MASH Focus: August 16th

Holly Kellums
August 16th 2026

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This week in the Mid-Ohio Valley reminded us once again why we do this work. From the muddy fairgrounds of Waterford to the commissioners’ chambers in Marietta, from quiet land transactions to bold citizen voices, the truth keeps surfacing — sometimes faintly, like a rainbow you can only see if you look just right.

Community Led. Evidence Always. Truth Without Favor.

Here’s the features we’ve been covering, plus updates.

Parkersburg Homecoming Festival & Waterford Community Fair

Parkersburg Homecoming wrapped its 2026 celebration this weekend with riverfront energy, music, food, and community along the Ohio.

Meanwhile, the Waterford Community Fair pushed through heavy rains and muddy conditions. Gates stayed open, the market hog sale went forward, and families still found ways to gather under tents and around fair food.

Notably, individuals connected to the Hashworks Powered Land Waterford LLC acquisition were spotted at the fair and purchased a hog. In a place where nearly 1000 acres changed hands under limited public light, even small moments like this become part of the larger story residents are watching closely.

Also present at the fair: John B. Rauch, Commissioner Greg Nohe, Commissioner Eddie Place, and Commissioner Charlie Schilling. Justin Harris made some noise in the parade.

When the people shaping policy and the people whose land is at the center of the conversation all show up in the same muddy field, it is worth noting.

Commissioners, Candidates, Fake Accounts, Moratorium Motions, and Waterford Data Center Confusion

This week brought fresh layers to the ongoing data center conversation in Waterford Township. Candidate Justin Harris not only has been very active, but has been clear in conversations with the public and MASH Focus. He wants safe, clean water, opposes out-of-state brine, rejects commissioners signing NDAs, protects fiscal responsibility, and believes residents deserve full transparency. He has also been frank about the limited tools available to a single commissioner, especially once certain processes are already underway.

We had a fairly eventful Washington County Commissioners meeting — one that showed how upset the community is about not feeling their concerns are being addressed — regarding injection wells, and now, the incoming Hyperscalers. One where Greg Nohe made a motion for a moratorium on injection wells that didn’t even get a second. And one where Charlie Schilling and even Greg Nohe got testy with me, Holly Kellums, MASH Focus.

WATCH VIDEO
08-13-2026 Charlie Schilling on the Motion for Moratorium on Injection Wells, Washington County Ohio

Then came the noise, from after the meeting through the following days.

A fake “Waterford Data Center” account appeared and began circulating weird commissioner content. Someone circulated a fabricated Justin Harris post, framing him as being on Facebook, talking about his beliefs on circumcision. They photo shopped a Facebook comment with his image. He subsequently reported it and had it taken down.

These juvenile tactics do not serve the public. They muddy the waters at the moment clarity is needed most. We will continue talking to real people and documenting the real facts, the real records, the real timelines, and the real positions of those sitting in or seeking office — without the spin.

Election Season Updates — Candidates on the Ground

Multiple candidates are actively engaging voters across Washington County, while some seem MIA, and MASH Focus is meeting them where they are.

MASH Focus and the author of this article do not endorse any candidate for public office. The purpose of this Candidate Series is to provide the community with information, context, and direct accounts of conversations — so that readers can draw their own informed conclusions.

Who’s Running Against Who (key local races):

• Washington County Commissioner (unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2029)
  Justin A. Harris (I)
  Ronald Gregory “Greg” Nohe (R)
  John B. Rauch (D)
• Washington County Commissioner (full term commencing Jan. 1, 2027)
  Stephanie Lang (R)
  Brian G. Whalin (D)
• Ohio House of Representatives — District 94
  Kevin Ritter (R, incumbent)
  Wenda Sheard (D)

Wenda Sheard, Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 94 running against incumbent Kevin Ritter, attended our last data center discussion meeting in Waterford. She is coming to our upcoming Dinner and Discussion at the Grange, to speak and participate in the meet-and-greet for candidates. She has told us she ran because she did not want to see the seat go unopposed. Now that some community members are unhappy with Kevin Ritters Hyperscale Data Center involvment, when he was a Washington County Commissioner, they are happy to see an opposing candidate.

Stephanie Lang, Republican nominee for Washington County Commissioner — who defeated incumbent Eddie Place in the May primary and will face Democrat Brian G. Whalin in November — will sit down with MASH Focus on Tuesday. This will be her first segment of our Candidate Tour series. We look forward to hearing her positions on property taxes, injection wells, the data center, and fiscal responsibility in her own words.

Justin A. Harris (R) continues laying out his platform focused on fiscal responsibility, clean water, no NDAs, and transparency in our ongoing Candidate Series coverage. In a written statement, Harris said,

“The public view of government transactions is key to transparency. Our residents deserve honest leadership.” — Justin A. Harris

Gregory “Greg” Nohe (R) is a sitting commissioner, and was the subject of our most recent Candidate Series piece. In that meet-and-greet coverage we documented his stated priorities, including resident well-being and the outsized risks he sees with Class II injection wells. Last week, he brought a motion for a moratorium on those wells, read a written statement, and didn’t a second from Commissioners Charlie Schilling or Eddie Place. Some community members questioned his sincerity, amidst election season. While others thanked him for being the one to step up. Time will tell, but Greg says he’s a man of his word. Constituents are paying attention, to see what proof the pudding reveals.

John B. Rauch (D) is also on the ballot for the unexpired County Commissioner term alongside Harris and Nohe. He was among those present at the Waterford Fair this weekend. We have reached out to him for a meet and greet, and are awaiting his response.

Brian G. Whalin (D) has not responded to multiple attempts for comment from MASH Focus, or community members. We have no information on where he will be, or how to learn about him, because we are still trying. He is on the Tri-County Water board, who has been very helpful. However, he has not spoken to anyone we can find, who has reached out inquiring about his campaign — nor are we aware of any campaigning, at all. But as for the records, they show he is running.

The choices made this November will shape how the county handles hyperscale data centers, injection wells, transparency, and everyday governmental accountability — for years to come.

Multiple candidates are conformed for meet and greets at our Dinner at the Grange — and all are invited. We will keep putting the candidates and the record in front of you — without favor.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office — What’s Coming Up

Sheriff Mark Warden and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office continue their community-focused efforts. Recent and upcoming items include home and personal safety training, active shooter and emergency preparedness sessions, scam alerts, and ongoing public engagement opportunities.

The WCSO remains a steady presence at local events and stands ready to partner with residents who want safer neighborhoods, informed neighbors, and better community collaboration.

Sheriff Warden is also among the confirmed guests for our Grange dinner and discussion. This makes the second time in a row, and the second time this summer, that Sheriff Warden has shown up — on a Saturday night — both for community access to information, and for Waterford.

Dinner & Discussion at the Grange — You’re Invited

We are gathering for a full community dinner and open discussion at the Grange Hall, in Waterford. This is not a formal hearing style meeting. It is fellowship first, information second, and mutual respect until the clean up is done.

The point of the evening is simple — share a meal, share information, and hear from anyone who has something Waterford and Washington County residents want to know — or have directly asked us to look into.

Topics already on many minds include the proposed data center and Class II injection wells, but the floor is open to whatever residents, officials, candidates, or community members bring.

Confirmed and expected speakers include:

• Holly Kellums on MASH — Mid-Ohio Valley and Surrounding Hub current and upcoming initiatives
• Sheriff Mark Warden — Washington County Sheriff’s Office — on SALT, Community Education, and more ways you can engage with, support, or benefit from WCSO’s various community-driven initiatives
• Amber Peck — Pecks Farm — on her experience as a landowner right next door to the incoming data center
• Wenda Sheard — Candidate, Ohio House of Representatives — District 94
• Buckeye Environmental Representative
• Guest geologist
• One surprise guest that we can’t tell you yet, because we haven’t confirmed, but many will love, love, love!

Full dinner menu: pasta, meat, sides, breadsticks, pepperoni rolls, desserts, and all kinds of tasty comfort foods. If you would like to contribute food, or if you wish to donate for food or supplies to be purchased, you can reach us by email or use the donation link found at the bottom of our articles.

Grange Club is hosting the meeting location, free of charge, with one goal — to get information out to the community and allow neighbors to ask questions, talk about what they think, and share what they know. Donations for the grange club will be accepted at the meeting.

Agenda

Throughout the evening and between speakers, we’ll be doing a fun activity called ‘Voices from the Valley.’ You’ll find a box at the back of the room where you can drop in your thoughts. Just grab one of the cards, write down one hope, concern, message, or question you have — and drop it in. We’ll read several, anonymously, throughout the evening. If we can answer your question on the spot, we will. And if we can’t answer it that night, we’ll take it back, do a full look over, and send out a proper write-up on it later.

• 4:00–5:00 — Dinner and fellowship
• 5:00 — Opening introduction and welcome from MASH Focus founder, Holly Kellums, explaining why we are here and the plans for the evening
• 5:05 — Comments from Candidates, including Wenda Sheard
• 5:20 p.m. — Amber Peck with Peck Farm
• 5:45 p.m. — Community Address from Sheriff Warden
• 6:15 p.m. — Washington County Community Member, Lynn Cady
• 6:25 p.m.—Bathroom, brownie, or beef jerky break
• 6:45 p.m. — Presentation from Buckeye Environmental on Injection Wells
• 7:00 p.m. — surprise guest speaker, geologist Q and A, and closing comments and questions
• 8:00 p.m. — a final big announcement, followed by clean up and closing fellowship

Come hungry. Come curious. Get cozy. And get ready to listen, to speak, and to meet more neighbors and friends.

Living Democracy Steps Up at the Commissioners Meeting

Last Thursday, members of Living Democracy showed up boldly at the Washington County Commissioners meeting. They ensured their voices — and the voices of many concerned residents — were clearly heard. We will be releasing their comments in video format as soon as possible.

Commissioner Greg Nohe brought forward a motion to prepare a moratorium on Class II injection wells. He spoke of prioritizing resident well-being and the outsized risks these wells can pose relative to local benefit. The motion was discussed… and then it died for lack of a second from Commissioners Charlie Schilling or Eddie Place. There was no vote.

A moratorium on injection wells in Washington County would temporarily pause new Class II permits and construction for oil-and-gas wastewater disposal wells, giving officials and residents time to study risks such as brine migration, seismicity, and proximity to drinking-water aquifers. It would not shut down already-permitted and operating wells, ban oil-and-gas production itself, remove wastewater already injected, or create new enforcement powers beyond the temporary halt.

Existing wells could keep operating under current permits until they expire or are modified by the state.Importantly, any such local pause would be limited in force because Ohio law has long turned exclusive authority over the permitting, location, spacing, and regulation of these wells — including waste disposal — over to the state.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 1509.02, the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management holds “sole and exclusive” control as a matter of statewide concern requiring uniform rules. Courts have repeatedly upheld that this preempts local bans or zoning restrictions, so a county or municipal moratorium functions mainly as a formal request or symbolic resolution rather than an enforceable local ban. Real change still requires action by ODNR, the legislature, or the governor.

Call for Writers, Investigators & Logistical Help

MASH Focus is growing because ordinary people in the Mid-Ohio Valley refuse to wait for permission to know the truth. We need more writers, more investigators, and more people willing to help with the logistical side of community journalism.

We created a new Facebook group — accepting contributors for articles, research, and behind-the-scenes support.

This Week’s Featured Articles

Port Authority’s own financial records show Bit56 paid SEOPA $1.5 million in 2024 under a ground lease — months before officials said they became aware a data center was being explored. The lease has since been terminated. Clear answers are still pending.

Port Authority’s Own Books: Bit56 Paid SEOPA $1.5 Million in 2024

Checks Cleared in 2024. Clear Answers Pending.

medium.com

How one public-records request ended talks with the Southeast Ohio Port Authority and raised new questions about Kevin Ritter

Forbidden FOIA: Waterford Hyperscale Center, SeOPA, and the Ritter Connection

How one public records request on the Waterford hyperscale project ended talks with SeOPA and raised new questions…

medium.com

A major win for citizen referendum rights, plus what MASH Focus found on the ground in Washington County

Ohio Supreme Court Sides with Residents — While Waterford Discovers Years of Secret Land Deals

A major win for citizen referendum rights, plus what MASH Focus found on the ground in Washington County

medium.com

Here’s a quick summary, with links, of stories we published this week:

• Port Authority’s Own Books: Bit56 Paid SEOPA $1.5 Million in 2024 — months before officials said they became aware a data center was being explored. The lease has since been terminated. Clear answers are still pending.
• Community Led | Evidence Always | Truth Without Favor
  Our official statement clarifying MASH Focus standards, how we handle concerns, and why loyalty never overrides principle.
• MASH Focus Candidate Series: Greg Nohe Lays Out His Campaign for Washington County Commissioner
  Second installment in the Candidate Series — a meet-and-greet with Commissioner Greg Nohe on priorities, the injection-well moratorium, and the future of the county.
• Forbidden FOIA: Waterford Hyperscale Center, SeOPA, and the Ritter Connection
  How one public-records request ended talks with the Southeast Ohio Port Authority and raised new questions about Kevin Ritter.
• MASH Focus Candidate Series Justin Harris Lays Out His Campaign for Washington County Commissioner
  First full Candidate Series interview — fiscal responsibility, clean water, no NDAs, and transparency.
• MASH Focus Launches Its Own Account — And We Need More Writers
  Why we created a dedicated Medium publication and the open call for Mid-Ohio Valley contributors.
• Ohio Supreme Court Sides with Residents — While Waterford Discovers Years of Secret Land Deals
  A major win for citizen referendum rights paired with on-the-ground findings about multi-year land transactions in Waterford.

That’s it for this week’s MASH Focus Sunday Night Dispatch. Watch out for next week, when we will feature our first community opinion piece.

We investigate together. We report in the open. We hold power accountable — because real transparency starts with the community.

The work continues.
See you at the Grange!

Written by Holly Kellums
MASH Focus — Publication and Network

MASH Focus Articles will never be paywalled and will remain free to the public and add free. Some members have asked how they can support our work.

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