More than $1.4 million in potential savings were identified in the performance audit of the Graham Local School District released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. The savings recommended in this performance audit report represent about 7.8% of the district’s fiscal year 2010 actual operating expenditures.

The Supreme Court of Ohio this week ruled 7-0 that the destruction of a public record in violation of R.C. 149.351(A) gives rise to a forfeiture only if the requester was “aggrieved” by the destruction. The Supreme Court found that a party is not aggrieved if it cannot demonstrate that it actually wanted the records sought.

“There is a better way to get Ohio and our country working again, but it will require the administration to realize that more regulations, more spending and higher deficits have failed to turn this economy around.”

The following crashes and offenses occurred on Thursday, July 7.

A Fayetteville man has been arrested by Hillsboro police on drug-related charges. On Wednesday, July 6 at 11:14 p.m., an officer of the Hillsboro Police Department executed a traffic stop on Francis J. Jordan, 34, of Fayetteville in the 100 block of North East Street.

"I don't think a replacement levy will pass in this economy. People are going to look at this as a new tax (which it is). You're talking about doubling the amount people will pay. I don't think it will go through." – Commissioner Tom Horst

Khristopher Ballard, O.D., received his doctorate in optometry from The Ohio State University. During his optometric education, Dr. Ballard completed internships within The OSU College of Optometry, including pediatrics, low vision, ocular disease and contact lenses.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

“It’s nothing short of a monumental day for Ohioans. This budget reaffirms who’s the boss — the people of this state, and the government barriers that have held us back are pushed aside so we can succeed," the governor said.

Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer sought and received an opinion on a potential property acquisition or lease from Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins. At the June 29 commissioners’ meeting, Commission Vice President Tom Horst said there has been an informal conversation with the school district regarding the Scott House, with the possibility of using the building for the Highland County Historical Society and Visitors Center.

An original oil painting of the former Fifth Third Bank building by Hillsboro artist Stacia Burke will be auctioned off July 2 during the annual Festival of the Bells. The building is featured on the 2011 commemorative bell, which was also drawn by Burke.

State Route 771 will be closed for one week next month as Ohio Department of Transportation maintenance forces undertake a culvert replacement project.

The Highland County Special Olympics Team has just returned after a successful trip to the 2011 State Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games. Twenty-three athletes have won honors in their various events.