Hardin County officials were given information and demonstrations on a new phone system Tuesday for the courthouse, sheriff’s office, county home, engineer’s office, Simon Kenton and title building.

Kenton City Schools’ third graders performed better on the Ohio Department of Education’s reading proficiency test than what was reported in the Times last week. Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski, speaking at Monday’s school board meeting, said the figures released by the state last week and reported by the Times included just the spring administration of the test.

More than $340,000 from two grants will help K-12 students at Kenton City Schools. Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski said a Community Connections grant of about $120,000 was awarded to the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance with KCS as a community partner.

Kenton City Council took another step in rezoning the land where the former Espy Elementary School stood. Prior to Monday’s regular meeting, council conducted a public hearing on a request from the Kenton City Schools to change the zoning of the two acres at 520 S. Detroit St. from R-1 (one or two-family residential) to B-3 (general business district).

MOUNT BLANCHARD — In 2009, the Riverdale Board of Education undertook an energy project in an attempt to lower the district’s utility costs. In recent years, the district has seen the fruits of that project as it has saved more than $200,000 in those six years, including nearly $69,000 in fiscal year 2015.

FOREST — From playing a cop in a game of “cops and robbers” while growing up in Forest, Donny Southward now serves the village as its police chief. Ever since those times a child, Southward said, he’s always wanted to be in law enforcement.

ALGER — A Marion County man was shot earlier this month as he and others returned to rob a rural Alger home one too many times.

The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance unveiled a new farm-to-table logo and marketing campaign to promote new agribusiness opportunities in Hardin County, as local farmers and growers are producing locally grown food for consumers.

Kenton Kids Day will celebrate its fourth annual event on Saturday, Aug. 1 at a new location with more activities. The event, held in the downtown the past three years, is moving to the much larger area at the city’s Wharton Park.

The telephone system in Hardin County’s buildings needs replaced. The equipment which drives the system is outdated and replacement parts are not available. The commissions thought they had avoided a problem with the telephones – which provides service to the courthouse...