In celebration of Earth Week 2021, the Union County Courthouse lights will “go green.” Union County Development Services Manager Jason Stanford said the new look is a reminder of the importance of taking care of the planet. “We want it to be a reminder that our environment is precious and very important to all of us,” he said. Stanford said the Union County Economic Development office “toyed with promotions in the past” to celebrate Earth Week. He said the group was looking forward to planning events for the holiday’s 50th anniversary last year, but they were dashed by the COVID-19…
Author: Kayleen Petrovia
Karen Kier, a Marysville High School graduate and professor of clinical pharmacy at Ohio Northern University, draws a dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine into a needle while sitting in the ONU HealthWise Mobile Clinic. The 38-foot RV will transport vaccines to the Union County Fairgrounds every Wednesday in April and May, to be administered by ONU pharmacists, interns and students. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia) Now a professor, Karen Kier returns to Marysville with ONU’s mobile vaccine clinic Karen Kier can pinpoint the exact moment that determined the course of her life. She was a junior at…
Plain City officials are considering 2021 budget changes that could divert more funding toward Uptown improvements. Village Administrator Nathan Cahall presented council with proposed supplemental appropriations during Wednesday’s work session. He explained that the “funding outcomes” for the Noteman Road project allow the village to consider other street or storm water improvements. Before the 2021 budget was passed, officials proposed upsizing and replacing the storm sewer lines in the area, lining the sanitary sewer lines, replacing the water mains and a complete “mill and fill” repaving of the entire roadway. Cahall said the funding requests were split between two sources.…
Jerome Township officials are asking residents for patience as they work through the growing pains of new technology. “It’s definitely a work in progress,” Trustee Chair Megan Sloat said. The trustees began livestreaming their meetings via Facebook at the start of the pandemic after purchasing a new camera and microphones. However, the group has cycled through audio equipment as residents often express their difficulty hearing certain speakers while viewing online. Trustee C.J. Lovejoy said he was receiving texts from residents throughout the meeting advising they could not hear individuals using certain microphones or headsets. In response to the complaints, officials…
Almost two years ago, early in my time at the Journal-Tribune, I took photos and wrote a story about the Union County Health Department’s drive-thru flu shot clinic. At the time, a drive-thru clinic of any kind was a completely new concept to me. When I spoke with health officials about the clinic, I learned that it had another benefit aside from helping protect the community from the flu. It was essentially a practice drill in the case that they would ever need to conduct mass vaccinations during an outbreak of some sort. Actively preparing for a pandemic was so…
An inmate was captured Wednesday evening after carrying out an escape plan from a local correctional facility. James C. Saunders, 31, of Columbus escaped from West Central Community Correctional Facility at approximately 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, according to Executive Director David Ervin. Ervin said “there is no question” that Saunders was planning an escape. Saunders was seen “looking around” in the dining room, Ervin said, focusing on the back door in the kitchen area. He said Saunders was “watching closely” for the back door from the kitchen to open. Ervin said Saunders waited until trash was taken through the door then…
Jerome Township Trustees presented their vision for an Innovation District, outlined and shaded in blue above. An economic impact study indicates the master planned business park could generate between $633 million and $760 million for the area. The Innovation District is intended to attract high-tech businesses and research and development facilities. (Graphic submitted) Union County could soon be home to one more Innovation District. Jerome Township Trustees called a special meeting Tuesday to share their vision for a 741-acre “pre-zoned, master planned business park.” The Jerome Township Innovation District would encompass the area south of Warner Road and north of…
Triad Board of Education members recently heard a presentation surrounding the district’s new strategic plan. The document will be used to “define the expectations and aspirations” that will drive the district over the next five years. (Photo submitted) Three years in the making, Triad has a new plan to guide the district. Superintendent Vickie Hoffman and Chief Academic Officer Morgan Fagnani shared Triad’s strategic plan with the Board of Education during its meeting Thursday. Hoffman said she and Fagnani have felt the district was in need of a strategic plan since they arrived at Triad several years ago. It is…
Plain City’s Zoning Department will soon be expanding, in preparation for more growth in the area. Council voted unanimously during its most recent meeting to approve the creation of a new position, code enforcement technician. Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said the personnel and finance committee approved of the position at a recent meeting. He noted that funding is already included in budget appropriations for 2021. “This is going to free up time… to focus on some of the higher level plan review and code rewrites,” Cahall said. The code enforcement technician will act as a compliance officer and investigate zoning…
Plain City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request Monday that will pave the way for a new residential development. Approximately 48.85 acres along North Chillicothe Street is planned as the future site of The Run at Hofbauer Preserve. It was rezoned from Community Business District (B2) to Planned Residential Development District (PRD). The development will bring 100 single-family homes to the area, with a density of approximately 2.56 units per acre. “The Run at Hofbauer Preserve PRD (planned residential development) has been envisioned to provide for two different single-family lot sizes within a well-designed environment including tree lined streets, sidewalks,…
As COVID-19 vaccine eligibility continues to expand, the Union County Health Department is preparing to serve the largest group yet. Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena said the health department is working to ensure anyone who wants a shot has access to one, despite nationwide supply constraints. According to orders from Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health, any Ohioan 16 or older will be eligible beginning March 29. During the most recent Board of Health meeting, Orcena described residents’ ability to get a vaccine as “a matter of perspective.” He noted that UCHD’s vaccination clinic usually fills…
Jerome Township Trustees recently approved the rezoning of 163.568 acres, outlined in blue, located along the northwest side of U.S. 42, between Harriott Road and Wells Road. Jerome Village developers intend to add a mix of residential and commercial uses, all located within the Fairbanks school district. (Graphic submitted) Chaotic meeting results in split vote to OK rezoning Passions flared during Jerome Township’s most recent public hearing, which ultimately resulted in a split vote to approve the rezoning for a proposed residential development. Trustee Chair Megan Sloat repeatedly asked residents in attendance not to shout from their seats or speak…
Jerome Village is one step closer to adding its first neighborhood in the Fairbanks district. Jerome Township Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone 16.286 acres of land on the southeast side of U.S. 42, between Wells Road and Harriott Road, from Rural Residential (RU) and Planned Development District (PD) to Planned Development District. Bart Barok, with Nationwide Realty Investors, said Jerome Village recently purchased 5.86 acres of land from the adjacent property owner, Select Sires. Jerome Township Zoning Inspector Eric Snowden said there was previously a zoning boundary between areas zoned RU and PD that ran through the proposed development…
A black 2019 Honda Civic, pictured in surveillance footage, was stolen from a local dealership Monday afternoon. The suspect eluded a pursuit by a Union County Sheriff’s Office deputy after stealing the vehicle while on a test drive. (Photo submitted) One was the product of a test drive that did not end Another vehicle was reported stolen from a local dealership Monday afternoon. Marysville Police Department Deputy Chief Tony Brooks said a prospective buyer at Coughlin Marysville GM reportedly took a black 2019 Honda Civic for a test drive and did not return the vehicle. MPD alerted the Union County…
U.C. Health Commissioner strikes a hopeful tone Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena spent the health department’s annual District Advisory Council meeting reflecting on how much has changed since the group last met. “It’s just striking what’s happened in the past year,” Orcena said. ORCENA As he presented to township, village, city and county representatives, he compared a number of statistics from their 2020 annual meeting with current numbers. At the council’s March 2020 meeting, Orcena mentioned there were 607 COVID-19 cases in the United States. Over 28.2 million have now been confirmed. While the numbers may appear grim, Orcena…