Local Archived News

Tenpenny: A normal guy on a roll
Balloon Fest Friday night headliner humble while on hot streak
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville JT reporter
Despite millions of streams and thousands of loyal fans, Mitchell Tenpenny sees himself as a normal guy.

Proposed solar farm near Richwood discussed
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Representatives from Samsung recently met with Union County Commissioners, Leesburg, Taylor and Claibourne township trustees, North Union Local School District officials and Richwood Mayor Scott Jerew to discuss the development of a third new solar farm in Union County called “Samsung Richwood Solar Project.”
At a Village of Richwood Council meeting on July 26, Jerew told the council that this solar farm will be located at the intersection of Routes 4 and 37 going into Magnetic Springs.

Local automotive shop celebrates 25 years of service to community
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Tom Ross Automotive, a family-owned business located at 184 Beatty Avenue, celebrated its 25th anniversary last month.
The automotive business is run by Tom Ross, Sr. with the assistance of his son Tom, Jr. and his mother, Wilma Ross. The Ross family is local to Richwood.

Municipal court judge race underway
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
A trio of candidates has filed to fill the unexpired term of retired Marysville Municipal Court Judge Michael Grigsby.
Assistant Union County Prosecutor Andrew Bigler, local attorney and acting judge Robert Parrott, and Union County Probate and Juvenile Court Chief Magistrate Sharon Robinson-Walls have each filed to replace Grigsby, who retired in July.

All Ohio Balloon Fest to kick-off Thursday
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville JT reporter
A weekend of fun at the All Ohio Balloon Fest will benefit the community long into the future.
For the third time, proceeds from the annual event will benefit the Hope Center, a nonprofit organization that serves Union County.

New North Union facility not just for sports
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
A recently constructed student wellness center at North Union Local School District serves to bring the education system together with the community.
“We needed more space for activities for our students,” said North Union Superintendent Richard Baird. “We have community groups come in and use our schools all the time and actually most of those community groups are our students in school.”

Union County voters will have choices Nov. 2
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
Voters will decide seats for each city and village council in the county, as well as each township board of trustees and board of education. Plain City’s mayor, Union County’s Municipal Court judge and Marysville’s law director will also be decided in November.

Former fiscal officer pays village over $20K in penalty fees
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Tim Goodwin, the former fiscal officer of the Village of Richwood, paid the village $20,973 in penalty fees following a report from the state auditor’s office. The Journal-Tribune and Richwood Gazette previously reported that Goodwin did not remit or file reports to government agencies in a timely manner, according to Auditor of State Keith Faber’s Office.

Leesburg fire department adds paid employees
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The all-volunteer Leesburg Township Fire Department is now hiring paid firemen and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Fire Chief John Cook also said the goal is to have two paid employees working 10-hour shifts each day.
“Our main concern is getting squads out the door,” he said.

Village discusses opera house with commissioners
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Officials from Richwood met with the Union County Commissioners on Aug. 11 to provide an update about the former Richwood Opera House development efforts and discuss funding opportunities for the project.

NU school board; masks optional for start of year
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
North Union Local School Superintendent Richard Baird provided a COVID-19 response update to the board of education and guests on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at North Union High School, stating that face coverings will be optional at school and during school activities for the start of the 2021-22 school year.

Richwood Fair celebrates 129 years of fun
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
Family and friends will be gathering at the Richwood Independent Fair Sept. 1 through Labor Day and it is guaranteed to be six days of fun, entertainment and great food.

Council hears concerns about property upkeep in the village
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
Joe Mowery and Lisa Martin approached council members at the Monday night meeting to share concerns regarding some properties within the village of Richwood. Mowery and Martin, who are brother and sister, have two properties in the village that they are looking to sell. One property they are trying to sell is located at 143 Blaine Avenue. There have been six showings and possible buyers of the house, but they all contend that the house at 145 Blaine Avenue has a lot of vehicles in the yard, on the sidewalk and in the street. Some may not be property licensed, which is against zoning regulations. None of the six prospects have made an offer to buy the house, due to the surroundings.

Ag Pro buys local John Deere dealer
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
Parrott Implement, a local John Deere independent dealership, has been an icon to Richwood for 75 years. They have been supportive of the community, The Richwood Independent Fair, Union County Fair, the North Union Local School District, Customer Appreciation Days and so many other events too numerous to list.

Area law enforcement stepping up patrols over Labor Day weekend
From Journal-Tribune Staff reports
Union County officials are participating in a Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign in an effort to stop drunk driving leading up to and during the Labor Day weekend.
Expanded efforts to “take drunk drivers off the roads” will run through Sept. 6.