General Surgeon Joins OhioHealth Marion Area Physicians

Timothy Schirmer, MD, recently joined OhioHealth Marion Area Physicians and the general surgery practice of Drs. John McDonough and Jose Vale. The addition of Dr. Schirmer to the team of Marion-based surgeons allows him to care for patients in Marion and have regular office hours at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton, expanding access to […]

River Valley FFA Holds Scholarship Luncheon

The River Valley FFA recently held its quarterly Scholarship Luncheon. In order to attend the luncheon, members must maintain grades of A’s and B’s throughout a 9 weeks grading period. If they do so, they receive free pizza and pop one day during their lunch period. “This is a great way to keep our students […]

Ohio Investigative Unit Warns Vendors to Obey Liquor Laws

The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) and the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Liquor Control (DLC) have teamed up to remind liquor permit holders to help keep this holiday season safe. “Ohio retail businesses that sell alcohol must be extra vigilant during this holiday season and practice safe and responsible […]

Application Period Opens for Agricultural Easement Program

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has announced that 12 land trusts, two counties, one township and six Soil and Water Conservation Districts will receive funding to help preserve farmland across the state. These organizations will receive allocations from the Clean Ohio Fund to manage the Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP). Local sponsors have been […]

Ohio House Committee Approves “Heartbeat Bill,” Future Uncertain

A House panel voted Thursday morning to send the “heartbeat bill,” which would place steep restrictions on access to abortion, to the full House. The controversial bill, approved by a vote of 11-6, would prohibit abortion once a fetal heartbeat has been detected, as early as six weeks into a woman’s pregnancy. Anti-abortion advocates are […]

Youth Deer-Gun Season for Deer is this Weekend

Ohio’s 12th annual youth white-tailed deer hunting season gives young hunters the opportunity to pursue the state’s most popular big-game animal on Nov. 22-23, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The youth deer-gun season is open to hunters with a valid youth hunting license and a deer permit. Youth hunters must be […]

Ohio House Approves Limit to Student Testing Time

The Ohio House Thursday passed a bill to limit state testing of students in Ohio to four hours per subject a year. If passed by the Senate, House Bill 228 would limit the time spent on state tests next school year, but won’t be in place in time to affect testing this spring. It would […]

Holiday Crafts Projects Focus of Poppin’ Art Event

The Marion Popcorn Festival is hosting Poppin’ Art in the Venue at bluefusion Entertainment on Saturday, November 22, 2014, 6:30 p.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m. The event gives participants the opportunity to discover the hidden artist in themselves.  Led by Heather Whitt, attendees will follow a step-by-step process to complete one of three holiday craft […]

Three Marion Elementary Schools Achieve 100 Percent Passage of Third Grade Reading Guarantee

Nearly 96 percent of last year’s eligible third-graders across the state met Ohio’s new reading criteria for promotion to the fourth grade, according to data submitted and reviewed by Ohio’s school districts. Seven Marion-area schools beat that statewide percent. In fact, three schools saw 100 percent of their eligible third graders advance, including Elgin Elementary […]

Seminar to Answer Questions about Medicare Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 through December 7, 2014, is that one time each year when older Ohioans can, and should, review their Medicare options and coverages for 2015.  The Marion County Council on Aging said it is important for older adults to understand that there are different plans and choices available for the upcoming […]