Local Archived News

North Union considers expanding school calendar to battle coronavirus loss
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education expressed concern about students falling behind academically during its recent meeting.
Board President Brian Davis said after talking with his wife Jennifer Davis, who is a teacher at North Union Elementary School, and other educators at the district schools he believes “our kids are behind.”

Mayor Jerew proposes installing permanent restrooms at Richwood Park camping area
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Mayor Scott Jerew proposed using capital funds to install permanent restrooms with showerhouses in the camping area of Richwood Park during the Village of Richwood Council meeting on Monday.
The council approved a pass through agreement, which is an amendment to the Capital Improvement Legislative Grant Agreement for Lake Baccarat Richwood Park Improvement, with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) on Monday. The pass through agreement allows the capital improvement grant project period to be extended through Dec. 31, 2023.

Christmas events ramp up in village
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Along with the colder weather, the holidays are fast upon local residents. The Richwood community is ready to kick off a variety of celebrations and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The Richwood-North Union Public Library will host its annual Light the Library display on Saturday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Local businesses, organizations, clubs and families are invited to decorate and set up a tree promoting and representing their respective groups. There is no cost, and trees can be set up at the library anytime until Friday. Trees can be free-standing or table-top. Groups are asked to bring in a small table to set their trees on if they are table-top size. On Saturday, the public is invited to walk through the library for the Holiday Open House to enjoy the trees on display, a scavenger hunt, a visit with Santa Claus and Christmas cookie decorating. There will also be crafts for children and snacks. For more information, call the library at 740-943-3054.

NUHS field projects progress with alternative option of sod
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education is pursuing the alternative option of sod for the high school practice field and stadium field.
The board accepted the proposal from LeVan’s Excavating Inc. in the amount of $631,500 for the exterior improvement project related to the existing practice field and the stadium field during its meeting on Monday. The board also accepted the alternate proposals for sod on the stadium field in the amount of $100,100 and sod for the practice field in the amount of $36,200.

Donations sought for Hope Center’s Christmas Store
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Care Train of Union County is supporting the Hope Center this holiday season.
The nonprofit has distributed toy barrels around Union County to supplement the Hope Center’s annual Christmas Store for local residents.
Toy barrels are located at Ag-Pro in Richwood, Boston’s Restaurant in Marysville, Chapman Ford in Marysville, The Grainery in Plain City, Honda Marysville, McAuliffe’s Ace Hardware in Marysville and Richwood Bank in Marysville.

Care Train auction set for Saturday
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
As the season of giving approaches, the Care Train of Union County annual auction returns on Saturday.
The auction will take place at McAuliffe’s ACE Hardware, 1299 W. Fifth St. from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with auctioneer Dan Westlake.
The silent auction, also at McAuliffe’s ACE Hardware, will open at 10 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.
Online bidding, which started Nov. 28, will begin to close on Saturday, beginning at 10:15 a.m. in increments until 11:40 a.m.
Bidders do not need to be present at the auction and may call 937-738-7946 to participate.

Health department OKs budget; 10-year outlook murky
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville J-T reporter
The Union County Board of Health recently approved the health department’s 2023 budget, though officials noted a 10-year projection indicates the board may need to prioritize and reconsider some programming over the next several years.
The board unanimously approved appropriations for 2023 totaling $6,964,294.

Log jam still a thorn in Union County’s side
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
A massive ditch clearing project could begin after the start of the year, but Union County officials haven’t yet presented a start date.
County Commissioners said the project along Mill Creek, which runs across the center of the county, is the biggest ditch clearing project the county has encountered and logistical issues as well as demands from other projects have slowed down the process.

Police department collects food, gifts
The Richwood Police Department is hosting a Stuff-a-Cruiser event this month to support area residents.
The department is collecting new, unwrapped toys, canned goods and dry goods for donation to the Richwood First United Methodist Church and the REAP food pantry for local families.
Bring donations to the department, 153 N. Franklin St., on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Toy pickup will be on Dec. 17 from 4-6 p.m. in the alley beside the First United Methodist Church, 18 S. Fulton St. Each child will receive one toy.
For more information, contact Richwood Police Officer Cole Brown at cbrown@richwoodohio.org or at 740-943-2422.

Care Train distributes about $236K in food vouchers
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Care Train of Union County Board of Directors announced the nonprofit will be distributing $235,857 in food vouchers to Union County families, children, senior citizens, and disabled adults.
This year, Care Train is supporting 302 families, 335 senior citizens and 54 disabled individuals in Union County this year.
In addition, 526 children were adopted by community members to receive gifts for the holidays.

Council looks to generate interest on village’s funds
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Village Council aims to make “maximum interest” on village’s funds by moving CDs from Richwood Bank to an account with The State Treasury Asset Reserve of Ohio (STAR Ohio).
A CD allows the village to save money at a fixed interest rate for a fixed amount of time.

COVID-19 testing kits available
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Union County Health Department is holding two COVID-19 test kit distribution days as the holidays approach.
Those interested in receiving free test kits prior to holiday gatherings can request them by clicking the link on the Union County Health Department’s Facebook page.
Once test kits are requested, they can be picked up curbside at UCHD, 940 London Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 15 and 16.

RABA’s annual poinsettia contest winners announced
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Richwood Area Business Association (RABA) hosted its annual poinsettia contest this month, and the winners have been announced.
Community members were invited to sign-up at local businesses for a chance to win a free poinsettia for the holidays. Each participating business drew one winner on Dec. 9 to receive a certificate to take to Sheila’s Flowers and Gifts to receive a poinsettia.

NU In the Know wins two, loses two recent matches
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
North Union High School’s In the Know team beat Marion Harding and Elgin but fell to Olentangy and Westfall in recent races.
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, North Union earned 215 points against Marion Harding’s 100 points. North Union’s Hunter Barker added 100 votes, followed by Blake Taylor’s and Griffin Salyer’s 45 ballots along with Mitchell Marlette’s 25 tallies. The JV polled well also resulting in NU 95 points versus Harding 35 points, featuring Salyer with 45 points. Rachel Decker earned 35 points, followed by Anna Crusey’s 15 points.

Man indicted for drug trafficking charged in alleged stabbing
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
A Magnetic Springs man, already under indictment on first-degree drug trafficking charges, is facing additional charges for allegedly stabbing a man who tried to steal drugs.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Thomas R. Welsh, 59, of 45 S. Main St., Magnetic Springs, charging him with felonious assault.

North Union meets with solar companies coming to county
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education is building relationships with two solar companies, whose projects in the northern part of Union County have been approved.
This year, the Union County Commissioners awarded payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements with Acciona, the parent company of the Union Solar project, and Invenergy, the parent company of the Cadence solar project.

Village employees to see pay raise in new year
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Village of Richwood Council approved the final reading of the 2023 temporary appropriations and the new pay scale, which begins on Jan. 1, 2023, during its Dec. 12 meeting.
“In the budget committee, they talked about the cost of living increase first and retention,” Fiscal Officer Sarah Sellers said.
The committee also considered the pay scale individually according to each job description, Sellers said. As a result, pay for all positions within the village has increased by 4% or 7%.

U.C. Health Dept. offers bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for youth
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Union County Health Department will now administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent vaccine to children ages 6 months through 4 years, who are currently completing a Pfizer primary series, for their third dose of the primary series.
Children in this age group who already completed their three-dose monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 primary series are not eligible for the bivalent product at this time.

Commissioners approve $32M budget for 2023
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Union County has an approved budget moving into next year.
County commissioners approved the 2023 budget at the regular board meeting on Dec. 14 after an extended process of meeting and talking with each department in person.

Rep. Richardson honors NU FFA
The following release is supplied by the Ohio House of Representatives.
State Rep. Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) recognized North Union FFA students on the floor of the House Chamber last week for their national accomplishments recently.
North Union FFA members Glade Jolliff, Chloe Hall, Cenlee Holloway and Madelyn Taylor recently won the National Runner-up Agronomy award taking second place out of 37 teams from around the county. The team was judged on their knowledge of agronomic sciences by developing solutions for problematic scenarios, including the identification of seeds, insects, soil and crops.
Caleb Isler and Garrett Schilling were also honored on the House floor for receiving the American FFA Degree, which is the highest degree achievable in the FFA. It is awarded to less than 1% of all FFA members.
“I couldn’t be more excited or proud to welcome the outstanding FFA students and to recognize their exemplary performances,” said Richardson. “I know the entire North Union School District community including parents and friends, join me in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of these future leaders.”
The team was joined by FFA coaches Tom Jolliff, Breck Mooneyham, and Jared Evans and North Union Superintendent Rich Baird.