Manager Mitzi Crawford cuts the ribbon at the Women's Boutique in Kenton on Friday as supporters look on. The store is open in the former Eastcrest Elementary School at 409 Madison St.

Natalie Fisher, branch manager of the Spherion Staffing Services office, stands with a sign outside the Ashton Building at 15 N. Detroit St. in Kenton, where the Sepherion office is located.

In her years as a music teacher for elementary students at Kenton City Schools, Ellen Sheldon has been involved in several programs geared to improve student performances academically, encourage them to make positive life decisions or behave more acceptably in the classroom. But none have impressed Sheldon as much as the current The Leader In Me program.

After the Women of the Moose had their annual purse Bingo event in November, they agreed to split the profits between four organizations. Each was given a check for $843 on Thursday evening at the lodge.

WAPAKONETA — Trailing by 14 points early in the third quarter, the Kenton Wildcats found themselves facing an uphill climb at Wapakoneta on Friday night. And while the Wildcats were able to cut that 32-18 deficit to two points with three minutes left in the game, they were never able to quite get to back to the top of the mountain as the host Redskins held on for a 49-44 Western Buckeye League boys basketball win.

MOUNT VICTORY — After building a 16-point lead against Hardin Northern midway through the fourth quarter, the Ridgemont Golden Gophers appeared to be on their way to an easy win over their county and conference rival. In the final four minutes, however, the Polar Bears put the pressure on, forcing turnovers and attacking the basket to go on a 12-0 run, closing the gap to four.

MOUNT VICTORY — Shelby Faulkner, an agriculture teacher at Ridgemont High School, is a finalist for Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award which will recognize the Ag Educator of the Year. Her selection was announced Thursday afternoon in the school gymnasium in front of cheering students.

DOLA — Leading by as many as 11 points in the third quarter, Ridgemont looked like it was going to pull away for an easy victory over Hardin Northern in a Northwest Central Conference girls basketball contest on Thursday. The Lady Polar Bears didn’t make it easy for the Gophers however, as they rallied to take the lead several times in the second half before Ridgemont broke a 38-38 tie with four free throws in the final 20 seconds to hold on for a 42-38 victory.

After struggling with two wins through their first nine games, the Kenton girls basketball team was looking for a win to gain some momentum as the second half of the season approaches. They may have gotten that victory on Thursday night.

Senator Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, is joined by his wife Denise and daughter Anna as he takes the oath of office for Ohio’s 133rd General Assembly from Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith L. French. He is serving his first full four-year term as senator for Ohio’s 1st Senate District, which includes Hardin County.