The Price of Plastic

Petrochemical Industry Looks to Expand in Appalachia Written and photos by Liz Parstch For years, Southeast Ohio has been a hub for fossil fuel jobs that the industry claims employ millions. With the rise of coal mining in the 19th century and the fracking boom of the 2000s, the industry presents its latest push: plastic production.  Now, petrochemicals have their sights on a new destination in Appalachia: Belmont County, located in southeastern Ohio, to accompany an existing plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  In Belmont County, a global chemical company from Bangkok, PTT Global Chemical, has proposed plans to construct an […]

Deep-Cut Tavern serves up burgers, french fries and friendship

Friends, family and, of course, deep-fried hamburgers are what keep Deep-Cut Tavern regulars coming back for more. The signature dish is made from fresh, local hamburger meat that is crusted with a secret spice and breading blend. It is then deep fried and perfectly dressed in locally grown tomatoes and finished with lettuce, onion, cheese and a fluffy bun. People from all over Ohio flock to Guernsey County to catch a bite of this flavorful creation.   The tiny yellow tavern is located on East Pike Road, which cuts between mountains on either side, earning its name “Deep-Cut Tavern.”    In 1946, […]

A new DAWN for addiction recovery 

In Your Neighborhood / Summer 2023 Issue Addiction Recovery in Southeast Ohio  Ohio’s Project DAWN ensures that everyone has access to the opiate antagonist Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, and provides Ohioans with a new outlook on addiction, recovery and rehabilitation.  Coordinated by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Project DAWN is a program designed to educate individuals about opioid overdoses. The program also distributes Naloxone at no cost across the state and offers syringe service programs (SSPs).   Michaela Sumner, public information officer at ODH, says that many Ohioans and their families have been impacted by the opioid epidemic and […]

ABC Players offers a new sensory-friendly shift to theater 

“You had teenagers who were walking up and down the aisle making vocalizations. You had someone … groaning during all of the dialogue, and as soon as the music and dancing started, he was just excited and watching,” Korpi says. 

Cleaning Up Coal

By Joe Timmerman and Tre Spencer

The future of coal in a small village along the Ohio River looks bleak as the General James M. Gavin Power Plant contaminates groundwater with coal ash.

The Barn Artist

Having grown up drawing, Hagan took on painting during high school. At age 19, he decided he wanted more of a challenge.  

“I just was starting to figure out that I liked painting things that were on the bigger scale,” Hagan says. “The biggest thing I could find to challenge myself was the side of [my] dad’s barn there.”   

Now, he is known as “Barn Artist.”

Rhythm of the Knight

Written by Lauren Serge, Photos by Liz Parstch By day, Chris Nevil works as a financial planner, an adjunct professor and president of the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance (SEORA). On certain evenings and weekends, however, Nevil transforms into Kazma Knights, a glamorous and sassy drag queen hosting events across Southeast Ohio.   When did you first start performing in drag?   It was about five years ago. It all started out as a bit of a joke. There was a drag queen that was trying to start a show here, and she convinced me to do it. So, I made my little […]

Portsmouth restaurant Donut Distillery is sweet and savory fun

By Dori Gray, Photo by Jesse Jarrold-Grapes

Unlike most restaurants, mimosas are not reserved for brunchtime within the walls of Donut Distillery. Its “Boozie Menu” takes the tipsy tradition a step further with the Mimosa Pairing Flight, which couples the eatery’s titular features: donuts and alcohol.