Local Archived News

Richwood Village to loop water line
By Sherryl Sheets
The Richwood Village Council recently approved Ordinance 04012013 which allows for the construction of a “looped” water line on East Blagrove Street.

Avoid summer’s creepy crawlers
Submitted by Union County Health Department
Union County residents are reporting an abundance of ticks this year. These bugs can carry a number of diseases which if passed to humans, can have damaging effects on health including skin rashes, fever, headache, and aching muscles and joints. Left untreated, some of these diseases can be fatal.

Ohio Arson Registry activated
Submitted by Ohio Attorney General
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine reminded residents that Ohio’s new arson registry is now active.
The registry is maintained and managed by the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and is a requirement of Senate Bill 70, which was signed into law in December.

July 4th events announced
Several surrounding communities have announced upcoming plans to celebrate our nation’s freedom on Thursday. The following list of events is free and open to the public.
Marysville’s parade will begin at 10 a.m., leaving from the area of the local municipal pool, heading east on Fifth Street, west on Plum Street to Sixth Street and ending at the courthouse parking lot. Fireworks will begin at dusk at the county fairgrounds.
Plain City will host their annual Independence Parade at 2 p.m., leaving Pastime Park out the north entrance, south on Chillicothe Street to Noteman Road, east on Noteman to North Avenue, south on North Avenue to Main Street, west on Main Street to Park Avenue and back to the park. There will not be any fireworks this year. A committee of citizens has formed and are to bring the fireworks back next year.
Ostrander’s celebration includes a parade that begins at 10 a.m. with a chicken barbecue at 11 a.m. and a kiddee tractor pull at 1 p.m.
Prospect’s annual event is held at Prospect Park with a 5K Fun Run and Walk at 9 a.m. Participants are welcome to join in the Archery Tag, which is new this year. There will be pony rides, Putt Putt Golf, kids games, lots of food and fun for the whole family. Fireworks begin at dusk.

Ohio Fireworks Laws
Submitted by Union County Sheriff's Office
The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our nation’s independence with family, friends, food, fun and what we hope are legal fireworks.
What are legal fireworks? Simply put, they are trick and novelty items such as smoke bombs, snakes, snaps and sparklers. Many people are surprised to learn that these are the only legal fireworks that can be used in Ohio. Ohio has one of the most restrictive consumer fireworks laws in the nation.

Office closed July 4
Because Independence Day falls on Thursday, July 4, The Richwood Gazette office will be closed. We will resume normal hours on July 5. Have a safe holiday.

Kale tractor pull is a success
By Sherryl Sheets
The third annual DeLynn Kale Memorial Tractor and Truck pull is now in the books listed as a successful weekend event.
The pull was hosted by the Scioto Valley Ohio Pullers Association and everyone in attendance enjoyed the many events that day.

Cook earns Eagle Scout award
Nick Cook, a member of the Boy Scout Troop 440, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on June 23. This is the highest recognition in the Boy Scouts of America. He is the son of Chuck and Pam Cook, of Richwood. Troop 440 is sponsored by the Richwood First United Methodist Church.

NUHS welcomes new ag teacher
By Sherryl Sheets
North Union High School has hired a new vocational agricultural teacher to replace Nevin Smith, who retired at the end of the 2013 school year. Hannah Crossen has hit the district running by making home visits with ag students.

Local residents indicted by grand jury
By MAC CORDELL
One thing led to another for investigators from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
During an investigation, Lucas A. Tumeo and Jessica R. Hamilton allegedly sold heroin to a confidential informant from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Council to add levies on November ballot
By Sherryl Sheets
Richwood Village Council will be asking residents to replace an existing levy for current operating expenses and a replacement levy for operating money for Richwood Park on the November 5 General Election ballot.

Get ready for community-wide yard sales
By Sherryl Sheets
Community-wide Yard Sales is set for Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27. Have you cleaned your closets and garage out yet?

School board hears annual report
By Sherryl Sheets
The members of the North Union Board of Education listened to school superintendent Rick Smith as he presented the annual report of the school district at Monday night’s meeting.

Humane Society hosts open house
By Sherryl Sheets
The Union County Humane Society is inviting the public to attend the Rock, Walk-N-Wag Fest on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the newly expanded animal shelter. The event will be held at the local facility at 16540 County Home Road, just north of Marysville off Route 4.

County begins chip seal work
Union County Engineer crews will begin their annual chip seal program on Monday, and the work is expected to last three to four weeks. Road resurfacing will take place between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Critical need for blood donations
By Sherryl Sheets
The American Red Cross is experiencing blood and platelet donation levels in June and early July that are much lower than expectations. The trend is significant enough that the Red Cross is issuing an emergency request for donors with all blood types to make an appointment to give. Donations are down by about 10 percent, resulting in about 50,000 fewer donations than expected. All blood types are needed.

Remember the “good old days?”
By Sherryl Sheets
There are many people who remember the days of old when life was simpler, but work was much harder. Farm equipment was not computerized like today’s models are. Many old tractors did not have power steering, air conditioned cabs, rubber tires and padded seats.

Couple to introduce blackberries to the midwest
By Sherryl Sheets
The midwest is known for raising major crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Jarred and Becky Converse are hoping that raising blackberries will become a well produced specialty crop in this part of the country.

Council to hold special meeting
By Sherryl Sheets
Richwood Village Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 29, at 7 p.m. to vote on the third and final reading of two resolutions and two ordinances, which was announced at Monday night’s meeting.

New “Team Red Cross App”
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The American Red Cross has launched a new app which allows for people to sign up to help, get trained and receive notifications about Red Cross volunteer opportunities in their own neighborhoods. The “Team Red Cross App” helps put volunteers to work quickly when a disaster strikes.

Community asked to support a friend
By Sherryl Sheets
There are times in everyone’s life when stress, illness and hardships hit. That’s when you find out who your friends really are.
Bill Rose, Jr. is a husband, father, grandfather, former car dealer/owner, pizza shop owner, manager of a body shop, and a Richwood Village council member. Recently he found out that he has small cell cancer of the lungs. He has been through aggressive chemo and radiation treatments.

Parade, pins, poster and Pickler new to Balloon Fest
By LINDSAY CASTLE
The 2013 All Ohio Balloon Fest is just weeks away, and organizers have extended the weekend to accommodate new and exciting events for guests of all ages.
This year’s fest will kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 14, with a parade. Participants will line up at the Marysville Municipal Court, 1250 W. Fifth St., at 6 p.m. and travel down Fifth Street toward the uptown area. The route will then turn right onto Court Street and left onto Sixth Street all the way to Dunham Street and then Industrial Parkway out to the Union County Airport.
“It will be a nice addition to the balloon fest and all are welcome to participate,” said Marie Woodford, event manager.
Aladdin Shriner Bill Bumgarner approached event organizers about creating a balloon fest parade after they realized timing would not allow them to participate in this year’s Union County Fair.
“It’s hard for all of us to get off work and be at a parade line up by five but we enjoy seeing everyone along the routes,” Bumgarner said. “We will line up at six for the balloon fest parade to allow as many of us as possible to participate.”
The parade is open to anyone who wants to walk or drive. There is no registration requirement.
Bumgarner added that because two of the food vendors are Shriners, he is hoping they might open their stands for a little while on Wednesday night following the parade.
Kellie Pickler and Morgan Frazier will be taking the stage during Thursday night’s festivities. All guests must purchase a concert ticket prior to Thursday night. Tickets can be purchased at the Marysville Journal-Tribune for $25 or online at www.allohioballoonfest.com.
“There is no turn-around point on Clymer Road and we will not be selling tickets at the gate, so people need to have a ticket before they even drive down Clymer,” Woodford said. She added that no one will be permitted to park on event grounds to watch any part of the balloon fest including concert and balloon launch. The parking area will be patrolled. Woody Johnson from WCOL will be the emcee for the concert.
Events on Friday and Saturday will continue as they have in the past, however, space inside the gate has been expanded and the stage has been moved to allow spectators to better view the balloons, Woodford said.
The weekend entry fee is $5 per person. Children ages 12 and under are free. As in year’s past, there will be a $8 charge to enter Kidz City. An ATM will be available at the entrance courtesy of Pathways Financial Credit Union, and will be fully stocked at all times.
Woodford said several food and novelty vendors have been added to the fest grounds this year including the Louisiana Grille and B & D Roasters.
Also new are an in-car simulator provided by Honda Marysville, and air patrol will have flight simulator that will be located inside one of the buildings.
Free sunscreen provided by the James Cancer Hospital will be offered near the tethered balloon ride area while supplies last.
Woodford said plans are in the works to provide a smoother exit for traffic. Those exiting on the left will turn left onto Weaver Road heading toward Columbus. Those exiting on the right will be directed back toward town.
Balloon fest organizers are urging area residents to keep their eyes to the sky, and their backyards, as balloons go up and then land.
“From now until the weekend of the event, there will be several hot air balloons in the sky as we give our sponsor rides,” said Woodford. “People can also sign up to take a hot air balloon ride by registering online.” Skydiving flights are also available by signing up online. There are 33 balloons confirmed for the event, including an ice cream cone and the pink cancer ribbon balloon. Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs to the event, however, coolers will not be permitted. For additional information, visit www.allohioballoonfest.com.

Lunch Buddy program needs volunteers
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been the nation’s pre-eminent youth service organization for over a century. And their success is dependent on volunteers. The program has been proven successful in creating and nurturing positive relationships for the volunteer, the child, families and the community.

Council asks voters for their support
By Sherryl Sheets
Richwood Village Council held a special meeting Monday night to approve the third and final reading of items to be included on the Nov. 5, 2013 ballot before the Aug. 7 filing deadline.

Police will fine for illegal dumping
By Sherryl Sheets
Richwood Village Council members secured the use of recycle bins behind the village administration building and have been pleased with the turnout of residents who properly dispose of recyclable items. But council is not happy with those who illegally dump unwanted items.

Hudson retires from community meals
All good things come to an end and the end for Brenda Hudson is today, July 31, when she retires as the community site manager for Community Meals at The Center in Richwood.