The Highland County Board of Elections will hold a public logic and accuracy testing of the voting machines on Monday, Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. at the board office. The public is welcome to attend.

A two-vehicle collision at Route 247 south of Hillsboro has resulted in one fatality, according to Highland County Coroner Dr. Paul Terrell. One person was killed in the crash that occurred Saturday afternoon near Buckley Road in Washington Township and another person was transported to Miami Valley Hospital.

One Highland County school district and one individual school were given the highest possible rating by the Ohio Department of Education on its preliminary state test report card, as Fairfield Local Schools and Greenfield Elementary School both earned “excellent with distinction” honors.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that agents with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), along with local law enforcement officers from across the state, seized more than 30,000 marijuana plants in 2012. In Pike County, investigators seized more than 1,200 plants in August after finding a grow site with suspected ties to a Mexican drug cartel.

As temperatures drop, Ohioans are starting to crank up their home heating systems. Starting today, low-income Ohioans can benefit from additional relief for these utility services. Residential utility consumers can avoid a utility disconnection or restore their heating services by making a one-time payment of $175.

Financial-services firm Edward Jones has introduced an income management account designed to help investors simplify, track and access income from multiple sources, according to John Knechtly and Eric Deaton, financial advisers with Edward Jones Investments.

Highland County Health Commissioner Dr. James R. Vanzant of Hillsboro has been appointed to the Dangerous and Restricted Animals Advisory Board for a term beginning Oct. 16, 2012, and ending Oct. 15, 2015.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced the arrest of a Gallia County pastor on one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. 

Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer signed a proclamation for Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-26, at Wednesday's board meeting. Ginger Lowell, Joe Adray, Toni Lewis and Skye Lucas accepted the proclamation.

ODH is making the list of the 64 Ohio facilities receiving meds from May 21-October 2012 available online to aid in the outreach to patients. The list includes any provider who bought a NECC product since May 21, 2012, even topical products, which FDA has indicated are low- or no-risk products.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has written to President Barack Obama and intelligence officials requesting information about what was known and what action was taken – if any – in response to previous attacks against the United States Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Hamersville Mayor Wyndal K. Staggs has been charged with domestic violence for the second time this year.

Attorneys general from 15 different states have joined Secretary of State Jon Husted in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to step in and preserve the authority of the states to run state elections.

"Just a few weeks ago, President Obama traveled to Ohio to talk tough on China, vowing to level the playing field for American workers, farmers and businesses and protect them against China's unfair trade practices. His decision to punt the currency report due today until after the election, however, is further evidence his tough talk is just that, talk. He may claim to champion Ohio workers, but he has now shied away from naming China a currency manipulator eight times." 
–
Sen. Rob Portman

The Highland SWCD celebrated their 70th year as a Soil and Water Conservation District during their Annual Meeting that was held on Oct. 11 at the Hi-TEC Center in Hillsboro. The Highland County Commissioners presented the Board of Supervisors with a proclamation that named Oct. 11, 2012 Conservation Day in honor of the Highland SWCD being the first district in the state formed on April 29, 1942.