Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today announced that Ryan Smith (R-Gallipolis) has been appointed by the House Republican Caucus to the vacant 87th House District seat.

Farmers from across the state applied for and have been approved to receive $59.1 million in interest rate reductions on operating loans and lines of credit this year. Over 700 farms have been approved to receive Ag-LINK awards, spanning 64 counties, including a $100,000 award to Donald Geer in Highland County.

Meeting the needs of Highland County's 4,000 military veterans is a continuing challenge, says Highland County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Robin Brown. But it's a challenge that must be met, head-on, and overcome. Brown, a retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran with more than 20 years of service, met with Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst at the April 18 board meeting.

On Friday, April 20, events begin at the courthouse with an 11 a.m. cookout, with a walk beginning at 5 p.m. There will be food and family activities from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The auction begins at 6:15 p.m.

The following is the Hillsboro Police Report for April 14-17.

The following is the Hillsboro Police Report for April 16.

Recent audits have shown that taxpayers are footing the bill for items such as boxer shorts and purchases at the local golf course. Other audits found that fiscal officers overpaid themselves, and some officials have virtually no documentation of financial transactions whatsoever.

Congressman Mike Turner attended the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s hearing on “Addressing the GSA’s Culture of Wasteful Spending.” Turner questioned where the funds came from to pay for items included in a conference goodie or “swag” bag.

The Ohio Department of Transportation – District 9 has scheduled a public meeting to discuss the department’s proposal to close four rest areas in Highland County.

The following is the Hillsboro Police Report for April 12-15.

Due to the lack of items for the agenda, Chairman David Lowell has canceled the regularly scheduled Hillsboro Planning Commission meeting for April 17, the city announced today.

The Ohio State Fair will be July 25-Aug. 5 this year. State Fair officials have announced that three acts have been added to the Ohio State Fair’s Concert & Event Series, completing the line-up for 2012.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters have announced the indictment of a man who allegedly stole more than $43,000 from at least nine victims in Ohio and Kentucky who had storm damage to their homes.

In Highland County, Greenbush Road is closed at Beltz Road, immediately west of Buford, for a bridge replacement project. The route will be closed for up to 120 days, and while it is closed, motorists will be detoured via S.R. 134, S.R. 286 and U.S. 68. Bridges Road is closed just south of its junction with S.R. 771 for a bridge replacement project. The closure is scheduled to be in place for up to 90 days, and while the route is closed, traffic will be detoured via S.R. 138 and S.R. 771.

The city of Hillsboro will conduct testing of the conflict monitors on all traffic lights beginning Monday, April 16.