The New Market Township Trustees voted 2-1 Tuesday night to join the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District, despite several Hillsboro firefighters and neighboring township trustees asking them to hold their vote for two more weeks.

    The resolution was read by fiscal officer Dick Barrera, and trustees Lowell Sullivan and Kenny Harless voted to join the district, effective Oct. 1. Trustee Tom Juillerat voted against joining, saying that he would be willing to wait to see if Hillsboro had an offer that could potentially save the township residents money.

At the request of the city's labor attorney, Hillsboro Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2972 has come up with a "concessions package," which proposes a $100,000 cut in salaries and benefits to Hillsboro Fire and Rescue staff members. However, in order for the firefighters to make those concessions, they say the city would have to work out agreements with local townships, and maintain the fire department.

    Ryan Passet, the secretary/treasurer of IAFF Local 2972, told The Highland County Press said that throughout the negotiation process with the city and the townships, the firefighters wanted to be a part of the process in finding a solutions for providing the emergency services to city and township residents.

The Emergency Operation Center is open (limited staff), and staff members are looking at the power outages and water shortages.

    With more than a dozen residents in attendance, the Washington Township trustees said they will wait on making a final decision regarding EMS and fire services.
 
    Meeting at the township building off state Route 73 in Berrysville on Monday night, the trustees were asked about their options on the future of emergency services.

Highland County Water Company customers who remain without services will be provided with free bottled water, beginning Monday evening.

    Highland County Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Jim Lyle said the county applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Saturday to receive water assistance. County customers were without the water services when the privately owner Highland County Water Company lost electricity during the weekend storms.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted today a capacity pricing system through May 31, 2015 that will transition AEP-Ohio to a fully competitive retail environment. 

Attorney Thomas Todd Book of Portsmouth has been elected to serve a three-year term as District 8 representative on the Board of Governors of the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA).

While the 2012 Festival of the Bells will not feature a commemorative bell, after the Fenton glass manufacturer in West Virginia went out of business, this year's festival will feature a keepsake throw rug with the former Hillsboro Town Hall building.

Attorney General Mike DeWine praised the Franklin County Court’s judgment this week affirming the revocation of the state medical license of James E. Lundeen Sr. on appeal.