A Marysville man who took nude pictures and created pictures of himself with local girls will spend more than three decades in prison. In August, Paul E. Oliver, 36, of 121 Northcrest Drive, Marysville, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, six counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and two counts of voyeurism. He was sentenced this week to a minimum of 33 years and 10 months in prison. “I am pleased with that” said Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips. He said it was appropriate…
Author: Mac Cordell
This week the Marysville City Council discussed city communications and debated the need for a public information officer. At times council members chastised city staff for a lack of communication or because they felt uninformed. Others admitted that it was at least better than it had been. While I agree there is always room to learn and improve, I feel that I should say I really appreciate the level of communication, cooperation and transparency the city provides and the professionalism, even courtesy, they provide it with. I depend on city communications every day. I need information from the Marysville officials…
A Galion man could be facing more than eight years in prison after allegedly injuring an infant. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Alexander Michael Kasson, 23, of Galion, charging him with two counts of endangering children. According to court documents, in April, the five-week-old child was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. The baby was diagnosed with a fractured wrist and a fractured femur. “Those injuries, fractures, are unusual for a child that is five weeks old,” said Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips. The man talked to physicians, but his version of what happened was, “inconsistent with…
The Union County Juvenile Court is in the process of considering what to do with a group of boys accused of stealing political signs supporting presidential candidate Joe Biden. Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said he has given the information to the court for consideration. “Charges were presented to the court,” Phillips said. On Sept. 20, Marysville Division of Police received multiple reports of campaign signs being stolen from homes in Marysville. On Monday, Sept. 21, the investigation took a turn when a video began to circulate on a variety of social media outlets. The video shows someone with more…
A Department of Homeland Security report has indicated that a mission to bring home the remains of Marysville natives Capt. John “Blackie” Porter and Sgt. Harold Neibler, as well the other U.S. airmen believed to have died with Porter when his plane crashed, Dec. 10, 1943, has recovered no human remains. (Journal-Tribune archive image) Officials are confirming that the mission to India to recover the remains of a pair of local servicemen has failed. “What he brought back were artifacts from the wreckage, but there were no remains,” Barbara Taylor, from Congressman Jim Jordan’s office, said this morning. The “he”…
Will be taking position with Franklin County Marysville Public Service Director and Deputy City Manager Mike Andrako has resigned. ANDRAKO Andrako has accepted a position with the Franklin County Engineer’s Office. He will serve as the office’s mobility engineer, overseeing things like traffic signaling, signage, striping, traffic flow and access management for the unincorporated areas of Franklin County. It is a position Andrako said he is looking forward to, calling traffic “my passion.” “Traffic engineering is one of the things I have enjoyed most about the positions I have held in the past,” Andrako said. “I always find it…
Lt. Shawn Cook, commander at the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, has a message for local drivers. “Every time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road, even for just a few seconds, they put their life and the lives of others in danger,” Cook said this morning. The commander’s message comes at the start of a week-long initiative to make drivers aware of the dangers that come with distracted driving. The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be partnering with state police departments from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia State Police for the…
A local sex offender has been charged again for similar crimes. MILLER The Union County Grand Jury recently indicted James Richard Miller, 64, of 630 E. Sixth St., Marysville. Miller is charged with one count each of rape and attempted rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition. The charges stem from an alleged series of incidents between 2009 and 2013 when the victim was 6 to 9 years old. Phillips said the girl did not come forward at the time. Now a young woman, the victim has come forward. “It is not unusual for children not to reveal…
Acciona is planning to build a large solar farm in Union County. While traditional farming is difficult, the company will seed the land with hopes that it can be used for other agricultural purposes. Above, sheep graze this Acciona facility, south of Pamplona in Spain. Company officials said they hope to do the same thing at the local facility. (Photo submitted) Some residents oppose energy operation that would pump millions into local tax coffers York and Washington townships already have a variety of farms — beans, corn, dairy and beef. But they could soon be getting a solar farm and…
Fairbanks hits the breaks on five-day school week Citing an outbreak of cases in the district, Fairbanks school officials have decided to hold off on a plan to reopen the buildings at 100% capacity. “We are pausing our transition to Learning Level 1 to gather additional information and observe the impact these recent cases have on our school community,” Superintendent Adham Schirg said Thursday morning. Last week Fairbanks announced it would move from Learning Level 2, which has half of the students in the building for two days and learning remotely the other days, to Learning Level 1 where students…
Officials at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office are working to identify additional funding and cut services for local victims of crime. Last week, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office learned funding for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program would be cut 37 % “It has been tough,” said Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips. “We anticipated something, but not 37%.” VOCA funds are passed from the federal Department of Justice to state attorney generals who distribute the money to local entities. VOCA funding helps provide direct services and support for crime victims and survivors, including courtroom advocacy, medical care, mental health…
A Columbus man is facing first-degree felony cocaine charges after a local traffic stop revealed thousands of dollars’ worth of cocaine. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Timothy Gilbert Ferguson, 39, of 2480 Peekskill Dr., Columbus, charging him with one count of first-degree felony possession of cocaine. According to court documents, on May 15, Fergusson was the passenger in a vehicle stopped at Route 4 and U.S. 33 for failing to stop at a stop sign. The deputy who initiated the stop smelled alcohol, but did not believe the driver was impaired. The deputy noted that the passenger was…
Nearly a year after it was introduced to council the first time, a new zoning code is once again going through the approval process. “This is a long overdue product,” Council Member Alan Seymour said. “I am looking forward to it coming to a close.” Nearly three years ago city staff and officials began the process of updating the zoning code to modernize it and bring it into line with the comprehensive plan. City Planner Ashley Gaver said the new code modernizes definitions, reorganizes chapters so they are more intuitive and uses charts and graphs to help readers better understand…
A Marysville man could be facing more than a decade behind bars after allegedly breaking into a home to threaten a former girlfriend. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Brandon Huff, 27, of 425 W. Seventh St. Huff is charged with one count each of aggravated burglary and menacing. HUFF According to court documents, about 11:39 p.m., April 3, Huff arrived at an apartment in the 400 block of Wind Mil Drive. According to court documents he was “uninvited and unannounced.” Huff went to the back of the apartment where his brother and his ex-girlfriend were sitting around…
Marysville officials are looking at exploring options for a third fire station. A feasibility study recommended putting the station in the southeast portion of the city on Industrial Parkway. Stars on the map represent the two current and one proposed fire stations. Shaded areas indicate the areas that could be reached within four minutes, which is the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association for response time. (Graphic submitted) Marysville officials are moving forward with the planning process for a third fire station. In 2018, the City of Marysville commissioned a study on the need and feasibility of a third…