Over the last two weeks, the Maryville Journal-Tribune published its annual list of Top 10 local stories of 2019 as voted on by staff members, along with a less scientific look at the top stories of the decade. In talking as a group, it was determined the paper should also run a list of the voted on Top 10 stories in each year of the decade. In addition to being enjoyable to look back on, the list allows readers to see how the trends developed. As an example, the top story of 2010 was the passage of an income tax…
Author: Mac Cordell
Investigators from the Union County Sheriff’s Office say the individuals above are “persons of interest” in a Jerome Township car break-in. They are asking for the public’s help in identifying the potential suspects. The man and woman were photographed as they attempted to use credit cards allegedly stolen from the vehicle. (Photos submitted) The Union County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several vehicle break-ins in different areas of the county. According to Union County Sheriff’s Office reports, thieves broke into six unlocked vehicles between 5:40 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. Each of the thefts occurred in the 31000 block of…
Residents are being asked to help identify potholes in Marysville. City officials say they once they learn of a pothole, they work to fill it as quickly as possible. Above, Bryan Gilliland, of the city street department, fills a pothole along the curb at the intersection of Walnut and Fifth streets. (Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell) The City of Marysville is working to make city streets more enjoyable. “It is a matter of knowing where the potholes are,” said Mike Andrako, public service director for the City of Marysville. Marysville officials are asking residents who see, or feel, potholes to…
An armed man allegedly robbed the Marathon gas station in Richwood Monday. The suspect waited for an employee to open the store for the day. When the employee arrived, the man, seen in surveillance photo above, forced his way into the store and took an undisclosed amount of cash. (Photo submitted) Police seek tips from public on identity of suspect Law enforcement officials are asking for the public’s help catching an armed robber. About 4:15 a.m., Monday, the Richwood Police Department responded to a 911 call at the Richwood Mini Mart Marathon gas station, 3 Bomford St. A store employee…
While officials are objecting to a proposed gas line coming through Union County, Columbia Gas of Ohio says its plan meets the needs of the region. In December, Columbia Gas submitted a Letter of Notification, indicating it intended to construct a natural gas pipeline, known as the Marysville Connector. The 4.78-mile line would begin at Watkins-California Road, between U.S. 42 and Derio Road, and ending on Industrial Parkway near Veyance Technologies. “The Project will provide natural gas service to new industries and residential development along the route,” according to the letter. County officials say they are not opposed to the…
For the first time, Union County General Fund revenue topped $25 million in 2019. According to information from the Union County Auditor’s Office, in 2019, Union County had revenue of $25.255 million. That figure is an increase from 2018 when the county saw $23.94 in general fund revenue, a record at the time. For 2019, property tax revenue topped $6 million for the first time and sales tax topped the $11 million mark for the first time. While all major revenue sources grew, sales tax and conveyance revenue each jumped more than $250,000, but it was other revenue that jumped…
Is more than $3.5 million higher than last year Union County officials say they are pleased with the budget they have moving into 2020. “I think the story is that it is pretty much status quo,” said Union County Administrator Tim Hansley. The recently approved budget sets 2020 general fund appropriations at $26,838,378.54 Hansley said there were no major changes in the budget. Last year’s budget was set at $23.06 million. The largest changes include an additional $1.27 million in the commissioners’ budget and a nearly $1 million increase in the sheriff’s office budget. Letitia Rayl, assistant county administrator and…
Columbia Gas of Ohio is asking to build 4.78 miles natural gas pipeline beginning at Watkins-California Road, between U.S. 42 and Derio Road, and ending on Industrial Parkway near Veyance Technologies. The red line indicates the proposed route of the line. (Photo submitted) The Union County Commissioners are filing an appeal to a project that would bring nearly five miles of gas line from Jerome Township and into Marysville. “While we are not so much opposed to what they are doing, we just don’t feel it goes far enough,” said Tim Hansley, Union County Administrator. In December, Columbia Gas submitted…
Marysville officials are hoping New Year’s Eve revelers will stay local and late. City officials are making plans for a special celebration at midnight Wednesday morning and in the hours leading up to it. City Manager Terry Emery said he has heard from many people that Marysville is “kind of a ghost town” on New Year’s Eve. “We want to give people a reason to come to the Uptown for New Year’s Eve and we hope to give them a reason to stick around and help us ring in the New Year,” said Amanda Morris, Recreation/Event Manager. City officials discussed a…
A Michigan man at the center of an alleged ring to scam banks has been indicted. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Dasion Q. Samuels-Thomas, 28, of Detroit, charging him with eight counts of theft and one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said Samuels-Thomas allegedly contacted a woman about running the scam locally. According to court documents, the woman allegedly used a fraudulent check, to open an account at the Richwood Banking Company. Phillips said the woman presented a payroll check from a business that did not exist. “Once the…
HOLTER A pair of Columbus men is facing felony charges locally for their role in what Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips is calling an organized theft ring. Christopher J. Zoeller, 37, and Martin Holter, 46, have been indicted by the Union County Grand Jury. “I know there are also other jurisdictions looking into these men as well,” Phillips said. “This was a pattern of alleged organized retail theft.” Holter is charged with two counts of theft, and one count each of receiving stolen property and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. If convicted on all counts, Holter could face…
The intersections of Plain City-Georgesville and Price-Hilliards roads were closed Wednesday following a fatal crash. Responders from a variety of agencies assisted at the scene where a Hilliard woman was declared dead. (Photo submitted) Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fatal crash Christmas morning near Plain City. According to a report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, about 7:11 a.m., Wednesday, Cathey L. Hegele, 73, of Hilliard, was driving west on Price-Hilliards Road in Canaan Township. “Hegele failed to stop at the intersection at Plain City-Georgesville Road,” according to the report. Price-Hilliards Road comes to an end…
Marysville officials are discussing the impacts of a commuter tax credit as well as the addition of a license plate fee. At a recent meeting of the council finance committee, finance director Justin Nahvi discussed a credit for Marysville residents who work outside the city. He said that if the city were to apply a .5% income tax credit, it would reduce the amount of income tax the city collects by about $1.277 million. A quarter of a percent credit would reduce income tax collection by more than $638,000. “There was a reason why the tax credit was taken away…
Beach Boys to play at 2020 event The All Ohio Balloon Festival is promising Thursday-night concert-goers will have “Fun, Fun, Fun.” Officials have announced The Beach Boys will headline Thursday evening’s entertainment as part of the 2020 balloon festival. “We could not be happier to have this iconic American band come to Marysville to help us celebrate the 45th anniversary of the All Ohio Balloon Fest and the county’s bicentennial,” All Ohio Balloon Fest organizer Kevin Behrens said. The Beach Boys will perform Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Behrens said the first concert he ever attended was The Beach Boys at…
As a matter of full disclosure, I have a couple of biases in this column. First, I do not like Donald Trump. I appreciate many of his policies, even the ones I don’t agree with, because I appreciate that he is doing something. I really appreciate his Supreme Court appointments. That said, I strongly dislike who he is as a person. I wish he would get off social media. I wish he would stop being a bully. I wish he would speak about his policies without belittling any other group. I wish he would talk about the media in real…