The Ohio Exposition Commission, Ohio State Fair Board and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) are partnering with several companies to reduce landfill waste and educate fair goers about recycling and composting opportunities in Ohio.

The Ohio Exposition Commission received a grant to purchase 650 recycling containers, which will be used at the state fairgrounds for the 2009 Ohio State Fair and all other events at the venue throughout the year. Each container will be conveniently located next to a trash receptacle for fair participants. Rumpke of Ohio, Inc., a leader in the recycling industry, will service the containers during the 12-day fair (July 29th-August 9th).

Beyond the traditional forms of recycling, ODNR and the Ohio Exposition Commission have partnered with Concessions by Cox and Kurtz Brothers to compost all food waste, biodegradable containers and serviceware at designated facilities. These composting opportunities will be available in the Taste of Ohio Building, Rhodes Center Cafeteria and Ranahans Restaurant. The Ranahans Restaurant serves 600 to 800 meals each day of the fair; the Rhodes Center Cafeteria serves as many as 1,200 meals per day.

Along with the opportunity to recycle and compost, programs are in place to educate fair goers about the practices. The collected recyclables will alleviate what goes into landfills and can be reused to make consumer products. Composting food, the third heaviest item going into landfills, can reduce waste costs and be converted into energy. In addition to diverting food scraps from the event, ODNR will use the project to help determine the feasibility of expanding food waste collection to include various other events at the Ohio Exposition Center.

To learn more about recycling and composting, visit the ODNR Natural Resources Park in the southeast corner of the fairgrounds. Natural resource professionals are available at the park to talk more about the effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. The 8-acre facility also provides fair goers with hands-on exhibits and interactive performances that encourage outdoor activity and reveal the value of environmental stewardship.

Five roads in rural Logan County will be chip-sealed next week.

Engineer Scott Coleman (pictured) reports that the Logan County Highway Department will be working in the western part of the county Monday through Thursday.

On Monday, crews will be chip-sealing County Road 31 between the Champaign County Line and State Route 508.

Two roads will be chip-sealed on Tuesday.

Crews will work on County Road 73 between the Shelby County Line and County Road 34.

Crews will then chip-seal County Road 74 between County Road 23 and County Road 34.

On Wednesday, County Road 35 between State Route 235 and State Route 47 will be under construction.

On Thursday, County Road 13 between State Route 235 and County Road 130 will be chip-sealed.

The roads will be under construction from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will remain open to emergency vehicles and local traffic only (no thru traffic).

Use caution when driving through these work areas. There are unmarked no passing zones and drop-offs along the edge of the road.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a couple of injury accidents in Logan County Saturday morning.

Troopers were sent to a motorcycle crash on Route 33 just west of State Route 540 around one a.m.

Dan Bennett, 36, of 213 Pine Ridge Court, Bellefontaine, was driving a 2008 Harley-Davidson eastbound on Route 33 when he went off the left side of the road, came back on the roadway, and then went off the right side of the road.

Bennett was ejected and suffered serious injuries.

MedFlight transported him from the scene to OSU Medical Center in Columbus. He's listed in stable condition.

Alcohol use is suspected.

The motorcycle suffered heavy damage.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

The State Highway Patrol responded to a minor injury accident on the north side of Indian Lake around ten a.m.

Two vehicles were involved in a crash at the intersection of State Route 235 and Turkeyfoot Road (Township Road 293).

The accident closed the roadway for a short time.

The wreck is still under investigation.

Investigators said on Friday that the mother who disappeared with her two children from Union County on Thursday was found safe in Kansas late Friday afternoon.

Gail Beldon called Union County authorities from a gas station phone in Kansas after she received word about the search for her. She also flagged down a police officer who was parked at the gas station who spoke with Union County Sheriff's Office authorities.

Investigators say Beldon and her children were picked up by someone in a silver vehicle and were driven away.

Beldon is the custodial parent of the 2-year-old and 4-year-old, but authorities were concerned because she is bipolar and reportedly stopped taking her medication.

Sgt. Chris Skinner said that no charges will be be filed in the case.

Sara Stewart, 22, of 412 West Sandusky Avenue, was cited for operation of a motor vehicle without a license after she hit a legally parked car on Walker Street.

Damage to both vehicles was moderate.

The Bellefontaine Police Department arrested Shayne Richards, 45, of 547 East Columbus Avenue, Apartment 23 on Thursday for possession of drug paraphernalia.

The police were alerted of an unknown male wandering. The male was found on a woman's porch and identified as Shayne Richards. Richards was disoriented and had trouble providing his address for officers.

The resident of the house alerted police to an object that Richards had abandoned when they arrived.

The officers found the item, which was determined to be a pipe for smoking crack and a wire used to clean the pipe.

Richards was arrested and transported to the Logan County Jail, where he was lodged.

An endangered missing child advisory has been issued by the Union County Sheriff's Office. The advisory is not an AMBER Alert.

Two children were taken from Union County by their biological mother on Thursday.

Gail Beldon, the mother of the children, is bipolar and is believed to have stopped taking her medication. She was last seen wearing a gray shirt over a white tank top. She had green camouflage pants and gray tennis shoes on.

Hunter Lewis, 2, was last seen wearing a pink "fairy princess" tank top and pink shorts. She has blonde or strawberry hair and blue eyes.

Bradley Mathis, 4, was last seen wearing a "Thomas the Tank Engine" shirt and brown camouflage shorts. He also has blonde or strawberry hair and blue eyes.

The three are believed to be headed to Pennsylvania in a Silver Chevrolet Malibu.

Any information should be relayed to the Union County Sheriff's Office at 937.645.4100.

Three local teens have been charged for breaking into several vehicles in the West Liberty area earlier this week.

The Logan County Sheriff's Office responded to a vehicle vandalism report at 3229 State Route 287 around three o'clock Tuesday morning.

Deputies saw the suspect vehicle on State Route 287 and Township Road 166 and moments later stopped the car on State Route 245 just east of the West Liberty corporation limit.

Deputies found a variety of stolen items in the car, including a DVD player, camera, radar detector, beer, change, speakers, and several navigation systems.

On Thursday, Kyle Upton, 18, and Cole Upton, 15, of 233 East Newell Street, West Liberty, and Matthew Anderson, 16, of Urbana, were each issued a summons for theft and criminal trespassing.

The Logan County Sheriff's Office arrested a local teen Thursday for filing a false rape report.

On Sunday, Tiffany Conkel (pictured), 18, of 8768 State Route 245, North Lewisburg, told deputies that a named suspect raped her earlier this month.

She said the incident happened July 10th at a residence just outside of Bellefontaine.

While being interviewed yesterday, Conkel confessed that she had consensual sex with the man.

Conkel was charged with falsification and lodged in the Logan County Jail late Thursday night.

A local driver was injured in a one-vehicle crash on State Route 235 (about a mile north of State Route 47) just before five o'clock this morning.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol reports that Tohnee Turnmire, 21, of Lakeview, was driving a 2000 Honda Civic northbound when she went off the side of the road and struck a tree.

Turnmire was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Riverside EMS, and then transferred to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.

She's listed in stable condition.

Foggy weather may have been a factor.

The accident is still under investigation.

The Riverside Board of Education held a special meeting on Thursday at 5:00 p.m.

Paul A. Carpenter, Assistant Treasurer, was named Treasurer Pro-Tem in the absence of the Interim Treasurer, Christopher Mohr.

The board approved a resolution of necessity for a school district income tax levy, which should be on the General Election ballot November 3rd of this year.

A 5-year renewable taxation rate of 1.25% was chosen for the income tax levy. This wording of the levy passed 3-1.

The board made a motion to reinstate transportation to extracurricular events passing 4-0.

They also made a motion to have transportation to extracurricular events paid for by athletes, cheerleaders, and band members. The motion was passed unanimously. This increased the amount students will have to supply for the pay-to-participate program. High school athletes , middle school athletes, cheerleaders, and marching band members will all have to pay a fee of $60 per student/per season for transportation alone. High school pay-to-play has gone from $65 a sport to $125. The middle school now has to pay $95 instead of the previous $35.

Treasurer Pro-Tem, Paul Carpenter, explains the reason for the levy, its benefits, and the increase in the amount students will have to pay-to-participate in extracurricular activities.

By Miriam Stoner

Bev Cotterman, the managing secretary and treasurer for the Logan County Fair, said that the fair was a great one.

The attendance was up from last year, which was unexpected, and sales were up for things such as baked goods and livestock.

Cotterman would like to thank the county residents for supporting the fair this year.

The 2009 Logan County Fair will act as a springboard for fairs to come, according to Cotterman. Changes and additions to the fair are expected for the coming years.

Listen to the interview with Bev Cotterman here.

By Justin Miller

Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department cited Lisa Williams, 26, of DeGraff for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead when she struck Irene Garman, 79, of West Liberty on Wednesday at noon.

Garman was stopped in traffic traveling northbound on Main Street near Malone Avenue when Williams swerved to avoid a collision. Williams' front-right bumper made contact with Garman's rear-left bumper and quarter-panel. Williams continued driving and was later found and issued the citation.

Officers also cited Chantell Alltop, 30, of Urbana for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead when she struck Charles Metherd, 54, of Urbana on Wednesday just before noon.

Metherd was stopped in traffic traveling northbound on Main Street in the 2100 block when he was struck. Alltop failed to realize that traffic was stopped in front of her.

Two men are being charged with two counts each of trespassing and one count each of underage consumption.

Matthew Anderson, 19, of 322 Clagg Street and Joshua Taylor, 19, of 301 Lawrence Street, were drinking stolen liquor in the shed of a friend's aunt.

The two told officers that the friend told them it was ok to use the shed for shelter from the rain. The aunt decided to press charges.

The men were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

A Bellefontaine woman was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Tiffany Jones, 20, of 308 North Detroit Street, Apartment 4, consented to a search of her home and cooperated with law enforcement in an unrelated investigation.

During the search, a Bellefontaine Police Officer found a bag of marijuana lying in plain view on a table. Jones surrendered a pipe used to smoke the drug and was taken into custody without incident.

A canine unit searched the residence but did not turn up any further drugs.

Choice Properties in Bellefontaine got a surprise visitor Wednesday afternoon around five o’clock.

A deer entered the 721 South Main Street business through a small window.

The Bellefontaine Police Department and Bellefontaine Fire Department responded and after about thirty minutes, successfully coaxed the deer out of the building.

The animal ran into woods behind the business.

The deer suffered a minor cut on the neck.

Authorities said damage in the building was minimal.

There was some blood on the wall and on the floor.

Marsha Park, who is the Choice Properties branch manager, said she heard crashing glass and saw the deer in the front room of the building.

Park believes the deer crossed Main Street and then jumped into the building.

Hi-Point Holds First Meeting at New Urbana Location, Evaluates Treasurer and Superintendent

The Ohio Hi-Point Board of Education utilized their new South Campus location in Urbana for the first time Wednesday night for their regular meeting. Important items from the monthly meeting were the evaluations of the superintendent and treasurer as well as some new hirings.

Superintendent Kim Davis (pictured on left) and Treasurer Eric Adelsberger (pictured on right) both received overall excellent ratings on their evaluations by the board Wednesday night.

Adelsberger has been treasurer for fourteen years at Ohio Hi-Point and Davis has been superintendent for six years. Board President Anne Reames (pictured in center) praised Adelsberger on his skillful handling of Hi-Point's finances through these tough economic times and Davis on her creativity and ability to work with 14 different districts and keep things organized. Neither will be taking the customary pay raise that usually follows evaluations due to the economic conditions and the fact that the staff was unable to receive raises.

Watch Reames discuss Superintendent Davis' evaluation.

Adelsberger reported that fiscal year 2009 ended well with only 69 percent of funds allotted in the general fund being spent.

"We monitor our revenues and expenditures very closely," said Adelsberger. "Over the past few years, tracking and estimating future enrollment has helped our district stay extremely fiscally responsible."

Watch Reames discuss Treasurer Adelsberger's Evaluation.

Following the evaluations, the board voted to hire several new staff members.

Benjamin Billman of Columbus was hired to teach high school math.

Paige Cromwell of Springfield was hired to teach information technology at the Graham satellite location.

Amy Nicol of Marysville was hired to teach career based intervention at Marysville.

Erin Dearth of Columbus was hired to teach high school science.

Christen Smith was hired as a part-time ABLE instructor and Pete Kurtz was approved to be an ABLE volunteer.

Richard Johnson was hired as a business and industry instructor.

Jeffrey Dysert was hired as an HVAC assistant.

The board approved Dr. Chris O'Connor, Maple Leaf Family and Sports Medicine of Bellefontaine, to serve as school physician for the '09-'10 school year at an annual retainer fee of $1.

The board approved Dr. Ed Boy of Bellefontaine to serve as school dentist for an annual retainer of $1.

The Urbana South Campus continues the district's growth, providing a consistent presence for Champaign and Clark County residents to advance in adult education and high school satellite programs. The official open house and grand opening is set for Wednesday, July 29th from noon to 6:30. An official ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for five p.m. with remarks from Superintendent Davis and Urbana Mayor Ruth Zerkle.

Adult Education Director Darlene Chiles gave the board an update Wednesday on the program offerings available at the South Campus location. An HVAC program, both daytime and evening, is already underway at the facility, while nursing, integrated systems technology, emergency medical technician, firefighting, state tested nurse's aide, health information technology, and more are available. At the high school level, two satellite programs will be housed in the building: biomedical science and a teaching professions academy.

The next Hi-Point board meeting will be held Wednesday, August 26th, at 8:00 p.m.

By Zach Horton

A Sidney man was arrested and taken into custody on a charge of aggravated robbery.

Larry Hughes II, 28, (pictured) robbed the Buckeye Drive Thru and Pizza in McCartyville at 9:03 p.m. Tuesday. Hughes displayed a handgun and proceeded eastbound on State Route 119.

Port Jefferson Police Chief John Puckett observed a vehicle matching the description given to law enforcement and, with assistance from the Sidney Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, apprehended Hughes without incident.

The Shelby County Correctional Facility retains custody of Hughes in lieu of bond in the amount of $20,050.

Shelby County Sheriff Dean Kimpel would like to thank witnesses that gave great descriptions leading to the apprehension of Hughes.

No one was injured during the robbery.

The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed the first case of the H1N1 influenza virus in Logan County.

The afflicted adult has been hospitalized out-of-county and is now recovering at home. The infectious period has passed, meaning that the individual can no longer infect others.

The state has confirmed 181 cases of swine flu to date.

Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott (pictured) continues to encourage frequent hand washing, covering coughs and staying home if ill.

Questions concerning the topic may be directed to the Ohio Department of Health's Swine Flu Hotline at 866-800-1404

A local man was arrested Tuesday afternoon during the course of a search for another.

David Grooms, 23, of 812 South Main Street, complied with an officer's request for identification when the officer explained that he was there looking for someone.

An outstanding warrant for Grooms' arrest forced the officer to detain Grooms and transport him to the Logan County Jail.

The warrant comes from Hardin County and is for criminal damaging.

Also on Tuesday afternoon, Papa John's of Bellefontaine reported $180 in one-dollar bills missing from Monday night. The incident has been ruled a theft and further investigation is pending.

Logan County has been assigned a new State Wildlife Officer.

Adam Smith, 25, of Lewistown was assigned to Logan County after completing extensive training and being selected as one of 17 new officers, from more than 500 applicants.

Smith replaces Kevin Russell, who was the officer assigned to Logan County for about one year.

State Wildlife Officers have statewide jurisdiction, and can enforce wildlife regulations, investigate waterway pollution, protect property and make arrests. The officers also administer educational programs, advise landowners and update local organizations about regulations.

The other 16 officers sworn in to service are:

Brent Allen, 21, Toledo
Matthew Clark, 23, Indiana
John Coffman, 22, Waynesville
Brennan Earick, 22, Ashland
Wesley Feldner, 25, Salesville
Hollie Fluharty, 21, Crooksville
Thomas Frank, 33, Marysville
Stephen Harvey, 30, Huron
Jason Keller, 22, New Bremen
Cody Klima, 22, Ottawa
Eric Lamb, 33, Wilmington
Eric Moore, 26, Conesville
Michael Ohlrich, 22, Liberty Center
Joshua Shields, 26, Zanesville
Matthew Teders, 25, Ottawa
Nicholas Turner, 21, Medina

A Bellefontaine teen has been charged for reportedly throwing fireworks at one of the shows at the Logan County Fair over the weekend.

The Logan County Sheriff's Office reports that a couple of young men were standing outside the gate watching the horse show Saturday afternoon around three o'clock when one of the boys threw fireworks towards the show arena.

The boys left moments later, but a witness observed their license plate and contacted a deputy on the fairgrounds.

The investigation culminated Tuesday when Jesse Bickham, 16, of 913 Rush Avenue, was issued a summons for criminal mischief.

No one was injured from the fireworks.

Authorities responded to a couple of accidents in Logan County Tuesday.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol is investigating a minor injury crash that happened in Russells Point around 11:30 a.m.

Two vehicles collided near Huntington Bank at the intersection of State Routes 708 and 366.

Richard Johnson, 49, of Russells Point, was westbound on Route 366 and was stopped in traffic waiting to turn left.

Johnson's Ford Taurus was struck in the rear by an Acura driven by Maureena Strauser, 55, of Lakeview. Strauser, who was not injured, was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead.

A passenger in Johnson's car, Betty Johnson, 70, of Russells Point, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Indian Lake EMS.

Richard Johnson sustained a possible injury, but was not transported.

The Bellefontaine Police Department reports that a car and a Jeep were involved in a “T-Bone” accident at the intersection of South Detroit Street and West Chillicothe Avenue around 4:30 p.m.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Calvin Board, 21, of 547 East Columbus Avenue, ended up on its top. Board ran the stop sign at the intersection and was struck by the oncoming Honda Civic, driven by Robert Scott, 39, of 305 East Patterson.

In the car with Scott were Drayven, Harper and Kinsley Scott, ages 11, 3 and 3, respectively.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS assisted at the scene, but did not transport anyone for injuries. Damage to both vehicles was significant.

Board said that the brakes on his Jeep malfunctioned and he was unable to stop. The wreck remains under investigation.

DeGraff Village Council Passes Golf Cart Ordinance, Submits Grant for New Firehouse

A long-awaited ordinance was passed Tuesday night at the DeGraff Vililage Council meeting. Ordinance 09-11 passed its third and final reading at the meeting and is now official. This ordinance allows golf carts to be driven on city streets as long as they have been inspected and approved, have official license plates, are insured, and they are driven where the speed limit does not exceed 25 mph.

Watch Fiscal Officer Linda Harford explain the golf cart ordinance.

Another important undertaking of the council involves a grant they recently submitted to the Department of Homeland Security. The grant application is for funding for a new firehouse. If approved, the DHS would provide funding in the amount of $496,800, with the Village of DeGraff putting up $25,000. The plan would be for a 4,600 sq. ft. facility.

Watch Linda Harford explain the grant.

The council passed a motion to switch insurance carriers for the four full time village employees from Anthem to Medical Mutual, which will save $1,004.00.

In police matters, the council voted to ratify Rob Cottrell as an auxiliary officer contingent upon him passing his physical. Mr. Cottrell brings a year of experience in Fletcher. The Police Department is still looking for another auxiliary officer for anyone interested.

Also, a motion was passed to change the alley between N. Main and Moore from a one-way to a regular two-way.

The next meeting will be held August 18th.

By Zach Horton

The unemployment rate continues to rise in Ohio, with Logan County being no exception.

The state unemployment rate rose from 10.8 to 11.1 percent from May to June.

Logan County rose from 11.3 percent in May to 11.9 percent in June. Surrounding counties fared no better, as all counties in the state showed an increase in unemployment.

Auglaize County jumped from 11.2 to 11.7 percent.

Champaign County went from 11.5 to 12.4 percent.

Hardin County increased from 12.1 to 12.9 percent.

Shelby County went from 13.1 to 13.5 percent.

Union County went from 8.2 to 9.0 percent, and is faring the best of any of the surrounding counties, although the 0.8 percent leap is among the highest in the state.

For the second month in a row, Delaware County posts the lowest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent, up from 6.7 percent in May. Also for the second consecutive month, Williams County records the highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent, up from 17.1 percent in May.

The state unemployment rate was 6.4 percent last June.

Although Logan County is far above the national average of 9.7 percent, the county still ranks in the half of the state that reports the lowest rates, falling in at the 49 spot out of the 88 counties.

By Justin Miller

*All information was found via the Ohio Job and Family Services and the United States Department of Labor.

An area man was arrested for violating two CPOs on Monday around 6:45 p.m.

Wesley Bickle, 46, of 3796 Harrison Road, was arrested after shouting at his neighbors and making obscene gestures toward them.

The orders state that Bickle is not to be within 10 feet of the property lines of his neighbors and that there is to be no contact between the parties. Bickle was on or near the property of both victims and initiated contact.

Each violation charge is a felony. Bickle has been convicted on the same charge before.

Two defendants were sentenced and three pled guilty before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O'Connor (pictured left) earlier this week.

John McGhee (pictured below), 26, of Springfield, was sentenced to twenty-two months in prison for two counts of theft and one count of forgery.

Jonathon Klaiber, 27, of Richwood, was sentenced to West Central Community Based Correctional Facility for six months followed by five years community control, license suspension for three years, and ordered to pay a fine of $1,350 and costs for operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

John Brown, 32, of Russells Point, pled guilty to gross sexual imposition, Robert Dickenson, 29, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to receiving stolen property, and Daniel Everett, 34, of Dayton, pled guilty to criminal damaging.

Presentence investigations were ordered and sentencings are scheduled for August 24th.

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that a bridge inspection may delay traffic in Quincy Thursday afternoon.

Lane closures will be effect on State Route 235 at the south corporation limit from noon to two.

Crews will be using a large bucket truck to examine and evaluate the bridge.

Traffic control will be set prior to the work zone.

One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times by flaggers.

You're asked to reduce your speed and watch for stopped traffic Thursday.

The Indian Lake School Board met in regular session at 6:30 Monday evening.

Joy Blackburn came to speak with the board again about her goals to convert the old Lakeview Elementary School Building into a youth center to serve the children of Lakeview. The board had previously decided that the school was not safe enough to use and the district has already paid for demolition.

Superintendent Dr. McGlothlin explained details of the new elementary school building.

The landscaping of the new elementary school should start this month, but won't be completed until late fall because of weather conditions.

The building dedication is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th from 1-3:00 p.m.

McGlothlin says the roofing project should start on August 3rd and is expected to end by November 30th. The board chose the color of the roof to match the windows (dark bronze).

The board approved a one-year contract for Susan Lingerich to teach high school family and consumer science.

Several supplemental contracts were awarded, too.

Rod Hoover will be the head girls bowling coach and Chris Thompson returns as the head boys bowling coach.

Brent Anderson was approved to be a volunteer middle school football coach.

Douglas Walter was awarded a one-year contract for a four-hour bus route.

Beverly Titus, Jane Banning, Sue Ball, Renna Stutzman, and Darla Ross will drive kindergarten routes.

Walter will drive the noon JVS route and Karen Wagner will drive the afternoon JVS route.

The board is scheduled to meet again on August 24th at 1:00 p.m.

By Miriam Stoner

The Benjamin Logan School Board began their meeting with a moment of silence for graduate Staff Sergeant David S. Spicer, who died a week ago in Afghanistan while supporting combat operations for the Marines. After honoring their fallen former student, the board moved on to important financial matters.

The two main issues discussed were the bond retirement and upcoming tax levy. If passed, the levy will lower taxes for voters. The bond retirement allows the board to pay off the bonds early and lower spending while still receiving the same amount of money from state sources through House Bill 66.

Listen to Treasurer Robert Kuehnle (pictured) outline both issues fully.

There were two resignations that the board approved. They were bus driver Betty Kennedy and HS Educational Assistant Jerry Allford.

Two new teachers were hired as well. Matthew Green was hired to teach HS Business and Marice Straker was brought on for MS Language Arts.

The board voted to award a 2009 diploma to Korean War Veteran Raymond Russell Bailey.

Fees were approved, and will be the same as they have been for the last three years.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Board President Bill Ramsey expressed his congratulations to all Benjamin Logan youth who participated in the Logan County Fair as well as the Benjamin Logan FFA. He said he was proud of them and that they represented the school well with their hard work, dedication and overall good attitudes.

The next regular school board meeting will be on Monday, August 10th. Anyone curious about the upcoming levy should attend the meeting or contact a board member to get the correct information.

By: Zach Horton

Two local women were arrested on charges of OVI over the weekend.

Monica Lehmon, 21, of Belle Center, was charged with OVI, having a BAC over .17 and failure to yield when entering traffic after she backed onto a roadway near Blair Avenue, causing traffic to slow in the area.

Amy Hitchcock, 25, of 450 Kristina Drive, was charged with OVI, OVI over per se limit and failure to use a turn signal after she was observed driving eratically.

A Lewistown resident threatened officers and struggled with them over the weekend.

Jeff Tevis, 44, was charged with two counts of aggravated menacing, one count of menacing, obstructing official business, resisting arrest and persistent disorderly conduct after he threatened deputies of the Logan County Sheriff's Office.

While being arrested, Tevis refused to remove his hand from a pants pocket and did so only after force was used.

Tevis continuously shouted obscene verbal threats to officers throughout the incident and while being transported to the Logan County Jail.

The 159th annual Logan County Fair wrapped up last night.

A large crowd gathered to watch the demolition derby.

The Central Ohio Antique Tractor Pullers Association hosted a tractor and truck pull yesterday afternoon.

Managing Secretary Bev Cotterman said attendance numbers were up each day compared to ‘08.

The paid gate on Sunday was 5,123 – compared to 4,939 last year.

29,356 fairgoers attended this year’s fair. The paid gate last year was 25,903.

Cooler temperatures this year may have helped, too.

Here are the ’08 and ’09 numbers: (’08 listed first)

Tuesday – 2,835 and 4,466

Wednesday – 4,447 and 4,448

Thursday – 4,127 and 4,833

Friday – 4,979 and 5,193

Saturday – 4,576 and 5,293

Sunday – 4,939 and 5,123

Logan County Sheriff Andy Smith says there were no major incidents on the grounds, too.

Thanks to all the junior fair members, advisors, vendors, and supporters for a great fair.

The 2010 fair will run from July 13th-18th.

A Bellefontaine man was killed and his wife suffered serious injuries in a rollover wreck on Route 68 in southern Hardin County early Sunday morning.

The Findlay Post of the State Highway Patrol reports that Jacob Bray, 27, and Jacqueline Bray, 26, of 612 Florence Avenue, were both ejected after a southbound '93 Buick Park Avenue crashed on Route 68 near County Road 200.

The vehicle went off the left side of the road and overturned.

Mr. Bray was pronounced dead at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton.

LifeFlight transported Mrs. Bray to St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. She's listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit.

The accident was reported just before six a.m., but authorities are not sure who was driving or what time the accident happened.

If you saw anything between late Saturday and early Sunday, contact the Findlay Post at 419-423-3438.

Thick fog was reported early Sunday, and the accident remains under investigation.

The Hardin County Sheriff's Office and Richland Township Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

It's the fourth fatal accident in Hardin County this year.

The Logan County Engineer's Office has announced the chip-sealing schedule for County Roads for the coming week. The tentative starting date is Monday and continuing through Thursday, weather permitting.

The following County Roads will be under construction between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day, but will remain open to emergency vehicle and local traffic only.

Monday
County Road 53 - between CR 277 and the Union County Line
County Road 158 - between SR 559 and SR 287

Tuesday
County Road 168 - between Champaign County Line and CR 28
County Road 28 - between Champaign County Line and CR 168
County Road 29 - between CR 5 and CR 47

Wednesday
County Road 31 - between Champaign County Line and SR 508
County Road 73 - between Shelby County Line and CR 34

Thursday
County Road 74 - between CR 23 and CR 34
County Road 35 - between SR 235 and SR 47