Off The Hook
June 15, 2015

At age 100, she became an author!

By Melanie Behrens

Mary Alice Patch Schacherbauer was born on Dec. 22, 1914, which makes her now more than 100 years old. She has lived in Union County all of her life. Born in Chuckery, she also lived for a while with her family in Essex, but her real heart lies in Jerome Township and New California, where she gradua...

Off The Hook
The legend of Werewolf Lane
By Melanie Behrens 
September 25, 2020
Editor’s note: The last article J-T columnist Melanie Behrens was working on before her death April 30 was the following story about Werewolf Lane. The information was supplied by Leroy Cook, who coll...
Off The Hook
Take a penny, leave a penny
By Melanie Behrens 
May 1, 2020
Copper pennies are the smallest increment in our money. And now, monetarily, they’re actually worth almost nothing. Many times in stores and businesses you will see a little jar that says, “need a pen...
Off The Hook
Pocket watches gave them their start
By Melanie Behrens 
April 24, 2020
I came across some information of how a once great retailer got its start and was surprised at the name disclosure at the end. I hope you too will enjoy this. If you were in the market for a watch in ...
Other news
A word to the wise: My yearbook, writing a wrong
Columns/Editorials
A word to the wise: My yearbook, writing a wrong
By Chad Williamson 
March 23, 2026
A few years before I stepped onto my path as a professional writer, I sat down to cook up the first collection of words that I knew would exist beyond my lifetime. The memories you record below your s...
Feed your head: A Fairbanks full-circle moment
Columns/Editorials
Feed your head: A Fairbanks full-circle moment
By Kyle Meddles 
March 23, 2026
Since a group of Fairbanks students visited the newsroom on Thursday, I have had a strange full-circle feeling regarding where I am in life now and my high school alma-mater. Over seven years ago, I w...
Domestic violence call leads to abduction charges and arrest
News
Domestic violence call leads to abduction charges and arrest
By From JT Staff Reports 
March 23, 2026
A Marysville man is in police custody and being charged with abduction and domestic violence after he was arrested early Monday morning. According to the Marysville Division of Police, officers arrest...
“I did commit the murder”
Court News, Local News, News
“I did commit the murder”
Man who killed father with knife in Mill Valley admits guilt
By Kyle Meddles 
March 21, 2026
“I did commit the murder.” Those were the words of 28-year-old Micaiah Swindler, the man charged with stabbing his father to death at a Mill Valley home in April of 2025, during a plea hearing in the ...
Schools plan for AI surge
Education, Local News, Marysville School Board, ...
Schools plan for AI surge
By Chad Williamson 
March 21, 2026
Officials with the Marysville Exempted Village School District are exploring how artificial intelligence could eventually be used in classrooms, by teachers, students and, eventually, by the school bu...
County EMA director named to national post
Local News, News
County EMA director named to national post
By From JT Staff Reports 
March 21, 2026
Last year, Union County’s Emergency Management Agency worked to received accreditation from a national organization. This year, its director, Brad Gilbert, will be one of the people who now votes to a...