Local Archived News

Remembering Richwood, 2015
By Sherryl Sheets
Listed month by month, are memorable events that took place during the 2015 year.

School board holds organizational meeting
By Sherryl Sheets
The North Union School Board held their organizational meeting Monday evening with the swearing in of two board members who were recently elected in the November election. President Chief Fiscal Officer Scott Maruniak gave the oath of office to William Davenport and Shelly Ehret.

United Way pushes towards $1,020,000 goal
By Sherryl Sheets
The United Way of Union County is hoping to finish their fundraising goal of $1,020,000 for their 2016 budget. You can help by sending a donation through the month of January. To-date, over $900,000 has been pledged.

Ohigro in Richwood has new faces
By Sherryl Sheets
The Ohigro plant in Richwood has had a familiar face in operations for nearly four decades. Jeff Schweinfurth has managed the plant for 39 years. He will still be in and out of the local chemical and fertilizer business, only he won’t be the first one in and the last one out every day.

NU student wins Math Challenge
By Sherryl Sheets
The fifth annual Math Challenge was held at The Ohio State University of Marion (OSUM) and Marion Technical College (MTC) recently. Over 200 high school students from Cardington, Elgin, Marion Harding, Highland, North Union, Pleasant, Ridgedale and River Valley competed for top honors on each grade level. OSUM and MTC awarded $13,000 in scholarships to student participants.

COPD Clinic opens at Memorial Hospital
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
Nearly 24 million Americans suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and more than seven percent of Ohioans have been diagnosed with COPD. There is no cure, but early intervention and proper management can slow the progression of this often-fatal lung condition. Its cause can be emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or non-reversible asthma.

NUCFD busy in 2015
By Sherryl Sheets
The Northern Union County Fire and EMS District (NUCFD) continues to keep busy, according to stats from 2015. Fire Chief Randy Riffle released a breakdown of calls by county, townships and runs that the local department responded to for assistance or mutual aid.

Council begins work for 2016
By Sherryl Sheets
The first council meeting of 2016 began with the Alison Boggs, the new village solicitor, swearing in Scott Jerew as the mayor for the village. Jerew then proceeded to give the oath of office to Don Ridgeway, who was re-elected at the November election, and to Reddy Brown, who was appointed as a council member, filling the empty seat for Teresa McElroy, who opted not to run again.

Annual report for Conservation District
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Union Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) released their annual report for 2015.

Projects apply for state money
By Mac Cordell
A half-dozen local projects have been submitted for funding through a special program.

Church updates their carillons
By Sherryl Sheets
In 1988, the Richwood First United Methodist purchased a carillon that played music recorded on cassette tapes. It was bought with money donated by five families in memory of loved ones. The music could be heard from the church tower during Sunday mornings and on some holidays.

RABA begins plans for 2016
By Sherryl Sheets
The Richwood Area Business Association (RABA) held their first meeting of 2016 on Jan. 12. During old business discussion, it was brought up that RABA members were unhappy with the location of Santa and his house. Situated near the village administration office was too far away from the downtown area. They would prefer it downtown for next year. Members also discussed that the Santa house needs to be removed since Christmas is over and so that children won’t be asking questions as to why it is still around.

Free tax prep available
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Union County Community Action Organization is providing free tax preparation at their new location, 232 N. Main Street, Suite D in Marysville. Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 20, the free service will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 937-642-4986.

RW Gallery honors Mabel DeBolt’s work
By Sherryl Sheets
The North Union Art Club opened a gallery for public enjoyment at the Richwood-North Union Public Library last December. Their first display honored Marie Masters.

Board welcomes new members
The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities (UCBDD) welcomed new member Michelle Cook to the board at their Jan. 19 meeting. Cook fills the unexpired vacancy left by Kelly Morris.

Council learns of priorities to restore electricity
By Sherryl Sheets
Tim Suiter, of First Energy (Ohio Edison) approached council Monday night, with a list of priorities of where electricity is restored in case of a storm. The company prepares ahead of major storms with training before storms hit. The priority list is made up of the highest places in and around the village, such as the village administration building where the police department and village employees work from; the fire station, including the 911 cell tower, Richwood Greene, North Union Schools, water and sewer, etc.

Grant money available for aging septic systems
By Taylor Evans
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has given funds to the Union County Health Department to help residents with failing septic systems.

Recent bloodmobile a huge success
By Sherryl Sheets
The first American Red Cross Bloodmobile of the year, Jan. 18, held at the Richwood First United Methodist Church, was a huge success, according to organizers.