The American Red Cross is offering assistance to the Japanese Red Cross following Friday’s magnitude 9.1 earthquake and resulting tsunami that left towns and villages in Japan devastated. The earthquake triggered fires and caused severe damage to buildings, leaving five million households without electricity and 1 million without water. Early assessments indicate that more than 2,500 houses have collapsed completely, with 2,500 more damaged.

From the Ohio Department of Transportation - District 9, the following is a list of closures and restrictions due to flooding on the state highway system in Adams, Brown, Lawrence, Pike and Scioto counties effective Saturday, March 12, 2011.

A state official sought input from his constituents, and Friday night Highland County public workers were vocal, and united, in what they think should be done: "Kill Senate Bill 5."

Ohio 86th District Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) held a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Highland County Administration Building Friday with the intent to listen to people who had concerns regarding state issues, SB 5 in particular. 

The Highland County Board of Commissioners recognized and commended Ronald Levi Schilling, Boy Scout Troop 226, for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

The Greenfield Police Department executed two search warrants last week, resulting the seizing of suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia.
 One man was arrested on an outstanding warrant, and additional charges are pending against other individuals.

“Dave is one of the first attorneys I became friends with. I started practicing in 1976 and we became good friends over the years,” Judge Rocky Coss said. “It’s just a shock and I’ve been sick since I heard it. We had coffee every morning for 30 years. He was one of the group over at Wanda’s Restaurant. He was a good friend to a lot of people, and he could get along with just about anybody, no matter what their background. He is going to be a big loss.”

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that the 2010 Census showed the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2010, was 308,745,538.
 Highland County's 2010 population was listed at 43,589.
 Ohio's population grew 1.6 percent since 2000, to 11,536,504.

Highland County has slipped in the rankings among the Ohio counties with the highest unemployment rates, but the jobless rate increased by more than a percent during the month of January.
 According to data released Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, rates increased in 76 of the 88 counties and decreased in 12 counties.

Howard L. Eberts, a retired Hillsboro High School teacher of many years, passed away suddenly Sunday, March 6. Friends of Howard Eberts are invited to celebrate his life with Howard’s family on Sunday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Hillsboro.

The Hillsboro High School After Prom committee would like to extend a huge thank you to Merchants National Bank.

Effective April 4 thru Oct. 6, the Highland County Engineer's Office and County Highway Department will be working four (4) 10-hour days Monday thru Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.