News

Governor candidate speaks locally
Local News, News
Governor candidate speaks locally
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 9, 2026
Dr. Amy Acton, Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, spoke to a room full of supporters at the Union County Services Building on London Avenue Saturday. Acton's appearance was part of a fundraiser f...
HondaJet is first craft of its kind with autonomous landing technology
Local News, News
The HondaJet Elite II , shown above, has been certified by the FAA to become the first production model twin-turbine very light business jet available with Emergency Autoland. (Photo submitted)
HondaJet is first craft of its kind with autonomous landing technology
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 9, 2026
Honda Aircraft Company announced that the HondaJet Elite II has become the first production model twin-turbine very light business jet certified to equip Emergency Autoland (EAL), following certificat...
P.C. recognizes employees for snow removal efforts
News, Plain City, Plain City News
P.C. recognizes employees for snow removal efforts
By Jack Christian 
February 9, 2026
During the Village of Plain City's recent council work session meeting, the village awarded special recognition to the Public Works Department for its efforts during the last two week’s record snowfal...
Local Special Olympians make state basketball finals
Local News, News
Members of the Union County Cougars basketball team are, from left to right, in the front row, head coach Zach Noland, Leo Wright, Cayden Larriuz, Andrew Wright and Corey Ford, and in the back row, coach Austin Noland, Auston Cunningham, Chase Gibson, Ivan Green, Quinton Bodine, DJ Litzke and coach Eric Bodine. (Photo submitted)
Local Special Olympians make state basketball finals
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 9, 2026
The Cougars, Union County’s Special Olympics basketball team, made program history this week, winning the South Central Regional Basketball Tournament and advancing to the state finals. For the first ...
State data shows county population to surge in coming decades
Local News, News
The Club at Woodside apartment complex is one of the new residences to the City of Marysville as part of the expected growth in the cities near future. (Journal-Tribune photo by Jack Christian)
State data shows county population to surge in coming decades
Union projected as second fastest growing county through 2050
By Jack Christian 
February 8, 2026
Editor's note: This story originally ran as part of the 2026 Progress Edition. With growth becoming one of the most important talking points for counties and cities across Ohio, local governments are ...
Preparing for the data dump
Local News, Marysville City Council, News, ...
Jerome Fire Chief Doug Stewart, pictured above, was met with applause at the township association meeting Thursday night after giving an impassioned statement about how local fire departments struggle to manage emergency calls to the two data centers in Jerome Township. He warned that more data centers may serve to overwhelm EMS services and urged trustees to put them in check. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kyle Meddles)
Preparing for the data dump
Officials debate pros and cons of tech facilities
By Kyle Meddles 
February 7, 2026
A meeting this week painted a picture of the impact of data centers so that elected officials might have an idea of what they bring to the community. The reaction from local leaders differed between t...
Project sprouts two roundabouts
Local News, Marysville City Council, News
The preliminary plat for Trotter’s Gate, the single-family section of Marysville North, was approved by the planning commission this week. That development includes subareas B and D, as shown in the graphic above. (Graphic submitted)
Project sprouts two roundabouts
By Michael Williamson 
February 7, 2026
The location and appearance of two roundabouts planned for Route 4 helped push a residential portion of the Marysville North development one step further through the approval process. The city’s plann...
Popular national franchises find local locations
Local News, News
Chick-Fil-A continues pushing toward its opening date as the building’s foundation takes shape. The long-awaited opening will be spring 2026. (Journal-Tribune photo by Michael Williamson)
Popular national franchises find local locations
By Jack Christian 
February 7, 2026
Editor's note: This story originally ran as part of the 2026 Progress Edition. The City of Marysville is seeing progress as popular food chains make their mark on the community. Olive Garden and Chick...
Murder suspect drops insanity defense
Court News, Local News, News
Murder suspect drops insanity defense
By Kyle Meddles 
February 6, 2026
The Marysville man charged in the Mill Valley murder case, Micaiah Immanuel Swindler, 28, has now withdrawn his not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) plea. After determining that he was mentally fit...
Jerome residents don’t like data center dealings
News, Plain City, Plain City News
Jerome residents don’t like data center dealings
By Jack Christian 
February 6, 2026
Following a recent development in Jerome Township involving four new data center zoning certificates, residents gathered at this week’s trustee meeting to voice their displeasure with how the township...
Forbes, Newsweek among those honoring Memorial
Local News, News
Forbes, Newsweek among those honoring Memorial
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 6, 2026
Editor’s note: The following information is supplied by Memorial Health. ––– Reinforcing its reputation as a top-level healthcare system, Memorial Health has recently received five national awards hig...
Multiple Hondas make Car and Driver list
Local News, News
Pictured above is the 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport. (Photo submitted)
Multiple Hondas make Car and Driver list
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 6, 2026
Editor’s note: The following information is supplied by Honda of America. ––– The editors at Car and Driver have honored seven Honda models with 2026 “Editors’ Choice” awards, recognizing each vehicle...
Large scale city projects to hit high gear in 2026
Local News, Marysville City Council, News
A rendering shows the planned apartments along North Main Street, one of the first projects for the Water and Light/Silos project set to start work next month. (Graphic submitted)
Large scale city projects to hit high gear in 2026
By Michael Williamson 
February 6, 2026
Editor's note: This story originally ran as part of the 2026 Progress Edition. A couple of large-scale, transformational projects in the City of Marysville are continuing to gain momentum. While thing...
Three to seek commissioners seat
Local News, News
Three to seek commissioners seat
Filing deadline passes for May 5 primary
By Michael Williamson 
February 6, 2026
Union County voters now have a better idea of who will appear in the primary election this spring. The filing deadline for candidates and issues on the May 5 ballot ended Wednesday leaving local voter...
District seeks input in superintendent search
News
District seeks input in superintendent search
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 5, 2026
The Benjamin Logan Board of Education is inviting community members to share input as part of the search for the district’s next superintendent. The anonymous survey is designed to gather feedback on ...
Frosted tips
Local News, News
Frosted tips
By Michael Williamson 
February 5, 2026
Union County residents were treated to temperatures closer to the freezing mark this week after nearly a week of sustained temperatures at or below zero. Last week, moisture in the air froze so quickl...
A model for Marysville: Holland, Michigan
Local News, Marysville City Council, News
One of Holland’s winter attractions is the newly built Holland Ice Park, shown above. Funds from a local resident helped build the ice skating pond, 700-foot skating ribbon and a separate curling sheet, which runs each year from November to March. (Photo submitted)
A model for Marysville: Holland, Michigan
Local leaders glean knowledge about creating character through growth
By Michael Williamson 
February 5, 2026
Editor's note: This story ran as part of the 2026 Progress Edition. If residents attended any of the visioning meetings for the City of Marysville in 2025, they likely heard references to one place ov...
Request made for all recorder files
Local News, News
Request made for all recorder files
Company seeks millions of documents
By Michael Williamson 
February 5, 2026
A high-volume public records request has pushed Union County to change its records policy. Thayne Gray, assistant county prosecutor, requested the policy change to the board Wednesday after learning t...
Man charged over altercation with officers
Court News, Local News, News
Man charged over altercation with officers
By Kyle Meddles 
February 4, 2026
A Richwood man has been charged with assaulting a pair of Marysville police officers while he was being arrested. The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Brian Patrick Smith, 39, of 275 N. Franklin S...
Mural dilemma
Local News, News
Mural dilemma
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 4, 2026
Temperatures climbed above freezing on Tuesday and the ensuing melt served to lengthen icicles already forming in the area, like the ones shown above on the mural near Hatfield Corner Park at the inte...
Future plans for YMCA facility discussed
Local News, Marysville City Council, News
Future plans for YMCA facility discussed
By Michael Williamson 
February 4, 2026
The CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio said making some changes to the Union County YMCA could increase community involvement but those changes have to be locally led. Tony Collins, the organization’s CE...
Sheriff’s office announces winners of yearly awards
Local News, News
Sheriff’s office announces winners of yearly awards
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 3, 2026
The Sheriff’s Office held their annual awards banquet at the Automotive & Mobility Innovation Center to recognize the accomplishments of their employees and others for the calendar year of 2025. The a...
Mental health service provider leaving
Local News, News
Mental health service provider leaving
Maryhaven to close Mills Center facility in May
By Michael Williamson 
February 3, 2026
Maryhaven at the Mills Center will be leaving Union County later this year. Adam Negley, director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County, said the addiction and recovery services prov...
UC prepares for reduction in SNAP, other programs
Local News, News
UC prepares for reduction in SNAP, other programs
By Michael Williamson 
February 3, 2026
Changes coming from the federal and state levels that Union County officials warned about in November are set to hit locally later this year. The county commissioners approved the annual funding allot...
Annexation of old Ranco property delayed
Local News, News, Plain City, ...
Annexation of old Ranco property delayed
By Michael Williamson 
February 3, 2026
The approval process for the former Ranco property just outside of Plain City has been held up slightly as property owners work through surveying issues. The Union County Commissioners recently moved ...
Incident brings aggravated burglary charge
Local News, News
Incident brings aggravated burglary charge
By Kyle Meddles 
February 2, 2026
The Marysville Police Department responded to and arrested a homeless man in a burglary case on Friday. According to police reports, Jackie W. Shoopman Jr., 54, who is listed as homeless in Marysville...
Two-vehicle crash at Fourth and Main
Local News, News
Two-vehicle crash at Fourth and Main
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 2, 2026
Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle crash at the corner of Main Street and Fourth Street in Uptown Marysville just before 4 p.m., Monday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
Treasurer: Residents should not pay full-year tax bill
Local News, News
Treasurer: Residents should not pay full-year tax bill
By From JT Staff Reports 
February 2, 2026
The Union County Treasurer is recommending residents pay the first half tax bills rather than all of it at once. Treasurer Andy Smarra sent out a release recently as taxpayers around the county look t...
Meijer planned for Jerome Township
News, Plain City News
Meijer planned for Jerome Township
By Jack Christian 
February 2, 2026
Jerome Township officials announced that Meijer will be coming to the township as part of a larger commercial development project expected to span the next several years. In addition to the Meijer Sup...
Data centers still knocking on Jerome’s door
News, Plain City News
Data centers still knocking on Jerome’s door
By Jack Christian 
February 2, 2026
Jerome Township provided a brief update on recent developments surrounding proposed data centers in the township. In December, Jerome Township issued two new zoning certificates for data centers tied ...