Most of the time, I’m smart enough to avoid entering into a debate with Jim Surber. And, by no means, is that my intent today. But when Jim used these medium to lament the End Times of newspapers, I couldn’t help but smile.

Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, welcomed the news that the Obama Administration will have an additional month to issue a conditional commitment for USEC’s loan guarantee application to build the American Centrifuge Project (ACP) in Piketon, Ohio before there is major job loss.

“For too long, we have used ‘Band-Aid’ funding and one-time dollars to fill serious budget gaps. As a result, Ohio faced an $8 billion deficit that required tough decisions and a collective tightening of the belt. The passage of this budget is a key step in revitalizing the economy in our state."

I would like to extend a special "thank-you" to the faculty and staff of Whiteoak and Bright Local for planning and holding the dinner. Your kindness and support have helped me get through what has been and continues to be a very difficult time.

Fourteen residents of the Enchanted Hills Community Association have filed a civil suit in Highland County Common Pleas Court against the subdivision, regarding the collection and use of membership dues.

An original oil painting of the former Fifth Third Bank building by Hillsboro artist Stacia Burke will be auctioned off July 2 during the annual Festival of the Bells. The building is featured on the 2011 commemorative bell, which was also drawn by Burke.

The Hillsboro City Schools have finished the fiscal year with a more than $900,000 surplus, good news for the district, considering they had anticipated the possibility of ending the year in the red. 

The HCS board of education met at the Scott House for their last meeting of the fiscal year Wednesday, and district treasurer Debbie Lawwell reported on the closing financials. The fiscal year ends June 30. 

Southern State Community College has released its president’s and dean’s list for academic excellence for Spring Quarter 2011.