Local Archived News

New Richwood business recycles old transformers
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
Do you know what happens to colossal electrical transformers at substations after they are replaced?
North Union’s Business Advisory Council recently learned where the older equipment goes at Trans-Cycle Industries of Ohio, LLC, located at 150 Ira Bean Parkway, Richwood.
Craig Renner, the plant manager, gave the council a tour of the facility and discussed workforce needs.
The local facility recycles and disposes of electrical transformers, which can weigh hundreds of thousands of tons, and other oil-filled electrical equipment.

Public defender agreement increases to $600K
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
The contract between county officials and the public defender’s office has been approved.
The contract covers the relationship between the Union County Public Defender Commission, the Union County Criminal Defense Lawyers and the county commissioners.

Area man charged with burglary, abduction
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
An area man has been indicted, accused of burglarizing a woman’s home, assaulting her, then holding her there against her wishes.
A Union County Grand Jury has charged Tucker Allen Berridge, 23, of 9632 Wasserbeck Road, Prospect, with one count each of burglary and abduction.

Changes leave more time for United Way donations
Editor’s note: The following release was supplied by the United Way of Union County.
The United Way of Union County is making changes to better fund agencies in 2023-24 which means extra time for local non-profits to apply and more time for donors to donate and help fund basic needs in Union County.
United Way of Union County has changed its funding cycle from a traditional calendar year to a fiscal year to begin July 1, 2023 and end June 30, 2024.

New curators named for North Union District Veterans Memorial
By Ally Lanasa, Richwood Gazette
There has been a change in command at the North Union Veterans Memorial.
Veteran Gail DeGood-Guy served as the curator of the memorial since it was dedicated on July 4, 2007, but she decided to retire from her duties, saying “it was time.”
Richwood residents Jennifer and Dan Michael worked with DeGood-Guy throughout 2022 to learn how to care for the memorial.

Solar project construction to start in 2023
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
Another solar project in Union County has plans to start construction this year.
Representatives for Invenergy’s Cadence Solar Project updated the county commissioners Wednesday morning on the project’s schedule and progress.
Erin Saal, a renewable development associate with Invenergy, said the plan is for the project to break ground this fall.
“Our expectation at this point in time is to commence construction this September,” she said.

Mental health call results in multiple felony counts
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T reporter
An apparent mental health issue has led to a series of felony indictments against a Magnetic Springs woman.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Danielle Dickerson, 37, of 57 Fountain Ave., Magnetic Springs, charging her with two counts of assault and one count each of resisting arrest and domestic violence.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, deputies were called to Dickerson’s home, “for a report of a mental health call.”

Tax season: Not all bills are created equal
By Michael Williamson, Marysville J-T reporter
It’s tax season and Union County residents likely have seen tax bills go up following the triennial revaluation process.
Union County Treasurer Andrew Smarra said residents may have questions about why the bills are higher than previous years – in fact, he said, it’s the number one question he receives this time of year.

Richwood Council eyes kayak rentals for park
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
Visitors of Richwood Lake might soon be able to see kayak rentals added to the list of amenities.
Council members voted to move forward with an agreement between the village and Rent.Fun, a self-service recreational equipment rental platform, which would bring kayak rental services to the park.

Wallflowers signed to play Friday at Balloon Fest
By Chad Williamson, Marysville J-T Managing Editor
The All Ohio Balloon Fest is pivoting to a new style of music for its Friday night entertainment in 2023.
After booking almost exclusively country music or ’80s rock for shows at the Union County Airport since 2012, the organizers have moved into the arena of ’90s rock, booking well known band The Wallflowers to perform on Friday, Aug. 11.

Man faces felonies for aiding teen runaway
By Mac Cordell, Marysville J-T Reporter
A Richwood man is facing criminal charges after allegedly helping a girl run away from home - again.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Andrew Lui, 21. Court documents list him having an address at 11960 Landon Road, Richwood, and another in Logan, Utah.

County investments earn $558K in last quarter
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
Union County Treasurer Andrew Smarra said the county finished the fourth quarter of 2022 with positive financial conditions regarding the county’s investment portfolio.
He presented the information to the commissioners in a recent regular session as part of the quarterly investment advisory meeting with the board.
“Our credit rating is outstanding for a county, our revenue sources are great, our current position in terms of assets is terrific,” he said. “Our financial conditions are pretty good.”

NU board discusses free breakfast options
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education is revisiting a conversation about getting food options back to the students.
At the regular monthly meeting Monday night, board members opened a discussion about reintroducing the free breakfasts program back into the schools after finding there was a need for food not being met in the district.
Board President Brian Davis said reintroducing the meal would benefit all kids and posed the question of how to do it to board members.

Food insecurity is focus of event
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville J-T Reporter
Community members will be running in the Union County Health Department Stay Active 5K this year to help ensure local children do not go hungry.
As free and reduced lunch benefits for all students expire following the COVID-19 pandemic, UCHD officials said 2023 is the “perfect year” to fundraise for local food security efforts.

Board of Health OKs agreement for vaccination oversight company
By Kayleen Petrovia, Marysville J-T Reporter
The Union County Board of Health approved an agreement in an effort to streamline the health department’s vaccination services.
During their meeting on Wednesday, board members voted unanimously to approve a service agreement with VaxCare, a vaccine management company.
Union County Health Commissioner Jason Orcena said VaxCare will provide inventory management services for the vaccines administered at the Union County Health Department, beyond just COVID-19 shots.

Commissioners offer stance on pipeline
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
After weeks of discussion, a statement on behalf of the Union County Commissioners has been filed in support of Columbia Gas’s planned pipeline connector project but not for it going through preserved farmland.
The statement came as a response to the notification that Columbia Gas of Ohio filed an expedited petition with the Ohio Power Siting Board to extend its Marysville connector project three more years.

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