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Circleville Herald
Prosecutor hit with professional conduct complaint
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel filed a complaint Wednesday against Hocking County Prosecutor Ryan Black, who is set to resign from his position effective April 19. The complaint shed further light on Black’s alleged inappropriate relationships and workplace conduct over the course of his tenure, made public in a lawsuit filed in February by two former employees. The plaintiffs in that case, Kate Ricketts and Kelsey Vanscyoc,...
City Hall hires two law firms to investigate CPD issues
Circleville City Law Director Kendra Kinney issued a statement Thursday clarifying who will conduct investigations into Police Chief Shawn Baer and Acting Police Douglas Davis, both of whom have been suspended with pay. Baer was suspended March 11 for allegations of misconduct. Davis was suspended last week due to alleged employee misconduct. In Kinney’s statement...
Circleville Herald wins ONMA awards
WESTERVILLE — Six APG-Ohio newspapers won a total of 14 Hooper Awards for 2023 during the Ohio News Media and Collegiate Fellowship Day conference, which was held Thursday at Quests Conference Center in Westerville. “I am very proud of our team and their success,” said Paul Reynolds, regional president of APG-Ohio. “Their commitment and pride for our local communities is evident in the impressive array awards by a very talented team.” ...
Associated Press News Briefs
Israel dismisses 2 officers over deadly drone strikes on aid workers in Gaza JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military has dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in drone strikes in Gaza that killed seven aid workers on a food-delivery mission. The military said a retired general's investigation into the killings found the officers mishandled critical information and violated the army’s rules of engagement. The results of the investigation marked an embarrassing admission by Israel, which faces growing accusations from key allies,...
Jackson County volunteer fire chief pleads guilty to mail fraud
COLUMBUS — The chief of the Coalton volunteer fire department pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Thursday to using more than $200,000 in fire department funds for personal expenses. Johnny Baker, 37, of Wellston, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud for the embezzlement, which included using fire department money to have items for his personal use shipped to his house via UPS. Baker has worked for the...
Bill would ensure patriotic groups can appear in Ohio schools
Two Ohio lawmakers want to make sure state schools follow federal law and allow groups like the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts to be present during the school year. Proposed legislation in the House of Representatives requires schools to allow U.S. Title 36, which permits patriotic organizations to provide information to students. Those organizations could be the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Civil Air Patrol, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and many other groups. ...
Circlville Noon Rotary learns about MORPC's plans
William Murdock, the Executive Director of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), presented to members of the Circleville Noon Rotary, shedding light on the region’s planned growth and sustainability initiatives. MORPC, serving as the regional voice for Central Ohio communities, facilitates collaboration among stakeholders to plan for future growth and ensure sustainability. With a focus on providing data analysis, community resources, and long-range planning, MORPC plays a pivotal role in guiding the development of the region. ...
PICCA Transit starts free shuttle to Rickenbacker area
Pickaway County Community Action (PICCA) is offering a free shuttle service to take people to and from jobs in the Rickenbacker area. The Rickenbacker Shuttle runs Monday through Friday with morning and afternoon routes. State funding for the project will run through the end of 2024, although PICCA is working to secure funds to continue the service into 2025 and beyond, Executive Director Becky Hammond said. “We are proud to...
Associated Press News Briefs
Strongest earthquake in 25 years rocks Taiwan, killing 9 people and stranding 70 workers in quarries HUALIEN, Taiwan (AP) — The strongest earthquake in a quarter-century has rocked Taiwan during the morning rush hour. Wednesday’s quake killed nine people, stranded dozens of workers at quarries and sent some residents scrambling out the windows of damaged buildings. The quake also injured more than 1,000. It was centered off the coast of rural, mountainous Hualien County, where some buildings leaned at severe angles, their ground floors crushed. ...
Councilman Brooks calls for City Hall to provide transparency
Circleville City Councilman Zack Brooks opened up Tuesday’s council meeting by accusing City Hall of withholding information about what’s been happening with the police department that’s under investigation by the state. Brooks called for transparency and asked for documents to be better informed when making decisions. “As we’re all aware, there have been several issues surrounding our Department of Public Safety. Communication between us, the council members, the administration, and...
Pickaway Court of Common Pleas News
Cases recently adjudicated before Pickaway Court of Common Pleas Judge P. Randall Knece: Darrick T. Bryant, 28, of 13947 US 62, Mt. Sterling, pleaded not guilty to Burglary. Disposition: Defendant ordered conveyed to Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare to ascertain his competency to stand trial.Ira Chauler Six. 45, of 10233 Winchester So. Rd., Stoutsville, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs. Disposition: 5 years in prisonShawn M. Cook, 33, of 29 Merlin Ave., Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to Gross Sexual Imposition. Disposition: 16 months in prison, must register as a sex offender for 15 years.Joshua M. Davy, 35, of 4166 Culpepper Ct., Columbus, pleaded guilty to Passing Bad Checks. Disposition: 6 months in jail, $1,512.48 restitutionJessical L. Epling, 30, of 374 E. Main St., Apt. A, Circleville, pleaded guilty to Aggravated Possession of Drugs. Disposition: 3 years treatment in lieu of conviction, 6 months at CBCFMichael W. Hartzell, 32, of 180 E. Main St., Williamsport, pleaded not guilty to a Violation of Community Control. Disposition: To be set for hearing
Logan Elm alum has front row seat to history
Kenton Dresbach has a front row seat to history. The legislative aide to Ohio Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-20) shared with Sunrise Rotary club members at the March 26 meeting how he assists the senator from Lancaster since graduating from Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business, applied economics and political science. Schaffer’s district is comprised of Fairfield, Guernsey, Hocking, Morgan and Muskingum counties, as well as portions of...
PICCA mobile hygiene unit under construction
CIRCLEVILLE — Soap-N-Hope, the mobile hygiene unit to serve the unhoused, those in need, and the entire community during emergencies is under construction and is expected to begin operations in late summer or early fall. The board of directors of Pickaway County Community Action Organization (PICCA) approved contracting with an Illinois company to build the 32-foot-long trailer that will contain three shower stalls (including a handicapped-accessible stall), and two stacked washer/dryer units to save on space. Construction and delivery will take approximately eight weeks. ...
'Serving others is a new, exciting way of life'
Since Walnut Elementary’s K-Kids Club was formed about a year ago, it has made a difference through service projects and fundraisers in Pickaway County. The club’s mission is to inspire students to serve others. “The purpose of starting this club was to provide opportunities for young students to discover their desire to serve,” said Daniel Mabe, a special education teacher and Kiwanis Kids advisor at Walnut Elementary School. “When I interviewed for an administrative job in June last year, I was asked the question, ‘What...
Titans race to finish at Rocky Invitational
NELSONVILLE — Less than a second separated two teen titans of long-distance running in their race to the finish line in the 1,600-meter run on Saturday at the Rocky Brands Track and Field Invitational at Nelsonville-York High School. When the starter’s pistol fired, Teays Valley sophomore Katy Zang and Athens sophomore Sophia Szolosi raced ahead of the pack at a blistering pace, roughly 1 minute around 15 seconds a lap. ...
Pick. Co. election results certified — no changes
When the Pickaway County Primary Board of Elections met Friday to certify the results of the Primary Election — no races or levy votes changed. “We had a little snafu. On election night, you always get the unofficial results pf the election because there are absentee ballots coming in and there are provisional ballots that the board needs to act upon. Today (Friday), these are official. We had a little snafu,” BOE Chairman David Winner said, “but it did not change any of the actual...
Christians embrace their faith with crosswalk on Good Friday
CIRCLEVILLE — Christian faithful helped to carry a cross through downtown Circleville Friday afternoon as part of a Good Friday celebration in Circleville. "It's important to remember, to experience the suffering Christ went through for us,” said Rev. Kenn Barton, pastor at Good Shepard United Methodist Church who organized the event and led the procession. More than 50 people participated in the crosswalk that started around noon at the Pickaway...
City Hall is exploring options to revisit safety forces levy
Based on the talking heads sharing their thoughts at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, it looks as if Circleville’s safety forces levy may not be dead. The 0.4 percent income tax levy for safety forces was defeated with 1,346 voting against the levy and 1,265 favoring the measure in the Primary Election on March 19 — not the first time the voters defeated a similar measure. The proposed levy was a...
AEP electric rates to go up about $10 per month
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio authorized AEP-Ohio to increase customer rates starting April 1. In a March 20 decision, the commission approved the electric company’s update to its basic transmission cost rider, which called for an average bill increase of 6.35%, approximately $10 per month. According to an email sent to customers on Thursday, if a customer receives electricity through AEP Ohio’s Standard Service Offer (SSO), the SSO rate...
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The Circleville Herald is a multimedia news organization with a community newspaper that publishes three days per week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) serving Pickaway County Ohio and the surrounding region. The Circleville Herald also produces the website, www.circlevilleherald.com. Established in 1817 as The Olive Branch, the Circleville Herald began publishing under its current name in 1832 as a weekly publication. Daily publishing began in 1894.
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