Upon returning home to Hardin County after years of practicing medicine, joining the Kenton-Hardin Board of Health was an opportunity for retired Dr. Larry Oates to continue his involvement in healthcare. Oates has served on the board since 2011, six years after retiring and moving back to the Hardin County community.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — The staff and students of Riverdale know how to make their veterans feel appreciated. At an assembly for veterans in front of the middle and high school students on Friday morning, the band played a melody of patriotic songs. The high school choir serenaded the veterans with “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

When Don Bailey was graduating from Kenton High School in 1950, the Korean War was at its height. He discussed with his friend, John Ralston, the choices they were facing and what their best options would be. The lifelong friends agreed to join the Air Force instead of waiting to be drafted into the Army.

ADA — As a young man, Roger Guyton didn’t realize he was watching history, but the Alger native was standing on the deck of the Newport News when Russian freighter ships turned away from Cuba. As a junior at Upper Scioto Valley High School, Guyton decided to join the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1961.

ADA — The Ada High School softball team has never won the Northwest Conference championship. Now that two of his top seniors have signed to play softball collegiately, third-year coach Troy Erickson is hoping they will be ready to help guide the Bulldogs to that elusive first-ever league crown next spring.

Ridgeway Fire Chief Jim Newland (left) and Lt. Rodney Amweg stand with the village’s new weather siren which was wired and tested for the first time Wednesday.

Ada Schools tops list of successful local tax issues   Most issues presented to Hardin County voters in Tuesday’s election were renewals or replacements and voters showed their support for them in great numbers at the polls. There were two issues on the ballots countywide and both passed without any problem. The Council on Aging 1.5-mill levy renewal was approved …

ADA — The Village of Ada honored a woman who has dedicated countless hours to benefit her community and the university that calls Ada its home. Connie Fleming was named the Ada Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the 52nd Town and Gown Banquet at the McIntosh Center of Ohio Northern University on Monday night.

DOLA — While doing research on a project or reading an assigned book, Hardin Northern students often needed to find a way to visit the public library. That changed Monday. Now, said Principal Andrew Cano, the library is coming to them.

MOUNT VICTORY — Growing up on a farm in Cardington, Stephanie Jolliff was always offered the opportunity by her parents to be engaged in agriculture, leading to her pursuit of a career in the field. Her high school ag teacher Neil Swonger helped show Jolliff what could be accomplished by combining agriculture and education, leading her to where she is today as a teacher of agricultural education and the FFA advisor at Ridgemont Local School.