Local News

Who is the Perry County Grassman?

Zachary Riffle, Thursday Dec. 12

11 years ago a group of hillbillies came to live right here in Perry County. Known as the AIMS Team, they’re the top notch “monster hunters” of the hit TV show “Mountain Monsters.” What were they doing in Perry County? Hunting the local, infamous Perry County Grassman. 

Since the formation of this Appalachia cryptid, Perry County has been slowly but surely embracing the monster’s existence. You can ask any local about the Grassman and they will certainly give you a testimony about an encounter that they or someone they know witnessed. Is this monster real, though, or is it another rural legend? There’s evidence to provide a solid stance on both sides. On one hand it could be a man hunting in a camouflaged, grassy ghillie suit trespassing onto people’s property. On the other hand it could be the 10 feet tall, 300-1,000 pound monster we hear of. 

Landon Shaner, local boy and Sheridan High School student, says the Perry County Grassman is within every possibility of being real. “Within the Appalachian culture there’s tons of folklore,” says Shaner. “Anything is possible and it’s pretty cool. Why wouldn’t you believe in something that cool?” Shaner is not alone with folk in the region who know about this cryptid. 

Creed Hill has recently dove into the world of cryptids for a project he has to do for an English class. Hill has done his most recent studies on the Perry County Grassman himself. Hill, however, finds it hard to believe that something of such size would exist now. “I believe that if something that big was in Perry County, the population would come together and kill it already.” Hill claims his father’s old house was where they filmed the infamous Perry County Grassman episode on Mountain Monsters. 

Since the sightings of the AIMS Team on Mountain Monsters no other sightings have been confirmed. Some can see this as proof that the Grassman is made up, but perhaps it suggests that the Grassman knew he was discovered and continues to hide in an abandoned moonshine shack. Wherever the Grassman is and whether or not he’s real will remain a mystery. One thing will remain certain, his legend will live on in Perry County history.

St. Jose Catholic Church: The Hidden Gem of Somerset

By Zachary Riffle, Thursday Dec. 5

Somerset is already well known for its long history and culture, from being the birthplace of Civil War general Philip Sheridan to the legendary Oktoberfest Pub Crawl. Many people, however, pass by an important landmark just outside of village lines. A couple miles away lies the birthplace of Catholicism in Ohio: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (also known as St. Jose).

I took a tour of this landmark myself accompanied by Landon Shaner, the church “housekeeper.” Shaner is the one who waxes the floors, sets up the decorations, does all the yardwork, etc. Shaner gave me a quick rundown of the history of the church. In the 1820s the first Catholic families arrived in Ohio and set up a log cabin as their church. This is technically the first stage of St. Jose, but the church we see today wasn’t constructed until the 1840s. The church itself went through many phases, including surviving a fire in the bell tower. Rumors say it was caused by a group of monks smoking cigarettes in the tower, but that was never confirmed.

St. Jose was a hotspot for many Catholics in the day. The church would serve as a seminary and housing center for monks and the church grounds had a boarding home for the student monks. Unfortunately this building was torn down due to the crumbling infrastructure and the inability to renovate it back alive.

The interior of the church is an amazing piece of artwork in itself. All along the wall are stained glass windows portraying the mysteries of the faith. If you look closely enough (and are enough of a theological nerd as myself) you’ll find multiple small details, like the Cherubim taking flight on one stained glass window. On the beams connected to the pillars you can find paintings of past saints and martyrs in honor of their works. Gold and silver lavishly decorate the altar as it glows in the sunlight raying from the stained glass windows. Just above the altar is Jesus Christ on the cross, hanging high above the church for all to see. Ironically, the church was never meant to have the statue. It was headed for another country when it was accidentally delivered to St. Jose.

As Shaner took me around he opened up with his own testimony. I asked him about how he feels working as a housekeeper for this church. “I feel a great sense of honor because not many people can say they’ve worked at the first Catholic church in Ohio,” said Shaner. The church itself is absolutely stunning, but Shaner had other ideas. “The beauty of St. Jose isn’t what it used to be, but I would say it’s very beautiful because of the faithful there, not the design or the looks,” Shaner said.

I wrapped up the trip by taking one last moment to take in the immaculate looks of the church. From the high ceiling to the stained glass, there was everything to see and even then I didn’t experience it all. I could only imagine what a mass would be like on Christmas or Easter. The sad side of this all is how many people don’t notice its beauty or have never seen the church itself. My advice to anyone looking for a Sunday trip is to go to St. Jose to experience the beauty of the church. It may only be a church, but it’s a hidden gem in the Somerset countryside.

Kicks Mix Bookstore: Highlights of a Small Used and New Bookstore

By Hannah Kaufman, on Wednesday Nov. 26        

Kicks Mix bookstore is in Downtown Newark. It was opened in 2014 by DIana Spain. The small shop is a great place to find both used and new books for great prices.

Kicks Mix Bookstore is a store that sells mixed media, including books, CDs, and records. It is a wonderful place to find used books for a low price. Spain, the owner dreamed of being a writer, however was too scared of writing and fell in love with reading instead. The bookstore was opened because Spain felt as though Newark was missing one.

Kicks Mix bookstore is a small, two story shop that sells books, CDs, vinyls or records, DVDs, and book accessories and trinkets. The small store holds events every so often. A recent event was held on November 8 where you could fill up a basket with any used media that they sell priced under $2.79 or less and the whole basket would only cost you $5.00.

The bookstore has a few cats that lounge around the shop to keep employees and shoppers company. “My favorite thing about the store are the cats,” Robinson said. They also have had authors come for book signings and have hosted a book club. 

The shop is on two floors. The main floor holds mystery, horror, cookbooks, and a few other genres, as well as book accessories and trinkets. The upper floor is where the children’s books, fantasy, romance, and young adult books, also including CDs, and vinyals are kept. 

I interviewed two students from Sheridan High School that have recently been to the bookstore. Hailey Robinson is a senior and enjoys the atmosphere of the shop, as well as the low prices and the cats that roam the store. Callie Covert is a junior that went to their most recent ‘Fill-a-Basket’ event. 

“Everything. There is not a single thing in the store that I dislike,” Robinson said. The shop is cozy and full of books. There are several rooms used as book storage and a hallway that has more books stored in it. It is a book lover's paradise. 

The ‘Fill-a-Basket’ event happens every few months, and Covert was one of the people that had attended the most recent one on this past Veterans' Day. “I honestly didn’t like it because they didn’t have that good of a selection of books and the books weren’t in the best conditions, which I guess you could expect from an event like that. Although, the deal was awesome and if they would have had a better selection, I would have definitely liked it more,” Covert said. Though the event isn’t perfect, it is a great opportunity for people who are looking to get a few, or more books for low cost.

The cozy bookstore is home to a small staff and two cats. It is a great place when looking for used books and new books. If you’re looking for a place close by with cheap books, it is the place to be.

The Wilds are opening a new lodge and are ready to plan reservations now!

By Danny Kellough, on Wednesday, Nov. 20

The Wilds is opening its newest lodging experience, the Hellbender RV Campground. This is 75 acres of free calming land and is set to welcome visitors in June 2025.

So, what are hellbenders anyways? Hellbenders have flattened heads and bodies with four short legs. They have long tails that look rubber like. Their Slimy appearance gives them the nickname “Snot Otters.” They are well adapted to swift flowing stream habits. They thrive in swift running, well oxygenated, unpolluted streams and rivers. This makes the wilds a great place for them to thrive and expand their population. As for their offspring, hellbenders are known for defending their shelter rocks from others. They remember which rock is theirs and will breed in that spot. Hellbenders are generally only aggressive towards each other during breeding season when protection of an offspring is more important. 

The Lodges were made to give a memorable view of the whole wilds. With 47- full service sites and 26 primitive camping spots. The experience brings hiking/bike trails, playgrounds, camp store, and even a dog park so you can bring your furry friend. 

“I think that this is a great way to show people more about hellbenders. In my time volunteering and working at the wilds, no one really has asked about them and I hope with this move they will become more interested.” Said Jade Webb. The campground will welcome an estimated 35,000 guests each season. Guests that are staying overnight will receive discounts on tours at The Wilds too! 

This $7.2 million project was made possible by ODNR, Muskingum County, Economic Development Administration, Ohio Capital Budget grant, and by donors of The Wilds Fund.

Blackhand gorge closes for the first time in years!

By Kameron Van Balen, on wednesday Nov. 15

The popular bike trail, swimming spot, kayaking and general hiking trail, blackhand gorge, will be closing down for approximately one year for major repairs of the park. Blackhand gorge is a beautiful trail with many offshoots that take you around the park, but since it sits on mostly sandstone the park has become risky in some areas, hence the reason it is closing for repairs. When it rains the river washes and eats that sandstone, wearing it away to thin pillars that are dangerous for so much foot traffic. 

It is scheduled to close to the public on November 18, 2024, and it doesn't have a set date to have the repairs completed fully; People have mixed feelings about this change and are nervous to see the trail reopen to the public. 

“I think it is sad but if they're closing up the trial to fix it up, then it's for the better” says Zach Riffe during a small interview. Having mixed feelings and answers were conducted during these questions. 

“Hiking has become a big part of my life and fitness, as well as a fun thing to do with friends, family, or even alone.” Cole Howe says when asked about his thoughts on the trial closing. Howe had recently started hiking more this year and is very sad to see it close but he is excited to see the repairs. 

In the following months, blackhand will go through major and minor changes to the trials, both main and extra hiking areas. Through these the public hopes that nature and the beautiful scenes will be preserved, as well for the kayakers, bikers and boaters hoping for the river to also be cleared of fallen trees that litter the water.

Veterans Day in Northern Local

By Kenzi Perkins, on Monday Nov. 11

Veterans Day is a holiday honoring those who have served or are serving in the military, and is celebrated all across the country. Oftentimes we take our liberties for granted, but there are so many people who work every day to ensure that those privileges aren’t taken away. Here in Perry County, the Northern Local School District is no different, lifting up those people, our veterans, on a day just for them. 

Our Sheridan Marching Band and chamber singers helped to celebrate veterans by traveling over to the middle school and performing a variety of songs to thank them for their service while teaching the middle school students about the importance of the sacrifices that veterans make for their country daily.

There is much overlap between the members of the Marching Generals and our chamber singers, and senior participant Xander Gray is one of those students who stepped forward to comment on his organizations’ and his own performances on Veterans Day.

Gray was asked how the presentations made by the Sheridan High School groups impacted him. “It helped me feel like I could properly show my gratitude towards veterans,” he said. “I really enjoyed seeing one of my old friends, who left for basic training, show up for the assembly.” 

There are many people across our school district, like Gray, who have friends and family who serve our country in the military, and this Monday, they were given the chance to truly show their gratitude. Whether through the use of music like our Marching Generals and chamber singers, or through your own way, make sure to thank the veteran in your life, for all that they have given so that we at Sheridan and those across the nation can enjoy the freedoms we take for granted. Thank you to our Veterans!