Local Archived News

Council tries to decide fate of Opera House
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
Richwood village council members have a dilemma on their hands regarding the iconic town hall/opera house building, located at the corner of S. Franklin and E. Bomford Streets. The structure needs thousands of dollars, and in a hurry.

Destination Imagination teams prepare for regional competition
Submitted by Sharon Hager, instructor
On Wednesday, March 11, seven teams from North Union will compete in the regional Destination Imagination (DI) tournament to be held in Pickerington. Over 120 teams from Central Ohio are expected to participate in this tournament. Each team competes in two events, a central challenge and an instant challenge. The challenges require teams to work together closely on their solution, and teams are evaluated on their creativity and teamwork.

Free tax service available for income eligible households
Submitted by Bridges Community Action Partnership
The Bridges Community Action Partnership is announcing their assistance with free tax return preparation for eligible households with an annual income of $56,000 and below.

Council approves a feasibility study for beloved opera house
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The talk around town is what to do with the former town hall/opera house building. Council met with Sarah Barr, who owns “Raising The Barr.” She is offering to talk with village residents about what they would like to see done regarding tearing down or remodeling the building. As of now, council needs more data before making any decisions about the building.

Two D.I. teams to compete in state competition
Submitted by Sharon Hager
Five teams from North Union participated in the regional Destination Imagination (DI) tournament in Circleville, along with 60 other teams from Central Ohio last Saturday. Two North Union teams, The Senior Ramen Noodle Rat Ducks and The Potato Batteries, will advance to the state competition on Saturday, April 4 to be held in Centerville. Each team competed in two events, a central challenge and an instant challenge. The challenges require teams to work together closely on their solution, and teams are evaluated on their creativity and teamwork.

ODH opens Call Center for COVID-19 response
Submitted by Ohio Department of Health
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH, announced the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has opened a call center to answer questions regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). The call center will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and can be reached at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Health Department to enforce public health orders
Submitted by Union County Health Department
As public health orders and directives from the state of Ohio continue to be issued, the Union County Health Department is working to ensure these orders are understood and, when necessary, enforced within Union County.

School Board discusses education needs
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting Monday night to discuss what needs students may have during the closure of school.

Richwood dealing with coronavirus fallout
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The Coronavirus, COVID-19, has traveled around the world and many people have been preparing to make changes in their daily lives.
Officials are asking many businesses, especially food services, anywhere the public is invited to sit down and enjoy a meal or a drink, to close down operations and only have available carryout’s or drive-through service. While this may cause an inconvenience to the public, we need to remember the businesses themselves and the loss of income to them.

Message unchanged after U.C.’s first confirmed case
Officials continue to urge diligence in safeguarding against virus
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville JT reporter
Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health announced Friday there is one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Union County, a fact that local officials were prepared for.
“While it is discouraging that the county now has its first confirmed case, it is not a surprise,” read a statement from the Union County Commissioners.

North Union robotics teams wrap up successful season
By Kristi Matlack, VEX Robotics Coach
The VEX Robotics competition season came to an early end recently for the North Union Robotics Teams, and for teams around the state of Ohio and the rest of the world. In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, many state championship events across the nation were canceled or postponed including Ohio’s VEX IQ State Championship, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 14th in Marion, OH.

RABA discusses upcoming events
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Area Business Association (RABA) held their March 10 meeting and the first topic of business was the 2020 RABA Banner program. Funds raised for new village banners help support the RABA Scholarship program, which is designated for use by a North Union High School senior. This program has been put on hold due to the fact that the village is to get brand new light poles throughout Franklin Street in the village.

U.C. Foundation, United Way create COVID-19 Community Relief Fund
From Marysville JT Staff reports
The Union County Foundation and the United Way of Union County have partnered to raise funds to assist with local needs as a result of the COVID-19 emergency.
“Our board voted last week to reallocate funds to COVID-19 originally earmarked for part of our Care United program (formerly Community Care Day),” Corinne Bix, United Way of Union County Director, said. “In addition we set up a COVID-19 relief fund, and donors can give conveniently via our online and text-to-give giving platform.”

Master Gardener scholarship changed
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The application submission deadline for the Union County Master Gardener Scholarship has been extended due to closings caused by the Stay at Home order regarding the Coronavirus. The new deadline is Thursday, May 7, 2020. The scholarship is available on the Master Gardener web site at https://union.osu.edu/program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers/master-gardener-scholarship