Ashlie Payton (front) leads a group of visitors on a tour of Forest Saturday night.

ADA — Four people, including two current members, are vying for two openings on the Ada Village Council in the Nov. 5 election. Council members Cathy Cole and Ken Lauria are being challenged by Sheila Coressel and Linda Mason for the positions. Below are their responses to a Times election questionnaire. Cathy Cole

As far back as she can remember, Michele Daniels has had a desire to help others. She recalled her days growing up in Alger attending church at the Alger Assembly of God where she and the other churchgoers helped clean up and give back to the community. Now that Michele lives closer to Kenton, it’s the Abundant Life Assembly of God where she helps volunteer. But her work extends further than that. Since August, she has served as the executive director of the United Way of Hardin County, an organization that aids 22 partner agencies in the community.

When Brad Adkins of Kenton planned a vacation to Niagara Falls with his daughter, he hoped it would be a trip to remember. But his eight-year-old daughter, Azrael, had ideas of spending the time in a way that has made the trip memorable to many people beyond her immediate family. “Dad, can we go to a big city one day?” Azrael asked Brad.

A reported explosion appears to have been the cause of fire early this morning at the Sekisui Plastics plant, 13950 U.S. 68, on the south edge of Kenton. There was no one seriously injured in the fire or explosion. Sheriff Keith Everhart said his arson team has been called to investigate the fire.

Jacqualine Fitzgerald (right) thanks the crew at Shaffer’s Auto Repair and Paint for their work on the merry-go-round at Murray Park in Kenton. The aging equipment was showing its wear and needed bearings

DOLA — The Hardin Northern School District remains on solid ground financially, according to the five-year forecast presented to the board of education on Wednesday evening. Treasurer Wes Potter said even with the many capital improvements completed this year at the school, the finances are still strong and the forecast is essentially unchanged since he presented the last update in May.

AA and Al-Anon Step Groups – 7 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 125 S. Johnson St., Ada. AA Fellowship – 7:30 p.m., Big Book/12 and 12, First United Methodist Church, 234 N. Main St., Kenton.

DUNKIRK — Dunkirk Grace United Methodist Church will host a trunk-or-treat event on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., prior to the Dunkirk community Halloween parade. Children are invited to the Grace parking lot where congregation and community members will pass out treats from the trunks of their vehicles. The church is

ADA — A special meeting of the Ada Village Council has been called for today at 6:30 p.m. in the Ada Depot. The purpose is to discuss transfer of property and the water treatment plant operator position.