Off The Hook
December 30, 2016

Happy New Year

By Melanie Behrens

The earliest recorded festivities to honor a New Year’s arrival dates back to 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylon. At that time, it was celebrated in late March at the time of the vernal equinox when there’s an equal amount of sunlight and darkness. Then Julius Caesar got into the act because he ...

Off The Hook
The legend of Werewolf Lane
By Melanie Behrens 
September 25, 2020
Editor’s note: The last article J-T columnist Melanie Behrens was working on before her death April 30 was the following story about Werewolf Lane. The information was supplied by Leroy Cook, who coll...
Off The Hook
Take a penny, leave a penny
By Melanie Behrens 
May 1, 2020
Copper pennies are the smallest increment in our money. And now, monetarily, they’re actually worth almost nothing. Many times in stores and businesses you will see a little jar that says, “need a pen...
Off The Hook
Pocket watches gave them their start
By Melanie Behrens 
April 24, 2020
I came across some information of how a once great retailer got its start and was surprised at the name disclosure at the end. I hope you too will enjoy this. If you were in the market for a watch in ...
Other news
Area high school wrestlers open state tournament at Ohio State
Sports
Rayce Watson, Jonathan Alder’s 120-pounder, prepares to pin Clearfork’s Colton Wagner during Friday’s opening round of the Division II state tournament. The event began Friday and will continue through Sunday at The Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
Area high school wrestlers open state tournament at Ohio State
By Bob Putman 
March 16, 2026
Jonathan Alder junior Rayce Watson is making a second straight appearance in the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state wrestling tournament. After finishing second last year at 106, Watson bum...
St. John’s girls cagers capture state title
Sports
Members of the St. John’s Lutheran School girls basketball team display their All-Ohio Lutheran state championship banner. Members of the squad are from left, front row, Ava Brehmer, Lydia Burns, Kate Cook and Annabelle Fisher; back row, assistant coach Trevor Burns, Allison Rausch, Evelyn Blank, Sydney Hamilton, Eva Pfeiffer, Stella Wirick and Cam Schwokow. Not pictured, head coach Lee Wirick and assistant coach Russell Blank. (Photo submitted)
St. John’s girls cagers capture state title
By Tim Miller 
March 16, 2026
The girls basketball squad from St. John’s Lutheran Middle School recently captured the All-Ohio Lutheran state championship. The Lady Jaguars were comprised of girls in the sixth-through-eight grades...
Pioneers to face Sandusky Perkins for Division IV regional crown
Sports
Jonathan Alder’s Danny Bentley goes up for a basket despite opposing defensive pressure. The Pioneers will play Sandusky Perkins today for the Division IV regional championship. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Pioneers to face Sandusky Perkins for Division IV regional crown
By Tim Miller 
March 16, 2026
The ball is scheduled to be tipped today at 3 p.m. as Jonathan Alder’s boys basketball squad plays for a Division IV regional championship. The Pioneers will put their 21-5 record on the line against ...
Richwood hotel’s haunted history
Local News, News
Above, Villa Hotel owner Jackie Hamilton descends the creaky wooden steps into the basement. Built in 1903, the building currently operates as a bar and restaurant but has a haunted local history in Richwood. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kyle Meddles)
Richwood hotel’s haunted history
By Kyle Meddles 
March 14, 2026
Just off of the main thoroughfare in Richwood is the Villa Bar and Grill, a brick-and-mortar business operating on the first floor of a nearly 123-year-old building steeped in a rich local history and...
Trio of Honda EVs, including two planned for MAP, axed
Local News, News
Trio of Honda EVs, including two planned for MAP, axed
By Michael Williamson 
March 14, 2026
Honda is canceling the development and launch of three EV (electric vehicle) models, at least two of which were planned for the Marysville Auto Plant. The company made the announcement Thursday saying...
Wind-blown mayhem Friday
Local News, News
Wind-blown mayhem Friday
By From JT Staff Reports 
March 13, 2026
A tree lays across East Fourth Street in Marysville Friday, just west of Vine Street. The downed tree, laying over a car, was just one of a number of high wind-related incidents that swept the county ...