The following is Mayor Dick Zink's State of the City for 2010.

Liberty Tax Service, 128 S. High Street, Hillsboro, has opened their new office in time for tax season. Liberty Tax Service can help you meet one of life’s ultimate deadlines, provides free tax advice and free checking of self – prepared returns.

Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new Speaker, John Boehner. And as we mark this occasion, we are also mindful of the empty chair in this Chamber, and pray for the health of our colleague – and our friend – Gabby Giffords. It’s no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a good thing. That’s what a robust democracy demands. That’s what helps set us apart as a nation.

State Representatives Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) and John Carey (R-Wellston) recently introduced legislation that, when enacted, would increase the number of calamity days that school districts are allocated each year.

For the 18th consecutive year, the popular Greenfield youth ministry New Directions will host a telethon on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 7-9 p.m.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has signed three executive orders establishing policies for state officials and employees.

The following is the Greenfield Police Report for Jan. 7-23, 2011.

Ohio's unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in December, down from 9.8 percent in November, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 9,100 over the month, from the revised 5,012,000 in November to 5,002,900 in December.

Highland District Hospital recently relocated and expanded their laboratory to encompass an additional 1,100 square feet of space. This upgrade allowed HDH to expand Lab services that formerly had to be sent away for diagnosis.

U.S. Bank has been a significant contributor to Southern State, totaling more than $15,000 in donations over the years.

A winter storm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Highland and surrounding counties for Thursday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 21.

Ohio is one of six states asking a federal court to join a lawsuit challenging the recent medical insurance bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama.

In addition to Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Wisconsin and Wyoming are seeking to join the litigation, bringing the number of states in the lawsuit to 26. 

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine previously announced that he has authorized action seeking to add Ohio to the growing roster of states challenging the constitutionality of the recently enacted health care law.

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Former Supreme Court of Ohio Justice Clifford F. Brown, 94, died Jan. 14 in Sandusky. He served in the Ohio judiciary for nearly 30 years.