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.

Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss informed Commissioners Tom Horst and Gary Heaton Wednesday of the additional expenses related to the capital murder case of Wesley Coonrod scheduled for October. Commission President Shane Wilkin was not in attendance due to an illness. Coss' preliminary estimate for added costs was $48,280. Coss said that was a "conservative" estimate.

State Route 41 north in Ross County had been closed near the 13-mile marker due to an accident involving a semi-tractor trailer. It is now open.

From pot holes in the road to pot shots, a fund-raising roast will be held for Jim Surber, Darke County Engineer and regular editorial columnist for The Highland County Press, on Tuesday, June 22.

In a relatively abbreviated June 9 meeting, the Highland County Commission dispelled concerns that the Hillsboro AEP Service Center may be in the process of shutting down and relocating its personnel to the AEP Seaman Service Center. With no appointments on the calendar at Wednesday's meeting, Commissioner Gary Heaton said there have been recent rumors that AEP was closing its Service Center in Hillsboro. Heaton said this week that AEP's community affairs manager, Jon Buck, informed him AEP is not closing the local center.

Hillsboro, OH (June 9, 2010) —NCB, FSB (NCB) a federally chartered savings bank is actively engaging local youth throughout Southern Ohio in financial literacy lessons focusing on saving, budgeting, and making smart financial decisions. Studies have shown early lessons in financial responsibility and education make a lasting impression on children as they move into adulthood. NCB supports these efforts and recently hosted or participated in several financial literacy programs.

The Portman for Senate campaign has announced the Portman for Senate county chairs, representing each of Ohio's 88 counties.