NEWS

West Liberty-Salem School Board hosts several visitors at April meeting (Audio and pictures included)

2010-04-12T23:32:00.001-04:00

The West Liberty-Salem Board of Education met in regular session Monday night with many visitors to recognize.

First to be presented to the board were students from the Science Olympiad, in which the middle school placed 1st and high school placed 4th in the recent regional competition at Grandview Heights.

Both groups of students will be competing in the state competition this weekend at The Ohio State University. First place finishers at state move on to represent Ohio at Nationals in Illinois. Competitions will begin for students at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Also to present before the board was a representative from Citizens for a Stronger Community, an organization that is campaigning for the school’s upcoming renewal levy.

“Without it, we’d definitely be cutting a lot of our programming,” said Superintendent Kraig Hissong, “[Citizens for a Stronger Community] have done a wonderful job.”

The school board discussed the implementation of a new preschool program, which will be ran through the Madison/Champaign County ESC and the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The school will be intended for WL-S students that live in Champaign County. The school will be available for students with disabilities, as well as typical students (students without disabilities), with priority given to low income students for typical slots.

For more information call the Madison/Champaign County ESC at (937)484-1557.

Listen to Superintendent Kraig Hissong discuss the meeting’s events.

The board will meet again on May 11 at 7 p.m.

Morgan sentenced to almost five years for hit-skip accident

2010-04-12T21:25:00.001-04:00

Buster Morgan, 31 of West Milton, was sentenced to nearly five years in prison Monday afternoon for his role in a fatal hit-skip accident near Lakeview last summer.

Appearing before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor Morgan was sentenced to four years in prison for a third-degree count of failure to stop after an accident. He was also sentenced to 11 more months for a fifth-degree count of failure to stop after an accident.

Morgan also had his driver’s license suspended for six years upon his release from prison.

According to the terms of a plea deal reached last month, prosecutors agreed to drop a third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of vehicular homicide.

Morgan admits to striking a pair of pedestrians on State Route 366 near Captain’s Point. After striking Port Jefferson residents Jeff Gates, 48, and his son Scott Gates, 24, around 1:30 a.m. last July, 11 Morgan admits he fled the scene, heading southbound on State Route 235.

Jeff Gates was pronounced dead at the scene and Scott Gates continues to recover from the extensive injuries sustained in the accident.

Dozens of family and friends of the victims packed the court room Monday to witness the sentence.

Four arrested for vandalizing old school

2010-04-12T20:57:00.001-04:00

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested four local teens that reportedly broke into an old school building in Middleburg Sunday night around seven o’clock.

Shane Rognon (pictured), 18, of 12155 Green Street, Middleburg, was charged with breaking and entering, vandalism, and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was lodged at the Logan County Jail.

Alec Felty, 16, of 12100 Green Street, Middleburg, and Luke Demeo, 15, of 11965 Green Street, Middleburg, were each charged with breaking and entering and vandalism.

Samantha Turner, 15, of 11834 County Road 153, East Liberty, was charged with breaking and entering.

All three of them were transported to the Logan County Juvenile Detention Center.

The boys damaged windows, walls, and parts of stairways.

One of the deputies was nearly hit by a window that was broken out.

The State Highway Patrol and a witness assisted at the scene.

Local mother assaulted by daughter overnight

2010-04-12T09:29:00.001-04:00

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office reports that a Bloomfield Township woman was assaulted by her daughter early this morning.

Deputies responded to a domestic violence call at 10752 Township Road 59, DeGraff, around 2:30 this morning.

A 66-year-old female was reportedly struck on the head by a snow globe.

The woman suffered a large knot on her head and cuts on her foot from the broken glass.

The daughter and her boyfriend remain at large.

They fled in the mother’s black ‘94 Grand Prix. The car’s license number is ALB 3070.

If you see the car, contact the sheriff’s office at 592-5731.

Local man arrested on drug charge (Picture included)

2010-04-12T09:04:00.001-04:00

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local man on a drug-related charge in Russells Point Friday night around six o’clock.

Edward Kemp (pictured), 28, of 7694 County Road 91, Lewistown, was charged with aggravated trafficking marijuana at 400 Lincoln Boulevard, Apt. 57.

Deputies recovered about 3/4 lb. of marijuana.

Kemp was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

18th Annual Excellence in Teaching recipients announced

2010-04-12T07:23:00.001-04:00

The recipients of the Bellefontaine Rotary Club’s 18th annual Excellence in Teaching awards have been announced. A trio of county elementary school teachers will be honored for their excellent teaching during a ceremony April, 19 at the Friendly Senior Center.

The program started here in 1992 and was modeled after the Springfield Rotary Club. The first recipients were Jim King, Alice Maier and Kris Swisher.

The 2010 recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Awards include:

Chris Crissinger, a kindergarten teacher at Benjamin Logan, first moved to Logan County in 1976. Crissinger accepted a job teaching kindergarten at Benjamin Logan in 1992 and has been a staple at the elementary school ever since.

Jill Young has taught Indian Lake elementary school students since 2002. From 2002-2009 she taught at Lakeview Elementary. Young now teaches third-graders at the new Indian Lake K-12 campus.

Terry Nelson has taught elementary school at Indian Lake for two-and-a-half years. Prior to this year she split time at both Huntsville and Lakeview Elementary. Currently, Nelson teaches a total of 550 students, grades 1-4 and, “I couldn’t be happier anywhere else.”

The ceremony will be aired live exclusively on WBLL beginning at noon Monday, April 19th.

Grand re-opening at Holland Theatre Offices and Gallery (Audio and pictures included)

2010-04-11T20:01:00.001-04:00

From a wooden shoe to a disco dancer, the sights around the Holland Theatre were plentiful and varied on Friday night for the grand re-opening of the building’s newly renovated office space and the Logan County Art League’s Gallery.

Plenty of artwork from members of the art league was displayed at the gallery, with paintings, photographs, jewelry, pottery and crafts. Community members packed the gallery to view the dozens of art pieces.

The space will also serve as a “green room” for entertainers performing at the Holland.

Next door at the Holland a “Disco Inferno” themed party was held with plenty of activities in the lobby to entertain. A DJ spun 70’s disco hits, decked out hippies entered the photo booth, Saturday Night Fever was projected onto the lobby ceiling and children painted pictures to enter into the Disco Inferno Art Party Contest.

The Holland has put in a new lighting system to update the technology of the theatre and will be displaying the old projectors from the building in its lobby. The theatre has also received a $50,000 grant from Honda to install a sound system.

“It’s a huge step for everything at the Holland Theatre’s project because we’re back on the street…we’re open,” said Logan County Landmark Preservation Inc. President Kris Swisher.

Listen to Swisher discuss the restoration and re-opening.

Several hours of work were put in to restore the Holland and the art gallery since July 2009. Phil Alloway, Logan County Landmark Preservation Inc.’s Building Committee Chair, said that 18,000 to 20,000 man hours were put in to restore theatre and gallery.

Listen to Alloway’s comments.

Around $36,000 was donated to restoration efforts, as well as donated equipment and work hours.

The Holland’s first stage production will be the Center Stage production, “The Phantom Tollbooth.”

Ben Logan hosting educational concert for area students

2010-04-11T05:54:00.001-04:00

Benjamin Logan will be hosting a Justo Lamas Group Concert for several area students in the auditorium on Thursday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m.

In addition to 113 Ben Logan students, also attending will be students from Ohio Hi-Point, West Liberty-Salem, Ridgemont, Mechanicsburg, Russia, Triad, and Hardin Northern.

The Justo Lamas Group Concerts are an educational program with the primary objective of promoting the study of the Spanish language thru music. During the 12 years they have been taking the Concerts to Schools all around the USA their program has created in their students interest and enthusiasm for the Spanish language.

The JLG Concerts program is much more than a concert. It is an inspiring educational activity. While the students are having fun, they will also:

· Learn about the culture of Latin America in general

· Become aware of modern Spanish-speaking young people customs.

· Get excited about continuing their study of the Spanish language

· Acquire many useful vocabulary words and languages structures.

· Realize that English is also a foreign languages that is difficult to learn to speak.

· Observe their American culture through the eyes of a foreigner.

· Lose some stereotyped ideas about Spanish-speaking people.

· Hear an affirmative life message about reaching their dreams.

· Be encouraged to love all people regardless of their differences.

· Learn not to give up in the face of the adversity

Justo is an Argentine singer. Justo Lamas has become a voice over the last few years through his songs and his message to the youth of the United States and throughout the World. Thousands of youth are motivated and inspired through his concerts. He has visited over 1000 schools and over three million have seen him live. He is considered by many as one of the most influential Latinos among North American youth, where he leaves a motivating message of constant uplifting in every concert, helping them to find their dreams. It is fascinating to see how he leads the crowds causing them to transition through different feelings which go from laughter to tears. For more information you can check out his site: http://www.justolamas.com.

Ben Logan FFA on Commissioner’s Agenda

2010-04-11T05:47:00.001-04:00

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

Monday:

Tuesday:

7:30 a.m. Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update – Chamber office

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

11:00 a.m. Joint Ditch view with Hardin County – Hardin office

5:00 p.m. Extension Advisory Committee meeting – Extension office basement

Wednesday:

7:30 p.m. Fair Board meeting

Thursday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

1:30 p.m. Service Management meeting – Discovery Center (CORE)

1:30 p.m. Tri County CAC Finance Committee - Urbana (BAYLISS)

1:30 p.m. Tri County CAC Full Board meeting - Urbana (BAYLISS)

Friday:

7:30 a.m. Greater Logan County Area Community Improvement Corporation Executive Committee meeting – Chamber Office

11:30 a.m. Citizen Circle meeting – First Church of God (CORE)

12:00 p.m. Logan County CIC Full Board meeting – House of Szechwan

Saturday:

6:00 p.m. Ben Logan FFA annual parent/member banquet

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.

Governor Announces Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Appointments

2010-04-11T05:06:00.000-04:00

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has announced his appointments to the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.

In addition to the Governor’s 10 appointments, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Robert Boggs serves on the 13-member board, as well a selection from both the House Speaker and Senate President.

The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board is charged with establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio. The board will strive to maintain food safety, encourage locally grown and raised food, and protect Ohio farms and families.

Tony Forshey, of Columbus, currently serves as the state veterinarian for the Ohio Department of Agriculture. He also serves as the co-chairman of the Swine Update Program in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ohio State University and chairman of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Swine Sub-Committee to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Forshey has been recognized by his peers for his work on swine committees and has received numerous awards, including the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association’s Meritorious Award. He received a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University.

Leon Weaver, of Montpelier, serves as the owner and operator of Bridgewater Dairy. He also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Ohio Livestock Coalition and the Ohio Dairy Industry Forum. He previously served as the president of the Ohio Dairy Industry Forum and as a professor at the University of California’s Veterinarian Medicine School. Weaver received a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College in 1968 and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971.

Jeff Wuebker, of Versailles, has served as the co-owner of Wuebker Farms since 2001. He also serves as the president of the Ohio Soybean Association and is a member of the Ohio Corn Growers Association and the Ohio Cattleman’s Association. Wuebker was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Ohio Farm Bureau in 2005. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1993.

Bobby Moser, of Dublin, has served as the vice president for agricultural administration and the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at the Ohio State University since 1991. He previously served as the associate dean of agriculture and extension program director at the University of Missouri from 1986-1988 and as an associate professor at the University of Nebraska. Moser received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He also received a doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1972.

Jeffrey LeJeune, of Wooster, has served as an associate professor for Food and Animal Health at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at the Ohio State University since 2007 and previously served as an assistant professor at the Ohio State University from 2001-2007. LeJeune also currently serves as the chair of the Agriculture Animal Care and Use Committee at the Ohio State University and received the 2009 OARDC Distinguished Research Award in 2009. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Universite de Moncton and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Prince Edward Island. LeJeune also received a Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2000.

Harold Dates, of Cincinnati, has served as the president and CEO of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Cincinnati since 1986, previously serving as the assistant general manager from 1975-1986. Dates also previously served as the community center director for the City of Cincinnati from 1971-1973. He received the Glenn Summerlin Award from the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators in 2009. Dates received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1969.

Jerry Lahmers, of Newcomerstown, currently owns and operates a family farm that includes a cow/calf feedlot and grain operations. He previously served as a veterinarian who treated and cared for animals in Tuscarawas County for 29 years. Lahmers also serves as the president of the Tuscarawas County Farm Bureau and Tuscarawas County Parks Department. He also served as a member of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing board from 2000-2005. Lahmers received a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the Ohio State University.

Lisa M. Hamler-Fugitt, of Reynoldsburg, currently serves as the executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and as the legislative liaison for the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. She previously served as the public policy director and the statewide food and nutrition program coordinator for the Ohio Hunger Task Force. Hamler-Fugitt has researched, written, and secured over $200 million in grants to support various anti-hunger programs. She received an associate’s degree from South Oklahoma Junior College.

Robert Cole, of Gahanna, served in various roles for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for over 33 years, including serving as the executive director of the USDA’s Franklin County Office and as acting state director in 2003. He retired from the U.S Department of Agriculture in 2003. Cole continues to help manage his family’s farm in Mississippi and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Dayton. He received a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn A&M College in 1970.

Stacey Atherton, of Newark, has served as the co-owner for Shipley Farms since 2009. She previously served as a manager for Shipley Farms from 2006-2009. Atherton has also served as a 4-H club advisor for the Licking County Jersey Club since 2006 and is a member of the Ohio Dairy Producers and the Ohio Farm Bureau. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 2006.

Engle has first meeting at Children’s Services as Acting Executive Director (Audio included)

2010-04-09T22:25:00.001-04:00

Acting Executive Director Melanie Engle had her first meeting at the helm when the Logan County Children’s Services Board met in regular session Thursday afternoon. Engle presumed her post on Monday after the resignation of John Holtkamp in March.

Engle plans on implementing some changes in the organization, including a school services coordinator position to help Children’s Services partner with local schools. The same position was added in 2008 and Engle said it has been “extremely successful with the school relationship.”

It was also discussed during the meeting about the rising numbers of children placed in kinship care. The current count of children in kinship care is at 40, which is the highest number that Children’s Services has had. “We know that that’s better for kids, to maintain those family connections,” Engle said.

Kinship is not limited to actual relatives of the children. “It can be someone that the child has a bond with, a relationship with,” Engle explained, “it doesn’t have to be a blood relative.”

April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, which gives Children’s Services plenty to do. The National Day of Hope was held on Wednesday at the Logan County Courthouse, with pinwheels displayed on the lawn to represent each case of neglect or abuse in 2008. The number of pinwheels totaled at 256.

Children’s Services will also be hosting Kidsfest on Saturday, April 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Bellefontaine.

Listen to Acting Director Melanie Engle talk about her first days as acting director, as well as Thursday’s meeting.

Student art work recognized during auction & awards dinner

2010-04-09T20:38:00.001-04:00

The Second Annual Student Art Auction & Awards Dinner was held Friday night at the Bellefontaine First Church of God.

All proceeds from Friday’s event benefit Logan County Summer Academy & Families Touched by Austism Support Group.

A total of 37 student artists participated in this year’s auction. Each student will be recognized for their contribution. Each family was presented with an 8X10 framed print of their child’s art.

Student’s displaying art during Friday’s auction included:

Tyler Aldo	Aaron Nicholl
Sidney Bailey	JP Parker
Isaiah Brown	Jonathan Parsons
Nate Brown	John Richards
Mason Conklin	Vaughn Schmidt
Sebastian Cook Finnegan	Ethan Simmons
Tommy Defibaugh	Mary-Kate Slayback
Logan Evans	Riley Smith
Mitchel Gates	Nathanael Smith
Blake Green	Cade Stachler
Bryson Holder	Payne Terhall
Elle Hough	Jonathan Thornton
Jacob Hunter	Jimmy Trout
Nicholas Hunter	Trevor Warne
Josiah Jeffers	Brock Warne
Aiden Kunze	Piper Wellington
Travis Link	Sophia Wilson
Layne Longbrake	Taylor Young
Frannie Mitchell

Funds raised for the Families Touched by Autism Support Group go towards paying for educational speakers, family events and outings, social skills groups, sibling support groups and donation to the Summer Academy.

The Summer Academy is a seven-week program designed for students diagnosed with emotional disturbances and/or on the Autism Spectrum. The program serves students aged five through fourteen living in Logan County. The Academy is funded exclusively by private monies and the students attend without cost to their families.

Summer Academy Coordinator Jill Payne estimates that Friday’s auction raised about $2000 between the dinner and the auctioning of each student’s original artwork.

The Autism Workgroup is requesting the assistance of private citizens to help send children to the Summer Academy. The cost per child for the program is $2000. The Academy provides morning classes of academics, art, music, communication and physical education.

Each afternoon, the students and staff travel throughout the county to assist students in becoming more familiar with their community and to learn appropriate social skills in public areas.

Listen as Payne talks about Friday’s auction, the Summer Academy and what you can do to further the cause.

Semi rollover accident near Indian Lake

2010-04-08T20:44:00.001-04:00

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a semi rollover accident on Route 33 west of Lakeview Thursday afternoon around 4:30.

Troopers report that Jeffrey Perry, 41, of Alma, Michigan, was headed westbound when he lost control, went off the right side of the road, and struck two utility poles.

The crash affected traffic flow for several hours. The Patrol cleared around 9:30 Thursday night.

Perry was not injured, but he was cited for failure to control.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office and Century Link (formerly Embarq) assisted at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation.

Springfield native named Chamber President (Audio included)

2010-04-08T19:32:00.001-04:00

The Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees announced Wednesday the appointment of the Chamber’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Chamber Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Fred D. Burkhardt. Burkhardt (pictured) will assume the position of President and Chief Operation Officer effective June 1st.

An intense search began in early February, following the resignation of Mr. Ed Wallace, casting a wide net for qualified applicants. A selection committee was formed with representatives from all sectors of the Chamber membership. A two-step interview process was initiated and the field was narrowed to five and then two, out of a pool of thirty-five applicants. The selection committee then made their final recommendation to members of the Chamber Executive Board and a representative from both the city and county government. The final candidates were interviewed and a final selection was made and presented to the full Chamber Board for approval.

“It is great that we are able to bring someone of Mr. Burkhardt’s caliber to Logan County”, states Tara Wagner, Chairman of the Board. “Fred has demonstrated experience in economic and business development, leading organizations, successfully building partnerships and making a measurable impact in the communities where he has worked. He will be a strong asset to the Chamber and our entire community”, says Wagner.

Listen to Wagner speak with Bill Tipple about the selection process, including Burkhardt's qualities and what goals she would like to see met under his leadership.

Mr. Burkhardt comes to Logan County with outstanding qualifications. Mr. Burkhardt spent the last 4 years in Elkhorn, Wisconsin as the Executive Vice President of Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, Inc. As the founding Executive Vice President, Burkhardt was responsible for the development and implementation of this organization. Some of his accomplishments include securing a four county, $1.26 million regional grant for entrepreneurship development, development of a Hometown Entrepreneurship Loan Program designed for new & emerging businesses, funded by a grant from Rural Development and the identification of financial resources and incentives to aid new and emerging businesses in the Walworth region.

He spent the previous five years as Director of Economic Development for the City of Fresno California where his responsibilities included development and implementation of business retention and attraction strategies for the City of Fresno, and the management, operation and marketing of four incentive zones, which include the California Enterprise Zone, Federal Empowerment Zone, Foreign Trade Zone and HUB Zone.

Prior to his position with the City of Fresno, Mr. Burkhardt was the Executive Director of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce in West Covina, California where his primary responsibility was to conduct economic development activities including business attraction and programming.

Mr. Burkhardt and his wife, Danika, will relocate to Logan County in the near future and are excited to join our community and spend time with close family members that reside in the Springfield area.

Listen to Burkhardt react to his new job, discuss why he was interested in the position, and his immediate goals for our county.

County man arrested on drug charges (Picture included)

2010-04-08T09:01:00.001-04:00

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested a rural Bellefontaine man on multiple counts following a traffic stop in the 6000 block of County Road 1 Tuesday afternoon.

Charles Matthew Manahan (pictured), 21, of 2872 County Road 18, was charged with a felony count of carrying a concealed weapon after deputies found a loaded handgun underneath the driver’s seat.

He was also charged with drug abuse, possession of marijuana, a stop sign violation, and driving under suspension.

The Bellefontaine Police Department K-9 unit assisted at the scene.

Manahan was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

Local man arrested on sex charge (Picture included)

2010-04-08T08:50:00.001-04:00

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local man on a sex-related charge Wednesday morning.

Deputies charged Bryan Lump (pictured), 38, of 306 South Miami Street, Quincy, with one count of sexual battery, which is a third-degree felony.

Lump allegedly had sexual contact with an area teenage girl.

The sheriff’s office started their investigation last week.

Lump was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

Auditor of State Candidate, Pepper, speaks to Logan County Democrats (Audio and picture included)

2010-04-07T21:27:00.001-04:00

The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center transformed into the Logan County Democratic Headquarters Wednesday night when the Logan County Democrats held their spring rally.

Among those Democrats in attendance Wednesday night was Mayor Adam Brannon, City Council members Mark Fissel, Jerry Pitzer and Dave Haw. Judges Mark O’Connor and John Ross were also present.

It wasn’t all just locally elected officials, either.

Joining the aforementioned was Ohio Supreme Court hopeful Mary Jane Trapp. Trapp currently serves on the 11th District Court of Appeals in Geauga County and is trying to become the first Democrat elected to the Ohio Supreme Court since 2000.

Doug Litt is challenging Jim Jordan’s 4th Congressional District seat in the U.S House of Representatives. During his speech Wednesday Litt claimed he’s reached out to three different local congressman in the last several weeks and did not receive a response from any of them.

Litt claimed today’s politicians are out of touch with their constituents and he, “will make every effort to remedy that situation, by being an advocate for the people.” He went on to say that, if elected, he would focus primarily on jobs and the economy.

Litt is trying to become the first Democratic congressman since the 1930’s to represent the 4th district, which encompasses 11 different counties, including Logan, Champaign and Auglaize Counties.

Listen as Litt talks about why he should be elected to represent the 4th Congressional District.

The keynote speaker during Wednesday’s event was Auditor of State hopeful David Pepper. A Hamilton County native, Pepper was elected to serve on the Cincinnati City Council in 2001. Since his time on Council, Pepper has been elected as a Hamilton County Commissioner and currently serves as the President of the Hamilton County Commission.

Speaking for about 20 minutes, Pepper minced no words when discussing the importance of this election and the pivotal role the State Auditor plays in shaping state government and helping it run more efficiently.

Listen as Pepper discusses the unique role of State Auditor and his goals if elected to office.

BHS National Honor Society Inducts New Members (Audio and picture included)

2010-04-07T18:36:00.001-04:00

Written by student reporter and BHS junior Jessica Haushalter

The Bellefontaine High School Chapter of the National Honor Society held its annual tapping ceremony on Tuesday, April 6th. The current members went to the classrooms of the juniors and seniors who were to be tapped and then announced to the class who was chosen to be in NHS (National Honor Society). Then the newly tapped members were given NHS pins and got to eat cookies and drink refreshments with their parents and the current members.

In order to be considered for induction into the NHS program students must submit an application, write an essay about why they qualify for NHS, have a grade point average above a 3.5, have logged at least 6 hours of service work each school year, and exemplify leadership qualities. The objectives of the National Honor Society were to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in the nation’s students. Being involved in a chapter of NHS is a nationally recognized honor.

There were 24 new members inducted into the National Honor Society this year.The seniors are Nate Dodds, Emily Melling, Zachary Showalter, and Katelyn Yinger. The juniors are Taylor Angle, Michael Bull, Katherine Childers, Courtney Cole, Victoria Davenport, Aaron Figley, Bethany Harshfield, Jessica Haushalter, Brice Henry, Connor Kellogg, Taylor Manahan, Kelly Miller, Jacklynn Pellman, Jordan Richards, Shelby Roberts, Lauren Rutledge, Hannah Snapp, Katherine Stephens, Michael Stockton, and Bethany Younkman.

The advisor for NHS is BHS staff member JoAnne Aburto. The current president of NHS is Thomas Smith. Vice president is Jessica Levan. New officers will be elected by the newly tapped members. A formal induction ceremony will be held on the evening of April 21st, for new members and their parents. The National Honor Society logo can be seen in the above picture.

Listen to NHS president Thomas Smith talk about his involvement in the NHS program.

Listen to NHS advisor JoAnne Aburto talk about the history of the BHS chapter of NHS.

Listen to junior Taylor Angle talk about getting tapped into NHS this year.

New speed trailer to aid police departments (Audio included)

2010-04-07T17:29:00.001-04:00

Logan County police departments will be cracking down on excessive speed with a new speed trailer in their arsenal.

The trailer was a donation from Acrux and is issued to each community by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office. It was unveiled at Tuesday night’s Police Chiefs meeting at the Russells Point Municipal Building.

The first community to use the trailer will be Russells Point, and it will rotate throughout the county’s municipalities.

“[It’s] a great opportunity for us to provide our community different ways to slow down their traffic,” Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof said, “If you are someone who is driving over the speed limit your reaction time is significantly decreased.”

Washington Township Chief Rick Core said that every township meeting has someone with concerns about the high speeds in the area. “We try to respond to all of those complaints and put a cruiser in there,” he said, “but everybody’s on their best behavior when there’s a cruiser sitting there. It’s when we’re not there that people have less than desirable driving habits.”

Listen to each police chief in attendance talk about the new trailer and it’s benefits:

Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof, Washington Township Police Chief Rick Core, and DeGraff Police Chief George Piersall.

The Russells Point Police Department will begin its use of the trailer on Wednesday morning.

Injury accident on Route 33

2010-04-07T16:29:00.001-04:00

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a medically-related one-vehicle injury accident on Route 33 near the Logan/Union county line Wednesday morning at 6:00.

Troopers report that Michael Troth, 47, of 2084 Township Road 179, Bellefontaine, was driving a 2008 Dodge Ram eastbound on 33 when he lost consciousness. He drove off the right side of the road down an embankment, struck a right of way fence, and drove over a culvert and came to a rest on the side of the road (near NEX Transport).

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

He was wearing his seat belt and his pickup suffered non-functional damage.

The accident remains under investigation.

Logan County District Board of Health has a busy April meeting (Audio and picture included)

2010-04-07T16:20:00.001-04:00

The Logan County District Board of Health met in regular session Wednesday afternoon at 1:00.

Board members approved the updated Pandemic Influenza Response Plan that was presented. County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott said that the plan has helped the county recently with the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. He said it is also necessary to approve the plan every three years to get $90,000 in grant money from the state.

Dr. Hoddinott also presented to the board the state’s county health rankings and where Logan County stands. In Health Outcomes, which addresses mortality (how long people live) and morbidity (how healthy people feel), Logan County ranks 61st. In Health Factors, which addresses healthy behaviors, clinical care, socio-economic factors and physical environment, Logan ranked 42nd. “The one area that the Health Department has the most effect on is of course the invidividual behaviors,” said Hoddinott.

The board addressed the issue of the lack of a sewage treatment system at Dodge Park in West Liberty, with Ball Park Association President Chris Moell in attendance.

The park has no connection to the village’s sewer line and according to the Ohio Administrative Code, the park must have an approved sewage treatment system to have their food license approved by the board. Water from a sink in the concession stand cannot be discharged into a public waterway, according to Dr. Hoddinott.

The ball park runs strictly off of sponsor fees, sign up fees and concession stand revenue, which only garners between $3,000 and $5,000 per year. To tie in the village’s sewer line would cost the park around $14,000 because it sits further away from a nearby line. The park is only used for summer league baseball and softball, which runs for about 8 weeks a year.

To appropriate with the park’s financial issues, the board approved that the park cease discharge in any legal way possible and at the beginning of the 2011 season they must have a permanent solution to the problems.

Listen to Dr. Boyd Hoddinott discuss the violation from Dodge Park, the new Pandemic Influenza Response Plan and Logan County’s health ranking.

The health board will meet again on Wednesday, May 5th.

Ohio National Guard leader recognizes WPKO & WBLL

2010-04-07T13:51:00.001-04:00

The Ohio National Guard honored WPKO & WBLL during a special visit Tuesday afternoon.

Major General Matt Kambic presented a Minuteman Award to President Lou Vito for the stations airing National Guard public service spots over the last several years.

In conjunction with the Ohio Association of Broadcasters (OAB), many stations across the state play ads that promote the mission and recruitment efforts of the National Guard.

The Ohio National Guard includes over 11,000 citizen soldiers that execute federal, state, and community missions.

In Ohio, the guard provides public safety under the direction of the governor. Examples would be floods, tornadoes, and even civil unrest.

Guard members support the National Military Strategy when ordered by the president.

Kambic, who’s been in the military since 1974, personally thanked radio station employees for “spreading the guard’s story”. He stressed that the Ohio National Guard is a benchmark for other guard units across the country.

Kambic said the guard has met over 110 percent of its recruitment numbers in Ohio. He concluded by saying the guard’s soldiers include some of the best trained troops in the nation. Several Ohio members have helped support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade. During that time, the Ohio National Guard has lost ten members in combat.

Locally, the 585th Military Police Company from the Marysville Armory (which is a merger of the armories in Bellefontaine and Delaware) is currently deployed. The C Battery of the 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment is preparing to deploy.

Listen to Major General Kambic’s interview with Bill Tipple.

You can see more at http://www.ong.ohio.gov/

Local man sent to prison (Picture included)

2010-04-07T08:21:00.001-04:00

Five defendants were sentenced or changed pleas before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor earlier this week.

Korey Grandi (pictured), 22, of Lewistown, was sentenced to three years in prison for intimidation of a witness.

Ricky Caplinger, 49, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to five years community control and ordered to pay court costs and attorney fees for failure to provide written notice of address as a sex offender.

Max Howell, 32, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to eleven months in prison for violating his community control. His original charge was two counts of non-support of dependents.

Rassheen Dunn, 30, of Lorain, pled guilty to non-support of dependents. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for May 10th.

Lynette Rogan, 33, of Bellefontaine, pled guilty to theft and was placed on the prosecutor’s pretrial diversion program.

Russells Point Village Council recognizes Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (Audio and Picture included)

2010-04-06T23:33:00.001-04:00

Russells Point Village Council met in regular session Monday night at 7 p.m. Members had plenty of ordinances and a proclamation to see during the meeting.

The village issued a proclamation recognizing the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as designated the week of April 10 through 17th as Indian Lake Area Chamber Week.

“They are interested in having a week of recognition to bolster their membership and recognize all the good that they have done around the Indian Lake area. And we do recognize that they are a good PR person and they can get us out there in front of people,” said Mayor Greg Iiams (pictured, with chamber members).

Members also saw ordinances that will eventually make changes to the village’s government. Council passed on second reading the elimination of the elected office of Village Clerk/Treasurer and establishing the office of Village Fiscal Officer.

“The current trend in most of the villages and municipalities and all the townships is to change their clerk’s position to a fiscal officer,” said Mayor Iiams.

All the duties of the office of the Clerk/Treasurer, currently Sue Leonard, will be given to the appointed Village Fiscal Officer (upon Leonard’s term ending in March 2012).

The council added restrictions for travel trailers and tents as dwellings in the area. Travel trailers when used as a dwelling should only be located in approved travel trailer parks. Temporary storage of a travel trailer is permitted on a resident’s premises as long as the trailer is not used for habitation. Tents, as well are not to be used as a home in all districts.

Listen to Mayor Iiams discuss Monday night’s meeting.

Russells Point Village Council meets again on Monday, April 19th at 7 p.m.

Injury accident in the city

2010-04-06T10:19:00.001-04:00

The Bellefontaine Police Department responded to a “T-Bone” injury accident at Main and Sandusky Monday morning around 8:30.

Officers report that a westbound ‘94 Buick LeSabre driven by Ola Ratleff, 71, of 633 Florence Avenue, Bellefontaine, struck the driver’s side of a southbound ‘06 Hummer H2 operated by Tamara Bickham, 45, of 6161 County Road 10, Zanesfield.

Ratleff was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Bellefontaine Fire and EMS.

She was cited for running a red light.

Bickham was not injured. Her vehicle suffered heavy damage.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.