FOREST — For the past two Christmases, some Forest residents have found Santa arriving at their doors via a fire truck to deliver gifts. The community has eagerly supported the Santa Cop program and donations this year are exceeding expectations.

A new organization for young people is getting a start in Hardin County. The Key Club is sponsored by the Ada Kiwanis and is open to any high school student in the county, said advisor Jennifer Rogers. The focus of the teen club is on leadership and community service, she said.

MOUNT VICTORY — Ridgemont kept its Northwest Central Conference matchup with Elgin competitive for the first two-and-a-half quarters on Friday night. The Comets, however, took over with a 12-0 run in the final four minutes of the third quarter and pulled away for a 62-35 victory.

The Kenton Elks Lodge recognized 10 Hardin County students as Teenagers of the Month for December during a recent luncheon. Ada Kaitlyn Marie Newland is a senior at Ada High School and the daughter of Angela Newland of Ada. She plans to become an STNA and study nursing. Her work experiences include being an employee at The Cast Room, baby …

The Kenton girls basketball team battled back from a nine-point third quarter deficit to take a one-point lead against Bath midway through the fourth quarter Thursday night. However, once the host Wildcats got the lead they could not get any shots to fall in the final three minutes as Bath scored the final six points to pull out a 49-44 victory in a Western Buckeye League opener.

ADA — When Ada’s ReStore established its Kids Christmas Shopping Spree program about eight years ago, the response was moderate. The idea of the program was to collect nice items, including toys, clothing and other potential gifts, for area children to claim as Christmas presents for their parents and siblings.

Mya Shirk, 7, shares her Christmas wish list with Santa Claus during Dunkirk’s annual Winterfest on Wednesday evening. Visitors to the holiday festival were serenaded with Christmas carols by a chorus made up of members from the area churches.

Preparing for the annual Christmas Cookie Walk at the First United Methodist Church in Kenton are (from left, front) Mary Lou McNeal, Candy Callinan, Judy Leiberick, (back) Gladys Hamilton, Shirley Stauffer, Becky Craig and Cheryl Purcell. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Ada High School junior Miguel Jordan serves meals to Ada senior citizens Mary Bowden (left) and Julie Ludanyi during the school’s 26th annual Senior Citizen Christmas Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon.

BELLEFONTAINE — Jonathan Alder took control with a 17-7 first quarter advantage and pushed its lead to 16 points by halftime in pulling away to a 73-51 victory over Ben Logan in Central Buckeye Conference girls basketball action on Wednesday.