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Devastating fire leads to treasure trove of thousands of artifacts beneath historic tavern

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Devastating fire leads to treasure trove of thousands of artifacts beneath historic tavern

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Archaeologists in Ohio are uncovering hidden pieces of early American history beneath the charred floorboards of a historic tavern.

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The excavation is part of recovery efforts at the Overfield Tavern in Troy, about 20 miles north of Dayton.

In recent weeks, excavators from Ohio Valley Archaeology Inc. have been digging beneath the museum, which is the oldest building in the city. 

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The structure was built in 1808 and served as a courthouse until 1811, when it was converted to a tavern. It’s been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.

A devastating fire in the early hours of Dec. 7, 2024, gutted the interior of the museum, though the original 1808 log walls remained mostly intact, according to the museum’s website.

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Archaeologists are uncovering artifacts beneath the floorboards of the historic Overfield Tavern, one of the oldest structures in Troy, Ohio.  (@OverfieldTavernMuseum via Facebook)

The fire was later ruled accidental by state fire marshal officials.

As an unexpected silver lining, thousands of historic artifacts have been found in recent months, with the help of both excavators and volunteers.

SURPRISED ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH ANCIENT GRAVES CAUGHT BETWEEN PAGAN, CHRISTIAN RITUALS IN POLAND

Pictures from the site show volunteers sifting through dirt and rocks to recover the artifacts.

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Chris Manning, executive director of the Overfield Tavern Museum, told Fox News Digital most of the recovered artifacts date from the early 19th century to the late 20th century.

Officials say an estimated 4,000 artifacts have been recovered since excavation work began beneath the historic museum. (Overfield Tavern Museum via Facebook)

“We did find several prehistoric artifacts that are obviously much older,” said Manning. 

“Laboratory analysis currently being conducted will provide more information.”

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Manning added, “I would estimate that the number of artifacts recovered is around 4,500, but again, we won’t know until the archaeologists complete their lab analysis.”

Artifacts included an 1817 coin found under the tavern’s floorboards, along with an 1846 coin.

The original 1808 log walls of the tavern survived the 2024 fire, allowing experts to preserve key pieces of the building’s past. (Google Maps)

Manning said excavators found evidence that the small log building attached to the rear of the tavern was constructed later than previously believed.

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“It may have been constructed a few years after the tavern, [and] we previously thought the small log building in the rear was about five years older,” Manning added.

“We also uncovered a substantial limestone foundation in the backyard that extends almost six feet underground. [It] was paved on the bottom with a layer of brick flooring.”

Excavation results will be analyzed in the lab before artifacts are cataloged and prepared for museum display. (Overfield Tavern Museum via Facebook)

She added, “Analysis is still underway, but it may represent an ice house or root cellar that was constructed in the first half of the 19th century.”

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Manning said she plans for the tavern to be fully restored by 2027, when the museum will reopen to the public.

“Select artifacts will be put on display eventually, once the museum is restored,” she said. 

The Overfield Tavern restoration effort will offer new insight into Troy’s earliest years as a growing frontier community. (Overfield Tavern Museum via Facebook)

The dig took place during the same autumn months as a similar excavation in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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Archaeologists and students from Millersville University recently unearthed the likely remains of the county’s oldest tavern, dating back to 1725.

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Detroit, MI

‘We stay praying about it:’ Suspect in deadly Detroit hit and run charged

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‘We stay praying about it:’ Suspect in deadly Detroit hit and run charged


A Detroit man was run over not once, but twice, all on video. Many might remember the incident from last summer but on Monday there was a big break in the case.

Big picture view:

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It’s the first holiday without Darnell Scott, who was killed in a hit-and-run in the summer of 2024 on Detroit’s east side. You might remember a video showing him getting hit and neither driver stopped.

These cases can be tough to solve, but the Detroit Police fatal squad painstakingly pieced together footage from Green Light cameras and license plate readers, leading them to Daryl Rice in November.

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He is now charged and was given a personal bond, which means he’s out for now.

“I honestly didn’t give up hope because we stay praying about it,” said the victim’s twin sister, Dana Scott.

The family is sickened by the damning evidence. Apparently, Rice made a false insurance claim on his car after the hit-and-run, lied about how the damage happened, but in the process, police say he incriminated himself.

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The family wants others to hold out hope.

“Don’t give up, because it can happen, your wishes and answers can come true,” said Dana.

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Milwaukee, WI

Critically missing Milwaukee man; police seek public’s help

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Critically missing Milwaukee man; police seek public’s help


The Milwaukee Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a critically missing man last heard from more than a month ago.

What we know:

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Police say 53-year-old William Riley was last heard from on Nov. 14, 2025, in Milwaukee. His exact location at the time is unknown.

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Riley is described as a Black male with a thin build, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 162 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Police say Riley was last seen on foot.

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What you can do:

Authorities urge anyone who may have seen Riley or has information about his whereabouts to contact the Milwaukee Police Department’s District Four at 414-935-7242.

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The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis College teams up with Toys for Tots to provide holiday gifts for student parents

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Minneapolis College teams up with Toys for Tots to provide holiday gifts for student parents


For many student parents at Minneapolis College, the holiday season arrives during one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.

Final exams, work schedules and family responsibilities often collide in December. This week, a Toys for Tots giveaway on campus offered some relief.

The college partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program to provide gifts exclusively for student parents. School officials say more than 145 student parents signed up for the event, representing nearly 270 children.

Veronica Krawiec is a nursing student at Minneapolis College and the mother of a young son, Christopher. She said balancing school, work and parenting can be overwhelming, especially around the holidays.

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Krawiec said she was able to find a Lego set her son specifically asked for this Christmas, something she was not sure she would be able to afford on her own.

She said the support she receives on campus has made a significant difference, pointing to resources like the Student Support Center and food pantry. Krawiec said those services help her focus on school without feeling ashamed for asking for help.

“As a mom most of the time I feel like I’m failing but like this this helps me a lot to not feel as bad,” she said.

Sharita Jackson, a first semester addiction counseling student and single mother of two, also attended the giveaway. She said resources like the Toys for Tots event help ease some of the pressure that comes with being a student parent.

Minneapolis College staff say the need among student parents has grown this year, in some cases doubling. The college estimates nearly 20% of its students are parents, and more than 70% of students identify as Indigenous or people of color, international, low income or first generation.

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In addition to holiday giveaways, the college offers a Student Parent Center, a food pantry, basic needs support and access to housing, financial and veterans resources. Staff say those services are designed to help students stay enrolled and succeed while raising families.

College officials say events like the Toys for Tots giveaway help reduce stress during the holidays and allow student parents to focus on finishing the semester strong.



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