Local News

Four people were sentenced recently in Hardin County Common Pleas Court.
According to documents from Prosecutor Brad Bailey's Office:
.Jeremiah Dean Leiber was sentenced to a total of seven and a half years in prison on three counts of burglary and one count each of grand theft-firearm, having weapons under disability, theft of checks and forgery.
.Craig James Clark was sentenced to four years in prison on one count each of felonious assault and operating a vehicle while under the influence. He was ordered to pay restitution of just over $3000 to the victim.
.Destiny Marie Bushong was sentenced to a total of 39 months in prison on one count each of tampering with evidence, possession of heroin and theft from an elderly person or a disabled adult.
.Justin Allen Pack was placed on three years community control with intensive supervision on one count each of burglary and tampering with evidence.
All cases were heard by Judge William D. Hart.

Stephanie Jolliff, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, Ridgemont High School was named Ohio's Fuel Up To Play 60 Program Advisor of the Year at an awards ceremony Thursday morning at Ridgemont High School. Jolliff is part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program, taking an active leadership role in encouraging students to get active, eat healthy and make a difference.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program developed by the National Dairy Council, the American Dairy Association Mideast and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). More than 70,000 schools are involved in Fuel Up to Play 60 nationwide.
Through the efforts of Program Advisors like Jolliff, schools across the country are encouraging youth to consume nutrient-rich foods like low-fat and fat free dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Specifically, Jolliff and her students worked with their school district to revamp their concession stand menus to offer healthier choices such as fat free chocolate milk, cheese sticks and yogurt. Jolliff's Fuel Up to Play 60 team also added healthier items to their school's vending machines.
"The NFL Alumni Association is proud of leaders like Stephanie Jolliff. Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisors, like her, deserve to be recognized for their leadership and commitment to building healthier schools and a healthier future for our youth. Their hard work is why the Alumni Association is committed to Fuel Up to Play 60," says George Martin, Executive Director of the National Football League Alumni Association.
In addition to engaging and empowering students to get involved in Fuel Up to Play 60, Program Advisors help their schools and students earn recognition, rewards and funding to support wellness initiatives in their schools. Any adult enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 can become a Program Advisor.
To learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisors visit http://school.fueluptoplay60.com/welcome/program-advisor.php).
For more information on Fuel Up to Play 60 or to sign up for the program visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com or www.drink-milk.com


A McGuffey woman was injured in a one vehicle crash that occurred late Wednesday morning on County Road 90.
According to the report from the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, 29 year old Jessica Johnson was travelling east on 90 when the passenger side front tire hit loose gravel on the side of the road.
Johnson lost control of the car, and it ended up off the south side of the road and overturned, coming to rest on its wheels in a field.
Johnson was transported to Lima Memorial Hospital by Alger EMS.
She was cited for failing to maintain reasonable control.
Deputies were also dispatched to a two vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon.
According to that report, 76 year old Vaughn Collins, of Kenton, drove from Bales Road onto County Road 175, and his vehicle was struck by a northbound car being driven by 27 year old Dominic Purnell, of Mt. Victory.
Heavy damage occurred to the vehicles. There were no injuries, and Collins was cited for a right of way violation.

The Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance Chairman of the Board of Directors, Patricia Arnett, announced on Wednesday, May 16, that Rebecca Potts has been named the new Director of the organization. Potts, a long time Kenton resident, brings a wealth of experience to the organization from her thirty years in the business world.
Rebecca Potts will be joining our staff of Barb Wingfield, Executive Director; John Hohn, Director of Economic Development; Annetta Shirk, Director of Chamber and Tourism; Chris Baker, Office Manager and Angela Rembis as Administrative Coordinator. Potts immediate responsibilities will be to learn about all divisions of the Alliance. Rebecca said, “I am excited about my opportunity to work with the Alliance, to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the organization. I am planning to attend community meetings, and will be working to develop profitable relationships with the businesses and organizations in Hardin County. I am also very enthusiastic about being able to share all that we have to offer to other entities locally, state wide, and nationally.”
Barb Wingfield, Executive Director, will work side by side with Potts to provide guidance in all four divisions. Wingfield has donated her time and expertise for the last five years as Executive Director. Recently she encouraged the Board to spend more time developing a succession plan. The Board actively sought candidates and interviewed several qualified candidates. Potts selection was then approved by the HCCBA Board of Directors.
Barb Wingfield has not announced an actual departure date. According to Wingfield, “I am thrilled to have this time to acclimate Rebecca Potts. With the unique business model that the Alliance has with four combined divisions, it makes the learning curve a little more intense and complicated.”
John Hohn, Director of Economic Development stated, “It will be a great experience introducing Rebecca to the many contacts we’ve established on a local, state and federal level. We also have several projects currently in development and look forward to sharing those with her.”
Rebecca is married to Jim and has two grown children and one grandchild. Her career has spanned over thirty years with Combined Insurance as a Sub-Regional Manager in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania. During that time she has worked with businesses ranging from self-employed, one person operations, to Fortune 500 companies. Additionally she has experience working with municipalities and service organizations.
The Alliance works to create, encourage, and stimulate a dynamic business climate, tourism, and economic development. Our ultimate goal is a positive climate for Hardin County prosperity.

The Hardin County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will conduct a full-scale mock disaster beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Hardin County Fair Grounds. The mock disaster will provide first responders within Hardin an opportunity to practice with various county agencies responding to emergencies. In the planned scenario, the incident will be a motor vehicle accident involving a vehicle and a tanker truck. The accident results in a chemical release into a nearby stream possibly affecting human and livestock population. There are multiple injuries – some with exposure to the chemical. This scenario was selected for the mock disaster because it provides a true representation of a possible multi-victim event in the rural areas of Hardin County.
The mock disaster will require the coordination of many agencies. Hardin County’s fire departments and Emergency Medical Services squads will play a vital role in the mock disaster. Other agencies include the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, all Hardin County Law Enforcement, HazMat Team, Hardin Memorial Hospital , County Engineer, Ohio State Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, Hardin County Health Department, Hardin County Emergency Management, and the Red Cross.
The public is welcome to watch the drill, but the responders will also be directing you as if the emergency was real. On scene officers may request you to return to your homes and take shelter in place as described. Please simulate these actions at the responders’ request. The scenario intent is to make this drill as realistic as possible.
Remember, this is only a simulated drill.




It was announced at the Kenton City Council meeting last night that the city doesn't have the authority to remove the sign stating left turn only at the Kenton Post office. That is the property of the post office. However the Kenton Police Department will not enforce that policy. In comments, the city aggregation program was brought up. It was announced that some residents who are considering whether to opt into the program should be aware that doing so will not, as of now, allow them the option to budget the generation portion of the bill. If residents currently budget their bills, they may want to considering opting out of the aggregation program. AEP will be working to rectify that situation but currently there is no option to budget the generation portion of the electric bill through the aggregation program.
In old business, the council passed two ordinances authorizing the city to enter into a highway improvement project with the Ohio Department of Transportation on bridge work in the city, and the city held a first reading on an ordinance to permit certain part time employees the option to participate in the cities health insurance program.
The next meeting of the Kenton City Council will be on Tuesday May 29th 2012, at the Kenton Muncipal Building at 7:30pm.