Southern Ohio Online News

02/17/2026

A 19 year-old from Logan, Ohio has died as the result of a single vehicle crash in Hocking County.

Hocking County, Ohio – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle crash that
claimed the life of a 19-year-old from Hocking County. The crash occurred at
approximately 5:38 a.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on SR-664 North of Huston Road,
Marion Township, Hocking County.

Kalind Myles Freeman, age 19, of Logan, Ohio was traveling northbound on SR-664 in a
2001 Dodge Ram pick-up when he lost control on black ice. His vehicle traveled off the
right side of the road where it struck an embankment and overturned. Mr. Freeman was
pronounced deceased on the scene by a representative of the Hocking County Coroners
Office.

Troopers were assisted on scene by deputies with the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office,
Logan Fire Department, Marion Township Fire Department, Hocking County EMS,
Hocking County Coroner’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The vehicle did not have working safety-belts.

This tragic loss of life serves as a reminder that a seatbelt is the single most effective
piece of safety equipment in your vehicle. Please take the time to buckle up every time
you get behind the wheel.

02/11/2026

One semi crashes and another slams into it, leaving a portion of U.S. 35 East CLOSED at this time. Both drivers injured and transported to hospitals.

Ross County, Ohio - The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two commercial vehicle
crashes that occurred on U.S.35, in Jefferson Township, Ross County, Ohio.

On February 10, 2026, at approximately 11:01 P.M., a 2026 Freightliner semi, operated by
Ronoldo Baccas, age 26, of Jamaica, New York, was traveling southeast on U.S.35 near
milepost 34 when it traveled off the right side of the roadway. Mr. Baccas overcorrected,
causing the vehicle to overturn and re-enter the roadway. The Freightliner struck two road
signs before coming to final rest in the middle of the U.S.35 eastbound lanes. Moments later, a 2025 Volvo semi, operated by Jason Keith, age 49, of Lancaster, Ohio, was also traveling southeast on U.S.35 and struck the overturned Freightliner in the roadway. Following the collision, the Volvo traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking a
guardrail and a bridge pillar.

U.S.35 eastbound was closed at Vigo Road and remains closed at this time.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has established a detour and remains on scene.

Mr. Keith sustained minor injuries and was transported by Jefferson Township EMS to
Adena Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Baccas was transported by MedFlight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus and is reported to be in stable condition.

The Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Township Fire & EMS, and the Ohio
Department of Transportation assisted on scene.
This crash remains under investigation.

02/02/2026

Fayette County, Ohio – The Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a
two-vehicle crash involving one fatality.

The crash occurred on US Route 62 near milepost
20, Marion Township, Fayette County, at approximately 04:20 AM on February 1, 2026.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2024 Hyundai Sonata, operated by Jaymon T.
Flaugher, 25, of Washington Court House, OH, was traveling southwest on US Route 62.
A 2024 Kenworth Tractor Trailer, operated by Paul M. Stratham, 65, of Auburn, GA, was
traveling northeast on US Route 62. The vehicle operated by Mr. Flaugher traveled left of
center and struck Mr. Stratham’s vehicle head-on. Livia M. Sheppard, 24, of Washington
Court House, OH, was the front seat passenger in the vehicle operated by Mr. Flaugher.

Both Mr. Flaugher and Ms. Sheppard were transported to Grant Medical Center in
Columbus, where Ms. Sheppard was later pronounced deceased. Mr. Flaugher suffered
serious injuries from the crash.
Mr. Stratham was not seriously injured.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Fayette County Sheriff’s
Office, Bloomingburg Fire and Fayette County EMS.

This crash remains under investigation.

01/24/2026

CHILLICOTHE – Troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are
investigating two separate crashes that shut down US 23 near milepost 15 for approximately two hours Friday afternoon in Springfield Township, Ross County, Ohio.

The first crash occurred on January 23, 2026 at approximately 2:15 p.m., on US 23
southbound near milepost 15. A red 2018 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jacob Alspaugh
age 19 of Chillicothe, and white 2021 Ford Escape driven by Richard King, age 38, of
Portsmouth were traveling south on US 23 when the Escape made an improper lane change
and struck the Silverado. After contact was made the Silverado traveled off the right side
of the roadway and struck the guardrail before it rolled down an embankment and struck a
tree line. Mr. King’s vehicle then came to a stop along the right side of the roadway.

Later, at approximately 2:17 p.m., a gray 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by James
Minnehan age 34 of Waverly, Ohio was traveling south on US 23 when he observed the
Silverado over the guardrail. Mr. Minnehan turned around in a crossover and came to a
stop in the median on the northbound side of US 23. A 2005 silver Toyota Matrix was
traveling north on US 23 driven by Annis Arwood, age 61 , of Boone, North Carolina when
it struck the rear of the Tahoe, causing it to travel into the median. The Toyota Matrix
then spun around before coming to rest on US 23.

Ms. Arwood was transported to Adena Regional Medical Center by Green Township EMS
for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Green Township Fire and
EMS, Springfield Township Fire and EMS and the Ross County Sheriff’s Office. US 23
was shut down for approximately 2 hours.
The crashes remain under investigation.

12/28/2025

A 33 year-old Portsmouth, Ohio man was arrested, charged with felony trafficking methamphetamine.

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated on Saturday, December 27, 2025 the Scioto County 911 communication center received a call at 8:08pm about a disturbance occurring at 52 Clayton Court West Portsmouth, Ohio.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that the Washington Township Community Policing Deputies, along with other deputies responded to the call.
Deputies were advised that a male was beating on a door, screaming at a female. Upon their arrival deputies located a male subject attempting to leave in a silver Nissan Sentra. Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop when the driver tried to drive around them. The driver of the Nissan was blocked in by one of the deputies, and he was unable to leave the area.

Sheriff Thoroughman stated that deputies, Travis and Trever McKenzie, Deputy Ginn and Deputy Marcum detained and searched the suspect. During the search of his person deputies located drug paraphernalia and what was later identified as ice (methamphetamine). The suspect gave deputies consent to search the vehicle, during which 8 bags of prepackaged drugs were located in a safe. The drugs were later identified as methamphetamine and the weight was 65 times bulk amount. Other items located were scales, three cell phones and cash. The suspect was arrested and taken to the Scioto County Jail without incident.

Arrested was Jason E Blair, age 33, of Mabert Road Portsmouth, Ohio. Blair has been charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the 1st degree, Aggravated Possession of Drugs, a felony of the 1st degree, Hidden Compartments in a Vehicle, a felony of the 2nd degree, Possession of Criminal Tools, a felony of the 5th degree, and Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree. Blair is being held on a $73,250.00 bond and will appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday, December 29, 2025.

Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that the quick response by the Washington Township deputies, along with their skillful observations, allowed them to remove a large amount of drugs off of the streets. This plays a vital role in keeping the streets of Washington Township and Scioto County safe.

12/28/2025

Chillicothe, Ohio - The Chillicothe School District posted the attached statement to their social media platform. It is in regards to what has been described by witnesses as a medical emergency involving coach Gary Kellough during a Basketball game this evening.
No further information is available at this time.

12/27/2025

Waverly, Ohio - 8:00 P.M Emmitt Avenue between High Street and Lock Street will be closed until further notice due to a serious motor vehicle accident. No details will be announced until provided publicly by law enforcement.

The above information and photo used were provided by the Waverly Fire Department.

12/24/2025

An investigation regarding the severe injuries discovered on a 7 week-old baby has resulted in the arrest of the baby's 24 Year-old father on felony charges.

Fayette County, Ohio - On December 20, 2025, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible assault involving a 7-week-old child who had sustained severe injuries. Deputies conducted an immediate investigation including in person interviews and consultations with medical professionals and determined that the injuries were consistent with abuse and assault.

As a result of the investigation, the child's father, Aaron R. Oneal age 24 of Washington Court House, has been arrested and charged with Felonious Assault and Endangering Children, both second-degree felonies. He is currently being held in the Fayette County Jail pending his initial arraignment at the Washington Municipal Court. This investigation is ongoing and will be presented to the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office for their review and consideration of any additional charges.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at (740) 335-6170 and ask to speak with Detective Brown.

12/17/2025

Three people ejected and seriously injured as the result of a single vehicle rollover crash on U.S. 35.

Ross County, Ohio – Troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a single vehicle injury crash that occurred on December 17, 2025 at 9:38 a.m. in Ross County. Troopers responded to US 35 near mile marker 33, in Jefferson Township, Ross County, Ohio for a vehicle that had driven off of US 35 into the median and overturned multiple times, ejecting several occupants.

A 2019 Kia Forte driven by, Detrail Barnes, 20, of Norfolk, Virginia was traveling eastbound when his vehicle drove off the left side of the roadway into the grassy median, struck an embankment, and overturned. Mr. Barnes was ejected from the vehicle, sustained serious injuries and was flown from the scene to Grant Medical Center in Columbus. Two passengers, Wahcem Walker, 32, and Desi Water, 32, both from Virginia Beach, Virginia were ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Walker was flown from the scene to Grant Medical Center, while Mr. Water was transported to Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe then later flown to Grant Medical Center, for their injuries. The fourth passenger, Demetrius Stallings, 31, of Virginia Beach, Virginia was transported to Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe for his injuries.

US 35 was closed in both directions for approximately one hour, then reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately 1 hour while emergency personnel rendered aid and continued their investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Ross County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Jefferson Township Fire/EMS, Liberty Township EMS, Scioto Township EMS and MedFlight.

The crash remains under investigation.

12/15/2025