When the people of Japan say “good morning” to their friends, they use the word “ohio” and on Wednesday, Hardin County said “ohio” to their new friends from Japan. A large crowd of guests from Hardin County, the state of Ohio, including Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, and from Japan met at the new Sekisui plant south of Kenton....

Throughout most of his adult life, Don Castle was considered a role model and a pillar of Hardin County’s society. But, according to the prosecuting attorney and the victim, Castle used his position in the community, his history as a high school coach and his job as a municipal court bailiff as a shield to cover his sexual obsession.

On Sept. 25, 1913, Hardin County residents placed a time capsule near the cornerstone of its new courthouse with the instructions it was to be opened 100 years later. That didn’t happen, but a new time capsule will be entered within the building later this month which will connect future generations with the courthouse of today.

ADA — Residents of Ada will be seeing a change in providers for their refuse service beginning in December. The Ada Village Council accepted a bid of $16.48 per month from Republic Services for refuse service for the village.

ADA — Officers from the Ada Police Department responded to a report of a threatening message left in one of the men’s restroom at Ada Technologies Inc. at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday. According to Chief Michael Harnishfeger, officers were assisted by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and K9 unit in sweeping the factory for any suspicious devices.

The Hardin County Engineer’s Office announced a private contractor will be conducting pavement work on County Road 195 on Thursday at the Jackson/Pleasant township border. On Friday, the crew will work on Township Road 70, west of County Road 195, in the same area.

The Hardin County Engineer’s Office announced Tuesday that county residents will now be available to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Ryan Taylor, of the engineer’s office, said county residents had been given approval to purchase the coverage in recent months only as an emergency.

The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance wants to assist professional women in the community through a new program unveiled Monday. Women L.E.A.D. was founded by co-chairmen Christina Cross, a local business attorney and educator and Jesse Purcell, Community Manager for the American Cancer Society.

The Hardin County Engineer’s Office announced Liberty Township Road 30 will be closed for three days between County Road 75 and Township Road 85 for culvert replacement.

The village of Dunkirk lost a building to fire Saturday morning, which had been a part of its history for several decades. Old Aker Manufacturing was located at the corner of Main and Patterson streets and was owned by Pat Reams.