Local Archived News

Group looks to complete U.C. veterans list
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
With Memorial Day 2023 in the books, the Union County Veterans Remembrance Committee is looking toward the Veterans Day Program in November.
The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11 on the Courthouse lawn at the Plaza.
There are over 5,960 veterans names in the database, which can be accessed from personal computers or at the kiosk at the plaza.
The monument has over 2,200 veteran pavers in the plaza as well. Families of veterans not included still have an opportunity to get names on the pavers.

NUMS students win scholarships at Math Challenge
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
North Union Middle School students were among the top winners of the annual Math Challenge event in Marion.
Students from five area schools came to the OSU-Marion Campus to test their math prowess at the event, hosted by The Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College. The top math students from 145 competitors were awarded a total of $13,500 in scholarships to these colleges.

North Union announces district’s top scholar’s for class of 2023
Editor’s note: The following information is supplied by the North Union Local School District
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Valedictorian: Kendal Walczak Music
Salutatorian: Griffin Salyer
Salutatorian: Ellie Keever
Salutatorian: Mitchell Marlette
Academic Honors Diploma:
Anna Beard, Bailee Amstutz, Cagney Stewart, Ellie Keever, Emma Saunders, Griffin Salyer, Haezel Hamilton, Kendal Walczak Music, Liam Adams, Mitchell Marlette, Morgan Evans, Rylie Varadi

UCBDD eying levy on November ballot
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities is looking to put a levy on the ballot this November.
Superintendent Kara Brown said the board is still a few years out from asking for new money, but with the constant growth in the county, a renewal of existing money is definitely needed.
County commissioners approved that first step in the process Wednesday, paving the way for the DD board to put its 2.4 mill renewal levy on the ballot this fall.

North Union grad achieves rank of Eagle Scout
From Gazette staff reports
A recent North Union High School graduate has reached the rank of Eagle Scout.
Blake Taylor, a scout with Troop 440 achieved the title on May 23 after a confirmation from the group’s board of review last month.
The board reviewed the candidate’s letters of recommendation, advancement report, essay of life goals, Scout Handbook, Eagle Scout project and Eagle Scout Application to make the determination.

CVB talks summer programs, finances
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
Union County is gearing up for summer events and with that comes an influx of visitors to the area.
The county’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Karen Eylon said it’s their job to attract those visitors to the community through planning those events and promoting the county. Given the growth and changes in the area, Eylon said the organization is now doing business as Union County Tourism, partly as a way to look at and manage those changes.
“We’re a destination marketing organization for Union County,” she said.
The CVB operates as a division of the Chamber of Commerce although Eylon said the organization is not technically a count entity.

Richwood Fairgrounds ramp project finishes
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
A goal more than nine months in the making has finally been completed, thanks to a young Richwood resident.
Crews recently finished work on a new ADA-compliant ramp at the front of the Richwood Fairgrounds grandstands after exhibitor Zane Copas said he would donate his winnings to the project last year.
“We were more than happy to see it finally up,” said Justin Copas, Zane’s father. “We were so pleased to see the community come together like that for a good cause.”

Richwood Farmers Market starts season
From Richwood Gazette staff reports
The Richwood Farmers Market had its opening day last Thursday.
As the summer season kicks into full gear, the Union County Health Department is reminding residents that they can enjoy fresh food from a farmers market, which are hosted locally every day of the week but Sunday.
Aside from enjoying fresh options and summer treats, UCHD officials noted that shopping at farmers markets supports local farm families.
Many local markets also accept benefits from food programs like SNAP, Produce Perks, WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

Second-half tax bills mailed out
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
Union County residents will soon see their next cycle of tax bills in the mail.
At the regular meeting of the Union County department officials Tuesday, Treasurer Andrew Smarra told the county commissioners the bills will likely be mailed out at the end of this week. Residents should start to see the bills by the start of next week and will have until July to get them paid.

Student behavior among areas of focus for NU
Annual report shows progress and needs
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
North Union officials said student behavior was among the top things the district worked to improve in the 2022-23 school year.
Monday’s regular school board meeting featured a read-through of the district’s annual report and Superintendent Rich Baird said those areas, as well as others, improved this year, but there is still work to be done.
He said that numbers tended to be higher the previous years and added much of that could be attributed to students adjusting to the COVID interruptions,

Staffing woes force UCSO to scale back contracts
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
Staffing issues at the Union County Sheriff’s Office may lead to cutting back positions, including contracts with other agencies.
Sheriff Jamie Patton told the county commissioners Wednesday that his office has already temporarily suspended its agreement with fraud investigation at the Department of Job and Family Services and may be looking at other contracts and positions as well as “worst case scenario” decisions.

Ford production changes cause questions for UCSO
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
New fleet cruisers have arrived at the Union County Sheriff’s Office for this year, but next year is looking questionable.
Sheriff Jamie Patton said the cars recently arrived from Bob Chapman Ford but also indicated that the message from the automotive company “didn’t look good” for next year.
“We are not getting good feedback from Ford,” he said. “For next year, Ford is going to limit its production and they’re going to shut down their order time frames.”

Retiring NU teachers recognized for 30 years of service
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
The North Union Board of Education recognized the retirement of three teachers in the district, all with 30 or more years of time spent at North Union.
Superintendent Rich Baird presented gifts to Kelly Edgar, Jodi Hoffman and Patti Leimback at the regular board meeting Monday evening.

West Central inmate escapes, is recaptured after pursuit
By Kayleen Petrovia. Marysville J-T Reporter
A West Central inmate was apprehended following a pursuit Sunday after he escaped from the facility Saturday.
Matthew I. McKenzie, 34, of Sidney was charged with one count of escape, a felony of the third degree, following the incident. He was being held at the Tri-County Regional Jail Tuesday.

UCHD strategic plan addresses growth in area
By Kayleen Petrovia. Marysville J-T Reporter
Union County Health Department officials said a proposed strategic plan for the agency highlights “a commitment to who we have been as we explore how we need to change and grow.”
Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Planning Liz Fries and Accreditation Coordinator Tim Kelley presented the Board of Health on Wednesday with the strategic plan that will guide UCHD through Fall 2026.

Development director open to updating incentive agreement
By Michael Williamson, Richwood Gazette
Changes could be coming to Union County’s economic development plan.
Eric Phillips, the county’s economic development director, said that his office is looking to update some of the information associated with the area’s Economic Development Incentive Policy (EDIP).
Phillips told the county commissioners Wednesday that although he disagrees with some of the comments recently made publicly, his office is looking at ways to update the document.

Memorial honored for workforce well-being
Editor’s note: The following information is supplied by Memorial Health.
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The American Heart Association has awarded Memorial Health national Gold Level recognition for its commitments to employee health and well-being, as measured in the Association’s 2022 Workforce Well-being Scorecard.

Union County Master Gardener Tours set for July
Information was submitted by the Union County Master Gardeners
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Tour six of the most awe-inspiring residential gardens and the demonstration gardens at the Agricultural Center that Union County has to offer with Fantastic Plots on Urban Lots, 2023 Union County Master Gardener Tour of Gardens.
The self-guided tour will be held rain or shine on Sunday, July 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Map and garden locations will be provided with ticket purchase. Please pay with exact change or check.
Tickets can be purchased day of the event at the Agricultural Center, 18000 St. Rt. 4, Marysville or the Marysville Art League at Houston House, 264 W 5th Street, Marysville for $10. Please pay with exact change or check.