The Homewood Corporation presented a proposal to the Jerome Township Zoning Commission Monday evening that would bring in 83.5 acres of mixed-use land behind the Marathon gas station near U.S. 33 and U.S. 42. Developers are proposing a parcel with five sub-areas that range from apartments to an office park. (Graphic submitted) –––– With new developments being proposed in Jerome Township, residents may start to see a town center take shape. At Monday evening’s zoning commission meeting, the board overheard two presentations for developments in the New California area. The first proposed development would be for Pioneer Crossing, a 100-acre…
Author: Michael Williamson
A traffic stop on U.S. 33 resulted in a chase for Union County Sheriff’s deputies on Saturday afternoon. “We received a complaint about two Mustangs on U.S. 33 that were possibly racing,” said Chief Deputy Tom Morgan. “We stopped both vehicles east of U.S. 36.” One of the vehicles, a 1990 Ford Mustang, driven by Johnathan E. Gonzalez, 20, of Lima, then took off, initiating a pursuit. According to sheriff’s reports, Gonzalez fled westbound on U.S. 33 and onto U.S. 36 where two property damage crashes occurred—one involving an Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser. “The Highway Patrol assisted in the…
Adam Meeks, left, was on set in Bellefontaine Friday morning with cinematographer/camera operator, Stefan Weinberger, for the filming of “Union County.” Meeks, a central Ohio native with ties to Union County, is making the short film, which highlights the effects of the opioid epidemic. The crew will be shooting around Union County and the surrounding area for four days. (Photo submitted) –––– Union County may soon end up on the big screen. An independent filmmaker with local ties is currently in the area working on a short film that is set in and around the county. Writer and director Adam…
Progress is being made on the U.S. 33 Smart Mobility Corridor—with the exception of receiving and installing light poles. At its monthly meeting Wednesday the Northwest 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments (COG) discussed issues it has had getting the poles ordered so they can be installed along the corridor. “The poles are really the beginning point,” said Aaron Story, the City of Marysville’s information technology director. “Without getting those in place, it really puts us at a standstill.” The organization currently has invitations out to bid on getting 62 poles that would be a combination of 40 standard 40-foot…
Conversation over a proposed fire levy in Jerome Township will continue until the middle of July. The board of trustees held its regular meeting Monday evening where the levy was proposed and the meeting was then continued to Tuesday afternoon for further discussion. The township’s Division of Fire Chief, Doug Stewart, presented the levy to the board Monday, which outlined the details and benefits of putting the levy on the November ballot. Stewart proposed an 8.9 mill levy that would be an overall increase of 6.6 mills. He said the driving force behind the need for a new levy is…
Jerome Township is changing the dates for its monthly meetings. On Monday night, trustees voted to move the regular meetings to the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Trustee and board chair, Joe Craft, said the move would help to accommodate Trustee CJ Lovejoy and ensure all three trustees are present at each meeting. “For most of this year, Mr. Lovejoy has had a conflict with (Monday night) and I asked him if he could pick a different night for our meeting,” said Craft. “Mr. Lovejoy has to leave at 8:15 to make it to his…
Roadwork on Scottslawn Road is set to start on July 1. The above picture shows one phase of the project that will close the road between Route 736 and Weaver Road. The picture below shows another phase of the project that closes Scottslawn from Weaver Road to the Heritage entrance. Driver will be urged to use Fladt Road as a detour. (Graphics submitted) –––– Construction on Scottslawn Road is on track to start earlier than initially anticipated. Residents will begin to see road signs go up as early as next week. The project is slated to begin on July 1,…
The Village of Richwood is once again under water. Residents around the town are dealing with high water, flooded yards and basements, and road closures in and around town. Several spots have high water signs posted to warn drivers of the potential danger but Mayor Scott Jerew said the worst of it is the west side of town. “West Bomford Street is the one we’re the most concerned with. It’s the only street in the village that is closed,” he said. “That area of West Bomford and West Ottawa streets are probably the hardest hit with water over the roads.”…
The ball fields of Schwartzkopf Park are shown flooded by the waters of Mill Creek which spilled its banks Sunday afternoon. Northern portions of Union County reported as much as four inches of rain over the weekend. (Photo submitted) –––– Three children are shown Sunday, running through the flooded waters of Mill Creek in Schwartzkopf Park. Shortly after the photo was taken, Marysville Police closed the park, blocking off its entrances with stanchions. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson) –––– Rain continues to fall all across Union County. With a wet weekend and a forecast that shows more precipitation to come,…
County and city officials are exploring a possible solution to the traffic congestion issue at a pair of area railroad crossings in Marysville. At the county commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, county engineer, Jeff Stauch, discussed the implementation of a pilot program that would track traffic data at key railroad crossings in the City of Marysville. “We’re currently working with a company out of Canada that tracks and collects the data,” Stauch said. “We run into several issues, especially in spots in town, when it comes to congestion and especially for our fire and EMS personnel. So, we’re looking at ways…
Plain City is looking at the benefits of an impact fee study that could potentially bring additional revenue into the village. Representatives from Strand and Associates, a civil engineering firm in Columbus, gave a presentation to council during their work session on Wednesday explaining the process involved in implementing the study. The study would be based on information gathered from Plain City’s existing comprehensive plan. “One of the things council was hoping to have well under way by the end of the year is the implementation of some kind of impact fee district or districts throughout the community,” said Village…
Plain City is considering a review of code language regarding the parking of boats and RVs on properties in the village. Resident Karla Holden addressed village council Monday evening concerning details of the current code saying it’s time the information is updated. “Officially the bylaw of the ordinance states that you can’t have your boat or RV or anything like that for more than three consecutive days—whether be in your back yard or in your driveway,” Holden said. “I really don’t see a reason why you can’t replace the current ordinance with what I have posted as long you’re maintaining…
The Maple Street reconstruction project in Plain City will not be finished by its projected date of completion of June 21. Weather delays and project obstacles have led contractors to request an extension. Village officials plan to review the request and have an answer by the end of this week. (Journal-Tribune photo by Michael Williamson) –––– Construction on Maple Street in Plain City is not going to make its projected date of completion. Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said he heard from the contractor Monday with the official word that the project would not be finished by the initial date of…
Plain City residents will soon see stricter consequences for not maintaining their property. Village council passed an ordinance Monday evening that would amend the existing code dealing with weed and litter control within the village limits. “The current ordinance doesn’t allow us, procedurally, to abate overgrown properties as quickly as I think most everyone in the community would like us to,” said Village Administrator Nathan Cahall. “What’s before council is a more streamlined version.” He said the new code would still give residents a sufficient amount of time to comply but would allow the village to take action faster on…
–––– Christopher W. Simpson, 44, of Marion, and formerly of Marysville, died Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the O.S.U. Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. He worked at both of the Wendy’s locations in Marysville and also worked at the Delaware location, but he was best known as the “Merch Man.” Serving as both merchandise manager and stage manager for the band XFACTOR1. An avid sports card collector, he could look at nearly any card and know the value right away. He enjoyed rooting for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals, but also enjoyed rooting against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Born…