The Messenger

07/11/2025

Chester L. Galloway, 79

Chester L. Galloway, 79 of Stout, passed away Monday, July 7, 2025, at Hospice of Hope in Seaman, Ohio. He was born December 25, 1945, in Friendship to the late James and Laverna Holsinger Galloway.

Chester was a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and retired from Norfolk and Southern Railroad. He was also a member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge # 769 in West Portsmouth.

Chester was one of 5 children, survived by his brothers, Eugene and Paul Galloway and his sisters, Ruth Carver and Joy (Glenn) Anderson. After serving in the Vietnam War, he married and had 3 children, who survive; 2 sons, Steven and Mark Galloway; a daughter, Rebecca (Robert) Gifford; a grandchild Kira (Lance) Holbrook; 2 great grandchildren, Atticus and Callahan Holbrook; along with many great friends.

Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, July 12, 2025, at McKendree Cemetery in Stout with Ralph Hayslip officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion Post's, James Erwin Post 622 and Lucasville Post 363. Friends may call at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth from 5 to 7:00 PM on Friday with a Masonic service starting at 7:00 PM conducted by the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge # 769.

07/11/2025

07/11/2025

🚨🔥 2025 Scioto County Fair Entertainment Lineup is HERE! 🔥🚨

Get ready for a week packed with heart-pounding action, thrilling competition, and non-stop entertainment! Mark your calendars, gather your crew, and don’t miss a single night of FAIR-TASTIC FUN! 🎡🎶🚜🐂💥

🎟 Here’s what’s coming your way:

🔹 Monday, August 4th: Lumberjack Jamboree 🪵🏆 – Watch the toughest timber athletes in action, brought to you by the Southern Ohio Loggers Chapter! Action starts at 6 PM!

🔹 Tuesday, August 5th: Scioto County High School Band Showcase 🎺🥁 – Local high school bands go head-to-head in an epic musical showdown! Who will take home bragging rights? Show starts at 5 PM!

🔹 Wednesday, August 6th: OSTPA Tractor Pullers Pro Series 🚜💨 – Feel the power as the biggest and baddest tractors tear up the track at 7 PM!

🔹 Thursday, August 7th: The Buckeye Rodeo Returns! 🤠🐂 – Saddle up for bull riding, broncs, and rodeo thrills starting at 7 PM!

🔹 Friday, August 8th: 2nd Annual Scioto County School Bus Derby 🚌💥 – You saw the madness last year… now it’s back and BIGGER than ever at 7 PM!

🔹 Saturday, August 9th: The World-Famous Scioto County Fair Demolition Derby 🚗🔥 – The ultimate metal-crunching, crowd-roaring, fan-favorite event kicks off at 5 PM!

Tag your friends, spread the word, and get ready for the BEST WEEK of the year! Who’s excited?! 👏👇

07/11/2025

Woman with stage four lung cancer has a benefit dinner set for July 19 at the American Legion in Peebles. Dinner is open to the public.

Betty Greene has taken care of so many as an aide for 15 years. She is in need of community help as she can no longer work. You can still order the t-shirt but you may not have it by the benefit date.

07/11/2025

Ripley Jr. /Senior High School supply list

Click the link below for the Jr. High School Supply List:

https://www.rulh.us/Downloads/JR_High_SL.pdf

Click the link below for the High School Supply List:

https://www.rulh.us/Downloads/HS_SL.pdfy

07/11/2025

Doris Ann Unger-Skinner, age 79 years of Batavia, Ohio, passed away at her home, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Doris was surrounded by her son, daughter-in law, granddaughter, siblings (Alva & Rhonda) (Pauline & Andy) (Wilma) (Lloyd & Bonnie), nieces and best friend. Doris was born March 29, 1946 in Otway, Ohio to the late William Robert & Mildred Eileen (Hoffer) Unger.

Doris lived a very full life. Doris enjoyed a nursing career for over 35 years. Doris had many different roles in nursing over the years, but Doris enjoyed her last role as nurse at Shawnee Mental Health, working with the children of Adam’s County the most. Doris relocated next to her son Mike and daughter-in-law Lori for her retirement years. Doris enjoyed endless amounts of friendship during her life. She was always within arm’s reach of her best friends Wanda and Connie.

Doris was a lovable aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She was known to share her love of Skittles with them. Doris loved her long line of family and heritage. Doris was connected to many of her distant family members through the years. Doris always looked forward to the family reunions.

She was a member of the Owensville United Methodist church. Doris was an excellent seamstress, and she was a member of the women’s sewing group of Owensville. Doris was a lifelong member of TOPS and American Legion. Doris loved a good yard sale and recipe.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by Son Charles (Chuck) Robert Skinner, Brother Robert Lee Unger, Sister Nellie Margaret Unger, Brother Timothy Wayne Unger, Paternal Grandfather Samuel Benjamin Unger, Paternal Grandmother Tabitha (Bitha) E. Cooper Unger, Maternal Grandfather Edward Hoffer, Maternal Grandmother Lillie Mae Stevens Hoffer.

Doris’s faith in God was unwavering thru out her life. As we celebrate the life that Doris lived, Jesus reminds Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my father’s home.

Doris is survived by her Son Mike (Lori) Unger, Granddaughter Tiffany (Bo) Janes, Grandson Joseph (Leslie) Unger, Granddaughter Alexandra (Brandon) Martian, Granddaughter Jennifer (Carl) Ottaway, and Granddaughter Brittany Skinner, Brothers Alva Eugene Unger (Rhonda), William Thomas Unger, Lloyd Earl Unger (Bonnie); Sisters Pauline Unger Mingua (Andy), Wilma Faye Unger Fizer (Terry); lots of Great Grandchildren, many Nieces & Nephews, and numerous friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 5 – 7 PM, at the Thompson-Meeker Funeral Home in West Union, Ohio. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home, with Pastor David Tennant officiating. Burial will follow in the Hoffer Hill Baptist Cemetery. Services are entrusted to the Thompson-Meeker Funeral Home.

Following the burial friends and family will gather at the Willow in Wi******er.

07/11/2025

Chester Lee Bales, 74 years of age, of West Union, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Cincinnati VA Hospital.
Chester was born on February 14, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of the late Eleanor (Herron) and Sheridan "Jess" Bales. After serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict as a military police K-9 handler, Chester worked in the tree service industry.
Chester is survived by his daughter, Sarah (Nathan) Manning, of Russellville; his sons, Noah (Sarah) Bales, of West Union; and Levi (Brooklynn) Bales, of Wi******er. Chester also leaves two sisters, Carolyn Brown, of West Union; and Deanna Davis, of Arizona; and a brother, Gary Bales, of West Union. Chester will be missed by his grandchildren, Tristen, Kensley, Samuel, Avah, Elias, Wyatt, Cole, and Emmett.
Chester was preceded in death by his parents; a grandchild, Trevor; and his sister, Judy Lawrence.
Family and friends may pay their respects during visitation on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the Bradford-Sullivan Funeral Home in Wi******er, Ohio.
Funeral services will be held immediately following visitation, on Monday, July 14, 2025, beginning at 1:00 pm, at the Bradford-Sullivan Funeral Home, in Wi******er, with Gene Webber officiating. Chester's burial will follow at the Cherry Fork Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Bradford-Sullivan Funeral Home.

07/11/2025

Update: we have an official statement and the Sheriff did es**rt her to the gravesite but it was after the funeral- not during the funeral.

Tien Hawkins was arraigned today in the Adams County Court on multiple charges related to the abuse and death of her two year old and the abuse of her two other children.

Charges include:
Permitting Child Abuse resulting in death,Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter, Endangering Children resulting in serious physical harm as well as additional abuse charges.

Bond was set at $500,000. Hawkins remains in custody at this time.

Members of the public have reported that she was allowed to attend her daughter’s funeral, es**rted by a Sheriff.

07/11/2025

HE’S BEEN FOUND!
DAY 6!
It’s fair week! You know what that means… GIVEAWAYS! Find John Adams each day and win you an awesome gift card! Today, $50 Visa GC from Bristol Village Homes

Hint DAY 6: Where hooves meet sawdust and eyes are on the prize, something’s tucked away where the judges analyze.

* If found, you must call the number on the back.

** Must be claimed before 8pm today!

07/11/2025

New Richmond’s new Police Chief Makes An Announcement

Good morning Village of New Richmond! My name is Scott Noel and I am your new Police Chief. I met many of you during Freedom Fest this past weekend but in case I didn't, I wanted to introduce myself and briefly tell you a few of my priorities. I come to you after a 35 yr career in the suburbs of Hamilton County. Before my retirement, I was a Chief for 7 1/2 yrs so as the saying goes "This ain't my first rodeo". My top priorities are the safety and security of the residents, visitors, businesses, and Officers of the Village. I also place a high priority on community engagement particularly with the young people so you will see me and the rest of the department ALOT when it comes to that type of activity. I have a whole lot of other plans but I'll share those at the appropriate time. I am not an "Office Chief" so you will see me out and about quite frequently. I encourage you to share your comments and concerns, after all, we are here to protect and serve you. Feel free to contact me with any comments or concerns that you may have or just to tell me how well my officers are doing 😉. My email is [email protected] and my office number is 513-553-8712.

I look forward to meeting everyone. We are going to do some great things.

Chief Scott D. Noel

07/11/2025

RULH welcomes Ben Mueller to the Blue Jay family!

07/11/2025

First Friday Cruise-In — August 1st!

Rev up those engines and join us Uptown from 5–9 PM for an evening of cruising and car talk! Bring your:

🚘 Classic Cars
💪 Modern Muscle
🛠️ Hotrods & Rat Rods
⬇️ Low Riders
🛻 Trucks
🚙 Jeeps
🏍️ Bikes

Whether you're showing off or just stopping by to enjoy the sights and sounds, there's something for everyone at this First Friday Cruise-In!

Uptown Hillsboro
Friday, August 1st | 5–9 PM
Good vibes, cool rides, and community pride.

Tag your car club, invite your crew, and come cruise with us!



---

Want a shorter version or a square graphic caption too?