There may be a little improvement in the local economy, depending upon which assistance group you ask. But there is still plenty of need among Hardin County residents.

The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance hired a friend to join its team of directors. Jesse Purcell is one of the founding members of the Women L.E.A.D. program through the Alliance and will become its Director of Chamber and Tourism on Jan. 2. She replaces Annetta Shirk, who resigned from the Alliance to accept another job.

Providing scholarships to children, senior citizens and families to utilize YMCA programs is the goal of the Annual Support Campaign underway at the Hardin County Family YMCA. This year’s goal is $30,000 and so far, just over $26,000 has been raised, said Sean Galvin, Y executive director. The campaign co-chairs are Brian and Jennifer Hattery. Brian has been a coach …

ADA — Ohio Northern University’s College of Engineering is recognized as one of the best in the nation. U.S. News and World Report ranks it 31st in the nation, which marks the ninth time in the last decade it has been ranked as a top 50 program.

Terry Keiser never thought he’d want to teach. It was something that just hadn’t crossed his mind.

Most of Hardin County was frozen over the weekend as was this pine tree near Mount Victory. The rain on top of ice and the temperatures struggling to stay above 0 made for slippery conditions and closed schools this morning.

Walking through the Harco Industries Workshop with Mark Kieffer must be similar to the experience of accompanying a rock star through a room of teenage girls. Everyone wants to greet him and give him a hug and Kieffer doesn’t disappoint anyone.

Holiday “travelers” swiftly moved through the “Kenton International Airport” with their “passports” and “baggage” Friday as they jetted from one destination to another within the warm walls of Kenton Elementary School.