Russells Point Mayor Greg Iiams (pictured) is encouraging village residents to use the leaf dumpster in front of the Municipal Building on State Route 708 for the next several days.

Loose leaves or bagged leaves can be placed in the dumpster.

NO TRASH should be thrown in the dumpster; it’s for leaves only.

Leaf pick up in Bellefontaine will start later this month.

Crews will pick up leaves twice in the city’s four quadrants.

Here is the schedule:

October 26th, 27th, and 28th – North of Columbus Avenue and east of Main Street

October 29th, 30th, and November 2nd – South of Columbus Avenue and east of Main Street

November 3rd and 4th – South of Columbus Avenue and west of Main Street

November 5th and 6th – North of Columbus Avenue and west of Main Street

November 9th, 10th, and 12th – North of Columbus Avenue and east of Main Street

November 13th, 16th, and 17th – South of Columbus Avenue and east of Main Street

November 18th and 19th – South of Columbus Avenue and west of Main Street

November 20th and 23rd – North of Columbus Avenue and west of Main Street

Here are a few reminders from Service-Safety Director Jim Holycross:

- Leaves need to be piled in the boulevard or as close to the street as possible, but not in the street or on the sidewalk. Please do not park your vehicles in front of the piles, where the leaf machine cannot get to the leaves.

- No other materials such as branches, brush, or trash can be picked up by the leaf machine.

- No bags will be accepted.

- Remember, by law, the regular refuse collection is not allowed to pick up leaves or any other yard waste.

Fall in Hardin County means crisp air, harvest time, and picture perfect scenery. Below is a list of places to be sure to include in your Fall Tour of Hardin County.

The first stop on your Tour should be The Remington Walk (pictured). Located outdoors on the Ohio Northern University’s campus, The Remington Walk consists of 12 cast bronze statue reproductions by western artists Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and James Fraser. The statues were given to ONU by the James F. Dicke Family and are located along a section of ONU’s Green Monster, a 2.5 mile walking and jogging path. The Remington Walk is open to the public all year long and includes plaques attached to the base of each statue listing the artist and title.

Gormley Park, located in Forest, is the next stop on your Fall Tour of Hardin County. Named after one of the founders of Forest, John Gormley, the wooded 5-acre park consists of many Buckeye trees, a walking path, small pond, playground, plus much more. Just recently, the log cabin built at the park in 1908, received a new shaker shingle roof. Both the cabin and pond with gazebo are great sites for fall photos.

The next place on the Tour is Hardin County’s Old Order Amish country. Along your trip, you’ll see horse drawn wagons, old-fashioned harvesting equipment and fields filled with corn shocks. Don’t forget to also include a drive down scenic Township Road 146, commonly referred to as River Road. The Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance has a new brochure highlighting the area’s Amish communities and where certain Amish-made products can be located. You can stop by their office at 225 S. Detroit Street in Kenton, or print one from their website - www.HardinOhio.org.

Last stop on your Fall Tour of Hardin County is Lawrence Woods, located south of Kenton on County Road 190. As the largest known mature forest in west central Ohio, Lawrence Woods consists of 1,035 acres of oak, hickory, beech and maples trees. A boardwalk made of recycled plastic products makes the trail great for all ages and families. Open seven days a week from dusk to dawn, Lawrence Woods is ideal for a leisurely walk on any fall day.

Whether you choose to make your Fall Tour of Hardin County a day trip or plan it over a series of days, we hope you enjoy the season. For more information about the areas listed, visit the Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance website at www.HardinOhio.org or call 419-673-4131.

The National FFA Organization has selected local student Kathleen Seeley, a member of the Benjamin Logan HS FFA Chapter, to participate in the National FFA Agriscience Fair program.

The event will be held during the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from October 21st-24th. More than 400 participants from across the nation will defend their projects against other entries for judging in 20 divisions. Four divisions divide students by grades 7-12 in the categories of biochemistry/microbiology/food science; botany; engineering; environmental science; and zoology.

Kathleen’s project, “A Study of Nannochloropsis Salina”, will be on display at the convention in the National FFA Agriscience Fair area of the Indiana Convention Center.

Residents of Perry Township packed the East Liberty Lodge Thursday night as the six candidates for the two vacant Township Trustee positions gathered for a Meet the Candidates night sponsored by the Perry Township Events Committee.

Citizens of Perry Township will vote to fill the two vacancies in the upcoming November election.

The six candidates include a pair of incumbents, Merle Ackley and Jeff Rosebrook as well as four newcomers, John Brose, Tim Eubanks, Brian Tracey and Okey Havens.

The meeting began with statements from each of the six candidates regarding why they want to run for Township Trustee and the rest of the approximately hour-long session saw candidates field questions from Perry Township citizens.

Questions ranged from the duties of a trustee to whether or not the candidates would still run if the position were unpaid.

“Our top priority as trustees are the roads and the fire department,” Brose said.

“Basically, we’re here to do whatever you need us to do, as long as finances will allow it,” Tracey said.

All candidates said fiscal responsibility is a top priority. Perry Township generates an average revenue of approximately one million dollars a year. The township has a cash balance of three million dollars.

Listen as current Township Trustee Gary Baker talks about the importance of an event like this, what he tries to do as a trustee, and the importance of all trustees to err on the side of fiscal responsibility.

It stands to reason that money and budgets would be at the forefront of this trustee election; Perry Township is trying to pass a pair of levies in the upcoming election.

The first levy is a four mill renewal levy for the Fire Department and EMS squad. The second levy is a new one mill levy for the general fund.

The township, however, is not attempting to renew the one mill cemetery levy or the one mill park levy because, according to Ackley, “the township has all the money it needs in those funds.”

By law, townships cannot shift money allocated to a particular fund for use towards another fund.

According to literature passed out at the meeting, township residents will see a one mill reduction if both levies are successfully passed.

Township Trustees meet on the second Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the community room.

An alert Zanesfield resident helped the Logan County Sheriff’s Office catch three teenage boys that were breaking into several cars overnight.

The resident saw people running in an alley behind Firehouse Pizza around one o’clock this morning.

Moments later, deputies stopped a vehicle on Township Road 55 just south of County Road 10.

Dylan Ridge, 17, of 8933 State Route 273 West, Belle Center, Paul Scales, 17, of 6238 County Road 29, West Liberty, and Derek Schmit, 16, of 4024 County Road 55, Bellefontaine, were each charged with curfew violation and theft.

The boys reportedly took cell phone chargers, cigarettes, a sledgehammer, and a bag of candy from the cars.

They were released to their parents.

If your vehicle was entered overnight, contact the sheriff’s office at 592-5731.

The State Highway Patrol assisted the sheriff’s office.

The Second Annual West Mansfield Fall Festival will be held Saturday October 17 and will feature hayrides through the town, craft and food vendors, homemade baked goods, scarecrow building, face painting, fortune readings and more.

The festival will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m.

The festival will also feature a chili cook-off and cornhole tournament. Awards will be given out for the hottest, best of show and most original chili.

Entries for the chili cook-off need to be at the Conservation Clubhouse by 11:00 a.m. with judging starting at noon.

The double-elimination cornhole tournament costs $10.00 for each two-person team and registrations can be made by calling 937-407-9458.

Saturday will also feature the first annual West Mansfield Haunted Trail. The trail opens at dark and will remain open until midnight.

Admission into the trail is $7.00.

All proceeds from the festival and haunted trail go to West Mansfield Fireworks.

The Bellefontaine Police Department arrested a city man on multiple drug-related charges last night around 11:45.

Donovan Boddie, 23, of 529 East Brown Avenue, was stopped while walking in the 100 block of North Main Street.

He was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and illegal use of drug paraphernalia.

Officers stopped Boddie because he was acting “suspiciously”.

He was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The Indian Joint Fire District responded to Indian Lake Elementary just after six o’clock this morning.

Firefighters report that a geothermal compressor in a storage room overheated.

The compressor is located in the new building’s duct work.

No one was injured, and fire crews were on scene for about 45 minutes.

The incident did not affect classes.

The Lakeview Fire Department and Indian Lake EMS also responded.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has expanded its H1N1 call center hours.

Until further notice, the ODH H1N1 toll-free information line – 1-866-800-1404 – will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer questions from the public about influenza and the vaccine.

Also, ODH added an H1N1 vaccine-registration component to its Web site at http://www.odh.ohio.gov.

Ohioans with Internet access can logon and register to receive e-mail notifications about vaccine availability at clinics in their area.  In addition to public and retail clinics listed on the ODH Web site, private medical providers will receive supplies of vaccine, so Ohioans are encouraged to check with their doctor about availability. The pre-registration feature on the Web site will also allow Ohioans to fill out the information necessary to receive a vaccine. Those individuals who pre-register will be able to bypass the registration process when going to receive a vaccine from a clinic or medical practitioner.

ODH reminds Ohioans that vaccine has arrived, and additional quantities will be coming to the state in the coming weeks and months, but that H1N1 vaccinations continue to be prioritized for high-risk groups including pregnant women; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.

The Logan County Health District will receive 30,000 vaccines soon.

Thanks to a federal grant, the vaccines will be free.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested three local men during a drug bust in DeGraff late yesterday afternoon.

Brandon Barker (pictured left), 28, of 555 Newell Street, Apt. 30, Bellefontaine, and Brian Scherer (pictured right), 37, of 166 Miami Avenue, Bellefontaine, were each charged with trafficking in drugs  (fourth-degree felony) after a traffic stop on County Road 63 just south of State Route 508.

Detectives then arrested Brice Rayles (pictured below), 32, of 111 North Boggs Street, DeGraff, at his residence.

Rayles was charged with drug abuse and trafficking in drugs.

Deputies recovered an undisclosed amount of cash, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.

All three men were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The Logan County Fair Board was just one member short of having a full 2/3 attendance to be able to vote on Wednesday night. Among those not in attendance included Fair Board President Keith Watson.

Although no official decisions could be made at the meeting, discussions were still held on certain issues on the agenda; including a concern brought about by the promoter for April’s demolition derby.

The promoter wanted to bring in his own vendors to this year’s derby because he felt that last year’s did not have enough food for the 5,000 in attendance.

Vice President Skip Jackson presided over the meeting in Watson’s absence and said, “We really, really want to take care of the food concessions, and let him handle basically the rest of the derby.”

The fair makes money off of the vendors at the derby and can lose money if the promoters disagree with the decision.

The promoter even commented on changing his venue if the board refused to cooperate. “He could go to other places, but I really, really don’t think he wants to. It’s his option of course, but he likes it here. We treat him right and that’s why we want him back,” Jackson said.

Listen to Vice President Skip Jackson talk about the concern with the derby and threats that the promoter could take his business elsewhere.

The board meets again on November 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Ohio Hi-Point Career Center’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) held officer elections and attended a regional meeting recently.

The school’s chapter elected the following to officer positions:

President-Cody Bell, Bellefontaine High School, Senior Information Technology
Vice President-Ashleigh Grimes, Indian Lake High School, Senior Business Administration Technology
Secretary-Alyssa Prickett, Riverside High School, Senior Business Administration Technology
Treasurer-Kelly Kale, Marysville High School, Senior Business Administration Technology
Historian-Roger Skeen, Benjamin Logan High School, Senior Information Technology
Parliamentarian-David Williams, Bellefontaine High School, Senior Information Technology
Regional Representatives-Shelby Shafer, West Liberty-Salem High School, Junior Information Technology; Ashley Bisel, Triad High School, Senior Business Administration Technology; April Harp, Kenton High School, Senior Administrative Office Specialist

At the regional meeting, Shelby Shafer, a junior information technology student, was elected as the region’s secretary. The regional officers serve in region 16, representing Hi-Point, Benjamin Logan High School, Millstream Career Center, Apollo Career Center, Vantage Career Center and Lima Senior High School BPA chapters.

Tensions ran high Tuesday night at the Holland Theatre as Louie Vito and partner Chelsie Hightower’s fate was left in the hands of voters a night removed from tallying a 16 performing the two-step on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

The drama continued to build throughout the course of the show as couple after couple not named Louie and Chelsie were pushed through to next week.

Finally, for the second time in three weeks, it was revealed that Louie and Chelsie were in the bottom three, this time joining Chuck Liddell and Aaron Carter.

Louie fans at the Holland and beyond, however, were able to let out a raucous cheer and a gigantic sigh of relief when it was finally announced that Louie and Chelsie were sticking around for another week.

Listen as Kris Swisher talks about the feeling inside the Holland during the show and what Louie and Chelsie need to work on as they prepare for next week.

After Vito was announced safe attention then turned to the bottom two, Carter and Liddell. After a dramatic pause it was revealed that Chuck Liddell was the next contestant to be dismissed from the show.

Liddell, like Vito, performed the two-step Monday night and earned a score of 17.

It does not get any easier for Louie and Chelsie next week though as the couple will be forced to learn, not just one, but a pair of dances.

As always, fans can head out to the Holland Theatre for the Vote for Louie party. Admission is only $5 and a single ticket is good for admission to both shows.

Listen to Lou Vito’s interview from the Morning Show earlier Wednesday

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

A rural Bellefontaine couple that was charged in April for running a meth lab was sentenced.

Dustin Eisenhut (pictured), 36, was sentenced to three years in prison for illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacturing of drugs. His driver’s license was suspended for one year. He was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine, restitution, and court costs.

Eisenhut’s girlfriend, Amy Cavanaugh, 32, was sentenced to two years in prison for endangering children. She was ordered to pay restitution and court costs.

Yul Walker, 42, of Columbus, was sentenced to eight months in prison for violating his community control. His original sentence was trafficking in drugs.

Dustin Oakley, 19, of Lakeview, pled guilty to breaking and entering and Roger Lattimer, 45, of Belle Center, pled guilty to DUI. Presentence investigations were ordered and sentencings are scheduled for November 16th.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a rollover injury accident on Route 68 north of County Road 57 this morning around 2:30.

Troopers report that Donald Eagy, Jr., 46, of 204 North Sandusky Street, Rushsylvania, was driving a ‘96 Dodge Ram pickup northbound on 68 when he swerved to avoid a deer, then went off the left side of the road and down an embankment.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS transported Eagy to Mary Rutan Hospital.

He was then transferred by LifeFlight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.

The pickup suffered heavy damage.

The accident remains under investigation.

Watch for deer; October through December is the peak season for car/deer accidents.

Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night at 7:30, with several ordinances to look over.

The first ordinance council discussed was to approve an agreement with Bruner Corporation authorizing grant application for a Qualified Energy Conservation Bond in the state of Ohio.

Mayor Adam Brannon said after the meeting, “That gives us the money to go out and do a lot of different projects to make the city projects more energy efficient.”

Some of the areas included are the waste water treatment plant, the airport and city buildings, among others.

Three ordinances were also brought up about pay raises for city employees. One included department heads and supervisory positions, another for service workers and the last for clerical workers.

Some council members voted “no” on these ordinances because they thought since the city was not doing well financially, they shouldn’t give the money to their workers.

One ordinance included making supplemental appropriations for the Spring Avenue reconstruction, which was postponed due to the cool weather as of late, and fear of a harsh winter.

Listen to Mayor Brannon’s comments on Tuesday night’s meeting.

City Council meets again on October 27th at 7:30.

The Logan County Grand Jury indicted eleven people Tuesday, including a Miami County man that was involved in a fatal hit-skip accident near Lakeview this summer.

Buster Morgan, 30, of West Milton, reportedly struck two pedestrians on State Route 366 near Captain’s Point around 1:30 a.m. on July 11th.

Port Jefferson residents Jeff Gates, 48, and his son, Scott Gates, 24, were attempting to cross 366 when they were struck by an older model blue four-door vehicle.

Jeff Gates was pronounced dead at the scene and Scott Gates suffered extensive injuries.

After striking both pedestrians, the vehicle left the scene southbound on State Route 235.

The State Highway Patrol identified the driver later that day, but troopers spent the last few months putting their case together.

Morgan was indicted for vehicular homicide (M1), tampering with evidence (F3), and two counts of failure to stop after an accident (F3 & F5). 

The following were also indicted:

Roger L. Huffman, 45, Bellefontaine – Rape (2 counts, F1), Sexual Battery (2 counts, F2), Gross Sexual Imposition (2 counts, F3)

Michael D. Miranda, 46, Bellefontaine – Rape (F1), Gross Sexual Imposition (F3)

John R. Clary, 19, At Large – Felonious Assault (F2), Robbery (F2)

Dustin L. Lattimer, 24, Russells Point – Felonious Assault (F2), Robbery (F2)

Robert R. Ratleff, 36, Bellefontaine – Felonious Assault (F2), PRC Notice

Gregory J. Cloninger, 52, Bellefontaine – Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity Oriented Material or Performance (F2), Voyeurism (F5)

Jerome Johnson, 40, Bellefontaine – Weapons under disability (F3)

Robert W. Wilcox, 22, Ridgeway – Receiving Stolen Property (F4), Receiving Stolen Property (F5)

Maurice M. Wilson Jr., 31, Bellefontaine – Receiving Stolen Property (F5)

Robby S. Maier, 27, Bellefontaine – Forgery (4 counts, F5)

Since September 25th, Mary Rutan Hospital has been under a restricted visitation policy as a precautionary measure, designed to minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses that may include the H1N1 virus to hospital patients and health care workers. “Due to an increased number of respiratory and flu-like cases being seen in Logan and surrounding counties, Mary Rutan Hospital is tightening visitation restrictions”, says Becky Nicholl, Vice President of Quality and Risk Management.

Effective October 13th, no one will be permitted to visit patients that are located in respiratory isolation rooms except for immediate family. Immediate family includes parent, spouse or adult children.

In addition, no children 14 years of age or younger will be permitted to visit patients in the hospital, except for the siblings of newborns in the Family Birth Center (FBC). Those children will be required to wear a mask at all times while in the facility and must do so upon entering the hospital doors.

“Mary Rutan Hospital administrators have been closely monitoring the situation and are implementing the additional restrictions in order to further limit exposure to flu-like illnesses and to ensure that the hospital is taking the necessary precautions for the safety of our patients, visitors and staff,” said Mrs. Nicholl.

Community members are encouraged to use good common sense to prevent the spread of germs that may make others sick. Make good respiratory etiquette and hygiene habits a part of your daily routine.

- Get your seasonal flu vaccination.

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue away and wash or sanitize your hands.

- If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze or use the restroom and before eating. If you are not near soap and water, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

- Stay away from people who are sick.

- If you get sick, stay home from work or school.

“We ask that the community practice these precautionary measures and in addition, ask that those that are sick and have flu-like or other respiratory illness, do not to visit patients in the hospital,” says Mrs. Nicholl.

For more information on flu prevention, visit www.flu.gov.

Fact Sheet

Mary Rutan Hospital Visitation Restrictions Include: (additional restrictions)

- No visitation by anyone with any respiratory symptoms including cough, sore throat, cold symptoms, body aches or fever.

- No children 14 years of age and under are permitted to visit except the siblings of newborns in the Family Birth Center.

- All children 14 years of age and under entering the hospital are asked to wear a mask for their own protection.

- No visitors are permitted for patients in respiratory isolation except immediate family members, which include a spouse, parents or adult children.

- All pregnant women entering the hospital are asked to wear a mask for their own protection.

- Visitation will be monitored and may be limited on a case by case basis for the protection of each patient.

- Protective masks and hand sanitizers are located at each entrance of the hospital. If you come to the hospital as a patient with any flu-like symptoms, we ask that you immediately put on a mask upon entering; use hand sanitizer to clean your hands and inform the receptionist right away.

Additional Information

Source: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu.

Do I need to go to the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have emergency warning signs of the flu, you should go to the emergency room or if you are at high risk of flu complication or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice.

At Risk Group

Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old

Pregnant women

People 65 and older

People who have: Cancer, Blood disorders, Chronic lung disease (including asthma and COPD), Diabetes, Heart disease, Kidney disorders, Liver disorders, Neurological disorders, Neuromuscular disorders, and those with weakened immune systems.

Emergency warning signs in children:

- Fast breathing or trouble breathing

- Bluish skin color

- Not drinking enough fluids

- Not waking up or not interacting

- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

- Fever with a rash

Emergency warning signs in adults:

- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

- Sudden dizziness

- Confusion

- Severe or persistent vomiting

A Bellefontaine man suffered extensive injuries in a moped accident Sunday night around seven o’clock.

The Bellefontaine Police Department reports that Russell Hurley, 47, of 417 North Detroit Street, crashed a ‘96 moped at the intersection of North Main and East High.

Hurley was southbound when he lost control while trying to make a left turn onto High.

He was ejected after striking the curve.

Hurley, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Bellefontaine Fire and EMS.

He was then transferred to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, where he was released Monday.

Alcohol use is suspected, but the accident remains under investigation.

The moped suffered moderate damage.

The Holland Theatre caught a country-western vibe Monday night as the community poured out in impressive numbers again to watch Louie Vito and partner Chelsie Hightower compete on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

Louie and Chelsie performed the two-step Monday night and though the couple’s routine impressed the biased hometown crowd, the performance drew much criticism from the trio of judges who awarded the couple a total score of 16—the lowest score Louie and Chelsie have seen all season.

All hope is not lost, however.

Chuck Liddell, Michael Irvin and Aaron Carter each tallied scores in the teens from the judges and Louie fans hope a strong backing from voters will be enough to push Vito and Hightower through to another week.

Listen as Anne Reames and Emily Krieger, who have attended each Vote for Louie Party, talk about how Louie can improve as well as who should be sent home instead of Vito.

High scores were few and far between a week ago, but that was not the case this week as Mya and Melissa Joan Hart led all scores, each tallying a 28.

It’ll undoubtedly be a restless 24 hours for those trying to push Louie through into the next round as they prepare to again gather at the Holland Theatre tonight for the results show, which is slated to begin at 9:00 p.m.

Doors at the Holland Theatre will open Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. for karaoke before the show.

Academics, architecture and energy were on the brain when the Bellefontaine City School Board met in regular session Monday night at 6:30.

15 of Bellefontaine High School’s students earned Advanced Placement Scholar Awards for their scores on AP Exams.

Five qualified for the National AP Scholar Award with Distinction with an average of at least 3 out of 5 on five or more AP Exams: Jason Brunner, Joseph Burkhammer, Andrea Hill, Jamie Patrick, and Thomas Smith.

Two students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award with a grade of 3 or more on four or more exams: Jessica Penny and Blake Price.

Eight qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher: Heather Belcher, Kaileigh Bible, Matthew Brunner, Kirsten Chervenak, Jared Elton, Christian Goodrich, Alexandra Marotti and Rahul Prasad.

Jason Brunner was named a National Merit Semi-Finalist, scoring in the 99th percentile on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Seniors Heather Belcher and Thomas Smith were named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program, both placing in the top five percent of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition.

The school board also met with architects and engineers Freytag and Associates Inc. for possible designs for a new middle school and elementary school.

The elementary would consolidate all of the Bellefontaine elementary schools into one building.  Superintendent Beth Harman says, “Basically we’re bursting at the seams in some of these buildings.”

The school board also is planning on having the buildings very energy efficient. “We’re looking at all of the green technologies that we can possibly use in those buildings.” Harman also said.

The buildings will get the green light if the Bellefontaine City Schools’ levy passes on the November 3rd ballot.

Listen to Harman talk about the buildings, why they are necessary and what is being done for energy conservation.

The board meets again on Monday, October 26 at 6:30.

As part of its restoration efforts, the Holland Theatre will host its second annual Hollandgate Celebration.

The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Holland Theatre and features the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Purdue Boilermakers football game on the 20x24’ big screen.

The game begins at noon, however, the Hollandgate party begins at 10:00 a.m. featuring a Logan County Pizzeria taste-off, an Ohio State pep rally with special guests, tailgate games and competitions, a halftime show and a raffle of Buckeye memorabilia.

The festivities also include a cornhole tournament beginning at 10:30.

Tickets are available for $20 at the door the day of the game; tickets include admission into the theatre for the game, hot dog, soft drink, pizza taste and a cookie. Additionally, alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

The cornhole tournament is $10 for each two-person team and teams can register by calling 937-599-3687.

Tickets may be purchased at Royer Realty or at the Holland the day of the game.

The Bellefontaine Police Department is investigating an apparent weekend murder-suicide at 417 North Troy Road (pictured).

Chief Brad Kunze reports that Vivian Koontz, 82, and her live-in caregiver, Billy Berg, 54, were found Sunday afternoon around 1:30.

Both suffered single gunshot wounds and a handgun was found inside the home.

Authorities believe that Koontz died sometime Saturday and Berg shot himself Sunday.

The Bureau of Criminal of Identification and Investigation and the Logan County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.

Detectives are interviewing people who knew Koontz and Berg to determine a possible motive.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle injury accident near Huntsville Sunday afternoon around five o’clock.

Troopers report that Phillip Wroten, 66, of Morral, was driving an ‘05 Chevy Silverado eastbound on County Road 37, and Syndi Brunson, 30, of 4925 Rude Street, Huntsville, was operating an ‘03 Honda Accord southbound on County Road 130.

Wroten reportedly went through the intersection and struck the passenger’s side of Brunson’s car.

She was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Huntsville EMS.

Wroten was cited for a stop sign violation. He was not injured.

Both vehicles suffered heavy damage.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office reports that a local man was arrested for firing a shotgun outside his home Sunday morning around 9:20.

Joey Hines (pictured), 25, of 1110 Township Road 179, Bellefontaine, was walking around his front yard after a disturbance with his girlfriend.

Deputies report that Hines was also threatening suicide.

The gun discharged one time, which Hines says was an accident.

He was charged with one count of inducing panic.

No one was injured, and Hines was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The Holland Theatre is hosting another Vote for Louie Vito party tonight and tomorrow night.

The doors open this evening at 6:30, with karaoke starting at seven.

ABC’s Dancing With The Stars airs from 8-10 this evening.

Louie and his partner, Chelsie Hightower will be performing the Texas two-step.

They’ve been practicing since Friday.

After watching, please vote for Louie.

Here are some basics:

First, it’s FREE to vote.

Secondly, you can vote multiple times! Show your support for Louie as many times as they will let you.

It's easy to vote and there are two ways to do it.

Online (The easiest way): Go to http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars. There will be a VOTE link/button. Click on that. You just need an email address and it should let you vote numerous times. Use a different email address to vote even more times!

You may vote online until the next day!

Phone: 1-800-VOTE4-06 (1-800-868-3406)

You can call from a cell or a hard line. IT DOES NOT COST MONEY. You can call multiple times. The lines open at 8 p.m. and will stay open a half-hour after the show ends.

Louie and Chelsie recommend calling as early as you can and as often as you can. If you wait until the end of the show, there is a good chance the lines will be busy.

For AT&T cell phones: text "vote" to the number 3406.

One of the 11 celebrities will be eliminated on Tuesday’s show, which airs from 9-10.

Louie’s sister, Lindsay, spoke with Bill Tipple about the competition.

Listen to the complete interview.

This week’s “In Sync” welcomed Dr. Jeff Barrows, who is a retired OBGYN and the founder and executive director of Gracehaven.

Gracehaven is a safe home for girls that have been victims of domestic minor sex trafficking.

Barrows founded the home in April 2008.

He started studying human trafficking about eight years ago.

After knowing very little about the issue, Barrows developed into an expert.

He’s even done work with the State Department.

There are several forms of human trafficking, including labor trafficking, sex trafficking, organ trafficking, and child soldiering and war brides trafficking.

Barrow says domestic minor sex trafficking is a real problem in many places across the country.

In 2007, Ohio was ranked between the 5th and 7th most prevalent state for domestic minor sex trafficking.

Barrows says this form of exploitation causes these girls to live in constant fear, and they develop a distorted view of the world.

An ’07 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that there were only 39 beds in shelters with staff that specialize in rehabilitation of teen victims.

Gracehaven provides a home and setting that is committed to helping these girls recover.

Gracehaven also enables each victim to work toward her GED. When possible, the organization will help facilitate occupational training.

Barrows says we can help in two ways – by raising awareness about domestic minor sex trafficking and financial contributions to Gracehaven.

You can see more at www.gracehavenhouse.org.

The home is located northwest of Columbus.

“In Sync” airs Sunday mornings at 8:30 on 1390 WBLL and at 8:45 on 98.3 WPKO.

Wednesday, October 14th, will be the first Huddle Day for Bellefontaine City Schools.

All buildings will be operating on a one-hour delay schedule, so that teachers may participate in staff development activities.

The building starting times are: Bellefontaine High School – 8:45 a.m.; Bellefontaine Middle School – 8:40 a.m.; Western Intermediate – 9:45 a.m.; and Northeastern and Southeastern Elementary - 10:00 a.m.

Other Huddle Days scheduled for the year: November 11th, December 9th, February 10th, March 10th, and May 12th.

The Riverside Education Association is sponsoring a “Meet the Candidate” forum for the Riverside Local Schools Board of Education.

This event will be held Monday, October 12th at 6:30pm at the Community Center in Quincy, and Monday, October 19th at 6:30pm in the school auditeria.

Running for three open Board of Education positions are: Donald Klingler, Greg Krisher, Brian Wright, and incumbent Bob Sanford.

The candidates will be asked questions previously submitted by the Riverside Staff. All community questions must be written for the moderator and will be screened before being presented. Only those questions that are related to school issues will be accepted and answered by all candidates.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss, for the week of October 12th through October 16th:

Monday:

 

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

9:30 a.m. Natalie Comer

10:00 a.m. Dan Willoby re: CSEA contract

4:00 p.m. Steve LaForge and others meeting re: Green case

Wednesday:

7:30 p.m. Fair Board meeting

Thursday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

10:00 a.m. Meeting with Progressive and ph7 architects

12:30 p.m. Tri-County CAC – Sidney (BAYLISS)

2:30 p.m. Final meeting on Green Ditch – Union County

Friday:

 

Saturday:

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Fall festival at Logan Acres

 

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.