Shortly after becoming a mom for the first time, Von Dixon started a business. She had left a job she loved at Imperial Cup to start a family at the home she shared with her husband, Chuck. Knowing a little extra money would help with the new expenses of a baby, Von announced she would be available to baby-sit and soon was watching two children in addition to her newborn son.

Doug LaRue, USV Alger EMS chief and EMS Manager at Lima Memorial Health System, was recently awarded the Frank Giampetro Distinguished Educator of the Year Award for Ohio by the Ohio Department of Public Safety – Division of EMS.

Upper Scioto Valley teacher Melissa Rofe hands out packages of books and material to members of the kindergarten class Thursday as the school kicked off its summer reading program.

The car which will be featured Monday at the Mount Victory Antique Car Show and Petroliana Swap is a 1940 Plymouth Sedan Delivery vehicle owned by Tom and Carol Meredith of Cairo.

PIQUA — It was a bit more difficult than the first two times, but Ben Logan’s Madison Manns is going to the Division II state track meet in the high jump for the third straight year. A year after advancing to Columbus by winning the Piqua regional track meet with a top leap of 5-2, Manns easily cleared 5-2 on Thursday afternoon. So did four other jumpers.

In the 1960s, most enlisted men were sent to fight for their country in Vietnam, but Al Talbert's assignment took him to other destinations with equally important and no less dangerous missions. Talbert, now of Kenton, grew up in the Springfield area, the son of an Army veteran. When he received his draft notice at the age of 19, Talbert decided to enlist in the Army and began a military experience in the intelligence field of the service.

TIFFIN — It was a rough first day for area athletes as no one was able to finish among the top four finishers and earn a trip to state at the Division III regional track meet at Heidelberg University on Wednesday afternoon. Hardin Northern’s Frank McCoy came the closest to earning a trip to state on the first day of competition as he had a leap of 20-3 1/4 to finish sixth in the long jump.

Area students will be given an opportunity to earn money while they learn about careers in the mental health field. Prevention Awareness Support Services (PASS) has partnered with the Family Resource Center and the Mental Health Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin counties are sponsoring the event, which will last five weeks. Participants will focus on mental health and social work careers. The program is available for youth entering the 9th through 12th grades and wishing to learn more about the demands in that field.

Members of the Ohio State Alumni Club of Hardin County were treated to music from the Beatles at their annual dinner on Tuesday night in Kenton. William Ballenger, director of the OSU School of Music, and assistant Pete Tender, sang and played a selection of Beatles’ songs. The “Musical Magical Mystery Tour,” Ballenger said, was inspired by a study abroad to London a year ago in which they visited various Beatles landmarks.

DUNKIRK — There wasn't a seat available at Mr. Cheezy's Pizza in Dunkirk Monday night as guests feasted on free slices and soft drinks and listened to updates on state issues with State Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton. With Cross was a production crew making a video presentation on a day in the life of a state representative, he told those who attended the town hall meeting.