City of Marysville officials are preparing to construct a new water tower, located along Industrial Parkway, in Jerome Township. Marysville Public Service Director Jeremy Hoyt said there is currently “not much redundancy” in the area, as the city lines illustrated in blue are all serviced by the Fladt Road water tower to the north. (Graphic submitted) Jerome Township and City of Marysville officials are looking forward to adding a water tower and new pump station to the township. Marysville Public Service Director Jeremy Hoyt was at the trustees’ most recent meeting to share details surrounding the projects. “This is great…
Author: Kayleen Petrovia
Lt. Christine Zimmer recently became the first female officer in the history of the Jerome Township Division of Fire. She said she hopes she is an example to young women that they can pursue their dream careers, even if they are in male-dominated fields. (Photo submitted) Jerome Township Fire Chief Douglas Stewart thinks of Lt. Christine Zimmer as a trendsetter. She says she’s simply following the trail blazed by those before her. Zimmer recently became the first female officer in the history of the Jerome Township Division of Fire. Still, she’s quick to acknowledge the women who have inspired her:…
Around this time last year, we started to hear speculation about a potential “pandemic baby boom.” While that doesn’t seem to have panned out, I’m much more excited about what did – the pandemic pet boom. I wish I could tell you that I am one of the companionship-deprived people who adopted a dog during the past year. Though I have not yet achieved my dream of becoming a dog mom, I am now the next best thing: a dog aunt. My brother is one of the many people who recently experienced all the ups and downs of the increasingly…
Most COVID-19 public health orders will end on June 2, Governor Mike DeWine announced Tuesday. The orders that will be removed include facial covering requirements, social distancing guidelines and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events. “We knew that, at some point in time, this would be the next step in the pandemic response,” said Union County Health Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Thrush. Though the orders will be officially lifted, DeWine said businesses can still impose their own requirements surrounding masking and distancing. Thrush said individuals will also decide when they feel comfortable removing those additional precautions. She encouraged…
Plain City officials are on their way to codifying changes brought about by the charter, but one council member does not feel they should all be made formal legislation. Council heard the first readings of 13 ordinances that would enact laws related to governmental changes laid out in the charter, which residents approved in a March election. The majority revolve around administrative changes that clarify position responsibilities and update Plain City’s organizational structure. Council member Frank Reed argued that nine of the ordinances should be council rules rather than formal legislation. “It does no good to cut and paste from…
For a “small town Marysville guy” like Steve Schery, working for NASA was “just like you see in the movies.” “You’d be in this big control room with 20 to 30 scientists and engineers all at monitors and the clock is just ticking,” he said of his work in NASA’s wind tunnel testing. Contracting for NASA was “the peak of my work life,” Schery said, though it wasn’t always what he aspired to do. He lived in Marysville from third grade through eighth grade while his father worked at Scotts. After moving to St. Louis, he continued to visit Marysville…
Jerome Township officials recently approved the rezoning of an area that will be developed into nearly 250 homes. The 139.4 acre area on the south side of Brock Road, between Hyland-Croy Road and the overpass with U.S. 33, will be rezoned from Rural Residential District (RU) to Planned Development District (PD). The board heard a presentation from developers regarding The Homestead at Scotts Farm during its April 20 meeting. At the time, a group of Brock Road residents publicly voiced their opposition to the proposed neighborhood. During this week’s meeting, the trustees unanimously approved the rezoning request. Trustee Megan Sloat…
Public opening was shelved by pandemic Plain City Council is ready to share the village’s new municipal building with the public. Village administration met during Wednesday’s work session in-person for the first time since declaring a state of emergency at the start of the pandemic. The meeting was also the first publicly held in the new municipal building at 800 Village Blvd. Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said an open house for the building was planned approximately 13 months ago, but stay at home orders were mandated the week before invitations were slated to be sent. Though delayed, Mayor Jody Carney…
85% oppose rezoning for the Farm at Indian Run Jerome Township residents decidedly struck down a recent rezoning, with a whopping 85% voting against it in Tuesday’s referendum election. The rezoning would have paved the way for Wicked Chicken, LLC to develop 40 single-family homes in a subdivision called the Farm at Indian Run. According to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections, 750 voters opposed the zoning amendment, while only 132 were in favor. Residents circulated a referendum petition in response to a decision by the trustees to rezone 24.74 acres on McKitrick Road, east of Mitchell-Dewitt…
Anyone in Union County wanting a COVID-19 vaccine can now get the shot without an appointment. The Union County Health Department is accepting walk-ins for first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, administered at the Union County Fairgrounds. The shots are given in a drive-thru format and do not require residents to get out of their car. Most appointments take approximately 20 minutes. UCHD is using the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses, 21 days apart. It can be given to anyone 16 years of age or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Walk-ins are available…
A number of local schools are gearing up for end-of-the-year events outdoors. Jonathan Alder, North Union and Triad will each host their graduation ceremonies at their football fields. Jonathan Alder Pioneer graduates will receive their diplomas during a ceremony from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 30 at their football stadium. Jonathan Alder officials did not respond to requests for additional information by press time. North Union North Union’s graduation will be hosted at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4 at the football stadium. In the case of inclement weather, graduation will be pushed to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 5 in the high…
A hiccup in Plain City’s Uptown streetscapes plan brought differing opinions between council members to the surface during their most recent meeting. Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said new sidewalk construction in the Uptown area requires collaboration between the village and local business owners. He explained that the public right-of-way does not cover the entire width of the sidewalk, as private ownership extends four to five feet from the building faces in some areas. In order to create positive drainage, Cahall said village staff was gathering signatures from property owners which would allow Plain City to “legally trespass” and pour sidewalk…
Fred and Mary Stierhoff were recently named the Memorial Health 2021 Volunteers of the Year. Mary has been volunteering with Memorial since 1982 and Fred joined her in the mid-1990s. Together, they drove 9,494 miles delivering mobile meals and logged 937 service hours during 2020. (Photo submitted) Log more than 9,000 miles for Mobile Meals in 2020 Not even a global pandemic would keep Fred and Mary Stierhoff off the roads. Together, they drove 9,494 miles during 2020 delivering mobile meals for Memorial Hospital throughout Union County. “We always said we could write a book about Meals on Wheels,” Mary…
Jenn Dickerson said she was determined to do everything she could for her brother, Craig Nicol, while he battled cancer. She searched online for organizations that grant wishes for adults with terminal illnesses and was “totally surprised” to find The Angel Foundation. The Ohio-based non-profit works with hospices and health care organizations to provide wishes for adults throughout the state. As soon as Dickerson learned of the organization, she said she had just one question for her brother: “What do you want to do?” She said her brother immediately knew he wanted to take “one last family vacation” together. Thanks…
Jerome Township trustees approved a development plan for the first phase of a residential development south of U.S. 42 called Jerome Park. The project will feature townhouses, illustrated above, as well as single-family homes. In later phases, commercial properties are proposed along U.S. 33. (Graphic submitted) On the same night Jerome Township trustees approved two new developments, they certified referendum petitions for another. At the most recent trustees meeting, the board unanimously approved a development plan for the first phase of Jerome Park as well as plans for Pioneer Crossing. Jerome Park is planned to be a residential development located…