MOMENT:

Making it to regionals

FAVORITE MUSICAL ARTIST OR GROUP:

Noah Kahan

PLACE YOU’D LOVE TO TRAVEL TO:

Europe

YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE:

“Twilight”

YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW:

The Good Doctor

FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:

Art

FAVORITE SPARE TIME ACTIVITY:

Taking naps

YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT:

Hibachi Japanese

Steakhouse

WOULD LOVE TO TRADE PLACE FOR A DAY WITH:

No one

FUTURE PLANS:

Become a Pediatrician

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

Since making the changes last spring, the first Southeast District tournament brackets were released on Sunday, with all the new divisional pairings lined up. Sectional and now district tournament play will begin next week and the four Adams County volleyball squads now know where their postseason paths will commence.

Beginning in Division V, the North Adams Lady Devils, holding an 18-2 record at press time, are the #4 seed, which tells you something about how stacked the Division V district is this season. What was once known as the sectional finals is now a district quarterfinal and the Lady Devils will host #21 seeded Portsmouth on October 16 at 7 p.m. A win there propels North Adams to the district semis on October 23 at Waverly High School, where they would battle the winner of #9 seeded Zane Trace and #16 seeded Wellston with a berth in the district title match on October 26 on the line.

Also in Division V are the West Union Lady Dragons (8-9 at press time) and they are the #15 seed and will be on the road on October 16 for a 7 p.m. match up at #10 seeded Westfall. The winner of that match moves to the district semi-finals on October 23 at Waverly, facing the winner of #3 seed Huntington and #22 seed River Valley.

Moving on to Division VI, the Peebles Lady Indians (6-9), are the #11 seed and will be on the road on October 15 to face a familiar foe, fellow Southern Hills Athletic Conference member Fairfield, in a 7 p.m. start. A trip to the district semifinals will go to the winner where they will face #3 seeded Eastern Pike on October 23 on the court at Wellston High School.

Finally in Division VII, the Manchester Lady Greyhounds (6-11) are the #8 seed and will have a home district quarterfinal match, hosting #9 seeded New Boston on October 15 at 7 p.m. If the Lady Hounds pull off that “W”, they will have the unenviable task of a road trip to Southeastern High School in the district semifinals to face #1 seeded Portsmouth Notre Dame. That semi will be played on October 21 at 6 p.m.

All of these new-look volleyball pairings for the Southeast District can be found at https://www.ohsaa.org/Southeast-Sports-Tournaments/Volleyball.

(By Judy Ann Fields from the People’s Defender 1967)

The first man to settle in what is now Jefferson Township was James Williams around 1792. He built his house on the east bank of Ohio Brush Creek about 16 rods above where the old state road from Cincinnati to Portsmouth crossed the stream. It is said that the same day Mr. Williams moved into his cabin, he went out to kill something for supper and before he returned he had killed three bears.

Soon after pioneers blazed trails into the wilderness of Ohio, missionaries of the Methodist faith followed. Their dedicated life was one of constant hardship. But their fervor and steadfastness in their faith made them equal to the tremendous task of winning followers among the people, who had left their religion behind them, along with the comforts of civilization, to come to this rugged frontier.

Around 1797, a small settlement was started near Mankers Mill. Two years later, Colonel Joseph Moore, a Methodist minister, moved from Kentucky and settled a farm nearby. Previous settlers in the area include James Williams and his brother Joseph, and Jonathan Waite. As the settlement began to grow, more people came. Among them were Peter Wikoff, John Newman, David Newman, Jesse Edwards, John Prather and John Beekman.

That same year, 1799, Reverend Moore organized the first Methodist society in the area, at his house. He probably preached the first sermon in this settlement. Due to his endeavors, the attendance of these meetings increased. A private log house was no longer large enough to accommodate them and as the attendance to their meetings increased, the interest and spirituality of the community grew. To meet this need, Mr. Moore donated the land for the first Methodist meeting house west of the Alleghenies. The members of the community entered the activity and cut and hewed the logs for the larger building. It was finished in the fall of 1800 and stood on Breelove’s Run, a fourth of a mile from Scioto Brush Creek near the present church. The religious society was mostly made up of the families already mentioned. The working hours were long in those days, but on Sunday church was regularly attended.

There were no regular pastors to fill the pulpit in those beginning years. Circuit-riding preachers would travel from each community and spend a week or two, once a year, in nightly services. Other early preachers in this church besides Reverend Moore were Philip Gatch, Lewis Hunt and Henry Smith. This building was used as long as it would serve its purpose, then the congregation began to drift and efforts were organized to build a new church.

Mr. Joe Hafer of West Union and his uncle, Marion Shaw, laid the foundation for the present church in 1913. The church was built on the old cemetery grounds and when excavating, they uncovered the corpse of a woman with a plat of hair tied with ribbon. Also, a silver ring was found.

The stone for the foundation and basement of this church came from an old flour mill that stood at Blue Creek, known as the old Waite’s Mill. This is a fine example of a country church. The serene location brings one closer to God before entering the sanctuary. This chapel was built in memory of many departed fellow Christians and dedicated to the same faith that brought the first missionaries. The present pastor is Reverend W. Dale McClurg. A warm welcome is extended to everyone to come and worship.

Though she was named Nancylee she was always called “Pud”. Volunteerism was an active part of her life. She will be missed more than words can say. Extraordinary life well lived.

Memorials can be made to the Church 180 Food Pantry, Adams County.

A private service will be held.

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

A lifetime of service. That small phrase so accurately defines the life of Holly Johnson, former Adams County Economic Director and now one of the six 2024 recipients of the Jenco Award, presented by the Foundation of Appalachian Ohio.

The Jenco Awards, a partnership between the Jenco Foundation Fund and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), recognize and celebrate Appalachian Ohio residents who go above and beyond in service to others outside their paid positions. Each recipient, nominated by fellow community members, exemplifies the difference we can all make when we give time, talent and passion to helping our neighbors and building community.

“Through their service, visionary leadership and caring nature, all of these individuals make the lives of others, their communities and our world better,” said Michelle Shively MacIver, Jenco Foundation committee member. “Their impact will be felt for generations and inspires each of us to make a difference in our daily lives.”

Born and raised in Adams County, Johnson is well-known for bettering the lives of fellow Adams Countians, always asking: “How can I help you today?” When she isn’t personally offering her help to anyone who crosses her path, Johnson is giving her time, energy and servant’s heart to Adams County organizations working to improve local quality of life.

“Upon receiving notification of my selection as one of the 2024 Jenco Award winners, I was initially taken aback,” said Johnson. “The recognition for visionary leadership and volunteer community service, which the award symbolizes, is deeply humbling. To be acknowledged alongside five others in the Appalachian region of the state is a true honor. I am sincerely grateful for being chosen for this esteemed award and wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the people who nominated me and wrote letters on my behalf.”

Johnson’s lists of accomplishments or “services” is more than impressive, making her more than deserving of any recognition. Johnson served for nine years on the Adams County Children Services board and most recently joined the board at Koda House, a new Christ-centered youth home being developed in Adams County. She also serves as president of the boards of the Adams County Homeless Shelter and Interfaith House, a local food pantry. Last year, Johnson was appointed to the Adams County Library Board – a dream of hers – and has been instrumental in securing funding for the expansion of summer reading programs.

“I am grateful for the servant’s heart that my mother instilled in me,” Johnson explained. “I have always felt that if serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you. Making a positive difference in someone’s life daily, including your own, brings great joy and reward. Service, characterized by selflessly aiding others, embodies empathy and benevolence. This can manifest in various ways, from voluntary work to simple everyday acts of kindness. Imagine if everyone contributed to the betterment of society and created positivity. What a profound change that would be in our world, both for the individuals and the society at large.”

“I want to teach my grandchildren to have a servant’s heart, and the best way to do that is by setting an example through my actions. I want them to understand that life can change in an instant, and they may need help someday. And I hope someone with a smile and a servants heart is there to help and show compassion.”

One of the things that Johnson is most proud of is something she is part of that honors her father’s life and military service, the establishment of the Roland Johnson Memorial Scholarship.

Johnson and her son, Casey Kirker, who is also a veteran, felt compelled to express their gratitude to the Unit 633 Auxiliary in Seaman. The Auxiliary had been a source of immense joy and companionship for Roland, and Holly remarked, “The Auxiliary meant everything to my Dad. They contribute significantly to the community, and we noticed that they didn’t have a scholarship program.” Following Roland’s funeral, the Auxiliary hosted a luncheon for the family, during which Holly and Kirker discussed the idea of establishing a scholarship program.

Together with Eric Newman, post commander, and Auxiliary Unit 633 in Seaman, Johnson and Kirker collaborated to establish the Roland Johnson Memorial Scholarship. Kirker attributed the inception of the scholarship to his mother and expressed his endorsement of the initiative. He said, “It preserves his legacy, and the positive influence of veterans on the younger generation is truly remarkable.”

The Jenco Foundation and the Jenco Awards uphold the legacy of Father Lawrence Martin Jenco, a Roman Catholic priest who dedicated his life to serving others. In 1985, Father Jenco was kidnapped while serving as director of Catholic Relief Services in Lebanon and spent 19 months in captivity. Even in confinement, Father Jenco continued to serve, providing a listening ear for other detainees, including journalist Terry Anderson.

In 2001, Anderson founded the Jenco Foundation to honor the legacy of his friend. In 2011, the Jenco Foundation joined FAO as an endowment, ensuring that Father Jenco’s legacy would live on in perpetuity. The Jenco Awards celebrate individuals who, like Father Jenco, have made a difference through community service and visionary leadership.

Joining Johnson as 2024 Jenco Award recipients are Margaret “Peggy” Adams of Guernsey County, Robert Black of Scioto County, Patty Summers of Mahoning County, Mike Workman of Morgan County and Shannon Yochum of Highland County.

By Tom Cross

Saturday, October 5 saw the second annual Ohio River Monster Catfish Challenge held at Island Creek Boat Ramp near Manchester. The weather was perfect and those that participated remarked how well the tournament was run and the good time they had spending the day on the Ohio River.

Anglers could launch at several ramps along the river but were required to be at the weigh-in at Island Creek Boat Ramp by 4:30 p.m.

A total of 58 teams participated in the tournament, drawing several fishermen from across state lines including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. Of the 58 teams, 46 teams turned in fish, only 12 teams reported no catches. There was a total of 121 catfish caught, the largest being a 38-pound blue catfish. The winning team weighed in three fish for a combined weight of 75.70 pounds. The second-place team weighed three fish that total 74.60 pounds, and the third-place team had a combined three fish weight of 56.70 pounds. The first-place team took home a check for $5,017. The big fish netted an additional $1,160 for the lucky anglers.

All fish were kept alive and released back into the Ohio River within minutes of being weighed. Most fish were caught using skip jack or shad, and according to tournament director Kevin Walters, most fish were caught anchored over structure or using planer boards.

Walters said next year’s tournament will again be held on the first Saturday in October.

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

The persona of God being a loving father is one of the most comforting things to ponder. There are times when we are shaken or unsettled, and nothing will help aside from running to the open arms of our all- knowing, all-seeing, and all-loving Father who has arms long enough to scoop us up from any circumstance.

When a toddler hurts herself or scares herself, usually she will run with arms in the air toward loving parents who can soothe her. Perhaps the child cries into the shoulder too upset to explain or maybe she points and explains the boo boo that’s vexing her. In any case, the embrace is the real healing balm the discontented child seeks.

In some cases, a toddler wants a kiss for the hurt, in other cases she wants a band aid and immediately the pain vanishes. The comforting arms and the attention of the parent on the problem is enough to give the child courage to buck up and overcome the situation. In still another case, the child may need a steady hand to hold onto to pass over unsteady ground. Depending on the mood, this hand can be accepted with a smile and gusto, and in another mood, the hand might be taken stormily, with the recognition of its necessity but it’s distain for its need.

I was thinking how beautiful this picture is when applied to our spirit. So many times we need to run to our Father for a loving embrace. So many times we need to simply melt into His presence. So many times we just need to know God sees us in this moment, in this situation. So many times we try to handle things on our own, when God is looking on us with love, offering His hand and sure leading and waiting to scoop us up when we come running.

God tells us there is no place we can go that He won’t still be there. We can’t run too far and too fast for Him to loose track of us. We can’t sink so far where His eyes won’t penetrate. We can’t spiral and get entangled so much that He can’t unravel and make it straight again.

Like a loving parent wants to comfort and give courage to a wearied toddler, God wants to do the same for our spirit. He desires our peace and joy and confidence. He will bend down, arms extended and sweep us into a supernatural embrace where He breathes His fruits of the spirit into us to refresh, revive, and redeem anything we bring to Him in hurt and contrition.

News Release

Southern State will host a series of professional development courses open to the public to help gain new skills and knowledge for professional growth and career advancement.

Designed to meet the evolving needs in the workplace, this program will offer a variety of specialized courses. Whether an individual is a seasoned professional looking to improve management skills or just entering the workforce, this program will address common practices in the employment setting and enhance management expertise.

Filomena Nelson, owner of APEx Training Associates, leads the sessions. With 25 years of experience as a coach, facilitator, and educator, Nelson’s expertise and focus are on communication skills, leadership development, and organizational development. She has partnered extensively with individuals and teams, enhancing their skills to meet the needs of today’s fast-paced, always-changing work environments.

The cost of each session varies. All courses are one-day training modules with a certificate of completion provided at the conclusion. There is a cap of 25 registrants, so early registration is encouraged. Attendees can choose which topics they are most interested in.

Programming will be offered at the Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive in Hillsboro, and includes:

• Navigating Difficult Conversations – Wed., October 23 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Becoming More Confident at Giving Feedback and Less Anxious about Receiving it – Wed., November 6 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Workplace DiSC: Appreciating Diverse Styles – Wed., January 15 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Managing Conflict with Confidence – Thurs., January 16 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Moving from Peer to Supervisor – Tues., March 5 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Adapting to and Leading Change – Thurs., March 20 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and Tues., May 13 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Working More Effectively with your Leader – Thurs., April 10 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Strategies for Improving Relationships with Colleagues – Tues., April 22 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Customer Service: Building Better Relationships– Tues., May 20 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

“Offering these professional development courses helps Southern State to continue its ongoing commitment to supporting the growth and success of individuals in our community,” said Amy McClellan, Executive Director of Workforce Development at Southern State Community College.

“By providing accessible and high-quality learning experiences, we strive to contribute to the development of a skilled and competitive workforce,” she added.

To learn more about these professional development opportunities, please call McClellan at 800.628.7722, Ext. 3510 or email amcclellan@sscc.edu.

To register, please visit https://www.sscc.edu/academics/short-term-training/professional-development.shtml.

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

Sports history came to West Union High School via the efforts of the Lady Dragons’ golf team. After finishing as runner-ups in the Division II district tournament at Crown Hill Golf Club on October 1, the Lady Dragons will become the first girls team in school history and the first girls team in the history of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference to make an appearance in the OHSAA State Golf Tournament, held at the Firestone Country Club in Akron.

In the 18-hole district tournament, the West Union girls placed second behind district champion Westfall but earned their state berth as the top two district teams in Division II make the state trip. The day was not without its nerve-wracking moments, however, as the Lady Dragons waited hours for the Minford team to finish their rounds before realizing that they were in fact state bound. For West Union head coach Marci Nehus, the day had extra special meaning as she is the daughter of longtime boys golf coach at WUHS, Carl Schneider, and now she will be taking a team to state like he has done numerous times.

“I think once we get up there in Akron, it will sink in,” said Coach Nehus. “I’m just so pleased with the great effort our girls put in at the district tournament, Once the nerves settled in, they relaxed and played really well. My Dad has been a great role model and I’ve been able to see what it takes to get to this level. He wasn’t actually at the district, but he called me 28 times during the day with his advice. He was back at the school doing the math.”

With the live scoring on an app now, we spent nearly the entire round refreshing our screens. Once we finished we had to wait hours for the final results since we were in the first group of teams to complete our rounds. One girls from Minford’s app wasn’t working so that made it a little more stressful.”

“I just want the girls to go up there and enjoy the experience,” added Coach Nehus. “For every girl, it can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I just hope they soak it all in and got out and have fun. We’ve made it this far which was one of our goals this season. It’s been a really good year.”

The Lady Dragons were led in the district tourney by senior Olivia Lewis, who shot 100 (47-53) for the 18 holes, good for ninth overall in the individual standings. The irony- this is the first year in high school that Lewis, a multi-sport athlete, has been a member of the girls golf team and she was a co-winner of the SHAC Tournament and now will be teeing off at the state tourney.

“It’s my first year of golf and my last year of high school golf and it has definitely been a roller coaster,” said Lewis. “If you had asked me a year ago today if I would be playing golf in the state tournament, I would have simply said ‘no way’. Someone asked me at a basketball game to play golf this year but I wasn’t that interested and then when our softball team had a golf scramble I was asked to play in it and I said ‘sure’ and now I have literally played every day since the beginning of May. I certainly didn’t expect to win the SHAC Tournament and this has been such a rewarding season, golf is my favorite sport now! I wish I would have found it sooner because who knows how good I could have been.”

“We will be going against the best at state and nobody expected us to be there so hopefully we can surprise some people and get close to the top. Winning would be nice but we are really in it to have fun.”

Junior Emmy Stapleton was the next Lady Dragon to appear on the leader board, shooting a 101 (50-51) for the district. Stapleton also talked to the Defender about the excitement she is feeling as her and the team prepare for state competition.

“It feels great,” said Stapleton. “I’ve been golfing since I was nine years old and I’ve always wanted to go somewhere with it. I’m really glad to be going to state because it means something to our school and to our county. I actually called my Dad after we found out and I cried.”

“I was very confident going into districts. I knew if our team played the way we know how that we could make it. Our team is very consistent and all the way from our one to five golfers, there really isn’t that much of a difference in scores. We don’t have a girl on our team who doesn’t pull her weight.”

“I was talking to my coach in between holes and asking her how we were doing and we were worried about one other team (Minford) beating us,” Stapleton continued. “By the time we got to our last hole, we were eight strokes behind but they still had most of their golfers out on the course so that’s when it got stressful and exciting at the same time. It was my Mom who actually told me that we had made it to state. It was one of the most exciting things. I just want to enjoy the state tournament more than anything. I know we are a long shot but I want us to do good, but I don’t want any of our girls to get stressed out. Just enjoy playing on such a great course and have fun.”

Junior Nina McCann, who tied with teammate Lewis for the SHAC crown, carded a 107 (54-53) in the district tourney and like her teammates, is very excited about this new opportunity.

“It is all still so surreal,” said McCann. “No other girls team in our school’s history can say they did what we did and that can never be taken away. It just makes me really happy to think that I helped do something special for our school. I was our third golfer finished at the district and after I got back we could see that we were really close with Minford. We keep our scores on an app and for like an hour I just kept refreshing that screen like every five seconds to see if anything had been updated. It was like an hour and a half after we got done before we knew we had made it. We were all just jumping up and down and smiling and they kicked us out of the clubhouse because we were too loud.”

“My goal for state is to just have fun and be happy we made it this far. It’s like the ultimate goal of any school and we did it.”

Rounding out the West Union quintet at the district were sophomore Annabelle McIntosh at 111 (55-56) and sophomore Eva DeMint also at 111 (57-54).

“The thought of playing at state is pretty nerve-wracking,” says DeMint. “I was just so happy to go to districts last year and now we’re going a step above that and it’s going to be a lot different. When I found out we are going to state, I was just like ‘Holy Cow!’ and I was trying to hold in my tears for a picture. I was in shock at first and everyone was just jumping up and down around me and I just thought I was dreaming. It’s all really amazing and I just hope to have fun and do my best.”

Coach Nehus has an assistant coach this season, her four-year high school golf teammate, Emily McCarty. It’s been a pretty good first season for McCarty, topped off with a state trip.

“Marci texted me and told me she has enough girls to warrant an assistant coach and I can’t believe it but here I am,” said McCarty. “It’s been stressful here at the end but overall this has been a great experience for me. I cannot believe we are going to state but none of this would be possible without Marci. We’ve been telling our girls that no one has done this before and to enjoy it.”

Also competing in the Division II Girls district tournament was North Adams junior Emmy Holt, who finished the 18 holes with a score of 111 (54-57).

The West Union girls will travel to Akron and play a practice round on Saturday, October 12 and the state tournament will begin with 18 holes on Sunday, October 13 and conclude with 18 holes on Monday, October 14. All of the action will be on the Firestone Country Club- Fazio Course.

By Ryan Applegate

People’s Defender

According to a press release from the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM), investigators have declared a fire in Manchester was the result of arson and have asked the public for any tips that could help identify that responsible parties.

Manchester Police Chief Dakotah Brown echoed the SFM, “All related information is being compiled and forwarded to the State Fire Marshal services who have token the lead in the investigation. If anyone has new information I encourage them to reach out to either the Manchester Police Department or the State Fire Marshal.”

In the early morning hours on Saturday, September 21, the Manchester Fire Department responded to a fire at 812 Jack Roush Way in Manchester. When crews arrived at the vacant single-family home they observed the garage, carport and house were fully engulfed in flames.

A neighboring occupied property was also damaged in the blaze.

According to the release, the Manchester Fire Department received mutual aid from serveral other departments while fighting the fire.

The SFM, determined through the course of the investigation that the fire was a result of an intentional human act.

According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2909.03, “no person, by means of fire or explosion, shall knowingly do any of the following: Cause, or create a substantial risk of, physical harm to any structure of another that is not an occupied structure; Cause, or create a substantial risk of, physical harm, through the offer or the acceptance of an agreement for hire or other consideration, to any structure of another that is not an occupied structure; Cause, or create a substantial risk of, physical harm to any structure that is not an occupied structure and that is in or on any park, preserve, wildlands, brush-covered land, cut- over land, forest, timberland, greenlands, woods, or similar real property that is owned or controlled by another person, the state, or a political subdivision.”

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Fire Marshal’s tip line at 800-589-2728 or the Adams County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 544-2010. Callers can remain anonymous and all tips will be thoroughly investigated.

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

Patriot Field in Peebles was the site on Friday, October 4 for Southern Ohio Independent League football as the Indians played host to the West Union Dragons. It was a beautiful evening for football and for the Indians, it turned out to be a very successful evening as they raced to an early lead and never looked back, their offense clicking on all cylinders and their defense forcing six turnovers, all resulting in a 42-0 shutout win.

The tone of the game was set early as the Indians got a touchdown run from Nathaniel Cummings on their first possession and tacked on six more moments later when freshman Kadien Larouge returned an interception for a pick-six and a 12-0 lead. The Dragons produced some big chunk plays during the game, numerous of them from senior Jaden Cockrell, but none of them resulted in a trip to the end zone.

An early second quarter interception by Peebles’ Christian Gerth turned into a long scoring pass from quarterback Josh McClary to elusive wideout Brandon Rayburn. After a nice Cockrell kickoff return, it was yet another pick, this one by Eli Gammon that set the Indians up for a McClary TD pass to Larouge and a 26-0 advantage, which ballooned to 34-0 at halftime after a McClary interception led to a 50-yard scoring run by Grady Knechtly.

With the running clock rule in effect as the second half began, the third quarter flew by with neither team scoring, though the Dragons’ defense recovered a Peebles fumble but couldn’t convert it into points.

Late in the final stanza, McClary picked off his third pass of the game and that led to the game’s final points, fittingly a McClary run as time was running out and the late two-point conversion left the final score at 42-0.

It was a big night for the sophomore McClary as he intercepted three passes on the defensive side, threw for two scores and ran for one more.

“Error-free on offense and an opportunistic defense will win a football game,” said Peebles head coach Mike McDonald after the game. “Our offensive line played much, much better tonight. Unfortunately, that has been our weakness in non-conference games but tonight the o-line did a really good job.”

McDonald also had high praise for McClary, his sophomore signal-caller.

“I can tell you that as the high school coach for Peebles football, I’ve been blessed to have two very good quarterbacks. What it boils down to is intelligence, it’s not even athleticism. Our quarterbacks have been very smart on the field, we call the plays and they have the chance to audible out of that play according to what they see. It’s very nice to have that kind of flexibility.”

“We have to finish the season in the SOIL and when we played much bigger teams in our non-conference schedule, our kids held their own,” McDonald continued.

These same two teams will meet again this Friday (October 11) at Freedom Field in West Union for the annual “Battle of 41”.

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

The new-look postseason pairings for Southeast District girls and boys soccer have been released as the county squads finish up the regular season this week and point their engines towards possible postseason runs.

The only two county girls soccer squads appear in Division V, North Adams and Peebles. North Adams (3-6-1) earned a #6 seed and will host a district quarterfinal contest on October 16 at 5 p.m., entertaining #11 seeded Northwest in a 6 p.m. kickoff. The winner of that match up advances to a district semifinal on October 22 at Waverly’s Raidiger Field, facing another Southern Hills Athletic Conference team, the #3 seeded Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs. The winner there moves to the district championship game on October 24, also at Waverly.

Peebles (4-6-1) is the #7 seed and will host #10 seeded Ripley on October 16 at 6 p.m., as the Lady Jays move into the Southeast District for the first time. The winner of that district quarterfinal will hit the road for the district semis, traveling to Leesburg to face the #2 seeded Fairfield lady Lions on October 22 at Waverly’s Raidiger Field.

The Southeast District Girls Soccer brackets can be found at https://www.ohsaa.org/Southeast-Sports-Tournaments/Soccer-Girls

On the boys soccer brackets, all three county teams reside in Division V as the Peebles Indians are the #8 seed and will be on the road on October 17 at 6 p.m. The Indians lost a 1-0 decision to Whiteoak last week and if they can exact revenge in the district quarters they would move to the semifinals and would likely face #1 seeded Minford.

The West Union Dragons (6-7-1) are the #14 seed in Division V and will have a hoe district first round match up with #19 seed Ripley on October 15 at 6 p.m. The two teams played to a 2-2 tie in the regular season and the winner this time around will move to a district quarterfinal battle with #3 seed Lynchburg on October 17 on the Mustang’s home field.

Finally, the North Adams green Devils (11-1-2) are the #5 seed and will host #12 seed Chesapeake on October 17 at 6 p.m. in a district quarterfinal match up. If the favored Devils pull off that win, they go to the district semifinals on October 21, likely to face #4 seeded Ironton St. Joseph. That contest will be played on the field at Zane Trace High School.

All of the Southeast District Boys Soccer district brackets can be found at https://www.ohsaa.org/Southeast-Sports-Tournaments/Soccer-Boys.

Norma J. Miller, 84, of Manchester, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Adams County Manor. She was born March 8, 1940 in Mahan, West Virginia, daughter of the late William and Audrey Asbury Jefferies. She was the widow of the late Earl Miller, who passed away in 2023. Norma was a factory worker at Walds and loved her animals.

She is survived by her children, Cathy (Frank) Fisher, Kenneth (Ladan) Miller, Sandy Collins, Dean (Angie) Miller, Elaine (Gary) Ashcraft, Tammy (Brian) Ast and Mike (Pam) Miller; grandchildren, Frank Fisher, Jr., James Fisher, Amanda (Collins) Harris, Jessica Collins, Katie Young, Joe Young, Sara Young, Josh Miller, Justin Miller, Cory Miller, Christopher Hathaway, Robert Manning, Shelby Ast, Carissa Patton, Brandon Miller and Dave Miller; 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be held at the Miller Family Cemetery

Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home in Manchester.

Please sign her online tribute wall at www.meekerfuneralhomes.com.

It seems like about every time I am out in the public, no matter what the occasion, once someone realizes I own the local paper they seem anxious to tell me something. And in more cases than not, it is how something someone has read impacts their lives.

For example, the man that caught me in the local grocery store and proceeded to tell me he knows exactly when we deliver our paper there. He picks it up each week as soon as he can to see the public notices. In many cases it is the first notice he gets of something new coming to town or the streets in his neighborhood are up for repair. He told me there’s more in those public notices than people realize.

Or the lady that told me once about a story we did on someone who donated an organ and that it hit her so hard she was compelled to do the same thing for someone else, when the time comes.

Or the father of a boy on our local football team, who I had never met but he seemed to know me, thanked me for the tremendous effort we put into covering local high school sports.

Prior to a recent election cycle a young man told me if we had not produced our local Election Guide, he would have no idea who to vote for. He said now he felt good about his vote and vowed to never make a decision in local races again without the information he got about candidates in his community paper.

And advertisers feel those life-impacting moments as well from what we do. Like the manager of a local senior living facility who told me she couldn’t’ believe the response she got from an ad campaign we did. Not only did it create new prospects, but the current residents were proud and happy they were advertising the way they were.

How many stories like these do we never hear or know about?

There is no question that a community newspaper impacts the lives of people in a community, and in ways we may never know. The stories that come from people because of their local paper are clear evidence that newspapers are more than alive and well. They are busy breathing new life every day in communities across our country.

As an industry, we won’t give up on creating the content that can shape the lives of people. Our stories will continue to serve longtime readers or create brand new readers. And in the end, it’s the stories our readers tell us, about what we are doing for them, that matter most.

Jeff Cott is the Publisher/Owner of a community newspaper in Kansas.

By Ryan Applegate

People’s Defender

The 16th Annual Wheat Ridge Olde Thyme Herb Fair and Harvest Festival returns to Adams County Amish Country from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13, promising three full days of family-friendly fun. The festival will be open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., offering a rich blend of entertainment, handcrafted goods and festival food in a charming old-time atmosphere.

The festival is held at 817 Tater Ridge Road in West Union, the working farm of Herb and Kim Erwin.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will be treated to live music from local bands and performers, setting a lively tone for the event. The vibrant sounds will provide a perfect backdrop as visitors explore the festival’s many vendors and are sure to enhance the fair’s nostalgic, down-home vibe.

One of the biggest attractions for visitors of all ages is the pumpkin cannon, an exhilarating spectacle where pumpkins are launched. This crowd-pleaser has become a festival staple and a unique way to celebrate the season.

“My son Brad runs the pumpkin cannon for us every year,” Kim said. “I think that is one of the most popular things we have here.”

The Wheat Ridge Olde Thyme Herb Fair will host an impressive lineup of 125 to 150 vendors, offering an expansive variety of handcrafted goods. These vendors include artisans, crafters, and artists, showcasing seasonal crafts, jewelry, and home décor. It’s an ideal spot to start your holiday shopping or simply find a unique piece to take home.

Many vendors will also provide live demonstrations, giving visitors a firsthand look at traditional craftsmanship in action. These demonstrations allow festivalgoers to connect with artisans and learn more about the intricate processes behind their creations. It’s an opportunity to gain an appreciation for handmade, local goods rooted in time-honored traditions.

“I always go to other shows to recruit vendors, and I ask vendors to invite their friends that have artistic abilities. There are so many talented people in the world, I can’t possibly know all of them,” Kim explained. “We draw a unique crowd that is looking for unique gifts. We offer things that people cannot find anywhere else.”

Some new additions to the vendors at the festival for 2024 include a woman who makes German Feather Trees for Christmas and a man from Paris, Kentucky that is bringing homemade marinades, seasonings and rubs.

No fall festival is complete without delicious food, and the Wheat Ridge Olde Thyme Herb Fair will not disappoint. Food vendors will be on-site offering a wide array of options. These savory and sweet bites will keep visitors fueled as they explore the grounds.

Additionally, many of the vendors focus on herbs and natural products, staying true to the festival’s theme. Shoppers can expect to find fragrant herbs, handmade soaps, essential oils, and herbal remedies.

“I appreciate all of the vendors that come out to the farm and set up every year,” said Kim.

The price to attend is $5 per car and the layout of the event makes it a family-friendly event with ample space to stroll, shop and enjoy the attractions.

The predicted weather for the festival weekend is shaping up to be pleasant, making it ideal for an outdoor event. Friday will see partly cloudy skies with highs around 72°F, while Saturday is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures near 70°F. On Sunday, expect broken clouds with a high temperature of 71°F, providing a perfect, comfortable climate to enjoy all the outdoor activities.

The Wheat Ridge Olde Thyme Herb Fair and Harvest Festival is more than just a fall marketplace—it’s a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and the harvest season. Whether you’re looking to enjoy live music, shop for handcrafted treasures, watch demonstrations, or simply revel in the beauty of Amish Country, the festival offers a wonderful way to kick off the fall season.

This event has grown into a cherished tradition for locals and visitors alike, attracting people from all over who are eager to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of autumn. With its charming, old-time fair atmosphere, this year’s event is sure to be another unforgettable celebration of the season.

By Sherry Larson

People’s Defender

Hurricane Helene, the raging tempest, damaged and destroyed many areas in the Southeast United States over a week ago. According to the National Weather Service, Western North Carolina, particularly Buncombe County, including Asheville, were hit the worst.

While the rains and winds were fierce in parts of Adams County, many of us were glued to our devices. We were united in our concern for the devastation in the states hardest hit by the storm and praying for people to be found safe and relief to come.

Blake Larson and Colleen Crawford, owners of Flock Dining, were at work but were receiving texts and updates about friends from their former home in Asheville. Many of the same individuals who visited Adams County a month ago to celebrate with the ladies were now unreachable. By Sunday, most of their friends were accounted for, but all were affected by Helene. All were without electricity, many homes flooded, and some businesses were lost. Larson said, “Every day I think of someone else, I need to reach out to them and be sure they’re okay.”

Crawford, a ten-year resident of Asheville, has many close connections in the area—most experienced damages and loss. Montreat College in neighboring Black Mountain, where Larson attended her first year, was catastrophically damaged. After graduating from culinary school in Ontario, Canada, she returned and made Asheville her home. She’s been busy reaching out to friends and former staff.

“Devastating isn’t a strong enough word for how it feels to hear the stories from our North Carolina community. The images are gut-wrenching, and we are discovering that it is far worse than the media portrays,” explained Crawford.

Crawford and Larson knew they would do something to help the efforts in Asheville. It didn’t take long to decide that selling the bread that had become their business staple would be a great way to feed others and contribute to helping Asheville and surrounding communities. Posting the sale of Flock’s Famous Focaccia bread and newly introduced Flock Tarts by Sous Chef Lindsey Parker, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Asheville efforts, the ladies were overwhelmed with the generous support of Adams Countians and the nearby areas.

Over a hundred shares of the Flock post caused WKRC Local 12 to take notice and interview Larson and Crawford on Monday afternoon. Bread orders and donations steadily came in, totaling over $6000 by Thursday afternoon. Flock is up for the challenge and is committed to fulfilling orders in the early mornings this week.

Mindy Buda and her sister Heather Meyer spearheaded similar efforts on Monday when they decided to go to Asheville with supplies to help the recovery process. Monday evening, Buda’s son Sawyer asked if he could run a lemonade stand on Tuesday to help raise money. Starting at 11:30 a.m., hoping to raise $100, the Buda children wrapped up at 2 p.m. with $580. WLWT News 5 was there to record the effort.

The Budas are no strangers to Adams Countians’ kindness and generosity, but Mindy was shocked by the outpouring of gifts and donations when they announced their trip to Asheville. She said, “It snowballed, and I can’t believe it,” explaining that they purchased over $7000.00 of supplies for the trip on top of the donations.

Mindy, her son Tason, her sister Heather, and about 12 others traveled Thursday night. Tonya Kersey donated a 15-passenger van for Buda to drive; others joined the caravan with supplies and tools. They worked Friday and Saturday and planned to return on Saturday night or Sunday. Buda said folks pulled up alongside her home and handed money out of their car windows. “It’s amazing! I cannot believe how people have shown up,” she said.

Shawn Palmer, owner of S&G Pizza in Manchester, recognized that others had helped when flooding affected him and wanted to offer assistance. He posted a water collection drop-off point at his restaurant on Wednesday afternoon and, by Thursday afternoon, had approximately 75,000 bottles of water. Fannin Trucking will pick up the water at 7 a.m. on Friday and transport it to the Asheville area.

At the time of writing this article, over 200 individuals have died across six states as a result of Hurricane Helene, and more than half of those individuals are from North Carolina. Hundreds of individuals are still missing. Once Buda arrived in North Carolina, she highlighted the loss and devastation via Facebook.

Adams Countians continue to show up with love, compassion, and generosity for those suffering in the aftermath of Helene. Adams is a community that looks beyond its backyard and extends its hand and heart for the greater good. As Crawford said, “To see a community of people who have known us for a year and have never met the Western North Carolina residents come together to help raise funds to assist them in this transition is the display of hope and humanity that our world needs right now.”

By Mark Carpenter

People’s Defender

As it seems to every season, the boys soccer title in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference again came down to a match up between the North Adams Green Devils and the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs. This year’s contest was a bit more suspenseful as the two teams met earlier in the season only to see that game suspended by inclement weather barely eight minutes into the first half.

The conclusion of the game came on Monday, October 7 at NAHS, again with the SHAC title on the line. The Devils came in a 6-o in conference play while the Mustangs were at 6-0-1, a tie with Eastern Brown on their record. If North Adams won, they would be one game away from clinching the crown, while a Lynchburg win would give them the title as Monday was their final conference outing.

On an absolutely perfect night for soccer, it was the Mustangs who struck first, getting a goal from Braedon West at the 24:49 mark of the first half, a goal that turned out to be all the visitors would need. Though North Adams goalkeeper Jayce Rothwell made some acrobatic saves, the Mustangs slipped another one past him, a score from sophomore Mason Fisher that snuck by a diving Rothwell for a 2-0 halftime advantage.

The story of the second half was the Devils desperately trying to attack the Lynchburg goal while the Mustang defense continually thwarted every charge. The visitors got another goal with 10:44 to play, one that sealed the deal on their win and yet another SHAC boys soccer title for Lynchburg.

“Our touches weren’t there, our clears weren’t there, our energy wasn’t there,” said North Adams head coach Kirk Bunn after the rough loss. “This is a big rivalry and the league always seems to come down to this game. They’re a good team and they do a lot of things right and today they did more things right than we did, which is what it usually comes to when you have a quality match up.”

The now 11-3-2 Devils have a pair of regular season contest left before the postseason, beginning with a non-conference trip to Lucasville Valley on Thursday, October 10, then the final regular season and conference game the next night at Fairfield.