DOLA — Hardin Northern’s Nick Bame will be making his third and final appearance at the Division III state track and field meet when he competes in the 1,600 and 800 runs on Saturday morning in Columbus.

Four years ago, the executives of the International Paper Company were determining where to build their new expansion. Ohio U.S. Senator Rob Portman said he personally called the company and successfully sold them on the work force in Hardin County.

The man who managed the federal farm program in Hardin County for the past 33-plus years has retired. Doug Dyer’s last day as executive director of the county’s Farm Service Agency was Wednesday, ending a 39-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

MOUNT VICTORY — Ridgemont juniors Meadow Cromer and Sidney Richardson know what to expect when they walk into Jesse Owens Stadium in Columbus to compete in the Division III state track meet on Friday. Cromer will be competing in the pole vault for the third consecutive year, while Richardson takes the track in the 200 dash for the second straight year.

BELLEFONTAINE — If someone had told Madison Manns at the beginning of the track season that she would be competing at the state meet, she wouldn’t have believed them. But the sophomore’s hard work has paid off as Manns will be representing Benjamin Logan at the Division II level in the high jump in Columbus on Friday.

Two national retailers are coming to Kenton and more businesses are being sought for the former Hardin Central School site. A Dollar Tree and O’Reilly Auto Parts are lined up for the project, located at the corner of East Columbus Street and Jacob Parrot Boulevard in the city’s east side business district, according to Christopher McFarland, senior associate with Anchor Cleveland.

A world separates the homes of Kenji Kobayashi and Lucas Rangel DeQuveira, but the two teenagers have spent a year living as “brothers” in Kenton. Kenji and Lucas have attended classes at Kenton High School and lived with George and Barb Wyndham.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — Riverdale’s Carrol Pauley and Kyle Evans are no strangers to the competition of the Division III state track and field meet. The Riverdale seniors both will be making their third appearances in Columbus this week when Pauley competes for the Falcons in the discus and shot put, and Evans puts on his running shoes in the 400 dash and as a member of the team’s 3,200 relay.

Hardin County residents celebrate Memorial Day 2017 by attending the many services held in honor of those that have fallen so that we could be free.

DOLA — Hardin Northern held its spring sports program recently, recognizing its boys and girls track, baseball and softball athletes. Members of the boys track team receiving special awards were Owen Bame, James Rickenbacher and Frank McCoy, Century Awards; Nick Bame, Duo Century Award and Most Valuable Runner; Samuel Diller, most improved; McCoy, most valuable field events; and Owen Bame, Polar Bear award.