Look again at Reporter Shelby’s favourite tales from 2025

• Reporter Shelby has been with the Chillicothe Gazette since 2022.
• Many tales had been nice this 12 months however some actually stood out.

CHILLICOTHE— Hello Ross County! It is that point of 12 months once more after I have a look again at my work this 12 months and let you know slightly about my favourite tales which have been printed. So, wrap your self in a heat blanket and reminisce on this 12 months with me.

See final 12 months: Reporter Shelby shares her prime 10 tales from 2024

My prime 10 favourite tales from this 12 months, in no explicit order, are:

What professional wrestlers have carried out in Chillicothe?

If you will have been a reader for any period of time, I’m positive you already know I really like skilled wrestling. While this story was a brief one, it did permit me to characteristic a second in historical past that I really like, which is when Jon Moxley talked about Chillicothe on AEW in 2022. That promo occurred quickly after I moved right here and made me really feel prefer it was the place I used to be meant to be at that second.

On one other wrestling be aware, Mick Foley got here to Chillicothe and I very a lot advocate assembly him if you happen to get the possibility.

Take a have a look at what Pokémon we predict can be catchable in Ross County

I take my job as a reporter significantly. I’m proud to ship correct and well timed information that folks wish to see frequently. That being stated, I’m only a woman and as Cyndi Lauper stated, “Girls just want to have fun.” I’ve been a Pokémon fan my complete life, shoutout to my favourite Empoleon, so this was particularly enjoyable.

As enjoyable as this was, I’m nonetheless happy with the story as a result of it wasn’t simply thrown collectively, it was a researched piece that got here out as many had been enjoying the newest recreation. I genuinely took time to seek out Pokémon that I assumed match this space as an alternative of selecting widespread or fundamental ones.

First Date to Forever – native couple celebrates love at Old Capitol Brewing

As stated earlier than, these tales are usually not in any order, but it surely looks like I’m beginning with tales that characteristic issues I really like. Much like I really like wrestling and video video games, I additionally love love. Younger Shelby would have rolled her eyes at this assertion; she was not a fan, however the older I get, the extra I get pleasure from listening to a pair’s love story.

Mike and Nikki had been tremendous cute the complete time I interviewed them. I wasn’t embellishing after I wrote it felt like they captured sunshine. These sorts of tales are what I really like concerning the Gazette, as a result of the place else would I meet a pleasant couple who each grew up within the space however by no means met till maturity, who would go on to take engagement photographs on the similar place they’d their first date?

Monkeying round on the Ross County Fair: Meet the quick racers who competed this week

Speaking of affection, I’ll have discovered it this 12 months. His identify is Gilligan, he’s 23 years previous, he has a job and a killer wardrobe. He additionally occurs to be a capuchin who’s barely larger than my cat.

The Ross County Fair at all times has one thing new to get pleasure from every year, however this 12 months was particularly cool with monkeys racing on canines to be topped the winner every day. The better part is that you possibly can even meet the racers afterward. While I usually like to remain behind the digicam, I jumped on the likelihood to fulfill Gilligan, who, to not brag, held my hand.

As American 250 nears have a look again at Ohio’s bicentennial artwork venture

As the Chillicothe Gazette, it stands to motive that we wish to concentrate on native tales in Chillicothe and Ross County. That being stated, with America 250 taking place subsequent 12 months, I used to be given the chance to department out a bit and speak about a venture that spanned the complete state of Ohio.

This venture was significantly attention-grabbing as a result of I used to be solely three years previous when the barns had been initially painted, so I wasn’t actually being attentive to the information again then. But now, I used to be capable of study these barns, a few of that are nonetheless standing and the artist who painted them. As I drive Ohio roads, I’ve a brand new appreciation for the barns nonetheless standing.

Ohio influencer works to alter notion of the state

Speaking of statewide tales, my characteristic on Laney Hendershot is one thing I loved engaged on as a result of I watch her movies on a regular basis. While doomscrolling on my sofa, her movies at all times make me pause so I can hear what she has to say about cities I’ve lived in.

I additionally respect Hendershot’s mission, which is to focus on Ohio. So usually, the state will get dumped on as a horrible place for no matter motive, however there are such a lot of good issues taking place right here and I’m glad any individual is sharing that standpoint.

Ohio man wins large throughout Price is Right look, watches present with pals

I by no means may have imagined having a lot enjoyable at Taylor Brothers Saloon in the course of the day, however Scott Shaffer and his pals had been a blast. The group crammed the enterprise with decorations, personalized shirts and laughter. Each time Shaffer was on display screen, the room would cheer. They cheered even louder after they noticed his mom.

I really like having the ability to inform individuals’s tales and this one particularly was very distinctive. It was additionally enjoyable getting to listen to how the present operated behind the scenes as Shaffer shared what Drew Carey was like and the way all the pieces was arrange.

Take a have a look at Dogwood Pass because it will get crammed with scary haunts this Halloween

I hate being scared. Why I made a decision to go to 2 haunted homes this 12 months is past my comprehension.

It was full daylight outdoors after we visited Dogwood Pass and I nonetheless bought spooked by the scary volunteers. Despite the shivers that ran down my backbone within the woods, I loved the remainder of the city and studying about the way it was constructed. The proprietor, who known as Frog, informed us attention-grabbing tales concerning the buildings and antiques in them.

The different haunted occasion I braved this 12 months was Haunted Mountain, additionally within the woods. This one was a bit scarier as a result of I did not have the proprietor strolling with me to guard me and if you happen to watched the video earlier than, you could be asking your self, ‘Didn’t she have the opposite reporter there along with her?’ The reply to that’s sure, however Destiny provided no safety as she sprinted away from me on the sound of a chainsaw, leaving me with the opposite members of our group.

Learn extra about harvest season from a Ross County farmer

Being a reporter has given me the possibility to expertise issues that will usually be outdoors the realm of my on a regular basis life. I grew up close to farms, I do know a farmer or two, however I’m by no means, form or kind a farmer, so logically I had no motive to be in a mix.

However, Brian Brown let me in a single as he harvested rows of corn. It was attention-grabbing to see all of the expertise on the within and simply how a lot the machine may do. I knew farm machines had been superior, however as I sat on a mini fridge in a climate-controlled cab with big home windows and a number of screens exhibiting crop high quality, I used to be amazed.

More than coworkers, Chillicothe paper mill employees say goodbye to generations of recollections

They say to avoid wasting one of the best for final, however I’ve carried out the other. I feel we will all agree that 2025 hasn’t been one of the best 12 months for Chillicothe, particularly with the mill closure. When the information broke, I used to be in Washington D.C. at a coaching occasion, and there was actually no approach for me to be right here, which killed me. So, I did the one factor I may and texted a bunch of individuals in Chillicothe, letting them know they may give my data to any members of the family or pals who had labored or had been working on the mill who wished to speak.

The mill closure left a whole lot with out jobs and can financially impression the town as we transfer into the longer term and whereas these numbers are essential, the individuals are an important. During the final day, Destiny and I stood outdoors the plant speaking to anybody who would cease on the sidewalk for a couple of minutes. Many shared their disappointment within the firm, whereas others questioned their future. I even had a few employees inform me the phrases they wished to say should not be printed.

The mill closure is one thing we closely lined and we’ll proceed to cowl it as the brand new firm takes over. While the closure is devastating and one thing that won’t be seemed again on in a optimistic gentle, I’m happy with the small-town journalism we delivered that informed actual tales from actual individuals.

Well, that’s all from me. I’ve loved this lookback and I hope you probably did too. Here’s to a optimistic and profitable 2026 for all of us.