Ironton man dies in accident Monday

SOUTH POINT — An Ironton man was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday evening on County Road 52 (Sugar Creek Johnstown Road) near its intersection with County Road 6 (Deering Bald Knob).

Mitchell P. Carey, 52, apparently lost control of his motorcycle in a sharp curve and drove off the right side of the road, striking a fence and a wooden post.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by members of the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office. Acccording to information from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Carey was not wearing a helmet.

The accident remains under investigation.

 

Purse snatching, possible attempted abduction lands Ironton man in jail

IRONTON — An Ironton man who just got out of jail is back behind bars after allegedly snatching a woman’s purse and trying to abduct her from the Bartram and Sons Grocery parking lot Monday.

Ironton police Chief Jim Carey said Gregory Scott Gannon, 28, of 322 Walnut St., is charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping. He was taken to the Lawrence County Jail.

“The victim was into her vehicle and her driver’s side door was open,” Carey said. “He came up and told her to scoot over, he was taking her car and he had a knife. She pushed him out of her car. He grabbed her purse, threw her to the ground and took off running.”

Carey said four people who saw the incident gave chase and cornered the man. Officers allegedly found Gannon hiding in some shrubbery.

The victim was treated at the scene by the Lawrence County Emergency Medical Services.

Authorities at the jail said Gannon was released from jail on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Sheriff Jeff Lawless said Gannon was released from jail Oct. 11. Lawless said Gannon has been incarcerated nine times since 2001 on various charges.

— Teresa Moore

 

Ohio school has shy kids practice reading to dogs

PORTSMOUTH (AP) — To help shy students confront their fear of public reading, an Ohio school is bringing in a different kind of audience.

The Portsmouth Daily Times reports the Portsmouth West Elementary is having students read to therapy dogs to help them get over nervousness over reading in public.

Students in grades 2 through 4 read to Little Bear, an English mastiff who dons comically-oversized sunglasses. After school program coordinator Chris Rapp says it helps children with their fluency skills.

He says the program drew so many students last week teachers had to take some out of the classroom and make them take turns.

New Jersey-based Therapy Dogs International provides dogs and handler for the Tail Waggin’ Tutors program.