A longtime local business has reached a milestone.

National Salt Distributors of Bellefontaine (pictured) will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a large sale August 17th-22nd.

In 1949, Howard Buck started what would become National Soft Water Service in West Liberty.

While working for a Borden Milk Company in Shelby County, Buck realized the need for soft water after watching dairy farmers use rods and hammers to break calcium deposits on the milk house heaters.

The tools, which were then washed in hard water, accumulated iron and calcium and formed bacteria-rich film that cost the farmers money.

The farmers were so impressed with “exchange” tanks that many had them installed in their own home. As the use of in-home water increased, water softeners were developed that could create their own brine solution from dry salt and regenerate themselves.

Howard’s son, Lowell, took over the business and was integral in the evolution of water softening from the exchange tanks to fully automated tanks.

As time progressed, Lowell noticed that many people were more willing to buy salt at retail businesses instead of returning to the National Soft Water Service. In 1985, the company opened a full-service branch in Bellefontaine. The new building offered a full line of salt. Another store opened in Marysville soon after.

Lowell continued to notice that more and more retailers began carrying salt, and came up with the idea of forming a wholesale salt distributor.

In 1993, National Soft Water Service sold the water conditioning entity to Hague Water Conditioning in Groveport, Ohio. Hague later bought the Marysville store as well. It was at that time that National Salt Distributors, Inc. was formed.

Today, National Salt Distributors, Inc. has three divisions.

Retail Division

At the retail store in Bellefontaine, the company offers a full line of salt products. Products to maintain pools and hot tubs are also available. The store also offers bottled water, drinking water and water coolers for sale and rent.

Wholesale Division

The Wholesale division is located with the retail store in Bellefontaine. It offers forklift delivery of anywhere between 6-pallet orders and 18-pallet orders. The service includes all types of salt and delivers to all types of businesses and retailers across the greater Ohio area.

Residential/Commercial Delivery

National Salt Distributors offers delivery of salt to Logan and surrounding counties. The service carries salt for any make and model of softener. In addition, three-gallon and five-gallon bottled water is available, as is cooler delivery.

Steve Buck has owned the company since 2000. He spoke with Bill Tipple about the company's history, growth, and more.

Listen to his comments.

National Salt is located at 1515 South Main Street, Bellefontaine.

Ken Keller will broadcast live from the store Monday from 11-1 on 98.3 WPKO.

The City of Bellefontaine has been awarded a Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) grant worth $522,000.

Mayor Adam Brannon (pictured) received the good news from the Ohio Department of Development Friday afternoon.

The grant will fund rehabilitation and repairs to owner-occupied homes, down payment assistance, and assist Habitat for Humanity with one new unit.

17 low to moderate income families in the city will benefit from the program.

Berquist Consulting, Inc. prepared the city's application and will administer the program.

This is the eighth time that Berquist Consulting and the city have received CHIP funds.

For the rest of the summer through Labor Day weekend, Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers will be focusing attention on Logan County motorists to reduce fatal and injury crashes in the Indian Lake Region.

Troopers from the Marysville Post, Wapakoneta Post, and Piqua Post, along with the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Township Police Department, and Russells Point Police Department, will primarily focus on removing impaired drivers and enforcing known crash-causing violations such as failure to yield, improper passing / lane changes, unsafe speed, and following too close. Officers will also take strict enforcement of safety belt and child restraint violations.

The Indian Lake Region has been selected after reviewing crash data and based on the total number of crashes and causative factors. The leading causative factors in those crashes have been: Operating a Vehicle while under the Influence (OVI), Assured Clear Distance Ahead, Failure to Yield, and Unsafe Speeds on roadways surrounding Indian Lake.

The Marysville Post has investigated four fatal crashes in Logan County year to date. Three of the four fatal crashes either had alcohol involvement or alcohol has been suspected. The purpose of the program is to limit any increase in OVI-related fatal and injury crashes in the identified area and reduce these crashes through high visibility and aggressive enforcement. The agencies will also use this as an opportunity to bring awareness to the problem of impaired driving and educate the public using informational handouts during each contact.

Traffic crash data and maps, and criminal enforcement information from the Patrol for Ohio, including Logan County, can be found at www.statepatrol.ohio.gov.

The Village of Russells Point will be closing portions of Main Street in order to support the combined events of Art on the Harbor and the conclusion of Rally at the Peak. Since Main Street is also designated as State Route 366, the village will be providing an alternate route to accommodate non-local traffic. Officials are encouraging drivers pulling trailers such as boats and campers, to also use the detour.

Beginning during the late evening hours of Friday, August 14, 2009 through late afternoon on Sunday, August 16, 2009 Main Street will be closed from Orchard Island Road (State Route 708) west to Sunnyside Avenue. The following road changes and closures will be temporarily made in cooperation with local businesses:

· Warren Avenue and Chase Avenue will be closed to and from Main Street. The south entrance to The Landing Restaurant and Dollar General will be barricaded. However these businesses will still be accessible from their adjacent streets.

· Clermont Avenue will be open for North and Southbound traffic, but no entry will be permitted onto Main Street. Southbound traffic will only be permitted to turn right or west onto US 33.

· The Donut Shop, including BBQ Chicken Dinners, will remain open to light traffic only to the extent of the East Entrance

· BJ’s Drive Thru will be open for patrons, but will prohibit right turns from the exit.

· Likewise, Huntington Bank will be accessible to its customers on Saturday, as well as ATM access from Main Street to Sunset Avenue. Drivers will only be permitted to turn right onto Main Street from Sunset Avenue.

The State Route 366 Detour for commercial and/or non-local traffic is as follows:

· Eastbound State Route 366 will be diverted at State Route 235 onto US 33

· Westbound State Route 366 will be diverted at State Route 117 south to State Route 274, then west on US 33.

All routes and roadways will be reopened on Sunday evening August 16th.

Honda has another award to tout.

The Insight, Honda's newest hybrid, earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick for 2009.

The award is the highest honor the institute gives. It recognizes the vehicles that protect passengers the best in front, side and rear crashes.

Honda operates two of the world's most advanced crash-test laboratories. The Tochigi, Japan facility was the first omni-directional car-to-car crash-testing facility in the world. Honda R&D America's facility in Raymond, Ohio performs testing on all models developed in the United States.

The Bellefontaine Police Department served several warrants on Thursday.

Denico Fudge, 15, of Bellefontaine, was arrested for failure to comply with a court order. He was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

David Taylor, 47, of Bellefontaine, was arrested and taken to the Bellefontaine Police Department where he posted bond and was released.

Clifford Fisher, 34, of Bellefontaine, was arrested for failure to appear and taken to the Logan County Jail. Fisher turned himself in to police after he found out about the warrant.

On Thursday at 12:54 p.m., the Bellefontaine Police Department responded to the scene of a one-vehicle traffic crash.

Victor Stover, 51, of 125 Abbey Lane, reported that his brakes failed as he was trying to negotiate a turn from Main Street onto Ingalls Avenue. According to Stover, he attempted to engine-brake to slow the vehicle, but was unable to successfully negotiate the turn and struck the utility pole.

An officer did check the brake pedal and found it went smoothly to the floor without resistance.

Stover was cited for driving an unsafe vehicle. His Chevrolet S-10 suffered severe damage.

On Wednesday, a deputy of the Logan County Sheriff's Office issued a summons to Janet Turner, 43, of 4000 Alpine Parkway, Zanesfield, for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

Turner readily admitted to occasionally using marijuana and growing it for personal use. She turned over all plants and paraphernalia willingly and without incident.

Also on Wednesday at 4000 Alpine Parkway, the deputies of the Sheriff's Office seized five marijuana plants from another lot.

Melissa Dennis, 41, was issued a summons for possession of drugs after she showed deputies the plants but denied using or cultivating them. Deputies instructed her to tell her husband to call them.

On Thursday, Daniel Dennis, 38, was also issued a summons for possession of marijuana after deputies were able to establish contact with him regarding the matter.

At its quarterly meeting, the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $100,000 for the Holland Theatre.

The funds will be used to install a stage lighting system and safety lighting as part of the restoration project. A representative of Logan County Landmark Preservation, Inc. said that the Holland is the only Dutch-style atmospheric theater in the United States. It may be the only one in the world, according to the company.

The approval of funds allows Logan County Landmark Preservation, Inc. to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis.

The Rally at the Peak 2009 got into full swing Thursday night with the Parade of Lights. There were over 300 participants that rode their motorcycles from East Liberty through Zanesfield and into Bellefontaine, eventually coming down Main St. in front of a large crowd.

Listen to Candace Watson discuss the Parade of Lights and the events still to come.

Rally at the peak runs until August 15th.

Check out http://www.logancountyohio.com/rally for more information.

Auditor of State Mary Taylor announced a fiscal emergency in the village of West Mansfield on Thursday.

West Mansfield Mayor Ed Evans requested the fiscal analysis which was conducted by the Auditor of State's Local Government Services section.

A deficit of $226,339 was revealed on May 31st.

"Officials in West Mansfield face some tough financial decisions in the weeks and months ahead," Taylor said. "My office will continue to work with the village to identify potential cost savings and help to prevent future deficits."

When a village is placed in fiscal emergency, a commission is appointed by the state to help regain fiscal stability. The commission is responsible for approving a plan that details solutions for eliminating the specific areas of concern noted in the analysis. The plan should also balance the budget and present strategies to avoid future deficits.

The plan must be approved by the village and submitted to the Auditor of State within 120 days of the commission's first meeting.

A copy of the full fiscal analysis is available at www.auditor.state.oh.us.

The Logan County Grand Jury convened and indicted 13 people on felony charges Tuesday.

Those indicted included:

Justin L. Reilley (pictured), 18, of Lakeview, for Burglary (F2), Arson (F4) and Theft (F3)

Shawn KJ Clem, 26, of Bellefontaine, for Aggravated Burglary (F1)

David E. Mathews, 48, of Huntsville, for Possession of Marijuana (F5) and four (4) counts of Weapons Under Disability (F3)

Christopher P. Yaeger, 32, of Jackson Center, for Weapons Under Disability (F3), Breaking and Entering (F5) and Theft of a Gun (F3)

Michael D. Hill, 19, of West Union, for Robbery (F2) and Possession of Drugs (F5)

Donald T. Hill, 22, of Kenton, for Complicity to Robbery (F2)

Vencil W. Medley II, 32, of Mt. Victory, for Robbery (F3)

Patrick A. Biddle, 28, of Georgetown, Kentucky for Possession of Drugs (F4) and Trafficking in Drugs (F4)

Richard Stoneburner, 41, of Russells Point, for Trafficking in Drugs (F3)

Brandon A. Risner, 18, of Rushsylvania, for Safecracking (F4) and Theft (F4 or F5)

Stephanie A. Miller, 26, of Russells Point, for Trafficking in Marijuana (F4)

Charles L. Rasnick, 31, of Bellefontaine, for Possession of Heroin (F5) and Possession of Drugs (M1)

Emily J. Stidham, 34, of Urbana, for Possession of Cocaine (F5)

The Logan County Engineer’s Office would like to announce that Shelly Company will be resurfacing a couple of county roads beginning August 14.

The construction will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The roads will remain open to local and emergency traffic only.

County Road 23 from County Road 74 to County Road 58 – construction will take place from August 14 to August 17.

County Road 34 from State Route 235 to County Road 59 – construction will take place from August 18 to August 20.

*All work will be done weather-permitting.

The Logan County "Rally at the Peak" will take place on August 13, 14 and 15.

Formerly the Honda Homecoming, the rally now encourages all motorcycle makes and models to attend.

The annual "Parade of Lights" will take place Thursday night.

For a full list of events, click here.

New this year to the rally will be a concert, a movie promotion with actors signing autographs, boat tours of Indian Lake and a special three-dollar showing at the Holland Theatre.

Also at the rally will be Jean Davidson, the granddaughter of legendary bike maker Walter Davidson, who, with his two brothers and friend William Harley, founded the Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand.

Listen to Candace Watson talk about what's new to the rally.

Participants can pay to have dinner with Jean. She is in the area all three days of the rally.

Check out http://www.logancountyohio.com/rally for more information.

The Logan County Fair Board held its monthly meeting Wednesday evening at the Grange Building.

The board was pleased to report a $35,000 profit from this year's fair.

County Commissioner Dave Knight was present at the meeting. He said "I want to congratulate everyone about the fair. It went great this year."

Attendance at the fair was up about 3,500 from last year.

All major expenses for the fair have been paid, other than the DP&L bill. DP&L thinks they can lower energy costs on the grounds by increasing energy efficiency.

There are 26 Livestock sale buyers who haven't paid. According to Treasurer, Bev Cotterman, "that's good". The money that their payments should bring in totals about $27,000.

The board spoke about possibly setting guidelines to regulate free promotional items merchants give away at the fair. Some vendors have complained that merchant booths give away items the vendors sell.

Some of the members of the board brought up possibly having tug-o-trucks come to the fairgrounds next year. A concrete pad is necessary for the event, and two contractors should be proposing bids at the next meeting.

Fair Board President Keith Watson spoke about the success of this year's fair, the controversy between vendors and merchants, and the tug-o-trucks.

The board meets again Wednesday, September 9th at 7:30 p.m.

Two more local youths walked away with wins at the Ohio State Fair.

Emily Overs, pictured left, won showed the winning Oxford in the Market Lamb Show. There were 710 lambs exhibited.

Rachael Overs, pictured right, was selected as the 16-year-old Outstanding Market Exhibitor for Market Lambs. She is receiving a belt buckle from Virgil Strickler, the manager of the fair, and Jack Foust, the vice president of the Farm Bureau.

A local man led a Bellefontaine police officer on a small chase Tuesday evening in the northwest quadrant of the city.

The officer followed the weaving pickup truck around areas including West Brown, West Williams and Rush Avenue.

After the man nearly hit an oncoming car while turning onto Rush Avenue, the officer activated his overhead lights and followed the truck. The vehicle continued onward, and the officer activated his siren.

The truck still refused to stop, eventually taking a poorly angled turn into a driveway on Rush Avenue and knocking over a trash can in the process.

The man stepped out of the vehicle and complied with police orders. The man stated he was home and was identified as Charles Snyder, 44. His wife came out to assist.

Snyder was arrested after refusing field sobriety tests and telling the officer that he was drunk. Vomit was found on the pickup truck's door, as well as the interior.

On the way to the Logan County Jail, Snyder became belligerent and threatened the officer. This continued while he was read his paperwork and booked into the jail.

Snyder was charged with menacing, driving outside his lane, a seat belt violation and OVI. In addition, Snyder's already-suspended license was suspended for one year, since he failed to pay reinstatement fees for a previous OVI conviction.

On Tuesday at 2:20 p.m., a deputy of the Logan County Sheriff's Office arrested Roger Schulze, 57, of Huntsville, on assault charges.

Schulze shares a driveway with neighbors. The neighbors recently laid down new gravel and had a survey done of the property, which included stakes being driven into the driveway.

According to the neighbors and witnesses, Schulze tears up the gravel in the driveway by spinning his tires. He also drove down the center of the drive, knocking over all of the stakes.

The neighbors and another woman were in the process of photographing the damage when Schulze drove his pickup truck to the location and told them to stop. According to witnesses, he then turned his steering wheel in the direction of the photographer and struck her with the vehicle, knocking her to the ground.

Officers charged Schulze with criminal mischief for the damage to the driveway and stakes, in addition to the assault charge.

Four defendants were sentenced and two pled guilty before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor (pictured) earlier this week.

Brandyn Cox, 22, of Columbus, admitted to a community control violation and his three-year prison sentence was reimposed. He originally pled guilty to robbery.

Teka Hoberty, 41, was sentenced to five years community control and ordered to pay a $250 fine, court costs, and attorney fees for theft.

Michael Carr, 27, of West Mansfield, pled guilty to theft and was sentenced to two years probation and a $250 fine, court costs, and attorney fees. His probation will begin after he finishes his current prison sentence.

Sarah Allen, 28, of Russells Point, pled guilty to theft and was granted intervention in lieu of conviction. She must complete a treatment program through Consolidated Care and three years community control.

Jerry Birt, 44, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to non-support of dependents. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for September 14th.

William McKinnon, 35, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to non-support of dependents and was placed on the prosecutor’s pretrial diversion program.

The Bellefontaine City Council met Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

An ordinance authorizing to advertise for bids and enter into contract with the successful bidders for the 2009 street resurfacing program was passed unanimously in its second and final reading. Another ordinance, passed unanimously in its 3rd and final reading, makes supplemental appropriations for the purposes of the 2009 street resurfacing program expected to begin in October.

Mayor Adam Brannon says that the Main Street repaving project should begin sometime around the end of August or beginning of September.

Council also passed an ordinance that separates the Bellefontaine Cultural Arts Commission from the City of Bellefontaine.

Bellefontaine Municipal Court Assistant Prosecutor Dan Bennett made a request to be on unpaid administrative leave while his case is pending. Bennett was reportedly drinking while driving when he wrecked his motorcycle and sustained serious injuries on July 25th. The State Highway Patrol charged him with OVI and failure to control on August 3rd.

Listen to Mayor Brannon discuss recent events in the city, and the upcoming paving projects.

City Council meets again Tuesday, August 25th at 7:30 p.m.

The annual Logan County Legislative Breakfast was held Tuesday morning at Green Hills Retirement Community.

School officials, business owners, and community leaders attended the event, which was co-sponsored by the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce and Embarq.

The featured speakers included Congressman Jim Jordan (pictured), State Representative Dave Burke, and Ohio Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Andy Doehrel.

Jordan (R-Urbana) explained why he’s against two pieces of legislation – cap and trade and the health care proposal.

He said both items would hurt our country’s economy.

Cap and trade sets a limit or cap on the amount of a pollutant that can be emitted. Jordan said this would make companies less profitable. He noted that a recent study done by the Heritage Foundation shows that our congressional district would be the fourth most adversely affected by cap and trade because of our district’s strong ties to manufacturing.

Listen to Jordan's comments.

State Rep. Burke (R-Marysville) discussed his first seven months at the Statehouse.

He said he voted against the recently passed two-year budget because it did not solve many of our state’s long-term financial issues, including school funding.

Burke spoke with Bill Tipple about the budget and creating jobs in Ohio.

Listen to his comments.

Finally, Doehrel discussed a state issue that will be on the ballot in November.

He said the issue would set mandates on agriculture producers.

Some of the examples include restrictions on the size of a pen and the space between animals.

Doehrel said similar legislation in California prompted several ag companies to leave the state.

He urged local leaders to vote against this proposal.

On Monday night, officers arrested Brian Coil, 40, of 1133 South Detroit Street, after he allegedly assaulted Douglas Patrick, 55, at 555 Newell Street, Apt. 23.

Patrick explained to officers that the two got into a verbal argument before Coil shoved a table at him and then picked him up and slammed him to the floor. Patrick told officers that he did not fight back, but only tried to flee to his residence at 555 Newell Street, Apt. 24.

Patrick and the resident of #23 both said that Coil fled the scene on a bicycle. Officers later found him and conducted the arrest.

Patrick was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by EMS for treatment of injuries to his back and ankle.

Jesse Easterday, 17, the resident at #23, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear out of Montgomery County. He was also charged with underage consumption of alcohol.

Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department arrested Henry Hatfield, 51, of County Road 11, for leaving the scene of an accident on Monday.

Hatfield was driving a gray pickup truck on Clagg Street at 5:12 p.m. when he hit a legally parked car. The car's owner came out of her house to observe the damage and Hatfield told her that he was going to move his truck off the street.

Hatfield then drove one block up the road, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Another occupant drove the truck away.

Officers found and followed the truck to the Marathon gas station on Madriver Street. Another unit found Hatfield on foot.

Both occupants of the truck admitted to officers that Hatfield had been driving when the vehicles collided.

Gregory Mathews, 46, of 1082 Heritage Court, was the passenger of the truck. According to police, Mathews seemed nervous but consented to a search of his person. The search revealed a baggie of marijuana cigarettes and a consensual search of the truck revealed an open container of beer that Mathews admitted was his.

The driver of the truck was released without punishment. Mathews was issued summonses for open container and drug abuse.

Meanwhile, the officer who found Hatfield administered field sobriety tests on the admittedly intoxicated man.

After failing the tests, Hatfield was taken to the Logan County Jail and lodged on charges of OVI, driving under suspension, failure to control and leaving the scene of an accident.

Two Razz-M-Tazz students had outstanding showings at the state fair over the weekend.

Chelsea Thompson finished with two wins and a runner-up. The wins came in the Beginner’s Fancy Strut and Advanced 2-Baton contests. The second-place finish came in the Advanced Solo contest.

Rachel Thompson finished with a win and a fourth-place finish. The win came in the Advanced Fancy Strut and the fourth-place came in the Advanced 2-Baton.

Rachel’s win moved her into the “Twirl Off,” where she did an occupational performance.

Several 4-H students from Logan County have won Outstanding ratings and Clock Trophies at the Ohio State Fair. In addition, many others have excelled and placed well in their respective competitions.

Heather Comer -- Outstanding, Clock Trophy (Sew for Others)
Colleen Huey -- Outstanding (Creative Costumes)
Christina Knief -- Outstanding (Clothes for High School)
Paige Atterholt -- Outstanding (Lounging Apparel)
Allison Knief -- Outstanding (Active Sportswear)
Hillary Jackson -- Outstanding (Sportswear for Spectators)
Meredith Comer -- Outstanding (Dress-up Day Wear; Creative Arts, Senior Division; Master Clothing Educator Award finalist)
Morganne Faler -- Outstanding (Mini Meal Magic)
Ashley Wilson -- Clock Trophy (Living History, Junior Division; Adventures with Camera, A)
Emily Jones -- Outstanding (Scrapbooking, Senior Division)
McKenzie Thompson -- Outstanding (Adventures with Camera, B)
Garrett Conklin -- 15th place (Novice A Dog Obedience)
Thomas Stoner -- 2nd place (Novice B Dog Obedience); Gold Award [2] (Rally Novice B)
Christie Dunn -- Gold Award (Rally Novice B)

Livestock

Team

Logan County 1 -- 6/19
Logan County 2 -- 12/19

Individual

Rebecca Wallen -- 4th place
Joel Penhorwood -- 10th place
Mark Wallen -- 12th place

The Ben Logan School Board met Monday night for the last time before school starts. Emphasis was placed on the changes in the upcoming school year.

This is the first year Ben Logan will have the Title I Program at the Middle School. Title I will help students who have deficiencies in reading.

Listen to Curriculum Director Emmy Davis-Smith discuss Title I and other new changes.

The Board approved Kip Orndorf as HS Special Needs Aide, Carol Robinson as Special Education Aide / MS Facilitator of Volunteer Reading Program under Title I, and Cheryl Weidman as a bus driver.

Keith Stoner was appointed as OSBA Capital Conference Delegate, with Susan Allen as alternate.

The Board was given updates from all school principals as well as from Curriculum Director Emmy Davis-Smith and Transportation Coordinator Richard Sidders.

The board announced that Lois Stoll won a teacher of the year award and will be recognized at the next Board meeting.

The next meeting will be held on September 15th at 7pm.

The Bellefontaine City School Board of Education met in regular session Monday evening at 6:30.

Board members approved a resolution that will put a new tax levy on the ballot this November. The levy is a $14.58 million bond issue with a .5 mill permanent improvement levy.

Keith Krieger, Treasurer, explains the levy and reasons for placing it on the ballot.

The state's health department inspected the food service at Bellefontaine City Schools. Winnie Jacks, food service director, was awarded a certificate of merit for excellence in her position. The evaluation was very positive.

The new state recommended special education model policies were passed unanimously at the meeting.

Jennifer Roby, a middle school intervention specialist, resigned in July.

Rebecca DeVault, Jill Payne, and Dennis Showalter will all act as Extra Duty Special Education Coordinators.

Eight teachers will be Intervention Assistance Coordinators. Malinda Daring, and Mary Smith will be at the high school. Martha Marshall, Janice Miller, and Tracy Brady will be middle school IAT Coordinators. Susan Wyckoff will work as IAT Coordinator for Western Intermediate, Desnee Wolters for Northeastern Elementary, and Peggy Thompson for Southeastern Elementary.

Aaron Garver was approved as High School Boys Soccer Assistant Coach. Brian Hogan will be the Middle School Show Choir Director. Jeremy Karg and Martha Marshall will continue in their current positions as Middle School Music Directors. Kelli Lippenga will be the Middle School 8th Grade Volleyball Coach.

The board meets again August 24th at 6:30 p.m.

On Sunday, officers responded to the Comfort Inn on Northview Drive in reference to a disorderly female.

Janell Bailey, 25, of Mt. Victory, had threatened and shoved inn personnel during an altercation.

The manager and personnel involved declined to press charges, but indicated that Bailey was not welcome back at the establishment.

Officers asked Bailey for her account of the incident and offered that she was lucky that the staff did not pursue charges. Bailey then made a disrespectful comment to the officer and told him that the staff was lucky that [Bailey] had not "cut them up."

Bailey was then placed under arrest for persistent disorderly conduct.

On August 4, officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department served Bryce Walker, 51, of 125 West Brown three summonses after he threw a beer bottle at a juvenile in the street.

The summonses were for littering, placing injurious material on a street and disorderly conduct.

Witnesses say that Walker was upset that the kids in the neighborhood did not refer to him as "Mr. Walker." Walker also appeared to be intoxicated.

On Saturday at 3:15 p.m., officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department arrested Donna Organ, 57, at-large, and Jerry Dodridge, 46, at-large on warrants out of Jackson County. The pair was found at the Days Inn on North Main Street.

The warrants were for multiple counts of aggravated arson and complicity to arson.

Dodridge was also charged with drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia after he told police he was in possession of a baggie of marijuana and a bowl for smoking the substance.

During the investigation, police also arrested Connie Abbott, 35, of Jackson, Ohio on a warrant for multiple counts of deception to obtain dangerous drugs.

An Urbana woman was taken to Mary Rutan Hospital after the motorcycle she was riding on was struck by a vehicle Sunday at 5:15 p.m.

Linda Overturf, 28, was riding on a motorcycle operated by Robert Heffley, 47, also of Urbana. Heffley stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of the exit ramp of US 33 East and US 68 North.

Heffley began to enter traffic on US 68 North when he noticed a car coming southbound over the overpass. He stopped again, and the motorcycle was struck in the rear by a vehicle driven by Stephanie Brand, 38, of Dublin.

Brand was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead.

Champaign County has crowned its 2009 County Fair Queen.

Morgan Taylor Ryan received the honor after a five-judge panel evaluated the 13 candidates.

"This is such a great honor," Ryan said, "This fair and 4-H have been a really big part of my life."

Ryan is a 2009 graduate of Triad High School and plans to major in nursing at The Ohio State University in the fall.

After the Queen was crowned, Ethan James, also a 2009 Triad graduate, was named 4-H "Boy of the Year" and Ryann Dallas was named 4-H "Girl of the Year." Dalton Black was named FFA "Boy of the Year."

Several local 4-Hers did very well at the Ohio State Fair.

Logan County seamstresses received 8 Outstanding awards.

They included:

Heather Comer in Sewing for Others

Colleen Huey in Creative Costumes

Amanda Koons in Fun with Clothes

Allison Knief in Active Sportswear

Christina Knief in Clothes for High School

Hillary Jackson in Spectator Sports

Paige Atterholt in Lounging

Meredith Comer in Dress Up Daywear

After three days of clothing judging, Heather Comer was awarded the Clock Trophy for the state in her category. She was presented a silver platter from the Ohio Pork Schop for effective use of pig suede in her project.

Tylor Murray of West Liberty concluded his 4-H career by taking home several awards in the poultry show.

He won Champion and Reserve Champion Asiatic Class, Reserve Champion Single Comb Clean Leg Class, Champion Rose Comb Clean Leg, Champion Feather Leg and Reserve Champion Feather Leg, and Reserve Champion Medium Duck.

Murray also won Reserve Champion Large Fowl and Champion Bantam.

Overall, he won Grand Champion of the Show on Saturday.

The State Fair wrapped up on Sunday.

Sergeant Travis A. Hughes is the new commander of the Ohio State Patrol’s Elyria Post following his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant. Lt. Hughes has been serving with the Office of Training, Selection, and Standards Unit since January of this year.

Lt. Hughes, originally from West Liberty, began his Patrol career as a Cadet Dispatcher at the Bellefontaine and Marysville posts in 1992. After joining the 127th Academy Class in May 1995 and earning his commission the following November, Lt. Hughes’ first assignment was at the Lima Post. During his career with the Patrol, Lt. Hughes earned four Ace Awards (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002) for excellence in auto larceny enforcement.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board today announced that as of July 31, 2009, 994,355 tour visitors have passed through the doors of the Ohio Statehouse since the Capitol Building restoration was completed in 1996. The one millionth Ohio Statehouse tour visitor is expected to pass through the doors in mid-September.

The lucky visitor will receive an Ohio flag that will be flown at the Ohio Statehouse the day of the event. The visitor will also receive a gift basket filled with Statehouse souvenirs and products made in Ohio.

Visitation to the Ohio Statehouse has been steadily increasing with the addition of the Ohio Statehouse Museum, the implementation of audio tour wands and a cell phone audio tour and innovative educational programming, exhibitions and events.

Tours are free and open to the pubic. Guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on weekends from noon to 3 p.m. The Ohio Statehouse is closed on holidays. Tours depart from the Map Room which is easily accessible from the Third Street entrance.

January through July, the Ohio Statehouse has welcomed 55,516 tour visitors. The Ohio Statehouse is expecting to surpass 100,000 tour visitors before the end of 2009. This will be the highest total in one given year since 1997 when 102,834 individuals participated in a tour of the newly renovated Capitol Building.

Snapshot of tour visitors during the last three years:
2006: 60,156
2007: 69,729
2008: 83,906

It is estimated that the Ohio Statehouse is visited by more than 500,000 individuals annually. In addition to tour visitors, this number reflects individuals attending events and performances on Capitol Square, as well as individuals and organizations conducting government business and meeting with their elected officials.

Ohio's Capitol stands at the center of the Capitol Square and at the center of public life for Ohioans. It is one of the most historically and symbolically significant buildings in the nation. Ohio's capitol is both the seat of state government and a political symbol of the state's democratic heritage, spirit and accomplishments as a self-governing people.

The Ohio Statehouse, Senate Building, Atrium Connector and the surrounding ten acres of Capitol Square are public places that tens of thousands of people visit each year. They provide a sense of identity and continuity among past, present and future generations of Ohioans.

The Ohio Statehouse Museum includes interactive, hands-on exhibits that challenge visitors' knowledge about Ohio history and the workings of state government, while equipping them to more fully participate as citizens. Historical artifacts and images tell the stories of those who designed and built the Statehouse and those who have come to serve. Audiovisual media transport visitors to historical events and invite them to imagine themselves as a governor or a legislator.

The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it's where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed holidays. The Ohio Statehouse Museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. Admission is free. Free guided tours are offered Monday through Friday on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Tours depart from the Map Room easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888/OHIO-123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss, for the week of August 10^th through August 14^th:

Monday:

Tuesday:

7:30 a.m. Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce – Annual Legislative Breakfast

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

Wednesday:

11:30 a.m. OHPO agreements public hearing

7:30 p.m. Fair Board meeting

Thursday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

9:00 a.m. Family & Children First Council – Annual meeting – Deer Creek (CORE)

9:00 a.m. Logan County Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Metro Housing

1:00 p.m. LUC meeting (BAYLISS)

2:00 p.m. Logan Soil and Water Conservation District 66^th Annual meeting – S & W office

Friday:

10:00 a.m. CEBCO Board meeting – CCAO Board Room (BAYLISS)

The Commission may also take up and act upon matters that have not yet been brought to the attention of the Commissioners or the Clerk/Administrator at the time of the preparation of this agenda.