SERVING THE OHIO VALLEY SINCE 1852 www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2010 Vol. 159 • No. 13 • 50 cents daily/$1.25 Sunday Local News Highlights Video Now Available at Two Involved In Gahm’s Pharmacy Robbery Sentenced www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com BY FRANK LEWIS Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched ments to Conkel as to their PDT STAFF WRITER to a call concerning a robbery at involvement in the robbery, and Gahm’s Pharmacy, located on indicated they were heading to Two Lancaster men involved in Galena Pike in West Portsmouth. West Virginia to rob a pharmacy, the March 9 armed robbery of Employees and neighbors told but became lost and instead arrived Gahm’s Pharmacy of West deputies the direction the robber, in West Portsmouth. Portsmouth have been sentenced to later identified as David Nelson, Deputies recovered a loaded 9 a combined total of 80 years in was traveling. millimeter pistol, expanding-tip FRANK LEWIS Scioto County Sheriff’s Detec- ammunition, cash and a pillow Sponsored by prison by Judge Howard H. Harcha Ward Nelson III. tive Jodi Conkel developed an case full of stolen hydrocodone David Nelson, 53, was sen- tion to his remaining 47 years that additional suspect in the robbery, and oxycodone. F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S tenced to 18 years in the custody of were unserved when he was grant- Keith Ward. Ward was arrested in Narcotics officer Detective John the Ohio Department of Rehabili- ed parole by the Ohio Parole Board Lancaster and returned to Scioto Koch testified that the street value Member FINRA/SIPC tation and Corrections. And, since in June 2009. County on March 15. of the pills exceeded $60,000. 354-9900 Nelson was on parole when com- Keith Ward, 48, was sentenced According to the office of Scioto On May 19, Nelson entered a www.raymondjames.com/ mitting the crime, Harcha ordered to 21 years. County Prosecutor Mark Kuhn, both Nelson and Ward gave state- capitalwealthpartners the sentence to be served in addi- On March 9, Scioto County See SENTENCE, A3 Closing Down Fire Prevention Poster Poll Shows DOW JONES Tight Races 10,136.63 -122 Wheelersburg’s For Governor, ■ STOCKS, A3 Hanna Cox Senate Recognized THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CINCINNATI — A new poll SPORTS BY RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY shows Democrats and Republicans in Ohio are locked in close races PDT STAFF WRITER for an open U.S. Senate seat and Fifth-grade students from control of the governor’s office. Wheelersburg Middle School The first University of Cincin- were enjoying a fun day at nati Ohio Poll of the general elec- Porter Township Park Friday, tion campaign finds Democratic but one of them was about to Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and former get an even bigger surprise. As Republican congressman Rob the teachers called the kids to Portman are just about even in What A Finish gather all around, the State of Lakers take Game 5 Ohio Fire Marshal’s office See POLL, A3 ■ SPORTS, B1 made a surprise visit to congrat- ulate Hanna Cox as one of 12 winners of the office’s annual Be Careful On fire safety poster contest. For creating one of the win- ning pieces, 10-year-old Hanna Highway This was presented with a certificate, a blue ribbon, a plush fire dog Holiday and a framing of her original artwork from Marsha Phillips, fire safety educator from the Weekend State Fire Marshal’s Office, and BY RYAN SCOTT PARADE Everette Hatfield, daytime OTTNEY supervisor of the Porter Town- Harry Potterʼs magical PDT STAFF WRITER new world ship Fire Department. Each year, school kids in ■ INSIDE SUNDAY Memorial Day weekend is the grades K-5 from all across Ohio annual kick off to summer. It’s participate in the fire safety also traditionally the third most poster contest. Local fire dangerous holiday for drivers, Weather departments narrow the submis- according to a 2006 article in sions and send their favorites to Forbes Magazine. This year, the the Sate Fire Marshal’s office. Ohio State Highway Patrol Today M. Sunny High 85 Hatfield said the Porter Town- (OSHP) is reminding impaired Tonight M. Clear Low 60 ship department narrowed their drivers to not get behind the submissions down to only two – High Low Outlook wheel this Memorial Day week- one from grades K-3, and end. Troopers will be working SUN 89 65 T-storms another from grades 4-5. MON 81 61 T-storm Hanna’s poster says, “One See HOLIDAY, A3 TUE 80 55 T-storm smoke alarm can save many lives,” and Hatfield called it a ■ WED 81 55 P. Cloudy simple, but powerful message. Wayne Allen Daily Times Tunnels “One smoke detector can save Wheelersburg Middle School student Hanna Cox accepted an award from the State of Ohio Fire Marshal’s office on Friday. Cox was honored for being one of Remain Off See POSTER, A3 12 winners of the office’s annual fire safety poster contest. Above, Hanna’s winning poster. Limits In Minford Fire Ruled Arson Wayne Forest THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BY RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY NELSONVILLE — Because of Obituaries PDT STAFF WRITER safety and other concerns, visitors to Ohio’s only national forest will • Ada Egerton Investigators from the office of not be allowed to explore its caves • Martin Harlow the Ohio State Fire Marshal and old mines for at least another announced Friday that they have • Paul Imes, Sr. five years. determined arson as the cause of a The U.S. Forest Service said • Paul Lemaster fire that happened on White Grav- • Della Vogler Thursday a prohibition that first el-McDaniel Road, in Minford, took effect last year at the Wayne See Page A2 on Sunday. National Forest in southeast Ohio According the State Fire Mar- would be extended until May 2015. Index shal’s Office, nobody was home The original reason for closing when a fire began inside a mobile off the mining tunnels and caves Advice ......B3 Local......A2-6 home at 3212 White Gravel- was to protect bats from white-nose Calendar ..A2 Lotteries....B2 McDaniel Road, in Minford, on syndrome, a disease that has killed Class ......B5-6 Puzzles ....B4 May 23. Only a family pet died in more than a million of the animals the fire. The home was equipped Comics......B4 Sports ....B1-3 in the U.S. and Canada. The forest with working smoke detectors, Editorial ....A4 TV ............B3 service says continuing the ban and the fire was reported when a also eliminates possible risks to neighbor called 911. humans, including underground The Minford Volunteer Fire cave-ins and carbon monoxide poi- Department responded and assist- Submitted photo soning. ed investigators from the State This mobile home on White Gravel-McDaniel Road in Mionford was destroyed by fire Sunday. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office has ruled the fire was set Individual violators face fines of intentionally. up to $5000 and/or up to six See FIRE, A3 months in prison. 05 KIA RIO MT 02 Buick 97 Ford Expedition 05 Pontiac Montana 02 Ford Explorer 05 Mercury $ Rendevzous AWD 4x4 Eddie Bauer Minivan EXT WB Sport Trac Mariner AWD 89 $ $ $ $ $ month* 149month* 149 month* 169month* 189 month* 189 month* $0 Down 115 W. EMMITT AVE., Payment US RT. 23 P4210A A80724A A70195A P4207 PA4249 PA4243 (888) 853-6579 *2006 vehicles, 60 month loans at 7.0% with approved credit at primary lender, FICO score 720 or higher. Photos for illustration only. A2 Saturday, May 29, 2010 Portsmouth Daily Times LOCAL Obituaries Service Schedule Calendar Ada Egerton, 80 • Elaine C. Fannin Today Hammond — 10 a.m. Sat- Today, why not try ... • Scioto County Memorial Day Ada Egerton, 80, of Min- urday at Swick-Bussa- 1810 House, open for Association, volunteers placing ford, died Thursday, May Chamberlin Funeral Home tours (tours begin up to 354-5205 flags on veterans’ graves through- 27, 2010, at Concord Care in Wheelersburg. Interment 3:30 p.m.), donations out Scioto County, beginning 9 a.m. Center. in Memorial Burial Park. appreciated, 1926 Waller For All of Your • Portsmouth Public Library, Funeral services will be 2 Callers 9 to 10 a.m. Satur- St., 2-4 p.m. GREG CARTER BILL CARTER open, 1220 Gallia St., 10 a.m.-5 Insurance Needs p.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2010, day at the funeral home. at D.W. Swick Funeral • Diana Lynn Batdorf p.m.; Wheelersburg Library, 10745 • Elks City Club, Keno, games, ly Dedicated Group, in the arts and a week in advance of meeting to Old Gallia Pike, Wheelersburg, 10 Home in New Boston. Bur- — 11 a.m. Saturday at Har- socializing, 544 Fourth St. craft room, Bellefonte Behavioral Calendar, Daily Times, 637 Sixth a.m.-2 p.m.; Lucasville Library, 103 ial will be at Sunset Memo- rison-Pyles Funeral Home entrance, 1 p.m. until closing. Health Center, St. Christopher St., Portsmouth, OH 45662-0581. Ohio 728, Lucasville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. rial Gardens. Friends may in Wheelersburg. Interment • Narcotics Anonymous, open, the Drive, Russell, Ky., 7 p.m. Items can be e-mailed to pdt- • ArtAffects, open, 607 Chilli- call 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at in Haverhill Cemetery. New Strength, Hope and Freedom • Alcoholics Anonymous, United news@portsmouth- cothe St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. D.W. Swick in New Boston. Callers 10 to 11 a.m. Satur- Group, All Saints Episcopal Church, Group, open lead, All Saints Epis- dailytimes.com. Include in writ- • Memorial Day Parade, parade day at the funeral home. Fourth and Court streets, 6:30 p.m.