Marysville is planning observances for Memorial Day on Monday. At 8:15 a.m., in Schwartzkopf Park, there will be a wreath ceremony honoring those lost at sea. There will be a parade at 9 a.m., beginning at Fifth and Plum Streets and concluding at Oakdale Cemetery, where a ceremony will be held at 9:45 a.m. City crews have spent the week beautifying the city, preparing for summer activities and cleaning and maintaining Oakdale Cemetery ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Above, Mason Ferguson, left, and Bailey Peake work to lay and spread mulch at the cemetery. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)…
Author: Kayleen Petrovia
The rendering by Andrew Circle Architects pictured above shows the design for the Clock Tower building at 101 S. Chillicothe St. in Plain City. Council recently upheld a decision by the Design Review Board that will allow the property owners to paint the brick building Billiard Green and install rolling garage doors. (Graphic submitted) — Developers will be able to move forward with renovations to the Clock Tower building in Plain City after a split vote by council upheld the Design Review Board’s approval to paint the building. Resident opinions were also mixed, as some denounced DRB and council’s ruling…
Officials from the Union County Health Department are keeping a close eye on how the state’s budget bill could affect their operations. Health Commissioner Jason Orcena said during the most recent Board of Health meeting that he sees one provision of House Bill 33, which would establish appropriations for fiscal years 2024-2025, as a “major red flag.” He said the bill, which has been passed by the House but is still in committee review in the Senate, would eliminate the authority of local governments to place replacement levies on the ballot. Orcena said he does not believe the restriction to…
The Jerome Township Trustees took a step Tuesday night toward adding three new properties to the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). The trustees held a public hearing during their regular meeting to discuss petitions from AWS, Velocys and Primose Schools to join the district. Julie Donnan, legal counsel for the township, explained that a petition does not “change the substance of the contract, it just adds new properties.” The Cooperative Economic Development Agreement (CEDA) approved by the township and city in 2019 dictates that any non-residential development in the district that requests water or sewer services, which are provided by…
One of the objects I’ve insisted on toting around between plenty of the states I’ve lived in and apartments I’ve rented since college is a small side table. I’ve used it as a nightstand next to my bed, a bookshelf and a stand to place my houseplants next to the window. It isn’t particularly pretty, but the edge of the tabletop does have a nice, routed edge, and the legs also have a little shelf for extra storage. I recently sent an unrelated photo to my childhood best friend, Audrey, and she responded with a zoomed in screenshot of the…
Village officials are considering another economic development tool as they work toward the creation of a Plain City Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). During their most recent work session, Development Manager Jason Stanford told council members that he feels it is “definitely time for us to explore this, and I hope we will.” “I think we’re definitely ready to move on a CIC,” he said. Stanford said a CIC would set a strong foundation for future growth, and help the village achieve immediate goals of remedying utility issues and identifying sites for development. He explained to council that CICs are quasi-governmental…
Attendees of Wings Support and Recovery’s Adult Prom are pictured at the event, which was held Friday evening at the Union County YMCA Armory Gym. The prom was open to anyone in the public, and aimed to create a sober night of fun that could also connect community members to resources. (Photo submitted) — It may not have been exactly when or where she expected it, but on Friday night Brooke Blakesley was finally able to attend her prom. Her wait was a little longer than students who just look forward to their junior or senior year of high school,…
Employees in the Jerome Township Roads Division will see a significant pay increase at the recommendation of the township’s new administrator. “It’s just time to get their pay where these folks can support themselves and their families,” Township Administrator Brandon Standley said. The trustees unanimously approved recommendations from Standley to increase the pay rate for Roads Supervisor Vince Graber from $32 to $35 per hour. The board also voted to promote Kenneth Young from roads crew worker to crew leader. His pay will be increased from $23.90 to $32 per hour. Roads crew workers will not be left out, as…
A decision to rezone land for an age-restricted community of patio homes split the Jerome Township Trustees between whether it will allow for more dense residential developments in the future. “As far as this decision tonight setting a precedent, that is not accurate at all… this is not a precedent setting decision,” said Trustee Megan Sloat. The Board of Trustees voted 2-1 to approve the rezoning of 33.08 acres of land on Ryan Parkway, between Hyland-Croy Road and Black Oak Drive, from Rural Residential District to Planned Development District. Trustee Barry Adler dissented. Epcon Communities intends to construct 94 single-family,…
The new “Library of Things,” which offers non-traditional items like cake pans and board games, is pictured in the Marysville Public Library. Anyone with a valid MPL library card can check out the items for 14 days. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia) — No matter how the community grows, the Marysville Public Library will continue to evolve to meet its residents’ needs and interests. MPL officials recently announced the debut of a “Library of Things” collection, which allows community members to borrow specialty, non-traditional items. The Library of Things ranges from traffic cones to practice for driving exams to sewing…
Plain City will become involved with Madison County’s new land bank, which village officials said will serve as another economic development tool as the village continues to grow. Council voted unanimously Monday to allow the village administrator to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Madison County Land Reutilization Corporation. More commonly known as the “land bank,” Development Coordinator Jason Stanford said it is a governmental agency that can acquire and hold properties “with the goal of returning them to productive use.” “It’s something I think is a great opportunity for Plain City to get involved with,” he said. Stanford…
The illustrative site plan above shows Darby Station Section 3, for which the platting and final development plan were approved by Plain City Council Monday night. The development is located on just under 336 acres on Route 161. (Graphic submitted) — New phases of two residential developments, Madison Meadows and Darby Station, will move forward in Plain City. Prior to appearing before council, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the approval of the final plats and development plans for both residential developments. The developers behind Madison Meadows Phase II intend to construct 225 homes on approximately 79.7 acres along Lafayette-Plain…
The Union County Health Department and Building Department are working to “disentangle” the county’s plumbing program, which is currently operated between both agencies. “There’s overlap in a lot, a lot of areas,” said Chief Building Official Sam Cronk. The Union County Board of Health voted during its most recent meeting to resume the administrative functions of the plumbing program, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Health Commissioner Jason Orcena explained that the county’s plumbing program is administered by the building department, although it is technically a health department program. Orcena said he and Cronk have been discussing whether that is the best…
The new Jerome Township Administrator is off to a running start after the Board of Trustees shared their priorities for him in his new role. Former Bellefontaine Police Department Chief Brandon Standley began as the township administrator on April 10 after a months-long search for the right candidate. Standley said he is looking forward to overseeing the township’s departments and taking on the role trustees were playing as “liaisons” in the absence of an administrator. “This position will allow me to dig into the issues deeper for you,” he told the board. Between the three trustees, they communicated a number…
Contents that will be included in the Jerome Township time capsule are pictured above, including modern toys like a Pop Socket, Lego figurines, fidget spinners and a wristband. Along with items from recent years, the capsule will include a variety of historical documents and even written interviews with current residents. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia) — Noah Kuck, pictured in his Boy Scout uniform at center, is shown speaking about the contents of the Jerome Township time capsule with other troop members and leaders. Kuck completed a new time capsule for the township’s Soldiers…