Eric LaMont Gregory, an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, was in Hillsboro June 25 to discuss issues related to the campaign. Gregory, 61, is one of several candidates seeking to garner votes against the two perceived front-runners, former Congress Rob Portman, a Terrace Park Republican, and Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, a Cleveland Democrat.

As a result of the enactment of House Resolution 3221, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded more than $3.9 billion of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to states and communities across the country to address the nation's abandoned and foreclosed homes crisis.  In total, Ohio received an allocation of $258,089,179, with more than $116.8 million awarded to the state and the remaining funds awarded directly to Ohio cities and counties. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) specified that all of the funds appropriated under the NSP program be used with respect to individuals and families whose income does not exceed 120% of the area median income.

This man was caught on a Greenfield stor

This man was caught on a Greenfield stor

According to Highland ARA president Roger Gladdish, this year the Clinton County Amateur Radio Association and Highland Amateur Radio Association will conduct a joint field day at 810 Levo Rd., New Vienna beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. The last jointly held Field Day was over 30 years ago. The public is invited to attend and observe modern amateur radio communication operation. To learn more about Amateur Radio, go to www.arrl.org.

The Festival of the Bells Committee in conjunction with the Highland County Firefighters Association, are pleased to announce that the eighth annual Firefighters Parade will be held on July 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Hillsboro. The parade lineup will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Highland County Fairgrounds. Judging of emergency equipment will start at 4 p.m. and end at 5:45 p.m. The parade will start leaving the fairgrounds around 6:10 p.m.

Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.7 percent in May, down from 10.9 percent in April, according to data released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment increased 17,100 over the month, from the revised 5,035,400 in April to 5,052,500 in May.

"You got one of the best governors in the country in Ted Strickland," Obama said. House GOP Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester, said the Obama administration's stimulus program has "fallen short of its promises." Boehner pointed out that Ohio's unemployment rate "remained above 10 percent for the 14th consecutive month in May," all under Strickland's watch.

On June 16, the Lynchburg Police Department and the Highland County Sheriff's Office went to 212 South Sycamore Street in the village of Lynchburg, in reference to a complaint of possible drug activity at the residence. There were two subjects in the residence, John Mark Ervin, 48, of Lynchburg, and Eric Daugherty, 49, of Lynchburg.

Seeking more ideas and continued discussion, members of the Highland County Business Retention and Expansion Initiative held a community forum Tuesday, June 15 to report on the results of their two-year study. The two-hour forum was held at the Alley 21 Bicentennial Room and was hosted by Highland County Commissioner Gary Heaton, Ohio State University Extension Agent for Highland County Rose Fisher Merkowitz and Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber.

While doing a routine check of the East Monroe Falls area and Rattlesnake Creek, at approximately 7:15 a.m. Thursday crews found what is believed to be the body of Andrew Smith, according to Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward.