Latest news with #Pleasant
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Culture & Heritage Festival returns to OUS Saturday
Jun. 13—Ohio University Southern is having its third annual Culture & Heritage Festival Saturday and the community is invited to come together in celebration of the region's history, creativity and cultural diversity. The festival, held in the Shafer Courtyard, serves as a lead-up to Juneteenth and offers a full afternoon of music, art, and community connection. "The Culture and Heritage Festival is a way to bring the community together to celebrate the history and cultures that make up this Appalachian region," said Robert Pleasant, director of student services. "It's not just a day of entertainment — it's an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and create meaningful connections that strengthen our community." The festival begins at 11:45 a.m. with an opening ceremony featuring remarks from campus leaders and a musical tribute by Portsmouth High School Band director Tony McKrimmon, who will perform the National Anthem and "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Musical acts throughout the day will include Ironton-based band What's Up Betsy, Kentucky singer-songwriter Shelby Lore, and Charleston's 4YLP, whose energetic blend of pop, funk, and R&B will close out the stage performances. More than a dozen local and regional vendors will take part, offering handmade crafts, cultural art, wellness items, and more. Among them are Double Luck Herbothecary & Fermatory, Brown Butterfly Books, and Appalachian Barrel & Wood Crafts. Refreshments will be available from Fetty's Food Truck, Keeney's Kitchen, and T&C Lemonade. Creative children's activities will be provided by Third and Center, an Ironton-based nonprofit arts organization. "This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, welcoming all to explore the creative offerings from local history displays, music, Kids Zone activities, food trucks, and the many other vendors selling goods," Pleasant said. In addition to celebrating culture and creativity, the event offers a space for education and reflection. Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when news of emancipation reached the last enslaved people in Galveston Bay, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. While Juneteenth has long been honored in the African American community, its history is still unfamiliar to many. Since officially recognizing the holiday in 2021, Ohio University has expanded its commitment to hosting programs that deepen public understanding of this important moment in American history. "The festival not only provides entertainment but also highlights our region's story, one shaped by resilience, freedom, and shared heritage," said Pleasant. "We hope people leave feeling inspired, more connected, and proud of where they're from." The Culture & Heritage Festival is presented as part of the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative. Funding is made possible through a POWER Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation and a network of partners spanning nine counties across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. For more information, visit You Might Like News IPD Allison promoted to sergeant Education Area students named to OU's Spring 2025 Provost's List Lifestyles Corky's missing guitar News Withrow chosen for council seat
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police search for 'jugging' suspect after Mesquite business owner robbed of $5,000
The Brief A Mesquite gym owner lost $5,000 in a "jugging" incident after withdrawing cash from a bank. The man believes he was followed from the bank, and his 15-year-old daughter was in the car when a suspect stole the money. Dallas police are investigating, have collected fingerprints, and are hoping to identify suspects using surveillance footage from the area. PLEASANT GROVE - Dallas police are investigating a possible case of jugging that left a man without thousands of dollars. A Mesquite small business owner says he went to the bank, then went to run another errand, when a man stole the cash out of his vehicle. What Happened Tuesday, FOX 4 spoke with Chris Robles of Mesquite. He owns the Grind Hard Fitness gym in Mesquite. Just before noon on Friday, Robles withdrew $5,000 in cash from a Pleasant Grove Chase bank near Masters and Lake June Road. He walked back to his car, with a cash envelope in his pocket. Then Robles drove four miles to pick up a U-Haul at the corner of Jim Miller Road and C.F. Hawn Freeway, right across the street from Dallas PD's southeast patrol division. He believes he was being watched and then followed. Robles told us he even tried to be cautious that day. He went inside the bank to get the cash from a teller, not the outside ATM. But even after doing that, he says he still was targeted. While he was inside the business, a thief, who he believes followed him from the bank, stole the money from his car. The scariest part, to him, was that his 15-year-old daughter was also in danger. What they're saying "I didn't have any idea someone was following me. Everything was very normal," Robles said. He went inside while his 15-year-old daughter waited in the vehicle. "As soon as I walked in the door, I got a phone call from my daughter. And she was yelling, 'someone is in the car.' I thought she said someone hit the car. So I ran out there immediately. And I saw her crying," Robles said. Robles said his daughter later told Dallas officers a man in his late teens to early twenties with a black ski mask took the cash from the center console. The teenager said she was able to snap a quick photo of the suspect vehicle: a gray Honda sedan. She sent the picture over to the Dallas police. "She is 15 years old. I'm glad she is here today," Robles said. What's next Dallas police confirm they're investigating the robbery and are still looking for the suspect or suspects involved. Dallas investigators collected fingerprints from Robles' vehicle. Robles was also told by police they have cameras at that intersection, and they hope to capture a license plate. Meanwhile, Robles is still focused on growing his gym grind hard fitness even with the unplanned and dangerous money setback. Dig deeper The tactic of following someone from a bank or business to steal cash is called jugging. A new Texas law, House Bill 1902, aims to crack down on the growing crime trend. Now, suspects are charged with burglary or robbery. But starting Sept. 1, jugging is its own crime, and can carry steeper penalties if the offense escalates. The Source Information in this article comes from Chris Robles and the Dallas Police Department.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
See the photos: Pleasant High School graduates more than 90 seniors Friday ceremony
Pleasant High School graduated more than 90 seniors Friday night. In the class of 2025, about 80% plan to continue their education and three plan to serve in the military. Pleasant's graduating seniors earned a grand total of $1.4 million in scholarships. The graduation ceremony saw speeches made by Pleasant High School Principal Steven Ringer, Pleasant Local School Superintendent Tom McDonnell and class of 2025 valedictorian Kylie Klaiber. "While today might not make you feel like the finish line, it's really just a launch pad, whether you're heading to college, workforce, military, a gap year, or a path entirely your own," Ringer said. "Remember this. You carry with you more than just a transcript. You carry your values you've learned here: integrity, compassion and the belief in your ability to make a difference." McDonnell told students that their parents and educators expect great things from them. "We're proud of your accomplishments, but even more proud of who you are," McDonnell said. Klaiber told her fellow graduates that high school is just 5% of their lives, and the best is yet to come. "High school doesn't have to be the best chapter of your book," Klaiber said. "Just the beginning, and we've already started strong." This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Pleasant High School class of 2025 graduates more than 90 seniors
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who had the best week? Vote in the latest Marion Star athlete of the week polls
The postseason is upon us. Baseball holds its opening rounds starting the week of May 19, while softball teams will be going for district championships this week. In track and field, district meets will be held in Hilliard, at River Valley and in Granville this week. The boys tennis tournament is over for all Marion-area boys. Advertisement To celebrate the athletes who had big weeks last week, fans are encouraged to vote as often as allowed in the latest Marion Star Best of the Week Performer Polls, which will be open through early Sunday morning. Here are the latest nominees: MOAC track: Pleasant's Sean Murphy wrestles away a championship from the competition at the MOAC meet Latest college notes: College Notebook: Elgin grad Tiffany Hix earns NCAC top scholar-athlete honor Marion Star Boys Best of the Week Performer Poll North Union's Griffin Osborne won the 100 and 200 meters and was third in the 4x100-meter relay to earn Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division Performer of the Year in track and field. Northmor track's Cowin Becker won the 100, 200 and 400 meters plus the long jump at the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference Championships. Ridgedale track's Brogan Weston won the 1600 and 3200 meters at the Northwest Central Conference Championships. Highland baseball's Kort Sears pitched a no-hitter with 2 walks and 9 strikeouts, plus hit a double in a Mid Ohio Athletic Conference-clinching win over Ontario. Pleasant baseball's Owen Lowry hit a home run in a win over Cardington. Cardington baseball's Josh Goers threw a 3-hitter with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts in a win over Northmor. Marion Star Girls Best of the Week Performer Poll North Union's Gabby Lindsey set a meet record in the long jump, won the 400 meters, was second in the 200 meters and 4x200-meter relay and earned Central Buckeye Conference Mad River Division Performer of the Year in track and field. Ridgedale track's Maddie McKenzie won the 100-meter hurdles and was third in the 300 hurdles at the Northwest Central Conference Championships. Elgin track's Kadence Gear won the high jump and was second in the 400 at the Northwest Central Conference Championships. River Valley softball's Samantha Woods put up two doubles and a single for five RBIs, including the game-winning hit over Clear Fork to clinch a piece of the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference championship. Marion Harding softball's Raina Smith went 4-for-5 including the game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth inning over Hamilton Township in a Division III tournament game. Highland softball's Saylor Squires hit a double and 2 singles, plus pitched a 6-hitter with 6 strikeouts and 3 walks in a Division IV tournament win over Buckeye Valley. Last week's winners In last week's boys poll, Pleasant baseball's Avery Hamper, who posted a game-winning single to beat Marion Harding, earned 1,082 of 2,312 votes (47 percent) to win the poll. Other nominees were North Union baseball's Ashtin Haubiel, Highland baseball's Jayden Collins, Ridgedale track's Breyton Richmond, Elgin baseball's Jeremy Skaggs, Mount Gilead track's Owen Hershner and Northmor track's Levi Hunter. Advertisement In last week's girls poll, North Union softball's Leah Cox, who had a double, two singles and three RBIs against Bellefontaine, earned 444 of 1,356 votes (33 percent) to win the poll. Other nominees were River Valley softball's Kylie Eastep, Pleasant track's Taydon Obenour, Highland softball's Lydia Shaffer, Ridgedale softball's Kenzie Delaney and Mount Gilead track's Danielle Pohlkotte. Marion Star athlete of the week polls rmccurdy@ 419-610-0998 X @McMotorsport Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Vote: Marion Star Best of the Week Performer Polls for boys and girls
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pleasant's Sean Murphy wrestles away a championship from the competition at the MOAC meet
MARION — In his first year of running track at Pleasant, senior Sean Murphy became a champion. Not bad for a rookie. He won the boys 400 meters during the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships during the running finals on May 15, clocking 50.26 seconds in Harding Stadium. He took third in the 200 in 23.21 and helped anchor the 4x400 relay team to a runner-up spot in 3 minutes, 29.72 seconds. Advertisement Murphy spent previous springs working on his craft in wrestling, which kept him away from the oval. With wrestling behind him now, he felt free to try running track. Track districts schedule, sites: Marion-area athletes set to compete in district track meets. When, where will they go? More MOAC track and field: River Valley's Eva Moran proves she's back in form following a broken ankle "I definitely wanted to keep wrestling for sure. Making the state (in wrestling this winter for the first time) was really awesome. I loved it. I love wrestling, but this is awesome, too," he said. "I was looking at times (last year), and I was like, 'Man, I can run that. I can do that. I've got to come out here and do it,'" he said. Advertisement He showed he belonged with the best in track this week at the MOAC meet, putting together three all-league finishes. Now his attention turns to next week's district meet where he and the rest of the Pleasant boys will compete in Division II at River Valley. "Confidence is through the roof. I've just got to tweak little things because I lack experience, but I'm putting in the work," he said. Marion Harding's Leah Price takes the lead in the girls 1600 meters at the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships on May 15, 2025 at Harding Stadium. Price sisters dominate distance races Lydia Price showed she's rounding back into shape after missing three weeks of the regular season with a back injury. The Marion Harding junior defended her girls 3200-meter MOAC title, winning it again with an 11:57.21. Advertisement Meanwhile, twin sister Leah Price won the 1600 in 5:19.63 and was a runner-up in the 800 in 2:25.02 and the 3200 in 12:19.42. On Tuesday, Leah also was second in the high jump at 5 feet. "I'm still not in my best shape. I was lucky. They were probably tired from the mile and Leah from the 800," Lydia said of her victory. "I was able to pull away. I do better at the longer distances." Marion Harding's Lydia Price won the girls 3200-meter run at the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships that wrapped up May 15, 2025 at Harding Stadium. It was the first truly hot day of the season for the competitors with temperatures in the 80s, and that affected the times, especially in the longest race. At last year's MOAC meet, Lydia won the 3200 in 11:18.46 and the 1600 in 5:17.47. Advertisement "The heat was definitely a factor that did not help. I'm really excited I got that (1600 win). I didn't think I was going to get it," Leah said. "I was hoping I would get at least one first place, but I was glad I was able to follow with three other second places. While the two ran against each other Thursday evening in the two longest events with Lydia taking fourth in the 1600 in 5:36.56, there is no hint of a sibling rivalry. "It was really nice that we were able to get the one-mile and two-mile. I'm really glad that she got it," Leah said. "I've been hoping I would get first place, and Lydia was out for a while injured, but she made a really good comeback at this race. It was definitely her race to do it in the two-mile." Added Lydia: "It's really cool. Those go together. I knew she would probably win the mile because she's better at that one than I am. I was happy to win one." Pleasant's Sean Murphy won the boys 400 meters during the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at Harding Stadium on May 15, 2025. Other All-MOAC performers The top three finishers in every event earned all-league honors. Winners get first team; runners-up get second team; and third-place finishers get honorable mention. Advertisement Ending as a runner-up from the Marion area on Thursday were Pleasant's Taydon Obenour in the girls 100 hurdles at 16.59, Highland's Owen Winkelfoos in the boys 1600 at 4:38.83, Pleasant's Will Lichtenberger in the boys 400 at 52.12, Pleasant's Sarah Jordan in the girls 300 hurdles at 49.79, Highland's Toby Rogers in the boys 300 hurdles at 41.86, Pleasant's Elijah McGinniss in the boys 800 at 2:00.03 and Highland's Matthew Miller in the boys 3200 at 10:41.61. Taking third from the area were Rogers in the boys 110 hurdles at 16.55, the Marion Harding boys 4x200 team at 1:33.53, Harding's Jaidin Ramirez in the boys 1600 at 4:39.68 and 3200 at 11:00.91, the Harding girls 4x100 team at 50.91, Highland's Kameron Stover in the girls 400 at 1:00.05, Obernour in the 300 hurdles at 52.05, Harding's Sebastian Swihart in the boys 800 at 2:03.84, Highland in the girls 4x400 relay in 4:21.25 and Highland's boys 4x400 unit in 3:40.44. Ontario won the boys team title with 163 points as Clear Fork was second with 106 points. Highland was fourth, Pleasant fifth, Harding sixth and River Valley eighth. Shelby won the girls team crown with 162 points as Ontario was runner-up with 112 points. Harding was third with 99 followed by Highland in fifth, RV in sixth and Pleasant in seventh. rmccurdy@ 419-610-0998 X @McMotorsport Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Harding's Price sisters dominate in distances at MOAC track finals
