When Judd Robinson was growing up, the Erie- Lackawanna Railroad was just 60 feet outside his family home’s front door. When a freight train rolled through, Robinson said, the walls of the house would shake, but he “got used to it.”

Applications are being accepted for membership in the 2017 class of Hardin Leadership. This is the 25th year for the program which teaches participants the skills of being a successful leader at work and in the community.

ADA — The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance named Deb Curlis its Citizen of the Year Thursday evening during its annual meeting. Curlis is the marketing and events coordinator at Community Health Partners in Ada, where she has been described as being an invaluable asset to her organization, said Jesse Purcell, Director of Chamber and Tourism in her introduction.

It has been 20 years since Mark Sutherin attempted to convince Hardin County to become a part of the Rails to Trails project which would have connected Marion, Hardin and Allen counties with a bicycle/walking path on the abandoned Erie Lackawanna Railroad bed. Even now, Sutherin’s eyes light up when he talks about the potential of the program for Hardin County.

A Kenton youth is recuperating at home from injuries he suffered after being struck by a vehicle while running near the intersection of Harris Street and Letson Avenue in Kenton on Tuesday evening. Ethan W. Manns, 15, 436 S. Wayne St., was treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus and later released.

MOUNT VICTORY — Ridgemont Schools will see its property tax revenue increase an estimated $50,530 in 2017. That’s according to information from the Hardin County Budget Commission which was presented at the Ridgemont school board meeting on Thursday.

BELLEFONTAINE – The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Board of Education met on Wednesday to discuss district updates, upcoming events, and community advancements. Cory Ledley (Ridgemon) was sworn in as Ohio Hi-Point’s newest board member.

DUNKIRK — The Village of Dunkirk Income Tax Department would like to take this opportunity to try and inform the public of some of the basic rules regarding its city income tax. The current tax rate is 1 percent.

MARION — In the 1990s, Hardin County was considering becoming the middle link between Marion and Allen counties in a project which would have transformed the abandoned Erie-Lackawanna railroad bed into a bicycle/hiking pathway. The issue grew controversial in Hardin County and eventually the local plans were dropped, but Marion County pressed on and today, what remains a line overgrown with vegetation in Hardin County, is a much-used economic and health boost to thousands of residents in Marion County.

ADA — An Ottawa firm has been hired to complete a feasibility study on improvements to the Ada Municipal Building. Technicon Design Group will be paid $11,500 to determine the best course of action to improve the daily operations of the police department and village administration.