The end of 2017 will mark a full 30 years for Mike Ault as a Cessna Township trustee, after which time he’ll be stepping aside to allow someone else the same opportunity he once had to learn about local government. Mike is a fourth-generation Cessna Township trustee, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather George, grandfather Frank and father Virden.

Tanner Schinness, 5, assists his grandmother, Becky Black, in packing items in a box for the Blue Star Mothers to send to service men and women stationed overseas during the holidays.

The home of Melissa and Heath Blevins, 301 N. Main Street in Kenton will be among the locations featured in the Candy Cane Tour of Homes on Dec. 3 from 1 to 6 p.m., sponsored by Keep Hardin County Beautiful. In 1840, Edward Smith used this lot to open a tannery.

McGUFFEY — As young Bradon Zapp looked around his classroom and waited in line at the cafeteria, the Upper Scioto Valley fourth-grader noticed there were students his age who didn’t have all the things in life he had. Maybe they didn’t have money for their lunches or their clothes were showing wear.

According to the calendar, Arbor Day was for April 28 this year, but the Kenton Tree Commission celebrated it Friday by planting two burr oak trees at the Water Works Park.

FOREST — A new program is hoping to reduce the stress young people feel when they find themselves interacting with law enforcement. Jessica Alger presented the Pages of Hope program this week to members of the Forest CIC.

MOUNT VICTORY — Dillon Beiler has been involved in Scouting since he was in the first grade and when it came time for the Ridgemont senior to select a project for his Eagle Scout award, he saw a need which would benefit a friend and his community.

The 2017 graduates of the Hardin Leadership program are encouraged to “be ready for opportunities.” Mindi Wells, a 2002 graduate of Hardin Leadership, shared her insight with the new group of leaders at the organization’s 25th year celebration and graduation program on Thursday night at the Kenton Elks.

Keep Hardin County Beautiful is planning a Candy Cane Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 6 p.m. Included on the tour are four homes and three businesses.

Kathy Cain, the fiscal officer for the village of Patterson, was surprised Tuesday when a representative of the Auditor of State came to her office in Forest and presented her with a framed certificate officially proclaiming Patterson to be out of fiscal emergency.