Local Archived News

Village council extends contract
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Village council called a special meeting Tuesday evening to deal with the Dudley Circle project. Councilman Reddy Brown was absent from the meeting.

Graduation guidelines announced
Submitted by NUHS
North Union High School graduation ceremonies are scheduled to be held Friday, June 4. Following the guidelines issued by the Ohio State Governor, COVID protocols will be taken to keep everyone safe. The event will take place outside on the football field beginning at 7 p.m. Gates will be open at 6 p.m. for family and guests.

NU students earn state FFA degrees
Submitted by NU FFA advisors
Three North Union junior students received their FFA State Degrees during the first week of May 2021.
David “RJ” Justice is the son of Roy and Laurie Justice of Marysville. He has participated in many FFA activities including Equine and Wildlife Career Development Events as well as FFA Camp, State and National FFA Convention.
Mack Plotner is the son of Ryan and Jessica Plotner of Richwood. He has been a part of many FFA activities including the 2021 Agronomy team state champions. He received third place individually and his team placed first in the state. They will compete at nationals in the fall. Mike also placed third place individual in the state tractor troubleshooting CDE. Plotner is currently serving as Student Advisor for his Chapter and will serve as 2021-22 FFA president next year.
Amanda Adams is the daughter of Marvin and Barbara Adams of LaRue. She has participated in many FFA events including Milk Quality and Production and the Food Science Career Development Event. She has also participated in FFA Camp, state and national conventions, as well as Junior Fair Board. Adams is currently serving as historian for her chapter and will serve as reporter next year.

Students recognized during awards ceremony
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
North Union High School will be the site for the annual graduation ceremony Friday, June 4, beginning at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the football stadium and all guests will be required to wear masks and follow COVID guidelines.
Listed below are four valedictorians and three salutatorians, who will be part of Friday’s ceremonies.

BOE plans workshop
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
Officials at the local elections board want to help as many people get on the ballot as possible.
The Union County Board of Elections will host a candidate and issues workshop at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 16 at the board of elections office, 835 E. Fifth St.

Solar farm meeting mostly positive
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT Reporter
Members of the public had their opportunity Thursday to formally make known their opinion on a solar farm proposed for the northern part of Union County.
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) held a nearly two-hour meeting Thursday to allow members of the public to comment on the proposed Union Solar project.

RPD warn residents of phone scam
Submitted by Richwood Police Department
Scam phone calls have been made to residents in the Richwood area stating they are law enforcement officers from another state. The scammers told the residents their bank accounts and personal information are being used to transfer large sums of money to other countries and their lives may be in danger.

Richwood man Vax-a-Million winner
By Mac Cordell, Marysville JT reporter
“It’s a wonderful morning, “ Mark Cline of Richwood said in an interview with the Journal-Tribune. That’s because last Wednesday, he was announced as Ohio’s third Vax-a-Million drawing winner. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and his wife actually watched the live television announcement with Cline at his home.
“Congratulations, Mark!” DeWine posted on his Twitter page. “You just won a million dollars!” Thanks for getting vaccinated at the Union County Fairgrounds!”

Council continues to discuss future of opera house
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
Many months ago, the Richwood Revitalization Committee approached village council with a proposed plan on what to do with the former town hall/opera house building.The building is in desperate need of work to save the structure; fixing the roof, inside facilities and determine what the building would be used for if revitalized.

Library announces reading club
The Richwood-North Union Public Library is announcing their summer reading program for all ages.
The events include in-person outdoor programs and virtual programs. Virtual programs are videos posted to our social media accounts on the dates listed below.

Kindergarten screening is set
North Union Elementary is announcing addition dates will be held for kindergarten screening for the 2021-2022 school year.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 3 and 4, 2021. The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the elementary school, located at 420 Grove St, in Richwood.
Families will need to have all enrollment paperwork completed by the screening date. For questions, contact Kim Retterer at the school board office by calling 740-943-1607.

NU School board hears proposal for a new club sport
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education heard a presentation from Richwood resident Joe Rhea. A member of the county Pheasants Forever and an avid clay target shooter, he asked the board to consider implementing a clay club for North Union students. He has been approached by several parents who would like to see a program begin.

Protect yourself from severe thunderstorms
Submitted by Ohio EMA
In an annual coordinated effort with the National Weather Service (NWS), the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness is promoting June 20-26 as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week and encourages all Ohioans to know what to do before, during, and after thunderstorms, and to practice severe weather safety and preparedness throughout the summer.
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
According to the NWS, every year in the United States, there are approximately 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes, and roughly 300 people a year are struck by lightning. Of those struck, an average of twenty people are killed, and others may suffer lifelong disabilities.

Red Cross looking for donors
Submitted by the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to prevent further impact to patients.

UCHD optimistic about return from pandemic
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville JT reporter
Health department officials are optimistic about the county’s emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The story of the last three months is very positive overall,” said Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena.

Community loses good friend
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood community lost a friend and a supporter last week when Roland “Todd” Ridgeway, 56, died June 21, 2021 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
He was well known on the North Union football field, where he loved to take pictures and submit them to The Richwood Gazette to be published on the sports pages. He also loved taking pictures of car racing, Sprint or NASCAR events, on dirt or asphalt tracks.

Council discusses fate of opera house
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Village Council met Monday night for their regular meeting and they continue to discuss the outcome of whether or not to save the former town hall/opera house.
A year ago, public meeting were held to ask the village residents what they thought should be done with the building. It was nearly a 50/50 split. Some want to save the historic building, others feel like it should come down. For many years, the building has set empty and not much money was put into its upkeep.

Candidate deadline Aug. 4
With a little more than a month to go, officials at the local elections board want potential candidates to know about the upcoming filing dates.
“August 4 is coming soon and it will be here before you know it,” said Brandon Clay, deputy director of the Union County Board of Elections.
By state law, candidates must have their petitions to run for office filed at the county board of elections by 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4.

United Way to help local schools with supplies
By Sherryl Sheets, Richwood Gazette
The United Way of Union County will be collecting school supplies starting the week of July 19. The supplies donated will be distributed to Marysville, Fairbanks, North Union, and Jonathan Alder school districts.