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  • Public Safety
    ambulance

    No Ambulance Available: Nursing Home Call Highlights Ongoing EMS Crisis 

    BAD BEHAVIOR

    Family Feud Turns Ugly: Grandma and Grandson Both Arrested  

    Scioto County Grand Jury Indictments

    19 New Scioto County Grand Jury Indictments

    Sheriff night 1

    Deputies Step In as Teen Meltdown Escalates in West Portsmouth 

    Southern Ohio Medical Center

    Shove at SOMC: Dad Walks Out With Child, Staff Calls Police 

    SCDN File Photo

    Flying Object From SUV Strikes Woman in Farley Square 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/09/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    SCDN File Photo

    Bloody Scene at Dollar General Ends With Hospital Trip 

    Handcuffed and On the Run: Foot Pursuit on Gallia Street 

    domestic violence abuse

    Domestic Dispute Ends in Arrest After Man Admits Grabbing Woman by the Throat 

    homeless

    Homeless Camp Sweep Ends in Arrests — and a Troubling Release 

    Police lights in rear view 1

    Repeat Offender Nabbed Again in Wheelersburg Traffic Stop 

    dog animal cruelty

    “Starved” Dog Found Dead in Scioto County : Animal Control Crisis 

    Chase Scoggins

    A Judge Speaks Out: The Story of Chase Scoggins Echoes Portsmouth’s Own Struggles 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/08/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    OSP 22

    Scioto County Man Involved in Fatal Gallia County Crash 

    Suspect arrested

    CHEATING CLAIM ERUPTS INTO VIOLENCE — HUSBAND CUFFED AFTER WIFE CALLS 911 FROM SHOWER 

    He Just Kept Coming Back: Bizarre Stranger Terrifies Carlyle Avenue Resident 

    CNA Punched in the Face at Wheelersburg Nursing Home

    911 dispatcher

    Trailer Drama in West Portsmouth Prompts 911 Call 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    Democrats Blast Bryan Davis: “Quit Collecting a Paycheck You’re Not Earning” 

    Robert Horton

    Update in Robert Horton Corruption Case 

    Davis Commish

    No Updates, Just an Empty Seat: Powell and Smith Say Davis Drama is Out of Their Hands

    weird strange absurd

    Parking, Murals, and an Indicted Commissioner: Sparks Fly at Portsmouth City Manager’s Conference 

    Bryan Davis Due Back In Court October 21 

    Sean Dunne Next Mayor of Portsmouth?

    Dunne: “It’s Time for Portsmouth to Speak Up” on Davis Resignation 

    confused woman

    Portsmouth Council Weighs Asking Davis to Resign 

    Turning Point USA

    Student Democrats Deny Role in Petition to Ban Turning Point USA at SSU 

    Turning Point USA

    Portsmouth Politics Escalate: SSU Students Petition to Ban Turning Point USA

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder’s Office Increases Fees 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Powell Responds to Conflict of Interest Questions 

    FOP Endorses Malone, Neff in Portsmouth City Election 

    Bryan Davis

    Where’s Bryan Davis? GOP Says Step Down — Court Says Suspended

    SCDN File Photo

    Where’s Bryan Davis? After Two Missed Meetings, GOP Says It’s Time to Step Down 

    This bench is a different bench located near Jim Dandy's

    Exclusive: The Bench Is Back — But the Political Drama Isn’t Over 

    crisis question

    Where’s Bryan Davis? Commissioners, Citizens Ask the Same Question 

    Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis

    Bryan Davis Arraignment Set, New Judge Assigned 

    Bryan Davis

    Why Commissioner Davis Staying in Office Raises Big Problems 

    Scottie Powell

    Powell Calls on Commissioner Davis to Resign 

    Scioto County Bryan Davis Scandal

    🗓 Timeline of a Scandal: How Scioto County’s Economic Development Crisis Unfolded 

  • Feel Good

    Honoring Scioto County’s First Town — and Its First People: New Heritage Trail Sign Dedicated at Earl Thomas Conley Park 

    A man approaching the bowling lane with a red bowling ball as his three friends in the background cheer him on.

    How Bowling Can Improve Your Mental Health

    A sleek blue sedan parked on concrete. Behind the vehicle is a view of the sky with a setting sun over a body of water.

    How To Make Your Daily Driver Feel Like a Sports Car

    A person's hand is holding a miniature wooden house with a green roof and a budding plant on top against a green background.

    How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

    A man sitting in a vehicle is handing over an ID card to a female police officer standing by his window.

    Tips for Staying Calm During Police Encounters

    Cyn Mackley

    Cyn Mackley Channels Haunted Appalachia

    A group of friends stand around a table, smiling, laughing, and drinking. There are plates of food on the table.

    Creative Ways To Host Outdoor Events This Summer

    A family of two parents and a young boy and girl are playing laser tag with vests and laser blasters in an arena.

    What Activities To Offer at a Family Fun Center

    Shawnee State University SSU

    Shawnee State University Joins New Athletic Conference, Adds Football to Lineup 

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

    Three girls in quinceañera dresses stand beside one another. The one in middle has a gold dress while the other two wear pink.

    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

    An angler standing at the edge of a lake just after sunset with three fishing rods resting on the ground next to him.

    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

    good cops

    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

    good cops

    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

    A group of people stands outside with their arms in the air. They hold their hands together, making a pyramid shape.

    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

    good cops

    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

  • Obituaries
    Julia Mae Duke

    Julia Mae Duke, 83 of Piketon

    Dana LaMonte Messer

    Dana LaMonte Messer, 68 of Portsmouth

    Heath Aaron Pollard

    Heath Aaron Pollard, 43 Jackson

    Betty Kathleen Rowe

    Betty Kathleen Rowe, aged 91 of Wheelersburg

    Diana J. Todd

    Diana J. Todd, 81 of Sciotoville

    David W. Bauer

    David W. Bauer, 94 of Wheelersburg

    Dorothy Sue Stringfield

    Dorothy Sue Stringfield, 62 of Portsmouth

    Garry Arnett Hurless

    Garry Arnett Hurless, 83 of Piketon

    William Ratliff

    William C. Ratliff 72, of Portsmouth

    Annetta Collins

    Annetta Collins, 68 of South Webster

    Elizabeth Ann Smith

    Elizabeth Ann Smith, age 62 of New Boston

    Judith Phipps

    Judith Ann (Tackett) Phipps, 84 of Mt. Perry

    Patricia Aileen (White) Attaway

    Patricia Aileen (White) Attaway of Georgia

    Bonnie Lafrida Riddlebarger

    Bonnie Lafrida Riddlebarger, 88 of New Boston

    Fontella Munn

    Fontella Munn, 87 of Lucasville

    Beverly Jane Kessinger

    Beverly Jane Kessinger, 82 of Friendship

    Barbara Williams

    Beth Ann Fite, 68 of Wheelersburg

    Barbara Williams

    Linda Kay Percell, 77 of Wheelersburg,

    William Emanuel Redoutey Sr

    William Emanuel Redoutey Sr., 80 of Portsmouth

    R. Eugene O. Collins

    R. Eugene O. Collins, 93 of West Portsmouth

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Ohio Representative Jay Edwards Makes “Slave” Comment on the House Floor

Mark Craycraft by Mark Craycraft
3 years ago
in Politics, Regional
Ohio Representative Jay Edwards
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During the March 1st, 2023 meeting of the Ohio House of Representatives, Republican Representative Jay Edwards of Nelsonville (representing the 94th District) made a shockingly disgraceful statement. 

While making his remarks over the House Transportation Bill, Representative Edwards said, “We’ve slaved over this for a long time.”

This was just mere minutes after Representative Upchurch of Cleveland stood to recognize the football players of Glenville High School and their coach. Upchurch praised the team and coach for being an inspiration to the young black youth in the local area. All members of the High School football team were present and proudly wearing their uniforms. They received multiple rounds of applause from the House members and guests.

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With our wiz-bang editing software, the word racism has synonyms that include “narrow mindedness”.  There are 2 major categories that this type of racist comment could fall under.

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Systemic Racism

The term systemic racism refers to a pattern of discrimination ingrained in a society or institution and not caused by individual acts. The term refers to a range of practices, policies, and cultural norms that can lead to unequal outcomes for people of different races, particularly marginalized groups. It can be difficult to identify and challenge these patterns because they often reflect deep-seated biases and power imbalances that have developed over time.

Micro Racism

Micro racism refers to subtle, often unconscious behaviors that discriminate against others based on their race. There are many ways to do this, including making assumptions or stereotypes about someone based on their race, utilizing racially coded language, or making insensitive jokes or remarks. Micro racist behavior may not appear immediately obvious and can easily be overlooked or dismissed, unlike overt acts of racism. However, they can still have a negative impact on individuals and contribute to broader patterns of inequality and discrimination.

Do you think his comment was a blatant example of Systemic Racism or Micro Racism?

SCDN contacted the office of Ohio Representative Jay Edwards and asked these questions.

  • Do you think your reference to “slaving” over the details of a bill was an appropriate term to use?
  • Do you think your use of this term, especially in front of young black high school students, was highly inappropriate? 
  • Does this prove the talking point of systemic racism that runs so deep, the upper class white man has no idea he’s making a racist comment?

Some would argue that this could be a simple case of being “tone deaf”.  Afterall, he’s a product of Southeastern Ohio. They may use the “good ole boy from Appalachia” trope. But, shouldn’t those we elect to represent us demonstrate more poise and maturity? Aren’t they supposed to elevate us instead of perpetuating the stereotypes many people believe about our part of the state? Should we expect better? Do we deserve better?

At the time of this publication, Representative Edwards has not officially responded. If you would also like to know the answers to these questions, and anything else on your mind, you can contact Ohio Representative Jay Edwards here. In addition, if you would like to share your thoughts with Representative Upchurch, you may click here.

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