State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation to loosen state regulations for concealed-handgun licenses and allow hunters to use gun silencers. Under House Bill 234, the number of training hours needed to obtain a concealed-handgun license would be reduced from 12 to 8. At least two of those hours would have to consist of […]
Marion candle vigil set to honor lost loved ones
December 10, 2014 by
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7:00 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light around the world, hundreds of thousands of […]
Ohio school board votes to eliminate “5 of 8” rule
December 10, 2014 by
Schools won’t likely have to have a nurse anymore. Guidance counselors? They soon may not be required. Librarians? They’re on their way to being just an option. While schools still have to provide an arts, music and physical education curriculum, the state is on its way to wiping out requirements of how many of those […]
Lawmakers pass major changes to Ohio municipal income taxes
December 10, 2014 by
Major changes to Ohio’s convoluted municipal income tax system are headed to Gov. John Kasich after passing the state House of Representatives on Tuesday. The result of years of debate, House Bill 5 will help Ohio businesses by standardizing and streamlining the state’s patchwork system of 300 or so different local tax forms, supporters say. […]
“Heartbeat Bill” blocked by GOP leaders in Ohio House
December 10, 2014 by
A last-minute effort by conservative Republicans to bring the “heartbeat bill” to a House floor vote failed on Tuesday. Rep. Matt Lynch, a Bainbridge Township Republican, planned to add the anti-abortion legislation to a bill tackling infant mortality, but House GOP leaders prevented the move by putting the bill on hold. Lawmakers could add legislation […]
Adoption fees waived for limited time at Marion Dog Pound
December 9, 2014 by
Marion County Sheriff Tim Bailey has announced that he will be waiving the adoption fee of $48 for all new adoptions at the Marion County Dog Pound starting December 10, 2014 for this Christmas season. The sheriff said he hopes the waiver will help the dogs find a home for Christmas. You can adopt a […]
Marion YMCA looking for teams for annual Corporate Challenge
December 9, 2014 by
The Marion Family YMCA is now taking registrations for the 2015 Corporate Challenge. The YMCA Corporate Challenge was designed to get companies together for spirited competition and teambuilding. The YMCA says that not only is this a healthy way for local companies and their employees to stay active in the community, it will also add […]
State reports significant increase in flu-related hospitalizations, urges Ohioans to get influenza vaccine
December 9, 2014 by
Influenza-like illness is on the rise in Ohio, and the number of associated hospitalizations are significantly higher with 202 through November 29 compared to 89 last year. There has been one confirmed influenza-associated pediatric death, a teenager from southern Ohio. The 2014-2015 flu season started in October and likely will continue into next spring. “Influenza […]
Nearly 10,000 fewer deer checked this year during deer-gun season
December 9, 2014 by
Hunters checked 65,485 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s 2014 gun hunting season, December 1-7, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). While the number of deer checked was basically flat in Marion County compared with 2013, the numbers were up in Delaware, Morrow, Union, and Wyandot Counties. Rifles using specific straight-walled cartridges were allowed […]
Man arrested in connection with two Marion robberies
December 8, 2014 by
The Marion Police Department said they arrested a man on Friday and charged him in connection with two robberies in Marion. On December 5, 2014, members of the Marion Police Department, with the assistance of Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies, arrested Shane Jones, 22, of Marion, for robberies at the Colonial Coin Laundry Mat on September […]
