City manager Terry Emery presented the annual State of the City address, as a video at Monday night’s city Marysville City Council meeting. The address highlighted accomplishments of 2020 as well as expectations for 2021. (J-T image capture) At Monday night’s Marysville City Council meeting, City Manager Terry Emery presented the annual State of the City address. In years past, the address has been given in person by the mayor or manager. Several years ago, a video was made as part of a larger forum. Because council meetings are being held virtually, the video was released as the city administration’s…
Author: Mac Cordell
Local officials are trying to remain flexible as the state decides how to react to a change in the federal income tax filing deadline. Earlier this week the United States Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. “We will follow what is dictated by the state, not the federal government, so as of right now, this doesn’t have any impact on us,” said Jackie Ward, income tax administrator for the City of Marysville. By code,…
A Raymond man, already under indictment for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a Richwood man, has been indicted on additional charges, stemming from the overdose of another individual. Ethan Michael Lowther, 26, 27611 Route 31, Raymond, has been indicted, charged with two counts of corrupting another with drugs and one count of trafficking in a Fentanyl-related compound. According to court documents, on Oct. 20, deputies responded to an overdose. The individual was unconscious and was not breathing normally. First responders gave the victim Narcan, which reversed the effects of the drug. On Nov. 18, the victim spoke…
Is alleged to have given parolee a gun, forged her documents A Union County probation officer has been indicted for inappropriate conduct with one of those he was supposed to be supervising. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Keith F. Siegmann, 46, of North Port, Florida. Siegmann is charged with two counts of having weapons while under disability and one count of tampering with evidence. SIEGMANN According to information from the Marysville Division of Police, in February 2019, investigators received a report from the Ohio Department of Corrections that an Adult Probation and Parole Officer had engaged in, “an…
I know that reporters are not supposed to have opinions about the stories they cover. But the best that we journalists can do is work to keep those opinions out of our stories. I work hard to do that and my editor works even harder at it. But the first step in eliminating bias from reporting is to recognize it, to know yourself well enough to spot a strong opinion forming, so you can make a conscience effort to keep it out of your story. Often, I will go so far as to tell my editor or a proofreader that…
A Columbus man is being held on a $500,000 bond after allegedly shooting into a Marysville apartment. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Mohamed A. Nurein, 34, of Columbus, charging him with two counts of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation, two counts of endangering children and one count each of felonious assault, aggravated menacing, tampering with evidence, attempted trespassing into a habitation and attempted aggravated burglary. NUREIN According to court documents, about 8:04 a.m., Feb. 13, 911 operators received a call. The caller was crying, but didn’t say anything and eventually hung up. Police called…
Those visiting Marysville’s Upground Reservoir may have recently noticed a large number of dead fish. City officials contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who notified them that it is a result of a natural process called “winterkill.” Large amounts of snow or ice can deplete the water’s oxygen levels, which ultimately suffocates the fish. The water quality is not a factor that causes the fish to die. (Photo submitted) Those visiting Marysville’s Upground Reservoir on Raymond Road recently have made a grisly discovery — thousands of dead fish. “We understand that dead fish is discouraging to see, but it…
The City of Marysville is lowering standards for some firefighters in hopes to be able to recruit more of them. At Monday night’s finance committee meeting, the group heard plans to increase the pay from $15 to $17.50 per hour for part-time firefighters with an EMT-Paramedic certification. Members also heard about a desire to create an option to pay part-time firefighters with an EMT-Basic certification $15 per hour. In the past, all firefighters, full- or part-time were required to have the EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P) certification. Marysville Fire Chief Jay Riley said it is increasingly more difficult to find and hire part-time…
Marysville has a variety of rules on the books about parking in the Uptown. One rule says cars need moved when there is more than two inches of snow on the ground. Another rule prohibits on-street parking in the Uptown between 3 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. daily. Still another limits on-street parking to two hours. At a recent Public Service/Public Safety meeting, officials discussed how to make them more consistent and the need to enforce whatever rule the city has. City officials said the matter came about as a result of the snow in Marysville’s Uptown earlier this winter. “Every…
North Union graduate Haley Spriggs has taken an internship at the Union County Coroner’s Office and turned it into a job. The Bowling Green State University alumni is preparing to take the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigations certification exam. Above, Spriggs demonstrates a new piece of laser equipment used to determine angles and height for gunshots. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell) Haley Spriggs didn’t know what direction she wanted to go after college, but she knew she needed an internship. In May of last year, the 2017 North Union graduate was a senior at Bowling Green State University. “I…
The Union County Commissioners have hired a Columbus based law firm to help them prepare for several proposed and potential solar farms. Last month, the county commissioners voted to retain the law firm of Frost, Brown and Todd for the purpose of handling matters related to solar development projects in Union County. According to the agreement, the commissioners will pay between $305 and $560 per hour of work, depending on who within the firm is doing the work. In 2020, Invenergy and Acciona Energy each applied for permission from the Ohio Power Sitting Board (OPSB) to construct solar energy projects…
It now appears ride service will not expand The Union County Commissioners will not be moving forward with a plan to provide a public transportation option for all county residents. Last month, the Union County Area Transportation Services (UCATS) presented a business plan for the transition to bring a public transportation option to the county. Chelcie Beadnell, mobility manager for the Union County Health Department, had applied for and was awarded ODOT funding for a public transportation system as well the transition. UCATS asked the Union County Commissioners to accept $155,809 from ODOT, which would have triggered another equal grant…
Marysville’s Design Review Board approved plans for a Build Cowork + Space, a co-working space that provides shared offices, conference rooms and internet for businesses. The owners are planning to renovate and move into the Lamplighter, 129 N. Main St. (Photo submitted) Marysville’s Design Review Board has approved design plans for a new shared space office facility to be located in the Uptown’s Lamplighter Building. Build Cowork + Space is looking to renovate and move into the Lamplighter, 129 N. Main St., Marysville. Currently the building holds the Marysville Entrepreneurial Center, which will locate inside the co-op space. Jason Duff,…
Forced out as county administrator, Cunningham installed by 4-2 vote A Marysville City Council member is calling for the Planning Commission’s newest member to step down. In a 4-2 vote Monday, City Council appointed John Cunningham to the board. In February 2015, Cunningham resigned his position as Union County Administrator, one day before the commissioners were set to consider dismissing him amid a series of workplace sexual misconduct allegations. Following the meeting, Council member Aaron Carpenter said the appointment is, “a total disgrace to our entire city.” He called for city residents, council, administration and the planning commission to “disavow…
Marysville City Council heard plans Monday night for a mixed-use project that would redevelop the former Kroger Plaza on West Fifth Street. The plan includes three story walk-up apartments, townhomes and a variety of commercial uses. (Photos submitted) — Marysville City Council got a first look Monday at plans for the former Kroger Plaza on West Fifth Street. At Monday’s council meeting, Vision Development, a Columbus-based developer, announced plans to demolish the existing structures and redevelop the site, “for the construction of market-rate apartments and for sale out lots, which will create a mixed-use community intended to revitalize West Fifth…