JA team should still be strong despite loss of 2025 lettermen
Sports
December 13, 2025
The Pioneer boys varsity basketball team is pictured from left, front row, Ollie Miller, Ben McCain, Brady Sweet, Garrett Bauer, Chase Muetzel, Seth Hostetler, JJ Weese, Mitch McGrath and Drew King; second row, head coach Derek Dicke, assistant coaches Scott Heiss and Jackie Santa-Emma, Reed Jackson, Sam Moeller, Byron Byerly, Trey Bentley, Danny Bentley and assistant coaches Kip Garrison and Thomas Urban. Not pictured, David Urban (Stats). (Photo submitted)

JA team should still be strong despite loss of 2025 lettermen

By Tim Miller 

Jonathan Alder lost several lettermen from last year’s boys basketball team that finished as a regional runner-up during the post-season tournament.

Before you start, however, feeling sorry for the Pioneers… just don’t.

There is some quality talent returning for a team that finished with an over...

Kenton Ridge spoils JA’s football Senior Night
Sports
JA’s Mitch McGrath (12) stops a Kenton Ridge ball carrier. The Pioneers fell to the Cougars, 35-7. (Journal-Tribune photo by Josh Kaeser)
Kenton Ridge spoils JA’s football Senior Night
By Josh Kaeser 
October 17, 2026
Jonathan Alder got off to a promising start on Senior Night Friday, but Kenton Ridge responded with 35 unanswered points to hand the Pioneers a 35-7 loss. Alder (6-3) took an early lead after intercep...
NU gridders club Shawnee
Sports
North Union quarterback Nickolas Hajjar (11) picks up yardage against Springfield Shawnee. The Wildcats upped their record to 7-2 with a victory. (Photo submitted)
NU gridders club Shawnee
By Bob Putman 
October 17, 2026
The opening few minutes were not quite what North Union wanted to have, giving up a long touchdown run on the first possession of the game. However, once the Wildcats got rolling they were not going t...
Olentangy Berlin sophomore flashes speed during triumph over Marysville Monarchs
Sports
Marysville’s Carter Bohanan (54) brings down an Olentangy Berlin ball carrier. Also pictured for the Monarchs is Rivers Hodges (17). MHS fell to the Bears, 28-6. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
Olentangy Berlin sophomore flashes speed during triumph over Marysville Monarchs
By Chad Williamson 
October 17, 2026
Sometimes you really should pay attention to the scouting report. On a night when Marysville’s defense did just about everything it could to keep the Monarchs in the game against Olentangy Berlin, the...
Other news
Residents ask to bury Grid Growth power lines
Local News, News
Residents ask to bury Grid Growth power lines
By Michael Williamson 
October 17, 2026
Another Union County resident is joining in on the growing number of citizens asking for the planned Grid Growth transmission line to be buried underground. Ken Denman, who lives on Paver-Barnes Road ...
Ax used to stop dog fight
Local News, News
Ax used to stop dog fight
By Kyle Meddles 
October 17, 2026
The Union County Sheriff’s Office responded to a dog fight that was broken up by an owner with an ax on Thursday. Two dogs were sent to emergency vet clinics as a result of the fight and the case is s...
Marysville schools examine cause of lagging report card scores
Education, Local News, Marysville School Board, ...
Marysville schools examine cause of lagging report card scores
Staffing, instructional support and screen time among concerns raised during review
By Chad Williamson 
October 17, 2026
Marysville school officials are examining whether limited staffing, gaps in instructional support and an increasing reliance on classroom technology have contributed to setbacks with student academic ...
Alder works to increase student performance
Education, News, Plain City News
Alder works to increase student performance
By Michael Williamson 
October 17, 2026
Even after Jonathan Alder scored well on the state report card, district officials want to continue working to close gaps in student performance. When the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce me...
Kenton Ridge spoils JA’s football Senior Night
Sports
JA’s Mitch McGrath (12) stops a Kenton Ridge ball carrier. The Pioneers fell to the Cougars, 35-7. (Journal-Tribune photo by Josh Kaeser)
Kenton Ridge spoils JA’s football Senior Night
By Josh Kaeser 
October 17, 2026
Jonathan Alder got off to a promising start on Senior Night Friday, but Kenton Ridge responded with 35 unanswered points to hand the Pioneers a 35-7 loss. Alder (6-3) took an early lead after intercep...
NU gridders club Shawnee
Sports
North Union quarterback Nickolas Hajjar (11) picks up yardage against Springfield Shawnee. The Wildcats upped their record to 7-2 with a victory. (Photo submitted)
NU gridders club Shawnee
By Bob Putman 
October 17, 2026
The opening few minutes were not quite what North Union wanted to have, giving up a long touchdown run on the first possession of the game. However, once the Wildcats got rolling they were not going t...