Triad educators are using the state report card from a “tough” pandemic year to plan for the district’s future. Although the 2020 data is not as comprehensive as it has been in years past, Chief Academic Officer Morgan Fagnani said “some pieces are useful.” The Ohio Department of Education’s report card is broken into six categories in which districts receive a letter grade: achievement, progress, gap closing, graduation rate, improving at-risk K-3 readers and prepared for success. In 2020, districts did not receive letter grades but could still see the data in each category. Fagnani said districts throughout the state…
Author: Kayleen Petrovia
Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena recently shared encouraging news surrounding the coronavirus’ current impact on the county. “The picture is improving, but it’s not over,” he said during Wednesday’s Board of Health meeting. Orcena said the most recent surge seems to have subsided. Though he expects some cases over the holiday season, he said the spike appears to be ending. The health commissioner said the surge in cases over the past several months was a “smaller, shorter” spike than the one that was experienced in the winter of 2020. The surge last year entailed approximately 60 cases per day…
Three candidates are running for two seats on the Triad Board of Education. Incumbent Mike Perry is joined on the ballot by Jason “Kyle” Huffman and Kristin Smith. Matthew S. McConnell was appointed to an unexpired term that ends on Dec. 31, 2023 and must seek re-election to maintain his seat. However, he is unopposed in his bid to do so. Jason “Kyle” Huffman Jason “Kyle” Huffman was an employee of the Triad Local School district for 23 years as both a classroom teacher and building administrator. Huffman is in his 25th year of public education. He noted that he…
Eight candidates are on the November ballot for Plain City Council. The village’s charter, approved in March, dictates that council will have six members elected from the municipality at large. Every four years, three seats will expire. To create a staggered schedule for council terms, one person will be elected in November to serve a two-year term. Three candidates will be elected to serve a normal, four-year term. Vying for the two-year term are incumbent Sherry Heineman and newcomers Rochelle Pellegrene and James Sintz. Incumbents Lauren DeCamp Giaimo and Michael Terry were each appointed to vacated council seats in 2020…
The Plain City Police Department is aiming to empower local women by equipping them with knowledge. PCPD is hosting a training program titled “Empowering Women through Education” this week. Two different sessions of the free course will be hosted, from 6-9 p.m. Thursday and noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Participants only need to attend one session. Officials from the police department said knowledge is often the best protection against potential threats. “Safety awareness is the first and best step in protecting yourself as this oftentimes helps prevent being placed in dangerous or vulnerable situations,” according to a statement from PCPD. The training…
Editor’s note: This is the third in an ongoing series of articles detailing issues and candidates before voters in the November election. All candidates were asked the same questions and given the same opportunity to respond. ––– Three candidates are vying for two seats on the Jerome Township Board of Trustees. Trustee C.J. Lovejoy is not seeking reelection, while incumbent Joe Craft’s current term expires this year. Newcomers Barry Adler and Wezlynn Davis are running as well. Barry Adler Barry Adler, 69, is the owner and operator of a farm and greenhouse on Industrial Parkway. Adler moved to Jerome Township…
Council members are grappling with how to handle surprising census results that prevent Plain City from becoming an actual city. Results from the 2020 U.S. Census indicate Plain City’s population is 4,065, according to a proclamation of village status from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. “The number they provided us is clearly wrong,” Council member Michael Terry said during Wednesday’s work session. The village’s population has apparently decreased in the past decade, as 2010 U.S. Census results list it at 4,225. Municipalities with a population of 5,000 or above are considered cities rather than villages. In anticipation of meeting…
The former Plain City municipal buildings, located at 213 S. Chillicothe Street, have been sold to The Station by West Element. The company will transform the buildings into a coworking space designed to serve local entrepreneurs and small businesses. The parking lot will remain village property and is open for public use. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell) — The former Plain City municipal building is on track to become a coworking space. Village Council unanimously accepted a bid Monday to sell the property to The Station by West Element, Ltd. for $500,000. “Plain City has a history and that history…
The local health department will once again offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing. In partnership with St. Jude lab, the Union County Health Department is offering COVID-19 PCR testing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays at the Union County Fairgrounds. The testing will be available at least through the month of October. No testing will be held on Oct. 11. PCR testing is a laboratory test that detects RNA fragments of the SARS CoV-2 virus. A PCR test is often the type of test required for travel or other recreation or work activities with testing requirements, according to a statement…
Jerome Township will soon have a new and improved website. Director of Departments Douglas Stewart said Tuesday that officials have “hit a ceiling” with the current software. “We’ve been really limited by our current site,” he said. Administrative Clerk Taylor Hoover presented the trustees with a proposal to invest in developing a new township website. Hoover said a full redesign of the site will cost between $15,000 and $19,000 depending on which package the trustees select. Stewart said he understands “it’s an investment,” but feels as though the current website is becoming a hinderance. He noted that Hoover and Administrative…
Jerome Township Trustees took the first concrete step in developing an Innovation District in the area, approving a zoning overlay on Tuesday night. The trustees voted unanimously to approve the zoning amendment. Attorney for the township Jennifer Huber has previously described the overlay as a “cloud,” which does not change the current zoning but can be pulled down by property owners if so desired. The zoning overlay district encompasses approximately 741 acres south of Warner Road and north of the Union County/Franklin County line, between Industrial Parkway and the CSX Railroad tracks. The area falls within the Jerome Township Tax…
The Union County Health Department is now offering COVID-19 booster shots to a certain group of eligible individuals. In accordance with CDC guidance, only those who completed their second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months ago are eligible to receive a booster shot through UCHD. Among those, eligible individuals include: – People who are 65 years and older; – Residents in long-term care settings; – People aged 18-64 with underlying medical conditions; – People aged 18-64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission due to their occupation or institutional setting. Booster doses through UCHD are available…
The names in recent entertainment headlines have many of us flashing back a few decades. One of the many 2000s superstars all over the news is Britney Spears. While I was probably a little young to fully appreciate her superstardom, I clearly remember just how iconic the singer behind “Oops… I Did it Again” was. The song was one of the tracks on the first CD I ever had: a dual record with Britney Spears and NSYNC. I knew all of Britney’s lyrics and dance moves just like pretty much any girl around my age. 20 years later, it’s not…
While encouraged by an offer to contribute funding to traffic improvements, the Union County engineer disagreed with Jerome Township officials’ recommendations and approach to the matter. Jerome Township Trustee Joe Craft sent a letter to Union County Engineer Jeff Stauch Sept. 17, requesting the installation of a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of Industrial Parkway and Mitchell Dewitt Road by Friday, Oct. 1. The trustees signed a subsequent resolution endorsing Craft’s request on Sept. 21. The trustees offered to reimburse the county for the cost of the signal – approximately $280,000, according to Craft – using funds generated by…
The Union County Health Department is waiting on information from federal and state authorities before it begins to administer booster doses of the COVID-19 shot. UCHD has been preparing to administer booster doses, but must receive clinical guidance from the CDC and Ohio Department of Health first, according to a statement from the agency. Once guidelines are in place, UCHD will give boosters to those who live or work in Union County, or received their first two doses through the local health department. UCHD officials noted that the booster dose is only for certain groups of people who completed the…