Local Archived News

Camper destroyed by fire, vehicle damaged
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Leesburg Township Fire Department and the Marysville Division of Fire were dispatched for a report of a camper on fire at the Shell gas station, 23255 Route 4, in Pharisburg, on Monday at 2:54 p.m.
David Hawkins, assistant chief of the Leesburg Township Fire Department, said the “first fire apparatus was on the scene at 3:05,” but by then the fire had fully consumed the camper. He said the fire was mostly extinguished by 3:15 p.m. However, crews remained on scene until 4:26 p.m.

Leesburg Twp. Fire Department delays vote to merge districts
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The board of the Leesburg Township Fire Department tabled discussion on the invitation to join another fire district after a firefighter raised concerns Tuesday.
The board has expressed the intent to merge with the Northwestern Joint Fire District in Raymond to improve response times and manpower.
Bill Lowe, township trustee and fire district board member, said the three townships that make up Northwestern have approved Leesburg joining. Lowe added that the Northern Union County Fire and EMS District (NUCFD) has also offered an informal invitation to merge departments.

Tri-Rivers joins Ohio Technical Centers’ statewide campaign
Editor’s note: The following content was submitted by Tri-Rivers Career Center.
Tri-Rivers Career Center joins Ohio Technical Centers’ “Fast Track” Campaign, a statewide effort designed to grow awareness of adult programs that close the gap between workplace demands and talent pool competencies.

Solar farm construction routes approved by county commissioners
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
A list of roads that will be used as construction routes for one of Union County’s solar projects has been approved.
The County Commissioners approved a Roadway Use Maintenance Agreement (RUMA) for Union Solar, the parent company of the Acciona solar project, at their regular meeting last Wednesday, June 29. The RUMA outlines the parameters for allowed haul-routes and construction traffic moving through the proposed site.
County Engineer Jeff Stauch said the very early stages of construction, involving hauling in materials, will begin this week.

Woman charged after allegedly stabbing man with crack pipe
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted a local woman for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend with a broken crack pipe.
The grand jury indicted Stacey Lynn Chenault, 47, of 101 Rose St., Magnetic Springs, charging her with one count of domestic violence.

Planning Commission to present proposed zoning amendment about livestock to council
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Planning Commission voted 4-1 to send a final version of a proposed zoning amendment to regulate livestock to the council for consideration, with Mayor Scott Jerew dissenting.
Jerew suggested the commission ask the council members if they would like to prohibit all livestock in the village before continuing with a zoning amendment.

Council to vote on livestock law soon
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Village of Richwood Council is expected to vote on whether it will regulate agricultural animals and poultry within the village at a public hearing on Monday, July 25.
Prior to Monday’s regular council meeting, the Planning Commission finalized a version of the proposed zoning ordinance for council’s consideration.

County approached about buying playground equipment
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Playground equipment at the Home Road Sports Complex is more than 20 years old but plans to update it are on hold for now.
Dave Raymond, a Union County Joint Recreation District (UCJRD) representative, recently met with the county commissioners to talk about replacing the aging equipment on the property located at 16000 County Home Road in Paris Township. The specifics of funding left the proposed changes up in the air.

NU board seeks answers on solar farm payments
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
As the Union County Commissioners prepare to vote on the tax option for two solar companies in the North Union Local Schools District, the school board sought clarification on the financial impact of the solar farms.

U.C. Probate, Juvenile Court secures technology grant
Editor’s note: The following release is supplied by the Union County Probate and Juvenile Court.
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The Supreme Court of Ohio recently awarded the Union County Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Divisions, a grant of more than $96,000 to help fund the court’s new electronic filing and online marriage license application systems.
This grant will also benefit the Union County Clerk of Courts and the Union County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.

Staffing issues hinder UCSO
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Staffing shortages at the Union County Sheriff’s Office has the county’s chief law enforcement officer actively pursuing recruits to fill open positions. This time, however, he’s trying a more personal approach to the recruitment process.
Sheriff Jamie Patton told the county commissioners on Wednesday that his office is looking at peace officer training academies across the state and, in some cases, he’s visiting those schools in person.

NU board decides not to fill vacant position in district
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education has decided to divide the responsibilities of the chief academic officer among the superintendent and staff rather than fill the vacant position.
Dr. Erika S. Bower has resigned from her role as the chief academic officer of North Union Local Schools, effective July 31. The school board accepted her resignation at its March monthly meeting.

Union County Commissioners probe impact of solar farms on North Union
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
With two solar projects in the works for the northern part of Union County, county commissioners had some concern about the economic effect on the North Union School District.
The county’s economic consultant said the answer is no, the district wouldn’t be hurt.
The commissioners are gathering financial information to aid in a decision on which of two tax options the county should grant the solar companies in that area.

Village Park Day to be held Aug. 6
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The annual Richwood Park Appreciation Day will take place on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The day of fun includes pickleball and corn hole tournaments at 11 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Weather permitting, there will also be a bounce house for children ages 12 and under.
Free lunch will be offered, starting at noon. Hot dogs, chips, fruit and water will be available.
There will be a DJ and games like limbo and hula hoops at the beach party from 7-9 p.m. Hotdogs and marshmallows will be distributed during the party.

Richwood woman found not guilty of assault charges
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
A Richwood woman who admitted stabbing a man has been acquitted on all charges.
Following a three-day trial, a Union County jury found Cassidy Ann Smith, 25, not guilty on two counts of felonious assault.

ORW inmates on the run – for charity
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville J-T reporter
For the first time within the prison’s walls, dozens of incarcerated women at the Ohio Reformatory for Women sat outside with their friends and family, preparing to go for a run.
For some, the MS Walk was a way to give back to those who are living with multiple sclerosis.
Others were able to reunite with friends they met while serving prison sentences, who have since been released.

Council fails to meet super-majority requirement to approve, deny agricultural use regulations
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Village of Richwood Council voted 4-2 to accept the modified agricultural use regulations on Monday, failing to meet the required super-majority to approve or deny a proposed ordinance.
Council members Pat Morse and Donnie Ridgeway dissented. Specific zoning ordinance changes require a super-majority vote with 5 out of 6 members in favor or in dissent.

Opera House group seeks short-term fix for clock tower leaks
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Revitalization Committee agreed to ask Jeff Meyer of Meyer Restoration Inc. for a quote to temporarily tarp the opera house’s clock tower area to prevent water damage from the leaks.
According to the treasurer’s report, the committee has $2,282 in the $22 for 2022 campaign fund after Council member George “Soapy” Showalter gave a significant donation and $9 in donations through the DipJar QR Code. In addition, $4,073 has been donated at Richwood Coffee.

Corporate tax incentives in county to be updated
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Union County officials are considering an update to the area’s economic development strategy and incentive process.
At the county commissioners meeting last Wednesday, Eric Phillips, the county’s economic development director, told the county the information needed to be updated and that he would like to hear from municipalities around the county on what their needs might be.