Local Archived News

Ohioans Report Scam Calls from “911”
Callers Threaten Consumers with Legal Action and Demand Immediate Response
Attorney General Mike DeWine warned Ohioans about scam calls that appear to come from the phone number “911” and instruct consumers to contact the Attorney General’s Office to avoid arrest or legal action.

United Way reaches $1 million dollar goal
By Sherryl Sheets
United Way Board President, Ken Yunker said “How many ways can we say ‘Thank you?’ Try one million, as in over $1,000,000 was raised for the first time!"

Fair board to improve facilities
By Sherryl Sheets
The Richwood Fair Board has approved a plan to move forward with building a new Junior Fair Barn to replace the current Poultry and Rabbit Barn.

Memorial Hospital to acquire Marysville Ohio Surgical Center
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Board of Trustees for Memorial Hospital have announced the purchase of the Marysville Ohio Surgical Center (MOSC) business assets at its recent meeting with plans to continue operating it as an outpatient surgical center. A final price tag will be determined upon a third-party appraisal of the full book of assets. The board of MOSC approved the proposal for purchase at an earlier meeting.

Voter registration is near for May Primary
By Sherryl Sheets
If you plan to vote for the Tuesday, May 5 Primary Election, make sure you are registered to vote. The deadline is Monday, April 6.

Students tour England and France
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The high school International Studies group took advantage of their spring break by taking an educational tour with EF Tours. There were five North Union students who joined 16 Marysville high school students and three chaperones that traveled through England and France. Some of the students opted for the free school credit available through EF certifications. Paige Bayer, art instructor at North Union High School, organized her group and plans on chaperoning next year’s event.

Students to participate in state competition
By Sherryl Sheets
History Day is a co-curricular program for students in grades four through twelve. Students from around Ohio conduct research based on an annual theme and create historical papers, original performances, documentaries, exhibits or websites showing their research and what they learned. This event is similar to a science fair for history.

Survey responses help with health planning
Submitted by Union County Health Department
Approximately 1,200 residents in Union County recently received the Union County health and needs survey and $2 in the mail. The information collected through this survey will help local agencies get a better picture of health and wellness within Union County.

Grove earns Eagle Scout honors
By Sherryl Sheets
Joseph Grove, a member of Boy Scout Troop 440, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on Feb. 17. The Eagle Scout award is the highest recognition in the Boy Scouts of America. He is the son of Darrell and Cindy Grove of Richwood. The Richwood First United Methodist Church sponsors Troop 440.

Simple steps make for a healthy home
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Every day Americans are exposed to health hazards in their homes. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Indoor hazards include mold, lead, radon, carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke, and pests. As Americans spend so much of their time indoors, these hazards can have negative effects on health.

The national letter carrier’s drive is Saturday, May 9
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Letter carriers and rural postal drivers will be collecting non-perishable food items the week of May 4 through May 9, to help stock depleting shelves at local food pantries. In the Richwood area, donations will be given to the Richwood Emergency Assistance Program (REAP Food Pantry). The Richwood Post Office will also accept food donations at 12 E. Ottawa Street during the week.

Walk For Life is May 2
By Sherryl Sheets
The fourth annual Pregnancy Care Center’s Walk for Life will be held Saturday, May 2. The walk begins and ends at the center, located at 805 W. Sixth Street in Marysville.

Additional board members added to Memorial Health Foundation
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Memorial Health Foundation has appointed six additional board members who will assume a three-year term and take an active role in strategic development of philanthropy efforts, oversight of non-hospital investments, and planning of foundation-related projects.

Honor a hero with an Honor Flight
By Sherryl Sheets
Due to the generosity of residents, businesses and organizations in Central Ohio who help fund the Honor Flights for veterans, the waiting list is getting shorter. World War II veterans and Korean War veterans can sign up for a trip to Washington D.C.

Calvin receives Eagle Scout recognition
Carl Calvin, of Richwood Boy Scout Troop 440, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on March 5, the highest recognition in the Boys Scouts of America. Carl is the son of Tim and Renee Calvin, of Radnor. Richwood First United Methodist Church sponsors Troop 440.

LeAnn Rimes, Night Ranger set for Balloon Fest
Tickets to be available at Taste of Marysville, April 25
By Taylor Evans
The All Ohio Balloon Fest is celebrating its 40th anniversary with two nights of nationally acclaimed performers.
LeAnn Rimes will kick off the fest Thursday, Aug. 13, performing at 8 p.m. Opening act Jacked Up will perform at 5:30 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Following Rimes’ concert, Friday’s main attraction is legendary 80s band Night Ranger. The band takes the Union Rural Electric stage at 8 p.m. Reaganomics will open from 5-7 p.m. Gates open at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.
“We wanted to celebrate the 40 years of the Balloon Festival by bringing in national entertainment that people would remember,” said Balloon Fest organizer Kevin Behrens.
Rimes’ career spans more than two decades and started when she was just 11 years old. In those 20-plus years, she has sold 44 million albums, and garnered two Grammys, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards. According to her biography, Rimes is the youngest person to win a Grammy and the first country artist to win a Grammy for Best New Artist.
Her discography is filled with chart-topping records, such as her first national hit “Blue,” released when she was 13, “Family” and “Spitfire,” released in June 2013. Her most recent album, “One Christmas,” is the first in a three-volume series.
The performer has also made a foray into acting, staring in the CMT original movie “Reel Love,” Lifetime movie, “Northern Nights,” and the ABC telefilm “Holiday in Your Heart,” based on a novel she wrote.
Night Ranger has been in the music business for over 30 years and has sold over 17 million albums worldwide. The band’s 1983 album “Midnight Madness” went multi-platinum. Smash hits like “Sister Christian,” “When You Close Your Eyes” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America” are still popular today. The band released an album last summer entitled “High Road.”
Their music has been featured in TV shows like “Glee” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” as well as feature films “Friday the 13th” and “Secret of My Success.”
Night Ranger is sponsored by Richwood Bank as part of its ongoing concert series. This is the bank’s second year sponsoring an act at the Balloon Fest. Last year, it sponsored Jerrod Niemann.
Richwood Bank President Chad Hoffman, himself a Night Ranger fan, is “anxious to see them perform live.”
Regardless of the performer though, Hoffman said, Richwood Bank would still sponsor the event, calling it “a great event. It’s a great cause.”
“We were extremely pleased by the way it was handled,” Hoffman said. “It’s a very well-run event.”
Behrens acknowledges the bank’s support of the Balloon Fest and the Union County area.
“We appreciate everything Richwood Bank does for the community, including the All Ohio Balloon Fest sponsorship,” he said. “They are an important partner in the community and are continuing to further the mission of making Union County a better place to live, work and play.”
With Night Ranger ticket sales starting in February, Behrens describes the early feedback as “positive.”
“We feel like LeAnn Rimes and Night Ranger both are well known as country and rock, respectively,” he said. “We’re trying to appeal to fans of both music genres. Having both country and rock is offering something for most everyone.”
Sponsorship is still available for LeAnn Rimes. Interested businesses can contact the Journal-Tribune at 937-644-9111.
VIP tickets will first be available to the public for Rimes and Night Ranger Saturday, April 25 at the Taste of Marysville’s Pepsi booth. The Taste of Marysville is from 5-9 p.m. at Marysville High School.
Thursday’s concert is a separate ticketed event. Rimes’ presale tickets are $25 for general admission and $50 for preferred seating (rows 3-20). VIP meet and greet, seating in in the front two rows and a Balloon Fest t-shirt are $125.
Admission to Night Ranger is included in the $10 Friday and Saturday fest pass. VIP meet and greet, seating in the front two rows and a photo with the band are $100. Meet and greet passes will also be available at the Journal-Tribune office.
Tickets for Rimes will also be available online at TicketFly.com starting April 26, or by visiting AllOhioBalloonFest.com or the Journal-Tribune office.
The All Ohio Balloon Fest was recently featured in Ohio Magazine’s “Best of Ohio 2015” list. In addition to the wide variety of hot air balloons, the magazine highlights the fest’s other aerial qualities, including tandem sky jumping and helicopter and bi-wing plane rides.
“We were pleased when they called to ask for submissions of cover art for their January edition, and were pleasantly surprised by the feature they ended up doing on the Balloon Festival,” Behrens said. “We feel it speaks to the level the festival’s attained over the last 40 years as a Midwest regional attraction.”
The Balloon Fest goes through Saturday, Aug. 15. This year, there will be 40 balloons. Attendees can visit AllOhioBalloonFest.com for updates.

NU School Board gives accolades for student achievements
By Sherryl Sheets
The North Union Board of Education applauded six North Union Middle School (NUMS) students for qualifying to compete in state competition for History Day. Evan Woodford, Audra Adams, Abbi Fye, Blain Keckler, Zak Kratowicz and Cole Peterson discussed the events of History Day, held at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) in Delaware recently. Over 2,000 students competed in Ohio at district competitions. State competition for The Ohio State History Day will be held this Saturday at OWU. The top two state projects in each category will advance to the national competition, held near Washington D.C. in June.

Jurors selected for May term
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Names have been drawn for the May 2015 term of the Union County Court of Common Pleas. The term of service will be May 1, through Aug. 31, 2015.

Prescription Drug “Take-Back” Day is Saturday
By Sherryl Sheets
It’s time to clean out that medicine cabinet of unwanted, unused or expired medications.

Robotics students compete in national competition
By Sherryl Sheets
For the third consecutive year, North Union Middle and High School students have earned a place in the National Robotics Competition. This year’s event was held in the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Three teams, wo middle school and one high school, from North Union competed with 850 teams, representing 29 nations who competed for four days.

Council working on cleaning up the village
By Sherryl Sheets
Richwood village council members passed the second reading of a proposed ordinance regarding weeds and litter in the village.

Community Care Day set for Tuesday, May 19
By Sherryl Sheets
The 19th annual Community Care Day is set for Tuesday, May 19. To make it another successful event, have you signed up to volunteer your talents?

Art exhibit on display at public library
By Sherryl Sheets
The North Union High School art exhibit will be on display at the Richwood-North Union Public Library, 4 E. Ottawa Street in Richwood, beginning Thursday, April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Public responds to free produce day
By Sherryl Sheets
The Richwood Emergency Assistance Program (REAP) and the North Union Personal Needs Pantry (NUPNP) hosted their first “free produce day” at the Richwood Park last Tuesday. The event is sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Food Bank of central Ohio.