Off The Hook
September 21, 2018

Off The Hook: It’s America’s sport

By Melanie Behrens

In the fall, football is king, especially in this part of the country. Not only is high school football important, but also the Buckeyes of Ohio State are very popular. Head coach Urban Meyer will be back this week.
Many football coaches in years past have not only been smart and adept at coaching, b...

Off The Hook
The legend of Werewolf Lane
By Melanie Behrens 
September 25, 2020
Editor’s note: The last article J-T columnist Melanie Behrens was working on before her death April 30 was the following story about Werewolf Lane. The information was supplied by Leroy Cook, who coll...
Off The Hook
Take a penny, leave a penny
By Melanie Behrens 
May 1, 2020
Copper pennies are the smallest increment in our money. And now, monetarily, they’re actually worth almost nothing. Many times in stores and businesses you will see a little jar that says, “need a pen...
Off The Hook
Pocket watches gave them their start
By Melanie Behrens 
April 24, 2020
I came across some information of how a once great retailer got its start and was surprised at the name disclosure at the end. I hope you too will enjoy this. If you were in the market for a watch in ...
Other news
Competition will mount for Jon Alder gridders
Sports
Competition will mount for Jon Alder gridders
By Tim Miller 
August 27, 2026
Jonathan Alder’s football team will see the competition ratchet up over the next couple of weeks. The Pioneers (1-0) kicked off the 2026 season by pummeling West Liberty-Salem, 41-10. This week, Alder...
Pickers tie for best record of 2026 opening week
Columns/Editorials
Pickers tie for best record of 2026 opening week
By From JT Staff Reports 
August 27, 2026
An abbreviated schedule during the opening week resulted in a three-way tie among the Journal-Tribune’s regular Pigskin Pickers. Sports editor Tim Miller, managing editor Chad Williamson and publisher...
JA boys golfers move up to D-I
Sports
Members of Jonathan Alder’s boys varsity golf team are from left, front row, Rylan Cron, Parker McBride, Austin Meriweather and Eli Hecht; second row, head coach Mitch Koester, Cam Barton, Ryan Sowers and assistant coach Brandon Whitt. (Photo submitted)
JA boys golfers move up to D-I
By Tim Miller 
August 27, 2026
Jonathan Alder’s boys golf team is moving up a notch for the 2026 season. The Pioneers had previously been in Division II, but are now a Division I program. “We moved up to Division I this year due to...
Co-captains will lead J. Alder girls on links during 2026 season
Sports
The girls golf team from Jonathan Alder is pictured from left, front row, Lucy Donohue, Allison Funk, Natalie Hess, Regan Mitchell and Kylah Dove; second row, head coach Ryan Swinehart, Emma Anderson, Ava Middendorf and assistant coach Matt Carpenter. (Photo submitted)
Co-captains will lead J. Alder girls on links during 2026 season
By Tim Miller 
August 27, 2026
Jonathan Alder’s girls golf team will be led by senior co-captains Natalie Hess and Allison Funk. “Both have a lot of experience,” said Lady Pioneer coach Ryan Swinehart. JA’s third spot will be in th...
Lady Pioneers eye CBC title, deep tournament run
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s girls varsity soccer team is pictured from left, front row, Natalie Musil, Lily Hilbert, Mia Hilbert, Makenna Keene, Gabby Picciano and Paige Sifrit; second row, Teagan Loy, assistant coach Gene DeWeese, assistant coach Avery Hecht, head coach Randy Spain, assistant coach Sean Magginis, assistant coach Connor Burgei, Lindsay Stoll, and Kenley Vogel; third row, Lauren Cameron, Sydney Bauerle, Samantha Harrison, Elliott Hecht, Kennedy McGrath, Rosie Timberlake, Hadley Linkinhoker and Haylee Heindel. (Photo submitted)
Lady Pioneers eye CBC title, deep tournament run
By Tim Miller 
August 27, 2026
Armed with 12 returning letter winners and a highly-touted freshman class, the Jonathan Alder soccer team enters the 2026 season with clear championship aspirations. “We want to capture the Central Bu...
Project honors West Mansfield veterans
News
Project honors West Mansfield veterans
By From JT Staff Reports 
August 27, 2026
West Mansfield resident Kamryn Gilmore poses with a computer displaying a banner honoring her grandfather, Richard Pettit, as part of a new program honoring veterans throughout the village. Gilmore pl...