Local Archived News

Public input on solar farm sought
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
Tenah McMahan is in favor of the proposed solar farms in northern Union County.
Her farm, at the corner of Route 31 and Richwood Miller Road, is one that has been identified by Acciona Energy. The company has contracted 100 acres of her farm as well as nearly 3,400 more acres in York and Washington townships to construct a 325-megawatt solar farm.

Farmers, be aware of weather conditions
Submitted by Wayne Dellinger, OSU educator
Union County’s OSU Extension is advising farmers to use caution as they enter the fields this spring.
Wayne Dellinger, Union County extension educator for agriculture and natural resources said that being aware of weather conditions is nothing new to farmers.

Bridges Community Action to help families
From Marysville JT staff reports
Bridges will use the funding for mortgage assistance in the county under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP).
The plan, submitted by the Union County Local Review Board, is pending final approval by the EFSP, a federal fund administered locally by the United Way of Union County.

2021 Ohio Victory Gardens program kicks off season
Submitted by OSU Extension Office
It’s time to get your hands dirty and start growing! The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and OSU Extension Offices are kicking off the second year of the Victory Gardens Program. Due to high demand, the program is expanding from 10 to 25 counties across the state, with 8,300 seed packets available free to the public to get people planting.

Softball group wants a signed contract
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Softball For Girls (NUSG) organization came to village council’s Monday night meeting asking to sign a contract to use the village’s softball diamond facilities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, no games were played, so the last signed contract was in 2019.

John Deere dealership celebrates 75 years
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
Parrott Implement recently celebrated their 75th anniversary.
The business started Monday, January 7, 1946, when brothers Don and Chester Parrott purchased the dealership from Tom Navin. When they retired in 1966, the business was taken over by Don’s son, Bill Parrott.

A snapshot of public transportation done right
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
For the last 12 years, Carrie Woody has served as the director of the Lancaster/Fairfield Public Transit System.
The Mayor of Lancaster, David Scheffler, has called her “a rockstar in the world of public transit.”
Shuttles there work as part of an on-demand service that can be scheduled in advance or as needed. Additionally, the service runs several fixed routes each day.

County open to revisit YMCA purchase
Plan would bring satellite operation to Richwood
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
Local officials are saying they are receptive to restarting conversations about a joint purchase of the Union County Family YMCA.
“Consider us open to having further discussions,” Union County Commissioner Chris Schmenk told Marysville City Manager Terry Emery.
Earlier this week, the city manager met with the county commissioners to talk about possibly partnering with them to purchase and “transition the YMCA into a community facility.”

NU board discusses digital academy
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
A coronavirus pandemic hit everyone in the world causing schools to be creative in providing an education for children.
The Ohio Department of Education is asking school districts to discuss a plan for a digital academy should districts be hit with another interruption during a normal school year.

Community loses life-long resident
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The village of Magnetic Springs lost a life-long resident April 10, when Jesse L. Conrad passed away. He was born April 12, 1936 to the late Dr. Jesse M. and Leona H. (Rogers) Conrad.
He furthered his education at Bowling Green State University. After graduation, he opened up the Jesse L. Conrad Accounting firm in Marysville.
He brought on Mark Leibold in the 1970s and the partnership grew to be known as the Conrad, Leibold, Woerner & Co.
A true community man, his love of his hometown of Magnetic Springs was very evident.

COVID-19 vaccines to be in Richwood
Submitted by Union County Health Department
The Union County Health Department has announced that they will be in Richwood Thursday, April 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the Northern Union County Fire Station, located at 602 N. Franklin St. in Richwood.

Support drug “Take Back” event
Submitted by Memorial Health
All Union County law enforcement agencies, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Memorial Hospital, the Union County Drug Free Coalition, and other local agencies are sponsoring a prescription drug “Take-Back” event on Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following four locations:
·Union County Sheriff’s Office, 221 W. 5th St., Marysville,
·Pleasant Valley Fire Department, 650 W. Main St., Plain City,
·Richwood Police Department, 153 N. Franklin St., Richwood, and
·Marysville Division of Police, at Walgreens, 180 Colemans Crossing Blvd., Marysville.

Local CSX case goes before Ohio Supreme Court this week
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office and Ohio Attorney General’s Office will be in front of the Ohio Supreme Court this week.
Last year, the Court of Appeals of Ohio ruled in favor of the local prosecutors over the CSX railroad company. The railroad company appealed that decision to the Ohio Supreme Court which is scheduled to hear the case Wednesday.

Search begins for new principal
From Gazette Staff reports
The North Union Board of Education held a special meeting Monday, April 26 to handle several items to come before the board, which included the resignation of high school principal Janel Chapman.

Softball For Girls ask for contract
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Softball For Girls organization came to council again asking for a signed contract with the village for the use of the softball diamonds in Richwood Park.
Two board officials, Wendy Veach, president and Wendy Wilson, secretary/treasurer, were at Monday night’s regular council meeting.
They told the council that there have been some changes in leadership and that they want a signed contract for the use of facilities.

NU VEX crowned state champs
Submitted by Kristi Matlack, Robotics Coordinator
The 2020-2021 competition season has been one of many challenges and delays for the North Union Robotics Teams, but the teams have shown great perseverance and resilience this year in an effort to continue to strive for excellence. That perseverance paid off and despite the challenges that this year has brought, North Union teams have had an extremely successful competition season.