Colin & Griffin’s Gang, pictured at the Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon in 2019, raise money for Nationwide Children’s Hospital every year in honor of Grace and Derek Chapman’s late sons, Colin and Griffin, who died shortly after birth in May 2017. (Photo submitted) In honor of their late sons, Grace and Derek Chapman are raising funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital with an invitation only, family friendly block party on Saturday from 4-8 p.m. on Linden Street. The Chapmans, who share a 6-year-old son Ben, lost twin boys, Colin and Griffin, four years ago. “They were born premature at 23…
Author: Ally Lanasa
Local attorney Julie Spain attended the Village of Richwood Council meeting on Monday to introduce herself as a candidate for village solicitor, replacing Alison Boggs. Boggs plans to resign from the position because of an opinion from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, stating there would be a conflict of interest in prosecuting criminal cases for Richwood in addition to the criminal work she does through her private practice. Spain presented her resume to the council, stating that she currently has a contract to prosecute misdemeanor cases for Richwood and Dublin. She also prosecutes cases on behalf of Marysville. Outside of…
Union County Assistant Prosecutor Thayne Gray informs residents about the permitting process for the proposed Samsung Richwood Solar Project during the informational meeting at the Leesburg Township Fire Department on Thursday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Ally Lanasa) Representatives from Samsung C&T Corporation America and HULL emphasized that the proposed solar field near Richwood will not negatively impact farmland it may be built on or adjacent properties during an informational meeting. The preliminary meeting, held at the Leesburg Township Fire Department on Thursday evening, was arranged by township from Leesburg, Claiborne and Taylor townships. Union County Commissioner Dave Burke, Engineer Jeff Stauch…
With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting my travel, I have discovered a new way to escape my everyday life — literature. Books allow readers to immerse in worlds of authors’ imaginations for entertainment. As American literary academic Mason Cooley said, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” I can go anywhere from the comfort of my couch through written word, as I sip on a steaming cup of coffee or tea. So far, I have trekked through western states on a horse and participated in the hard work of rural life in the early…
In addition to COVID-19 safety protocols, the switch to mobile ticketing since the pandemic has been a controversial topic among the North Union school community. Parent Brandon Stringer approached the North Union Local Schools Board of Education during its meeting on Monday night to argue that taxpayers should not have to pay the processing fee for mobile ticketing at sporting events. “These fees range anywhere from 23-48% of ticket price. The taxpayers are being told they have to cover the costs of making it easier for the athletic department,” Stringer said. He continued that technical difficulties with mobile ticketing may…
The Richwood Planning Commission met with Aaron Smith, planner I/GIS tech of LUC Regional Planning Commission, on Monday to review a draft of changes to the village’s official zoning map. Richwood’s current legalized zoning map is from December 1979. Subsequently, other maps were created in 2002 and 2004 and revised in 2011. However, those updated maps are just representations and not official zoning maps for the village because they have not been legally signed by the mayor and village clerk. The current map is missing the North Union Fire Department and other properties incorporated in the village in recent years.…
The Richwood Revitalization Committee has begun the application process for T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant Program. The T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program will provide funds for projects “to build, rebuild or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections.” Through the program, T-Mobile is committing $25 million to small town grants over the next five years. According to T-Mobile’s website, towns will be selected by a panel consisting of members from nonprofits SmartGrowth America and Main Street America. Grants will be allocated up to $50,000 per town. At its meeting on Thursday, the committee discussed applying for the grant to fix the trusses…
In this family photograph from the 1980s, Marysville resident and first-time author Jane Chaffin is pictured with her 9-year-old son Andy, whose death inspired her to write “Andy’s Good News!” which was released this year. (Photo submitted) Earlier this summer, Marysville resident Jane Chaffin released her debut book, “Andy’s Good News!,” about the salvation of her son following his death more than 25 years ago. Chaffin, a cook and cashier at Marysville High School, wrote the religious children’s book in memory of her son, Andy, who died Nov. 18, 1994, at 17 years old. Andy’s death was caused by complications…
Pictured above, the Rev. Tonya Brittain, pastor of the First English Lutheran Church, displays a quilt made by church members for the 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Sept. 12. The quilt features photos of the church’s history, former pastors and Brittain, signatures of current disciples and the cross as the focus. Below, The First English Lutheran Church began its ministry in 1921 at a house of worship on West Fifth Street before moving to its current location on London Avenue in the mid-1960s. (Photos submitted) The First English Lutheran Church, 687 London Ave., will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday,…
Ag-Pro Companies officially acquired Parrott Implement Co., 396 E. Blagrove St. in Richwood, recently. “We’re excited to be a part of Richwood and look forward to meeting the customers, determining their needs and seeing how we can better serve them,” said Tyler Cannada, corporate marketing manager of Ag-Pro. “This community has been a staple for Ohio agriculture, and we are thankful we have the opportunity to be a part of that.” Sawyer Parrott, great grandson of founder Don Parrott, has remained on staff as general manager under the new Ag-Pro ownership. “He has long ties with the community and we…
During early childhood, I would fearlessly dance and sing aloud to Disney soundtracks and Taylor Swift ballads anywhere in public. I vividly recall twirling around the Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk while on vacation, joyously singing to myself. With age, I seldom “dance like no one is watching.” In fact, sometimes I feel like I am no longer in tune with my “fun self.” Lightening up tends to be one of my greatest challenges. I know I am not the only one experiencing this. The necessity for fun and how to define it are the topics of countless nonfiction books from…
Azelene Bond, 88 of Bluebird Retirement Community, enjoyed a helicopter ride at the All Ohio Balloon Festival on Aug. 13 after her free hot air balloon ride was canceled because of weather conditions. The helicopter flew from the Union County Airport over Marysville. (Photo submitted) Azelene Bond, a Bluebird Retirement Community resident, soared through the sky in a helicopter on Aug. 13 at the All Ohio Balloon Festival after winning a contest. The 88-year-old was selected at her assisted living facility for a hot air balloon ride, but the ride was canceled because of weather conditions. Instead, All Ohio Balloon…
North Union Local School Superintendent Richard Baird provided a COVID-19 response update to the board of education Monday, stating that face coverings will be optional at school and during school activities for the start of the 2021-22 school year. During the board of education meeting, Baird summarized a letter sent to the North Union community and staff on Aug. 13 in which he wrote that “federal regulations require proper use of face coverings on school transportation.” In accordance with federal regulations, signs must be posted on school transportation indicating the requirement of masks. “Our job in enforcement is to inform…
Officials from Richwood met with the Union County Commissioners on Wednesday to provide an update about the former Richwood Opera House development efforts and discuss funding opportunities for the project. In attendance were Mayor Scott Jerew, Councilman and Chairman of the Richwood Revitalization Committee Reddy Brown, committee members Gail DeGood-Guy and Tracy Plouck and Richwood resident and businessman Dean Gray. Brown informed the commissioners that the Richwood Revitalization Committee was chartered by the council to work on the development of the building, which was built in 1890 with taxpayers’ funds. Over the years, the former opera house has served many…
Tim Goodwin, the former fiscal officer of the Village of Richwood, paid the village $20,973 in penalty fees following a report from the state auditor’s office. The Journal-Tribune and Richwood Gazette previously reported that Goodwin did not remit or file reports to government agencies in a timely manner, according to Auditor of State Keith Faber’s Office. He was required to pay penalties and interest for late reporting of federal income and Medicare taxes, state income taxes, unemployment, the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and the Ohio Police and Fire Pension. Additionally, the audit revealed that the late filings were one…