The Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual legislative luncheon Friday afternoon.

More than 100 community leaders and elected officials gathered at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on the northside of the lake.

Executive Director Pam Miller introduced thirteen guest speakers.

They included:  Frank Giannola, Indian Lake State Park Manager; John Hunter, Acting Chief of ODNR Parks and Recreation; Tony Core, Logan County Commissioner; State Senator Karen Gillmor; Mike Yoder, Logan County Auditor; State Representative Dave Burke; Tom Stein, Indian Lake School Board President; State Treasurer Kevin Boyce; Congressman Jim Jordan; Rex Dicke, ODOT District 7 Deputy Director; Scott Coleman, Logan County Engineer; Wes Dodds, LUC Regional Planning Commission; and Dustin Wickersham, Stokes Township Trustee.

The economic downturn and reduced budgets highlighted the comments from most of the speakers.

The officials stressed efficiency and “finding ways to do more with less.”

Commissioner Core said Logan County is currently operating at 2001 funding levels. He praised county employees for their patience and commitment. 

Despite the lagging economy, attendance at Indian Lake State Park increased eight percent last year.

Outspoken Congressman Jordan (pictured) said bigger government doesn’t work. He discussed the importance of creating a balanced federal budget.

Jordan said the “radical spending” on Capitol Hill will hurt future generations.

Listen to Jordan talk about the importance of fiscal responsibility. 

ODOT director Dicke detailed the many road projects planned for this year.

They include:

The widening of South Main Street (Route 68) in Bellefontaine from McKeestown Road to Pine Avenue. The completion date is 8-31-11.

The resurfacing of State Route 287 from County Road 144 to the Logan/Union County Line. The completion date is 8-31-10.

The resurfacing of State Route 47 from State Route 235 to County Road 32. The completion date is 8-31-10.

The resurfacing of State Route 47 between County Road 5 through West Mansfield to the Logan/Union County Line. The completion date is 9-30-10.

The resurfacing of State Route 292 from State Route 47 to the Logan/Hardin County Line. The completion date is 8-31-10.

The resurfacing of State Route 273 from State Route 117 to the east corporation limit of Belle Center. The completion date is 7-15-10.

The microsurfacing (preventive maintenance project) of Route 68 from the railroad tracks near Cherokee Run Landfill to the Logan/Hardin County Line.

The bridge replacement project on State Route 235 over the Great Miami River at the north corporation limit of Quincy. The completion date is 5-31-11.

Miller discussed several events planned around the lake in 2010, starting with the Indian Lake Boat Show March 5th-7th.

Listen to Miller recap the luncheon and outline many activities planned through the summer.

If you would like to learn more, contact Miller at the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 843-5392.

The Bellefontaine Police Department arrested a city man that was indicted for two counts of rape last month.

Joseph Wheatley (pictured), 21, of 315 1/2 North Detroit Street, was arrested on a warrant Thursday afternoon around three o’clock.

He was picked up at 121 East Brown Avenue and then lodged in the Logan County Jail.

Wheatley allegedly raped a 10-year-old last spring.

Logan County Children’s Services assisted with the investigation.

Bellefontaine City Council’s Finance Committee had several ordinances on the agenda when council met Thursday to make up for Tuesday’s snow day.

The widening of South Main St. was discussed during the meeting. Two ordinances were passed on first reading only, the first to approve the upgrade of the street. The second was to help with the funds in the budget for the street widening. The budget for the street currently does not have enough funds, so council approved a transfer from the new waste water treatment plant funds to the street funds.

Finance Committee Chair David Henry says, “The city can only use their money for specific purposes. We can borrow money but it always has to go back into the account that it’s intended for.”

Also on the agenda from the finance committee was passing on first reading only of a site agreement lease with Open Range Communications, Inc. The company will be able to put a wireless communication antennae on the city’s water tower, making it possible for residents to receive hi-speed wireless internet from Open Range. This agreement will give the city of Bellefontaine $1,550 a month from the company.

Listen to David Henry discuss the finance committee’s agenda items.

A hot topic for quite a few months on city council has been the derelict housing in the city. An ordinance was passed on first reading only to put harsher punishment on those who ignore the city’s regulations on derelict homes. Mayor Adam Brannon said that the first offense is a fourth degree misdemeanor and the charges go higher as the problems are ignored.

Listen to Mayor Brannon talk about the new punishments for derelict homes.

It was a bittersweet event for Green Hills resident Deb Martin on Tuesday when she got her hair cut.

This haircut was different because she donated her 15-inch ponytail to Locks of Love.

This is the second time Martin has donated her hair to the organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss as a result of any diagnosis. Martin first made the donation tow years ago.

She donated her hair in memory of her husband, Bill, who died of cancer.

State Representative David Burke visited Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Thursday to tour the facility and learn more about how the high school and adult education programs are helping prepare students to enter the workforce or college.

Adult Education Director Darlene Chiles and High School Associate Director Shelly Swaney led the tour, showcasing the Integrated System Technology lab and the Nancy J. Knight School of Nursing.

Burke was particularly interested in how OHP is helping displaced adult workers re-enter the workforce and learned more about the high school’s academic and career-technical programming.

The visit was part of Ohio Hi-Point’s celebration of National Career-Technical Education Month

The Logan County Children’s Services Board was talking about its levy Thursday night when the group met in regular session.

Children’s Services current levy expires Dec. 31, 2011 and the board spent some time Thursday night deciding how to approach passing its next levy. The board has considered placing another levy on the ballot as early as this November or it may wait until next spring.

In addition to when the levy should be placed on the ballot, the board also discussed whether to apply for a renewal levy or a replacement levy.

According to projections made by County Auditor Mike Yoder, Children’s Services would receive more money through a replacement levy than it would a renewal levy.

Furthermore, concerns over what will happen in the state legislature regarding Tangible Personal Property Taxes and how they will be allocated has caused some concern for the board—especially if there is a change in the governor’s office.

Because of the uncertainty and the many unanswered questions, the board decided Thursday to table the issue until it has more solid data.

Logan County Children’s Services was recognized by the Western Ohio Regional Training Center (WORTC) as having the lowest staff turnover of an entire 13 county region in western Ohio for a three year span ranging from 2007-‘09. As a result, the WORTC has contacted the Executive Director John Holtkamp for a strategy on reducing staff turnover.

Additional action taken by the board Thursday saw the group finalize an allocation of up to $150,000 to Logan County Family Court to help fund the county Juvenile Detention Center.

Listen as Holtkamp gives a summary of Thursday’s meeting and talks about the new phone system at Children’s Services.

Lastly, the Holtkamp announced Thursday it has rented a booth for the Logan County Fair this summer.

The board will meet again next month.

Details have been announced for the Logan County commodity banquets.

The Logan County Cattle Association Annual Banquet will be held Wednesday, February 24th at 6 p.m. at Indian Lake Elementary School.

The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for Junior Fair Beef Exhibitors.

The Logan County Sheep and Lamb Improvement Association Annual Banquet is set for Thursday, March 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for youth.

Finally, the Logan County Dairy Association Annual Banquet will be Thursday, March 18th at 7 p.m. at the Winner Family Barn.

The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for youth.

Tickets for each banquet are available at the OSU Extension Office at 120 East Sandusky Avenue, Suite 1, Bellefontaine, or from members of the respective associations. For more, contact the extension office at 599-4227.

The Village of DeGraff has issued a boil water alert for residents on Church Street because of a main water line break.

Residents should boil water for at least five minutes before consuming, and will be advised when the alert is lifted.

The water line has been repaired.

Ohio Senate President Bill Harris appointed State Senator Karen Gillmor (R-Tiffin) to serve as a member of the Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee for the remainder of the 128th General Assembly. She sat in on the committee for the first time on Tuesday.

Sen. Gillmor was previously elected to two terms in the Ohio Senate beginning in 1992 and has served as Vice President and Assistant to the Chairman of Huntington Banks. She also has a Ph.D. in Public Finance from The Ohio State University for which she wrote a retrospective dissertation on state and federal funding for higher education in Ohio.

As well as her appointment to the Finance Committee, Gillmor also serves as vice chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee, and is a member of the Agriculture Committee, Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.

Union County Deputy Michael Weaks was recognized on Tuesday at the annual Central Ohio MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Awards Luncheon at the Villa Milano Restaurant in Columbus.

Deputy Weaks received the MADD Award of Excellence for his aggressive approach to fighting impaired driving in Union County.

The MADD Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony honored the most outstanding individuals and agencies who have demonstrated an “above and beyond” commitment to stopping impaired driving in the area.

Weaks has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2008 and has arrested 39 intoxicated drivers during 2009.

The MADD State of Ohio Chapter recognized 30 law enforcement officers with awards, as well as two prosecutors, and one municipal judge at the ceremony.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested two Bellefontaine men on trafficking charges Tuesday afternoon in the city.

Nathan Hinkle (pictured, left), 25, at large, was arrested at 202 East Chillicothe Avenue and his brother, Jeremiah Hinkle (pictured, below), 27, of 216 Ward Street, Bellefontaine, was arrested at his residence.

Both men were charged with two counts of trafficking in heroin and then lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The arrests were the result of a three-month drug investigation.

 

The Bellefontaine Police Department charged two local residents after a traffic stop last night around 10:15.

Officers received a report of drug use by two people sitting in a dark Monte Carlo at 201 Spring Avenue.

Bradley Couch, 31, of 420 East High Avenue, Bellefontaine, was issued a summons for drug paraphernalia after giving the officer a marijuana pipe.

Leslee Gill, 21, of 8688 State Route 66, Ft. Loramie, was issued a summons for drug abuse.

Both of them admitted to smoking marijuana.

Two defendants were sentenced and six pled guilty before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor recently.

Vencil Medley (pictured), 32, of Mt. Victory, was sentenced to fifteen months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for conspiracy to commit robbery.

On July 2nd, the Bellefontaine Police Department responded to a robbery at Gas America.

Medley entered the store and told the clerk he wanted six cartons of cigarettes and "all of her money".

The clerk complied and he fled in a car.

No weapon was used and no one was injured.

Moments later, Medley was arrested after a traffic stop on West Columbus Avenue.

He was charged with aggravated robbery.

Police recovered the cash and the cigarettes.

Michael Hill, 20, of West Union, was sentenced to the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility, five years community control, and ordered to pay a $500 fine, court costs, and attorney fees for robbery.

Anthony Barton, 19, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to breaking and entering, Christopher Yaeger, 32, of Jackson Center, pled guilty to breaking and entering, and Donald Hill, 23, of Kenton, pled guilty to assault. Presentence investigations were ordered and sentencings are scheduled for March 15th.

Milecha Whitacre, 32, of Lakeview, pled guilty to robbery and Jerome Johnson, 40, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to carrying a concealed weapon. Presentence investigations were ordered and sentencings are scheduled for March 8th.

Lisa Daniels, 42, of Lakeview, pled guilty to theft and misuse of a credit card. She was placed on the prosecutor’s pretrial diversion program.

Frances Strickland, First Lady of Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Aging will honor 22 couples for their dedication and volunteerism at the 11th annual Joined Hearts in Giving celebration this Friday. Joined Hearts in Giving honors Ohioans who have been married for 40 years or longer and who are dedicated to volunteering.

Two area couples are among those to be honored at the governor’s residence this week:

C. Forrest “Woody” and Katie Amidon of Bellefontaine have been married for 52 years and have volunteered in Mississippi to paint and drywall homes, teach Sunday school and serve food for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Katie served as the women’s association president of their church for 20 years, worked with Angel Food Ministries and helps with the bloodmobile. She was on the founding board of Habitat for Humanity. Woody has been an integral part of the original Landmark Preservation Board, which has been restoring the Holland Theatre. He volunteers at Kirkmont Center and has served in several official capacities with the Logan County Art League.

JoAnn and John Covelli, Sr. of Sidney have been married almost 50 years. John volunteers more than 35 hours a week at the Agape Distribution Center, assembling or repairing donated children’s toys and furniture, which are sold to partner non-profit organizations. John’s 1,800 hours of volunteerism since 2003 provides a source of income that Agape never had before. JoAnn was on the committee that established the Mobile Rural Food Pantry in June 2009. She assists hospice with fundraising, attends patient care conferences and is a friendly visitor to hospice patients. JoAnn has volunteered more than 800 hours with multiple non-profit organizations in Shelby County. For more than 10 years, JoAnn has prepared dinners at Sidney’s Alpha Community Center supper for low-income families. In addition, the Covellis helped establish a neighborhood watch program.

The Holland Theatre will be celebrating Holland Theatre Day this Friday night with several special events.

The evening will be a celebration of heroes with Mad River Theater Works’ production of “Everybody’s Hero,” hometown hero Louie Vito, as he participates in Friday’s Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the volunteers at the Holland who have worked to remodel the Holland storefronts.

“Everybody’s Hero” will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The musical is based on the life of Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier to become the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. Area high schools have been invited to introduce their baseball starting lineups at the event.

Attendees are invited to stay after the play to watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games from Vancouver on the theatre’s big screen.

Tickets for the event are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be ordered by phone at 599-3687 and may be purchased at Royer Realty or at the door.

The Bellefontaine Police Department arrested two local men that reportedly broke into a home on the city’s west side Monday afternoon.

Officers responded after a witness reported two men entering an unoccupied home at 113 West Street around one o’clock.

Michael Justin, 40, of 440 Plumvalley Street, Bellefontaine, and William Dolan, Jr., 34, at large, were each charged with felony breaking and entering and possession of criminal tools.

Both men were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

Bellefontaine High School senior Jason Brunner advanced to Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program by demonstrating distinguished performance and high potential for future academic accomplishment. Less than one percent of all U.S. students are so recognized.

Jason scored in the 99 percentile on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Following the testing, evaluation was based on academic record, information about the school’s curricula, two sets of national test scores, endorsement by the school principal, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and the finalist’s own essay.

“Recognition of high-achieving students is essential to advancing educational excellence in our nation,” commented a spokesperson from National Merit. “As demonstrated by his outstanding performance in this highly competitive program, Jason represents some of the most academically talented students in our country.”

Jason is the son of Mark and Donna Brunner of Bellefontaine.

U.S. Senator George Voinovich announced that 32 Ohio fire departments have received a total of around $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.

Some of these fire departments are located in the West Central Ohio area, including Logan County’s Ridgeway Fire Department.

Area departments receiving funding include:

Ridgeway Fire Department (Hardin and Logan Counties)-$43,745
Fort Loramie Community Fire Company (Shelby County)-$19,828
McGuffey Volunteer Fire Department (Hardin County)-$20,568
Urbana Fire Division (Champaign County)-$33,915
Southeast Hardin Northwest Union Joint Fire District (Hardin County)-$26,121
Marysville Division of Fire (Union County)-$21,534

For specific details regarding the grants, visit www.firegrantsupport.com.

The Benjamin Logan Board of Education met in regular session Monday night at 7:00. The meeting was kept to a brief 35 minutes, due to the fact that scheduled presenters were not in attendance.

One topic that was discussed extensively during the meeting was the financial report from Treasurer Robert Kuehnle. February’s report showed signs of the rough economy hitting the school, with several employees opting for Benjamin Logan’s insurance policy, costing around $150,000.

Also, the school has been slow earning interest this year, with the past two years earning more than $300,000. In the first half of fiscal year 2010, Benjamin Logan has only made $44,000.

Superintendent Stanley Mounts mentioned during the meeting that a significant amount of students has left the district since the beginning of the school year. Mr. Kuehnle said per student state funding decreases when this happens, as well as when larger classes graduate and smaller classes enter into kindergarten.

Listen to Robert Kuehnle discuss the impact of the economy on Benjamin Logan Schools.

The board approved Mr. Kuehnle’s financial report, as well as three new courses to add to the high school’s curriculum.

All three courses will be one credit for juniors and seniors, and will be: Spanish IV/UP, Statistics/UP and Ag Leadership. The UP courses can be taken for college credit if the University Partnership Program requirements are met.

Benjamin Logan School Board meets again on March 15 at 7 p.m.

The Bellefontaine Board of Education accepted the resignation of Head Varsity Football Coach Jason Brown Monday night when the group met in regular session.

In a written statement sent to the board Monday, Brown wrote, “It is time for me to step down from my position as the head football coach here at Bellefontaine High School. Many reasons factor into this decision, but these two are at the forefront: It is time for a new voice to lead this program and it is time for me to focus my time and efforts in new areas both professionally and personally.”

Brown’s father passed away last month. 

Brown, a 1993 graduate of Bellefontaine High School, was the Chieftains head coach for seven years, posting an overall record of 38-34 during his tenure.

Under Brown’s guidance, the Chiefs won a league title in 2004 and made state playoff appearances in 2007 and 2009.

In his statement Brown expressed his gratitude to the administration, assistant coaches and his players, reiterating his commitment to serving the district both “academically and in extra-curricular activities.”

Listen as Superintendent Beth Harman talks about Brown’s tenure and the process of finding a new head coach. 

Other action taken Monday night saw the board recognize four high school students for their work on a “local heroes” documentary featuring the late Earl S. Sloan.

Cody Bell, David WIlliams, David Thatcher and Nate Dolan entered the documentary in a competition with other student-created documentaries and earned a first-place finish in a Regional Tournament and the students will now look for similar results in the state competition later this month.

Trustees from the Sloan Foundation Board worked closely with the students during their documentary and were in attendance Monday as well.

Since 2005, the Sloan Foundation has generously donated more than $700,000 to Bellefontaine City School to fund numerous areas, including technology services and yearbook.

The board will meet again February 22.

The West Liberty-Salem Middle School traveled to Solon, Ohio to compete for the first time at the Solon Middle School Science Olympiad Invitational on Saturday.

The Tigers placed fifth out of 38 teams.

West Liberty-Salem brought home 16 medals from eight events.

(Here is a picture of the WLS Middle School Team.
Front Row: Jonathan Wolfe, Coach Cameron Spencer, Jordon Wolfe, Nicholas Davis, Elizabeth Hance, Alyssa Kauffman, Dustin Wooten
Second Row: Beau Humphrey, Kevin Olbrysh, Rebekkah Gresh, Sawyer Shafer, Anna Naderer
Third Row: Levi Spencer, Colby Schwaderer, Matt Kauffman, Mollie Etgen, Megan Etgen, Coach Steve Gresh)

Gold Medal winners were:
Colby Schwaderer & Levi Spencer in Battery Buggy

Silver Medal winners were:
Anna Naderer & Elizabeth Hance in Write It, Do It

Ribbon winners included:
4th Place in Junkyard Challenge to Elizabeth Hance and Matt Kauffman

5th Place in Trajectory to Elizabeth Hance and Nick Davis

6th Place in Physics Lab to Megan Etgen and Anna Naderer
6th Place in Fossils to Colby Schwaderer & Levi Spencer

8th Place in Road Scholar to Matt Kauffman and Mollie Etgen
8th Place in Shock Value to Matt Kauffman and Megan Etgen

The middle school will be hosting their next competition at West Liberty-Salem on Saturday, March 6th. You’re invited to attend.

The West Liberty-Salem High School attended the Solon Science Olympiad Invitational on Saturday.

Despite only having six of their fourteen students, the Tigers finished 10th out of 30 teams from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Texas.

West Liberty-Salem earned 19 medals in nine events.

Gold Medal winners were:
Trevor Smoot & John Hance in Physics Lab
Sara Naderer & Bryce McDaniel in Egg-o-naut
Sara Naderer, Bryce McDaniel, & Garret King in Mission Possible

Silver Medal winners were:
Elizabeth Gresh & Dexter Bear in Dynamic Planet
Sara Naderer & Garret King in Mousetrap Vehicle
Trevor Smoot & Bryce McDaniel in Ornithology

Fourth Place Medal winners were:
Sara Naderer & John Hance in Write It, Do It

Sixth Place Medal winners were:
John Hance & Bryce McDaniel in It’s about Time
John Hance & Trevor Smoot in Trajectory

WLS will compete at the Mentor Invitational in two weeks.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local man after a traffic stop on Bellefontaine’s west side Sunday night.

Deputies stopped a vehicle for not using its headlights in the 200 block of Pratt Street shortly after seven o’clock.

The driver and a passenger fled on foot.

About an hour later, passenger Gregory Coons (pictured), 36, of 416 Woodland Drive, Bellefontaine, was taken into custody.

He was charged with drug paraphernalia and obstructing official business.

Coons was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The driver remains at large.

Crews from the Logan County Highway Department will be closing roads to replace culverts in advance of 2010’s Resurfacing Program.

Beginning Monday, crews will close County Road 29 between TR 179 and CR 55.

Tuesday crews will begin on County Road 296 between SR 292 and CR 271.

Wednesday will begin the project on County Road 62 between TR 295 and SR 508.

Closures of these roads will occur between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss for the week of January 8th through January 12th

Monday:

1:30 p.m. Meeting at DD re: turn lane – with ODOT – Karen Gillmor

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

10:00 a.m. Garis Pugh and Cynthia Defibaugh re: LCWPC policy

Wednesday:

8:30 a.m. Leadership Logan County – City Council Chambers (CORE)

7:00 p.m. Fair Board meeting

Thursday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

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

11:00 a.m. Chris Box with Spyglass – Jared

12:00 p.m. Ohio Hi-Point stakeholders luncheon (BAYLISS)

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

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.