Indian Lake dedicated its new elementary school Saturday afternoon.

About 450 students, parents, and community members watched a dedication in the gym and then browsed through the 92,000 square foot K-4 facility.

The general contractor was Ferguson Construction from Sidney.

Fanning/Howey in Celina served as the architect and Touchstone CPM managed the project.

Superintendent Dr. Bill McGlothlin and the school board put much thought into the 18.5 million dollar facility.

In 2005, they toured about 30 different building projects in Ohio and Indiana.

Their vision became a reality when voters passed a bond issue by two votes in the fall of ‘06.

McGlothlin says the project came in under budget, but the final numbers won’t be available for a few months.

He said the new building is designed for “community learning” where students from various grades can share classroom space.

Classrooms are not traditional; they’re capable of opening into larger learning areas.

Listen to Dr. McGlothlin talk about the building and its benefits.

Indian Lake Elementary Principal Diane Gillespie, who graduated from Indian Lake, called the building “incredible”.

She said staff members were eager to start working in their new rooms in early August.

Gillespie said students are “excited” to get to school.

She spoke with Bill Tipple after Saturday’s dedication.

Listen to her comments.

The state will pay for 33 percent of the project.

School officials are touting the benefits of the new building, including:

* State-of-the-Art Energy Efficiency

* Exterior and Interior lighting fully programmable

* Classroom occupancy sensor devices

* Electronic direct digital control system

* Technology Room self-contained unit

* Fluorescent and high intensity discharge lamps

* Ground Source geothermal heat pump system

The new elementary is located behind the middle school, giving Indian Lake a K-12 campus.

The new elementary serves about 650 students. The building is designed to serve up to 775.

The state will likely demolish the Huntsville and Lakeview Elementary buildings later this year.

A 1912 cornerstone from the Huntsville building was on display in the main lobby of the new elementary building Saturday.

Huntsville was built in 1912 and Lakeview was built in 1929.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) reports that the Logan County Sheriff’s Office has received $224,760 in funding through a competitive grant program to support crime reduction and prevention services.

The federal funds, made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, were allocated through the Department of Justice (DOJ) Recovery Act Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Program.

“This is a critical investment in the safety and well-being of Logan County residents,” Brown said. “The economic downturn should not undermine the security of our communities. These funds will help keep Logan County safe while creating or retaining jobs in the process.”

The economic downturn has caused many counties to slash funding for critical law enforcement programs.  These recovery funds will be used to create new jobs and enhance information sharing capabilities.

The economy caused the Logan County Sheriff’s Office to cut its staff by more than 40 employees over the last year.

The Logan County Grand Jury handed down 10 indictments during a recent session on September 8th.

The list of the indicted:
Greg Knippen, 35, Bellefontaine - Rape (F1), Sexual Battery (F3)

David Mathews, 48, Huntsville - four counts Weapon under Disability (F3), four counts Gun Specs, Posession of Drugs (F5)

Cody R. Predmore, 18, Bellefontaine - Burglary (F3)

Sarah Lease, 25, Russells Point - Burglary (F4)

James Board, 41, Lakeview - Gross Sexual Imposition (F4)

Bruce Sarver, 42, Lakeview - Trafficking (F4)

Natalie Brunton, 24, Bellefontaine - two counts Theft (F5), Forgery (F5)

Rebecca Scales, 19, Logan County Jail - two counts Receiving Stolen Property (F5), Forgery (F5)

Dee Brown, 46, Bellefontaine - Trafficking (F5)

Randy Fogle, 27, Dunkirk - Nonsupport (F5)

The Bellefontaine Police Department reports that a city man was arrested on multiple counts after he caused a disturbance at Bradley and Susan Scudds’ 128 East Patterson Avenue residence Thursday night around 11:30.

Eric Levingston, 36, of 817 Heritage Court, Apt. 67, Bellefontaine, went into Scudds’ front yard and ripped a flag pole out of the ground.

After Mr. Scudds started chasing Levingston, he pulled out a pocketknife and threatened Scudds with it.

Levingston then took a couple of swipes at Scudds.

Moments later officers responded and ordered Levingston to put his hands up.

After complying, he was handcuffed and a pocketknife was found in his left pocket.

Levingston was holding a bottle of malt liquor when officers arrived.

He was arrested and charged aggravated menacing, criminal damaging, and public intoxication.

Levingston was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

No one was injured.

The DeGraff Country Fair kicked off Thursday afternoon with the annual Prince/Princess and Jr. Fair Queen’s Contests. This year’s fair princess is Alaina Heath (pictured left) from Quincy.  Alaina is 5-years old and the daughter of Duane and Gwen Heath of Quincy.  The Prince is Zander Crouch (pictured right) who’s 4 and the son of Zerah and Brooxie Crouch of DeGraff.  The title of Jr. Fair Queen went to Gabrielle Kern (pictured middle).  Gabby is the daughter of the late Heather Kern and guardians Andrea and Jeremiah Carman of DeGraff.

A new contest this year in place of the Queen’s contest is called the Commitment to Community Award.  This is given out to an organization that gives back to the DeGraff/Quincy community.  In its inaugural year there were two entries; the Riverside Powerlifting team and the Riverside Interact.  Both organizations read a prepared essay in front of a panel of three judges.  The essays contained information about their organizations and what they’ve done in the community.  After each presentation the judges picked the Riverside Powerlifters the first place prize worth $300.  Riverside’s Interact didn’t leave empty handed winning $200 for second place.

The DeGraff Country Fair runs through Saturday in downtown DeGraff with several activities and events throughout the weekend along with games, food and rides. 

A seventh recycling center in Logan County was introduced Thursday afternoon at a new site near Middleburg on Township Road 157.

Zane Township Trustees, the Logan County Commissioners, and other community members were there for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Middleburg previously had a part-time recycling site, but it was too small for the Logan County Solid Waste Management District’s new plans to expand existing sites.

The Flat Branch Water Pollution Control Facility was chosen after 9 months of searching for a larger site.

The new site has three large recycling containers and two smaller trash containers. The center also uses video surveillance to ensure that people are legally dumping materials into the containers.

All community members that attended the ribbon cutting received a pay-as-you-throw trash bag, which is what trash needs to be put into before depositing into the trash containers.

Items accepted by the Logan County Recycling Centers include: paper products, corrugated cardboard, and household containers made of plastic, tin and aluminum.

Items not accepted are: household hazardous waste, used paint, used oil, scrap tires, electronics and televisions.

Listen to Logan County Solid Waste Management District Coordinator Alan Hale’s comments about the new site, why people should recycle, and how the surveillance systems are a help to the community and upkeep of the recycling center.

On this very date 30 years ago 64 associates began producing a small dirt bike in Marysville. That little startup was such a successful venture that Honda of America Manufacturing quickly announced plans to build an adjacent auto plant, the first Japanese auto plant in America.

Thursday afternoon Honda commemorated its three-decade anniversary in Marysville with a tree-planting ceremony for associates and local dignitaries.

The ceremony began with a speech delivered by Honda of America President and CEO Hidenobu Iwata and ended with the dumping of soil into the newly dug hole where the ceremonial tree will grow. Iwata was assisted in the planting by local dignitaries including Logan County Commissioner Dave Knight.

“On behalf of the thousands of Honda associates in Ohio, past and present, I want to thank our local communities and the people of Ohio for their support and friendship during the past 30 years,” Iwata said in a press release.

According to Ron Lietzke, Assistant Manager of Media Relations and Corporate Affairs, Honda employs approximately 11,000 workers in the state of Ohio, many of whom work at the Marysville plant.

The plant’s age is not the only thing increasing in Marysville as Iwata announced during his speech the company’s auto plant in East Liberty will be the production site for the new Honda Accord Crosstour crossover utility vehicle.

“We have continued to advance our products,, and the flexible and efficient manufacturing capabilities that build them, to create new value for Honda and Acura customers,” said Iwata, who leads Honda’s manufacturing operations in North America.

“The addition of the Accord Crosstour not only signifies our commitment to the state, but also our trust in the Ohio associates to build this top-of-the-line new Honda vehicle.”

Listen as Senior Vice President Tom Shoupe talks about the anniversary and the new Crosstour.

The Findlay Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a serious injury accident involving a car and two semis north of Roundhead Wednesday night around 7:45.

The wreck happened on State Route 117 just south of State Route 67. 117 was closed for about three hours.

Troopers report that Teresa Cotterman, 41, of Wapakoneta, was driving a ‘95 Buick Regal southbound on 117 when she crossed the centerline and struck a northbound ‘09 International semi operated by James Thetford, 59, of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Andrew Schnipke, 43, of Lima, was driving a semi southbound behind Cotterman.

After swerving to miss her car, his semi went off the west side of the road.

Cotterman’s vehicle came to rest on the west side of 117 partially in the ditch.

Thetford’s semi went off the east side of 117 and jackknifed in the ditch.

LifeFlight transported Cotterman from the scene to Lima Memorial Hospital. Initially, she was listed in critical condition. She was upgraded to serious condition Thursday morning.

Alger EMS transported Thetford to Lima Memorial Hospital. He was treated and released.

The Hardin County Hazmat Team, Alger EMS, USV EMS, Roundhead Fire, Richland Township Fire, and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

Eight defendants appeared before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor recently.

Dustin Eisenhut, 36, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to illegal manufacturing of drugs. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for October 12th.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested Eisenhut after they discovered a meth lab at his Township Road 46 residence on April 3rd.

Kara Anderson, 27, of DeGraff, was sentenced to ten months in the Ohio Reformatory for Women for a community control violation. Her original charge was possession of drugs.

Christine Rhyan, 20, of Huntsville, was sentenced to the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility and five years community control after a community control violation. Her original charge was burglary.

Michelle Brunk, 38, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility, five years community control, and ordered to pay court costs for misuse of a credit card and a previous community control violation.

Tyler Horton, 19, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to thirty days in the Logan County Jail, two years probation, and ordered to pay a $250 fine and court costs for falsification.

Brenda Shields, 36, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to five years community control and ordered to pay a $250 fine, court costs, and attorney fees for possession of drugs and receiving stolen property.

Preston Adkins, 21, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility, five years community control, and ordered to pay court costs, attorney fees, and restitution for theft.

Jeffrey Mowery, 20, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to thirty days in the Logan County Jail, five years community control, and ordered to pay a $250 fine, court costs, and attorney fees for theft.

The weekend Demolition Derby gets closer and closer for the Logan County Fair Board and finals plans were established for the event at Wednesday’s meeting in the Grange Building.

The admission for Saturday’s event was set for $10 for all attendees by the board; only the derby drivers and children in car seats are able to get in for free. The demo derby starts at five o’clock.

Storage plans were made for the fair grounds as the board decided to rent the grounds for storage space between October 3 and April 3. Move-in days were set for October 3, 7, and 10.

The Fair Board also received a check from the RDF Production Company, who produced the Wife Swap episode that caused havoc around the fair because one of the contestants was making obscene gestures and using foul language towards the crowd.

The check was for $200. The board decided to return the check, along with a letter stating their disapproval of the company and as Board President Keith Watson says, “In our opinion, 200 bucks does not cover our heartache and headache for that.”

Listen to Fair Board President Keith Watson talk to Ashleigh Klinger about final plans for the demolition derby, admission prices, storage plans, and returning RDF’s check.

The Fair Board will meet again on Wednesday, October 14th at 7:30 p.m.

The Nancy J. Knight School of Nursing at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center had 67 students receive diplomas last week in its practical nursing program at a ceremony in Marysville High School’s Alumni Hall.

The school started in 1982, growing to include daytime and evening classes and branch campuses in Marysville and Urbana. Plans are currently in progress to start a branch campus in Hardin County.

Students who graduated included:

Day Class:
Roberta L. Brown-Bellefontaine
Angelena Burnes-Marysville
Heather Burton-Bellefontaine
Levi Carpenter-Middleburg
Ann Marie Coyle-Bellefontaine
Deborah Craig-Ridgeway
James H. Davis-Richwood
Vilma Diaz-Huntsville
Zane Fitzpatrick-Bellefontaine
Nicki R. Flesher-Bellefontaine
Kaitlyn M. Harshfield-Mt. Victory
Deb Jones-Forest
Amy Lockwood-West Liberty
Sara Lyon-St. Paris
Amy McKinniss-LaRue
Jody Meeker-Marysville
Alberta Mensah Gasu-Columbus
Megan Miller-North Lewisburg
Tamara L. Moore-Belle Center
Annette G. Organ-Bellefontaine
Ashley M. Risner-Bellefontaine
Misty L. Ross-Russells Point
Jamie Russell-Urbana
Abby Jo Shepard-North Lewisburg
Becky Shonk-Belle Center
Tiffany L. Slone-Kenton
Jessica M. Sutton-Cable
Crystal D. Sylvia-Lewistown
Ashley R. Waddle-Milford Center
Heather L. Winn-Marysville
Diana M. Zimmerman-North Lewisburg

Evening Class
Crystal A. Bowles-Lewistown
LeAnn N. Brunson-Bellefontaine
Laura Cordle-Marysville
Jason Walter Daum-Marysville
Nicole A Fulkerson-Bellefontaine
Gretchen D. Heuberger-Kenton
Gaynell Hillard-Hilliard
Cindy Knotts-Woodstock
Jennifer E. Mohr-DeGraff
Heather N. Reisinger-Springfield
Kelly L. Rowe-Belle Center
Brandy Todd-Lakeview

Marysville Class
Jennifer J. Bell-Bellefontaine
Karrie L. Erickson-Marysville
Beene Gregg-Dublin
Michael E. Hayslip-Marysville
Kelly L. Hoy-Waldo
Patricia E. Madison, LPN-Marysville
Tracy L. Mannasmith-Richwood
Traci Michelle Napper-Marysville
Courtney M. Rhodes-Lima
Deborah A. Slone-Marysville

Urbana Class
Mark A. Cloud, LPN-Springfield
Sasha N. Farmer-Mechanicsburg
Sarah E. Fent-Urbana
Vicki L. Finnerty-Lewistown
Angelique M. Fisher-Urbana
Lindsey J. Height-Belle Center
Alisia Michelle Jarnagin-St. Paris
Misty M. Jones, LPN-West Liberty
Melisa A. Keeney-Springfield
Nicole M. Kizer-Urbana
Brittany J. McDonald-Bellefontaine
Stacy M. Miller-Mechanicsburg
Megan E. Rodgers-North Lewisburg
Mary A. Swank-Springfield

The City of Bellefontaine is sponsoring two community clean-up days for city residents.

The first will be Saturday, September 12th from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. It will be located on Railroad St. between North Troy Rd. and West St.

The second will be Saturday, September 26th from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The location will be announced later.

These events are being provided as part of an effort to clean up the community by allowing residents to dispose of excess junk at no cost. Residents need to arrange for getting the items to the collection points during the collection periods.

Items that will be accepted are:

Household goods and appliances, furnishings, carpets, construction materials/debris, scrap metals, etc.

Items not accepted include:

Tires, batteries, paints, oils, TVs, electronics, computers, etc.

The Logan County Solid Waste Management District will staff the CHARM center for extended hours to take hard to recycle materials during these events (regular fees apply). If you have questions, contact their office at 599-1253.

If you’re interested in volunteering, call the city administration at 592-4376.

The meeting itself was routine, what transpired after, however, was not and to blink would mean that one would have missed almost completely the Bellefontaine City Council meeting Tuesday night.

In very brief fashion the group unanimously passed a pair of ordinances that removes the Cultural Arts Commission from under the umbrella of the Parks and Recreation Department and makes the commission its own separate entity.

The latter ordinance is a property acquisition renewal agreement with the Ohio Department of Public Safety that allows the city to utilize properties or utilities no longer being used by state or federal government.

The real fireworks though did not occur until moments after the meeting was adjourned when Barbara Homan, 300 East Chillicothe  Ave., apologized profusely for having missed her opportunity to speak during the meeting and requested to address the council regarding a pair of run-down houses near her home on Chillicothe.

Though Council President Richard Vicario told them they were not obligated to, the council listened to Homan plead her case regarding the house, citing foul smells, missing windows and holes in the roof.

Listen to Mayor Brannon discuss the new ordinances and the housing issue on Chillicothe.

This latest complaint from Homan to the board comes on the heels of the last council meeting when several citizens, including Council President Vicario, voiced concerns about a separate residence located on Chillicothe.

After Homan spoke for several minutes regarding the house, brief discussion from council concluded the topic would be placed in the minutes for the next council meeting, which will be held September 22nd at 7:30 p.m.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland along with the ScottsMiracle-Gro Company announced Tuesday plans to grow the company's 1,500-associate campus located in Marysville; Scotts is expanding its existing manufacturing plant and recently broke ground on a new office building to accommodate future growth.

Scotts also announced Tuesday it has purchased a new 550,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility in Orrville, Ohio.

1,500 of the more than 8,000 Scotts associates are currently employed at the 730-acre Marysville campus which serves as the headquarters for the lawn and garden company.

The combined projects will eventually create approximately 100 additional jobs.

"ScottsMiracle-Gro was founded here in Marysville in 1868 and I am proud that the company's leaders have chosen to expand their commitment to this community and the State of Ohio," Governor Strickland said at a ceremony to mark the expansion plans.

The new office building on the Marysville campus is scheduled to open in 2010 and should alleviate overcrowding in the existing headquarters facility.

The State of Ohio, in an effort to assist with the projects in Marysville and Orrville, included two Job Creation Tax Credits, two Workforce Guarantee grants and a Roadwork Development grant to the city of Marysville, with a total value of nearly $500,000.

Seven out-of-town residents were arrested following a fight at the Indian Hollow Campground near Lakeview (10601 State Route 235 North) early Sunday.

Sheriff Smith reports that a fight involving up to fifteen people started around four a.m. when camper Ryan May, 22, of Hilliard, asked a residence on Daycol Drive (near the campground) to quiet down.

A large fight quickly ensued.

Michael May, 26, of Hilliard, admitted to retrieving a .40 caliber handgun from his camper and firing a few rounds into the air.

He said he feared for the lives of his brother, his girlfriend, and himself.

Deputies found the handgun in the camper and gathered the shell casings nearby.

Ryan and Michael May were each charged with public intoxication.

Five adults from the nearby residence on Daycol Drive were arrested.

Michael Hild, 22, of Dayton, and Anthony Matheny, 24, of Dayton, were each charged with criminal damaging and public intoxication.

Alex Achs, 20, of Vandalia, was charged with criminal damaging.

Blaine Clark, 42, of Tipp City, was charged with public intoxication and obstruction.

Blaine Clark, Jr., 20, of Huber Heights, was charged with obstruction.

All seven were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The Russells Point Police Department, Washington Township Police Department, and the State Highway Patrol also responded.

No one was seriously injured.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a T-Bone crash at the intersection of Route 68 and County Road 57 Tuesday morning around 7:40.

No one was injured, but the accident closed Route 68 for over an hour.

Troopers report that Trevor Brisson, 16, of Huntsville, was driving a ‘96 Dodge Neon eastbound on 57 and Jacob Jacobs, 25, of Cable, was operating an ‘07 Chevy van northbound on 68.

Brisson reportedly pulled from the stop sign and struck the driver’s side of the van.

The van came to rest on the driver’s side.

Brisson and Jacobs were each wearing their seat belt.

Both vehicles suffered heavy damage.

Brisson was cited for failure to yield from a stop sign.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS assisted at the scene.

United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is encouraging applications from Ohioans seeking nomination from his office to U.S. Military Service Academies for the 2010-2011 academic year. Applications are due to Brown’s office by October 1st, 2009.

“It’s my honor to nominate young Ohioans for admission to our nation’s service academies,” said Brown. “These academies develop leaders as they prepare to serve our country as military officers.”

Each year, Senator Brown nominates up to ten students for each service academy requiring congressional recommendations. These include the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Merchant Marine Academy.

Interested students who meet the eligibility requirements should request an application through Brown’s Web site at www.brown.senate.gov. The completed application must be sent to Brown’s Cleveland office no later than October 1st, 2009. The application process is time-intensive so applicants should plan well in advance.

Brown appoints a committee of active and retired military and community leaders to review the applications. Brown may only recommend a maximum of ten students for each of the academies. More information is available online at http://brown.senate.gov/ohio/students/academy/ or by calling Senator Brown’s Academy Coordinator at the Cleveland office (888) 896-6446.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a serious motorcycle accident near West Liberty Sunday afternoon around 3:30.

Troopers report that an ‘06 Harley-Davidson driven by Randall Trimmer, 58, of South Vienna, crashed near the intersection of Route 68 and State Route 507.

Trimmer, who was southbound on 68, lost control trying to avoid a stopped southbound vehicle that was waiting to make a left turn onto 507.

The bike went off the right side of 68 and overturned, striking a parked 1999 Honda Accord.

Trimmer and his wife, Catherine, 51, were ejected.

LifeFlight transported both of them from the scene to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

A nursing supervisor says both of them are listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

David Lapp, 69, of West Liberty, was a passenger in the front seat of the Accord.

As a precaution, he was taken to Mercy Memorial Hospital in Urbana.

The patrol did not release the name of the driver that was turning from 68 onto 507.

Their vehicle was not struck.

West Liberty Fire and EMS, Urbana Fire and EMS, and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

The Bellefontaine Fire Department responded to a shed fire at Mark Mitchell’s 325 Ludlow Road residence Saturday morning around eleven o’clock.

The fire did extensive damage to the shed and a lawn tractor.

Assistant Chief Andy Fissel says the cause appears to be electrical, but the fire remains under investigation.

The blaze did about $9,000 worth of damage to the shed and its contents.

Firefighters were on scene for about an hour, and no one was injured.

The Bellefontaine Police Department assisted with traffic control.

The Logan County Engineer's Department has announced that crews from the highway department will be closing of two county Roads for construction this week.

All roadwork is weather permitting.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss, for the week of September 7^th through September 11^th: