Author: Michael Williamson

North Union celebrated the retirement of three staff members at the board of education meeting Monday night. Each of the staff members celebrated nearly a decade with the district and nearly three decades in education. Pictured from left to right are Superintendent Rich Baird, Special Education Director Dar Allison and Middle School Principal Matt Burggraf. (Journal-Tribune photo by Michael Williamson) — North Union officials celebrated the retirements of three key district employees, roles the new superintendent said will be difficult to fill. At the final 2023 board of education meeting Monday night, the group celebrated Rich Baird, retiring from his…

Jonathan Alder is starting the master facility planning process to look at how the district will handle growth over the next several years and an early step in that process will be demolishing the old elementary building at 340 W. Main St. The map shows an overhead view of the property with the front of the building facing Main Street on the left. The red x’s represent what will be demolished or removed. Officials said work would likely not start until spring. (Graphic submitted) — Jonathan Alder officials are gearing up for a more involved facility planning process next year…

Union County is experiencing a “child placement crisis,” an issue local officials said has been a growing for at least two years. Sue Ware, director of Humans Services, said not only is it an issue in the county, it’s an issue statewide, which adds to the strain of county departments finding outside homes or foster parents when more local options aren’t available. “In the past, we would have a significant safety issue and we would have to approach the court and ask for custody and a child would come into our care, in temporary custody. We could call our list…

Richwood will be back on the ballot next year with a second attempt to pass the village’s operating levy. At the regular village meeting Monday night, council voted to bring the renewal levy back on the ballot in March. An attempt was made in November to renew the 3.2-mill operating levy but the measure failed in a 305-281 vote. Mayor Scott Jerew said he wanted to the impress upon residents that this wouldn’t be a new tax. “This is a renewal and not a new tax. It is important we pass this to maintain the services that we offer for…

Villages throughout the area are preparing to celebrate Christmas with vibrant light displays and decorations. In Plain City, the Christmas tree at Bicentennial Park is lit at the center of the Uptown, pictured above. Pastime Park also features a drive-thru light show that corresponds with Christmas music when the driver’s radio is tuned to 89.5 FM. At left, lights at the Green in Unionville Center shine in a variety of colors throughout the holiday season. (Journal-Tribune photos by Michael Williamson) —

Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton said the department’s new contract may be a “game-changer” for staffing issues at the agency. After spending the better part of the last year or more traveling the state in search of new recruits, Patton said this new agreement should help the sheriff’s office be competitive with neighboring agencies and also, hopefully, retain deputies at the sheriff’s office. “A few weeks ago I met with the county commissioners because this was specific to salaries and dealing with budgets. I proposed a solution to our hemorrhaging and our massive bleed at the sheriff’s office with staffing…

According to Marysville Police Department reports: Police responded to the scene of an accident involving Sean Thomas Luellen, 42, of Ostrander and Rose M. Cassill, 73, of West Jefferson that occurred on Delaware Avenue at 6:51 a.m. Wednesday. Reports indicate Luellen was traveling on the off-ramp to Delaware Avenue from U.S. 33 westbound. Cassill was driving in the same direction. When Luellen stoppen in traffic, Cassill struck the rear of his vehicle. Both drivers experienced possible injuries. Cassill was treated at the scene by the Marysville Division of Fire. She was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead.…

Fairbanks Elementary School students stand with members of the Armed Forces during the school’s Veterans Day event. Students collected supplies for the Troop Care Box Program, which will send gifts to the Ohio National Guard’s 1-174th Air Defense Artillery in Washington D.C. this holiday season. (Photo submitted) — Marysville soldiers received their stockings from Fairbanks students who helped with the Troop Care Box Program in conjunction with the Union County Military Family Support. Pictured from left to right are Cpt. Scott Presar, SSgt. Joshua Bujan, SSgt. Kierra Shulz, SFC Jennifer Sheets and SFC Bradd…

Until votes are cast regarding a bill affecting property values, Union County officials said they can’t say for certain when tax bills will go out. At the regular monthly meeting of county officials Tuesday, Auditor Andrea Weaver said that this year, sending out bills might have “some wrinkles” and could lead to a delay. The Ohio House passed House Bill 187, which adjusts how property values are calculated, in October. It then went on to the Senate where it currently sits. With changes to the legislation on the table, the state tax commissioner has yet to approve values, which affects…

The fate of the Richwood Opera House is still up in the air following an update from the revitalization committee. Members of the group that was formed three years ago to investigate pathways to restoring the 133-year old building presented findings of a recent survey to village council in November. Information came from the survey that the committee conducted earlier this year. This was the first time council heard the findings in full. Surveys were available in person both at the fair and at the Richwood-North Union Public Library. There were also surveys available online and a total of 161…

The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities will likely be on the ballot again next year. Superintendent Kara Brown recently told the county commissioners she is “90% certain” the board will need to go back on the ballot for new money in 2024. “Our levy’s done everything it can do,” she said. “Our levy is 21 years old and we’ve just maxed it out.” UCBDD currently has two levies on the books, a 2.4-mill and a 3.8-mill levy, which were both initiated more than 20 years ago. At that time, the county served nearly 350 people and now it serves…

Before I even start, just know I’m well aware that I will lose this argument. I get it, this is not where the world is going and I’m in the minority. Not to mention, it’s a free country and people can do whatever they want and I would never say they couldn’t…but I will say they shouldn’t. I was at the movies last week – the second time in a short stretch (thanks to a gift card) – and noticed that not one, not two, but the majority of the people around me were wearing what appeared to be pajamas.…

Union County has officially closed its door to large-scale solar projects in the area. Commissioners voted this week to restrict all unincorporated land in the county to what the board termed “economically significant wind farms, large wind farms and large solar facilities.” The decision came after years of discussion and delaying a vote, up to and including last month when the decision was delayed again until this week. Commissioners said the decision was not easy, but given the number of projects in the area and dealings they’ve had with solar companies, they felt this was their only option. “In spite…

Richwood officials are moving forward on a loan application agreement for funds that will help construct the new water plant. At the Monday village meeting, council voted to approve the measure, which would bring nearly $1.3 million into the village for the project. The money would go toward the new construction but also help repurpose the existing facility. Village Administrator Monte Asher said the money would be repaid through residents’ monthly water bills. “It will go on each bill and be like $6 a month to repay that,” he said. “It will be its own line item, just like the…

Union County residents will see rate increases for building related permits starting next year. While higher costs might not initially be a welcoming change, county officials said the increases come as a way of simplifying an overly complicated process. Sam Cronk, the chief building official within the engineer’s office, called the changes “substantial” and said the decision reflects both the state of things economically – such as inflation – as well as the “cumbersome” and occasionally “punitive” nature of the county’s fee system as it pertains to the residential and commercial building and permitting process. “Fundamentally, we had a list…