The Hardin County Family YMCA is working to overcome misperceptions about its services as it strives to make the community better. “People do not understand the YMCA,” said Sean Galvin, executive director. “We’re known as a gym and swim.” That information was gathered as part of a strategic planning process coordinated last fall by the national YMCA.

Two Forest men were injured when their pickup truck was struck by a semi at the intersection of Ohio 81 and Ohio 53 in Patterson on Wednesday about 3:30 p.m.

LEXINGTON — Riverdale’s fairy tale tournament run came to an end Wednesday night. After reeling off five straight wins to end the year, the underdog Falcons’ upset bid against Columbus Africentric fell short despite a back-and-forth first quarter. Jordan Hortson and an opportunistic Nubians’ defense took over, forcing 23 turnovers in an 85-46 victory in a Division III regional semifinal game at Lexington High School.

The strong winds on Wednesday afternoon blew the cargo trailer off a semi-truck traveling on Ohio 31, north of Mount Victory, blocking both lanes. As of 2 p.m., the road has been closed for more than two hours while a crew attempts to move the trailer. Traffic is being rerouted onto Ohio 292.

For the first time since he was 14 years old, J.R. Davis is clean of drug use. The young father of four spoke at the Community Prayer Meeting Tuesday evening at Veterans Hall in the Hardin County Courthouse. A crowd of about 40 gathered to discuss the drug issue in the county and seek divine intervention in dealing with the problem. “We have tried everything else,” said the Rev. Mark Bishop. “Nothing is working or not working very well.”

ADA — With Ohio Northern University students on spring break this week, the traditional students have been replaced by about 900 farmers who are putting on their thinking caps to learn more about the latest research, developments, practices and technology in agriculture. The 25th annual Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference began Tuesday and wraps up today at ONU. This year the CTTC has 60 speakers to focus on the corn university, soybean school, manure nutrient management, advance cover crops, on-farm research and conservation assessment and planning.

ADA — After placing third in the state at 138 pounds last winter, Ada junior Chase Sumner is no stranger to the mats of the state wrestling tournament. On Thursday, the Bulldog junior begins his second attempt to reach the top of the podium in Columbus when he takes to the mat against Newark Catholic’s Billy Luft in the opening round of the tournament at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center.

Members of the Mid-Ohio Energy Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) heard from federal and state legislators regarding energy and health care issues at their breakfast meeting on Monday at the Kenton plant.

The Ada High School Varsity Quiz Bowl Team won the 40-team WOBC Quiz Bowl Invitational held at Wright State University Lake Campus. Ada not only won the small school division, but also outscored bigger schools to capture the overall crown.

After four years of helping people over the phone in their time of need as a dispatcher, Emily Hart now deals with the public in a different manner as the records and communication coordinator with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.