http://host69-005.meigs.lib.oh.us/files/original/f175f80f0d4d0b1a414833490776a1df.pdf 0042356361d6cd32f5d909bd52c91dfc PDF Text Text Sponsored by OH-70214279 ON THE GO TRANSPORTATION SERVICE From Your Neighbors at Your Local News Source 1456 Jackson Pike Gallipolis, OH 45631 Merry Christmas from Garry, Louella & Staff!! C_ZZb[fehj��Fec[heo"�E^_e Breaking news at mydailysentinel.com Issue 234, Volume 74 Thursday, December 24, 2020 s 50¢ Christmas in Middleport Deaths reported across tri-county Staff Report Sarah Hawley | Sentinel Pictured are several decorated Christmas trees placed in Middleport as part of the display by the Middleport Business Association. Trees were decorated by local businesses, church groups and individuals. The display is located in the green space along North Second Avenue. The Daily Sentinel wishes everyone in Meigs County a Merry Christmas. The Sentinel will not be printing on Friday, Dec. 25 so that our staff may celebrate the Christmas holiday with their families. Regular printing resumes on Saturday, Dec. 26 with our weekend edition. More photos of the Middleport trees appear on page A18. Delivering Christmas to area kids OHIO VALLEY — New coronavirus-related deaths were reported across the tri-county region on Wednesday. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported a new death in the 80+ age range on Wednesday for Gallia County, as well as 28 new cases. The Mason County Health Department reported the death of a female in the 70-79 age range on Wednesday, as well as 17 new cases. On Wednesday, ODH reported one additional death that was not in the Meigs County Health Department’s report on Tuesday. Here’s a closer look at coronavirus cases across our area: Gallia County ODH and the Gallia See DEATHS | 8 Shop with a Cop continues shawley@aimmediamidwest.com MEIGS COUNTY — It may not have been the traditional “Shop with a Cop” event, but ﬁrst responders, business owners and community members made sure local youth received gifts in time for Christmas. In a typical year, approximately 100 kids from around Meigs County would have gathered for breakfast at the Meigs County Council on Aging before loading on to buses to be part of a ﬁrst responder parade to Wal-Mart where they would have shopped for Christmas gifts along with those ﬁrst responders. But, as has been the case for so many things in 2020, plans had to change. In the days leading up to the scheduled event, organizers received Christmas lists from 92 children who were to be part of the program this year. Lori Miller of Loyalty is Forever and Theresa Porter of Mark Porter Auto Group, along with others, took those shopping lists and purchased gifts for all of the children. The staff at Mark Porter and Farmers Bank in Tuppers Plains helped with preparing the gifts for delivery. On Monday morning, cruisers, trucks, and a pair of vans provided by Porter were loaded up with the gifts, cookies made for each child by the Meigs County Council on Aging’s Close to Home Catering, McDonald’s gift cards and treat bags for delivery. In small groups, the ﬁrst responders took the gifts to the children at their homes. AIM Media Midwest Operating, LLC (USPS 145-966) Telephone: 740-992-2155 Publishes every Tuesday through Saturday. Subscription rate is $208 per year. Prices are subject to change at any time. 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 Periodical postage paid at Pomeroy, OH POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Sentinel, 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631. All content © 2020 The Daily Sentinel, an edition of the Gallipolis Daily Tribune. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Photos by Sarah Hawley | Sentinel Representatives from local law enforcement and first responder agencies, along with Mark and Theresa Porter and Loyalty is Forever representatives took part in delivering Shop with a Cop gifts to area kids on Monday. distributed over the next few days, nurses, doctors and frontline staff are ensuring everyone that would get the vaccine is provided a slot to receive it,” the release stated. The vaccines will be offered to all Holzer frontline and support personnel throughout its seven geographic areas in the mid-Ohio Valley as part of the national vaccine distribution plan. See HOLZER | 3 See STORM | 3 Holzer starts vaccines for healthcare workers GALLIPOLIS, Ohio — Christmas came early, if you ask Holzer’s Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Dr. Mike Canady. On Tuesday, Holzer Health System received its ﬁrst shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine to be given to frontline healthcare workers. According to a news release from Holzer, within one hour of arrival, the ﬁrst dose was being administered. With 1,500 total vaccines to be Staff Report CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Ohio Valley Publishing readership area is expected to get a rare white Christmas, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). NWS has issued a winter storm watch from Thursday afternoon (today) through Friday morning. Rain on Christmas Eve is expected to change to snow from west to east in late afternoon into this evening and fall heavily at times. Forecast models on the low end showed a possible two inches of snow for the area while those on the high end showed nine possible inches of accumulation. Another model showed a total accumulation of ﬁve inches predicted for the area from the snow event. At any rate, the chance of snow is likely - it’s the amount that remains unclear. Christmas Eve could See KIDS | 18 Staff Report Winter storm warning predicted OH-70216136 By Sarah Hawley �2 Thursday, December 24, 2020 OBITUARIES/NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing BONNIE RIFE OBITUARIES JANET MARIE JEFFERS RICHMOND, Va. — Janet Marie Jeffers, 74, of Richmond, Va., formerly of Pomeroy, passed away surrounded by family and close friends on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. She was born in Pomeroy on January 22, 1946 to the late Dores and Mildred (Singer) Arnold. In addition to her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Roger L. Jeffers; brothers, Jimmy Joe Arnold and Henry Guy Arnold. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Rhonda Peters (Matt), Bobby Jeffers (Allison); grandchildren, Stephanie Bell, Josh Bell (Shamiya), Nick Jeffers (Noel), Lexi Taylor (Kaleb), Ana Jeffers, and Luke Jeffers; her beloved greatgrandchildren, Leilani, Josiah, Jordan, Sienna; siblings, Mary King, Patricia Hysell (Norman), Robert Arnold (Jean); sistersin-law, Barbara Arnold, Sandra Bailey (Wetzel), Donna Aleshire (Jerry Sr.), Shirley Lude (Roger), Patti VanMatre (Mike); special friends, Craig and Mary Lynn Eastman; as well as a host of extended family and friends. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in Letart Falls Cemetery. The Cremeens-King Funeral Home, Racine is entrusted with the arrangements. Bonnie Rife, 77, went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2020. Bonnie was born on March 4, 1943 to the late Harley and Bertha (Evans) Rife. Bonnie worked at McClure’s Dairy Isle, The Syracuse Dairy Bar and the Rocksprings Rehabilitation Center. Lifetime member of the Dexter Church of Christ and the Bradford Church of Christ. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her brothers, Lester and Richard Brooks and William Rife, niece, Mary Ruth Mullins; nephews, James Milliron and Leonard Brooks and brother in law, Marvin Milliron. She is survived by her sister Eva Milliron; niec- es, Diane Milliron and Tammy and David Blake, Janet Howard, Rebecca, Carla and Susie; cousins Tom and Penny Evans, Danny and Cindy Evans; Special Friends, Alice and Ron Jacobs, Jennie, Mary Lou, Pam, Hally and Rick and Jan McCumber and several great nieces and great nephews and great great nieces and nephews. In lieu of ﬂowers donations may be made in Bonnie’s name to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the Anderson McDaniel Funeral Home in Middleport. DANNY RAY KING Caleb, Andrew POMEROY — and Danny King; Danny Ray King, great grandson, 64, of Pomeroy, “Festus”; siblings, Ohio passed away Gary (Ruby) TONY STANLEY on December 23, King, Debbie 2020. He was born (Bruce) Rifﬂe, on February 23, Tony worked PATRIOT — Jackie (Brian) 1956 in Ozark, at different jobs Tony Stanley, 66, Justice, Greg King, DickAlabama son of the late throughout his of Patriot, Ohio ie King, Timmy (Renee) Jackie and Ruby King. life, helping his passed away on King, Carla King and He was a member of father in timber Tuesday, Decemcutting and help- the Harrisonville Mason- Darla (Lee) Boggs; and ber 22, 2020 at several nieces and nephing build Timber ic Lodge #411. Holzer Medical ews. He is survived by his Ridge Lake. He Center. Funeral services will wife, Cynthia King; chilTony was born on Feb- loved to paint various be held on Saturday, dren, Misti Brewer of ruary 19, 1954 in Gallia subjects and played the December 26, 2020 County, Ohio, son of the guitar, violin, and banjo. Mason, West Virginia, at 2 p.m. with Pastor late Vernon and Jemima Tony also loved writing Shawn (Erica) King of Randy Smith ofﬁciating songs. He loved hunting, West Carrollton, Ohio Job Transeau Stanley. at Anderson McDaniel ﬁshing, and ﬁnding Indi- and Brandon King He married Deborah Funeral Home in PomeAnn Johnston of Arkan- an artifacts. Tony loved of Middleport, Ohio; roy. Burial will follow at grandchildren, Trenton spending time with his sas on May 16, 1990 in Meigs Memory Gardens. nieces and nephews and (Beckah Bush) Brewer, Gallia County; and she Visiting hours will be on Tyler (Tabby) Brewer, survives him along with was an inspiration to Saturday from noon to 2 them. He attended Lecta Nicholas Brewer and step children, Angeleke p.m. at the funeral home. Christian Union Church. Alexis, Austin, Alysha, McElwain, James WesTony loved his Lord and ley Watts, Jr., Sarah Savior with all his heart. HAGGY Ann Smathers, and The funeral service for Stephanie Rose Diane POMEROY — Lloyd Haggy, 80, of Pomeroy, died Clemmens; several step Tony will be held at 1 on December 23, 2020, in the Holzer Meigs Emergenp.m. on Tuesday, Decem- cy Room, Pomeroy. Arrangements will be announced grandchildren; two brothers, Tom (Carolyn) ber 29, 2020 at Willis by the Cremeens-King Funeral Home, Pomeroy. Funeral Home in GalStanley and Jack Stanlipolis, Ohio with Pastor ley all of Patriot; four Mick Browning ofﬁciat- LONG sisters, Margaret Avery ing. Burial will follow at of Pedro, Ohio, Kathy LETART, W.Va. — Sandra Ann (Gibbs) Long, 77, Harrison of Crown City, the Family Homeplace. of Letart, W.Va., died December 22, 2020, in Pleasant Ohio, Linda (Joe) O’Dell Friends may call prior Valley Hospital, Point Pleasant, W.Va., following an to the service Tuesday of Gallipolis, Ohio, and extended illness. Mary (David) Whealdon from noon - 1 p.m. at Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, December 27, 2020 the funeral home. Those at Foglesong Funeral Home, Mason, W.Va., burial will of Patriot; and many in attendance are asked nieces and nephews. follow in Hoffman Cemetery, Letart. Visitation will be to follow the CDC Tony was preceded from noon until time of service, Sunday at the funeral guidelines of practicing in death by his parents; home. Arrangements provided by Foglesong Funeral social distancing and are Home, Mason. two brothers, Vonley Cline Stanley and Ralph required to follow the Stanley; one sister, Judy Ohio mandate of wearing face masks. Mae Beiler; and two Please visit www.wilbrothers-in-law, Gene lisfuneralhome.com to Avery and Wayne E. GALLIA, MEIGS BRIEF send e-mail condolences Harrison, Jr. Christmas service updates RICHARDS SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Lola Richards, 95, of Springﬁeld, Va., died on December 23, 2020 in the Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Va. Arrangements will be announced by the Cremeens-King Funeral Home, Gallipolis. CONTACT US 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 740-446-2342 All content © 2020 Gallipolis Daily Tribune and The Daily Sentinel edition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT/ GROUP PUBLISHER Lane Moon lmoon@aimmediamidwest.com EDITOR Beth Sergent, Ext. 1992 bsergent@aimmediamidwest.com MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Hawley, Ext. 2555 shawley@aimmediamidwest.com SPORTS EDITOR Bryan Walters, Ext. 2101 bwalters@aimmediamidwest.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Matt Rodgers, Ext. 2095 mrodgers@aimmediamidwest.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Derrick Morrison, Ext. 2097 dmorrison@aimmediamidwest.com POMEROY — Due to COVID concerns, Trinity Church of Pomeroy will not present their annual Christmas Eve Cantata. Look on Trinity Congregational Church Facebook Page and YouTube on Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m. for a special service RACINE — St. Johns Lutheran Church Pine Grove Road Christmas Eve candlelight service has been canceled. POMEROY — St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pomeroy will celebrate the coming of the Christ Child with a candlelight service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. This is the high point of the church year and the public is invited to attend. MIDDLEPORT — Heath United Methodist Church has canceled its Christmas Eve service due to COVID-19 concerns. MIDDLEPORT — The First Baptist Church of Middleport will be having our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24 at 211 S. Sixth Ave. The service lasts approximately one hour. We request that you wear a mask and social distance. We wish Happy Birthday to Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Photos courtesy of Nightshift Deputies of Mason County Facebook page The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying this individual, saying the person is wanted for questioning in relation to the investigation into the reported armed robbery of the Dollar General store in Ashton. The photos and information were released Tuesday. Sheriff ’s department investigating reported armed robbery ASHTON — The Mason County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying an individual it says is wanted for questioning in relation to the investigation into the reported armed robbery of the Dollar General store in Ashton. The department posted the information and two photos of the individual via the Nightshift Deputies of Mason County Facebook page on Tuesday. If you have any information please contact Deputy C. Butler of the Mason County Sheriff’s Department at 304-675-9911. Further details will be released when available. Ohio lawmakers fail to deal with tainted energy bill By Mark Gillispie Associated Press CLEVELAND — Ohio lawmakers ended their 2020 legislative session late Tuesday without repealing or replacing a scandal-tainted bill that provides a $1 billion bailout for two aging Ohio nuclear power plants, among other provisions. The Legislature adjourned for the year after sending Republican Gov. Mike DeWine a number of bills for his signature. But after more than four months of negotiations, it failed to reach a deal to ﬁx House Bill 6, the 2019 legislation under scrutiny since then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others were arrested in late July. GALLIA, MEIGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Editor’s Note: The Daily Sentinel and Gallipolis Daily Tribune appreciate your input to the community calendar. To make sure items can receive proper attention, all information should be received by the newspaper at least ﬁve business days prior to an event. All coming events print on a space-available basis and in chronological order. Events can be emailed to: TDSnews@aimmediamidwest.com or GDTnews@aimmediamidwest. com. Monday, Dec. 28 BEDFORD TWP. — Bedford Township trustees will hold their 2020 year end meeting at 7 p.m. at the Bedford town hall. The reorganization meeting for 2021 will follow the year end meeting. HARRISONVILLE — Scipio Township Trustees will be holding their end of the year meeting 7 p.m. at the Harrisonville Fire Department. Wednesday, Dec. 30 PERRY TWP. — Perry Township Board of Trustees, 2020 year end and 2021 opening organizational meeting, 7 p.m., at the Perry Township Townhouse. Tuesday, Jan. 5 HARRISONVILLE — Scipio Township Trustees, organizational meeting, 7 p.m. at the Harrisonville Fire Department. NEW PATIENTS WELCOME OH-70216702 Meigs County Primary Care & Dental 740.992.0540 Open Mon-Fri Meigs County Behavioral Health 740.992.2192 Open Mon-Fri �NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Thursday, December 24, 2020 3 Pardons in killings of Iraqi civilians stir anger By Eric Tucker and Ellen Knickmeyer Associated Press Holzer | Courtesy Dr. Michael Canady, Holzer Health System CEO, receives the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this week. Holzer From page 1 “We are very excited about receiving these vaccines, and are eager to begin administering right away,” said Canady. “We have worked to identify and prioritize employees by their level of interaction with patients and will be giving to all interested employees as soon as possible. Several of our employees suggested that some of our leaders be among the ﬁrst to receive the vaccine as an example to others, and I was delighted to do so.” The vaccine received is manufactured by Moderna and has been granted an Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the goal of the vaccine is to teach immune systems how to both recognize and ﬁght the virus that causes COVID19. The vaccine requires two doses, to be administered 28 days apart. When asked when the vaccine would be availability to community members, Canady stated “We are committed to keeping the communities we serve informed and have every intention of deploying the vaccine as soon as possible.” Although Holzer has not received ofﬁcial word on the community vaccine availability, they are hopeful to have them in the next 6 to 8 weeks and will continue to keep the public informed through the newspaper, the Holzer website: Holzer.org, and social media channels. Information submitted by Holzer. WASHINGTON — The courtroom monitors carried the image of a smiling 9-year-old boy as his father pleaded for the punishment of four U.S. government contractors convicted in shootings that killed that child and more than a dozen other Iraqi civilians. “What’s the difference,” Mohammad Kinani alRazzaq asked a Washington judge at an emotional 2015 sentencing hearing, “between these criminals and terrorists?” The shootings of civilians by Blackwater employees at a crowded Baghdad trafﬁc circle in September 2007 prompted an international outcry, left a reputational black eye on U.S. operations at the height of the Iraq war and put the government on the defensive over its use of private contractors in military zones. The resulting criminal prosecutions spanned years in Washington but came to an abrupt end Tuesday when President Donald Trump pardoned the convicted contractors, an act that human rights activists and some Iraqis decried as a miscarriage of justice. The news comes at a delicate moment for the AP file This combination photo shows Blackwater guards, from left, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nicholas Slatten and Paul Slough. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump pardoned 15 people, including Heard, Liberty, Slatten and Slough, the four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone. Iraqi leadership, which is trying to balance growing calls by some Iraqi factions for a complete U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq with what they see as the need for a more gradual drawdown. “The infamous Blackwater company killed Iraqi citizens at Nisoor Square. Today we heard they were released upon personal order by President Trump, as if they don’t care for the spilled Iraqi blood,” said Saleh Abed, a Baghdad resident walking in the square. The United Nations’ Human Rights ofﬁce said Wednesday that it was “deeply concerned” by the pardons, which it said “contributes to impunity and has the effect of emboldening others to commit such crimes in the future.” The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the pardons ”did not take into account the Storm freezing, likely causing a ﬂash freeze on untreated roadways and allowing snow to quickly accumuFrom page 1 late, the NWS warned. Wind chills Christalso bring one to two inches of rain to the area mas morning through before the changeover to Saturday morning will be in the single digits snow, along with gusty winds and an arctic cold on either side of zero in the readership area and front. Temperatures zero to 15 below zero in will drop rapidly below seriousness of the crime committed,” and that it would urge the U.S. to reconsider. Al-Razzaq, the father of the slain boy, told the BBC that the pardon decision “broke my life again.” Lawyers for the contractors, who had aggressively defended the men for more than a decade, offered a different take. They have long asserted that the shooting began only after the men were ambushed by gunﬁre from insurgents and then shot back in defense. They have pointed to problems with the prosecution — the ﬁrst indictment was dismissed by a judge — and argued that the trial that ended with their convictions was tainted by false testimony and withheld evidence. “Paul Slough and his colleagues didn’t deserve to spend one minute in prison,” said Brian the mountains of West Virginia. “Crashing temperatures, falling snow and gusty winds will cause difﬁcult travel conditions Thursday evening into Christmas morning,” the NWS stated. The best guess as to when the rain changes to snow Christmas Eve, Heberlig, a lawyer for one of the four pardoned defendants. “I am overwhelmed with emotion at this fantastic news.” Though the circumstances of the shooting have long been contested, there is no question the Sept. 16, 2007, episode — which began after the contractors were ordered to create a safe evacuation route for a diplomat after a car bomb explosion — was a low point for U.S.-Iraqi relations, coming just years after the Abu Ghraib torture scandal. The FBI and Congress opened investigations, and the State Department — which used the Blackwater ﬁrm for security for diplomats — ordered a review of practices. The guards would later be charged in the deaths of 14 civilians, including women and children, in what U.S. prosecutors said was a wild, unprovoked attack by sniper ﬁre, machine guns and grenade launchers against unarmed Iraqis. Robert Ford, who served as a U.S. diplomat in Iraq over ﬁve years, met with the widows and other relatives of the victims after the killings, handing out envelopes of money in compensation and formal U.S. apologies — though without admitting guilt since investigations were ongoing. is 4-6 p.m. for Gallia, Meigs and Mason counties, according to the NWS. All these forecasts are subject to change but were the best available at press time Wednesday. Information for this story provided by the NWS. Hello Friend... He blooms in the desert, where nothing grows. He blooms in the valley, this beautiful rose. He blooms in the mountains, that rise so high. Forever He is still blooming, for you in the sky. Jesus Christ EBLIN'S TRASH SERVICE Merry Christmas to You! Pleasant Valley Hospital is pleased to welcome Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center oncologist and hematologist Mina Shenouda, MD, as its newest board-certified physician to its highly specialized medical staff. Dr. Shenouda is a highly trained and specialized oncologist and hematologist who manages all facets of care for patients with the diagnosis of cancer and hematologic disorders. In addition to his formal educational and research activities, Dr. Shenouda served as Chief Fellow throughout the third year of his fellowship train- OH-70216700 ing at Marshall University School of Medicine. Dr. Shenouda earned his medical degree at the Alexandria University School of Medicine in Alexandria, Egypt. He completed his internal medicine residency and oncology/hematology fellowship at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, WV. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in radiation oncology at the Department of Radiation and Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, Massachusetts. “We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Dr. Shenouda’s caliber here on a full-time basis to serve patients in the Ohio Valley Region,” states Jeff Noblin, FACHE, CEO of PVH. “He will elevate the level of cancer services we are able to provide to patients in both West Virginia and Ohio.” Dr. Shenouda is accepting new patients at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center DW�3OHDVDQW�9DOOH\�+RVSLWDO�ORFDWHG�RQ�WKH�JURXQG�³RRU�RI�WKH�Regional Health Center. 2020 Chemotherapy (adjuvant chemotherapy) ɗ Targeted Therapy (Geonomic/Genetic Testing) ɗ ɗ Hormone Therapy Immunotherapy (Keytruda, Tecentriq, Opdivo & others) ɗ Direct access to Radiation Oncology specialists at the Edwards Comprensive Cancer Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital Call 304.675.1759 today to schedule your appointment. OH-70208934 Tenoglia & Salisbury Law Group, LLC 200 East 2nd Street Pomeroy, Ohio 740-992-6368 ɗ �4 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing Merry Christmas & Many Thanks! Sleigh bells are ringing, And we’re filled with good cheer, When we think of the new friends That we’ve made this year – And we’d like to extend, to each one of you … Our very best wishes, and our gratitude, too! Best Wishes from The Zatta Family Ed, Jen, Alexis, Lindsay, and Ethan SWISHER & LOHSE PHARMACY 636 East Main St. Pomeroy Ohio 45769 Phone: 740-992-2955 60728064 OH-70216658 OH-70021449 Hours: M-F 9AM-7PM • S 9AM-4PM �Ohio Valley Publishing Thursday, December 24, 2020 5 WISHING YOU ALL A VERY AND A From Our Family at Roy Hamilton Edna Weber Senior Vice President & Branch Manager (Teays Valley) & Commercial/Consumer Lender Vice President & Branch Manager (Pomeroy) & Lender Heather MacKnight Mark Groves Vice President & Branch Manager (Mason) & Commercial/Consumer Lender Executive Vice President & Branch Manager (Point Pleasant) & Commercial Lender Lola Sanders Amanda Pearce Branch Manager (Tuppers Plains) & Lender Branch Manager (Gallipolis) & Lender Lori Miller Vice President & Commercial Lender Board of Directors (L to R) OH-70096652 OH-70218178 Mike Lieving Douglas Little, Dr. Milisa Rizer, Paul Reed, Mike Lieving, Dr. Jared Sheets, John Musser, Dave Weber, Tom Reed, and Tom Karr Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Ofﬁcer �NEWS 6 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing COVID-19 cases in schools still grow Bill attacking health department’s COVID-19 power dies By Susan Tebben in-person learning for those who have chosen it is best for our students,” said Superintendent Matthew A Butler County school Miller in the announcement tops the reported student of the schedule changes. cases in schools as the “However, the increase in state’s districts head into positive cases we are seeing their holiday breaks. throughout our community Some schools have seen signiﬁcant case increases in following holidays has a direct impact on our stuthe last month, even with dents and staff attendance.” breaks for Thanksgiving The second semester will and various hybrid online and in-person learning mod- begin remotely for Lakota through January 11, someels. thing the Ohio Education Lakota Local Schools Association asked all public reported 357 total cases in schools to do to help slow the most recent statewide the pandemic’s spread. school COVID-19 report, The OEA recommendamoving past Franklin Countion also asked for a 14-day ty’s Dublin City Schools, who reported a total of 305 quarantine after the Christmas break. cases throughout the disThe Ohio Department of trict. Education said the decision Lakota conducted some to hold classes in person or in-person classes since the remotely “remains a local beginning of the school decision.” year, but on Dec. 14, the In other districts, Olendistrict’s board of education tangy Local Schools in Delavoted to change that startware County came in with ing in January. 288 total cases, followed “We know that holding Ohio Capital Journal Ohio Capital Journal A legislative attempt to cripple the Ohio Department of Health’s legal authority to respond to pandemics died a quiet death Tuesday evening after the Senate President opted against attempting to override a gubernatorial veto. This puts a lid — for 2020, at least — on a months-long effort from Republicans to wrest “ultimate authority” in matters of quarantine and isolation from the ODH director, as it exists in state law. Senate Bill 311 would allow lawmakers to vote down public health orders, such as the statewide mask mandate. It would also prevent ODH from issuing a statewide or regional quarantine or isolation order against people who have not been exposed to or diagnosed with an infectious disease. Legal experts say this would preclude the health department from issuing stay-at-home orders, as it did this Spring. The legislation formed a wedge between Republican lawmakers and GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, who vetoed the bill earlier this month after calling the proposal a “disaster.” Lawmakers have pushed a string of different attempts to weaken ODH’s public health power since April. Lawmakers passed the bill despite opposition from the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, and public health ofﬁcials. They said the bill would weaken the state’s ability to respond to COVID-19, which has killed 8,252 Ohioans since March. Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, spoke to reporters late Tuesday night after the ﬁnal full voting session of the 133rd General Assembly. He said passing separate legislation designed to force ODH to treat large and small businesses more equitably in the event of another shutdown was a viable alternative to a veto override. The House would need to approve this by year’s end. The Senate passed SB 311 with 20 votes, leaving none to spare on the 3/5 majority needed to override. Four Republican senators — Matt Dolan, Peggy Lehner, Stephanie Kunze, and Kirk Schuring — joined with Democrats to oppose the bill. However, the political calculations change. A single vote ﬂip wouldn’t have made much differ- ence on passage but could torpedo the veto override outright, which must begin in the Senate per constitutional rules. It would also have needed 60 votes in the House, a more complex endeavor. The House passed SB 311 with 58 GOP votes, two shy of the override threshold. Three likely yes votes were absent at the time. However, activists have since worried about two Republicans they called “weak links” in the override chain — Reps. Gayle Manning and Dave Greenspan, both of whom voted against a more robust version of similar legislation this Spring. During interviews earlier this month, they both declined comment on whether they’d vote to override the veto. A rash of COVID-19 cases among House lawmakers also scuttles the whip count. At least seven House lawmakers have contracted COVID-19 in December. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported at least 13 House legislators were absent from voting Tuesday, including six Republicans. Obhof described the legislation passed Tuesday as a pragmatic compromise, although he still supports SB 311. He said the thinned-out House Republican caucus was a factor in his decision, but not the driving force. “The House hasn’t had 60 Republican members in in weeks,” he said. “That’s not why we didn’t pass it, but I think it is an important background fact when you see some members clamoring for that and demanding that.” The bill was the subject of tremendous pressure. House lawmakers accused Obhof of stalling on the bill. Activists, some of whom were armed, did as well when they showed up outside his home Sunday calling on him to pass the legislation. Any member can introduce similar legislation when the next General Assembly convenes next year, although the entire process would have to restart. This story shared for republication by, and with permission from, the Ohio Capital Journal, an independent, nonproﬁt news organization. For more information go to www.ohiocapitaljournal.com Jake Zuckerman is a statehouse reporter. He spent three years chronicling the West Virginia Legislature for The Charleston Gazette-Mail after covering cops and courts for The Northern Virginia Daily. Susan Tebben is an award-winning journalist with a decade of experience covering Ohio news, including courts and crime, Appalachian social issues, government, education, diversity and culture. She has worked for The Newark Advocate, The Glasgow Daily Times, The Athens Messenger, and WOUB Public Media. She has also had work featured on National Public Radio. Analysts: COVID-19 becomes 2nd leading killer of Ohioans in December By Jake Zuckerman Ohio Capital Journal Since early December, COVID-19 has been killing more Ohioans per week than cancer, making it the second leading killer of Ohioans behind only heart disease, according to an analysis of state data. Health Policy Institute of Ohio, a nonpartisan health policy and research group, gathered state data on Ohioans’ deaths from COVID-19 by week and measured it against week-by-week data from different leading causes of death in 2019. The data shows COVID-19’s sharp ascendance as a lethal threat to the public health. While heart disease and cancer typically tower over any other leading cause of death in the U.S., the data captures a stark paradigm shift. “Week by week, it’s right up there with heart disease,” said Zach Reat, an HPIO analyst. Since March 1, 8,252 Ohioans have died from COVID19 as of Tuesday. Despite the lack of deaths from the disease in January and February, COVID-19 is the 4th leading killer of Ohioans this year when compared to 2019 mortality data. It’s likely to overtake accidents by Wednesday, which killed 8,291 Ohioans in 2019. Amy Rohling McGee, HPIO’s president, said the data underscores the clear and present threat the coronavirus poses to the public health, despite political actors who have sought to downplay the risk. It also serves as a reminder that until there’s a vaccine in full supply, which might not happen for months, only the crude tools of masks, isolation, testing, tracing and distancing will reduce the death toll. “This is a serious situation. It remains a serious situation,” she said. This story shared for republication by, and with permission from, the Ohio Capital Journal, an independent, nonproﬁt news organization. For more information go to www.ohiocapitaljournal. com Jake Zuckerman is a statehouse reporter. He spent three years chronicling the West Virginia Legislature for The Charleston Gazette-Mail after covering cops and courts for The Northern Virginia Daily. TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS Federal health ofﬁcial Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., is 80. Recording company executive Mike Curb is 76. Actor Sharon Farrell is 74. Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is 74. Actor Grand L. Bush is 65. Actor Clarence Gilyard is 65. Actor Stephanie Hodge is 64. The former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai (HAH’-mihd KAHR’-zeye), is 63. Rock musician Ian Burden (The Human League) is 63. Actor Anil Kapoor (ah-NEEL’ kuh-POOR’) is 61. Actor Eva Tamargo is 60. Merry Christmas Actor Wade Williams is 59. Rock singer Mary Ramsey (10,000 Maniacs) is 57. Actor Mark Valley is 56. Actor Diedrich Bader is 54. Actor Amaury Nolasco is 50. Singer Ricky Martin is 49. Author Stephenie Meyer is 47. TV personality Ryan Seacrest (TV: “Live With Kelly & Ryan”) is 46. Actor Michael Raymond-James is 43. Actor Austin Stowell is 36. Actor Soﬁa Black-D’Elia is 29. Rock singer Louis Tomlinson (One Direction) is 29. Telephone 740-992-4100 740-992-6624 Joshua D. Price Lindsey A. B. Price �� ZZZ�VDXQGHUVLQV�FRP 216 East Main Street Suite 200 Pomeroy, Ohio 45769 OH-70215508 WARMEST THOUGHTS, THIS HOLIDAY SEASON OH-70216699 Wishing you & Yours a Very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year OH-70216680 By Jake Zuckerman by Hilliard City Schools at 279, and Cincinnati Public Schools at 228 cumulative cases. Franklin County’s SouthWestern City was the other district to report more than 200 total student cases, at 220. Both Westerville City Schools and Hamilton County’s Oak Hills Local school district reported 188 cases, followed by Warren County’s Mason City Schools, with 187. This story shared for republication by, and with permission from, the Ohio Capital Journal, an independent, nonproﬁt news organization. For more information go to www. ohiocapitaljournal.com Anderson McDaniel Funeral Homes Adam McDaniel & James Anderson Directors Pomeroy 992-5444 Middleport 992-5141 Racine 949-2300 Cremeens King Funeral Home 800 West Main Street Pomeroy, Ohio | 740-992-9060 Cremeens Funeral Home 823 Elm Street Racine, Ohio | 949-3210 Cremeens Funeral Home 75 Grape Street Gallipolis, Ohio | 740-446-2793 www.andersonmcdaniel.com Meigs Memory Gardens Cemetery Plots & Mausoleum Crypts Eagle Ridge Road Pomeroy, Ohio 937-949-2300 OH-70216696 �NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Thursday, December 24, 2020 7 TODAY IN HISTORY GALLIA, MEIGS BRIEFS The Associated Press Editor’s Note: Gallia Meigs Briefs will only list event information that is open to the public and will be printed on a space-available basis. Today’s Highlight in History On Dec. 24, 1814, the United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812 following ratiﬁcation by both the British Parliament and the U.S. Senate. On this date In 1524, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama — who had discovered a sea route around Africa to India — died in Cochin, India. In 1851, ﬁre devastated the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroying about 35,000 volumes. In 1865, several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, Tennessee, that was the original version of the Ku Klux Klan. In 1913, 73 people, most of them children, died in a crush of panic after a false cry of “Fire!” during a Christmas party for striking miners and their families at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan. In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe as part of Operation Overlord. In 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts, orbiting the moon, read passages from the Old Testament Book of Genesis during a Christmas Eve telecast. In 1980, Americans remembered the U.S. hostages in Iran by burning candles or shining lights for 417 seconds — one second for each day of captivity. In 1984, actor Peter Lawford, 61, died in Los Angeles. In 1992, President Bush pardoned former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger and ﬁve others in the Iran-Contra scandal. In 1993, the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale, who blended Christian and psychiatric principles into a message of “positive thinking,” died in Pawling, New York, at age 95. In 2014, Sony Pictures broadly released “The Interview” online — an unprecedented counterstroke against the hackers who’d spoiled the Christmas opening of the comedy depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Barack Obama of a “shameful ambush” at the United Nations and said he was looking forward to working with his “friend” Donald Trump; Netanyahu’s comments came a day after the U.S. broke with past practice and allowed the Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Ten years ago: Pope Benedict XVI ushered in Christmas Eve with an evening Mass amid heightened security concerns following package bombings at two Rome embassies and Christmas Eve security breaches at the Vatican the previous two years. Five years ago: Christian faithful from around the world descended on the biblical city of Bethlehem for Christmas Eve celebrations as an outburst of Israeli-Palestinian violence dampened the typically festive mood. California Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned Robert Downey Jr. for a nearly 20-year-old felony drug conviction that sent the Oscar-nominated actor to jail for nearly a year. William Guest, 74, a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips, died in Detroit. One year ago: With the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris unable to host Christmas services for the ﬁrst time since the French Revolution because of damage from a ﬁre earlier in the year, the clergy, choir and congregation relocated to a Gothic church next to the Louvre Museum for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Democratic presidential contender Michael Bloomberg said he had cut ties with a contractor that used prisoners to make calls for his presidential campaign. Peace & Joy To You & Yours This Beautiful Season “Let our Family Help Protect Your Family” No newspaper Friday The Gallipolis Daily Tribune and The Daily Sentinel will not be printing an edition on Friday, Dec. 25 so that our employees may celebrate the Christmas holiday with their families. Regular printing resumes on Saturday, Dec. 26. The Ohio Valley Publishing family would like to wish all of its readers a Merry Christmas. COVID/Holiday hours GALLIPOLIS — The Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Normal hours of operation will resume on Saturday, Dec. 26. The library will also be closing at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and will be closed on Jan. 1, 2021. Normal hours of operation will resume on Saturday, Jan, 2, 2021. POMEROY — The Meigs County Health Department will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday. Normal hours will resume at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 28. POMEROY — The Meigs County Courthouse and connected ofﬁces will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday. The weekly Meigs County Commissioner meeting will be moved to Wednesday, Dec. CUSTOMIZED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS OH-70217822 ��"�� %� �� #!��"� �� !��!��%��"�� "��!$�� %� � !�� !� Restaurant ��"�� $ !�� %� ��$ !�� !�� D.O.T. Certified Hydrostatic Test Facility www.Snouffers.com 800-353-0837 MIDDLEPORT — The Meigs County Humane Society will be providing straw for pet bedding during the months of November, December, January, and February. Vouchers may be picked up at the Humane Society Thrift Shop, 253 North Second Street, Middleport, for a fee of $2. Vouchers are to be redeemed at Dettwiller Lumber in Pomeroy. For more information call 740-992-6064. THURSDAY EVENING 6 PM BROADCAST (WOUB) 8 (WCHS) 7 PM 7:30 NBC Nightly News (N) NBC Nightly News (N) ABC World News (N) Christmas on the Danube Wheel of Fortune (N) Wheel of Fortune (N) Access H. (N) Jeopardy! (N) Jeopardy! (N) Entertainment Tonight PBS NewsHour Providing indepth analysis of current events. (N) Eyewitness ABC World Judge Judy Entertainment Tonight News (N) News (N) (N) 10TV News CBS Evening Jeopardy! Wheel of (N) News (N) (N) Fortune (N) Family Feud Eyewitness The Big Bang The Big Bang News (N) Theory Theory BBC Outside BBC World PBS NewsHour Providing inSource News: depth analysis of current events. (N) America 13 News at CBS Evening 13 News at Inside 6:00 p.m. (N) News (N) 7:00 p.m. (N) Edition (N) WSAZ News 3 (WSAZ) 3 (N) WTAP News 4 (WTAP) (N) ABC 6 News 6 (WSYX) at 6pm (N) Arthur 7 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 6:30 10 (WBNS) 11 (WVAH) 12 (WVPB) 13 (WOWK) 6 PM CABLE 6:30 7 PM 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 It's a Wonderful Life (‘46, Dra) Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart. An angel shows a suicidal banker how important he has been to the lives of others. TVG It's a Wonderful Life (‘46, Dra) Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart. An angel shows a suicidal banker how important he has been to the lives of others. TVG The Greatest Showman (2017, Biography) Zac Prep and Prep and Landing Landing 2 Efron, Zendaya, Hugh Jackman. TVPG Song of the Mountains The American St. Nick Christmas Festival Wheaton "Johnny Counterfit/ The VW American soldiers help bring College celebrates the story Boys" Christmas to a small town. of the Nativity. Prep and Prep and The Greatest Showman (2017, Biography) Zac Efron, Zendaya, Hugh Jackman. TVPG Landing Landing 2 Mom The Unicorn FBI "Little Egypt" Young B Positive Sheldon Prodigal Son "The Eyewitness News at 10:00 The Resident "Support System" Professionals" p.m. (N) A Place to Call Home "New Joy to the World West Virginia Symphony Adventures" (N) Orchestra "Holiday" Young Sheldon 7:30 B Positive 8 PM 8:30 Mom 9 PM The Unicorn FBI "Little Egypt" 9:30 10 PM 10:30 18 (WGN) Last Man St. Last Man St. 24 (ROOT) Notre Dame In Depth (N) 25 (ESPN) (3:30) NCAA Football 26 (ESPN2) SportsCenter (N) 27 (LIFE) 29 (FREE) 30 (PARMT) 31 (NICK) 34 (USA) 35 (TBS) 37 (CNN) 38 (TNT) 39 (AMC) 40 (DISC) 42 (A&E) 52 (ANPL) 57 (OXY) 58 60 61 (WE) (E!) (TVL) 62 (NGEO) 64 (NBCSN) 65 (FS1) 67 (HIST) 68 (BRAVO) 72 (BET) 73 (HGTV) 74 (SYFY) Last Man St. Last Man St. NewsNation (N) NewsNation (N) NewsNation (N) Pirates Ball Pirates Ball Spotlight Pirates Baseball "Clemente's Departure" Roberto Clemente SportsC. (N) Heisman (N) Hero.Hist. "Volume I" (N) Hero.Hist. "Volume II" (N) Hero.Hist. "Volume III" (N) NBA: The Jump (N) UFC UFC Merry Liddle Christmas (2019, Romance) Thomas Cadrot, Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding (2020, Romance) (:05) Let's Meet Again on Kelly Rowland, Jaime M. Callica. TVG Thomas Cadrot, Debbi Morgan, Kelly Rowland. TVG Christmas Eve TVPG (5:35) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000, (:15) Frosty (:50) Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer A (:55) Santa Claus Is Comin' Fantasy) Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Jim Carrey. TVPG Snowman reindeer and an elf search for acceptance. to Town Grown Ups 2 (‘13, Com) Adam Sandler. A man moves his family We're the Millers Jason Sudeikis. A small-time drug dealer hires a back to his hometown to continue his antics with his best friends. TV14 fake family to help him smuggle drugs into the country. TV14 Loud House Loud House SpongeBob SpongeBob Top Elf "Elfies and Selfies" Sheldon Sheldon Friends Friends (:55) Chrisley (:25) Chrisley (:55) Chrisley (:25) Chrisley Chrisley (:40) Chrisley Chrisley (N) (:45) Chrisley Knows (N) Chrisley The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang The Big Bang A Christmas Story Peter Billingsley. TVPG A Christmas Story TVPG The Situation Room OutFront OutFront The Eighties The Eighties Bones Bones Bones A Christmas Story Peter Billingsley. TVPG Elf (2003, Comedy) James Caan, Bob Newhart, Will National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (‘89, (:15) Four Christmases Ferrell. TVPG Com) Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Chevy Chase. TVPG Vince Vaughn. TV14 BattleBots "Stop! Hammer Time!" BattleBots "Blood, Sweat and Gears" (N) MasterDistiller (N) (5:00) Jurassic Park III Back to the Future Michael J. Fox. A teenager roars back through Back to the Future II (‘89, Sci-Fi) (‘01, Sci-Fi) Sam Neill. TV14 time to 1955, where he meets his parents at a young age. TVPG Christopher Lloyd, Michael J. Fox. TVPG Crikey! It's the Irwins Crikey! It's the Irwins Crikey! It's the Irwins Crikey! It's the Irwins Crikey! It's the Irwins Claus Went to Georgia (N) Heartbreak on Christmas Snapped "Kristi Fulgham" Snapped "Cheryl Kunkle" Buried in the Backyard "Saint and Sinner" (N) (N) (5:30) Joyful Noise (‘12, Com) Dolly Parton. TV14 Why Did I Get Married? (‘07, Com/Dra) Tyler Perry. TV14 Movie (5:30) Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit TVPG Last Holiday (‘06, Com) LL Cool J, Queen Latifah. TV14 Last Holiday A. Griffith A. Griffith A. Griffith A. Griffith Loves Ray Loves Ray Loves Ray Loves Ray Loves Ray Loves Ray Life Below Zero "Cost of Snow "The Alaskan Way" Life Below Zero: Let it Life Below Zero: Let it Life -0 (N) /(:15) Atlas "The Winter" (N) Snow "Northern Rites " (N) Snow "Lasting Legacy" (N) Curse of the Bayou" (N) American Ninja Warrior American Ninja Warrior American Ninja Warrior American Ninja Warrior American Ninja Warrior TurningPoint NFL Films Herd for the Holidays Draft Day (‘14, Spt) Kevin Costner. TV14 Draft Day TV14 (4:55) Band (:40) Band of Brothers "The Patrol" Band of Brothers "Why We (:20) Band of Brothers "Points" The (:50) Forged of Brothers Fight" company marches into Berchtesgaden. in Fire Last Holiday (‘06, Com) Queen Latifah. TV14 Last Holiday (‘06, Com) Queen Latifah. TV14 Diary of a Mad Black W... To Be Announced To Be Announced Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop Flip or Flop (:55) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Daniel Radcliffe. Harry (:10) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part discovers the Deathly Hallows, the most powerful objects in the wizarding world. TVPG 2 (‘11, Adv) Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe. TVPG 6 PM PREMIUM 6:30 7 PM 7:30 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 The Photograph (2020, Drama) Lakeith Last Christmas Madison Ingoldsby. (:45) A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 400 (HBO) Stanfield, Chanté Adams, Issa Rae. A love affair is A woman who works as an elf at a yearHarold & Kumar find themselves in trouble explained from the perspectives of past and present. TV14 round Christmas store meets a man. TV14 when they burn down a prized Christmas tree. (4:55) Pearl Harbor (2001, War) Kate Beckinsale, Josh The Fighting Temptations (‘03, Com) Cuba Gooding (:05) Fame (‘09, Com) 450 (MAX) Hartnett, Ben Affleck. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Jr.. A man must put together a successful gospel choir in Naturi Naughton, Kherington unfolds while two friends battle for the same woman. TV14 order to collect his inheritance. TVPG Payne, Kay Panabaker. TVPG (5:30) Apollo 13 (1995, Docu-Drama) Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Tom Armageddon (1998, Adventure) Liv Tyler, Ben 500 (SHOW) Shameless Hanks. The true story of how the crew of the ill-fated Apollo 13 moon Affleck, Bruce Willis. A drill rigger and his crew embark on mission averted tragedy. TVPG a mission to blow up an asteroid heading for Earth. TV14 (:10) 22nd ANNUAL NEW YEARʼS DAY GAS OIL ADV. AUCTION Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Ridenour’s Gas Service FRI., JAN., 1st, 2021 9:00 A.M. Location: 3760 Wheat Ridge Road, Amish Community Building, West Union, OH �� Commercial - Residential Industrial Straw available �� (740) 985-3307 ��$� �%�� !�� OH-70216703 SELLING SHELL CLAM NEON SERVICE STATION SIGN; RARE DEALERSHIP DODGE, PLYMOUTH, DODGE TRUCKS, DEPENDABLE SERVICE PORCELAIN SIGN; 24 IN. KOOLMOTOR CITIES SERVICE SIGN; EARLY GOODYEAR FLANGE; RED CROWN GASOLINE SIGN; NOS WOLF'S HEAD OIL SIGN; QUALITY GAS, OIL, SODA POP SIGNS, CLOCKS, NEONS & THERMOMETERS. TERMS: CASH, GOOD CHECK W/ PROPER ID. BREAKFAST & LUNCH VISIT WWW.AUCTIONZIP.COM ID #4988 FOR COMPLETE AD & PICTURES. DOORS OPEN AT 8:00 A.M. OH-70217854 Today is Thursday, Dec. 24, the 359th day of 2020. There are seven days left in the year. This is Christmas Eve. 23 at 11 a.m. POMEROY — The Meigs County District Public Library will be operating with reduced hours as a way to help limit the spread of COVID-19 amongst patrons and staff. During the closing, the library buildings will be sanitized and deeply cleaned. We apologize for any inconvenience this closing may cause. The Eastern Library will close beginning Dec. 15. The Middleport Library and the Racine Library will close beginning Dec. 21. The Pomeroy Library will operate with reduced hours, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., beginning Dec. 21. The Pomeroy Library will operate with normal hours on the weekend, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Pomeroy Library will be closed on Dec. 24-25, close at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, and be closed on Jan. 1. Normal hours will resume at each location on Jan. 4. Curbside Pickup continues to be available at the Pomeroy Library. Call the library at 740-992-5813 to arrange for items to be picked up, or other services you may need, such as copying, printing, and faxing. AUCTIONEER: HERBERT ERWIN 1-937-544-8252 �NEWS 8 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing COVID relief bill morphs into a test of GOP loyalty to Trump By Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking and Andrew Taylor Associated Press WASHINGTON — Threatening to tank Congress’ massive COVID relief and government funding package, President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger aid checks for Americans is forcing Republicans traditionally wary of such spending into an uncomfortable test of allegiance. On Thursday, House Democrats who also favor $2,000 checks will all but dare Republicans to break with Trump, calling up his proposal for a Christmas Eve vote. Deaths The president’s last-minute objection could derail critical legislation amid a raging pandemic and deep economic uncertainty. His attacks risk a federal government shutdown by early next week. “Just when you think you have seen it all,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote Wednesday in a letter to colleagues. “The entire country knows that it is urgent for the President to sign this bill, both to provide the coronavirus relief and to keep government open.” Republicans led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have resisted $2,000 checks as too costly. They have not said if they will block the vote. The president’s last-minute objections are setting up a deﬁning showdown with his own Republican Party in his ﬁnal days in ofﬁce. Rather than take the victory of the sweeping aid package, among the biggest in history, Trump is lashing out at GOP leaders over the presidential election — for acknowledging Joe Biden as president-elect and rebufﬁng his campaign to dispute the Electoral College results when they are tallied in Congress on Jan. 6. The president’s push to increase direct payments for tions) 50-59 — 217 cases (5 new cases, 8 total hospitalizations) 60-69 — 189 cases (4 new cases 20 total hospitalizations, 3 total deaths) 70-79 — 128 cases (4 new cases, 25 hospitalizations, 8 deaths) 80-plus — 105 cases (3 new cases, 1 new hospitalization, 29 total hospitalizations, 9 deaths) Gallia County is currently “Orange” on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System map after meeting three of the seven indicators on Thursday. 0-9 — 24 cases 10-19 — 68 cases 20-29 — 124 cases (2 new cases, 1 hospitalizaFrom page 1 tion) 30-39 — 99 cases (1 County Health Departnew case, 2 hospitalizament reported a total tions) of 1,522 total cases of 40-49 — 120 cases (1 COVID-19 (since March) new case, 2 hospitalizain Gallia County as part tions) of Wednesday’s updates. 50-59 — 118 cases (1 This is an increase of 28 new case, 2 hospitalizasince Tuesday. tions) As noted above, ODH 60-69 — 107 cases (5 reported a new death new cases, 11 total hoson Wednesday in the 80 pitalizations) years + age range. 70-79 — 81 cases (3 ODH and the Galnew cases, 13 total hoslia Health Department pitalizations, 4 deaths) reported a total of 20 80-89 — 37 cases deaths (1 new), 94 hospi(8 hospitalizations, 6 talizations (one new) and deaths) 1,014 presumed recovMeigs County 90-99 — 16 cases ered individuals (39 new) ODH reported 754 (5 hospitalizations, 3 as of Wednesday. total cases on Wednesdeaths) Age ranges for the day. ODH reports 14 100-109 — 1 case (1 1,522 total cases reported total deaths, which is by ODH on Tuesday are one more than the coun- hospitalization) For more data and as follows: ty health department information on the cases 0-19 — 208 cases (3 reported on Tuesday. in Meigs County visit new cases, 1 hospitalizaThe Meigs County https://www.meigstion) Health Department 20-29 — 258 cases (4 reported 797 total cases health.com/covid-19/ . Meigs County new cases, 5 total hospi(748 conﬁrmed, 49 probremained “Red” on the talizations) able), since April, on Ohio Public Health 30-39 — 194 cases (3 Tuesday. new cases, 3 hospitalizaAge ranges for the 797 Advisory System after meeting three of the tions) Meigs County cases, as seven indicators on 40-49 — 223 cases (4 of Tuesday, are as folThursday. new cases, 3 hospitaliza- lows: Merry Christmas Mason County On Wednesday, the Mason County Health Department announced a total of 925 cases (since the pandemic began) — this is 17 more than Tuesday. Of those, 83 are active. As noted above, the department reported an additional death in the county on Wednesday. This newest death is a female in the 70-79 year age range. There are currently 8 hospitalized cases. There have been a total of 15 deaths in Mason County due to COVID-19, according to the health department. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) reported 920 total cases (since March) for Mason County in the 10 a.m. update on Wednesday, 14 more than Tuesday. Of those, 900 are conﬁrmed cases and 20 are probable cases. DHHR has reported 13 deaths in Mason County. According to DHHR, the age ranges for the 920 COVID-19 cases DHHR is reporting in Mason County are as follows: 0-9 — 14 cases 10-19 — 76 cases 20-29 — 142 cases (plus 3 probable cases, 2 new conﬁrmed cases) 30-39 — 100 cases (plus 4 probable case, 2 new conﬁrmed cases) 40-49 — 141 cases (plus 5 probable cases) 50-59 — 148 cases (plus 2 probable cases, 2 deaths, 2 new conﬁrmed cases) 60-69 — 129 cases (plus 2 probable case, 3 death, 4 new conﬁrmed cases) 70+ — 150 cases (plus 3 probable cases (2 new), 10 deaths, 3 new conﬁrmed cases) On Wednesday, Mason County returned to ”Red” on the West Virginia County Alert System map after one day of being “orange.” The county is “red” on the WVDE weekly map. Mason County’s latest infection rate was 49.03 on Wednesday, with a 8.41 percent positivity rate. Surrounding counties are orange and red. average of 41) reported in the previous 24 hours, according to Wednesday’s update. West Virginia As of the 10 a.m. update on Wednesday, DHHR is reporting a total of 75,936 cases with 1,194 deaths. There was an increase of 1,199 cases from Tuesday and 23 new deaths. DHHR reports a total of 1,410,382 lab test have been completed, with a 4.46 cumulative percent positivity rate. The daily positivity rate in the state was 11.51 percent. There are 22,826 currently active cases in the state. DHHR is reporting that 18,488 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to residents of West Virginia. So far, 60,875 doses have been received by the state. Kayla (Hawthorne) Dunham contributed to this story. Ohio (Editor’s Note: StatisThe Ohio Department tics reported in this artiof Health reported a cle are tentative and sub24-hour change of 7,790 ject to change. This was new cases on Wednesthe information available day (21-day average of at press time with more 9,852). There were 109 new deaths (21-day aver- to be added as it becomes available.) age of 80), 431 new hos© 2020 Ohio Valley pitalizations (21-day averPublishing, all rights age of 388) and 52 new reserved. ICU admissions (21-day Best Wishes 60554490 60694395 FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY Happy New Year OH-70216705 OH-70215356 McCarthy, the House minority leader, responding to requests for comment. On a conference call, House Republican lawmakers complained that Trump threw them under the bus, according to one Republican on the private call and granted anonymity to discuss it. Most had voted for the package and they urged leaders to hit the cable news shows to explain its beneﬁts, the person said. Democrats were taking advantage of the Republican disarray to apply pressure for a priority. Jon Ossoff, Perdue’s Democratic opponent, tweeted simply on Tuesday night: “$2,000 checks now.” WarmeAstNtDhoughts With joy to the world and many thanks to our neighbors and friends this holiday season Willis Funeral Home 12 Garﬁeld Ave Gallipolis, Oh 740-446-9295 most Americans from $600 to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for couples splits the party with a politically painful loyalty test, including for GOP senators David Perdue and Kelly Loefﬂer, ﬁghting to retain their seats in the Jan. 5 special election in Georgia. Republican lawmakers traditionally balk at big spending and many never fully embraced Trump’s populist approach. Their political DNA tells them to oppose a costlier relief package. But now they’re being asked to stand with the president. GOP leaders were silent Wednesday, with neither McConnell nor Rep. Kevin ��(��6HFRQG�6WUHHW��3RPHUR\��2KLR�� www.simmonsmusserwarner.com Merry Christmas McCoy-Moore Funeral Homes Rejoice........... For He is Born! Rutland Bottle Gas wishes you & yours a Merry Christmas! Serving Our Communities for Over 100 Years Rutland Bottle Gas 282 Main Street 1-888-837-8217 www.rutlandbottlegas.com Herb, Jean, Jared, & Joe Moore – Directors OH-70215359 OH-70217819 Rutland, Ohio 1-740-742-2511 �� ST !VENUE 'ALLIPOLIS /( s �� -AIN 3TREET 6INTON /( s �� NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Thursday, December 24, 2020 9 With a video filmed in secret, Trump keeps sowing chaos By Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin assaults on GOP leadership and the party’s estabAssociated Press lishment. Now Trump appears willing to do that again on his way out of WASHINGTON — ofﬁce, potentially saboThe video message that taging his party’s chances plunged Washington of controlling the Senate into chaos was ﬁlmed in as he lashes out in anger secret. at those he believes have President Donald Trump stood in the White not supported his efforts to overturn the election. House’s Diplomatic Since his defeat by Reception Room, holiday Democrat Joe Biden, garland and gleaming Trump has been holed up ornaments draped on the ﬁreplace behind him. in the White House with an ever-shrinking circle of He spoke into the camaides and allies, including era not to deliver warm some pushing fraudulent Christmas wishes, but conspiracy theories about to threaten to detonate the election. He has Congress’ $900 billion COVID-19 relief and year- ignored the surging pandemic that is killing 3,000 end package. The video was released Americans a day, and has mostly left it to others to without warning Tuespromote vaccines being day night, its recording counted on to bring it to orchestrated by White an end. House chief of staff His focus has largely Mark Meadows and kept been on trying to overfrom all but a handful of turn Biden’s victory, aides. On Wednesday, embracing baseless confew Republicans or even spiracy theories, pushing White House staffers futile legal challenges and knew what Trump plans undermining conﬁdence next, in a return to the around-the-clock chaos of in the tenets of American his ﬁrst months in ofﬁce. democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. The moment was also The president, who has a ﬂashback to the start of not held a public event Trump’s political career, when he delivered direct in 10 days, departed President Mike Pence, who has spent four years demonstrating his loyalty, was not doing enough to defend him. And he said he was pleased by the departure of Attorney General William Barr, who had not supported his calls for a special counsel to look into election fraud. Trump has been buoyed by support from some House Republicans who are entertaining options for snarling congressional certiﬁcation of Biden’s victory in early January. Any such effort would be futile in blocking Biden, Evan Vucci | AP but would likely deepen President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to board Marine One on Wednesday on the the disinformation camSouth Lawn of the White House in Washington. paign Trump and his legislation passed by Con- allies have launched since noted on Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon Election Day to undercut gress earlier this week. Confusion was the for more than a week at watchword Tuesday night Trump personally played the incoming president’s Mar-a-Lago, his coastal legitimacy. little role in the negotiawhen Trump released Florida estate. Up until Whether Trump is tions, though the White the president’s departure, two videos, one falsely threatening to hold up the aides were unsure wheth- declaring that he won the House had initially sent signals that he would sign relief bill simply to spite election in a “landslide” er he would cancel the Republicans is unclear. the bill. and the other calling on trip, adding uncertainty But the timing of his decThe president’s focus lawmakers to increase to a fatigued, holloweddirect payments for most has remained on the elec- larations is particularly out West Wing featuring problematic for the party, tion and he has grown scores of empty desks as Americans from $600 to given the upcoming Senincreasingly frustrated staffers begin leaving for $2,000 for individuals ate runoffs in Georgia, and $4,000 for couples, a with Republicans who new jobs. which will determine are acknowledging boost most Republicans “There are mixed whether Republicans can Biden’s victory. He also strongly oppose. signals from the White keep control of the chamcomplained to allies in The payments are House leaving more conber. recent days that Vice fusion than calm,” Biden included in sweeping US holiday travel surges despite outbreak Pfizer to supply US By Tamara Lush Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. — Some are elderly and ﬁgure they don’t have many Christmases left. Others are trying to keep longdistance romance alive. Some just yearn for the human connection that’s been absent for the past nine months. Millions of Americans are traveling ahead of Christmas and New Year’s, despite pleas from public health experts that they stay home to avoid fueling the raging coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 320,000 nationwide. Many people at airports this week thought long and hard about whether to go somewhere and found a way to rationalize it. “My mom’s worth it. She needs my help,” said 34-year-old Jennifer Brownlee, a ﬁsherman from Bayou La Batre, Alabama, who was waiting at the Tampa airport to ﬂy to Oregon to see her mother, who just lost a leg. “I know that God’s got me. He’s not going to let me get sick.” Brownlee said that Rejoice In This Season she would wear a mask on the plane “out of respect” for other passengers but that her immune system and Jesus Christ would protect her. More than 5 million people passed through the nation’s airport security checkpoints between Friday and Tuesday, according to the Transportation Security Administration. That is down around 60% from the same time last year. But it amounts to around a million passengers per day, or about what the U.S. saw in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, when some Americans likewise disregarded warnings and ended up contributing to the nationwide surge. with additional 100M doses of vaccine Michelle Lopez wondered if she made the right decision after ﬂying from Houston to Norfolk, Virginia, where her boyfriend serves in the Navy. “I didn’t want to go, but I haven’t seen him in so long,” said the 24-year-old, who last saw her boyfriend about ﬁve months ago and was trying to maintain their relationship. Before ﬂying, Lopez took a COVID-19 test that came back negative. But the two planes she took offered little room for social distancing. Some passengers removed their masks to eat or drink. And not everyone used wipes that airlines offer to sanitize armrests and trays. By Ricardo AlonsoZaldivar duction, the government said it is using its Associated Press authority under a Cold War-era law that allows it to direct private manWASHINGTON — ufacturing. Pﬁzer said Wednesday Pﬁzer’s vaccine was it will supply the U.S. the ﬁrst to be approved government with an for emergency use by additional 100 million the Food and Drug doses of its COVID-19 Administration. It has vaccine under a new agreement between the now been joined by another two-shot vacpharmaceutical giant and the Trump adminis- cine from Moderna, developed in close coltration. Pﬁzer and its German laboration with the partner BioNTech said National Institutes of Health. The government that will bring their began shipping the Pﬁztotal current commiter vaccine to states last ment to 200 million doses for the U.S. That week, and the one from Moderna this week. should be enough to The priority groups vaccinate 100 million for ﬁrst vaccination people with the twoinclude health care shot regimen. The government also has an workers and nursing home residents. Graduoption to purchase an ally more Americans additional 400 million will have access to the doses. free vaccines, which “This new fedhave been shown to be eral purchase can give highly effective in cliniAmericans even more conﬁdence that we will cal studies undertaken so far. have enough supply to Separately, HHS vaccinate every Ameriannounced it has joined can who wants it by June 2021,” said Health forces with another big pharma company — and Human Services Merck— to support the Secretary Alex Azar in a statement. The cost to large-scale manufacture taxpayers: $1.95 billion of a promising treatment for patients sufferfor the additional 100 ing from severe COVIDmillion doses. 19 illness. To aid vaccine pro- MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS SPARKLE WITH JOY & LAUGHTER THE BROWN BROTHERS INSURANCE AGENCY MAKING SERVICE OUR PRIORITY!! Serving you in 2 locations: OH-70217445 514 E. 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Idaho — Kale Wuthrich watched doctors surround But the kid who loves his son in the emergency sledding and skiing spent much of the following room, giving him ﬂuids though IV tubes, running days on the couch in the a battery of tests and try- lounge of the Montpelier, Idaho, truck stop that his ing to stabilize him. He was enveloped by the con- parents partly own. A short walk left him with fusion and fear that had a bloody nose, and he’s been building since his still on medications that 12-year-old suddenly fell ill weeks after a mild bout require twice-daily injections. with the coronavirus. For Cooper’s parents, “He was very close at his illness deepened their that point to not making it, and basically they told commitment to wearing masks and urging me to sit in the corner and pray,” Wuthrich said. others to do so, though pushback can be intense “And that’s what I did.” in conservative Idaho. Shortly after ThanksHundreds of people have giving, the boy from a protested mask requiresecluded valley in Idaho ments for months, even became one of hundreds forcing one Boise health of children in the U.S. who have been diagnosed ofﬁcial to rush home this month in fear for her with a rare, extreme child as protesters blasted immune response to a sound clip of gunﬁre COVID-19 called muloutside her front door. tisystem inﬂammatory Opposition to restricsyndrome in children. tions is strong even as Cooper Wuthrich’s fever coronavirus patients ﬁll spiked as his joints and organs became inﬂamed, Idaho hospitals. Gov. Brad Little warned that including his heart, putcar crash victims could ting his life at risk, his need to be treated in hosfather said. “Cooper had it in every pital conference rooms if beds run out. He’s organ, in his joints; his encouraged people to feet were swelled up the wear masks but is among size of mine, his poor about a dozen governors eyes were red, bugged who haven’t issued a out of his head and very statewide mandate. lethargic, very scared,” Cooper caught the Kale Wuthrich said. “Cooper would never, has virus in late October, likely at school, which is never complained about Associated Press Rick Bowmer | AP Cooper Wuthrich rests as he lays on a bed at the truck stop his family partly owns Dec. 15 in Montpelier, Idaho. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Wuthrich, 12, became one of hundreds of children in the U.S. diagnosed with a rare COVID-19 complication that landed him in an emergency room three hours away from his tiny hometown in a secluded Idaho valley. The boy’s parents say he nearly died and their terrifying experience shows why people should wear masks in a conservative state where pushback can be fierce. open for in-person classes without a mask requirement, said his mother, Dani Wuthrich. “He had got himself grounded, and so he hadn’t been allowed to go anywhere except for to school,” she said. “We kind of don’t know anywhere else he could have gotten it besides school.” He recovered in a few days and was back to playing basketball after a two-week quarantine. But as Thanksgiving approached, Cooper called to come home from practice, unusual for a kid with bottomless energy. His fever spiked above 103 degrees, and the medicine his parents gave him didn’t help. He was throwing up; he tossed and turned at night. As the days wore on and Cooper’s fever refused to break, his parents rushed him to a local hospital, where doctors ran tests to try to ﬁgure out what was wrong. Not seeing improvement and suspecting appendicitis, they loaded him into an ambulance for a threehour white-knuckle drive through the mountains to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Cooper is one of about 40 kids treated for the inﬂammatory syndrome at Primary Children’s, said Dr. Dongngan Truong, a pediatric cardiologist who is helping with a study on the illness. “Luckily, it is a rare complication, but it’s a complication that can get kids pretty sick pretty quickly,” Truong said. “We need to take it seriously, because we don’t know the long-term effects on the child’s body, the heart, the other organ systems.” An August report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that many children with the condition had severe complications, including inﬂammation of the heart and kidney damage. In nearly twothirds of cases, children went to intensive care units, and the average ICU stay was ﬁve days. It found Hispanic and Black children made up threequarters of those with the syndrome. A total of 1,288 kids nationwide had been diagnosed with the syndrome as of Dec. 4, and 23 had died, according to the CDC. The root seems to be a dysfunction of the immune system, which kicks into overdrive when exposed to the virus, releasing chemicals that can damage organs. Symptoms include fever, abdominal or neck pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, bloodshot eyes and fatigue. It can be tricky to identify at ﬁrst because some kids have such mild COVID-19 symptoms that parents didn’t know they had the virus until the inﬂammatory syndrome appears, Truong said. It’s unclear why some children get the syndrome and others don’t, so the only way to prevent it is to stop kids from getting the virus, with steps like masks and social distancing, she said. Back home in Idaho, the Wuthriches are trying to persuade friends and family to take precautions. To a hunting buddy, Kale Wuthrich made his case for maskwearing by comparing it to the camouﬂage he puts on his face while staking out deer. They require masks for employees at their truck stop and restaurant, Ranch Hand Trail Stop, where they worked their way up from dishwashing and serving to part owners. But they can’t always get customers to wear masks at the outpost along a windswept highway edged by mountains, its peaked roof and white-clapboard walls standing out as a refuge for long-haul truckers. Recently, plenty of people without face coverings passed by a cowboy mannequin with an American ﬂag-patterned mask set up at the entrance to the restaurant. “We really wish that they would instate a mask mandate here in our county,” Dani Wuthrich said. But “I don’t think that will ever happen.” US layoffs remain elevated as 803,000 seek jobless aid By Paul Wiseman AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment beneﬁts fell by 89,000 last week to a stillelevated 803,000, evidence that the job market remains under stress nine months after the coronavirus outbreak sent the U.S. economy into recession and caused millions of layoffs. The latest ﬁgure, released Wednesday by the Labor Department, shows that many employers are still cutting jobs as the pandemic tightens business restrictions and leads many consumers to stay home. Before the virus struck, job- less claims typically numbered around 225,000 a week before shooting up to 6.9 million in early spring when the virus — and efforts to contain it — ﬂattened the economy. The pace of layoffs has since declined but remains historically high in the face of the resurgence of COVID-19 cases. “The fact that more than nine months into the crisis, initial claims are still running at such a high level is, in absolute terms, bad news,” Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at the economic consulting ﬁrm Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc., wrote in a research note. “With the pandemic again worsening, it is likely that claims will (740) 446-2342 or fax to (740) 446-3008 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN Best Deal New & Used MARK PORTER FORD Home of the Car Fairy OH-70215397 OH-70004516 www.markporterauto.com remain quite elevated for some time.’’ The latest data on unemployment claims came on the same day that the government reported that consumer spending — the principal driver of the economy — fell in November for the ﬁrst time since April. The 0.4% drop, coming in the midst of the crucial holiday shopping season, added to concerns that weak consumer spending will slow the economy in coming months. Economists suggested that the viral crisis, combined with diminished income and colder weather, likely led Americans to pull back in November. Also on Wednesday, the gov- (740) 992-2155 or fax to (740) 992-2157 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN Amy Carter Product Specialist �� !�� !� �� amycarter@markporterauto.com CLASSIFIEDS ernment said that sales of new single-family homes sank 11% from October to November, though purchases remain up nearly 21% from a year ago. Boosted by rock-bottom mortgage rates, housing has proved resilient since the health crisis erupted last spring. Another report Wednesday showed that orders to U.S. factories for high-cost manufactured goods rose a moderate 0.9% in November, with a key category that tracks business investment plans showing a gain. The rise in orders for durable goods, which are items that are expected to last at least three years, followed even stronger gains in recent months. The pace of orders has now nearly regained its prepandemic level. In its report on applications for unemployment aid, the government said the total number of people who are receiving traditional state beneﬁts fell to 5.3 million for the week that ended Dec. 12 from a week earlier. That ﬁgure had peaked in early May at nearly 23 million. The steady decline since then means that some unemployed Americans are ﬁnding work and no longer receiving aid. But it also indicates that many of the unemployed have used up their state beneﬁts, which typically expire after six months. 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Howremarkable comeback, but a ever, Athens closed the half heart-breaking end. with a 16-to-4 run and headed The Meigs boys basketball into the locker room on top team rallied from a 16-point fourth quarter deﬁcit to tie the 30-18. The Bulldog lead was as low game at 60 with 17 seconds left on Tuesday at Larry R. Morri- as seven points, after MHS son Gymnasium, but Tri-Valley started the second half with an 8-to-3 run. Athens answered Conference Ohio Division with six straight points for a guest Athens answered with a 39-26 advantage with 4:34 left 6-0 run for a 66-60 victory. in the third quarter. The teams The Marauders (1-6, 1-2 traded buckets over the remainTVC Ohio) took their only der of the period, and AHS lead of the night at 4-2 2:21 headed into the ﬁnale with a into play on a Wyatt Hoover 48-35 edge. two-pointer, but Athens took The guests began the fourth the lead back with a trifecta 33 ahawley@aimmediamidwest.com Alex Hawley | OVP Sports Meigs’ Caleb Burnem (24) drives past Athens’ Shane McDade (left), during the Bulldogs’ 66-60 win on Tuesday in Rocksprings, Ohio. quarter with a 6-to-3 spurt, and led by a game-best 16 points, at 54-38, with six minutes to play. Meigs — which pulled in a dozen offensive rebounds and forced seven turnovers in the fourth quarter — scored 22 of the next 28 points, tying the at 60 on a three-pointer from Braylon Harrison. Will Matters gave the Bulldogs a two-point lead with back-to-back free throws two seconds later, and then the Marauders committed just their second turnover of the period. Matters went back to the line and sank two free throws after an intentional See BULLDOGS | 13 Raiders rally past NY, 62-52 By Bryan Walters bwalters@aimmediamidwest.com NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Picking up right where he left off. After becoming the seventh player in school history to eclipse 1,000 career points last week, senior Jordan Lambert poured in a game-high 30 points on Tuesday night while guiding the River Valley boys basketball team to a 62-52 victory over host Nelsonville-York in a Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division matchup in Athens County. Lambert — who became just the third RVHS boy to reach quadruple digits over four years during an 85-41 loss at Vinton County — was limited to 10 ﬁrst half points as the Raiders (4-2, 1-2 TVC Ohio) trailed 14-9 and 26-25 after each of the ﬁrst two periods of play. The 6-foot-6 senior forward, however, netted 20 points after the break, including 10 of those during a pivotal 20-6 fourth quarter surge that allowed the Silver and Black to turn a 2-possession deﬁcit into a comfortable double-digit victory. The Buckeyes (3-5, 0-4) got eight points from Drew Carter as part of a 20-17 third quarter run that gave the hosts a 46-42 advantage headed See RAIDERS | 13 Photos by Bryan Walters | OVP Sports Wahama sophomore Trey Ohlinger (77) knocks the ball loose from Gilmer County quarterback Ean Hamrick (9) during a Sept. 18 football contest at Bachtel Stadium in Mason, W.Va. 2020 All-LKC football teams Wahama lands 4 selections on Class A list By Bryan Walters bwalters@aimmediamidwest.com Bryan Walters | OVP Sports River Valley senior Jordan Lambert, right, goes up for a shot attempt over an Alexander defender during a Dec. 11 boys basketball contest in Bidwell, Ohio. OVP SPORTS SCHEDULE Friday, Dec. 25 College Football Marshall vs. Buffalo at Camellia Bowl, 2:30 Monday, Dec. 28 Girls Basketball Wellston at Southern, 6 p.m. River Valley at Oak Hill, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29 Boys Basketball Meigs at Southern, 7:30 Oak Hill at River Valley, 7:30 Sciotoville East at South Gallia, 7:30 Girls Basketball Sciotoville East at South Gallia, 6:30 MASON, W.Va. — Wahama had four players selected to the Class A side of the 2020 Little Kanawha Conference football teams, as chosen by the coaches within both sides of the LKC divisions. The White Falcons posted a 6-4 overall record and produced the program’s ﬁrst winning campaign in six years, but went only 1-3 in their ﬁrst season back against LKC competition. All four Wahama selections are underclassmen, and three of those players were ﬁrst team representatives on the All-LKC squad this fall. Sophomores Kase Stewart and Michael VanMatre, as well as freshman Sawyer VanMatre, were all ﬁrst team honorees for WHS. Sophomore Trey Ohlinger was also chosen to the honorable mention list. A total of 82 people were chosen to the 2020 Little Kanawha Conference football team, with 62 of those choices coming in the Class A side of the squad. The Class A team was also responsible for 41 of the 54 ﬁrst team selections. Gus Morrison of Ritchie County was named the Class A player of the year, while Jason Hickman of Wirt County was named the Class A coach of the year. Doddridge County led all Class A programs with 11 total selections, followed by St. Marys with 10 picks and Ritchie County with eight honorees. DCHS, RCHS and SMHS also led the Class A ﬁeld with six ﬁrst team selections apiece. Tyler Cox of Braxton County was named the Class AA player of the year, while Deandre Williams of Braxton County was named the Class AA coach of the year. Braxton County amassed 11 of the 20 Class AA all-league selections, including seven ﬁrst team honorees. 2020 All-LKC Class A Football Teams FIRST TEAM Wahama: Kase Stewart, Michael VanMatre, Sawyer VanMatre. Doddridge County: Adam Burnside, Dylan Knight, Gabe Stewart, Simon James, Reese Burnside, Hunter Jenkins. Gilmer County: Avery Chapman, Chris Carr, Ean Hamric, Kyle Moss. Ritchie County: Gus Morrison, Blaine Bowie, Dakota Wayne, Damien Trader, Ethan Haught, Graden McKinney. Williamstown: Brady Ankrom, Brayden Mode- Wahama freshman Sawyer VanMatre (21) slips away from a Wirt County defender during an Oct. 20 football contest at Bachtel Stadium in Mason, W.Va. sitt, Josh Ingram, Leewood Molessa, Trevor Oates. St. Marys: Brennan Boron, Cyle West, Darrien Bortey, Logan Rice, Riley Boley, Trey Moss. Tyler Consolidated: Case Landis, Hunter Throckmorton, Ty Walton. Wirt County: Garrett Parsons, Kolton Parsons, Logan Powell, Ryan Alton. Ravenswood: Ethan Lane, Wes Hill. Webster County: Connor Bell. Calhoun County: Grant Sterns. Player of the Year: Gus Morrison, Ritchie County. Coach of the Year: Jason Hickman, Wirt County. HONORABLE MENTION Trey Ohlinger, Wahama; Aaron Stull, St. Marys; A.J. Garrett, Wirt County; Austin Bartlett, Ricthie County; Ben Long, St. Marys; Caleb Strode, Tyler Consolidated; Charles Ibbeson, Doddridge County; Colton Melrose, Williamstown; Dylan Toler, Wirt See FOOTBALL | 13 �SPORTS Ohio Valley Publishing Thursday, December 24, 2020 13 Herd faces Buffalo in Camellia Bowl Bryan Walters | OVP Sports The Marshall football team will be making the program’s 17th bowl appearance in school history on Christmas Day as the Thundering Herd faces the Buffalo Bulls at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon in the seventh annual Camellia Bowl at historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery (AL). Marshall is making its fourth consecutive bowl appearance under head coach Doc Holliday, who owns a 6-1 mark in bowl games during his tenure at MU. The Herd owns a 12-4 alltime record in bowl games and is a perfect 8-0 in its history with Buffalo. The Bulls are 1-3 alltime in bowl games, but that lone win came a year ago against Charlotte in the Bahamas Bowl. Buffalo is also making its third consecutive bowl appearance. Rebels take 10th at Huntington Holiday Classic ahawley@aimmediamidwest.com CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Three went, one returned with a gold medal. The South Gallia wrestling teams had a trio of competitors at the Huntington Holiday Classic on Monday afternoon in Ross County, with Reece Butler earning ﬁrst at 120 pounds for the 10th-place Rebels. Butler, a sophomore, went 5-0 en route to his 120-pound championship, winning all-5 matches by way of pinfall. Also competing for the Rebels, Gracie Matheny was fourth at 126 pounds, falling in a trio of bouts, and Leah Polcyn was ﬁfth at 132 pounds, going 0-4. The team title was won by Dayton Christian with a score of 228, just two points ahead of second place Waverly. West Union was third at 211, followed by Circleville at 199, and the host Huntsmen at 196. Chesapeake took sixth at 186, Unioto was seventh at 131, Adena was eighth at 127, and South Point was ninth at 119. The Rebels’ total of 64 was good enough for 10th, while Fairland took 11th with 37. Wellston rounded out the 12-team ﬁeld with a dozen points. The Rebels are scheduled to wrestle again on Dec. 30 at River Valley. © 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Football Rickie Allen, Williamstown; Seth Richards, Doddridge County. From page 12 2020 All-LKC Class AA Football Teams County; Elijah Facemire, Gilmer County; Gavin Bell, Ritchie County; Ian Spadafore, Doddridge County; Isaiah Casto, Ravenswood; Jared Jones, Doddridge County; Jason Clayton, St. Marys; Max Hulse, Gilmer County; Michael Chandler, Doddridge County; FIRST TEAM Braxton County: Tyler Cox, Blaine Cogar, Drew Pritt, Jett Cogar, Kendal Hamric, Logan Conley, Sam Groves. 7 Clay County: Caleb Atha, Colton Casto, Grant Krajeski, Riley Perkins. 4 Roane County: Claude Bauer, Justin Bulldogs the Bulldogs were 22-of41 (53.7 percent) from the ﬁeld, including 5-of12 (41.7 percent) from deep. At the foul line, MHS was 14-of-22 (63.6 percent), and AHS was 17-of-22 (77.3 percent). A trio of Marauders recorded double-doubles in the setback, with Coulter Cleland posting team-highs of 16 points and 14 rebounds, as well as four assists and four steals. Wyatt Hoover had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts, Harrison added a dozen points on four trifectas, while Andrew Dodson tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ethan Stewart scored four points for Meigs, Brody Butcher contributed three points, while Caleb Burnem chipped in with two. Leading the Bulldogs, Brayden Whiting had 34 points and six rebounds before picking up his ﬁfth foul with 4:19 to play. Matters and Derrick Welsh contributed nine points apiece to the winning cause, Trey Harris added seven, while Jake Sayers scored ﬁve. Whiting also led the Green and Gold on defense with three steals and two rejections. The Marauders will look for revenge when these teams meet on Jan. 29 in Athens County. Next, Meigs will visit Southern on Tuesday. © 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. his game-high 30 points. Lambert also scored nine of River Valley’s ﬁnal 16 points in regulaFrom page 12 tion. Jance Lambert — Jorinto the ﬁnale. Carter dan’s younger brother also scored nine points — was next with 12 in helping NYHS buildpoints, followed by Kade ing a 1-point intermisAlderman and Mason sion edge. Rhodes with eight markRiver Valley outrebounded the hosts by a ers apiece. Dylan Fulks 35-27 overall margin and completed the winning tally with four points. also committed 18 of The Orange and the 38 turnovers in the Brown made 20 total contest. ﬁeld goals — including The Raiders made eight 3-pointers — and 25 total ﬁeld goals — including seven 3-point- also went 4-of-6 at the charity stripe for 67 perers — and also went cent. NYHS made half 5-of-7 at the free throw of those trifectas in the line for 71 percent. ﬁrst half and the other Lambert hit 12 ﬁeld goals, including one tri- half in the third stanza. Carter paced the hosts fecta, and was also 5-of-6 at the line while scoring with 19 points, followed by Joseph Tome with 12 points and Trevor Morrissey with nine markers. Trenton Morrissey was next with eight points, while Jonathan McKee and Keagan Swope completed things with two points each. River Valley returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts Oak Hill in a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. Lambert joined fellow Raiders Joey James and Tyler Twyman in the 1,000-point club for boys basketball at River Valley. © 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. From page 12 foul with three seconds left. Athens capped off the 66-60 victory with a two-pointer at the buzzer. For the game, the Marauders had a 41-to19 rebounding advantage, including 25-to-5 on the offensive end. MHS had 17 turnovers, one less than Athens. The hosts combined for 10 steals, nine assists and one blocked shot, while AHS had 14 assists, seven steals and ﬁve rejections. Meigs shot 20-of-63 (31.7 percent) from the ﬁeld, including 6-of-21 (28.6 percent) from three-point range, while Raiders HONORABLE MENTION Andrew Adkins, Clay County; Austin Alex Hawley can be reached at 740446-2342, ext. 2100. Bryan Walters can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2101. NEW YORK (AP) — The Cleveland Browns’ lengthy playoff drought is nearly over. The Browns, who have reached 10 wins for the ﬁrst time since 2007, can clinch their ﬁrst playoff spot since 2002 with a victory Sunday at the New York Jets and a loss by any of the following teams: the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins or Indianapolis Colts. And the Browns are only one game behind Pittsburgh for ﬁrst place in the AFC North and host the rival Steelers in Week 17. The Steelers, who have dropped three in a row after an 11-0 start, need either a win over the Colts on Sunday or a Browns loss to wrap up the AFC North title. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs can clinch home-ﬁeld advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win or a loss by either the Steelers or Buffalo Bills. The Tennessee Titans, on the cusp of ending a long division drought, can wrap up their ﬁrst AFC South title since 2008 with a win over the Green Bay Packers and a Colts loss. The Titans will make the playoffs with a win or a loss by either the Dolphins or Ravens. And the Colts can reach the playoffs with a win and losses by either the Dolphins or Ravens. In the NFC, the Packers can wrap up homeﬁeld advantage with a win over the Titans on Sunday night and a loss by the Seahawks to the Rams. The Seahawks will take the NFC West with a win over the Rams. The Rams can earn a playoff spot with a win or either a loss by the Chicago Bears or an Arizona Cardinals win. The Cardinals can wrap up a playoff spot with a win and a Bears loss. The New Orleans Saints can clinch the NFC South with a win on Friday against the Minnesota Vikings or a loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Detroit Lions on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Bucs need a victory over the Lions or a Bears loss for a postseason berth. The Washington Football Team can wrap up the NFC East with a win over the Carolina Panthers and a New York Giants loss in Baltimore. Roberts. 2 Player of the Year: Tyler Cox, Braxton County. Coach of the Year: Deandre Williams, Braxton County. OH-70217813 By Alex Hawley Browns closing in on ending lengthy playoff drought Hawkins, Roane County; Isaiah Mowery, Braxton County; Jacob Morton, Clay County; Justin Paletti, Braxton County; Zak Knight, Braxton County. © 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Bryan Walters can be reached at 740-446-2342, ext. 2101. �SPORTS 14 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Bengals get shot of confidence in stunning win over Steelers CINCINNATI (AP) — Few saw what the Cincinnati Bengals were capable of Monday night, least of all the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals got their third win of the season, this one on a primetime stage against a hated divisional rival that was looking to stop a two-game skid and get back on track before the postseason. Before kickoff, it looked to be a snoozer and another inevitable setback in another disappointing season for Cincinnati. Instead the Bengals (3-10-1) turned the tables. Taking advantage of the sloppy, inept Steelers offense, Cincinnati forced turnovers and built a 17-point ﬁrst-half lead on the way to a stunning 27-17 win. It was a feel-good night for the Bengals in what has been a another disappointing season dragged down by multiple injuries to key players. The biggest was rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury on Nov. 22. The Steelers outgained the Bengals overall 244230, but the turnovers were the difference. “It’s tough because we all have these expectations and they haven’t gone the way we wanted,” said running back Giovani Bernard, who ran for a touchdown and caught a pass for another scor e. “When we have a game like this it means so much to the players, the coaches. You see the guys that continue to put in the work every single day. “Quite frankly it’s not easy to come in here after a close loss two, three, four ﬁve weeks in a row, whatever it may be. It’s not easy for coaches to keep encouraging us, but they continue to and I’m thankful.” Ohio Valley Publishing Steelers in midst of historic collapse By Josh Dubow season. They recovered to win three in a row in the playoffs for the only The Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl title in franchise history. have gone from dreams With the loss in Week of matching the perfect 13 to a Washington team 1972 Miami Dolphins that was 4-7 at the time to searching for another and then this past week win. to a Cincinnati team that After winning their ﬁrst 11 games for the ﬁrst was 2-10-1, the Steelers time in franchise history, became the ﬁrst team in NFL history to lose multhe Steelers were upset tiple games when enterat home two weeks ago ing with at least 11 wins against Washington. and playing a team with That was followed by a four or fewer. loss at fellow AFC conThe late-season coltender Buffalo before a humbling 27-17 defeat to lapse has opened the door for Cleveland to last-place Cincinnati on have a chance at winMonday night. ning the division. If the The last team to start 11-0 and then lose three Browns beat the Jets on Sunday and the Steelstraight was the 1969 ers lose to Indianapolis, Rams in a 14-game season. The losing skid car- the Week 17 showdown in Cleveland will be for ried over to the playoffs with a 23-20 loss to Min- the division title. The Browns last won a divinesota, a fate the Steelers would obviously like sion title in 1989, the longest current drought to avoid. in the league. Pittsburgh would No matter who wins prefer to follow the the AFC North, the path of the 2009 Saints, champion will be a team who won their ﬁrst 13 that missed the playoffs games before losing the ﬁnal three in the regular last season. Every year since 1977, with the exception of the strikeshortened 1982 season that had no divisions, has featured a division winner that missed the playoffs the previous season. On the other end of the spectrum is the New York Jets, who lost their ﬁrst 13 games before stunning the Los Angeles Associated Press Take care of your holiday shopping... With jewelry as unique as your loved ones. SHOP LOCAL Rams, who came into the game with a 9-4 record, with a 23-20 victory. It marked just the third time a team 0-13 or worse broke through for its ﬁrst win against a team with a winning record. The Colts (0-13) beat Tennessee (7-6) in 2011 and the Raiders (0-13) beat the Patriots (9-3-1) in 1962. ROAD WARRIORS: With two weeks to play, home teams still have a losing record this season at 111-112-1. With many stadiums having no fans because of the coronavirus and others just having small crowds, the advantage of playing at home has been nearly nonexistent. The last time a season ﬁnished with home teams having a losing record came in 1968, when home teams in the NFL went 49-59-4 (.454) and in the AFL went 34-35-1 (.493). KEEPING IT: From Kyler Murray to Lamar Jackson to the recent emergence of Jalen Hurts and the return to the ﬁeld of Marcus Mariota, quarterbacks are having more success than ever running the ball. Quarterbacks have rushed for 8,114 yards and 111 touchdowns this season with two weeks to play, the most in a season on record in NFL history. The previous high came in 2018 when QBs had 8,086 yards rushing and the TD mark had been 80 set last season. Jackson leads the way with 828 yards rushing and seven TDs with Murray having 741 yards and 11 touchdowns. Murray has a record nine games this season with both a passing and rushing touchdown, and with 26 TD passes has joined Cam Newton in his 2015 MVP season as the only players to throw for at least 25 TDs and run for at least 10 in the same season. BUCKING THE TREND: Point differential is usually a good indicator of success in the NFL with good teams more apt to have lopsided wins that tilt that number in their favor. That hasn’t been true of the Browns. Cleveland (10-4) has been outscored by six points this season thanks to lopsided losses by more than 30 points to Baltimore and Pittsburgh coupled with seven wins by less than 10 points. There have been 318 teams in the Super Bowl era to win at least 10 of their ﬁrst 14 games, and the Browns are the only ones to do it while being outscored. The previous low came in 2004 wen the 11-3 Falcons had only a plus-18 point differential through 14 games. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year A Jewelry Tradition Serving the Bend Area for over 100 years 113 Court Street, Pomeroy, Ohio 740-992-2054 OH-70217442 � OH-70216679 Open Christmas Eve for Last Minute Gifts! �� Telephone: 304-882-2145 607 Fifth Street Fax: 304-882-3813 P.O. Box 335 New Haven, WV 25265 www.kenbassinsurance.com Weaving Stitches Gift Shop Visit our 2nd ﬂoor, it’s full of Collectibles & Antiques! 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It would mean changes to an industry that genThe coronavirus was erates more than $14 bilonly one factor in a chain of events that con- lion a year, mostly from sumed college sports in TV, ticket and sponsorship deals out of football 2020, and is poised to and basketball — sports do more of the same in that, in college, are 2021 and beyond. played in disproportionThe virus, combined with the harsh spotlight ate numbers by poor, minority teen-agers who that shined on racial inequality in the United receive nothing in cash compensation for all the States, further exposed revenue they produce. the exploitative side That revenue is then of a system that relies heavily on Black football used to keep smaller and basketball players to sports aﬂoat and athletic departments in complibring in the bucks. Against that backdrop, ance with Title IX and other regulations that dueling tranches of legdemand equal access for islation and litigation women on college camlanded in the highest puses. reaches of Washington The most existential — in Congress and the threat to the system in Supreme Court — fueling a growing sense that 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic. the status quo is about With the virus ragto be upended. ing in March, several “I don’t know if it’s immediate, or ﬁve years conferences called off their postseason basketdown the road, but I’m ball tournaments, and pretty conﬁdent that the NCAA canceled the something’s going to fundamentally change,” billion-dollar bonanza said Victoria Jackson, a known as March Mad- Associated Press g ness, proceeds from which trickle down in some form to almost every Division I school in America. The debate then switched to how to make football work, and though hundreds of games were played as scheduled, the 2020 season has landed somewhere between disjointed and disappointing — ﬁlled with empty stadiums, dozens of canceled contests and incomplete seasons that deprived the players of the experience they’d signed up for while placing them in almost constant danger. “Organized chaos,” is what Mike Marlow, the athletic director at Northern Arizona, called it. “I do think that we saw young people and coaches and administrators really understand what we missed. What I saw in young people’s faces and coaches, you realize what you miss, seeing young people accomplish their goals.” Merry Christmas & Happy New Year While all efforts were made to save the football season and get the 202021 basketball season underway, 2020 featured a steady stream of news about universities’ plans to drop their so-called Olympic programs — involving smaller sports such as wrestling and gymnastics and fencing that don’t produce revenue for the schools (but do help form the backbone of the U.S. Olympic team.) As 2020 came to a close, there were at least 116 Division I programs at 34 schools slated for the chopping block, with that number expected to grow. A debate was brewing about whether there was a true ﬁnancial need to drop the programs or if the schools were merely using the pandemic as a convenient excuse to make moves they’d wanted to make for a long time. “I think the glory days of college athletics as we’ve known it may be over,” said longtime college insider Chuck Neinas, discussing the possible end of the Olympic sports model as it currently runs in colleges, in an interview with the National Football Foundation. The debate spilled into full view at Stanford, where hundreds of alumni were hoping to reverse an administration decision to strip 11 sports from one of the country’s most robust college programs. “By cutting sports, you’re not solving the underlying problem,” said Olympic fencer and Stanford grad Alex Massialas, who is leading the effort to restore the sports at his alma mater. “Stanford’s ﬁnancial problems, and them running a deﬁcit, was something that happened well before the virus started.” According to Stanford, the athletic department’s deﬁcit had been projected to exceed $12 million in ﬁscal 2021; after the pandemic hit, that was revised to at least $25 million. Also nearing a tipping point in 2020 were calls from lawmakers across the country for changes in a system that operates on the labor of unpaid athletes, who receive scholarships but not much more. Competing bills introduced in the U.S. Senate would loosen restrictions on football and basketball players’ ability to sign endorsement deals and cash in on their names, images and likenesses (NIL). Some states, such as California, Florida and Colorado, have already passed laws that trigger those changes; the federal legislation is an attempt to bring nationwide uniformity to the effort to pay players. One bill, proposed by Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, calls on colleges to share their proﬁts — a move that could result in six-ﬁgure salaries for football and men’s basketball players. May your heart be lifted in praise this Christmas for the wonderful gift of Jesus and the joy He brings to our lives. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year. 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If hearing devices are returned, you will be charged for the cost of the Tablet (a $75 value). t Scope of services via telehealth will vary pursuant to applicable state laws and regulations. �16 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing MERRY CHRISTMAS Racine Branch 502 Elm St. PO Box 457 Racine, Ohio 45771 740-949-2210 Syracuse Branch 2405 Third Street Syracuse, Ohio 45779 740-992-6333 OH-70218179 Middleport Branch 97 North Second Avenue Middleport, Ohio 45760 740-691-5131 homenatlbank.com �Ohio Valley Publishing Thursday, December 24, 2020 17 Mark Porter Auto Group Happy Holidays! From Our Family To Yours. - The Porters MARK PORTER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OH-70218180 42411 Charles Chancey Drive Pomeroy OH 45769 US Sales: (866) 273-7049 Service: (866) 517-8499 markportergm.com MARK PORTER AUTOPLEX CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM 750 E State St, Athens, OH 45701 Phone: (740) 593-6671 markporterautoplex.com Address: 41300 Laurel Cliff Rd. Pomeroy, OH 45769 Sales: 888-378-7960 Service: 877-513-0986 Parts: 855-420-6046 Phone: (740) 444-4703 markportercdjr.com FORD 1360 Mayhew Rd, Jackson, OH 45640 Phone: (740) 286-2191 markporterford.com �NEWS/WEATHER 18 Thursday, December 24, 2020 Daily Sentinel More Middleport Christmas trees Kids From page 1 Porter and Miller explained that while the kids may not have been able to shop with the ﬁrst responders, they wanted to be able to do right by the children for Christmas, giving them as much of the experience as possible. Miller said that many changes had been made in recent days and weeks to provide the program while taking safety precautions due to COVID-19, resulting in Monday’s deliveries. Taking part in delivering gifts to the children were the Meigs County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Meigs County Prosecutor’s Ofﬁce, Holzer Meigs Security, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ofﬁcer Chris Gilkey and Loyalty is Forever representatives. More than $16,000 was raised for the 2020 Shop with a Cop event through the efforts of the Meigs County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, Pomeroy Police Department, Loyalty is Forever and many local businesses and individuals. © 2020 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Pictured are several decorated Christmas trees placed in Middleport as part of the display by the Middleport Business Association. Trees were decorated by local businesses, church groups and individuals. The display is located in the green space along North Second Avenue. The Daily Sentinel wishes everyone in Meigs County a Merry Christmas. The Sentinel will not be printing on Friday, Dec. 25 so that our staff may celebrate the Christmas holiday with their families. Regular printing resumes on Saturday, Dec. 26 with our weekend edition. Sarah Hawley is the managing editor of The Daily Sentinel. Photos by Sarah Hawley | Sentinel TODAY 8 AM WEATHER 2 PM 51° 45° 29° Snow today into tonight. Storm total snowfall 2-4 inches. High 51° / Low 20° HEALTH TODAY Statistics through 3 p.m. Wed. AccuWeather.com Asthma Index™ Temperature The AccuWeather.com Asthma Index combines the effects of current air quality, pollen counts, wind, temperature, dew point, barometric pressure, and changes from past weather conditions to provide a scale showing the overall probability and severity of an asthma attack. Precipitation 60°/25° 44°/27° 69° in 2015 -13° in 1989 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Wed. 0.00 Month to date/normal 1.85/2.49 Year to date/normal 46.08/41.88 Snowfall (in inches) The AccuWeather.com Cold Index combines the effects of local weather with a number of demographic factors to provide a scale showing the overall probability of transmission and symptom severity of the common cold. 4 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Wed. 0.0 Month to date/normal Trace/2.4 Season to date/normal 2.0/3.2 WEATHER TRIVIA™ SUN & MOON Q: Does Denver or New York average more precipitation each year? Fri. 7:45 a.m. 5:12 p.m. 2:22 p.m. 3:27 a.m. MOON PHASES Last Full Dec 29 Jan 6 New First Jan 12 Jan 20 SOLUNAR TABLE The solunar period indicates peak feeding times for ﬁsh and game. Today Fri. Sat. Sun. Mon. Tue. Wed. Major 7:10a 7:46a 8:25a 9:06a 9:51a 10:40a 11:33a Minor 1:00a 1:36a 2:13a 2:54a 3:38a 4:27a 5:20a Major 7:30p 8:08p 8:47p 9:30p 10:16p 11:06p ---- Minor 1:20p 1:57p 2:36p 3:18p 4:04p 4:53p 5:47p WEATHER HISTORY OH-70215316 From AccuWeather, we send you this greeting: Happy Holidays to all and we hope it is not sleeting! At the North Pole, we trust that jolly old St. Nick will plan the best route that he can pick. 0-2 Low; 3-4 Moderate; 5-6 High; 7-8 Very High; 9-10 Extreme A: New York, N.Y., averages nearly three times as much each year. Today 7:45 a.m. 5:12 p.m. 1:56 p.m. 2:29 a.m. Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset SATURDAY Mostly cloudy, ﬂurries; very cold AIR QUALITY Air Quality Index: 0-50, Good; 51-100, Moderate; 101-150, Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200, Unhealthy; 201-300, Very unhealthy; 301-500, Hazardous. Source: Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services OHIO RIVER Levels in feet as of 7 a.m. Wed. Location Willow Island Marietta Parkersburg Belleville Racine Point Pleasant Gallipolis Huntington Ashland Lloyd Greenup Portsmouth Maysville Meldahl Dam Flood Stage 37 34 36 35 41 40 50 50 52 54 50 50 51 Level 13.03 17.03 21.96 12.77 13.21 25.28 12.37 26.44 34.56 12.31 19.70 33.60 20.60 24-hr. Chg. -0.32 +0.07 +0.45 +0.18 +0.32 +0.58 +0.03 +0.14 +0.21 +0.01 -0.20 -0.40 +0.10 Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020 Logan 49/16 Waverly 47/16 Lucasville 48/17 Portsmouth 46/16 MONDAY 44° 37° Partly sunny and not as cold Partly sunny 41° 32° Rain and snow possible in the p.m. NATIONAL CITIES Marietta 52/19 Belpre 53/19 Athens 50/17 St. Marys 52/19 Parkersburg 51/19 Coolville 51/18 Elizabeth 53/19 Spencer 54/20 Buffalo 52/21 Ironton 50/16 Milton 52/18 St. Albans 53/21 Huntington 50/17 NATIONAL FORECAST 110s 100s Seattle 90s 46/37 80s 70s 60s 50s 40s 30s 20s San Francisco 10s 59/47 0s -0s -10s Los Angeles 68/50 T-storms Rain Showers Snow Flurries Ice Cold Front Warm Front Stationary Front WEDNESDAY 37° 27° Cloudy with snow showers possible Wilkesville 49/19 POMEROY Jackson 53/19 47/19 Ravenswood Rio Grande 53/19 49/20 Centerville POINT PLEASANT Ripley 36/14 GALLIPOLIS 51/20 54/20 51/20 Ashland 51/17 Grayson 49/17 TUESDAY 42° 27° Murray City 49/16 McArthur 49/17 South Shore Greenup 50/16 45/15 Primary pollutant: Particulates Not as cold with plenty of sunshine Adelphi 46/16 Chillicothe 44/17 SUNDAY 35° 26° Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. 1 AccuWeather.com Cold Index™ (in inches) FRIDAY 23° 15° ALMANAC High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low EXTENDED FORECAST 8 PM Clendenin 47/18 Charleston 54/20 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Winnipeg -7/-8 Montreal 46/43 Billings 47/34 Minneapolis 6/-5 Toronto 46/27 Detroit 36/21 New York 57/55 Chicago 19/11 Denver 47/29 Washington 60/40 Kansas City 29/13 City Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charleston, WV Charlotte Cheyenne Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Miami Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland, ME Raleigh Richmond St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Seattle Washington, DC Today Fri. Hi/Lo/W 40/21/s 30/26/c 55/25/r 62/52/c 60/39/r 47/34/pc 40/22/s 56/49/c 54/20/r 62/31/r 42/28/pc 19/11/c 31/15/sn 48/22/r 46/18/r 54/32/s 47/29/s 17/5/s 36/21/sf 84/71/pc 55/35/s 27/12/c 29/13/s 52/36/pc 42/23/s 68/50/c 32/18/sf 82/60/pc 6/-5/pc 36/20/sn 51/36/c 57/55/sh 49/25/s 79/41/t 60/50/r 63/45/pc 50/20/r 47/46/c 65/36/t 63/41/r 28/13/pc 31/18/s 59/47/pc 46/37/pc 60/40/r Hi/Lo/W 45/25/pc 26/21/pc 36/22/s 54/25/r 39/20/c 46/32/pc 40/32/pc 57/32/r 22/14/sf 38/21/s 52/32/s 23/18/pc 20/17/pc 25/18/sf 21/17/c 61/40/s 54/30/s 32/20/s 25/20/sf 83/71/pc 63/42/s 20/19/pc 41/29/s 58/38/s 44/27/s 68/52/pc 24/19/sf 62/46/s 20/11/s 30/20/s 52/35/s 56/25/r 54/34/s 52/34/s 51/23/r 68/43/c 21/14/sf 50/31/r 39/22/s 41/21/s 30/24/s 31/24/pc 59/50/r 45/41/r 41/24/pc EXTREMES WEDNESDAY National for the 48 contiguous states El Paso 48/25 Atlanta 55/25 86° in Harlingen, TX -12° in West Yellowstone, MT Global Houston 55/35 High Low Chihuahua 50/28 Monterrey 63/30 High Low Miami 82/60 110° in Geraldton, Australia -63° in Verkhoyansk, Russia Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow ﬂurries, sn-snow, i-ice. �Daily Sentinel Thursday, December 24, 2020 19 Dental Insurance Get the dental care you deserve with dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. It can help cover the services you’re most likely to use – Cleanings X-rays Fillings Crowns Dentures Preventive care starts right away Helps cover over 350 services Go to any dentist you want – but save more with one in our network No deductible, no annual maximum Call today for all the details. 1-844-327-3016 Here’s the information you requested on Dental insurance FIRST-CLASS MAIL O Call now to get this FREE Information Kit! dental50plus.com/cmccg Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating Providers and Preventive Beneﬁts Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certiﬁcate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This speciﬁc offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-888-799-4433 or respond for similar offer. Certiﬁcate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds B438/B439. 6154-0120 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 12. December Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource December 24, 2020 arnold haggy jeffers king long richards rife stanley