Local Archived News

Man injured with knife in Richwood, suspect in custody on $50,000 bond
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Marysville resident Rosstin Guy Bender is being held at Tri-County Regional Jail with bond set at $50,000 for allegedly stabbing a 23-year-old Richwood man.
If convicted, Bender could serve up to eight years in prison.
Bender, 21, of 1663 Sassafras Lane, Marysville, was arrested at 4:10 p.m., Saturday, charged with felonious assault and taken to the Tri-County Regional Jail.

UCHD raises awareness about overdose prevention
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Union County Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition is working to share the message that “One Pill Can Kill.”
The Union County Health Department and its partners are supporting a campaign by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to raise awareness about the dangers of taking a pill that is not prescribed.

Richwood officials begin preparations for street levy
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
As the Village of Richwood Council discusses putting a new 3-mill, five-year levy on the ballot for street repairs, Union County Auditor Andrea Weaver told council members to consider if that is enough for any growth the village will have in repair costs.

Philip Atkins steps down as executive director of MHRB
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Mental Health Recovery Board of Union County recently announced Philip D. Atkins will be resigning as the executive director and joining Harbor, Inc., a large behavioral health organization, as the vice president/chief care coordination officer.

Richwood Independent Fair board announces 2022 entertainment
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Richwood Independent Fair Board announced that there will not be a concert on the opening night of the 2022 fair.
“We’ve been doing concerts for a few years now, and we wanted to change up the entertainment,” said Cody Johnston, the sponsorship and entertainment director of the fair.
Instead of a concert, a tractor pull will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The schedule of entertainment for the fair includes a rodeo on Thursday, a demolition derby on Friday, a tough truck contest on Saturday and barnyard games on Sunday. Entertainment for Monday, Sept. 5, is to be determined.

Village awarded grant for Rt. 47 multi-use path
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Village of Richwood has been awarded $47,500 for the construction of a multi-use path in Richwood.
Mayor Scott Jerew worked with the health department to apply for funds to construct a 750-foot multi-use walking path on Route 47 to the area of Dollar General and Queens’ Eats & Treats, which will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Group aims to get Opera House on National Registry
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The former Richwood Opera House and town hall building is one step closer to becoming a nationally recognized historical landmark.
The Richwood Revitalization Committee Vice Chair Aaron Smith submitted information for the National Register Preliminary Questionnaire, including photographs of past uses he obtained from resident Charles (Chuck) Barry. Smith also provided a timeline for when renovations were conducted.

Marysville resident accused of stabbing Richwood man
By Ally Lanasa and Mac Cordell
A Marysville resident could be facing prison time after allegedly stabbing a 23-year-old acquaintance multiple times during a gathering at the acquaintance’s house in Richwood.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Rosstin Guy Bender, 21, for felonious assault for knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to the male victim with a knife and for using a weapon while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Local officials lead safe driving presentation at NUHS
Editor’s note: The following information was submitted by the Union County Health Department.
The season of teen celebrations is upon us; proms and spring dances, graduation celebrations and all the parties that follow, teens celebrating the end of the school year, and the beginning of newfound summertime independence.
During this time of joy and celebrations, teens will be driving, and riding in cars driven by other teens. A lot. House to house. Party to party.

Utah man indicted for allegedly fleeing with Richwood teen girl
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
A Utah man could be facing prison time after allegedly running away with a Richwood girl.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Andrew Lui, 21, of Logan, Utah. Lui is charged with interference with custody.

NU board approves resolution for library levy
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education approved a resolution to declare it necessary for a tax levy to benefit the Richwood-North Union Public Library on Monday.
The library board has proposed a 1 mill, five-year renewal levy. The levy would appear on the November general election ballot.

Eagle Scout to install lighthouse at Richwood Park
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
A member of the Richwood Boy Scout Troop 440 is managing the installation of a 12-foot lighthouse at the south point of the peninsula at Richwood Lake for his Eagle Scout project.

Local resident home from Ukraine, plans to return in June
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Marysville resident Meg Michel safely returned from her solo trip to L’viv,
Ukraine, but is planning another trip next month to continue efforts.
Michel was away for 12 days, including five travel days and seven working days in Ukraine. She said she traveled for three days from Marysville to Ukraine, and she spent two days traveling home.

NU Robotics teams have successful run at worlds
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
North Union High School’s Team 6008C “C U Later” finished in 11th place at the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship.
The team, consisting of Eric Snider, Savannah Queen, Leah Matlack, Damien Dexter, competed in the Science Division and earned the Science Division Judges Award and Division Finalist Award.

Council starts process to adopt zoning map
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Village of Richwood Council is in the process of adopting an official zoning map.
Richwood’s current legalized zoning map is from December 1979. Subsequently,
other maps were created in 2002 and 2004 and revised in 2011. However, those updated maps are just representations and not official zoning maps for the village because they have not been legally signed by the mayor and village clerk.

Under Vollrath, UC Foundation distributions exploded
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
David A. Vollrath recently retired from his role as executive director of the Union County Foundation after more than 20 years.
“It was an honor and a privilege to serve at the foundation,” he said.
After 23 years at General Motors and two decades at the foundation, Vollrath said he was ready to enjoy retirement.
“I feel like I had a really good career,” he said.