Local Archived News

Home burns on Landon Road
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
A house in the 12000 block of Landon Road in Richwood was destroyed after an fire broke out on Saturday.
The Northern Union County Fire and EMS District (NUCFD) received a report of the house fire at 7:56 p.m. Saturday, Chief Randy Riffle said. He said his department was en route to the scene by 8:03 p.m.
Riffle said a preliminary investigation showed that the fire was accidentally caused by a burn pit. The official investigation will not be complete for roughly two weeks, the chief said.

Union County behind on housing needs
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Union County isn’t building enough homes.
This is according to the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio’s recently published study looking at housing needs in the Columbus and central Ohio region.
The study was first done in 2017 and updated this year to account for changes and expansions in the area including the Intel facility going in east of Columbus.

Union County school districts analyze state report card data
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
The Ohio Department of Education recently released the state report cards and overall, area districts are pleased with the results.
This year, data is presented in a one to five-star rating system rather than the previous A-F rating system. Five stars indicate exceeding state expectations and one star indicates falling short of expectations.

NU launches mobile app
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Local Schools District recently launched a new app to improve communication with students and their families.
Superintendent Richard Baird said the app helps the district accomplish the strategic goal of improving communication. North Union has four pillars of its strategic plan — communication and branding, student programming, student wellness and community engagement.

Skeleton Skedaddle to return this month
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The third annual Skeleton Skedaddle is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. at the Richwood Lake Park, 4 Lynn St.
The 5K run/walk and the 2-mile walk are hosted by the North Union Athletic Committee (NUAC). All proceeds from the event go to the nonprofit organization to support its efforts to ensure North Union students do not have to pay to play sports at the local schools.

Designs for Richwood Opera House considered
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Richwood Revitalization Committee recently met virtually with TRIAD Architects and independent contractors to discuss the conceptual design for the former opera house and municipal building.
Committee Chairman Reddy Brown told the Richwood Gazette the historical structure “is generally a two-story building with a partial basement and a partial third floor with attic and clock tower levels above.”

A weekend of Halloween fun in Richwood
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Richwood area has a weekend of Halloween activities planned for Oct. 29-31.
The Richwood-North Union Library staff will share spooky stories and terrifying treats at the Richwood Lake shelter house on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. Costumes are welcome.
The 2022 Skeleton Skedaddle Run 5K run/walk and the 2-mile walk is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Richwood Lake Trail. All proceeds from the event go to the nonprofit organization to support its efforts to ensure North Union students do not have to pay to play sports at the local schools.
Additionally, that evening the third annual Haunted Trail will take place from 8-11 p.m. at Richwood Park. Walk the trail, then finish off with a hayride and food.
The community trick-or-treating event will occur on Monday, Oct. 31, from 5-7 p.m. in downtown Richwood.

Staffing shortages affect UCBDD
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Like many places in Union County, the Board of Developmental Disabilities is facing staffing issues but growth in the area is pushing the agency to its limits.
Superintendent Kara Brown said the preschool program at the Harold Lewis Center is experiencing the most growth – so much so there isn’t enough classroom space for all the students.
She said the agency itself is growing at a rate of 12% a year but the preschool is growing at 26% a year.

Victim’s words keep offender from lengthy sentence
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
“You can do it.”
Those words of encouragement came as the deputy led Dolan Chauncey Mills out of the courtroom to begin a month’s long stay at the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility (WCCBCF).
They came from Mill’s long-time friend and the victim of his domestic violence.
It was likely her words and her assent that kept Mills out of prison.

PILOT approved for second solar project in Union County
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
The second solar company to request a PILOT agreement has been granted that approval.
Union County Commissioners voted 2-1 last Wednesday to approve Cadence Solar Energy’s proposed 275-megawatt solar project as a qualified energy project.
The decision allows the company to take part in the PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes, agreement that allows for an agreed upon payment of money, rather than typical asset-based amounts.

Richwood multi-use path along Route 47 may not materialize
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The plan to work with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct a multi-use path on Route 47 may not come to fruition because of a lack of funding.
During the council meeting on Tuesday, Village Administrator Monte Asher said the proposed consultant for the Safe Route for Food Route 47 project, Civil Environmental Consultants Inc., gave him a verbal quote of $35,000 for consulting services. The official quote, which could be higher, should be sent this week, Asher said.

School board increases substitute teacher pay
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education approved a tiered pay structure for substitute teachers on Monday to help fill openings within the district.
“One thing that we had talked about previously was doing a tier system for substitute teacher pay,” said CFO and Treasurer Scott Maruniak. “(Superintendent) Mr. (Richard) Baird and I have discussed it, and we think that it would be fair for us to do.”

Council discusses matching funds for Rt. 47 walking path
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The Village of Richwood Council discussed providing $10,000 in matching funds for the Route 47 multi-use path on Monday.
The five-foot wide concrete path, which is to be named the Rosette Way to Healthy Food, will ensure residents can safely access healthier food options as well as provide a designated space for exercise.

Residents speak up on solar issue
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Several residents from northern Union County asked the commissioners to reconsider a vote on a solar project’s PILOT agreement, but votes on the latest measure didn’t change.
At the regular meeting of the county commissioners last Wednesday, the board saw a resubmission of the PILOT, or payment in lieu of taxes, agreement for the Cadence Solar Project that was passed in a 2-1 vote the previous week.

Health department, district create Wildcat Wellness Clinic
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education recently approved a pilot partnership between North Union Local School District and the Union County Health Department for a school-based health care program.
After the latest school board meeting, Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena informed the Marysville Journal-Tribune that the Wildcat Wellness Clinic is “designed to increase access to health services, such as annual well-student visits, by providing those services on the school campus for a limited time during the 2022-2023 school year.”

NU board learns of literacy strategies
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
North Union Superintendent Richard Baird and Elementary School Principal Darlene Allison recently informed the district board of efforts to improve early literacy, following the release of state report cards.
The Ohio Department of Education rated school districts on a one to five-star system. Five stars indicate exceeding state expectations and one star indicates falling short of those expectations.