Todd Compston

By Todd Compston Telegram Sports Editor MCARTHUR — Opening the season on their home track, Vinton County saw strong performances

WELLSTON – An athlete's journey through a sport from youth through high school is rarely predictable and is typically one of various twists and turns and certain adversities. It takes an athlete that is a cut above his peers to successfully navigate all of this unpredictability to still be left standing with enough left in the physical and mental tank to consider playing that sport at the collegiate level.

The Jackson Area Family Activity Center (JAFAC) is continuing with its first-ever Summer Sports Series — an 11-week program designed for children ages 5 to 11. The series began the week of June 1 and runs through the week of Aug. 10, offering participants the chance to learn a new sport each week.

The 20th annual Vinton County Basketball/Golf Scramble is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at Franklin Valley Golf Course in Jackson.

The date for the annual JVAC of Jackson County Charity Golf Tournament has been announced. This charity golf outing is set for Saturday, July 24, at Franklin Valley Golf Course in Jackson. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with a “shotgun” start at 8:30 a.m. There will be cash prizes for first- and second-place teams, plus skill prizes. The cost is just $50 per golfer and that includes green fees, cart and a super lunch. All the money raised at this charity golf scramble will be used to support all adult developmental disability services in Jackson County. For more information or to sign up, please call John Pelletier @ 740-418-2629 or email

OAK HILL — Emma Figgins had choices when it came to continuing her volleyball career, but one visit to Midway University made the decision feel easy.

Reserved and general admission season passes are available for the 2026 Rio RedStorm football season. Reserved seating is located near the 50-yard line on the home side of Jackson's Alumni Stadium and includes seatbacks for added comfort. Fans are able to select their seat location through the online ticketing system.

In spite of the 90-degree temperatures, a total of 168 runners and walkers turned out on Saturday morning, July 4 to participate in the 2026 Freedom Fest 5K Run/Walk, which was organized by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by local sponsors. This is a photo taken just seconds after the large group of runners dashed away from the starting line. The course was changed this year to cover streets and roads with less traffic and away from the downtown construction zone. The race was set to start and finish across from Manpower Park near McDonald's on Y Drive/Bowman Street. (Telegram Photo by Pete Wilson)

Jackson's Sydney Carpenter signed in the spring to play soccer at Otterbein University. Pictured in the front row, from left to right are: Mother Erin Carpenter, sister Peyton Carpenter, Sydney Carpenter, and sister TJ Carpenter. In the back row, from the left, are: Jackson High Soccer Assistant Coach Jordan Lower, Girls Basketball Assistant Coach Zoiee Smith, father and Girls Basketball Head Coach Chad Carpenter, Jackson High School Soccer Head Coach Karena Fulks, and Jackson High School Soccer Assistant Coach Terry Waechter. (Telegram Photo by Todd Compston)

WELLSTON — Before the midway fills with families, before the roar of truck pulls and demolition derby engines echo across the fairgrounds, the rhythmic sound of hooves and sulkies will once again signal the start of fair week.