Darke
County Visitors Bureau… 2015
Annual Report now available
GREENVILLE, OH (January 26, 2016) – The Darke County Visitors Bureau
has released its 2015 Annual Report. The report can be accessed through
the Visitors Bureau’s website, www.VisitDarkeCounty.org, or by picking
up a printed copy at the Darke County Welcome Center, located at 421 S.
Broadway in Greenville. “The Annual Report is a great way for us to be
transparent and update...
read
more. |
Bluebag
Media… Closings,
delays based upon conditions in the District
GREENVILLE – “It’s not a matter of how it looks in town,” said
Greenville City Schools Superintendent Doug Fries. “It’s the whole
school district.” Residents with children in the district have
sometimes questioned the reason for school closings and/or delays. The
district not only includes the city of Greenville, but goes as far
south as Wayne Lakes, east to Gettysburg, west nearly to Union City...
read
more. |
Ohio
Dept. of Education… $10
Million in grants available to teachers to earn CCP credentials
High school teachers across Ohio will be able to obtain the
qualifications needed to teach college courses in high school thanks to
$10 million in grant funding allocated by the Ohio General Assembly as
part of the Straight A Fund. The new grants, made jointly by the Ohio
Department of Education and Ohio Department of Higher Education,
allocate $5 million to universities to develop programs...
read
more. |
DeWine…
Judge
orders
abandoned steel plant to treat wastewater
(WARREN, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Environmental
Protection Agency Director Craig W. Butler today announced that a
Trumbull County judge has granted the state’s request for a temporary
restraining order against Warren Steel, after it shut down last week,
abandoning hazardous chemicals and wastewater on its site. The...
read
more. |
FBI
Report… Preliminary
Semiannual
Crime Statistics for 2015
Washington, D.C. - January 19, 2016 - Statistics released today in the
FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report revealed overall
declines in the number of property crimes reported and overall
increases in the number of violent crimes reported for the first six
months of 2015 when compared with figures for the first six months of
2014. The report...
read
more. |
Bluebag
News… Judge
orders jail and
probation for Wuebker
GREENVILLE – After pleading guilty in November to 12 counts of Sexual
Imposition, misdemeanors of the third degree, Darke County Common Pleas
Judge Jonathan P. Hein ordered Alan R. Wuebker to serve 90 days in jail
and up to five years probation. The 1992 Versailles graduate was
originally indicted in May 2015 on 12 counts of Gross... read
more. |
Treasurer
Mandel… Village
of North Star
now on OhioCheckbook.com
Momentum Grows for Statewide Government Transparency with Over 475
Local Government and School Districts Partnering with OhioCheckbook.com
- NORTH STAR – Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced today the launch of
the Village of North Star online checkbook
onOhioCheckbook.com.
In December 2014, Treasurer Mandel launched... read
more. |
Attorney
General Mike DeWine… Former
Chief sentenced for Rape of a Child
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that a
former police chief was sentenced today to life with parole possibility
after 25 years for the rape of a child, in addition to several other
charges. Larry Casey is also required to register for the rest of his
life as a sex offender. A Clinton County jury on Jan. 8, 2016, found
Casey, 48, guilty of one...
read
more. |
Bluebag
Media… South
fifth graders win
national Flocabulary contest
GREENVILLE – “If I would migrate this winter and move to a warmer
place, I would bring my sister with me in the bunny hole to Hawaii.”
“Bunny hole to Hawaii,” said Katie Bigelow, Intervention Specialist at
Greenville South Middle School. She laughed… “I think that might be the
one that did it!” The drawing that went with the written... read
more. |
|
Ohio
Department of Education… College
Students Requiring Remedial Coursework Continues to Drop
-- 1/20/2016 -- The percentage of high school graduates requiring
developmental coursework as they enter an Ohio public college or
university dropped significantly in 2015. Data in the recently
published 2015 Ohio Remediation Report shows that the percentage of
students needing remedial coursework decreased from 37 percent in 2014
to 32 percent in 2015. There also was... read
more. |
AG
Mike
DeWine… DeWine
Leads Emergency
Meeting to Fight Ohio’s Drug Epidemic
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today led a
statewide emergency meeting – “Ideas that Work – Fighting the Drug
Epidemic in Ohio” – to help leaders in Ohio’s counties combat the drug
epidemic in our state. "Ohio is facing the worst drug epidemic in my
lifetime," said Attorney General DeWine. "The human toll, the increased
crime, and the overall community impact of this epidemic... read
more. |
Court
News Ohio… Civic
Education
Competition Takes Center Stage at Ohio Statehouse
Why did the Articles of Confederation prove inadequate to form a
national government? In what ways did the Articles of Confederation
demonstrate a distrust of strong national government, and to what
extent do those reasons exist today? Are they justified? These are some
of many questions high school students from across the state will
answer during the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution state... read
more. |
Versailles
Chamber recognizes community contributors, By
Kathy Magoto
Monday evening the Versailles Area Chamber of Commerce recognized James
Youngker as Citizen of the Year, during its annual banquet.
Presenting the award on behalf of the Chamber was former longtime
Village Administrator and former board member Randy
Gump.
“It seems this guy doesn’t do anything for less than a decade or more”,
said...
read
more. |
Edison State Community College… Ohio's
Start Talking! Program
Governor and Mrs. Kasich have requested we distribute information
containing tools and information to help spur and sustain conversations
about drug abuse with our children, grandchildren, and children we
might teach or mentor in some way. For those interested in more
information and resources, including a link to sign up for bi-weekly... read
more. |
DeWine… Fair
Employment and Fair
Housing Laws Guides issued
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today introduced two
new publications to help employers and landlords navigate Ohio’s fair
employment and fair housing laws. “Ohio’s civil rights laws protect
against discrimination on the job and in housing. These guides are
designed to be straightforward manuals to help landlords and employers... read
more. |
Bluebag Media… Commissioners
look back on 2015; ahead to 2016
GREENVILLE – Darke County Commissioners looked back on their
‘positives’ from 2015, and ahead to the challenges in 2016. At the top
of the positives, according to Commissioners Diane Delaplane and Mike
Stegall, were job retention and expansion and the overall economic
outlook. Also high on the list was confirmation last year that Darke
County is going to get the World... read
more. |
Sheriff Dept. investigates two
injury
accidents
Injury
accident at
127 and Hunter Rd
-- On January 21, 2016 at approximately 9:17 AM, Darke County Deputies
along with Greenville Township Fire and Rescue responded to the
intersection of US RT 127 and Hunter Road on a report of a two vehicle
injury crash. Preliminary investigation revealed a Silver 2010 Honda
Odyssey driven by Bernice Lefeld 46, St. Henry was traveling southbound... read
more. |
Avian
Influenza
Update
Here is an update from Hoosier Ag Today regarding the Avian Influenza
Outbreak in Southwest Indiana. Authorities say no additional turkey
farms in a southern Indiana county have tested positive for bird flu
since Sunday. Indiana State Board of Animal Health spokeswoman Denise
Derrer said Sunday that 100 farms tested over 24 hours came back
negative. She says that’s a sign control measures are working. She
calls the...
read
more. |
Bluebag Media… Weights
&
Measures checks protect consumer and business
GREENVILLE – The skimmer will pull up to the pump with a box truck or
another vehicle designed to block the security camera, open the face of
the pump with a generic key, insert an electronic device, return later,
remove the device and pull out the credit card information of anyone
using that pump… “Keys and skimmer parts can be bought on... read
more. |
Bluebag Media… Township
has
plans for Woodland Heights site
GREENVILLE – Greenville City Schools will soon face a dilemma. What
will they do with the properties at Woodland Heights, East, South and
the Junior High Schools? Greenville Township helped answer one part of
that question last week when they presented a down payment to the
district to purchase the Woodland Heights property. According to... read
more. |
Main
Street
contest helps generate over $683,000 in sales
GREENVILLE, Ohio- From November - December, those who shopped downtown
Greenville earned tickets for a chance to win over $3,000 in
merchandise and gift certificates through Main Street Greenville’s “Win
the Window”contest. "The contest was created as a fun way for our
organization to encourage others to shop the locally-owned... read
more. |
Bluebag Media… Probation
gets
new tools as drug challenges continue
GREENVILLE – The Darke County Adult Probation Office currently has 427
individuals on probation, up about 10 percent from the previous
January. Most have been convicted of drug and property crimes,
approximately 70 percent. “They go hand in hand,” said Chief Probation
Officer James Mollette. “Fortunately we don’t have that percentage... read
more. |
|
State Rep. Steve Huffman… District
Winner of House of Representatives Student Art Exhibition Announced
-- COLUMBUS—State Representative Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) today
announced Margaret Heiser as the 80th House District winner of the 2016
Ohio House of Representatives Student Art Exhibition. Heiser attends
Arcanum High School in Arcanum and is taught by Kathleen Pugh. Heiser’s
artwork is titled Seasons. “I appreciate all of the entries from the
80th District from these...
read
more. |
Attorney
General Mike DeWine… DeWine
Introduces Online Student Loan Resource Center
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today the
Ohio Attorney General’s Office has developed a comprehensive online
Student Loan Center to help prospective, current, and former college
students understand and manage student loans. The Attorney General’s
Student Loan Center, contains information and resources to explore
careers, choose a school, apply for... read
more. |
| Court
News Ohio... Children
Active in their Foster Care Placement Plans with New Program,
By Jenna Gant - January 13, 2016 - It can be hard for older children
going through the foster care system to be adopted; they lack the
permanent status with a family they so long for. A new program allows
the 12-18 year-olds to explore ways to help control their own future.
Six Ohio counties – Athens, Fairfield, Guernsey, Hamilton, Montgomery,
and Summit – participated in the pilot program in 2014, and it has
since grown to 11 counties...
read
more. |
|
Attorney General Mike DeWine… Drug
Screening Test for Peace Officer Training Applicants Approved
- (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today
the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) voted to approve the
addition of drug screening for applicants to Ohio peace officer basic
training academies. The testing requirement will become effective July
1, 2016. “Many police departments in Ohio... read
more. |
Kasich
&
Taylor issue resolution honoring Martin Luther King Day
COLUMBUS – Today Governor John R. Kasich and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor
issued a resolution in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday,
January 18, 2016. The resolution recognizes “his legacy of honor,
integrity and commitment to community” that has endured for nearly 50
years...
read
more. |
Two
arrested in
Darke County for Kidnapping
On January 16, 2016 at 4:53pm Darke County Sheriff Deputies conducted a
search warrant at 1011 East Fourth Street, Apartment #2, in Greenville,
Ohio. Robert L. Cates (45) of Greenville, Ohio and Brent A. Perry (44)
of Arcanum, Ohio were taken into custody without incident and are
currently being housed at the Darke County Jail awaiting formal charges... read
more. |
Attorney General Mike DeWine… DeWine
Warns of Five Top Job Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned about
five of the most common scams targeting people looking for jobs or
extra income. In 2015, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received more
than 150 complaints involving work-at-home or business opportunities,
many of which involved potential scams. Some of the most commonly... read
more. |
FBI… Human
Trafficking: Raising
Awareness of a Devastating Crime
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and
the FBI’s efforts to combat trafficking—part of the overall U.S.
government effort—will continue unabated in 2016. The Bureau has two
entities that conduct human trafficking investigations: Our Civil
Rights Unit coordinates trafficking investigations involving... read
more. |
|
Ohio Federation of Republican Women… OFRW Trip for Wreaths Across
America,
Lyn Bliss, OFRW President -- The Ohio Federation of Republican Women
(OFRW) had a group of ladies who had a great trip to Arlington,
Virginia and Washington, D.C. We were among 70,000 volunteers who took
part in the Wreaths Across America Program. There were 64 semi-trucks
containing 241,408 wreaths. Each headstone in Arlington National
Cemetery received a wreath...
read
more. |
Bluebag Media… Local
outdoorsman
publishes a look at 'Outdoors Past'
GREENVILLE – “Greenville man has taken his hobby of collecting old
fishing lures and other outdoor memorabilia to a new level.” Outdoor
columnist Jim Morris was enthusiastic about a new book by Greenville
resident Tom Petkewitz. Morris adds Petkewitz will say he collects old
fishing lures and other outdoor memorabilia... read
more. |
Mandel
Releases
2015 Annual Report
2015 Annual Report Highlights OhioCheckbook.com Launch and Work Being
Done to Make Government More Transparent and Open to the People -
COLUMBUS - Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced today the release of
his Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report highlighting the work being done to
make government more transparent and open to the... read
more. |
State
of the
Union Address, President Barack Obama
Ohio Republican Party response follows text of State of the Union…
Obama: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow
Americans: Tonight marks the eighth year I’ve come here to report on
the State of the Union. And for this final one, I’m going to
try
to make it shorter. I know some of you are antsy to get back
to
Iowa...
read
more. |
Bluebag Media… New
director sees
job as leveraging county strengths
GREENVILLE – With Darke County having already gotten six “Best of Ohio”
awards, Darke County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Matt Staugler
acknowledges the county’s attractions are well-established… “Our job is
to leverage them to the activities and draw people in.” In order to do
that, he and his Board have two projects they plan to promote... read
more. |
James Youngker Citizen of the Year
James Youngker will be named Citizen of the Year at the Versailles Area
Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet this Monday, January
18. The Awards Committee was made aware of Mr. Youngker’s
countless contributions and tireless dedication to the Versailles
community by nomination letters. His lifelong community
service
helped shape the Versailles area in the 1950’s... read
more. |
Attorney General Mike DeWine… Grants
awarded for Campus Sexual Assault Victims Services
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)--Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today
that more than $1.2 million in grants have been awarded to assist
victims of sexual assault on Ohio campuses. The funds are part of $3
million in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding set aside by
Attorney General DeWine earlier this year to enable colleges and
universities to better serve sexual assault victims by providing... read
more. |
DeWine… Sexual
Assault Kit
Testing Initiative Update for January
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today released a
status update on the progress of DNA testing being conducted as part of
the Ohio Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative. As
of January 1, 2016, 247 law enforcement agencies have submitted 11,800
kits to be tested as part of Attorney General DeWine's Sexual... read
more. |
FBI Drug Trafficking… Aryan
Brotherhood Methamphetamine Operation Dismantled
12/31/15 - When a federal judge recently sentenced the last two of 34
Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang members to prison for their roles in a
methamphetamine drug distribution network, it marked the end of the
gang’s foothold in Central Texas—and also highlighted the extraordinary
partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement... read
more. |
Court
News Ohio… Renewed
Justice
January 7, 2016 - Many of the state’s original courthouses were
constructed in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Some of these
architectural treasures have fallen into disrepair, and to endure, they
often require steep investments. Ohio’s court officials have grappled
with a dilemma — renovate or build new? In Madison County, officials
embraced both approaches — create a home for the municipal court in
downtown London...
read
more. |
Bluebag Media… County
revenues
up nearly $1.4 million over previous year
GREENVILLE – Darke County Commissioners approved General Fund
appropriations for 2016 of $20,378,396.57, and total appropriations,
including all outside funds, of $63,679,510.01 at its last regular
public meeting of 2015 on Dec. 30. According to Darke County Auditor
Carol Ginn’s annual report to the Commissioners, this is... read
more. |
DeWine
Warns
Consumers to Avoid Lottery Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today
warned
consumers to avoid lottery and sweepstakes scams as the estimated
Powerball jackpot hits $800 million. In the past month, the Ohio
Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section has received more than
two dozen complaints involving sweepstakes or prize scams. The average... read
more. |
Darke
County Sheriff’s Office… Three
cars involved in accident on US Route 36
On January 8, 2016 at approximately 2:41 PM Darke County Deputies along
with Gettysburg Fire and Rescue, Bradford Fire and Rescue, Greenville
Township Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to the 8700 Block of US
Route 36 East in reference to a 3 vehicle, head-on injury
accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2010
Dodge
Journey driven by Gale A. Butt 44, Piqua, Ohio was westbound on US
Route 36. Butt’s vehicle...
read
more. |
Bluebag Media… Sonner's
concern:
"It's the kids... they don't have a choice"
GREENVILLE – “A lot of the families I deal with now… the adults today
were children then in domestic violence homes.” Annie Sonner,
Coordinator of the Darke County Shelter from Violence, has been helping
families long enough – 24 years – to see the generational influence of
violence in the home. Children from homes where domestic violence
occurred, Sonner continued, “are now... read
more. |
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