Officials left to wonder if suspect wanted to be caught after series of odd decisions Police are confused by the moves and motives of a homeless Marysville man. The Union County grand jury has indicted Todd A. Schaffner, 56, of Marysville, charging him with two counts of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and one count each of petty theft and failure to stop after an accident. “I don’t know if he wanted to get caught or if he wanted to antagonize law enforcement, but it certainly does seem like there was another objective,…
Author: Mac Cordell
The Union County Fair Board is working to hold this year’s fair on July 26 through Aug. 1. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon) Officials from the Union County Fair are moving forward with plans to hold the event as scheduled. “As of right now we are being told by the ODA (Ohio Department of Agriculture) to proceed as planned,” said Angie Grose, secretary of the Union County Agricultural Society which serves as the fair board. She said the board is “being optimistic and hopes to see everyone in July.” The Union County Fair is scheduled for July 26 through Aug.…
Number went from 180 to 3,600 in one month More than 3,610 Union County residents are receiving or have filed for unemployment benefits. “There is no doubt, the number is staggering,” said Eric Phillips, Union County economic development director. This morning the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) released state and county unemployment numbers for April 11. Unemployment numbers are calculated on Saturdays for the prior week. According to the ODJFS, 3,610 Union County residents are now on unemployment insurance. This number includes 1,367 continuing cases and 2,243 new unemployment insurance claims. According to ODJFS labor market information,…
While its meeting was held electronically Monday, the Jonathan Alder Local School Board was able to take written comments from the public. “Have you considered asking the seniors what their first choice of options would be?” one commenter asked. “They have had to give up so many special events this year and I think they would value a chance to share their opinion.” District officials said they have been committed to getting their thoughts. He said seniors are members of the community and will soon be out on their own. “We have to give them respect,” Superintendent Gary Chapman said.…
The City of Marysville wants to improve sidewalks on Sixth Street and it will use state funding to do it. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, which was held remotely using the video conferencing platform Zoom, the group moved forward with legislation to apply for $150,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). City Project Manager Marc Dilsaver explained that Marysville will use the CDBG funds to improve sidewalks and pedestrian connections on Sixth Street, from North Plum Street to Dunham Street. He said the CDBG grants are, “one of two ways we have funds available to us to improve pedestrian…
The sidewalk and parking spots in front of the Avalon Theatre, 121 S. Main St., was closed today and will remain closed through the end of October according to construction officials. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon) Sidewalk blocked so work can begin on facility The sidewalk in front of Marysville’s Avalon Theatre is not the only thing that will look different to careful observers. Originally planned as a movie theater, officials are changing direction for the venue which is now being planned as a cultural and performing arts center. “We are bringing it back to its roots,” said Sarah Barr,…
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, earlier this week Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine released a list of 167 inmates who could be eligible for early release because they meet certain criteria. FRANZ One of those inmates, Shelby Franz, is at the Ohio Reformatory for Women and has a local tie. In 2014, Franz was convicted of burglary and grand theft and sentenced to five years of community control. While Franz repeatedly violated the terms of her community control, it was not until 2017, that Union County Common Pleas Court Judge Don Fraser sentenced Franz to four years in prison to…
Above is the diagram of the crash as included in the police report. The diagram indicates the sheriff’s deputy turned right on the red light and hit another driver. (Graphic submitted) While a witness reported that an elderly woman had run a red light causing a Tuesday afternoon crash with a sheriff’s cruiser, dashcam footage offered a different account and now a deputy will be cited. According to a report from the Marysville Division of Police, about 4:36 p.m. Tuesday, Deputy Morgan Brown was driving a county-owned 2017 Ford Explorer south on London Avenue. As he attempted to turn west…
Diana Hoffman, shown above second from left, wants her neighbors to be active and healthy, even while engaging social distancing. She has opened her driveway and lawn for neighbors to get together and exercise several times a week, even while staying at least six feet apart. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell) Diana Hoffman wants people to be healthy — physically and socially. The former Marysville Middle School gym teacher knows that’s complicated in the world today. With gyms closed and social distancing ordered, it can be difficult to stay physically active and even more difficult to engage with other people.…
Benefits to stay in place; company will assist with aid applications Honda has announced it will not continue to pay associates as it extends its production suspension. “These unprecedented circumstances require that we take some difficult actions in order to cope with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Honda spokesman Chris Abbruzzese said Monday. “This includes temporarily implementing No Work Available (NWA) days during the continued production suspension in our plants.” The production suspension impacts about 27,600 Honda associates in North America, including 4,100 associates at Marysville Auto Plant and 100 associates at Performance Manufacturing Center. Abbruzzese said that…
Marysville City Council held its April work session, virtually using a program called Zoom. Above City Manager Terry Emery, top left, council member Deb Groat, top right, Finance Director Brad Lutz, bottom left, and IT Director Aaron Story watch and listen to Monday’s meeting as seen on the computer of other participants. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell) Maryville City Council is bracing for the impact of the Corona Virus on city finances. At Monday night’s city council work session, which was held virtually with council members and the public able to log in remotely, city administration presented a financial plan…
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2019-22 winter season, from December through February, was one of the warmest on record, worldwide and in central Ohio. And while NOAA is predicting a wet spring, the agency said Ohio received less snow than usual. “We had a pretty light year this year,” said Marysville Public Service Director Mike Andrako. Union County Engineer Jeff Stauch added that it was, “obviously, a very calm year.” Andrako said the city used 722 tons of salt for the winter season. He said the city used an identical 722 operation hours treating and…
The weekend before Easter is typically a time for egg hunts and photos with the Easter Bunny. I love those photos and honestly, the more awkward the better. Recently some folks in the office and I were talking about those awkward family photos. I found one of my sister and I with the Easter Bunny. I was also reminded of a photo that is near legend in my family. As a matter of full disclosure, I was too young to remember the story, but the tale was told so many times, and sworn to by those who do remember. Today,…
Local law enforcement officers are being asked to take precautions against the virus that causes COVID-19. One of the precautions involves cleaning and sanitizing the inside of shared police vehicles. Above, Deputy Aaron McKinnon uses disinfectant wipes to clean the steering wheel and computer keyboard of his vehicle at the start of his shift today. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell) New steps in place to protect officers from virus As law enforcement officials work to protect the community, they are also taking steps to protect themselves. According to a report from U.S. News and World Report, more than 6,000 uniformed…
Union County Courts are remaining open, though they are operating at limited capacity. In an email Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court informed judges and attorneys in the state that it had issued an order halting, or tolling, various time requirements established by law. “Essentially, it gives us more leeway in terms of getting cases through the court system,” said Union County Common Pleas Court Judge Don Fraser. The supreme court order tolls time for things like appellate, civil, juvenile and criminal procedures as well as a variety of other administrative tasks. Monday, Marysville Municipal Court Judge Michael Grigsby issued an…