Once again, Rob Portman is ahead of the legislative curve. The current U.S. senator and former Second District congressman from eastern Hamilton County campaign strongly on job retention and creation in last year's race against Lee Fisher. A big part of that campaign was an incentive for employers which called for a one-year payroll tax holiday on all income below $50,000.

The Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a one-vehicle, fatal crash that occurred on U.S. 22 in Clinton County. The OSHP said a 1993 Pontiac, driven by Cheryl Green, 62, of Middletown, was eastbound on U.S. 22 and traveled off the right side of the highway, into a ditch and creek embankment.

Betty L. Smith, 71, of Hillsboro, died Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Highland District Hospital.

Ohio farmers stand to lose close to $1 billion in income from late planting of corn and soybeans this spring. Fortunately, Ohio farmers in general have had four consecutive good years leading up to 2011.

Brown Publishing Co., the bankrupt former owner of The Times-Gazette and County Shopper in Hillsboro and several other Ohio publications, has had its liquidation plan approved in federal court, according to a report by Don Jeffrey for Bloomberg News.

Judith (Franklin) South, 67, died May 13, 2011 in Florida.

The Festival of the Bells Committee, in conjunction with the Highland County Firefighters Association, are pleased to announce that the 8th Annual Firefighters Parade will be held on June 30, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in Hillsboro. Lineup will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Highland County Fairgrounds. Judging of emergency equipment will start at 4 p.m. and end at 5:45 p.m.