FOREST — The Tree Town Festival will begin with the main food pavilion and other food booths opening at 5 p.m. Friday, July 10. Local volunteers will prepare the food at the pavilion which includes the favorite homemade chicken and noodles.

The Forest council met shortly for a session Tuesday. Most of the discussion was in preparation for the town’s Tree Town Festival scheduled for this weekend in Gormley Park.

The Tree Town Festival Committee, the Forest Volunteer Fire Department and Jackson-Forest E.M.S. would like the public to be aware of the best viewing area for the fireworks to be held at the festival 10:30 p.m. Saturday July 11 in Gormley Park, Forest.

ALGER — Council member Jen Dye took off the gloves and pulled no punches in her resignation letter to the Alger council Monday night. The one-term member took parting shots at some elected and unelected village officials before storming out of the session to the cheers and applause of nearly half the standing-room-only crowd.

ALGER — Members of the Alger council are hoping to educate their taxpayers regarding the changes being proposed by their income tax collector. Members of council met recently with representatives of the Central Collection Agency (CCA) to hear about changes which are slated to take place next year.

DUNKIRK — Thanks to a generous donation, the Village of Dunkirk will be able to further beautify its downtown area. At the council meeting Monday, it was learned that Hedstrom Plastic West, led by plant manager Ken Bather, donated eight large flower pots that will be used as floral displays in downtown Dunkirk.

It was a little advice from Jonathan Hanover’s father, Thomas, that started him down the path to becoming a minister. Hanover is the pastor at the Kenton First United Methodist Church and has been on the job for just over a week.

Hardin County celebrated the 239th birthday of America with its annual fireworks display and a parade on Saturday in Kenton.

With the two candidates for Kenton Police Chief failing to pass a Civil Service test, all Kenton patrolmen will now be eligible to compete for the position.

Hardin County residents will have two ways to celebrate the Fourth of July this year. There are the traditional activities at the Hardin County Fairgrounds in Kenton or a concert by the Lima Symphony Orchestra at Ohio Northern University in Ada. Freedom Celebration 2015 at the fairgrounds kicks off with a car show, with sign in beginning at 3 p.m. …