It's been a good night thus far for the Highland County Republican Party. Republican candidates in all contested county races held significant early leads Tuesday.

Sgt. Quintell Burns, Sr. of the U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Operational Detachment Alpha 7224 has been awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic efforts in Afghanistan. Sgt. Burns, of the Samantha community, was deployed to Afghanistan from Jan. 15-Oct. 1 of this year.

Sgt. Quintell Burns, Sr. of the U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Operational Detachment Alpha 7224 has been awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic efforts in Afghanistan. Sgt. Burns, of the Samantha community, was deployed to Afghanistan from Jan. 15-Oct. 1 of this year.

Highland County commissioners Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst met with Tim Hamilton of Greystone Systems, Inc. Thursday evening at the county commissioners' office after a link to a political campaign advertisement was placed on the Highland County Board of Commissioners' public website. On Monday, the county said only two county employees had access to the site's user name and password.

Services have been announced for Sgt. Donald L. "Donnie" Walker of the Highland County Sheriff's Office, who passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 2.

Today, the Highland County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced that Melissa Elmore has accepted the position and will assume the role of president of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce.

There is still time to vote early for the Nov. 6 general election. County boards of elections are open for voting during the following hours: • Monday, November 5: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. • For those choosing to vote on Election Day, the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A total of 60,593 Ohio veterans and family members have received payments from the Ohio Veterans Bonus totaling $50,893,704 – and other eligible veterans are urged to take advantage of this special thank-you for their service from Ohio voters. For more information, contact Robin Brown of the Highland County Veterans Service Commission at 393-8686.

The Ohio Ethics Commission has reached a settlement with former Newton Falls Mayor Patrick Layshock regarding an allegation that the former mayor used his public position to benefit his brother’s business.

Steve Ventura, who owns Master Feed Mill in Hillsboro and farms 400 acres, says he’s been seeing good yields this year, and farmers bringing corn and beans to his North West Street business have been reporting good results, as well.

Highland County's string of 10 consecutive months of higher permissive sales taxes over the comparable previous year months came to an end this month. The October sales tax receipts (for August 2012 sales) were $470,343.51, compared to $482,562.19 from the previous year. The $12,219 difference marked the first time in almost a year that monthly sales tax numbers showed a decline.

The Hillsboro Police Department was called to Hillsboro High School Oct. 31 to investigate a toilet paper fire.

Hillsboro native David Pyle has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Pyle was Illinois's longest-serving 4-H director and was nominated for the honor by his Extension colleagues in Illinois.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Nov. 4. The Centennial Celebration of Greenfield’s First United Methodist Church building, featuring organist/composer David Howard Pettit, is set for 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Pettit will premiere compositions commissioned expressly for the occasion. Pettit’s songs are inspired by the J.&R. stained-glass windows (circa 1912) that beautify the sanctuary.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, Nov. 4. The Centennial Celebration of Greenfield’s First United Methodist Church building, featuring organist/composer David Howard Pettit, is set for 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Pettit will premiere compositions commissioned expressly for the occasion. Pettit’s songs are inspired by the J.&R. stained-glass windows (circa 1912) that beautify the sanctuary.