Darke County Ohio News

4-Wheeler Injury Accident
On May 30, 2015 at 3:24 P.M. Darke County Deputies along with Osgood Rescue, Osgood Fire and CareFlight were dispatched to the 8800 block of Foote Rd on an ATV accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a Suzuki 4 wheeler/ATV carrying 3 juveniles was west bound in the ditch along Foote Road. The 4-wheeler struck a culvert, then a utility... read more .

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in April 2015, up from 5.1 percent in March. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 6,400 over the month, from a revised 5,388,600 in March to 5,395,000 in April 2015. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in April was 297,000, up 3,000 from 294,000 in March. The number of unemployed has decreased by 39,000 in the past 12 months from 336,000... read more .

MSN Money… The unemployed are dropping out like flies, Jeff Cox, CNBC
At a time when 8.5 million Americans still don't have jobs, some 40 percent have given up even looking. The revelation, contained in a new survey Wednesday showing how much work needs to be done yet in the U.S. labor market, comes as the labor force participation rate remains mired near 37-year lows. A tight jobs market, the skills gap between what employers want and what prospective employees... read more .

Bluebag Media… VHCC receives its 5th Facility of the Year Award
VERSAILLES – “This is the big award,” Versailles Health Care Center (VHCC) Director Kristy Earick said. “We’re the top facility out of 27 buildings.” She grinned, adding “We get little ones every year… we’re going to have to get a new award cabinet. The Current one is full.” One hundred fifty employees, guests and Covenant Care officials gathered at Stillwater Golf Course May 19... read more .

Attorney General Mike DeWine… DeWine Rejects Petition for Cannabis Control Amendment
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today rejected the petition for the proposed Cannabis Control Amendment because the summary of the petition was not “fair and truthful.” On May 11th, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received a written petition to amend the Ohio Constitution by adding the Cannabis Control Amendment. Attorney General DeWine’s letter rejected the summary... read more .

Economic Impact of Avian Influenza, Sam Custer, OSU Extension, Darke County
Since December 2014, the USDA has confirmed several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in the Pacific, Central, and Mississippi flyways (or migratory bird paths). The disease has been found in wild birds, as well as in a few backyard and commercial poultry flocks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers... read more .

Huffman Applauds Passage of STI Treatment Bill
Ohio Joins Majority of States in Passage of Bill - COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 124, sponsored by State Representatives Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City). HB 124 authorizes a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to prescribe or personally... read more .

Bluebag Media… Grant sought to complete needed work on band shell
GREENVILLE – “Structurally there’s not a lot of life left in the shell,” said Dale Musser, Greenville Parks & Recreation Board. He pointed out many of the areas where Greenville’s Band Shell, built in the 1930’s, needed work, both inside and out. “I’ve had plans… thoughts about this for seven years,” Musser added. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has a grant opportunity... read more .

Attorney Mike General DeWine… DeWine Releases Annual Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse Report -- More than 600 Children Currently Listed as Missing in Ohio; 18,097 Children Reported Missing
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- In advance of National Missing Children's Day on Monday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today released the 2014 Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse Report, which documents that 18,097 children were reported missing in Ohio in 2014. Of the children... read more .

Rumpke Holiday Collection and Proper Pool Chemical Disposal
DAYTON, Ohio—May 20, 2015—Memorial Day is the perfect time for barbecues, picnics and opening swimming pools. It’s also the perfect time for trash truck drivers—like men and women at Rumpke—to be aware of dangers posed by pool chemicals placed in the trash. Pool chemicals are flammable, poisonous and explosive. When mixed with other household items in a garbage truck, the combination can be... read more .

Motorcyclist CareFlighted Saturday
Greenville- On May 23, 2015 at approximately 9:03 p.m. Darke County Deputies. along with Union City Ohio Fire and Rescue, were dispatched to the 7700 block of Palestine Union City Rd. reference to a reported motorcycle accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that 2006 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Matthew R. Glenn (21) of Greenville... read more .

Bluebag Media… Chamber members updated on labor regulations
GREENVILLE – Referring to 2015 as “The Year of Living Dangerously,” Darke County Chamber of Commerce Keynote Speaker, Theodore C. Phlegar, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told members and guests at the Chamber’s Annual Breakfast Meeting May 8 federal labor and employment policy presents a significant challenge to employers. “There are some very serious attacks coming... read more .

Bluebag Media… Knapp, York honored at annual Chamber Meeting
GREENVILLE – “I would like to leave you with a message of kindness… kindness even the blind can see,” said Dave Knapp, Dave Knapp Ford Lincoln. Darke County Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Matt Aultman introduced Knapp as humble and an unashamed Christian. Knapp accepted the Darke County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award May 8... read more .

Avian Influenza Biosecurity guidelines for commercial AND backyard flocks
By Mohamed El-Gazzar, DVM, MAM, PhD, DACPV, Assistant Professor and Poultry Extension Veterinarian, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University -- There has been recent detection of multiple avian influenza viruses into North America (Canada and United States). These viruses are apparently spread by migratory birds. These influenza viruses have been detected... read more .

Ohio.com… Ohio’s Utica Shale investment grows 26 percent, now tops $28 billion, By Bob Downing, Beacon Journal staff writer -- May 7, 2015 -- Ohio’s Utica Shale industry continues to grow, despite low commodity prices, according to a new report by a Columbus-based law firm that has been tracking the industry. The investment in shale projects in eastern Ohio now tops $28 billion, a 40 percent increase in total investments since last fall, says Monday’s report from Bricker & Eckler LLP. The report lists 148 projects, 15 new since last fall... read more .

Bluebag Media… Award winning dementia program comes to BRC
GREENVILLE – An award winning dementia program, Behavior Based Ergonomics Therapy (BBET), is being implemented at Brethren Retirement Community thanks to generous donations from the community and the George B. Quatman Foundation, a trust of Fifth Third Bank. Dr. Govind Bharwani, the creator of BBET, offered a presentation on the program April 29 to BRC staff... read more .

Beagle Receives Small Business Advocate Award
COLUMBUS– State Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) today received the Small Business Advocate Award from the Council of Smaller Enterprises for introducing legislation requiring the state to notify businesses of tax overpayments and provide automatic refunds. “I am honored to receive this COSE award. Senate Bill 263 was a vital step to make sure that Ohio is a business friendly state,” said Beagle... read more .

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Youth Baseball Company Accused of Failing to Deliver Promised Services -- (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a youth baseball tournament company accused of taking deposits for tournaments that never occurred and failing to return consumers’ money. The lawsuit accuses Travel Ball America, doing business as Travel Baseball America, and its owner, Kenneth Halloy of New Albany... read more .

Bluebag Media… Early Bird, Berry garner 4 regional awards
GREENVILLE – The Early Bird Newspaper and Editor Ryan Berry garnered four regional awards from the Mid-Atlantic Community Paper Association. Three were for Berry’s original writing and one was for a staff effort for the 2014 Veterans Day tab. The Veterans tab received the First Place Community Service award in the sequential pages category. The original writing awards were: First Place... read more .

Bicycle-truck crash injures 5-year-old
On May 13, 2015 at approximately 6:05 PM, Darke County Deputies along with Bradford Fire & Rescue, and CareFlight, responded to the 8100 block of Martin Road on a report of a vehicle and bicycle injury crash. Preliminary investigation revealed a UPS delivery truck driven by Mark Nisonger, 48, of Greenville was traveling North on Martin Road when a 5 year old boy riding his bicycle entered the roadway... read more .

Tractor trailer accident
Versailles- On May 12, 2015 at approximately 4:20 am Darke County Deputies, along with Versailles Fire Department and Versailles EMS, responded to the 11000 block of SR 47 on a tractor trailer on its side. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2014 Volvo tractor trailer, driven by Robert Long... read more .

DeWine Announces More than 7,200 Sexual Assault Kits Tested
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that forensic scientists with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) have now tested more than 7,200 sexual assault kits as part of a special initiative to test rape kits that had never been tested for DNA. As of May 1, 2015, 170 law enforcement agencies have submitted 9,643... read more .

FBI… 2014 Preliminary Statistics for Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
May 11, 2015 -- Preliminary statistics released today by the FBI show that 51 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2014. This is an increase of almost 89 percent when compared to the 27 officers killed in 2013. (Note: From 1980–2014, an average of 64 law enforcement officers have been feloniously killed per year. The 2013 total, 27, was the lowest during this 35-year period.) By region, 17 officers died... read more .

Two Local Residents Convicted of Food Assistance Fraud
On May 11, 2015, Darke County Sheriff’s Office Detective Rachael Kuzmicki, along with Darke County Prosecutors, concluded the case against two local individuals accused of trafficking food assistance cards. David and Betty Harter, of Greenville, were formally charged in November 2014 after the Grand Jury indicated them on 2-counts of trafficking food stamps, a fourth-degree felony. Detectives... read more .

Next Generation Crime Stats… UCR’s NIBRS Can Offer Fuller Crime Picture
05/05/15 -- “I believe that NIBRS is the pathway to better data—to richer data—that we can all use to have informed conversations about the most important issues we face.” That statement by FBI Director James Comey regarding the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, was part of a speech he delivered recently to the National... read more .

Court News Ohio… Seeking Solutions to Ohio’s Opiate Crisis, By Stephanie Beougher
May 7, 2015 -- Bottle after bottle of pills were collected at a recent drug take-back event at the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus. More than 104 pounds of unused or expired over-the-counter and prescription medication were taken out of medicine cabinets and disposed of properly. Andrea Boxill, deputy director of the Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team, explained the importance of holding the drug collection. “Over 80 percent... read more .

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Marijuana Legalization Amendment Certified
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—The Ohio Attorney General’s Office today certified the petition for the proposed “Legalize Marijuana and Hemp in Ohio” amendment to the Ohio Constitution. On April 28th, the Attorney General’s Office received a written petition to amend the Ohio Constitution, entitled “Legalize Marijuana and Hemp in Ohio,” from the group Better for Ohio. The submission was certified today as containing... read more .

Ohio Senator Bill Beagle… Senate Prescribes Booster Shot for Outdated PA and APRN Laws
COLUMBUS– State Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) today announced the Senate's passage of a bill to improve access to health care for Ohioans by modernizing Ohio's outdated physician assistant and nurse practitioner laws. Senate Bill 110, co-sponsored by Senator Beagle, seeks to update the scope of practice for Ohio's Physician Assistants (PAs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses... read more .

Juvenile Judges Train To Help Ohio’s Youngest, By Jenna Gant
May 5, 2015 -- Judges who preside over cases for Ohio’s youngest citizens recently participated in the first two Safe and Together Regional training seminars in Dayton and Columbus. Dozens of Ohio juvenile judges worked on best practices for working with children whose lives are turned upside down due to domestic violence. The seminars focused on strengthening the judicial system’s response to domestic violence cases when it impacts... read more .

Darke County Sheriff’s Office… Two victims airlifted following two separate accidents
Careflight called for teen involved in ATV accident -- On May 8, 2015 at 17:09 hr. Darke County Sheriff's Office received a call of an ATV Accident. Darke County Sheriff Office, along with Ansonia Rescue, Ansonia Fire Department and Careflight was dispatched to the 3600 Block of Hillgrove Woodington Rd. Units were advised that a 14 year old male was riding an ATV when the teen was ejected... read more .

Local students receive over $80,000 in awards
Believe in Ohio entrepreneurs awarded over a million dollars in state competition -- Seven Darke County students receive $82,500 out of $802,500 awarded to 172 high school students at state competition conducted by the Ohio Academy of Science. Angela McMurry, K-12 Science Curriculum Specialist, Believe in Ohio--West Central STEM Advocate, Darke County ESC, made these... read more .

Bluebag Media… Edison, local business discuss needs, solutions
GREENVILLE – “The common theme – pretty much from all of them – is a need for soft skills,” said Chad Beanblossom, Executive Director of Edison Community College Darke County Center. Local employers are concerned about the interpersonal and other communication skills of the available workforce… especially with the applicability of Edison’s Core Values. “We’re sort of... read more .

Injury Accident on US 36 near Gettysburg
On May 6, 2015 at approximately 2:59 PM Darke County Deputies, along with Gettysburg Fire and Rescue, Bradford Fire and Rescue, Greenville Rescue, and Careflight were dispatched to the 8100 block of US Route 36, near Gettysburg, in reference to a three vehicle, serious injury crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1999 Chevy SUV, driven by Teresa Ann Johnson, 70... read more .

Ohio State Bar Ass’n Honors Faber with Lawyer-Legislator Award
COLUMBUS— Ohio Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) recently received the 2015 Lawyer-Legislator Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). The annual OSBA award recognizes Ohio lawyers who use their legal training and skills to provide outstanding service as Ohio legislators. "As a member of the legal profession, I am humbled by the recognition of my peers and... read more .

Bluebag Media… Over 40 needles found during Trash Bash
GREENVILLE – Sheriff’s deputies collected more than 40 needles (syringes) as a result of calls from Trash Bash volunteers cleaning up trash in the annual county event April 18 and 19. “We received 25 calls Saturday and Sunday,” Chief Deputy Mark Whittaker told Darke County Solid Waste District Director Krista Fourman in... read more .

Greenville PD Joins Click It or Ticket
Greenville Police will Crack Down on Seat Belt Use – Especially at Night - Greenville, OH – The Greenville Police Department will join local and national law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates all across the country for the 2015 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization, May 18-May 31, 2015. During the... read more .

Attorney General DeWine Warns of Scams Targeting Small Businesses
Average Reported Loss is About $2,000 - (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned small businesses to watch for signs of a scam, including callers who claim the business’s power will be shut off and invoices for products the business never ordered. The warning comes during National Small Business Week, May 4... read more .

Faber Honors Fort Loramie Basketball Champions
COLUMBUS– Ohio Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) joined Senate colleagues in honoring the Fort Loramie girls basketball team for winning the 2015 Division IV State Championship title. The Lady Redkins defeated Waterford High in a 55-48 final to win their second state championship in three years. "One state championship victory is impressive enough, but two gold trophies... read more .

State Rep. Steve Huffman… Huffman Honors Tri-Village Boys Basketball Team
COLUMBUS—State Representative Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) recently presented a resolution on the floor of the Ohio House honoring the Tri-Village High School boys basketball team for their Division IV state championship victory. Under the leadership of Coach Josh Sagester, the Tri-Village defeated Canal Winchester Harvest Prep by a score of 48-46. “Hosting the Tri-Village boys... read more .

Darke County Sheriff's Office… 4000 block of SR 121 Accident
On May 3, 2015 at 4:58 AM Darke County deputies along with Tri-Village rescue and New Madison fire department responded to a rollover injury accident in the 4000 block of State Route 121. When deputies arrived they found a 2002 silver Hyundai Sonata was traveling south on SR 121 and failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway into a field and overturned... read more .

Area officers complete 2015 Crisis Intervention Team Academy
Twenty five law enforcement officers from Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties attended the Crisis Intervention Team Academy April 27-30, presented by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training is a nationally recognized program that teaches law enforcement safe and effective approaches to handling crisis incidents involving... read more .

Darke County Sheriff… Darke County Recognized for SNAP Benefits Savings
The Ohio Council on Welfare Fraud recently held their annual conference in Newark, Ohio. During the conference Darke County was recognized as the 2nd Most Improved County in the State for SNAP Food Assistance fraud savings. The Director’s Award for Excellence in Claims Management award was based on the Percent of Increase... read more .

Ohio Implements community-police ties recommendations
Task Force Recommendations Include New Statewide Standards for Law Enforcement Departments in Key Areas - COLUMBUS – Today Governor John R. Kasich took action to begin implementing the recommendations of Ohio’s Task Force on Community and Police Relations by creating a new, permanent standards-writing body that will issue policies for how... read more .

State Senator Bill Beagle… Beagle Recognizes Tri-Village Basketball State Champions
COLUMBUS– Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) recognized the New Madison Tri-Village High School Boys Basketball team today for winning the Division IV state championship in March. “Coach Josh Sagester and his team have proven their remarkable abilities and determination both in academics and athletics through this monumental win for New Madison,” said Beagle. “It is an honor to... read more .

The New York Times… Serving All Your Heroin Needs, By Sam Quinones
April 17, 2015 - FATAL heroin overdoses in America have almost tripled in three years. More than 8,250 people a year now die from heroin. At the same time, roughly double that number are dying from prescription opioid painkillers, which are molecularly similar. Heroin has become the fallback dope when an addict can’t afford, or find, pills. Total overdose deaths, most often from pills and heroin, now surpass traffic fatalities... read more .

Ohio Senator Bill Beagle… Beagle Introduces “The Klonda Richey Act”
COLUMBUS— State Senator Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) announced legislation today aimed at reforming Ohio’s laws pertaining to nuisance, dangerous, and vicious dogs. Following several tragic incidents in the Dayton region and across the state, Beagle along with several other local lawmakers decided to address the issues within existing Ohio law. “The Klonda Richey... read more .

Bluebag Media… Teams ‘blanket’ the county picking up trash
GREENVILLE – In 2014 volunteers picked up 17,000 lbs. of trash; according to Darke County Solid Waste District Director Krista Fourman, they ended up doing about 1,000 lbs. more this year. The annual Darke County Trash Bash took place April 18 and 19; with 1,136 volunteers working roads and highways throughout the county. They ended up collecting... read more .

Bipartisan control over elected officials pay; Ohio Senate Proposes a Constitutional Amendment
COLUMBUS— The Ohio Senate today passed a proposal to amend the Ohio Constitution in order to establish a Public Office Compensation Commission. If approved by Ohio voters in November, the bipartisan Commission would review and determine the compensation, up or down, of every elected official in Ohio, except those elected under home rule authority. Ohio Senate President Keith Faber... read more .

AG Mike DeWine… DeWine Offers Charitable Giving Tips Following Earthquake in Nepal
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today offered charitable giving tips in the wake of the Nepal earthquake that has killed thousands. “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic earthquake in Nepal,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We encourage Ohioans to give generously to help the victims, while also taking steps to avoid scam artists who will keep charitable donations... read more .

Bluebag Media… York resigns from Visitors Bureau
GREENVILLE – “I got her letter on April 6 but refused to accept it without giving her some time to think it over,” said Roger Van Frank, President, Darke County Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees. “Didn’t do any good.” As of June 1, 2015, 15 years to the day after accepting the position, Deanna York has resigned as Executive Director of the Darke County Visitors Bureau. She said it was a heartfelt decision... read more .

AG Mike DeWine… DeWine Rejects Petition for Legalize Marijuana in Ohio Amendment
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today rejected the petition for the proposed Legalize Marijuana in Ohio amendment because the summary of the petition was not “fair and truthful.” On April 17th, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received a written petition to amend the Ohio Constitution by adding the Legalize Marijuana in Ohio Amendment. Attorney General DeWine’s letter... read more .

Two accidents: Semi and car, and single vehicle
Semi, car accident at US 127 & Kruckeberg Road -- On April 23, 2015 at approximately 4:59 pm Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Township Fire, Greenville Township Rescue and Darke County EMA responded to an accident involving a semi and car at the intersection of US 127 and Kruckeberg Rd. Preliminary investigation revealed Tommie Morrison, age 62, of Greenville turned his 1999 Toyota Camry west... read more .

Injury accidents Mercer County
On yesterday’s date, the Celina Police Department investigated two injury traffic crashes. The first was at about 1:48 PM on N. Main St. at W. Forest St. Seventeen year old Zachary Bigelow of Celina was northbound on Main St. near Forest St. when he turned the 1999 Honda Passport he was driving left to enter Forest St. He entered the path of a southbound 2012 Ford Focus driven by 24 year old Shelby Woods, also of Celina... read more .

Larson named new president of Edison
Piqua, Ohio, April 22, 2015 – The board of trustees at Edison Community College has announced Doreen M. Larson, Ph.D. as the new President of the institution. Larson will lead the two-year college which prepares students for transferring to four-year colleges or universities as well as preparing students for immediate employment. Larson will join Edison Community College from Pierpont Community... read more .

Greenville PD hires emergency communications operator
The Greenville Police Department would like to congratulate Katherine Mangen for being chosen as the newest Emergency Communications Operator. After an intense hiring process, Ms. Mangen was chosen to join the excellent team of dispatchers employed by the Greenville Police Department. Ms. Mangen will go through several weeks of training during which time she will learn the indepth... read more .

Attorney General Mike DeWine… DeWine Awards More than $24,000 for National Crime Victims' Rights Week -- (COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- In honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has awarded multiple Ohio crime victim service agencies with funding to promote the resources available to victims of crime. Eighteen agencies will share a total of $24,344 to fund awareness campaigns throughout the week. "It is important that Ohioans are aware of what services... read more .

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Overdose Prevention Task Force Issues Recommendations
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today the recommendations issued by the Overdose Prevention Task Force, which was formed by Attorney General DeWine last year to address issues regarding the real-time reporting of drug overdose deaths in Ohio. Attorney General DeWine created the task force, which was chaired by Montgomery County Coroner and Ohio State... read more .

Darke Chamber wins 2015 Best Advocacy Campaign Award
Columbus, OH – The Ohio Chamber’s Chamber Action Alliance (CAA) awarded the Darke County Chamber of Commerce the 2015 Best Advocacy Campaign Award for its extraordinary efforts and commitment to an advocacy campaign centered on a single issue: drugs in the workplace. This is the second year in a row that the Darke County Chamber has been recognized for its outstanding... read more .

Ohio Senate Honors Versailles High Basketball Champions
COLUMBUS– Ohio Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) today honored the Versailles High School girls basketball team on the floor of the Senate for winning the 2015 Division III state championship. The team defeated Ottawa-Glandorf High School in a tight 49-46 game in Columbus on March 21, 2015. Some of the team members earned... read more .

School bus involved in accident at Hogpath and Gordon-Landis Roads
On April 17, 2015 at approximately 2:49 p.m. Darke County Deputies, Arcanum Rescue and Arcanum Fire were dispatched to Hogpath Road and Gordon Landis Road in reference to a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a yellow 2015 Blue Bird Franklin Monroe school bus driven by Paul Peters, 67, of Arcanum, Ohio was stopped northbound on Gordon Landis Road at the posted stop sign at Hogpath Road. Peters failed to yield... read more .

Bluebag Media… Robbins, 19, Greenville’s newest firefighter
GREENVILLE –Levi Robbins, 19, Greenville Fire Department’s newest – and youngest – firefighter took his oath April 9 in the Greenville City Council Room. Coming to the department with two years experience as a volunteer with the Pleasant Hill Fire Department, Chief Mark Wolf said he would be moving to A Shift to fill the spot created when Capt. Jeff Dohme retired. “He did quite well... read more .

One airlifted following two-vehicle accident at US 127 and Kruckeberg Rd.
Greenville - On April 16, 2015 at approximately 11:03 a.m. Darke County Deputies, along with Greenville Township Fire and Rescue, and mutual aid from Gettysburg Rescue were dispatched to US 127 and Kruckeberg in reference to a two-vehicle injury accident with entrapment. Preliminary investigation shows that a 2007 GMC Yukon, driven by Kenneth G. Diedenhofer (68) of Greenville was... read more .

Faber Honors Darke County Chamber for Excellence in Advocacy
COLUMBUS– Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) today honored the Darke County Chamber of Commerce for winning the Chamber Action Alliance's 2015 Best Advocacy Campaign Award. This is the second consecutive year that the Darke County Chamber has earned recognition for its grassroots campaign to combat drugs in the workplace. The Chamber Action Alliance (CAA)... read more .

AG Mike DeWine... DeWine Releases April Sexual Assault Kit Testing Update
(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 (SAK) Testing Initiative. As of April 1, 2015, 156 law enforcement agencies have submitted 9,354 kits to be tested as part of the initiative. Of those, 19 kits... read more .

College Credit Plus, By Laura Bemus, Assistant Supt., Greenville City Schools
What is College Credit Plus? College Credit Plus provides students the opportunity to earn college credit while attending high school and replaces PSEO (Post Secondary Education Option) and dual enrollment. Governor Kasich signed H.B. 487 into law on June 16, 2014 and the College Credit Plus program will become operational for... read more .

Ohio children to receive more than 9,000 Bike Helmets
Promotes Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Week May 2-10, 2015 -- COLUMBUS – Around 9,300 bicycle helmets will be going to children across Ohio thanks to a partnership between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). ODOT is contributing $25,000 to the campaign with the Ohio AAP kicking in another $14,000. The effort is part of the Ohio AAP’s Put a Lid on It! Bike Helmet Safety... read more .

Darke County Sheriff’s Office… Be on alert for local volunteers
Darke County Sheriff Toby L. Spencer and the Darke County Solid Waste Management District Director Krista Fourman would like to advise motorists to use caution while traveling Darke County roadways in the upcoming weekend. On April 18th and April 19th Darke County Solid Waste Management District will be holding its 8th Annual Trash Bash. Over 1100 volunteers and organizations will be... read more .

AG Mike DeWine… Ohioans Report Tax Scams as Filing Deadline Approaches
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned Ohioans to beware of threatening calls purportedly “from the IRS” as the April 15 tax-filing deadline approaches. In the past week alone, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received more than 100 reports of IRS-related scams from consumers across the state. “Many of... read more .

Bluebag Media… Retiring captain will miss his fire “family”
GREENVILLE – “I was 10 minutes into my first shift (as captain) when we got a call on a structure fire with people trapped on the second floor,” said retiring Greenville Fire Department Capt. Jeff Dohme. No one was hurt, however, as someone had backed a van up to the structure and those trapped were able to jump on top of it. That was 1999. Dohme had already been with the department for... read more .

Bluebag Media… Future road funding crisis possible for county
GREENVILLE – “We are in a serious situation, and it is an obligation of the state to help us. It looks like there is no interest (in Columbus) in doing that.” Darke County Engineer Jim Surber expressed his frustration regarding funding for local infrastructure on March 25. Noting his job is currently a “challenge,” he said funding levels are requiring him to dip into his reserve at a rate of... read more .

FBI… Tax Return Fraud
Criminals are proficient in stealing the personally identifiable information (PII) of individuals to facilitate various fraud activities, including using stolen identity information to file fraudulent tax returns. Once the fraudsters obtain victim PII, they electronically file tax returns and set up pre-paid debit cards or bank accounts to route fraudulent returns. The... read more .

Bluebag Media… “Your Dream Job is Right Here!”
GREENVILLE – Can’t find a job locally? You probably haven’t tried Hometown Opportunity! According to Darke County Economic Development Director Marc Saluk, there is no need to look outside the area for that “dream job.” It can be found at Hometown Opportunity (hometownopportunity.com). “What started out as a simple job posting site has evolved into a complete career connection,” he said... read more .

NFRW Briefed by Republican Leaders; Local Resident Among More than 150 ‘Red Coats’ at U.S. Capitol -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dozens of Republican elected officials, including several freshman congresswomen, briefed more than 150 Republican women leaders from across the country during the National Federation of Republican Women’s (NFRW) biennial Legislative Day at the U.S. Capitol on March 19. Lyn Bliss (Greenville), President of the Ohio Federation... read more .

Upstart Biz Journals… Google, other big tech companies team up for digital spying reform
The UpTake: Tech companies like Apple Inc., LinkedIn Corp., MICROSOFT Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Facebook Inc. have formed the Reform Government Surveillance coalition. Google Inc. and an ARRAY of the biggest U.S. technology companies including Facebook Inc. and MICROSOFTCorp. are uniting to combat government collection of some user data. The effort, dubbed the Reform Government Surveillance coalition, is being joined by other... read more.

The Daily Signal… Ohio Makes State Government Spending Data Publicly Available Online, by Kate Scanlon -- March 31, 2015 -- Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel is seeking to “set a new national standard for transparency” with a website that allows users to study how funds are being spent in the state. OhioCheckbook.com enables users to examine over $400 billion dollars in state spending over seven fiscal years in state spending. Information is presented in... read more .

MSN News… Wanted at the White House: A Fence That Says Halt! (With Curb Appeal), By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT and MICHAEL D. SHEAR - WASHINGTON — Just after a Secret Service official shouted “Go!” and started a stopwatch, an agent hurtled toward a 10-foot-high fence with curving rods at the top. Intended to slow any climber, the rods unexpectedly served as handholds that allowed the agent to hoist himself over the fence, a variation of the cast iron barricade at the White House. The feat took under seven... read more.

ODOT invites public comment… 2016-19 Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan; Comment period is March 30 through April 10, 2015 -- COLUMBUS (Tuesday, March 31, 2015) – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now accepting public comments on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) for 2016 to 2019. The STIP identifies the multi-modal transportation improvement projects that are scheduled for some phase of implementation throughout the state over the next four years. The draft documents will be available... read more.

Injury Accident on Horatio Harris Creek
On March 31, 2015 at approximately 10:50 a.m. Darke County Deputies along with Gettysburg Rescue and Gettysburg Fire were dispatched to the 6400 block of Horatio - Harris Creek Road in reference to an injury accident. Preliminary investigation has revealed a 2005 Silver Jeep driven by Bonnie Whitted, 78, Greenville, Ohio was traveling west on Horatio Harris Creek Road. Mrs. Whitted lost control of the... read more.

Darke County Sheriff's Office... Injury accident at US 127 and SR 503
On March 30, 2015 at approximately 8:31 pm, Darke County Deputies, along with Tri Village Rescue and New Madison Fire Department responded to the intersection of US Route 127 & SR 503 in reference to a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a tractor trailer, driven by Lorenzo Rodriguez-Ortiz (48) of Rigby, Idaho, was... read more .

State Route 49 to Close during Sewer Construction
Dayton, Ohio (March 23, 2015) - Starting on Monday, March 30, State Street (SR 49) in the Village of Phillipsburg will be closed due to sanitary sewer installation and construction. Traffic will be detoured in the area. The road closure is scheduled to be in place for approximately 90 days. "Roadways must be closed to provide a safer work environment and allow for faster construction progress," said Patrick Turnbull, director of Montgomery County... read more.

Darke County Sheriff's Office… Injury Accident at Childrens Home Bradford Road and US 127
On March 30, 2015 at approximately 6:17 a.m. Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Township Rescue, Greenville Township Fire, Greenville City Fire, Ansonia Rescue and Careflight were dispatched to the intersection of Childrens Home Bradford Road and US Rt. 127 in reference to an injury accident. Preliminary investigation has revealed a 2004 Chevrolet Impala driven by Debra Humbert... read more .

MSN Money… Jell-O, that jiggly dessert famously favored by Bill Cosby, could get the ax: analyst, By Trey Williams -- Like its once-revered spokesman, Bill Cosby, the Jell-O brand has seen the value of its brand erode precipitously. In the aftermath of the announcement that Kraft Food Group Inc. and H.J. Heinz Co. will join forces, Morningstar senior analyst Erin Lash suggested that the Jell-O brand could be on the chopping block as 3G Capital Partners casts a critical eye on the Kraft portfolio. “Despite investments to try and turn around the brand,” Lash said... read more.

Injury accident at 118 & 705
Burkettsville- On March 28, 2015 at 9:39 a.m. Darke County Deputies, along with Burkettsville Fire, Rossburg Fire and Ansonia Rescue, were dispatched to SR118 at SR705 reference to a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 Honda Fit, driven by Brian Sutton (47) of Tipp City, was eastbound on SR705 and... read more.

Mercer drug bust nets 12
Celina, Ohio – Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey and Celina Chief Tom Wale announced the indictment and arrests of the following persons. All of the charges are a result of an investigation by the Drug Unit (Grand Lake Task Force). The Grand Lake Task Force includes agencies from Mercer and Auglaize Counties. The Drug Unit in Mercer County is a... read more.

MSN.com… Washington girl performs 600 acts of kindness to honor late grandmother
Larry LaRue, News Tribune, Tacoma, Wash. -- Before it careened out of control - before she decided to perform 600 acts of kindness in one year - Alex McKelvey began with one. She was 6 years old when her maternal grandmother, Linda, died in September 2013. "Mom and grandma were best buddies, and mom cried a lot when she passed on," Alex said. "I told her grandma was up in heaven... read more.

Court News Ohio… New Statewide Program to Teach Civility
March 20, 2015 - A new curriculum aimed at teaching civility to middle school students is now available to Ohio teachers. The seven-lesson package of activities was developed by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) with support from the Thomas J. Moyer Legacy Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) and funded by the Ohio State Bar Foundation. It’s designed to help students gain knowledge to... read more.

Darke Chamber leads multi-county wage and benefit survey
(GREENVILLE, OHIO) - For several months, the Darke County Chamber's Human Resources (HR) Council has been discussing the topic of conducting a wage and benefits survey with other chambers in the region. Last month, the HR Council invited chamber executives from the Celina-Mercer County Chamber, Preble County Chamber, Southwestern Auglaize County... read more.

Huffington Post… John McCain To Obama: Get Over Your 'Temper Tantrum' On Israel, by Sam Levine
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said on Sunday that President Barack Obama should "get over his temper tantrum" over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The president should get over it. Get over your temper tantrum, Mr. President, it's time that we work together with our Israeli friends and try to stem this tide of ISIS and Iranian movement throughout the region, which is threatening the very fabric of the region. The least of your problems is what... read more.

Injury Accident on S.R. 49
On March 23, 2015 at approximately 5:40 PM Darke County Deputies, along with Greenville Rescue, Greenville Twp. Fire Dept.,and Arcanum Rescue were dispatched to State Route 49 near Heritage Road in reference to a one vehicle, injury accident. Careflight was requested to the scene but was unable to fly due to weather conditions. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2004 Chevrolet Impala... read more.

AG Mike DeWine… DeWine, Hughes, O’Brien Urge Support for Violent Career Criminal Act
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, State Senator Jim Hughes (R-Columbus), and Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien are urging support for the Violent Career Criminal Act, which was introduced this General Assembly as Senate Bill 97. Sponsored by Senators Hughes and Frank LaRose (R-Copley), the legislation would add additional prison time for repeat violent offenders... read more.

Treasurer Josh Mandel … Mandel Earns #1 Transparency Ranking in the Country
Improves Ohio's Transparency Ranking from 46th to 1st in the Nation, Receives Highest Score in the History of U.S. PIRG's Rankings - COLUMBUS - The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) released their annual "Following the Money 2015" report today and Treasurer Josh Mandel earned Ohio the number one transparency ranking in the country for providing online access to government... read more.

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in February 2015, unchanged from January 2015. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 3,300 over the month, from a revised 5,383,900 in January to 5,387,200 in February. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in February was 291,000, down 2,000 from 293,000 in January. The number of unemployed has decreased by 66,000 in the past 12 months from 357,000. The February... read more.

Darke County Sheriff’s Office… Driver in critical condition following single vehicle accident
On March 20, 2015 at approximately 7:01 a.m. Darke County Deputies along with Gettysburg Fire Department, Gettysburg Rescue, Greenville Township Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to 8500 block of Childrens Home Bradford Road in reference to a single vehicle injury accident. The caller reported a vehicle in a field with a female yelling for help. Preliminary investigation revealed... read more.

Court News Ohio… First-Time Ohio Mock Trial Champion Takes the Trophy, By Stephanie Beougher
March 16, 2015 -- More than 300 high school students from 32 teams competed during a three-day period, with one team emerging victorious. Westerville North High School defeated Ashland High School to win the 32nd annual High School Mock Trial Competition on March 14. It was the first time a Westerville North team had won the mock trial final. “For us to be the first people to actually win it, let alone get here, it was breathtaking, unbelievable... read more.

Attorney General DeWine… As Sunshine Week Begins, DeWine Releases 2015 ‘Yellow Book’
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today released the 2015 edition of Ohio Sunshine Laws: An Open Government Resource Manual. The release of the manual, commonly referred to as the “Yellow Book,” coincides with the beginning of Sunshine Week. “The ‘Yellow Book’ is published to help requesters understand their rights and for government agencies to understand their obligations... read more.

MSN.com… Senate leader: Obama on verge of 'very bad deal' with Iran, By Doina Chiacu - U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday that President Barack Obama was on the verge of making a "very bad deal" on Iran's nuclear program and made clear that Congress will weigh in on any agreement. "Apparently the administration is on the cusp of entering into a very bad deal with one of the worst regimes in the world that would allow them to continue to have their nuclear infrastructure," McConnell said ... read more.

Bluebag Media… More consumers looking for unique, local shopping
GREENVILLE – “Retail is in a massive transformation period. Consumers have lost their enthusiasm for strolling through massive stores…” This quote by consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow was offered by Main Street Greenville Executive Director Amber Garrett as a reason for the growing shopping trends in Greenville and Darke County... read more.

Scheduled improvements to County Roads and Bridges, By Jim Surber P.E., P.S., Darke County Engineer - An estimated $2,757,949 worth of improvements to Darke County roads and bridges is scheduled for 2015 that will be 90% percent locally funded. This is $329,943 less than in 2014. Local funds come only from gas tax and license fees returned monthly to the County by the State of Ohio for County Highway operations. No real estate taxes, sales taxes, or money... read more.

When tragedy strikes, Tri-County Crisis Response Team helps communities cope
As details of the recent tragic event in Troy trickled out over social media, traditional media and neighbor to neighbor, it quickly became apparent that the scope and impact would reach far beyond the families involved. Four children ages 8 through 14 were poisoned by carbon monoxide build up in the house. Three have died. Emergency responders – police, fire and EMTs – described... read more.

Ohio Senator Bill Beagle… Historic Adoption Records Law Takes Effect March 20
COLUMBUS– State Senators Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) and Dave Burke (R-Marysville) co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that is set to take effect on March 20, 2015. Next Friday, 400,000 people born in Ohio and adopted between January 1, 1964 and September 18, 1996 can request a copy of their original birth certificate. After a 15-month implementation period, required by the Ohio Department of Health... read more.

Bluebag Media… Retail is changing but economic outlook is positive
GREENVILLE – “Retail as we know it is changing.” That is the general consensus of three individuals who tend to keep a finger on the pulse of local economics. According to Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall, the brick and mortar ‘big box’ stores are going away. Main Street Greenville Executive Director Amber Garrett and Darke County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Deanna York agree... read more.

Darke County Sheriff’s Office… Two-vehicle injury accident
On March 12, 2015 at approximately 12:30 PM Darke County deputies along with Tri-Village Rescue, New Madison Fire, Arcanum Rescue, CareFlight and LifeLine were dispatched to the intersection of New Madison-Coletown Road and Hollansburg-Arcanum Road in reference to a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a blue 1983 Chevy Suburban driven by George M. Fudge, 39 of New Paris, Ohio stopped at the posted stop sign... read more.

Injury Accident on US 36 and Jaysville St. Johns
On March 11, 2015 at approximately 1011 hrs. Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Township fire Department and Greenville Township Rescue were dispatched to US Route 36 and Jaysville St. Johns Rd. in reference to an injury accident. The caller reported a vehicle off the roadway with possible ejection. Investigation revealed that a 2000 GMC crew cab truck, driven by Jimmie D. Platt, age 75, Covington, Ohio was westbound on US Route 36... read more.

Darke County Sheriff’s Office… Methamphetamine Drug Lab Discovered in Mobile Home Park
On March 9, 2015 the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit served an arrest warrant on David Reffitt, age 42, for trafficking in heroin. Reffitt was taken into custody at his residence, 503 Beamsville Union City Road Lot#29. While at the residence officers noticed a chemical odor similar to what is found in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Officers also observed items present... read more.

Federal News Radio… Carter opens door to more DoD civilian job cuts
Department of Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told Congress Wednesday that civilian workforce reductions need to be part of the Pentagon's strategy to deal with tightening budgets. He said that, although parts of the workforce have grown out of necessity over the last decade, the Pentagon has not done enough to reduce overhead in its civilian ranks. In his first round of Congressional hearings since becoming Defense secretary in early... read more.

AG DeWine Releases March Sexual Assault Kit Testing Initiative Update
(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 (SAK) Testing Initiative. Status of Initiative as of Monday, March 2, 2015: • A total of 152 law enforcement agencies in Ohio have submitted 9,237 rape kits for testing b... read more.

Edison Community College Selects Four Candidates for President
Edison Community College has selected four candidates for the position of President and will bring each candidate to campus for two days between March 17 and April 2. The selected candidate will replace Interim President Dr. Karen Rafinski, who has led the College following Dr. Cristobal Valdez’s announced departure in the previous academic year... read more.

Darke County's Most Wanted… Joseph Cheadle
Wanted for: November 2014 – Bench Warrant issued by Darke County Municipal Court for Failure to Appear on a Marijuana Drug Abuse charge; a minor misdemeanor. November 2014 - Arrest warrant issued the Darke County Common Pleas Court upon and Indictment by the Darke County Grand Jury for Domestic Violence, a felony of the 4th degree. December 2014 – Arrest warrant issued... read more.

AG Mike DeWine… Ohio Sues BP for $33 Million in Wrongful Oil Tank Clean-Up Compensation
Attorney General DeWine Alleges BP “Double Dipped” from State Fund and Insurers -- (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board today announced a lawsuit against BP Inc. for wrongfully obtaining more than $33.3 million in reimbursement to clean up leaks from BP-owned underground storage tanks in Ohio... read more.

AG Mike DeWine… Top Phone Scams During National Consumer Protection Week
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned consumers about five of the top phone scams reported to his office. “Every day, there’s a scammer who picks up the phone, tells a big lie, and tries to get money from someone in Ohio,” Attorney General DeWine said. “No longer do thieves have to rob a bank to get cash. They just pick up the phone, tell a very detailed, believable... read more.

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in January 2015, unchanged from a revised 5.1 percent in December 2014. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 25,100 over the month, from a revised 5,369,900 in December to 5,395,000 in January. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in January was 293,000, up 1,000 from 292,000 in December. The number of unemployed has decreased by 78,000... read more.

Ohio AG Mike DeWine… Agreement with Naloxone Manufacturer Announced
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that Ohio has reached an agreement with naloxone manufacturer Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. regarding rebates for public entities that purchase Amphastar naloxone within the next year. As part of the agreement, Amphastar has agreed to provide a $6 rebate for each Amphastar... read more.

Mercer County Sheriff… Suspected drug use leads to assaultive behavior
Sheriff Jeff Grey reports that on March 6, 2015 at approximately 9:19am, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office received several calls in regards to a disturbance at Grand Manor Trailer Court, 3601 State Route 703 in Jefferson Township. The callers reported that a male was half-clothed, covered in blood, and was trying to fight with people. When law enforcement... read more.

Bluebag Media… State tax refund quiz off to a rocky start
GREENVILLE – “I’m not sending my personal information to them through the mail,” said one frustrated taxpayer. “Who knows who might be looking at it on the other end.” The Greenville resident had filed her tax return online as she had in years past, only to find out she had to take a test to prove she was who she said she was. She was one of the reportedly one in 10... read more.

Reward Offered regarding Bald Eagle Shot in Preble County
Xenia, OH - The ODNR Division of Wildlife is asking the public for information about the shooting of a bald eagle in Preble County. The incident occurred around Saturday, Feb. 21. The bird was found northeast of Eaton. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspected poachers. Bald and golden eagles are protected under federal law by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act... read more.

Mehaffie Named Chairman of Edison’s Board of Trustees
Darryl Mehaffie has been elected to serve as chairman of Edison Community College’s Board of Trustees. Mehaffie’s appointment took place at the January 28 board meeting and will continue for the next two years. As a member of Edison’s Board of Trustees for over fifteen years, Mehaffie is accustomed to the College and realizes the significance in being named chairman. “I was pleased to learn of my election... read more.

FBI… Testimony on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigation, Michael Steinbach
February 26, 2015 - Good morning Chairman Sensenbrenner, Ranking Member Lee, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the dynamic threat posed by foreign fighters traveling in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the continued threat to the United States posed by homegrown violent extremists. These threats remain one of the biggest priorities... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Another cold case rapist arrested
(CLEVELAND) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty announced today that an alleged serial rapist accused of crimes that date back to 2001 has been indicted and arrested through the efforts of the Cuyahoga County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force. Darrell Blackmon, 52, was arrested Thursday... read more.

Bluebag Media… PARCC requirements creating a “range war”
DARKE COUNTY – During the public comments segment of the Versailles Board of Education on Feb. 17, more than 25 angry parents submitted letters opting their children out of the state’s new PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers). Among the parents’ concerns were the tests having no educational value; results... read more.

MSN.com… Homeland Security funding drama darkens U.S. fiscal outlook, By Richard Cowan and David Lawder -- Congress narrowly averted a partial shutdown of the U.S. domestic security agency late on Friday night, but the forces behind the chaotic episode remain - fractious Republicans and House Speaker John Boehner's lack of control over them. That may portend more serious trouble ahead as Washington confronts fiscal challenges on a grander scale. In five to seven months, the federal debt ceiling will again be reached, and by October Congress must pass... read more.

Bluebag Media… Community gets update in fight against drug abuse
GREENVILLE – “This Vivitrol? Get it!” said a woman in the audience. Darke County Chamber of Commerce Director Sharon Deschambeau told her it’s not a cure. “It is to me,” the woman said. “It’s hope! I want my son home.” Earlier she had told the panelists her son was addicted to heroin. She said he went to the Monday program. “He was a model resident,” she said. He gets arrested and goes to jail... read more.

Injury Accident on U.S. 36
On February 28, 2015 at approximately 8:07 PM Darke County Deputies, along with Liberty Twp. fire Dept., Tri-Village Rescue, and Careflight were dispatched to the 900 Block of US Route 36 in reference to an injury accident. The caller reported a vehicle into a pole with entrapment. Investigation revealed that a 2000 Chrysler Town & Country, driven by Brandy Mills, 37 of Lynn, Indiana, was westbound on US Route 36 when the vehicle drove off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility... read more.

AG Mike DeWine… DeWine Rejects Petition for End Ohio Cannabis Prohibition Act
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today rejected the petition for the proposed End Ohio Cannabis Prohibition Act because the petitioners did not submit the minimum valid signatures required. On February 17th, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received a written petition to amend the Ohio Constitution by adding the Ohio Alternative Treatment Amendment. The submission... read more.

AG Mike DeWine… Over 110,000 Conceal Carry Licenses Issued or Renewed in 2014
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today issued a report indicating that more than 110,000 concealed carry licenses were issued or renewed in Ohio in 2014, according to data compiled by Ohio’s county sheriffs. The following total concealed carry numbers were reported to the Attorney General's Office from county sheriffs in Ohio for the calendar year... read more.

Court News Ohio… Interstate Prisoner Transfer Agreement Applies to Those Incarcerated in County Jails, By Kathleen Maloney -- February 19, 2015 -- A statute governing the transfer of prisoners between states to deal with pending charges in another jurisdiction applies to inmates who have begun serving sentences in county jails, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled today. The law incorporates an interstate compact that allows a jurisdiction to bring a person to trial on pending charge... read more.

FBI… A Ponzi Scheme Collapses: Financial Crime Ring Uncovered, Criminals Brought to Justice -- 02/23/15 -- Nearly a dozen fraudsters who conspired to operate a $40 million Ponzi scheme will be spending plenty of time behind bars after a joint effort by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina. Among those now serving time is the scheme’s mastermind, Keith Franklin Simmons, who was sentenced... read more.

Gov. John R. Kasich’s State of the State Address
Wilmington, Ohio -- Tuesday, February 24, 2015 -- SPEAKER ROSENBERGER: The House will come to order. I want to welcome you all here to Wilmington, Ohio. I'm really glad to be home. Before we get started and I make my introduction, I just first want to take the opportunity to thank my neighbors, my friends, our community, the legislators, the governor, Senator Faber, and all those who have made today possible... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… DeWine Rejects Petition for Marijuana Legalization Amendment
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today rejected the petition for a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution which would attempt to legalize marijuana use in the state. On February 13th, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received a written petition to amend the Ohio Constitution, entitled “Medical Marijuana and Personal Use Amendment,” from the group Responsible Ohio... read more.

Bluebag Media: Greenville Police Beat… Suspect forces way into residence; faces several charges - Feb. 20, 2015 - On February 6 police responded to 215 1/2 Harrison Ave. regarding a forced entry into a residence. The suspect, Clayton Hans, reportedly went up the rear steps of his wife’s new residence, pushed the door open and entered the residence despite her attempts to stop him. The victim repeatedly told him to leave. Her friend, Justin Pelsy, heard the argument... read more.

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel… Mandel Partners with the State Library to Publish Historical Financial Reports - COLUMBUS - As part of Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel's mission to create a more open and transparent government, the Ohio Treasurer's office is pleased to announce a partnership with the State Library of Ohio to present an online compilation of Annual Reports published by the Treasurer's office since the early 1800s. This collaborative project... read more.

Darke County Sheriff… Snowmobile trespassing complaints
Monday, February 23, 2015 -- Sheriff Toby Spencer would like to remind all who enjoy the winter season and snow that it is illegal to trespass on to another's property without permission. The Sheriff's Office received several complaints during the last snowfall of snowmobiles trespassing and damaging winter wheat crops. Sheriff Spencer wants to let everyone know that if a complaint is filed or anyone... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Ohio Joins Challenge of Sysco and US Foods Merger
FTC, States Cite Competition and Cost Concerns over Proposed Merger of Two Largest Food Distributors -- (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that his office has joined the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of nine other states and the District of Columbia in challenging the proposed merger of Sysco and US Foods — the nation’s two... ... read more.

Mercer HIT arrest
Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey and Celina Police Chief Tom Wale reports the arrest of a male on drug related charges. On February 17, 2015 at 6:13 PM a deputy stopped a vehicle behind J’s bar on SR 703. Deputies received information from HIT (Heroin Interdiction Team) of a male possibly transporting drugs back to Mercer County. During a search of the vehicle deputies and a patrolman from Celina PD located a syringe and 4 capsules with suspected heroin inside... read more.

Federal News Radio… OMB warns of consequences if sequestration returns in 2016, By Jason Miller
Tuesday - 2/17/2015 - The White House is warning Congress and agencies that if cuts from sequestration return in fiscal 2016, the impact would be great. In a report sent to Congress on Feb. 2, but posted only in the last week or so, Shaun Donovan, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote that if lawmakers don't act, agencies would have to reduce their discretionary budgets by more than $90.4 billion. "Based on the estimates in that report... read more.

From Dayton Business Journal… Higher ed upheaval is great for this entrepreneur
Craig Douglas, Managing Editor, Boston Business Journal -- The UpTake: Tony Friscia sees himself more as a data man, a researcher with a penchant for connecting the dots in a way that helps clients help themselves. And right now colleges need help. Lots of it, in fact. Tony Friscia is not an academic, nor does he present himself as an expert when it comes to running a college. On the surface... read more.

Darke County Sheriff… Vandalia Man Arrested for Trafficking and Possession of Drugs
February 19, 2015 - On February 19, 2015, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, along with Greenville Police Department, conducted a drug operation in the 800 Block of Martin Street in Greenville, Ohio. The Darke County Sheriff’s Special Response Team took Sean T. Marcum (21) of Vandalia into custody without incident. This stems from an ongoing... read more.

City of Greenville to Discuss Improvements to North Broadway
Greenville, Ohio – The City of Greenville has recently began the design phase for a series of roadway projects to occur in the public right-of-way of North Broadway from the traffic circle to Russ Road. These collective improvements will include a new surface asphalt, replacement/installation of curb & sidewalk, and the addition of storm drainage appurtenances... read more.

Ohio Poultry Owners Advised to Increase Biosecurity as Virus Spreads in Western U.S., By Sam Custer, OSU Extension Darke County -- Three worrisome strains of avian flu have been detected in birds out West. These viruses can cause serious disease in birds, and their appearance has prompted poultry veterinarians at The Ohio State University to recommend that Ohio’s commercial producers and backyard chicken enthusiasts alike take precautions to protect their flocks. The strains... read more.

Federal News Radio… 30K furloughs imminent if Congress can't pass DHS spending bill, By Sean McCalley and the Associated Press - Monday - 2/9/2015 - Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will have to furlough at least 30,000 employees if Congress doesn't pass a spending bill to cover DHS funding beyond Feb. 27. Those furloughs could still happen if Congress decides to kick the can and pass another continuing resolution, the agency's Chief Financial Officer Chip Fulghum told... read more.

Celina resident threatens to jump from water tower
On 02/16/2015 the Celina Police Department handled two calls involving 31 year old Reuben Rios of Celina. At about 5:00 PM officers were sent to the Shell gas station in the 300 block of S. Main St. upon a report of Rios attempting entry into an employee’s car and attempting to steal a candy bar. Officers spoke with Rios and he denied the allegation. He... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Former Teacher Charged with Sexual Battery
(CAMPBELL, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a former Mahoning County high school teacher has been arrested in connection with an investigation regarding an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student. Shannon Pavlansky-Wojtowicz, 30, of Campbell, turned herself in to the Campbell Police Department this afternoon after a warrant for her arrest was issued on a felony charge of sexual battery... read more.

Attorney Mike General DeWine… DeWine Files Suit Against New York Debt Collector
(DAYTON, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General DeWine today announced a lawsuit against a Buffalo, New York, debt collector accused of impersonating Ohio government agencies and threatening consumers with arrest while attempting to collect debts. The lawsuit accuses Nationwide Recovery Group LLC and its owner, Michael P. McCarthy, of violating the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act... read more.

State Senator Bill Beagle… Beagle Introduces Bills Focused on Children
COLUMBUS– Senator Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) today introduced Senate Bill 39, which will create a penalty for failing to yield in a school zone crosswalk. “After speaking with our local prosecutors, I learned there is not a law that specifically addresses pedestrians, including children, who are hit in a school zone. Very often, the choices prosecutors have are either too severe, or not severe enough,” said Beagle... read more.

The Hill… Governors, senators set for 2016 brawl, By Peter Schroeder
The Republican presidential primary is shaping up to be a battle between the statehouse and the statesmen. Current and former governors such as Jeb Bush (Fla.), Scott Walker (Wis.) and Chris Christie (N.J.) are touting their hands-on experience outside of Washington as a major asset against Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee. But those eyeing the White House from Capitol Hill are punching back, dismissing... read more.

DeWine reaches $105,000 settlement with Massachusetts telemarketer
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a settlement with a Massachusetts-based business that allegedly solicited Ohioans for charitable donations while misleading consumers into thinking the calls were coming from a charity, versus a business. Integral Resources Inc., a Cambridge, Massachusetts... read more.

Secretary of State Jon Husted… Husted letter to Obama on immigration actions
COLUMBUS – In a recent letter to President Barack Obama, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted raised concerns that the President’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions may have implications on the integrity of elections. These executive actions increase the potential that non-citizens may illegally register and vote by granting millions... read more.

Attorney Mike General DeWine… DeWine announces more than 6,200 Sexual Assault Kits tested
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that forensic scientists with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) have now tested more than 6,200 sexual assault kits as part of a special initiative to test rape kits that had not before been tested for DNA. As of February 1, 2015, BCI forensic scientists have tested 6,275 rape kits as part of Attorney General DeWine's... read more.

Dayton Business Journal… Bad news for travelers flying through Dayton International Airport
Feb 4, 2015 -- The Dayton International Airport may be at risk of losing its reputation as one of the most affordable airports. In fact, the average airfare at Dayton during the third quarter of 2014 jumped 9.2 percent compared to the previous year, which was the second highest of any U.S. airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation shows the average airfare out of Dayton was $434 in the latter part of 2014, compared to $398 the previous year... read more.

Darke County Sheriff… Two dead in fatal crash on SR571
Greenville – On February 8, 2015 at 9:37 p.m. Darke County Sheriff Deputies, along with Union City, Ohio Fire and Rescue, were dispatched to SR571 west of Kniseley Rd. reference to a single vehicle rollover accident. While units were in route dispatch was advised that a second vehicle had just struck a passer by who had stopped to render aid. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Kia... read more.

Celina officer saves elderly woman’s life
On February 3rd shortly before 11:00 PM Sgt. Kent Taylor of the Celina Police Dept. was on foot patrolling the neighborhood in the 1100 block of Princeton and performing house checks. It was below freezing when he noticed something in a backyard moving. Upon a closer check he found an 82 year old woman, injured and lying face down in the snow on a patch of ice. This... read more.

Court News Ohio… Convicted Juvenile To Argue 112-Year Sentence Is Cruel and Unusual Punishment; Eight Cases on Supreme Court’s Agenda Feb. 3 and 4, By Kathleen Maloney -- January 30, 2015 -- Upcoming cases before the Ohio Supreme Court involve sentences for impaired drivers with prior offenses, admissibility of drug evidence gathered outside police officer’s jurisdiction, and a damages claim for wrongful imprisonment. The Ohio Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of a juvenile’s sentence for multiple crimes that makes it unlikely... read more.

Columbus Dispatch… College credits, higher education reform part of state budget proposal, By Randy Ludlow & Maria DeVito, Friday January 30, 2015 -- DAYTON — Gov. John Kasich hopes to make higher education more affordable and more accessible to more students — from high school to adult learners — through the two-year state budget he will roll out on Monday. Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor went to Sinclair Community College on Friday to announce that lawmakers will be asked to permit... read more.

Federal News Radio… Public satisfaction with government services lowest in 16 years
Tuesday - 1/27/2015 - By Michael O'Connell - The American public's satisfaction with the services it receives from the federal government continues to decline, according to a new report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index. The public's satisfaction level dropped to 64.4 (on a scale of 100) in 2014 from 66.1 in 2013 — a difference of 1.7 percent. The previous low score was 65.4, which ACSI reported in 2010. This year's... read more.

Cleveland Plain Dealer… Kasich to reduce taxes, boost exemptions
John Kasich to propose eliminating income tax on most small businesses, boost exemptions for low-, middle-income Ohioans - COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The budget proposal Gov. John Kasich will unveil Monday will include reforms that would eliminate state income tax on nearly all small businesses in Ohio and increase exemption levels for lower- and... read more.

Ohio A.G. DeWine… Ohio, Warren County File Lawsuit over Obamacare Taxes
(LEBANON, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Warren County Commissioner President David Young, and Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell today announced that Ohio will be leading a lawsuit challenging an unconstitutional decision by the Obama Administration to directly levy an Obamacare tax against state and local governments. “This tax assessment... read more.

Injury Accident on Littles Road
On January 29, 2015 at approximately 9:17 AM Darke County Deputies, along with Arcanum Fire and Rescue, New Madison Fire, Tri-Village Rescue, Greenville Township Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to the 2800 Block of Littles Road in reference to a rollover injury accident into a creek bed. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2003 Ford Ranger Extended cab truck, driven by Lucas A. Gower, 18 of Arcanum, Ohio was northbound on Littles Road... read more.

Mercer County… Two HIT drug team arrests
The Celina Police Department and The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office reports drug arrests made as a result of their joint HIT detail. The HIT (Heroin Interdiction Team) is a combination of Celina Patrolmen and Sheriff’s Deputies. A vehicle was stopped at 1:51 PM for a traffic violation at US Rte 127 near Siegrist Jutte Road. With assistance from the Celina Police K-9 Unit, the K-9 alerted on the... read more.

Ohio Senator Bill Beagle… Beagle to Lead Workforce Development Efforts for Senate
COLUMBUS– Ohio Senate President Keith Faber (R–Celina) today appointed State Senator Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) to serve as the Chairman of the newly-formed Senate Finance Subcommittee on Workforce. Beagle previously served as Chairman of the Senate Workforce and Economic Development Committee. The panel’s reassignment as a Finance Subcommittee further states the Senate’s... read more.

FBI… Preliminary Semiannual Crime Statistics for 2014
Washington, D.C. -- January 26, 2015 -- Statistics released today in the FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report reveal overall declines in both the number of violent crimes and the number of property crimes reported for the first six months of 2014 when compared with figures for the first six months of 2013. The report is based on information from 11,009 law enforcement agencies... read more.

Injury accidents on SR 47 and US 127
Injury accident on SR 47 -- On January 24, 2015 at approximately 10:30 PM Darke County Deputies along with Ansonia Fire, Ansonia Rescue, and CareFlight were dispatched to the 4900 Block of State Route 47 reference a one vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a red 2005 Chevy pickup truck, driven by Karen Reier of Ansonia, was traveling east on State Route 47... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Addiction Counselor Arrested on Charge of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs -- (POMEROY, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and members of the Major Crimes Task Force of Gallia and Meigs Counties announced today the arrest of an addiction counselor on a felony charge of aggravated trafficking in drugs. Roberta Payne, 52, of Cheshire, was arrested Friday evening in Pomeroy after she allegedly sold an undercover task force officer... read more.

Nationwide scam noted in Mercer Cty
Mercer County Sheriff, Jeff Grey reports that his office has received numerous complaints from citizens within the county about a possible IRS scam. Sheriff Grey states that his office has been in contact with the IRS and found that the calls that the citizens have been receiving are in fact a SCAM. The IRS informed the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office that their agency... read more.

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation
Ohio unemployment drops to 4.8 percent - Ohio's unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in December 2014, down from 5.0 percent in November 2014. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 5,100 over the month, from a revised 5,325,300 in November to 5,330,400 in December. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in December was 278,000, down 9,000... read more.

Federal News Radio… Air Force to ask for base closures, aircraft retirements despite repeated rebuffs, By Jared Serbu -- Monday - 1/19/2015 -- Two of the Air Force's most contentious budget proposals, getting rid of excess bases and retiring aging aircraft, will be back on the table in next year's budget, despite congressional votes just a month ago that rebuked both requests. President Barack Obama's budget for the Defense Department, which is scheduled to come early next month, will violate the $523 billion sequestration cap for 2016... read more.

Suspected drug arrest in Celina
Celina Police Chief Tom Wale and Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey report the arrest of an individual, and suspected heroin and firearms seized. On Tuesday January 21, the “HIT” (Heroin Interdiction Team) comprised of members from the Celina Police Department and Mercer County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant at 1014 Hemlock Street in Celina. Arrested was 24 year old Steven Noggler who was staying at the residence on an outstanding... read more.

Bluebag Media… More school freedom, lower taxes possible for 2015
COLUMBUS – “Our work this year will include a heavy focus on education,” said Senator Keith Faber. The senator was elected to his second term as President Jan. 5 during the opening Senate session of the 131st Legislature. More than that, his goal is to relieve some of the higher performing schools of state regulations. “We want higher performing districts to be allowed to establish... read more.

Trafficking Drugs in the Vicinity of a School
On January 21, 2015 the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, along with Greenville Police, executed a search warrant at 216 Victoria Drive, Greenville. Erik Straub (35) of that address was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Darke County Jail. Straub is being charged with Trafficking in Drugs in the vicinity of a school. This investigation stems from ongoing complaints of illegal... read more.

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel… 2015 Ag-LINK Program Opens for Ohio Farmers
COLUMBUS - Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced today that the application period for Ohio's farmers and agribusinesses to participate in the Ohio Treasury's 2015 Agricultural Linked Deposit Program (Ag-LINK) is now open. Celebrating its 30th year of assisting Ohio's agribusinesses, Ag-LINK applications will be accepted online at www.OhioTreasurer.gov/agLINK until Monday, March 16th... read more.

Midmark Celebrates 100 Years
Remembering its rich history and preparing for the future - DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 19, 2015 — Midmark Corporation announced today that 2015 marks the company’s 100th year of business. With a theme of “Reminisce Reinvent Renew,” the celebration kicked off today at the Versailles Performing Arts Center as president and CEO, Dr. Anne Eiting Klamar... read more.

MSN Money… Prepare for 'Devastating' Tax Season, IRS Watchdog Says, Catherine Dunn
Nina Olson, the taxpayer advocate at the IRS, doesn't mince words about how bad the upcoming tax season is likely to be. The terms "devastating erosion of taxpayer service," "sad state of affairs" and "collective denial" all apply, she wrote in her latest annual report to Congress. The combination of increased work loads and budget cuts, along with the damaging "tea party" screening scandal, is adding up to a "'perfect storm' of trouble... read more.

Bluebag Media… ODE relaxes CCP participation requirements
COLUMBUS – “If you can do it, you’re in!” said Ohio Rep. Jim Buchy (84th Dist., R) of Greenville. “If you can’t you’re not.” Buchy was not happy over the guidelines for the state’s College Credit Plus program, set to be implemented for the fall semester. It limits enrollment in CCP courses to students who are enrolled in both high school and an accredited... read more.

MSN… White House: We should have sent higher official to Paris march
© The Washington Post -- The White House said Monday that it should have sent a higher-profile official to a Paris rally where 1.5 million people marched in a show of unity against terrorism. The absence of President Obama and other top administration officials drew intense scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic on Monday, with Republicans sharply criticizing the president at home and both domestic and foreign media raising questions... read more.

Bluebag Media… Faber elected to second term as Senate President
COLUMBUS – “Being an effective senator would be impossible without the support of your family,” newly elected Ohio Senate President Keith Faber (Dist. 12, R) told 32 senators and their families during the opening ceremonies of the 131st General Assembly. He noted the lost time with children, the bedtime stories not read, sporting events missed. “The sacrifice is not only yours... read more.

House Approves Job-Creating Keystone Pipeline
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House once again voted, on a bipartisan basis, to approve the Keystone XL pipeline (H.R. 3), the third jobs bill passed by the House this week as part of Republicans’ continuing commitment to put Americans’ priorities – jobs and the economy – first. Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement: “In light of today’s Nebraska Supreme Court ruling, the president should reconsider... read more.

Bluebag Media… Vivitrol to be introduced to treat addiction
GREENVILLE – “The holidays are a depressing time of the year if you’re battling addiction,” Darke County Chief Probation Officer James Mollette said. “It’s a balancing act between providing for the family and the drugs; it’s much easier to go back to the addiction.” He added it’s also difficult fighting loneliness. “We do all the encouraging things we can… meetings… any positives we can... read more.

Ohio Senator Bill Beagle… Lehner, Beagle Praise Fuyao Expansion, 750 New Miami Valley Jobs
COLUMBUS–Senators Peggy Lehner (R–Kettering) and Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) today joined Ohio Governor John Kasich in announcing the expansion of the Fuyao North American Glass Company project in Moraine, Ohio. Fuyao has chosen the Moraine site to invest an additional $130 million and add 750 more jobs. Lehner and Beagle joined Kasich for the announcement with company executives... read more.

FBI… Virtual Kidnapping Scam on the Rise in New York City
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York City Police Department are alerting the public to a new, frightening scam that is targeting New York City residents. In the scheme, individuals call claiming to have kidnapped a family member. While no actual kidnapping has taken place, the callers often use co-conspirators to convince their victims of the legitimacy of the threat. For example, a caller... read more.

FBI… Adopt-A-School Program
Bringing a Message of Hope to Students - 01/05/15 - Twenty years ago, the FBI began a program to help kids steer clear of drugs and gangs while learning core values that would make them good citizens. Since the Adopt-A-School Program was established in 1994, special agents and other FBI employees have volunteered thousands of hours to make a positive impact... read more.

Federal News Radio… Don't blame the IRS for reduced services this year, says NTEU president
By Jory Heckman -- Friday - 1/9/2015 -- The Internal Revenue Service is in a position few would envy. As it prepares for a new tax filing season that begins on Jan. 20, it must do so with a budget reduced by 10 percent since fiscal year 2010 and a slashed workforce, while also shouldering new responsibilities under the Affordable Care Act. Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, says with fewer employees... read more.

Fatal accident on U.S. Route 127; First fatality of 2015 on Darke County roads
On Tuesday January 13, 2015 at approximately 10:21 AM, Darke County Deputies, North Star Fire, Ansonia Rescue, Darke County Coroner's Office, Darke County Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Team, and Ohio State Highway Patrol Commercial Motor Carrier Inspector responded to the 14,300 block of US RT 127 on a report of a fatal head-on crash involving a semi and motor vehicle. Preliminary... read more.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown… Addressing Inequalities in Public Schools
In March 2014, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights published data from a comprehensive survey of schools across the nation, which illustrated the magnitude of the educational opportunity gaps that exist for students in the United States. The survey found that Black, Latino, American Indian, and Native Alaskan students, as well as students who are English learners, attend schools... read more.

MSN… Budget war looms for Obama, GOP
From The Hill -- The federal budget is almost certain to be the central battleground between President Obama and the new Republican Congress in 2015. The GOP has vowed to use control of the House and Senate to slash the size of government, with entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security a potential target for cuts. But Obama has made clear he will use his veto pen against the GOP... read more.

Darke County Engineer… 37th Annual Engineer’s Report for 2014, By James P. Surber P.E., P.S., Darke County Engineer -- Our annual report has always shown all money received, exactly where it was spent, and what was maintained, constructed, and improved. Now, it is an even greater challenge than in past years to adequately maintain Darke County’s very large road mileage and very large number of bridges. For over eight years we have faced increasing costs with decreasing revenues. Annual... read more.

FBI… Funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjuan Liu, Speech by James B. Comey, Director
January 4, 2015 - Remarks as prepared. Good morning. It is an honor to be here to pay tribute to Detective Liu. These are the most difficult days we face. We struggle to find meaning in tragedy. We struggle to find words to measure loss. I did not have the privilege of knowing Detective Liu, but it is clear he was beloved. I am told he was unfailingly kind and thoughtful. He truly cared about people... read more.

Injury accident on Weavers Ft. Jefferson Road
On January 9, 2015 at approximately 5:50 am Darke County Deputies along with Liberty Township Fire, Tri-Village Rescue, New Madison Fire and CareFlight were dispatched to the 1300 block of Weavers Ft. Jefferson Road in reference to a single vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette driven by Gwendolyn... read more.

Dayton Business Journal… Two Ohio cities among top 100 for young families
Dec 22, 2014 -- The Midwest has a reputation for good schools and strong communities. That has not gone unnoticed by a new report from Apartment List ranking the top 100 cities for young families. Two Ohio cities, including one from the Dayton region, made the list. Apartment List, a San Francisco-based website that lists properties for lease, ranked 500 cities... read more.

Accident involving school bus on SR 121
On Wednesday January 7, 2015 at approximately 9:37 AM, Darke County Deputies along with Hollansburg Fire, Tri-Village Rescue, and Northwest EMS responded to 10 State Route 121 on a report of an injury crash involving a Tri-Village School Bus and motor vehicle. Preliminary investigation revealed a Tri-Village School Bus driven by Mary Boone, 58, New Madison, was traveling... read more.

Rep. Boehner Opening the 114th Congress: "Let’s Stand Tall and Prove the Skeptics Wrong”
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today was sworn into his 13th term representing the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio. Before taking the oath, he made the following remarks to the opening session, as prepared for delivery: “Friends, colleagues, and countrymen, especially the good people of Ohio’s Eighth District: This is the day the Lord has made... read more.

Faber begins Second Term as President of the Ohio Senate
COLUMBUS– The Ohio General Assembly today held their Opening Ceremonies for the 131st General Assembly, officially marking the beginning of the new legislative session. During the ceremonies, the members of the Ohio Senate unanimously reelected State Senator Keith Faber (R–Celina) to serve as Senate President. Faber has held the... read more.

Beagle Begins Second Term in the Ohio Senate
COLUMBUS– The Ohio General Assembly today held their Opening Ceremonies for the 131st General Assembly, officially marking the beginning of the new legislative session. During the ceremonies, State Senator Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) was sworn in for his second term in the Ohio Senate, representing the 5th District in the state legislature’s... read more.

Huffman sworn in to Ohio House for 131st General Assembly
COLUMBUS—State Representative Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) was sworn in as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 131st General Assembly during a ceremony at the Statehouse today. “I am greatly looking forward to serving the constituents of the 80th House District as their State Representative,” Huffman said. “This is a tremendous... read more.

Dayton Business Journal… Three Ohio colleges among top 20 friendliest in U.S.
Dec 29, 2014 -- The Midwest is a friendly region, so it's not surprising that Midwestern colleges are filled with friendly students. Niche, a website that offers rankings and statistics for schools, neighborhoods and cities, has chronicled the colleges with the friendliest students. How does someone measure friendliness? In the absence of official scientific metrics, the Niche rankings are based on survey responses from students... read more.

Two-car injury accident at US 36 and SR 121
On January 5, 2015 at approximately 5:24 PM Darke County Deputies along with New Madison Fire and Tri Village Rescue were dispatched to the intersection of US Route 36 W and SR 121 reference a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a grey 1984 Toyota pickup truck, driven by Marlin Bowman of Versailles, was traveling west on US Route 36 W. Bowman failed to... read more.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Darke County Sheriff Toby L. Spencer
Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) have declared Friday January 9, 2015 as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD). In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, Sheriff Spencer is asking the citizens of Darke County to join him in a full day of recognition for your local law enforcement officers. Sheriff Spencer says, “Darke County is a great place to live, work... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Ohioans Losing Money to Loan Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warned today that Ohioans seeking extra cash following the holiday season should beware of phony loan offers. In 2014, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office received more than 200 complaints about advance-fee loans or credit cards, including many potential scams. The average reported loss was approximately $500. “In a typical loan scam... read more.

Injury accident on Mills Road
On Sunday January 4, 2015 at approximately 11:40 AM, Darke County Deputies along with New Madison Fire and Tri-Village Rescue responded to an injury crash in the 1600 block of Mills Road. Preliminary investigation revealed a 1998 Black Cadillac driven by Teresa A. Burkett-Moorman 54 of Hollansburg, was traveling Eastbound in the 1600 block of Mills Road when she lost control of her... read more.

Gov. Huckabee Departs Fox News; Will Make Decision On '16 Campaign By Late Spring
Huckabee: "As much as I have loved doing the show, I cannot bring myself to rule out another Presidential run." Little Rock - Governor Mike Huckabee will announce tonight on his Fox News show that he is leaving the network after six-and-a-half years as the host of "Huckabee." To close out his final show, Gov. Huckabee said: "Tonight I will do more than just say goodnight. I will say goodbye... read more.

The Hill… Top 10 political stories of 2014, By Niall Stanage
12/30/14 - In a year when Congress all but ground to a halt, the real political action took place elsewhere: on the other side of the world, on the streets of Ferguson, Mo., and New York, or in polling booths in battleground states across the nation. Here is The Hill’s selection of the top 10 political news stories of 2014. 1. Midterms: GOP gains, Democratic pain - The midterms were a triumph for Republicans, as they routed Democrats in battleground states to... read more.

DeWine Offers Gym Membership Tips; Complaints Doubled in 2014
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today offered advice for consumers who plan to buy gym memberships in the new year after the Attorney General’s Office received about 250 fitness center complaints in 2014, double the number received in 2013. “There are many great gyms and fitness centers throughout Ohio,” Attorney General DeWine said... read more.

Bluebag Media… JAFE massive growth attributed to employees
GREENVILLE – JAFE Decorating, Inc., has three automated lines; all three are in operation 24 hours a day seven days a week… “We’re just trying to get it all done,” said Randy O’Dell, owner. Christmas is finished, Valentine’s Day is next. O’Dell noted winter was the busiest time of the year. “After that it’s Mother’s Day then spring.” O’Dell and his wife, co-owner Lisa O’Dell, held a “celebration” of the... read more.

Accident on Pitsburg-Laura Road
On December 31, 2014 at approximately 2:45 PM Darke County Deputies along with Pitsburg Fire and Arcanum Rescue were dispatched to the 8300 block of Pitsburg-Laura Road in reference to a rollover accident with injury. Preliminary investigation revealed a green Ford truck driven by Bruce A. Swigart, 43, Miami County was eastbound on Pitsburg-Laura road entering the village of Pitsburg... read more.

Three-vehicle injury accident at US36 & SR 121
On December 31, 2014 at approximately 6:43 PM Darke County Deputies along with New Madison Fire, Tri Village Rescue and Greenville Rescue were dispatched to the intersection of US Route 36 W and SR 121 reference a three vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a red 2005 Nissan driven by Ayman Rahmen of Indianapolis, Indiana was traveling west on US Route 36... read more.

Attorney General DeWine… DeWine Announces $1 Million Grant to Ohio Children’s Hospitals
Medical research grant will study “sentinel injuries” in children from zero to six months of age -- (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that his office is giving a $1 million dollar medical research grant to the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association to study “sentinel injuries” in children aged zero to six months. Sentinel injuries are relatively minor injuries that should... read more.

FBI Releases 2013 Crime Statistics
Today, the FBI released details on more than 5.6 million criminal offenses reported via the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2013. The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s latest report, NIBRS 2013, provides a diverse scope of information about victims, known offenders, and relationships for 23 offense categories (including sex offenses). It also presents arrest data for those... read more.

Rasmussen… What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls
Saturday, December 27, 2014 -- Did you get what you wanted this Christmas? Sony Pictures didn’t, or did they? Most Americans disagree with Sony’s initial decision not to release the film, “The Interview,” which depicted a fictionalized assassination of North Korea’s leader, after alleged computer attacking and terror threats from the republic. In fact, the news surrounding the controversial film has made 26% of Americans want to see it even more... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Ohioans Lose Hundreds to Sugar Bowl Ticket Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned consumers to be skeptical of individuals offering tickets to the 2015 Sugar Bowl, after two Ohioans reported losing $800 each to Sugar Bowl ticket scams on Craigslist. “For every scam that gets reported there are probably 10 or more that don’t, so we want consumers to be very careful,” Attorney General DeWine said... read more.

OVI Injury Accident
On December 28, 2014 Darke County Deputies along with Greenville City Police, Greenville City Fire, Greenville Rescue and Darke County Crash Reconstruction Team responded to an accident with injuries in the 1200 block of Sweitzer Street, Greenville Ohio, involving a Greenville Police Officer. Investigation revealed a 2011 Ford F-150 driven by Brent Obringer was North bound on Sweitzer Street... read more.

Injury accident on Horatio-New Harrison
On Monday December 29, 2014 at approximately 7:02 AM, Darke County Deputies along with Gettysburg Fire and Rescue and Care Flight, responded to the 6900 block of Horatio-New Harrison Road on a report of an injury crash involving a vehicle into a tree. Preliminary investigation revealed Chelsea Howard 24, of Greenville was driving a Maroon 2009 KIA Spectra southbound... read more.

FBI… Digital Billboard Initiative
Catching Fugitives in the Information Age - 12/24/14 - In April 2013, a Buffalo grand jury indicted 33-year-old Oscar Romero and other suspected members of the Loiza Boys gang, charging them with heroin and cocaine distribution. After nearly a year on the run, investigators received information that Romero had returned to the Buffalo area from Puerto Rico, and the FBI... read more.

Jobs and Transportation Plan Continues to Fuel Infrastructure Investment; More than $2 billion will fund transportation projects throughout Ohio -- COLUMBUS (Thursday, December 18, 2014) – Gov. John R. Kasich’s “Jobs and Transportation Plan” enters its second year with a projected $2 billion investment in the state’s infrastructure, economy and jobs over the next several years. The state’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) today gave preliminary approval to continuing the governor’s plan that – once complete... read more.

Federal News Radio… Obama makes 2015 federal pay raise official, By Julia Ziegler
Saturday - 12/20/2014 - Federal employees under the General Schedule will receive a 1 percent pay increase in 2015. President Barack Obama signed an executive order Friday making the raise official. This is the second year in a row feds have received a 1 percent pay increase, after three years of pay freezes from 2011-2013. Most members of the military (both commissioned and enlisted) will also receive a 1 percent pay raise... read more.

Bluebag Media… Tentative 2015 county budget a slight decrease from 2014
GREENVILLE – Darke County Commissioners were in a festive mood Dec. 17 as they handled approval of bills, expense requests and appropriations transfers. They also noted the county’s budget for 2015 was close. “Unless there’s some big surprise, it looks pretty good,” said Commissioner Mike Stegall. He added Darke County Auditor Carol Ginn’s job is a tough one... read more.

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted)
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in November 2014, down from 5.3 percent in October 2014. Ohio’s nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 17,900 over the month, from a revised 5,311,300 in October to 5,329,200 in November. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in November was 287,000, down 18,000 from 305,000 in October. The number of unemployed has decreased by 130,000 in the past 12 months from... read more.

FBI… Update on Sony Investigation
Washington, D.C. December 19, 2014 - Today, the FBI would like to provide an update on the status of our investigation into the cyber attack targeting Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). In late November, SPE confirmed that it was the victim of a cyber attack that destroyed systems and stole large quantities of personal and commercial data. A group calling itself the... read more.

Rasmussen… What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls
Saturday, December 13, 2014 -- It’s disconnect time between Americans and their government once again. Voters continue to believe that cutting government spending and taxes are the best presents the federal government can give the economy this holiday season. Instead, Congress is on the brink of passing a $1.1 trillion budget that does neither. Most voters have said in surveys for years that controlling the border to stop illegal immigration... read more.

Consumer Alert from ODJFS
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is reminding Ohioans to be wary of unsolicited job offers, online business opportunities, work-at-home promises, and websites or help wanted ads that request personal or financial information. The agency’s OhioMeansJobs.com website aggregates nearly all online help wanted ads posted in Ohio, and ODJFS has noticed an uptick in potentially fraudulent activity... read more.

Bluebag Media… Detective resigns after violating department policy
DARKE COUNTY – “Shocked” was the common reaction from staff of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office after learning of the sudden resignation of one of the department’s detectives last week. According to a statement from the department, Detective Corey M. Turner was placed on administrative leave immediately after disclosing to his supervisor, on Monday, Dec. 1, that he had been engaging in a personal relationship with an adult... read more.

Washington Post… Senate approves $1.1 trillion spending bill, Ed O'Keefe and Sean Sullivan
The Senate on Saturday night approved a sweeping $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund most of the federal government through the next fiscal year, turning back a conservative rebellion against President Obama's immigration policy. On a vote of 56 to 40, senators passed the spending bill and sent it to Obama, who plans to sign it. The bill’s passage eliminates the threat of a government shutdown and capped days of acrimonious... read more.

Midmark Corporation Expands International Business
Taking sole ownership of India-based Janak Healthcare Private Limited - DAYTON, Ohio, December 11, 2014 — Midmark Corporation today announced that it has completed negotiations with Janak Healthcare Private Limited, a market-leading healthcare manufacturer located in Mumbai, India. After a partnership of more than six years, Midmark will take sole... read more.

Bloomburg Business Week… Ohio’s Kasich Heading West to Push for Balanced-Budget Amendment, By Mark Niquette -- Ohio Governor John Kasich is heading to Arizona and possibly Idaho this week in a campaign to encourage states to seek a federal balanced-budget amendment. Kasich, a Republican who was the U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee chairman when the federal budget was balanced in 1997, said he wants to encourage resolutions calling for a convention to consider an amendment... read more.

Boehner Congratulates 8th District Military Service Academy Nominees
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today congratulated the 8th District’s 2014 Military Service Academy nominees. The nominees were recognized by Rep. Boehner in a ceremony held on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at the Savannah Center in West Chester. Below is the complete list of this year’s nominees. “These young men and women are among Southwest Ohio’s best and brightest,” Boehner said... read more.

FBI Releases 2013 Hate Crime Statistics
December 08, 2014 - Today, the FBI released Hate Crime Statistics, 2013, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s first publication to present data collected under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2009. Accordingly, the bias categories of gender (male and female) and gender identity (transgender and gender nonconforming... read more.

Dayton Business Journal… Most stressful zip codes in the U.S.
Where Does My Zip Code Rank? - How’s your day at work going? Well, we hope it’s not too bad, considering how stressful things can be nowadays. Bills to pay, rent that’s due, long commutes…it’s enough to make you want to tear your hair out. Could things really be any worse? As it turns out, yes, it could be much worse. Don’t believe us? Well, here at the Movoto Real Estate Blog... read more.

Mandel Announces OhioCheckbook.com
First-of-its-Kind Online Checkbook Sets a New National Transparency Standard; Displays $400 Billion in Spending with Full Search and Compare Tools -- COLUMBUS - For the first time in Ohio history, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has placed Ohio's expenditures on the internet. By visiting OhioCheckbook.com, citizens can follow their money and hold public officials accountable. This first-of-its-kind... read more.

Bluebag Media… New cameras planned for Sheriff’s vehicles
GREENVILLE – During the public questions segment of its regular public meeting Dec. 3 Greenville resident Fred Dean asked the Darke County Commissioners if they’d had discussions with the Sheriff about using body cameras. Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall said they wanted to think about it. “There are two problems with the ones currently available…” He said they... read more.

Kasich launches new effort to combat infant mortality; Also Signs HB 465, Establishing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Awareness Week -- COLUMBUS – Calling it unacceptable that more than 1,000 Ohio babies die each year before their first birthday, Governor John R. Kasich today announced new efforts to combat infant mortality before 1,500 leaders from across Ohio attending the 2014 Ohio Infant Mortality Summit. The goal of the summit, first hosted last year by the Ohio Department of Health... read more.

The Hill… Conservatives complain House GOP leaders ramming through spending bill, By Scott Wong -- 12/06/14 -- House conservatives are griping that Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is putting the squeeze on them by rushing through a $1 trillion spending bill in Congress’s last week in session. Appropriators are expected to roll out the legislation early next week, giving critics scant time to figure out what’s inside before they cast their votes by the end of the week. The government would shut down... read more.

Rasmussen… What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls
Saturday, December 06, 2014 -- It’s often been said that there are two or more Americas within the fabric of this great nation. Racially, that’s certainly true. The refusal of grand juries in Ferguson, Missouri and on Staten Island in New York to indict white police officers following the deaths of two young black men has highlighted this division. Many had high hopes that the election of the nation’s first... read more.

FBI… New Top Ten Fugitive
Help Us Find a Murderer - 12/04/14 - Yaser Abdel Said, wanted for the murder of his two teenage daughters in Texas, has been named to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered for information leading directly to the arrest of Said, who was born in Egypt and may be hiding there or in U.S. communities with Egyptian ties. On January 1, 2008... read more.

The passing of Bob Bennett, From Lyn Bliss
Greenville resident and President of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women sent these messages to County News Online Saturday. Long-time Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett passed away Dec. 6. He was 75. Matt Borges, Ohio Republican Party Chairman. Lyn, we’re very saddened to share with you that Bob Bennett passed away this morning. Chairman Bennett led... read more.

WTOP… Litter of pups will grow up to be healers, By Darci Marchese
Tuesday - 12/2/2014 -- WASHINGTON -- Olive, the yellow Labrador retriever, has been quite busy over the last few days. On Thanksgiving day, she gave birth to nine yellow and black lab puppies. The new pups born will become service dogs one day. The dogs are currently being cared for at the Warrior Canine Connection's Puppy Enrichment Center in Brookeville, Maryland. You can see them on the puppy cam. These dogs are bred specifically... read more.

571 accident updated to fatality
On December 2, 2014 at approximately 7:37 AM Darke County Deputies along with Greenville City Fire, Greenville Township Fire, Greenville Township Rescue, Union City Rescue and Care Flight were dispatched to the 3600 Block of State Route 571 West near White Springs Golf Course in reference to a serious injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a black 2011 Toyota Camry... read more.

The Hill… Reid signals support for House Republicans' funding plan, By Alexander Bolton
12/02/14 - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday signaled that he will accept a House Republican plan to pass an omnibus spending bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security for only a few months. Reid, who has made passing an omnibus spending bill one of his top priorities of the lame-duck session, said he would consider House passage of the “cromnibus” a policy win. “That would be a big accomplishment if we could... read more.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine… Ohio Man Indicted in Connection with Investment Scheme Targeting Elderly - (CLEVELAND) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that a Medina County man is facing felony charges in Cuyahoga County after an investigation conducted as part of the Ohio Attorney General's Elder Justice Initiative uncovered an alleged investment scheme targeting older Ohioans. A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury yesterday indicted... read more.

Bluebag Media… Greenville firefighter jailed on voyeurism charges
MERCER COUNTY – A captain with the Greenville Fire Department, Troy A. Wombold, 49, of Coldwater, is jailed on a $75,000 bond in the Mercer County Jail on charges of video recording a minor female while nude. According to documents filed in the Celina Municipal Court, Wombold allegedly recorded an unaware minor female while she was in a bathroom. He was arrested... read more.

The Hill… The Republicans' strategy to block Obama’s regulations, By Tim Devaney and Lydia Wheeler
The GOP is preparing to mount a full-scale assault on President Obama’s regulatory agenda, using the party’s strengthened hand in Congress to delay, soften or block contentious administration rules at every turn. As long as Obama sits atop the executive branch, Republicans’ power to derail scores of rulemaking efforts now under way is limited. But control of both the House and Senate in the next Congress will enable GOP lawmakers to ratchet... read more.

Three vehicles involved in weather-related accident
On December 2, 2014 at approximately 7:37 AM Darke County Deputies along with Greenville City Fire, Greenville Township Fire, Greenville Township Rescue, Union City Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to the 3600 Block of State Route 571 West near White Springs Golf Course in reference to a serious injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a black 2011 Toyota Camry... read more.

Driver in critical condition following single-car accident
On December 2, 2014 at approximately 8:58 AM Darke County Deputies along with Liberty Township Fire, Tri-Village Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to the 3500 block of Palestine-Hollansburg Road in reference to a one-vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a blue 2007 Ford Fusion, driven by Michael B. Karns, 20, Greenville, Ohio was southbound on Palestine-Hollansburg... read more.

Dayton Business Journal… Hagel resignation leaves big questions for Wright-Patt, Dayton, by Joe Cogliano -- Nov 24, 2014 -- The resignation of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Monday could be a setback to local advocacy efforts for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Hagel understands the role that Wright-Patt plays in national defense because of his military background, former U.S. Rep. Dave Hobson told me Monday morning. So Wright-Patt leadership, as well as the community here, may have to start their relationship with his... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Ohioans Losing Money to Job Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned Ohioans to be cautious of opportunities to make extra money this holiday season. Some job offers and work-from-home opportunities are scams. In 2014, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received nearly 100 complaints involving job or business-opportunity potential scams. The average reported loss is more than $1,300. “It’s a time... read more.

FBI… In the Line of Duty: Annual ‘Officers Killed’ Report More Than a Tally of Losses
11/26/14 -- The FBI’s annual Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) report that was released earlier this week details in chilling narratives and statistics how 76 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2013. While the LEOKA report offers a stark reminder of the dangers police face every day, the main reason for gathering the comprehensive data... read more.

Rasmussen… What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls
Saturday, November 29, 2014 -- Did Thanksgiving come just in time? After outrage over the expected yet controversial grand jury decision in Ferguson and contention over the president’s executive action on immigration, perhaps Americans needed a day to step back and reflect. On Monday, the St. Louis County Grand Jury decided not to indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson... read more.

The Hill… Five things to watch in Ferguson, By Peter Sullivan
Protests are likely to quiet as families gather around the table to celebrate the holiday — with many discussing the grand jury’s decision in Ferguson, Mo., to not bring an indictment against police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American. The political world has taken notice of Ferguson, particularly with demonstrations spreading across the country. The degree to which the story continues... read more.

Stolen vehicle pursuit
Greenville- On November 27, 2014 at 6:24 p.m. Darke County 911 received a call from a subject reporting that his vehicle was just stolen in Union City, IN and that the vehicle was eastbound on SR571 from Union City. Darke County Deputies responded to the area to attempt to locate the vehicle. The vehicle was reported as being a black Kia with an Indiana registration. Darke County Deputies located... read more.

FBI… Honoring the Fallen: 20 Years Since Shooting Killed Two Agents, Police Sergeant
11/21/14 -- Two decades ago, on November 22, 1994, a lone gunman entered the headquarters building of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. and opened fire in a squad room, killing a police sergeant and two FBI agents. For those close to the fallen, who gathered today for a memorial service marking 20 years since the tragic event, it’s as if it happened yesterday... read more.

FBI… Be aware of cyber scams this holiday season; If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The FBI reminds shoppers in advance of the holiday shopping season to beware of cyber criminals and their aggressive and creative ways to steal money and personal information. Scammers use many techniques to defraud consumers by offering too good to be true deals via phishing e-mails advertising brand name merchandise, quick money making offers, or gift cards as an... read more.

Injury accident on SR121
Greenville - On November 27, 2014 at approximately 4:22 a.m. Darke County Deputies, along with New Madison Fire and Tri-Village Rescue, was dispatched to SR121 just north of US36 W reference to a single vehicle roll over accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Toyota Yaris, driven by Monica C. Jones (24) of Palestine, OH, was southbound on SR121 just north of US36 when... read more.

Bluebag Media… County bridge burden great; resources insufficient
GREENVILLE – “I have always known our bridge burden is great, but I didn’t know how great,” said Darke County Engineer Jim Surber. He is referring to a recent report by the National Association of Counties in which Darke County is noted as being 10th in the nation for the number of county-owned bridges. “The counties with more bridges than Darke include Harris (Houston, TX)... read more.

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted)
Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in October 2014, down from 5.6 percent in September 2014. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 1,000 over the month, from a revised 5,306,300 in September to 5,307,300 in October. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in October was 305,000, down 14,000 from 319,000 in September. The number of unemployed has decreased by 119,000 in the past 12 months from... read more.

FBI… In the Line of Duty - 2013 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted - November 24, 2014 - A Florida sheriff’s officer, responding to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence, was shot and killed by someone inside the home. An Iowa police officer was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. A Michigan state trooper was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop. And a West Virginia sheriff was ambushed and... read more.

Accident at U.S. Route 127 and Horatio-Harris Creek Road
On 11-24-2014 at approximately 6:38 p.m., Darke County Deputies, along with Greenville Township Fire and Greenville Area Rescue, were dispatched to US RT 127 and Horatio Harris Creek Road in reference to an injury accident. Responding units were advised flames were showing from one of the vehicles. Preliminary investigation has revealed a 2014 Freightliner, driven by Charles P. Baughman, Ansonia, was heading north and attempting ... read more.

House Files Litigation Over President's Unilateral Actions on Health Care Law
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today announced that the House of Representatives – consistent with the House-passed resolution H.Res. 676 – has filed litigation over President Obama’s unilateral actions on his health care law: “Time after time, the president has chosen to ignore the will of the American people and re-write federal law on his own without a vote of Congress. That’s not the way our system... read more.

Edison Begins Presidential Search
Edison Community College’s Board of Trustees has selected Academic Search, Inc. as the firm to lead the College through its next presidential search. The national search firm will implement a proven search strategy in which they will guide Edison toward a successful hiring decision. Built upon years of experience, Academic Search, Inc. will implement a search strategy, which will align the... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Southwest Ohio Violent Crimes Task Force Successful in First Year of Operation -- (CINCINNATI) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil, Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell, Woodlawn Police Chief Jeffrey Witte, Lockland Police Chief Jim Toles, and the FBI announced today the success of the Southwest Ohio Violent Crimes Task Force following its first year in operation. "The detectives assigned to this task force have been working covertly... read more.

Private property ATV injury crash
On Sunday November 23, 2014 at approximately 12:38 PM, Darke County Sheriff Deputies along with Gettysburg Rescue, Bradford Fire Dept. and CareFlight were dispatched to the 6600 block of Smith Rd on a report of a private property injury accident involving a 4-wheeler ATV that had been flipped in a field. Investigation revealed a Polaris 500 Scrambler 4-wheeler ATV was being operated by a 14-year-old female from Bradford, OH. The 14-year-old ... read more.

Bluebag Media… County salt supplies adequate, and expensive
GREENVILLE – “We used $12,000 worth of salt yesterday (Nov. 17)… that’s about 200 tons, give or take,” said Darke County Engineer Jim Surber. Noting the early start of winter he added he was still comfortable with the salt on hand, plus that contracted through ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation). According to Surber, this will be an expensive year for snow removal. “You can buy... read more.

Rep. Richard Adams Receives Award for Distinguished Public Service
COLUMBUS—State Representative Richard Adams (R-Troy) recently received the 2014 Paul E. Gillmor Lifetime Public Service Award. He was honored November 13th during the Ohio Bankers’ League Annual Meeting. The award, established in 2006, is not granted annually, but rather is given to select individuals who are especially meritorious, often at the end of their careers. It is named after Ohi... read more.

The White House… Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Immigration - Nov. 20, 2014 - My fellow Americans, tonight, I’d like to talk with you about immigration. For more than 200 years, our tradition of welcoming immigrants from around the world has given us a tremendous advantage over other nations. It’s kept us youthful, dynamic, and entrepreneurial. It has shaped our character as a people with limitless possibilities –- people not trapped by our past, but able to remake ourselves as we choose. But today, our immigration system is broken -- and everybody... read more.

CNN... Obama: 'You can come out of the shadows' By Jim Acosta and Stephen Collinson, CNN - Fri November 21, 2014 - Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama is ordering the most sweeping overhaul of the immigration system in decades, despite Republican claims he is acting illegally by moving unilaterally to shield five million undocumented immigrants. Obama rejected accusations by conservatives that he is offering a free pass to undocumented immigrants and warned in a... read more.

Recommended House Committee Chairs for 114th Congress
WASHINGTON, DC – The House Republican Steering Committee today recommended the following lawmakers to serve as committee chairs in the 114th Congress: Agriculture – Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX); Appropriations – Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY); Armed Services – Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX); Budget – Rep. Tom Price (R-GA); Education & the Workforce – Rep. John Kline (R-MN); Energy & Commerce – Rep. Fred Upton... read more.

Darke County Cocaine Bust Yields Drugs, Money, Guns
On November 14, 2014, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 6102 State Route 722, Arcanum, Ohio. Roger L. Large (66) of that address was taken into custody without incident and is currently being housed at the Darke... read more.

Gongwer News Service… Rosenberger Elected Speaker For Next General Assembly
House Republicans, who will have a strong majority in the next General Assembly, elected Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) Wednesday to serve as speaker of the House for the new term. Mr. Rosenberger, who will succeed term-limited Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina), was the favorite in the vote and fended off a challenge mounted by Rep. Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) and a coalition of more conservative members... read more.

Majority Caucus Affirms Leadership Team for 131st General Assembly
COLUMBUS– The Senate Majority Caucus today unanimously reelected its leadership team to their posts, positioning State Senator Keith Faber (R–Celina) to serve a second term as President of the Ohio Senate. Faber has served as the head of the General Assembly’s upper chamber since January 2013. He has been a member of the leadership team since 2009, having previously served as both Majority Floor Leader... read more.

Trotwood Man Arrested in Darke County Drug Bust
On November 12, 2014, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a buy/bust operation in rural Darke County. Antonio Boyd (33) of Trotwood was taken into custody without incident and is currently being housed at the Darke County Jail where he awaits formal charges of Trafficking in Drugs and Illegal Conveyance of Drugs into a Detention Facility. The buy/bust operation involved heroin... read more.

FBI… Crime Statistics for 2013 Released; Decrease in Violent Crimes and Property Crimes
11/10/14 -- The FBI released Crime in the United States, 2013 today, which shows that the estimated number of violent crimes in 2013 decreased 4.4 percent when compared with 2012 figures, and the estimated number of property crimes decreased 4.1 percent. There were an estimated 1,163,146 violent crimes reported to law enforcement last year, along with an estimated 8,632,512 property crimes... read more.

State Expands Services for Unemployed Veterans
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Governor John R. Kasich and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor have proclaimed November Hire a Veteran Month, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) encourages employers to consider the skills and abilities of military veterans when seeking new employees. “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 35,000 unemployed veterans in Ohio,” said ODJFS Director Cynthia C. Dungey. “ODJFS... read more.

Bluebag Media… Beagle expresses thanks; renewal levies pass
DARKE COUNTY – “Today we celebrated by pulling down our big signs,” said State Senator Bill Beagle (R- Dist. 5). He added he wasn’t expecting that big a difference in the votes. “We thought we’d be squeaking through… we feel pretty good!” Beagle expressed his gratitude to the voters for sending him back to Columbus for four more years. He wants to continue working on his... read more.

Two injury accidents NW county
On November 11, 2014 at approximately 1:56 PM Darke County Deputies along with Union City Rescue, Southwest Mercer County Fire and CareFlight were dispatched to the intersection of McFeeley-Petry Road and Light Road in reference to a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a white 1998 Ford F-150 driven by Dennis W. Brewer, 56, Ft. Recovery Ohio... read more.

MSN.com… Before Battling Democrats, G.O.P. Is Fighting Itself, By Jeremy W. Peters
WASHINGTON — As most Republicans were taking a victory lap the morning after the elections, a group of conservatives huddled anxiously in a conference room not far from Capitol Hill and agreed that now is the time for confrontation, not compromise and conciliation. Despite Republicans’ ascension to Senate control and an expanded House majority, many conservatives from the party’s activist wing fear that congressional leaders are already being too timid with President Obama... read more.

Home burglaries in Southern Darke County
Sheriff Toby Spencer is advising citizens and residents of southern Darke County to be on the lookout for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. Several reports of thefts and home burglaries have recently been reported to the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Spencer states that little or no information has been obtained as to who is committing these crimes or what they may be driving; however, it is believed that... read more.

WHIO-TV… Toddler in serious condition after alleged abuse, By News Staff
A 28-year-old man accused of seriously injuring his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter is behind bars. Todd Clark turned himself in around 4:30 p.m. Saturday to the Miami County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies had been looking for Clark for about seven hours. He was booked without bond into the Miami County Jail, where he is being held on suspicion of child endangering, felonious assault and domestic violence, online jail records show... read more.

FBI… Egregious Case of Health Care Fraud: Cancer Doctor Admits Prescribing Unnecessary Chemotherapy -- 11/06/14 -- Imagine receiving a diagnosis of cancer and then having to go through chemotherapy or other intensive treatments. Then imagine finding out that you never had cancer in the first place and that your doctor—whom you trusted implicitly—merely used you in his scheme to fraudulently bill the federal Medicare program and private insurance companies... read more.

Greenville Police Department… Body armor scam
The Greenville Police Department is not currently collecting monies for body armor or any type of equipment. If you receive a call from someone trying to elicit funds for these reasons, please do not give out any personal or credit card information. Call the Police Department at 937-548-4150 to report this type of activity. Anyone with any information regarding suspicious activity or a crime is asked to contact the... read more.

Federal News Radio… Good news in the EVS: A well-educated federal workforce, By Michael O'Connell
Friday - 10/31/2014 -- Not all the news in the 2014 Employee Viewpoint Survey is bad. In fact, some of it's quite good when it comes to the education of federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management surveys more than 400,000 federal employees each year on their level of satisfaction in the workplace. When OPM released the most recent EVS report earlier in October, most of the media focus was on the low scores senior managers received across-the-board from their employees... read more.

Attorney General Mike DeWine… Task Force Seizes Nearly a Quarter of a Million in Crystal Methamphetamine - (DAYTON, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer, Butler Township Police Chief John Cresie, and Miami Township Police Chief Ronald Hess announced today the arrest of a Chicago resident following the seizure of nearly a quarter of a million dollars worth of crystal methamphetamine... read more.

Darke County Man Arrested in Meth Bust
On November 5, 2014, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 503 Beamsville-Union City Road, lot 29, Union City, Ohio. Rickie Hess, Jr. (40) of Union City was taken into custody without incident and is currently being housed at the Darke County Jail where he awaits formal charges of Trafficking in Drugs, Possession of... read more.

NBC News… Terminally Ill College Player Lauren Hill Lives College Hoops Dream, By John Yang
It was over in a moment, but the layup Lauren Hill made 17 seconds into a college basketball game Sunday was a life-long dream come true. “I caught the ball turned and looked at the basket and I put it up there. And I watched it all the way through,” Hill, a 19-year-old student at Mount St. Joseph who suffers from a rare brain tumor and is predicted to have only months to live, said of her score 17 seconds into a game against Hiram College, which was moved up two weeks... read more.

New Most Wanted Posted
Tavis Hileman - WANTED FOR: July 2014 – Arrest warrant issued by Darke County Common Pleas Court after being indicted by the Darke County Grand Jury on 2 counts of Trafficking in Marijuana. Both counts are felonies of the fifth degree. Andrew Kaiser - WANTED FOR: March 2014 – Bench Warrant issued by Darke County Common Pleas Court for failure to appear on original charges... read more.

FBI… Cyber Crime; Purchase Order Scam Leaves a Trail of Victims
10/27/14 -- What began as a scheme to defraud office supply stores has evolved into more ambitious crimes that have cost retailers around the country millions of dollars—and the Nigerian cyber criminals behind the fraud have also turned at-home Internet users into unsuspecting accomplices. FBI investigators are calling it purchase order fraud, and the perpetrators are extremely skillful. Through online and telephone... read more.

Injury crash on S.R. 242
On October 30,2014 at approximately 7:03 PM Darke County Deputies along with Ansonia Rescue, Versailles Rescue, and Ansonia Fire Department responded to the 6600 block of State Route 242 in reference to a one vehicle, injury crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that Anthony Price, 20, of Ansonia was driving a red 2004 Chevy Aveo westbound on State Route 242... read more.

Senior Journal.com… Leading Medical Groups Urge Congress to Stop Steep Medicaid Cuts
Doctors treating Medicaid patients face big pay cut in 2015, way below pay for treating Medicare patients - Oct. 27, 2014 - Doctors representing four major physician organizations are knocking on doors in Washington today to try and preserve the current law of payment parity for primary care and immunization services under Medicaid for at least... read more.

Redstate… EPA to ban Argon, one of the largest components of the atmosphere, By: Neil Stevens
October 29th, 2014 -- Did you know that Argon, an inert “noble gas” element, one of the basic building blocks of nature, is the fourth most plentiful substance in our atmosphere? It’s true. There’s more Argon in our atmosphere than anything other than molecular Nitrogen and Oxygen, and then Water. So now the science deniers in the Obama EPA are banning Argon. In chemistry, a “noble gas” is one of the elements on the periodic table that is usually listed on the far... read more.

NBC News.com… This Cycle, a Tale of Two Different Midterm Elections, By Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Carrie Dann -- How can the national polls look so bad for Democrats (see the NBC/WSJ/Annenberg and Washington Post/ABC polls), but the competitive Senate contests all be within the margin of error? Here’s an answer for you: There are two different midterm environments taking place in the country a week before Election Day. The first is the nationwide one, where there does seem to be a wave building for Republicans and where the GOP has a huge enthusiasm advantage... read more.

NBC News.com… Pope Francis: Evolution and Big Bang Theory Are Real
Big Bang theory and evolution in nature "do not contradict" the idea of creation, Pope Francis has told an audience at the Vatican, saying God was not “a magician with a magic wand.” The Pope’s remarks on Monday to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences appeared to be a theological break from his predecessor Benedict XVI, a strong exponent of creationism. “The beginning of the world is not the work of chaos that owes its origin to something else, but it derives... read more.

The Huffington Post… 8 Super Weird Things You Didn't Know About Halloween, By Todd Van Luling & Amanda Scherker -- October 24, 2014 -- This weird Halloween trivia isn't boo-gus. Halloween is a time for candy, costumes and the Charlie Brown cartoon special, but how did it become this way? Why are children and teens encouraged to run around the neighborhood threatening tricks? Jack-o'-lanterns are a pretty strange concept, but historically, strangers giving you candy was supposed to be a bad thing... read more.

Single car accident at 571 & Wagner
On October 28, 2014 at 5:55pm Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Rescue, Greenville Township Fire Department and Care flight were dispatched to State Route 571 and Wagner Rd. on a single vehicle accident. The accident investigation showed a 16 year old, (name not released) female was driving a 1998 Dodge Dakota pickup truck in the 2800 block of State Route 571. The driver failed to negotiate... read more.

Politico… Sarah Palin says she may run again, By Jonathan Topaz
10/29/14 -- Sarah Palin opened the door for another run for public office, railing against liberals who, she says, would like to keep her on the political sidelines. In an interview Tuesday with Fox Business Network, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee was asked whether harsh criticism of her had driven her away from politics. “Bless their hearts, those haters out there, they don’t understand that... read more.

Injury Accident at U.S. 127
On October 28, 2014 at approximately 1127 a.m. Darke County Deputies, Greenville Township Rescue, Greenville Township Fire, Ansonia Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to US Rt. 127 at Childrens -Home Bradford Rd. in reference to a two vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 red Dodge Neon driven by Amy Henning, 24, of Gettysburg... read more.

NFRW Kicks Off Fall Election Season in Dallas
Perry, Cruz Encourage Local Leaders to Work for Senate Victories - DALLAS – More than 225 Republican women leaders from across the nation gathered at the National Federation of Republican Women’s (NFRW) annual board meeting held recently in Dallas to emphasize the fall election season. Ohio Federation of Republican Women President Lyn Bliss of Greenville attended the event, where she heard... read more.

FBI… Agencies Cooperate in Child Sexual Exploitation Case
Michigan Subject Gets 30 Years in Prison - 10/23/14 - According to the federal judge who heard the case, the defendant’s conduct was “about as serious as it gets,” and that on a scale of one to 10, she believed the case was “way past 10.” Then she sentenced the defendant—James Alfred Beckman, Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan—to 30 years in prison. What crimes... read more.

Fran DeWine visits Darke County
“Fran DeWine is such a gracious lady, it was both an honor and a pleasure to be able to help welcome her to Darke County,” said Lyn Bliss, president of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women (OFRW). DeWine recently visited Darke County as part of her “Every County in Ohio” tour on behalf of her husband Mike DeWine’s campaign to be re-elected as Ohio’s Attorney General. She visited Pickaway County... read more.

Wayne Healthcare releases statement on ebola
Wayne HealthCare is seriously preparing for any potential local activity related to the current Ebola issue. The hospital has been in constant contact with CDC (Center for Disease Control), ODH (Ohio Department of Health), GDAHA (Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association) and the Darke County Health Department. We have completed a survey of protective wear and supplies associated with handling a potential Ebola case. We have a process for evaluating... read more.

Bluebag Media… Kasich touts future to continue Ohio success
GREENVILLE – “Here’s the thing,” said Gov. John Kasich, “we all have a sense of those values we were raised with… love, faith, respect for elders and teachers… all the things that matter… that’s the glue that holds us together.” Kasich, who is running for reelection in November, said it was essential to keep Ohio on the same track it’s had the past four years... read more.

County Loan Helps Spur JAFE Expansion
Second partnership between company and Darke County fuels new construction, added jobs - GREENVILLE- For the second time since JAFE Decorating came under new ownership in 2010, the specialty glass painting and coating company will be expanding and adding jobs. With the help of a $180,000 loan from Darke County’s low-interest revolving loan fund, the company plans to create... read more.

Mercer County Sex Offender Website
In Mercer County, there are approximately 68 registered sex offenders, and we want you to know where they reside so that you avoid those houses when trick-or-treating. “We do the best we can in making sure sex offenders live where they tell us, so it is crucial that our citizens visit our website www.mercercountysheriff.org , to see who the registered sex offenders are and where they are living,” says Sheriff Jeff Grey. Citizens are encouraged to check any addresses where they... read more.

Beagle Attends Emerson Groundbreaking; Innovative Center Expected to Add 35 Jobs to Dayton Area COLUMBUS—State Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) today attended the groundbreaking for the over $34.5 million Emerson Innovation Center, built on University of Dayton property. “It is exciting to see a place like Emerson Innovation Center open here in our community,” said Beagle. “I look forward to watching the positive impact this facility will have on our community and working with our development partners as this project progresses... read more.

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted… More than 49,000 absentee votes have been cast
Supplemental mailing goes out this week to more than 215,000 additional voters -- COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today announced that with just under three weeks to go before the 2014 General Election, nearly 741,000 Ohioans have already cast and/or requested an absentee ballot for the November 4th General Election. Based on an informal survey of Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections, as of Friday, October 10, 2014... read more.

Ohio and U.S. Employment Situation (Seasonally Adjusted)
Editor’s Note: Darke County unemployment 4.3 percent - Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in September 2014, down from 5.7 percent in August 2014. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 6,000 over the month, from a revised 5,297,400 in August to 5,303,400 in September. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in September was 319,000, down 5,000 from 324,000 in August. The number of unemployed has decreased by... read more.

Darke County Sheriff’s Office… Heroin Bust in Darke County
On October 17, 2014 the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and Darke County Deputies executed a search warrant at 36 Robin Hood Drive in Sherwood Forest Mobile Community near Greenville, Ohio, stemming from a heroin trafficking investigation. Kevin M Smith (29) of Greenville was taken into custody without incident and is currently being housed at the Darke County Jail where he awaits formal charges of Trafficking... read more.

Kasich statement on Ohio Ebola response activities
COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich issued the following statement in response to news that a Dallas health care worker who tested positive for Ebola virus had recently traveled to Ohio: “I have been fully briefed on the federal, state and local activities that are underway and have directed state health officials to aggressively respond to the situation and provide local health officials every resource and support they need... read more.

The Hill… Dems: Don’t trust the polls, By Niall Stanage
10/13/14 -- Democrats have a new message in the 2014 race for the Senate: Don’t trust the polls. The party is stoking skepticism in the final stretch of the midterm campaign, providing a mirror image of conservative complaints in 2012 about “skewed” polls in the presidential race between President Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. Democrats who do not want their party faithful to lose hope — particularly in a midterm election that will be largely decided on voter turnout — are taking... read more.

Dayton & Montgomery County Establishes Ebola Hotline: 937-225-6217
As a result of the worldwide Ebola crisis, many people in our community have learned something about the virus. However, many have additional questions and are not certain where to call for reliable information. Therefore, the health departments in the West Central Region of Ohio have established a hotline number for the public where they can call and get correct answers to the questions they may have. People... read more.

13-year-old injured in tractor accident
On October 11, 2014 at approximately 9:33 PM Darke County Deputies, along with New Madison Fire, Tri Village Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to Arrowhead Campgrounds at 1361 Thomas Road in reference to an injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a Kubota tractor driven by Pat McClellan, 60, of New Paris was pulling a trailer for a hayride through the campgrounds when Reagan Schommer, 13, of Englewood ran... read more.

Tiffin Street burglary arrests
On October 6, 2014 at approximately 1:12 a.m., the Greenville Police Department, with assistance from the Darke County Sheriff's Office, responded to 232 Tiffin Street on a report of a burglary that had just occurred involving three suspects. During the course of the investigation, detectives developed the identities of the three suspects. On October 8, 2014, Complaints and Arrest Warrants were issued for Aggravated Burglary, along with a search warrant for 331 West Main... read more.

Injury accident on U.S. 36
On October 8, 2014 at approximately 4:27 PM Darke County Deputies, along with Gettysburg Fire, Gettysburg Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to the 6700 block of US RT 36 East in reference to an injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2013 Toyota Prius driven by Heidi J. Aukerman, 60, of Greenville was eastbound on US RT 36. Mrs. Aukerman was slowing down to make a right turn when she was struck from behind by a white 1999 Dodge 3500 driven by... read more.

New Website Provides Employment Assistance to Ohioans with Disabilities
COLUMBUS, OHIO – October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Ohioans with disabilities now have a free, easy way to search for jobs and access information about a variety of work-related resources. Working in tandem with OhioMeansJobs.com, OhioMeansAccessibility.com will help job seekers with disabilities post resumes, search for jobs and more. “The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services... read more.

State Agencies Collaborate to Help Increase Child Support Collections
Columbus - In the past six years, Ohio has decreased by more than half the number of people coming to prison for not paying child support, saving taxpayers money. Agency partnerships, locally operated programs and legislative changes have led to the drastic decrease in those coming to prison, allowing these individuals to stay in their communities and continue to make their court-ordered payments. The total number of offenders entering prison for... read more.

New York Times… Fumbled Bid for Governor Imperils Ohio Democrats, By Trip Gabriel
Sept. 28, 2014 -- DAYTON, Ohio — With a wounded candidate at the top of their ticket, Democrats in Ohio have been forced to adopt a Plan B as they seek to avoid a disastrous shutout in elections for governor and other statewide offices. “Voting from the bottom to the top: That is the way we need to roll this year,” said Nina Turner, a candidate for secretary of state. Translation: Ignore the contest for governor and concentrate on the down-ballot races for the five other statewide... read more.

Sec. of State Jon Husted… Voter Registration Deadline Monday, Absentee Voting Starts Tuesday
Deadline to register to vote is Monday; Voters will have four weeks to cast ballots. More than 582,000 absentee ballots have already been requested. COLUMBUS – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today reminded Ohioans that they have until Monday, October 6th, to get registered to vote or update their voting information, and that absentee voting begins the following day on Tuesday, October 7th, for the 2014 General Election... read more.

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