Early Saturday morning Logan, Champaign and Hardin Counties went on a Level 3 Snow Emergency, but what does that mean?  A Level 3 is the most extreme of the snow emergencies determined by the county Sheriff.  Basically it means all the roads in the county have been shut down and only emergency vehicles should be on the roads.  Here’s the Sheriff’s definition of a Level 3:

Roadway Emergency: All Roadways are CLOSED to non-emergency traffic.  No one should be out during these conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to travel.  All persons should contact their employer to see if they should report to work.  Those persons traveling or requiring others to travel on the roadways may subject themselves to arrest.

Snow emergencies remain in effect until further notice from the Sheriff’s Office.

Longtime Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Ed Wallace has resigned, effective immediately.

Wallace led the chamber for nearly 14 years. He declined further comment.

The chamber board held its regular monthly meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Chairman of the Board Tara Wagner released the following statement:

“Mr. Wallace’s contribution to the chamber, and to the Logan County community, has been appreciated and valued. We wish Ed every success in the future”.

The chamber office and operations will continue to run without interruption. The talented staff will continue to work diligently to fulfill the chamber’s mission and meet the needs of its membership.

A selection committee will be formed in the coming weeks to initiate a search for the executive director position. In the interim, the organization’s executive committee will work closely with chamber staff and assume the responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations while a full-time replacement is pursued.

Questions regarding chamber operations during this interim period may be directed to the following members of the executive committee:

Tara Wagner (937) 935-7700  tkwagner@2access,net

Jeremy Hankins (937) 935-2450  jeremy@jeremyhankins.com

Tammy Allison (937) 599-7003  t4allison@embarqmail.com

Benjamin Logan Middle School students Emily Weidman, Caitlyn Baird, and Jenna Hardin placed 2nd in the S.T.E.M. Robotics Challenge on February 1, 2, and 3^rd at the eTech Ohio Conference in Columbus.

This the first year Benjamin Logan students have participated in this challenge. The S.T.E. M. Robotics Challenge is designed to engage students in meaningful, technological, project-based learning experiences that will strengthen their mastery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts.

On the first day of the eTech Ohio conference, each team completed a rigorous training tutorial that familiarized them with the robotics platform being utilized for the  challenge. At the beginning of the second day, each team was given the complete challenge including the criteria for the final evaluation. During the remaining time of day two each team used their math, science and technological knowledge to design, build, program, and test their final robotic solution. On the final day of the event, each team demonstrated their final solution in a competitive setting. During this competition, each team had time to make adjustments and repairs to their solution in order to improve their overall chances of success.

The following Ohio Jr. High teams were involved in the competition:

Benjamin Logan Middle School, Glenwood Middle School (Canton), Lee Burneson Middle School (Westlake), River Valley Middle School (Caledonia), The Wellington School (Columbus), and Worthingway Middle School (Worthington).

Darla Moore, a teacher at West Liberty-Salem Schools, has been selected by the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (OCTELA) to speak at the organization's State conference in March.

OCTELA was founded in 1957 as a professional organization promoting English Language Arts prekindergarten through college. OCTELA is the only Ohio affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Ms. Moore will be presenting two workshops at the conference. One presentation is "Poetry Goes POP: Poets and Poems for Middle School". The other is "The Newbery Festival: Bringing to Life New and Old Classics in Young Adult Literature". Both presentations are based on educational resource publications produced by Ms. Moore.

Along with teaching and writing, Darla serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Clark State Community College in the English Department. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and a member of ASCD.

The Logan County Engineer’s Office has temporarily completed the bridge replacement project on County Road 142 between Township Road 141 and County Road 2 in Perry Township. The bridge reopened yesterday afternoon.

You’re advised to drive with caution. There is loose gravel, a rough roadway, and temporary concrete barriers.

The permanent guardrail and asphalt road surface are scheduled to be completed late winter or early spring. There are unmarked no passing zones and drop-offs along the edge of the road.

All scheduling is subject to weather conditions.

Law enforcement officials from across Logan County came together Thursday night at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center to learn a little more about identity theft.

Identity Theft Unit Manager for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Wendi Faulkner (pictured) was the keynote speaker during Thursday’s seminar.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States   and has also become the most common, surpassing offenses like theft and drug trafficking.

The reason for its sudden growth, according to Faulkner, is because identity theft is a crime that can be committed both easily and anonymously. On average an identity thief can take a victim for $5000 with a less than 5% chance of being caught, or even investigated.

Much of Faulkner’s seminar centered around what measures are being taken by the state to combat the rapidly-growing crime.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is working with local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to help streamline the process of investigating reported identity thefts.

One of the steps taken by the state to facilitate this process includes the Identity Theft Verification Passport Program, which was implemented in early 2005. This program allows law enforcement agencies to file an identity theft report, that report is then forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office and, the victim is issued a card confirming that they are a victim of identity theft.

Faulkner says that anyone who suspects they may be an identity theft victim should contact their sheriff's office or police department immediately.

Listen as Sherriff Andy Smith talks about the growing problem of identity theft in Logan County.

Listen as Faulkner talks about identity theft and the steps being taken to help reduce the number of identity theft cases.

Longtime Bellefontaine resident and veterinarian Dr. Matt Verbsky has been named this month’s Community Hero.

WPKO and Jennings Farley Funeral Home select a recipient each month.

(Pictured, left to right: Dr. Matt Verbsky and veterinary assistant Holly Van Buskirk)

Verbsky, who graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1982, was nominated for his community involvement and compassion as a veterinarian.

Dr. Matt is a second-generation vet and owner of Southgate Veterinary Clinic in Bellefontaine. He’s been tending to area dogs and cats since ‘97.

After earning his undergrad degree and working in sales for a few years, Verbsky went back to school and graduated from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Studies. In addition, he earned a Master of Sciences degree.

He is a mentor of staff members who are furthering their education in the practices of veterinary medicine and veterinary technician services. He also encourages local students in grades 8-12 with job shadowing opportunities.

Verbsky is a Past President of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association. He has served the organization for the past ten years.

Dr. Verbsky is a member of the Mary Rutan Hospital Board, the Green Hills Board, and Past President of the Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club. He has served in various positions on the committees of the United Methodist Church of Bellefontaine and has been in the church choir since he was a teenager. Verbsky is also a member of the Bellefontaine Encore Summer Theater and enjoys golf. He is married and has three children.

Dr. Matt was presented his award while appearing on Wilkinson in the Morning Thursday. He was joined by veterinary assistant Holly Van Buskirk.

Listen to the complete interview.

Verbsky was nominated by his staff.

If there is a Community Hero you would like to nominate, go to http://www.peakofohio.com/heroes/

We salute Dr. Matt Verbsky for making Logan County a better place to live!!!

The Ohio Supreme Court Thursday dismissed a professional misconduct complaint against former Assistant Logan County Prosecutor Kim Kellogg-Martin.

In a 6-1 decision, the court found Ms. Kellogg-Martin’s acts and omissions in not disclosing the contents of two documents to defendant Joshua Giles in a case involving juvenile rape did not violate her legal obligations as a prosecutor or her ethical duties as an attorney.

Those undisclosed documents consisted of reports summarizing the victim’s statements about the crime during interviews with a social worker and a Logan County sheriff’s deputy.

Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer entered a dissent stating this in his view the majority erred in its evaluation of Ms. Kellogg-Martin’s conduct. Moyer wrote that he would affirm the rule violations found by the disciplinary board and impose the board’s recommended sanction of a 12-month license suspension with six months stayed on conditions.

Ms. Kellogg-Martin now oversees the Logan County Child Support Enforcement Agency. 

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested three local men on drug-related charges recently.

Chad Howard (pictured, left), 24, of 212 Cook Drive, Russells Point, was arrested Saturday night at 400 Lincoln Boulevard, Apt. 41, Russells Point.

He was charged with possession of drugs (cocaine).

Deputies were assisted by the Russells Point Police Department.

Chad Goodin (pictured, below left), 32, of 4460 Township Road 25, Ada, was charged with trafficking in drugs (prescription medicine) Wednesday afternoon after a traffic stop at Route 33 and State Route 720.

Thomas Zwiebel (pictured, below right), 19, of 13172 State Route 720, Lakeview, was charged with trafficking in marijuana Wednesday evening at the sheriff’s office.

All three men were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The arrests were a result of ongoing drug enforcement efforts in the county.

  

The Marysville Fire Department responded to a large fire in the Mill Valley subdivision Wednesday morning around 12:30 at 1287 Cinnamon Drive north of Route 33.

Heavy smoke and a large fire had extended to the neighboring home at 1281 Cinnamon Drive as well, and a second alarm was initiated. The fire was contained by 1:25 a.m., with extensive damage done to both homes.

Scott Akins was found dead inside a bedroom at 1287 Cinnamon Drive. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head and authorities are trying to determine if it was self-inflicted.

Marysville Fire, Police, Union County Coroner, and State Fire Marshal investigators were on scene for several hours.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The members of Russells Point Village Council are going another two weeks without a full council meeting.

During council’s regular session meeting Monday night, members voted on whether or not to fill the two vacant positions on council. After a tying vote between council members to fill the spots, Mayor Greg Iiams’ deciding vote of “no,” now makes it possible for Iiams to appoint one of the positions.

“Some of the council members think that we need to look for somebody and not be so quick to make the decision,” said Iiams after the meeting.

After 30 days of vacancy, the mayor can appoint council seats, with approval of current council members.

The village of Russells Point also recently came out of its state of fiscal emergency after two years of “probation” time to get back into financial stability.

“I think it’s great and it gives you a good feeling that we were successful in [exiting fiscal emergency]. It seemed like a long period of time.”

During the hearing of new business, Mayor Iiams asked council to ease the sign ordinances of the city for Boat Show weekend, stating that the current restrictions were very strict.

“We have restricted what signs can go up and for what purpose, more or less to protect our own businesses.”

Listen to Greg Iiams discuss the council vacancies, exiting fiscal emergency, and the current restrictions on signs in the village.

Council also decided to put the village’s oldest police cruiser into service to replace the recently wrecked cruiser, using the funds from the damaged cruiser to update the old car. The village already had decided to wait until 2011 to purchase a new vehicle for the police department.

Russells Point Village Council meets again on February 15 at 7 p.m.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office charged a local man with drug abuse after a traffic stop near Zanesfield last night around 10:30.

Deputies stopped a vehicle that failed to dim its headlights near the intersection of County Road 29 and County Road 5.

Roice Sheley, 20, of 517 Newford Drive, Bellefontaine, was issued a summons after authorities smelled the burnt marijuana.

He was given a warning for failing to dim his headlights.

Two local men entered guilty pleas before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor recently.

Gregory Cloninger (pictured), 52, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material.

In September, the Bellefontaine Police Department charged Cloninger with illegal use of a minor in sexually-oriented material (second-degree felony) and voyeurism (fifth-degree felony) for reportedly videotaping a young child at his house.

A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for March 1st.

John Clary, 19, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to aggravated assault. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for March 8th.

The Bellefontaine City Council met in special session Tuesday night for the sole purpose of approving the hire of Cale Jacobs as Construction Engineer for the city.

Jacobs’ hiring comes on the heels of the retirement of Assistant City Engineer Roger Brown effective last Friday.

Jacobs, an engineer with a decade’s worth experience, has been working with the city for nearly two weeks prior to his official start date.

Hiring Jacobs as a Construction Engineer instead of an Assistant City Engineer will save the city approximately $12,000.

With only two months to pass a permanent budget for 2010 and a deficit of about $600,000, the city will undoubtedly take all the savings it can.

The Finance Committee, consisting of Chairman Dave Henry, Don Horn and Mark Fissel met prior to Tuesday’s special meeting for about 90 minutes in an effort to shore up this year’s budget.

According to Mayor Adam Brannon, while the city still faces sizeable the deficit, it remains diligent in finding ways to save money.

“It’s like the Jacobs hiring,” Brannon said, ”$12,000 is a substantial savings to the city and it’s going to be cost-cutting measures like this that’ll help us get a budget ready for the year.”

Other revenue-generating measures being pursued by council include renting to Open Range, a local communications company, the space above the water tower to develop a wireless internet system.

According to Brannon, an agreement with Open Range would generate $18,000 of revenue for the city.

Listen as Brannon talks about the Finance Committee meeting as well as Tuesday’s special session.

The Finance Committee will meet again next Tuesday at 5:30. City Council will meet immediately after the Finance Committee meeting at 7:30.

Written by student reporter and BHS junior Jessica Haushalter

The annual OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) Solo & Ensemble event is this Saturday, February 6th. Students who are involved in choir, orchestra, or band prepare music and/or vocal solos and ensembles to be judged and then rated. The rating scale goes from 1 to 5, 1 being the highest. No matter what rating is received, there is no further competition to move on to. Music selections are divided into three classes, A, B, and C. A is the most challenging class. Another requirement for instrumentalists is knowing scales. Along with playing their solo piece, they must also play a scale of the judges choosing.

This years Solo & Ensemble event is being held at Greenville High School. Students from many school districts come and perform their music pieces for judges throughout the day. Bellefontaine High School has participants from band, choir, orchestra, and some individual piano pieces.

If a student is looking to go into music after high school, or be involved in a music-related career then Solo & Ensemble is a great thing to add to resumes. However, any student who simply enjoys music can participate. Parents, family, and friends can go and watch the day’s performances.

Students at BHS said that Solo & Ensemble is one of the best ways to help develop one’s music skills. Despite the fact that it can be stressful and nerve wracking at times, most students said that they always have fun doing it. Participants spend about two and a half months preparing their musical selections. Practices are held during band or choir class time, after school, and many students take home their instruments in order to practice at home. Students can be involved in as few as one event or as many as they feel they can handle. BHS junior Katie Stephens is involved in 6 events, but even though it can be difficult at times she loves music and would not choose to have it any other way.

There are many different types of ensembles that can enter. They include: clarinet trios and quartets, saxophone trios and quartets, brass sextets, percussion ensemble, TTB (tenor, tenor, base) ensembles, SSA (soprano, soprano, alto) ensembles, and many more.

Pictured on top is BHS SSA Ensemble 1, from left to right: Marissa McLaughlin, Jessica LeVan, Mary Langenfeld, Noelle Dunn (pianist), Taylor Mitchell, Michelle Corbet, and Elizabeth George. They sing “Leave No Song Unsung”.

Pictured below is BHS TTB Ensemble 1, from left to right starting in the back row: Ethan Lucas, Michael Bull, Set Mitchell, Ian Fullerton, Alexander George, [front row] Kyle Thomas, Landyn Butler, and Aaron Figley. They sing “We Shall Walk Through the Valley”.

Listen to BHS Symphonic Saxophone Quartet play their piece “Sailor’s Hornpipe”.

Listen to BHS TTB Ensemble 1 sing their song “We Shall Walk through the Valley”.

Listen to junior Katie Stephens talk about Solo & Ensemble Contest.

Listen to senior Matt Fonner talk about Solo & Ensemble and play some of his tuba solo.

Listen to BHS SSA Ensemble 1 sing their song “Leave no Song Unsung”.

A bridge replacement project will close a road in Rushcreek Township for the next several weeks.

The Logan County Engineer’s Office reports that crews will replace the bridge on County Road 26 between County Road 12 and State Route 292.

The work will begin on Friday, February 5th and continue through March 31st, weather permitting.

Although the Cancer Network of West Central Ohio ceased radiation oncology services late last year, Mary Rutan Hospital continues medical oncology and hematology services, as well as outpatient laboratory services through the Ewing H. Crawfis Oncology Clinic which is housed at the Cancer Center.

The leased space allows Mary Rutan Hospital to provide a superior level of physician managed cancer, blood disorder and chemotherapy services, as well as provide space for the continuation of the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program and Cancer Support Group. Dr. Sudhathi Chennuru continues to provide quality cancer care for established and new patients at the Center.

“Mary Rutan Hospital opened its original medical oncology clinic in the early 1980s. Although the location and structure may change, Mary Rutan Hospital is committed to the continuation of cancer services to the residents of Logan and surrounding counties now and in the future,” says Mandy Goble, President and CEO of Mary Rutan Hospital.

The Cancer Network of West Central Ohio is made up of five area hospitals including Mercer Health based in Coldwater; Grand Lake Health System based in St Marys; Van Wert County Hospital, St Rita’s Medical Center in Lima; and Mary Rutan Hospital of Bellefontaine.

The governing board of the Cancer Network of West Central Ohio voted closure of the High Point Center’s radiation program at the end of 2009, as result of continued financial losses due to the deterioration of reimbursement and lack of availability of permanent radiation oncologist physicians.

The Lakeview Village Council was busy planning its water treatment plant upgrades Monday night when the group met in regular session.

Representatives from the Floyd Browne Group were on hand Monday to go over with council members the tentative plan and time table for the project, which is slated to be finished by late next summer.

During the presentation to council Mac McCauley of the Floyd Browne Group outlined where the approximately $2.4 million dollar project currently stands.

McCauley reports that verbal approval from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was received Monday and written approval can be expected by the end of the week.

The project will be funded by virtue of a planning loan from the Ohio Water Development Association (OWDA) at a current market rate of 4.27%. That loan can later be rolled into a construction loan through OWDA at a significantly less interest rate of two percent.

In order for the village to qualify for the two-percent loan, water rates must be 1.1% MHI at 4500 gallons-per-month usage by the date of the first payment, which is scheduled for July, 2012.

This means that village water rates would need to be $31.44 per month at 4500 gallons. Currently, water rates for the village are $24.83 per month. Therefore, the village has about two-and-a-half years to raise village water rates a total of $6.61 per month.

According to McCauley, bidding for the project will begin this August with construction beginning in October.

Council members are doing their due diligence to offset the cost of the project as much as possible. The village is currently pursuing a grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission that will provide reimbursement of accrued interest on the construction loan for one year of construction and the first year of operation. The estimated savings to the village through this grant is $53,300. 

Listen as Lakeview Mayor Ryan Shoffstall gives an overview of the project and outlines its benefits to village residents.

Council will meet again Feb. 15.

The Logan County Children’s Services Board held its second meeting of the year last Thursday. This special meeting was to consider funding needs related to the county Juvenile Detention Center.

According to a press release issued by Children’s Services Executive Director John Holtkamp, Logan County finds itself in such circumstances that the continued operation of the Juvenile Detention Center is at risk without an infusion of funds.

The center serves youth who, despite involvement in criminal activity, have also typically come from neglectful or abusive backgrounds. The social and educational services available at the center have assisted youth to achieve GED’s as well as other goals in accordance with the goals of Children’s Services.

Because Children’s Services regards so highly the work done by those at the Juvenile Detention Center, the board approved last Thursday an allocation of up to $150,000 to the Logan County Family Court for the continued operation of the Juvenile Detention Center for 2010.

The board will hold its next regular meeting Feb. 11.

Two teenage boys were arrested after a chase near Indian Lake Sunday morning around 1:40.

Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof reports that an officer attempted to stop a vehicle for driving off the right side of the road.

Initially, the vehicle stopped. Before the officer could exit his vehicle the driver took off eastbound on Route 33. The vehicle traveled over 100 miles per hour and repeatedly drove into oncoming traffic and off the side of the road. The vehicle attempted to flee from the officer by turning west onto State Route 274, south on County Road 95, and north on County Road 37.

Eventually, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office was able to deploy stop sticks at the intersection of County Road 37 and County Road 130. The vehicle continued for a short distance, turning east on 33 where it became disabled and stopped.

The driver, James Adkins, 17, from Kuenstle Road, Wapakoneta, and the passenger, Raymond Adkins, 15, of Celina, were taken into custody and transported to the Logan County Juvenile Detention Center without incident.

The boys admitted to taking the vehicle from a relative without permission with the intention of going on a “joy ride”. They were both under the influence and neither had a valid driver’s license.

James Adkins has been charged with a felony count of failure to comply with a police officer (fleeing and eluding). Additional charges have been requested for the passenger, including complicity to fleeing and eluding.

The Russells Point Police Department was assisted by the Washington Township Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.

The Bellefontaine Fire Department responded to a chimney fire at Douglas Hoge’s 228 Carter Avenue home Sunday morning around 11:30.

Assistant Chief Weikart says the fire did about $5,000 worth of damage to the structure and contents.

Most of the damage was done to the roof and an outside wall.

No one was injured and fire crews were on scene for about two hours.

A city man has been charged for holding up Gas America Friday night around 8:45.

The Bellefontaine Police Department arrested Eric Stahler (pictured), 35, of 333 East Sandusky Avenue, Apt. 1, Bellefontaine, Saturday around one p.m.

Stahler reportedly walked into Gas America, brandished a knife, and then demanded money from the female clerks.

After the workers were unable to open the cash register, Stahler fled on foot.

He was picked up at Red Bud Hill Apartments (868 East Sandusky Avenue) and charged with aggravated robbery.

Stahler was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

Indian Lake Schools’ staff and students will be hosting a Valentine's Day Benefit Dinner on Sunday, February 14th from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Hunstville Event Center.

The dinner is just one of several fundraisers intended to benefit the Carder family (pictured).

Jodi Carder is a kindergarten teacher at Indian Lake Elementary School. Her husband was recently diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. The Carders have two young sons, a four-year-old and a three month-old.

The buffet dinner is being provided by the Whitmore House. Tickets are $10 per person, no reservations needed.

Additionally, entertainment will be provided by various Indian Lake staff and students, along with a raffle of various items donated by local businesses and individuals.

Along with the dinner, other fundraisers are being conducted during Indian Lake home athletic events.

A quilt (pictured) to be raffled was donated by Carol Ginter and Elva Shepherd. Tickets are $1.00 each. Tickets for the quilt raffle may also be purchased at the high school office.

A bake sale is also ongoing at the sporting contests, with homemade items available for donation.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss for the week of February 1st through February 5th

Monday:

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

10:00 a.m. Scott Coleman re: LPA grant agreement and financial support to Engineer

7:00 p.m. Logan County Fire meeting - DeGraff

Wednesday:

Thursday:

7:30 a.m. Elected Officials Breakfast

10:00 a.m. Miki Minnich, Jim Lange, and Mike Yoder re: Net Gain Services

2:00 p.m. Matt Lonas from ph7 re: Logan Acres Assisted Living

Friday:

 

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.