The Riverside Board of Education met in special session on Friday afternoon to review the district’s financial snapshot from Treasurer Paul Carpenter.

In revenues and expenditures the district did better than expected, with $122,000 more revenue.

Some funding issues addressed by Mr. Carpenter were that of open enrollment, IDEA ARRA funds (two years worth of funds were spent in one), the decline in income and property tax collection, proposed changes in STRS, and unknown state and stimulus funds.

In Mr. Carpenter’s predictions up to July, he anticipates that the school will end that month with more than $55,000 in the red.

Superintendent Jim Zerkle said the levy funds passed in November don’t kick in for 18 months, “If we wait that 18 months,” he said, “things like new textbooks that we have not purchase in several years, will not get implemented for next year.”

Listen to Mr. Zerkle discuss Friday’s meeting.

The board approved a $200,000 tax anticipation note for 3 years. Members specifically stated they wanted a note that would not have an early payment fee, in case the district could pay it back sooner.

Additional money would be needed for certain expenses during the school year, including: New hires/staffing levels/realignment, future of fees, negotiations, textbooks, summer school, incoming students (IEPs), technology and transportation.

The board meets again in regular session on March 23.

The Bellefontaine Fire Department responded to a fire at a business near downtown early this morning.

A passerby noticed smoke coming from Art’s Garage at 229 West Sandusky Avenue (at the corner of Elm Street) around 1:30.

Assistant Chief Weikart says the fire did about $15,000 worth of damage to the structure and contents.

The fire started in the office area.

No one was injured and the cause remains under investigation.

Firefighters were on scene for about 90 minutes. One extra shift was called in to provide station coverage.

The business is owned by local resident Art Knox.

Written by student reporter and BHS junior Jessica Haushalter

Bellefontaine High School has started a new tradition called “Fabulous Fridays.” The idea is to have everybody do something nice for someone else on Fridays. Then people write down their good deeds on a post-it note and place it on the Be The Change banner (pictured) in the school cafeteria. The Be the Change motto was part of Challenge Day.

“Fabulous Fridays” is an idea that comes from the Challenge Day workshop that BHS had a few weeks ago. Challenge Day took place over three days and involved about 300 students and staff members. Challenge Day was an effort to promote kindness and to end the bullying, teasing, and gossiping that occurs in the high school.

Kristy Mount, a chemistry teacher at BHS, was the one in charge of coordinating Challenge Day. Along with a committee of students and teachers, Mount came up with the idea for “Fabulous Fridays”. Posters were placed around the school to promote the new tradition.

Many students and staff members think that it is a great idea and that it has done a lot to improve how people treat others. Some students said that they thought everyday should be like “Fabulous Friday” though, and that the school should do something to promote niceness everyday and not just on Fridays.

Some acts of kindness that the school has suggested are sitting with people you don’t normally sit with at lunch, giving someone a compliment, helping someone carry their books, and holding a door open for someone. BHS hopes that the “Fabulous Fridays” will be a good way to keep the Challenge Day spirit alive at the high school and create a positive environment for everyone.

Listen to BHS principal Christine Galvin talk about how “Fabulous Fridays” got started.

Listen to junior Lexi Jolliff talk about why she likes “Fabulous Fridays”.

Listen to sophomore Greg Jameson talk about the things he would change in the “Fabulous Friday” idea.

Listen to senior Ethan Lucas talk about the nice things people did for him on a “Fabulous Friday”.

Lamb took center stage Thursday night at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center when the Logan County Sheep & Lamb Improvement Association held its annual banquet.

First held in 1945, Thursday’s gathering marked the 65th annual association banquet.

The Master of Ceremonies for Thursday’s proceedings was Logan County Commissioner John Bayliss, himself a sheep producer for more than three decades.

Listen as Bayliss discusses his history as a sheep producer and the significance of the association banquet. 

The night began with a few introductory remarks from Sheep & Lamb Association President Mike Copeland and a well-delivered invocation from Don Miller, who was later recognized as an honorary member of the Sheep & Lamb Association.

Miller and his wife, Virginia, of Pickrelltown, were named honorary members Thursday night. The Millers, along with their two sons, raised about 700 lambs spread over eight barns a year for 20 years.

Virginia Miller was a teacher for many years, Don served as Monroe Twp. Clerk for a period of time and both acted as advisors to 4-H clubs, constantly opening up their farms for tours and gatherings.

The dinner, furnished by The Plaza Inn, featured lamb chops.

A slew of awards were recognized during Thursday’s ceremony. The 2010 Logan County Lamb & Wool Princess is Ruth Winner. The 2010 Logan County Lamb & Wool Queen is Heather Titus.

Listen as Titus talks about herself and her love for showing sheep.

Breeding Sheep Winners included:

Polled Dorset- Tyler Myers had both champion ewe and champion ram.

Hampshire- Wes Evans had the champion ewe.

Rambouillet- Christina Shotts had both the champion ewe and champion ram.

Shropshire- Mary Evans had the champion ewe; Wes Evans had the champion ram.

Suffolk- Jessica Green had the champion ewe; Shawn Hurley had the champion ram.

Horned Dorset- Christina Shotts had both the champion ewe and the champion ram.

Cheviot- Christina Shotts had the champion ram.

Southdown- Christina Bowen had the champion ewe.

All Other Breeds- Christina Shotts had the champion ram.

Crossbred Market-Type Breeding- Rebecca Wallen had the champion ewe.

Tyler Myers had the overall breed champion ewe and Christina Shotts had the overall breed champion ram.

Kroger announced Friday the winners of its annual “I Can Make History” contest in celebration of Black History Month in February. Winners will be honored with a luncheon and awards presentation on Saturday, March 6 beginning at noon at the Conference Center at NorthePointe, Grand Ball Room of the Virginia Building in Lewis Center.

Among those winners attending that luncheon, a trio of area middle school students. Fourth-graders Kasey Middaugh and Ryoma Kawakami, both of Bellefontaine, from Western Intermediate and fifth-grader Sarah Daulton, of Urbana, from West Liberty were chosen winners.

Bill Hosket, member of the OSU Hall of Fame and Big Ten analyst for ESPN, will be the guest speaker. During the ceremony, winners will be presented their awards and prizes.

This year’s contest, open to students in grades 4-12 throughout the Columbus area had the opportunity to submit art, essay or poetry centered on what black history meant to them or how they are making history in their community.

Winners will receive more than $30,000 in scholarships, laptops and family field trips. This year, six $1500 scholarships will be awarded to 11th and 12th grade students; 24 laptops computers will be presented to students in grades 4-10 and 29 family trip packs to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati will be given to students in grades 4-12. The trip package includes four Center passes and a $50 gift card.

This year, more than 300 entries were received from students in grades 4-12. Submissions were judged based on understanding of theme as well as originality and creativity, among other criteria. Of those submissions, 59 winners were chosen based on scores by an independent panel of judges.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a minor injury accident near Zanesfield Thursday night around 7:45.

Troopers report that Eileen Hatfield, 40, of 8806 County Road 2, Zanesfield, was driving an ‘04 Subaru SUV westbound on County Road 2, about a mile west of Township Road 129, when she swerved to miss a deer in the roadway. Her vehicle then went off the right side of the roadway, hit some trees, and overturned.

Hatfield was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Perry Township EMS.

Her husband, Wesley, was not injured.

Both of them were wearing their seat belts.

Hatfield’s vehicle was heavily damaged.

She was not cited.

The cast from “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (pictured) was featured on Wilkinson in the Morning Friday.

The Indian Lake High School Music and Drama departments will present the musical tonight and tomorrow night at eight o’clock in the high school auditorium.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” is based in the flapper era of the 1920’s, with the main character, Millie Dillmount, moving out of small-town Kansas to the bustling life of New York City. Dillmount plans on finding work and marrying a rich man, but finds love in a different place than she had hoped.

The production features Haley Tron as Millie Dillmount, Chris Crosby as Jimmy Smith, Ashley Lazenby as Miss Dorothy Brown, Stanley Beatty as Mr. Trevor Graydon, Sarah Mallory as Mrs. Meers and Kayla Henson as Muzzy Van Hossmere. The role of Bun Foo will be played by Trevor Sesher on Friday and Connor Lewis on Saturday, and the role of Ching Ho will be played by Thomas Watkins on Friday and Andrew Herren on Saturday.

Listen to cast members describe the musical on Wilkinson in the Morning. 

All seats are reserved and are $7. Tickets may be purchased by calling 686-7645 or emailing an order to ilhsmusical@gmail.com. They may also be purchased at the school box office.

Logan County Sheriff Andy Smith reports that deputies are investigating a drug trafficking case involving prescription drugs.

Authorities recovered 103 tablets of pain medication and $12,050 from a Russells Point man yesterday morning around 10:30.

Deputies have forwarded the case to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office for review and determination of charges.

The man’s name was not released.

The Kenton Police Department says that Randy Madison was NOT murdered last weekend.

Madison, 43, of 218 Gilbert Street, Kenton, was found by family members in a shed behind his home Sunday morning around 10:30.

Police Chief John Vermillion reports that an autopsy conducted by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office failed to find any injuries on Madison.

The exact cause of death has yet to be determined. Toxicology reports will not be received for 6-8 weeks.

The circumstances surrounding Madison’s death remain under investigation.

The suspicious nature of Mr. Madison being found dead, and the preliminary ruling of the Hardin County Coroner led officials to believe it was homicide.

Longtime DeGraff resident Ron Pope has been named this month’s Community Hero.

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

(Pictured, left to right: Pam Pope, Ron Pope, and Hollie Bryant)

Pope was nominated for his community and neighborhood involvement.

He served on the DeGraff Fire Department for 24 years (1980-2004), including five years as chief.

He has been a deacon at Logansville Community Church for 15 years, where he and his wife, Pam, have been active members for 23 years.

Pope served as commander of the AWANA Clubs for 20 years. He also coached summer t-ball and softball for many years.

Ron spends extensive time caring for many elderly neighbors.

Whether it’s a broken toilet, a leaky roof, or a broken garage door, Ron is quick to lend a helping hand.

He has helped mow yards and shovel snow for his neighbors, too.

Finally, Ron worked at Siemens for 36 years.

He says his favorite job is being a proud grandpa. He enjoys watching and cheering on his grandkids in a variety of sports. They say he is their best cheerleader and he never misses a game or an event.

Pope was nominated by his daughter, Hollie Bryant of DeGraff.

She said, “My dad is a Community Hero to me. It’s the unseen things that he does that make him the hero he is, never boastful ALWAYS humble.”

Ron was presented his award while appearing on Wilkinson in the Morning Thursday. He was joined by Pam and Hollie.

Listen to the complete interview.

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

We salute Ron Pope for making Logan County a better place to live!!!

The Logan County District Board of Health met in regular session on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30.

Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott as well as back-up Health Commissioner Dr. J. Christopher O’Connor were both granted contract renewals by the board. It was stated in the meeting that there would be no increase in salaries due to the tough financial times.

Dr. Hoddinott talked after the meeting about re-developing an education department for the health district, which was taken out of the district’s budget after its levy failure.

“Public health education, about diet, about smoking, about safe sex, about all of those areas, is very very important and we don’t score very high in this county on those personal health decisions. So, I am dedicating this year to build up our education piece again,” Dr. Hoddinott said.

Dr. Hoddinott said the health district needs a public health nurse on board and needs to educate students in local schools on health issues.

Two properties were discussed by the board in the Environmental Health Agenda. The first discussion was the denial on a variance issued to Anchor Lodge Condominium swimming pool by the Ohio Department of Health. The pool’s area is fenced in by a sea wall, but the ODH has decided the sea wall cannot be used instead of a fence. A pool’s fence must be completely around the area, 48 inches high with a self-latching gate. Anchor Lodge’s gate was self-closing, but not self-latching. The board decided to rescind the variance to comply with the Ohio Department of Health.

The other property in question was that of Todd Tickle, 9831 E. Foundry St., East Liberty, due to a large amount of trash on the porches and around the house, in an open shed, and a large burn pile. This is Mr. Tickle’s second offense of the same nature. The board decided to give Mr. Tickle seven days to clear all of the debris or the prosecutor will issue another order against him, this time with steeper penalties.

Listen to Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott talk about both properties as well as his plan for countywide health education.

The health district will meet again on Wednesday, April 7th.

After a two-and-a-half hour discussion Tuesday night, Bellefontaine City Council Finance Committee is still making cuts to assist with the city’s budget deficit.

The committee whittled the deficit down from last week’s $827,000 to around $621,000 by switching some funds over from the sewer fund and now the water fund. Originally, $135,000 was taken from the sewer fund, but the committee boosted the number to $200,000. Also, $75,000 was taken from the water fund.

Bellefontaine’s Fire Department made some cuts in its budget to help with the city’s general fund. Around $30,000 was cut out of the fire budget.

Some of the solutions that the committee discussed were not decided upon just yet. Members are considering cutting some jobs in the city to help with the deficit. An assistant secretary’s position, a tax clerk with reduced hours, a street department truck driver and a water department maintenance worker could potentially be cut.

The city lost $500,000 in income tax revenue from 2008 to 2009. Finance Committee Chairman Dave Henry said, “These changes are going to be hard and there’s probably going to be more changes in the future. But, we’re doing the best we can to maintain the level of service for the citizens of Bellefontaine while also containing our costs.”

Listen to Dave Henry talk about the current changes to the budget and some possible changes.

The Finance Committee will meet again on Tuesday night at 6:30 to “firm up some numbers” for the budget. The regular city council meeting will follow at 7:30.

Deputies from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office seized approximately three pounds of marijuana and $9,490 in cash from a residence in the Belle Center area after a drug investigation last Friday.

The investigation started last Friday morning in Lakeview.

Authorities are awaiting results of drug tests from the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation before forwarding charges to the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested two local men on drug charges following a traffic stop near Russells Point Tuesday afternoon around four o’clock.

Deputies stopped a vehicle at Edison and Bell Avenue in Waterbury and recovered approximately 1/2 gram of heroin valued at $70.

Christopher Aaron Lewis (pictured, left), 20, of 8074 Bell Avenue, Russells Point, and Michael Weber (pictured, below), 25, of 369 West Main Street, Russells Point, were each charged with possession of heroin.

Both men were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

 

Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor sentenced three local men on sex-related charges earlier this week.

Roger Huffman (pictured), 45, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to four years in prison for sexual battery and gross sexual imposition. Once he is released, he will spend five years under post release control. Mr. Huffman was also classified as a tier three sexual offender and must register his address with law enforcement for life.

In August, detectives from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office charged Huffman with one count of rape. The victim was a 22-year-old female who says the incidents took place when she was between the ages of 9 and 13.

In October, a grand jury indicted Huffman for two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery, and two counts of gross sexual imposition.

Gregory Cloninger (pictured), 52, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to two years in prison for attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material. After prison, he will be on post release control for five years. He was classified as a tier one sexual offender and must register for fifteen years.

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

 

 

 

James Board (pictured), 41, of Lakeview, was sentenced to twelve months in prison for gross sexual imposition. He will be on post release control for five years after being released from prison. He was classified as a tier one sexual offender and must register for fifteen years.

Crews from the Logan County Highway Department are replacing a culvert on County Road 62 between Township Road 295 and State Route 508. The work is scheduled to begin on Weds., March 3, at 8:00 a.m., and continue through Thurs., March, 4 at 3:00 p.m and an overnight closure may be necessary.

Additionally, West Street between Garfield and Sandusky will be closed overnight Tues. until Weds., March, 3 to allow Habitat for Humanity of Logan County to work on utility connections.

All work is weather permitting.

After a fatal automobile accident two weeks ago in Russells Point, village council discussed the issues of dangerous intersections at its regular session meeting Monday night.

On February 17th, Keith Bodey was killed in an accident at the intersection of  Sunnyside Avenue and US-33, which is one of the three the village is concerned about.

The other two intersections are also on US-33 – one at Lincoln Boulevard and the other at OH-708.

“It’s always a concern when there’s a death,” said Mayor Greg Iiams, “because it just makes you wonder whether you have done everything you possibly can to make the intersection safe and secure.”

Mayor Iiams said all three intersections have been discussed with the Ohio Department of Transportation. “So far there’s really no solution yet,” he said.

Although the State of Ohio controls US-33, Russells Point wants to protect their citizens and plans on forming a committee to fix the problems. “Sometimes committee action could be better than me writing a letter to the state,” said Iiams.

Listen to Mayor Iiams talk about dangerous intersections in Russells Point.

The meeting was Carol Walters’ first meeting as a council member. Walters was appointed last week, at council’s rescheduled meeting from February 15th, to fill one of two vacant seats on council.

Village Council also named member Dave Leonard President Pro-Tem in case Mayor Iiams is not able to fulfill his duties.

Council will meet again on Monday, March 15th at 7 p.m.

As revenues deplete and budgets tighten for cities, villages and townships across the county, it becomes increasingly important for local municipalities to gain access to federal grants in an effort to patch holes in their respective budgets.

Evidence of this claim: DeGraff Village Council’s regular-session meeting Tuesday night.

The village continues to apply for federal grants to fund projects like the stop light replacement project near downtown at the corner of State Route 235 and 508. Council passed a resolution Tuesday to authorize Mayor Gary Comer to submit that federal grant application. If approved, the village would be granted approximately $55,000 towards the replacement of that stop light, estimated to cost about $65,000.

Another resolution passed by council Tuesday night authorizes Harford to earmark $20,000 in village revenues towards the cost of replacing that light.  

Another federal grant application submitted by the Village of DeGraff is aimed at eradicating dilapidated houses and building within village limits. The resulting projects from these grants would include parking and paving, land acquisitions or even field lights.

Harford says it’s as important as ever to acquire these federal funds because of below-average revenues resulting from unpaid property and income taxes.

According to Harford, property and income taxes comprise approximately 65% of operational revenues.

Comer has made it a point to inquire to county commissioners about the prospects of recovering some of those delinquent taxes, adding, “it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do.”

Listen as Harford details those federal grants and discusses the advantage of acquiring those funds.

Council will meet again Tuesday, March 16th at 7 pm.

The Bellefontaine Rotary Club recently partnered with the Rotary Club of Union County to raise money to support relief for Haiti after January’s devastating earthquake on the island country.

In February, both clubs asked members to donate in a competition between the two clubs entitled “Help for Haiti.” The two clubs raised more than $700 in relief money.

The funds from each club will be used for the ShelterBox program. ShelterBox sends boxes containing a tent that houses ten people, a stove, blankets and other essential items to victims of natural disaster. More than 7,000 containers have already been sent to Haiti, with thousands more scheduled to be sent. ShelterBox also is shipping boxes to Chile after the 8.8 earthquake last week.

The ILHS Music and Drama departments will present the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in the high school’s auditorium.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” is based in the flapper era of the 1920’s, with the main character, Millie Dillmount, moving out of small-town Kansas to the bustling life of New York City. Dillmount plans on finding work and marrying a rich man, but finds love in a different place than she had hoped.

The production features Haley Tron as Millie Dillmount, Chris Crosby as Jimmy Smith, Ashley Lazenby as Miss Dorothy Brown, Stanley Beatty as Mr. Trevor Graydon, Sarah Mallory as Mrs. Meers and Kayla Henson as Muzzy Van Hossmere. The role of Bun Foo will be played by Trevor Sesher on Friday and Connor Lewis on Saturday, and the role of Ching Ho will be played by Thomas Watkins on Friday and Andrew Herren on Saturday.

All seats are reserved and are $7. Tickets may be purchased by calling 686-7645 or emailing an order to ilhsmusical@gmail.com. They may also be purchased at the school box office.

Representative Jim Jordan (pictured, R-Urbana) encourages high school students across the Fourth Congressional District to submit their artwork in the 2010 Congressional Art Contest.

A county winner will be chosen in each of the eleven counties; Logan, Champaign, Shelby, Hardin, Auglaize, Allen, Hancock, Marion, Morrow, Richland, and Wyandot.

The district winner will be chosen from the eleven entries and their artwork will hang in the United States Capitol for one year in a display of winners from across the country.

Winners will also be offered an art college scholarship and airfare for three to visit the art display in Washington, D.C.

“I look forward to seeing the artwork submitted by my constituents and wish them the best of luck in this year’s contest,” said Rep. Jordan.

All forms and information for each county can be accessed through Rep. Jordan’s website, http://jordan.house.gov.

For additional information, contact Susan Ohl in the Lima District Office at 419-999-6455.

The Kenton Police Department is investigating a weekend homicide.

Authorities report that Randy Madison, 43, of 218 Gilbert Street, Kenton, was found by family members in a shed behind his home Sunday morning around 10:30.

It appears that Madison died from violent injuries, but police are not releasing any other details about the cause of death.

Officers are waiting for autopsy results.

The motive for the homicide remains under investigation.

Kenton Police officers are being assisted by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardin County Task Force, and BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation).

If you have additional information about the case, contact the Kenton Police Department at 419-673-0771.

Madison’s death is the second homicide in the last three months.

Local and state officials are still investigating a December fire that killed Gary Wells at his home.

The Findlay Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a pickup/train accident near downtown Kenton last night around 8:45.

Troopers report that Cheyanne Beardsley, 19, of Kenton, was driving a ‘95 Ford Ranger northbound on Wayne Street when she tried to make a left turn onto Decateur Street.

Beardsley turned too early and turned onto the railroad tracks. Her pickup was stuck, parallel, on the tracks.

Beardsley and a passenger exited the pickup before it was hit by an eastbound CSX train.

No one was injured, but the road was blocked for several hours.

Beardsley was cited for not wearing her prescription glasses.

The State Patrol was assisted by the Kenton Police Department and Osborne’s Towing.

A total of 261,314 deer were killed during Ohio's 2009-10 hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This season's total surpasses the 2008-09 record total of 252,017.

"Ohio deer hunters had another great year and continue to play a vital role in managing Ohio’s deer herd. They’ve embraced regulation changes which increased the harvest of antlerless deer and they’ve donated a significant amount of venison to feed the less fortunate in Ohio through the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Counties reporting the highest number of deer checked during the season were: Coshocton-9,635, Tuscarawas-9,009, Licking-8,571, Guernsey-8,289, Harrison-8,043, Muskingum-7,864, Knox-7,174, Holmes-6,211, Belmont-6,160, and Jefferson-5,888.

The deer-gun season resulted in the greatest portion of the overall harvest with 114,281 deer taken. Archery hunters took a total of 91,521 deer. Deer killed during the early muzzleloader season (491), at controlled hunts (690), youth-gun season (9,270), the extra deer-gun weekend (20,054), and the statewide muzzleloader season (25,007) added to the overall total.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has an $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Ohio's first modern day deer-gun season opened in 1943 in three counties, when hunters harvested 168 deer. In 1956, deer hunting was allowed in all 88 counties and hunters killed 3,911 deer during that one-week season.

Hunters were encouraged to kill more does this season and donate extra venison to organizations assisting Ohioans in need. The Division of Wildlife collaborated with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) to help pay for the processing of donated venison. Hunters who gave their deer to food banks were not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer were taken to participating processors. Counties being served by this program can be found online at http://fhfh.org/. Anyone interested in forming a chapter in an area not served should contact FHFH directly.

Open houses will be held on Saturday, March 6th in each of the state's five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting wildohio.com.

A statewide hearing on all the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, March 4th at the wildlife division's District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its April 7th meeting.

The Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Following is a list of deer checked by hunters during the four-month deer-hunting season. Numbers for 2008-09 are listed in parentheses ( ).

Adams – 4,489 (4,231); Allen –1,002 (846); Ashland –3,424 (3,329); Ashtabula –5,298 (6,448); Athens –5,577 (5,326); Auglaize –813 (776); Belmont –6,160 (5,833); Brown –3,350 (3,632); Butler –1,757 (1,569); Carroll –5,809 (5,997); Champaign –1,837 (1,718); Clark –975 (897); Clermont –3,774 (3,439); Clinton –1,114 (1,049); Columbiana –4,764 (4,694);  Coshocton –9,635 (9,564); Crawford –1,360 (1,248); Cuyahoga –635 (681); Darke –861 (775); Defiance –1,593 (1,540); Delaware –2,296 (2,147); Erie –1,036 (1,020); Fairfield –3,324 (3,009); Fayette –447 (377); Franklin –1,065 (893); Fulton –786 (830); Gallia –3,998 (4,055); Geauga- 2,545 (2,762); Greene –1,155 (1,037); Guernsey –8,289 (7,916);
Hamilton –2,051 (1,717); Hancock –1,916 (1,546); Hardin –1,646 (1,288); Harrison –8,043 (7,454); Henry –733 (746); Highland –3,554 (3,227); Hocking –5,430 (4,921); Holmes –6,211 (6,320); Huron –2,561 (2,383); Jackson –4,385 (4,157); Jefferson –5,888 (5,831); Knox –7,174(7,223); Lake –852 (901); Lawrence –2,961(3,123); Licking –8,571(7,967);
Logan –2,514 (2,224); Lorain –2,603(2,466); Lucas –829 (855); Madison –659 (607);  Mahoning –1,900 (1,808); Marion –925 (806); Medina –2,140 (2,047); Meigs –4,824 (4,601); Mercer –683 (627); Miami –812 (769); Monroe –5,106 (5,120); Montgomery –640 (536); Morgan –4,130 (3,951); Morrow –2,342 (2,196); Muskingum –7,864 (7,245); Noble –4,981 (4,596); Ottawa –411 (369); Paulding –1,023 (926); Perry –4,556 (4,683); Pickaway –1,370 (1,131); Pike –2,607 (2,620); Portage –2,916 (3,075); Preble –1,001 (851); Putnam -786 (716); Richland –4,754 (4,542); Ross –4,358 (4,104); Sandusky –850 (839); Scioto –3,030 (3,479); Seneca –2,254 (1,942); Shelby –1,051 (958); Stark –2,576 (2,199); Summit –1,454 (1,368); Trumbull –3,584 (3,976); Tuscarawas –9,009 (8,814); Union –983 (863); Van Wert –662 (611);  Vinton –3,942 (3,337); Warren –1,674 (1,523); Washington –5,201(5,440); Wayne –2,274 (2,234); Williams –1,985 (1,819); Wood –962 (872);  and Wyandot –1,945 (1,830) Total –261,314 (252,017)

Saturday evening at 7:25, troopers from the Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a pedestrian-semi accident in Lakeview.

Paul Brickey, of Minford, was driving a semi northwest on US route 33 when he approached the intersection at SR 235. Having the green light, Brickey proceeded through the intersection when he noticed a pedestrian, Ronald Anderson, 47, of Lakeview, in his path.

Brickey attempted to avoid the pedestrian, but Anderson walked into the side of the semi.

Anderson was transported to Lima Memorial by Indian Lake EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

At noon on Saturday, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 33 at the CR 57 intersection.

Bonnie Conley, of Huntsville, was westbound on 33 in a 2003 Honda Pilot when she slowed in the process of turning northbound onto 57, when she was struck from behind by a 2006 Volkswagon Jetta driven by Nanette Guagenti of Columbus.

Guagenti was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital with minor injuries. She was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance.

Conley was not injured.

Township Road 200 between County Road 18 and the railroad tracks will be closed Monday and Tuesday from 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

The closure is due to Logan County Co-op replacing power poles.

Benjamin Logan High School will be holding Freshman Orientation for incoming freshman for the 2010-2011 school year on Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

The evening will be an opportunity for parents and students to ask any questions they may have about transitioning to the high school.

A tour of the building will follow.

For more information, contact the high school guidance office at (937) 592-1666 x2004.

The DeGraff Police Department continues to investigate a hit skip accident that was reported early Saturday.

A passerby reported the wreck just after midnight after noticing a truck (pictured) that hit a pole at the intersection of County Road 63 and State Route 508.

The driver fled the scene before officers arrived.

Authorities recovered several open containers of beer and a small amount of suspected marijuana inside the vehicle.

The truck is registered to Lori Stahler, 40, of 154 Sidney Street, West Liberty.

When police contacted her, she denied knowing who was driving her vehicle.

Upon further investigation, police discovered the driver to be John M. Anderson, 30, DeGraff, who admitted to crashing the vehicle and leaving the scene.

Anderson was charged with driving under suspension and failure to control.

Stahler was charged with wrongful entrustment of a motor vehicle.

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

Monday:

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

10:00 a.m. Mike Minnich, Jim Lange re: Net Gain

2:00 p.m. Bed tax meeting with Logan County Chamber of Commerce members

7:30 p.m. Logan County Fire meeting – East Liberty

Wednesday:

Thursday:

7:30 a.m. Elected Official Breakfast – Homecoming

8:00 a.m. Logan County Friends of Scouting 100^th Anniversary breakfast – Black Tie Catering

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

6:30 p.m. Logan County Sheep & Lamb Improvement Association Annual Banquet – Ohio Hi Point

Friday:

8:30 a.m. Logan County Catastrophic Emergency Operations Team meeting – Mary Rutan Hospital North/South Conference room (KNIGHT)

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.