Local Archived News

Students donate blankets for Project Linus
North Union senior, Katie Haller, enjoys sewing and children. So much in
fact that she wanted to make some blankets for children, but didn't know
how to go about it until she read an article about Project Linus.

SmokeFree Ohio compliance ongoing
Submitted by: UCHD
Frustration with SmokeFree Ohio compliance is no longer limited to
private club owners as procedural rules delay fines and penalties with
non-compliant businesses.

Holtschulte to run for judge's seat
From J-T staff reports
Jeffery M. Holtschulte has announced he is a candidate in the Republican
primary on March 4 for the office of Union County Common Pleas Court Judge.

Lack of quorum halts village business
Village Council met in regular session Monday, Jan. 28 with only three
members in attendance: Wade McCalf, George Showalter and Peg Wiley.
Members Von Beal, Scott Jerew and Jim Thompson were absent.

North Union Middle School lock down following report of suspicious activity
Rick Smith, North Union Local Schools Superintendent, released this
statement following a lock-down at the North Union Middle School on
Friday, Jan. 25: "North Union Middle School received a phone call from
the Richwood Police Department (RPD) stating they had received a phone
call concerning a suspicious person outside the middle school who was
seen with a firearm. The school staff immediately implemented lock-down
safety procedures until law enforcement officials secured the scene and
deemed it was safe to release students. Notification was sent through
the Honeywell Alert System telling parents that school buses were
running late and the students were in no harm."

Prospect church opens new food pantry
Members of the Community Christian Fellowship Baptist Church are excited
about finally having a new church home. Recently, the church relocated
to 217 S. Elm St., in Prospect.

Teresa Nickle joins campaign trail
Teresa Nickle, a deputy clerk of courts for over 16 years, is announcing
her Republican candidacy for the position of Union County Clerk of
Courts for Common Pleas Court.

Sheriff Nelson calls holiday enforcement efforts successful
The Union County Sheriff's Office (UCSO) recently reported that efforts
to keep the county roadways and drivers safe during the holidays was a
success.

Village Council appoints Hensley as village administrator
BY SHERRYL SHEETS
Richwood Village Council unanimously appointed Lin Hensley as the new
village administrator at the Monday, Jan. 14 council meeting. Larry
Baxa submitted his resignation effective December 31, 2007 as he took a
position will the village of Loudonville, leaving Richwood without leadership.

Smith provides the board with a levy update
By: LEIGH ANN GLASS
North Union Superintendent Rick Smith provided board members with a levy
update when they met in regular session on Monday, Jan. 14. All members
were present.

Wasserbeck to run for State Representative
Carson Wasserbeck has formally announced that he has filed his petition
for the Tuesday, March 4, primary election. He is running for State
Representative in the 83rd district which includes Logan, Union, and
most of Marion County. This position is being term-limited by Tony Core.

Seniors still have time to file for Homestead Exemption tax break
Submitted by:
Un. Co. Senior Services
There is still time to claim the Homestead Exemption Tax break for
seniors 65 and older and disabled persons. It provides homeowners with
an average $400 in tax breaks. Deadline to file is Monday, June 2, 2008.

FEMA welcomes comments on Flood Insurance Rate Maps
Over the past year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has
been working on updating countywide Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
for Union County and incorporated areas. On August 30, FEMA provided
preliminary copies of the FIRMs.

Judge Parrott gives end-of-year review
Submitted by
Court of Common Pleas
According to information submitted from the office of Judge Richard
Parrott, in the Court of Common Pleas of Union County, for the year
2007, cases filed included: 216 criminal felonies (not including
extradition cases arising out of and from the Ohio Reformatory for
Women), 545 civil cases including foreclosures, 269 divorces or
dissolutions and 269 domestic cases that were reopened for the purpose
of change in custody, visitation or support (not including
administrative changes of support by the Child Support Enforcement
Agency (CSEA) (360) or Agreed Entries needing court approval).

Fred Cheney retires, moving to the mountains in West Virginia
Lifelong Richwood resident Fred Cheney has decided that the time is
right for he and his wife, Coleen, to retire. Cheney has been pastor of
the Richwood Community Calvary Church.

Local business owner Ronda Porschet dies
Ronda Porschet, owner of the Toddler Scene clothing store in downtown
Richwood for 25 years, lost her battle with cancer and died Thursday
evening, January 3 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

RPD releases 2007 stats and citations
Domestic Vilolence/Vandalism on rise according to year-end report
Submitted by: RPD
Police Chief Monte Asher, has released information on citations and
calls handled by the Richwood Police Department (RPD) during 2007.

A year in review as 2007 goes in the history books
During the year 2007, the community saw the completion of the North
Union District Veteran Memorial and are now anticipating the
ground-breaking for the new North Union Middle School in February.

Donna Rausch declares candidacy for Union County Treasurer
Life-long Union County resident Donna Rausch, has announced her
intentions to run for the Republican nomination for Union County
Treasurer. Current Treasurer Tamara Lowe, will be retiring following
four-terms in office.

Fry retires from County Veterans Service Commission
Hubert Fry retired from the Union County Veterans Service Commission
effective December 31, 2007 after serving for more than 22 years on the Board.

School resumes new year, but is missing a familiar face
Students at North Union Elementary went back to school on Tuesday, Jan.
2 following Christmas break, to find that the familiar face of custodian
Ken Burkard was no where to be seen. Burkard retired after serving the
local school system for over 32 years in the custodial field.