Local Archived News

Events of 2013 are now history
By Sherryl Sheets
The year 2013 was a year of new businesses, new faces, and honoring those who have served the community for many years in many different ways.

Union County to see new area code
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has announced an overlay of a new area code within the area currently served under area code 740. This will impact a portion of Union County.

Public supported Operation: Christmas Child
By Sherryl Sheets
When a call for support was made, northern Union County residents answered the call.
Linda Forrider, local coordinator of Operation: Christmas Child for northern Union County, made a plea to the Fulton Creek Friends church members and to the public for help in supporting children in poverty-stricken areas and to spread some Christmas cheer.

School board to ask for renewal levy in May
By Sherryl Sheets
North Union school board members voted to declare intent to proceed with the renewal of an emergency tax levy on the May 5 Primary Election. The 1.2 mill levy will last a term of ten years and will generate approximately $210,000 yearly. Scott Maruniak, the district’s chief fiscal officer, will contact the Union County Board of Elections to request it be submitted on the May 5 ballot.

Ohio fire deaths hit 27-year low
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers announced that Ohio had fewer fire deaths in 2013 than in any single year over the last 27 years. The number of fire-related fatalities dropped for the third consecutive year, continuing a trend that fire officials and first responders hope to build upon.

2013 year-end police reports
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Richwood Police Department has shared their 2013 report of calls which shows the department received 4,233 calls of service in the village last year. During the year, the department switched to a more in depth software program which allows for more statistics and data to be recorded. Police Sgt. Marcus Ballinger stated that while the figures look higher than last year, it is because the older system of recording reports was not as efficient as the new system.

Reports down for NUCFD in 2013
By Sherryl Sheets
Statistics from the Northern Union County Fire and EMS District (NUCFD) for 2013 showed 687 calls for service, down from 2012 stats of 694 fire and EMS calls.

Ohio’s minimum wage increased
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The minimum wage in Ohio increased Jan. 1, 2014, according to a release from the Ohio Department of Commerce. The new rate increased to $7.95 per hour for non-tipped employees and to $3.98 per hour for tipped employees, plus tips. The increased minimum wage will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $292,000 per year.

Take precautions with low temperatures
Dangerously low temperatures have hit many areas and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants individuals and families to be safe when faced with the hazards of cold temperatures.

Council discusses recent flooding issues
By Sherryl Sheets
Joe Jimenez, village solicitor, administered the oath of office to returning council members, George Showalter, Von Beal and Bill Rose and to new member, Jack Moore, during the Monday night meeting. Bill Rose was re-elected as council president.

Celebrate Our Vision awards announced
By Sherryl Sheets
The North Union Local School District honors students for achievements during the school year each quarter. During the winter quarter, the following awards were announced during the high school boys basketball game Friday evening.

Sheriff explains 9-1-1 cell phone calls
submitted by Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton
Have you had to call 9-1-1 for an emergency and your call went to another county 9-1-1 call center? That doesn’t happen very often, but on rare occasions it has happened to callers. Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton explains the process when the sheriff’s office receives a call.

Bloodmobile comes to Richwood
By Sherryl Sheets
Start 2014 off on the right foot and donate blood at the American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, Jan. 20. The donation sight will be held at The Richwood First United Methodist Church, 18 S. Fulton Street in Richwood from 1 to 7 p.m.

RABA organizes for 2014
By Sherryl Sheets
The Richwood Area Business Association (RABA) is organizing plans for the 2014 year. Officers were elected with Matt Craig serving as president; Heather Queen is vice president; Tai Wills will continue as the treasurer and Pam Peters and Rita Monroe will serve as co-secretaries.

Groups train for poverty awareness
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Council for Union County Families and United Way of Union County are partnering with Think Tank, Inc. to provide “Bridges Out of Poverty” training along with the “Cost of Poverty Experience” (COPE). COPE is a full immersion poverty simulation that has been custom designed by Think Tank.

Farmers invited to apply for Ag-LINK Program
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced that the application period for Ohio farmers to participate in the Ohio Treasury’s 2014 Agricultural Linked Deposit Program (Ag-LINK) has opened. Farmers may submit online applications for interest rate reductions on agricultural start-up loans through Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 5 p.m.

Postal rates to change Jan. 26
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The United States Postal Service announced proposed price changes, including an increase in the price of a First-Class Mail single-piece letter from 46 cents to 49 cents. The proposed changes, which would go into effect in January 2014, are intended to generate $2 billion in incremental annual revenue for the Postal Service.

Young Professionals offered networking opportunities
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Young Professionals who live or work in Union County will soon have their very own social group, thanks to the upcoming launch of “Final Mondays.”

Nominations needed for Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) is seeking nominations for the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Celebrating active and ageless lifestyles, COAAA inducts ten to twelve older central Ohioans into the Hall of Fame during Older Americans Month each year. The next annual recognition ceremony and reception will be held on Wed., May 14, in Columbus.

Council amends village wage ordinance
By Sherryl Sheets
Council suspended the three reading rules and passed Ordinance 01012014 at Monday night’s regular village council meeting. Councilmen Bill Rose and Von Beal were absent from the meeting.

United Way of Union County in need of volunteers
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
“If you think that you don’t ‘have time’ to volunteer, United Way has so many different opportunities whether they are big or small,” said Bethany McAdow, a Marysville resident and United Way volunteer. “There will always be something that would fit into your schedule.”

Get prepared for Community Care Day
By Sherryl Sheets
It is still winter weather, but it is time to think about spring projects that you want done around the house.

Tips lead to weapons charge
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton released information about a Marysville man who was arrested on a weapons charge.

Free tax service available
By Sherryl Sheets
It is time to think about preparing your 2013 income taxes. Community Action would like to assist with preparing federal, state and school district returns for people who have an annual household income of less than $53,000.