Former Ironton resident earns PhD

LEXINGTON — Molly A. Reynolds, formerly of Ironton, received a PhD in communications from the University of Kentucky on May 5.

She is the daughter of Joan and Mack Adkins of Ironton and Larry and Amy Smith of Lexington, Ky.

Reynolds is married to Jason Reynolds and the couple has two children.

She is a faculty member in the division of instructional communication at UK.

 

IHS alum promoted to staff sergeant

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — On May 1, Paul Dustin Lawless, with the 3rd battalion 8th Marine regiment weapons company based in Camp Lejeune, N.C., was promoted to staff sergeant.

Lawless graduated from Ironton High School in 2004 and he attended Ohio University Southern for a year before joining the Marines in 2006.

Lawless was deployed to Iraq for about eight months in 2008. He was a part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is a Marine air-ground task force. The unit traveled aboard the USS Kearsarge, making stops in Africa, Amman, Jordan and Kuwait. While in Kuwait, the unit received presidential orders to conduct combat operations in Afghanistan, which took place from August 2010 to May 2011.

For his actions in Afghanistan in 2011, Lawless was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, which is the fifth highest possible award for a Marine.

He has also received the Combat Action Ribbon, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment medal, the Afghanistan Campaign medal, the NATO-ISAF medal, the National Defense Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, the Marine Core Good Conduct Medal and the Naval Unit Accommodation Medal.

 

Barnes named co-valedictorian

SOUTH POINT — A last-minute change in the calculation for valedictorian has made Beth Barnes co-valedictorian for South Point High School.

Barnes, who is the daughter of Jane Barnes and the late Mack Barnes, will attend Ohio Wesleyan University.

She is a marching band drum major and a member of the Jazz Band, Pep Band, All-County Band, All-District Band, MU Honor Band, Track & Field, Quiz Bowl, Christian Club, Tri-State Star Student, Pep Club, Herpetology Club, History Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Society of High School Scholars, Renaissance Member, Hugh O’Brian Ambassador, SCORES Medalist, Senior Salute Honoree, Horatio Alger Ohio Scholar, Huntington Mall FAB Member, Powell Senior Model, Rosetree Boutique Teen Board Member.

 

Juvenile arrested following chase

IRONTON — A 16-year-old male was taken into custody Friday after allegedly stealing a car and taking it for a joy ride.

The vehicle was stolen from the 400 block of Etna Street in Ironton.

Ironton Police Chief Dan Johnson said the department got a report of a stolen vehicle Friday and Officer John Hammonds spotted the car a short time later.

Johnson said the officer tried to initiate a stop but the driver fled into the Green Valley area of North Ironton.

The driver allegedly wrecked the car in a ditch behind the Ironton Elementary/Middle School complex and fled on foot.

Johnson said IPD officers, as well as officers from the Hanging Rock Police Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office searched for the suspect.

The teen was found in a nearby garage and arrested.

Johnson said the teen’s parents were called to the station and the investigation is still ongoing.

— Michelle Goodman

 

South Point student receives national recognition

SOUTH POINT — The United States Achievement Academy recently announced Brandon Warden, of Ironton, has been recognized as a student of excellence in mathematics.

Warden attends South Point High School and was nominated by his teacher, Katelyn Taylor. The academy recognizes fewer than 10 percent of American high school students.

Warden is the son of Paul and Nancy Warden.

 

Ironton native makes deans list

Shelby Haas of Ironton, was named to the Cedarville University Dean’s Honor List for the 2013 spring semester.

Haas is a senior majoring in social work. She is the daughter of Mark and Deanna Haas.