2025: The Year in Review, Part 1

The Highland County Press is recapping some of the top stories from 2025. The following is Part 1 of the series.

January

• Highland County Court/Madison Township Judge John Judkins accepted the oath of office and replaced his father, longtime Judge Robert Judkins, on the bench, effective Jan. 1.

• Greenfield Village Council held its first meeting of 2025 on Jan. 1, where Mary Ellen McMurry was selected as the new council chairperson by a 3-2 vote, and Cory Taylor was unanimously voted as vice-chairman.

• Smith-Feike-Minton, Inc. (SFM) of Wilmington announced a new partnership with Heskett Insurance Agency, Inc. and Weisenberger Insurance as finalized Jan. 1.

• On Jan. 3, three defendants were sentenced in connection with the 2016 Pike County massacre case. Edward “Jake” Wagner was sentenced to life in prison with a chance of parole after 32 years; Angela Wagner was sentenced to 30 years without parole; and Rita Newcomb received a 90-day sentence on a misdemeanor charge.

• After proudly serving Highland County and the surrounding area since 1993, Star Cinemas closed its doors in Hillsboro Jan. 4.

• At the 100th Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention Jan. 4 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Bill Sibrel received an award for outstanding support of the Highland County Fair.

• The third annual Chad Hodson Classic was held Jan. 4 at Fairfield High School’s Grandle Gymnasium to honor and celebrate the life of Chad Hodson with six games of high school basketball, plus the awarding of three scholarships. Recipients of the three 2025 Chad Hodson Memorial Scholarships were Claire Newkirk, Zane Matthews and Chad and Jana’s son, Dane Hodson. 

• Highland County Sheriff Randy Sanders issued a Level 3 snow emergency Jan. 6 following heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures, closing all roadways to non-emergency personnel. 

• Highland County commissioners reorganized Jan. 7, where Brad Roades was elected as the new president and Terry Britton was appointed vice president.

• Highland County set a record for permissive sales tax receipts collected for a fifth consecutive year in 2024, as announced by county auditor Alex Butler at the Jan. 8 commissioners meeting. 

• A Lynchburg man’s sentence in a felonious assault and abduction case was reduced by two years Jan. 8, after the Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed the original judgment in a decision issued in November. The sentence of Robert G. Jackson, 58, on felonious assault and abduction charges went from nine to seven years, following a resentencing hearing in Highland County Common Pleas Court.

• The Greenfield Exempted Village School District Board of Education held its organizational meeting on Jan. 8, where they named Eric Zint as president and Sandy Free as vice president. 

• Preston Cress, 35, of Leesburg was sentenced Jan. 8 to at least five years in prison and ordered to forfeit $22,305 after pleading guilty to a first-degree felony charge of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound.

• The Hillsboro Police Department announced Jan. 9 that James Hall, 33, of Hillsboro was charged with attempted murder for an alleged knife attack occurring Jan. 8 on Northview Drive.

• Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Jan. 13 that Southern State Community College will receive a $427,693.12 grant for security projects that enhance the safety of students and staff.

• After a one-week delay due to inclement weather, the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education reorganized for the 2025 calendar year and hosted their regular monthly meeting Jan. 13. Bill Myers was again selected to serve as board president, and Beverly Rhoads was reelected vice president.

• Southern State Community College announced its 50th anniversary Jan. 16 with plans to host a series of special events throughout the year, including community service initiatives, a student birthday celebration, an anniversary gala and various commemorative activities throughout the region. 

• Four local K-9 officers received badges from the Highland County Prosecutor’s Office and Prosecutor’s Victim/Witness Office in a ceremony held Jan. 16 in the Highland County Common Pleas Courtroom. Badges were presented to Greenfield Police K-9s Cheef (with handler Kyle Flora) and Nitro (handler Jimmy Oyer), as well as Highland County Sheriff’s Office K-9s Dom (handler Dylan Quenneville) and Code (handler Ryan Ross).

• Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha delivered his annual State of the City report to Hillsboro City Council during their Jan. 16 meeting, discussing progress made throughout the city in 2024 — the first year of Harsha’s second term in office — and previewing work to be done in 2025.

• After a discussion with Highland County Health Commissioner Jared Warner, commissioners voted 3-0, via resolution, Jan. 22 to approve a “proposed tax levy replacement with combination and reduction for the Highland County Department of Health for the primary election to be held May 6.”

• It was reported Jan. 24 that Midmark Corporation’s Leesburg facility would close by the end of the year, affecting approximately 80 local jobs. Formerly The Mason Company, the company manufactured animal enclosures.
    
• The Southern Ohio Educational Service Center (SOESC) announced Heith Brown as the new Highland County Director of Workforce Development Jan. 25.

• A civil lawsuit filed by Hangar 6 owner George Matthews against the Highland County Board of Commissioners and Highland County Airport Authority in 2024 was dismissed, following approval of a settlement agreement by Highland County commissioners at a special meeting Jan. 27. 

• The McClain Lady Tiger Sharks won the 2024-25 Frontier Athletic Conference girls swimming championship Jan. 29 at McClain High School, while on Jan. 30 at McClain High School, the McClain Tiger Sharks won the FAC championship.

• On Jan. 30, Mirac Tabronics announced an investment of over $2.69 million in its Adams County and Highland County operations, creating 40 new jobs. Mirac Tabtronics, a contractual electronic assembly and fabrication company, is headquartered in Lynchburg.

February

• A Frontier Athletic Conference girls basketball championship was on the line Feb. 1 at McClain Gym, and it was sophomore Larah Henson who lifted the Lady Tigers to victory, as she made a clutch put-back basket with 2.3 seconds left in regulation, sending the Lady Tigers to a 39-37 victory over rival Hillsboro. 

• Less than two months after accepting at least seven applications for the Greenfield city manager position, Greenfield Village Council voted to retain Gary Silcott as city manager for 2025, as reported Feb. 4.

• The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) celebrated Black History Month with four 60-minute programs beginning Feb. 4, which included a screening of the Hillsboro-based documentary “The Lincoln School Story.” 

• Justin Brooks, 34, of Greenfield man was sentenced Feb. 5 to four years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated possession of methamphetamine and tampering with evidence charges. A 1991 Ford Ranger and $94 were also forfeited.

• The McClain Lady Tigers finished off an undefeated slate in the Frontier Athletic Conference by defeating Miami Trace 43-34 Feb. 5 in Greenfield to receive the symbolic gold basketball.

• Local law enforcement officers working with the Highland County Task Force made drug-related arrests in various parts of the county Feb. 4-5 after a Highland County grand jury handed down 25 indictments, 12 of which were secret.

• As reported Feb. 6, Brushcreek Township in Highland County was declared “unauditable” for the period Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2023, due to inadequate financial records to complete an audit.

• The Lynchburg-Clay boys and girls bowling teams were crowned champions of the Southern Hills Athletic Conference tournament Feb. 6. The Whiteoak girls bowling team finished in a tie (with Lynchburg-Clay) for first place in the standings, with a record of 9-1 in Southern Hills Athletic Conference play.

• The McClain boys swim team won the Southeast District Sectional swim meet Feb. 8 in Athens for the first time since 2008 and only the second time in school history.

• The Hillsboro Indians boys and girls bowling teams won their respective Frontier Athletic Conference championships at Highland Lanes on Feb. 8. 

• The Class of 2025 inductees to the Fairfield Local High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Heather Cox Storer, Michael Mangus, Blake Hildebrant, Kaitlin Evans and the 1986 Fairfield High School Lady Lions softball team, were honored in a ceremony Feb. 9.
    
• The District 14 Coaches Association released their 2024-25 All-District girls basketball honorees, as announced Feb. 12, with Highland County having 14 players honored. Leading the way for Highland County with first-team recognition were McClain sophomore Paisley Pryor, Hillsboro sophomore Tylee Davis, Whiteoak senior Addison Roberts and Lynchburg-Clay sophomore Adilyn Carraher. Earning Coach of the Year honors were McClain head coach Shania Massie (Div. IV) and Whiteoak head coach Cole Schaefer (Div. VI).

• Marty Beaugard Sr. was honored when the African American Awareness Research Council (AAARC) and the Highland County District Library presented their annual Black History Month program Feb. 15 at the Hillsboro Church of the Nazarene.

• The Whiteoak Lady Wildcats bowling team stamped their ticket to the Division II State Championship Tournament by winning their district tournament on Feb. 17, becoming the first girls team in school history to qualify for a state tournament event.

• The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Feb. 17 to renew the treasurer contract for Lewis (Ben) Teeters for three years, effective Aug. 1. He has served as the district treasurer since 2016.

• McClain FFA’s Agriculture Communications team of Olivia Stegbauer, Addison Goddard, Hailey Halterman and Brooke Baldwin placed first at the state level, as reported Feb. 19.

• A federal lawsuit filed by former Highland County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Brandon Stratton was dismissed in a filing dated Feb. 19 by Judge Susan J. Dlott, who ruled in favor of the county.

• The 2024-25 All-FAC (Frontier Athletic Conference teams were announced Feb. 21 for both boys and girls basketball, where Paisley Pryor of McClain was named the girls Player of the Year.

• The District 14 Coaches Association released their 2024-25 All-District boys basketball honorees, with Highland County having 12 players honored, as reported Feb, 27. Leading the way for Highland County with first-team recognition were Hillsboro senior Tate Davis and sophomore Jack Howland; Lynchburg-Clay junior Denver Clinton; and Fairfield sophomore Brody Smith in Division VII. Davis was selected as Co-Player of the Year in Division IV, and Fairfield head coach Quentin Williams was named Division VII Tri-Coach of the Year.

• Christopher Burns, 41, of Hillsboro was sentenced to two years in prison Feb. 24 after a jury seated in Highland County Common Pleas Court found him guilty of aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine and aggravated possession of methamphetamine, both third-degree felonies. 

• The Hillsboro Indians and Lady Indians bowling teams clinched another trip to state, after both teams won a Southeast/East District championship Feb. 26 at Legacy Lanes in Coshocton.

• Fairfield Local Schools conducted a groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 26 for its new rural school-based clinic and learning lab in conjunction with Highland Health Providers, Nationwide Children’s and the Appalachian Children Collaboration.

• Highland County commissioners voted Feb. 26 to purchase two parcels adjoining the Engineer’s Office property — the former Pike Gas property at 144 Bowers Avenue in Hillsboro at a cost of $390,000 for two parcels, for a total of 0.3742 acre — for the new truck barn/engineer’s office.

• Stacey Thacker, 48, of Hillsboro was sentenced to six years in prison Feb. 27 after being charged in two separate drug indictments in a three-month span. Thacker was sentenced after pleading guilty to three meth trafficking charges and a forfeiture specification. She was also ordered to forfeit a vehicle and to pay hundreds of dollars in restitution.

• As announced Feb. 27, Lynchburg-Clay fifth-grader Mackenzie Davis won this year's Ross, Pickaway, Highland and Fayette (RPHF) Solid Waste District annual creative drawing billboard contest for all fifth-graders in the four-county district. Her design was featured on a billboard at the intersection of state Routes 138 and 28.

• The 2024-25 Division II OHSAA State Girls Bowling Tournament took place Feb. 28 at HP Lanes, where the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats placed 14th overall out of 16 teams that competed. 

• Highland County Job & Family Services Director Jeremy Ratcliff testified before the Ohio House of Representatives Children and Human Services Committee to advocate for Children Services funding during a Feb. 27 hearing to consider the next state biennial budget.

• Highland County was well represented on the 2024-25 All-District team for the Southeastern District in girls basketball with 15 players selected by members of the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association (OPSMA), as reported Feb. 28. Earning first-team honors from Highland County schools were: Paisley Pryor (McClain, Div. IV) and Tylee Davis (Hillsboro, Div. IV). Earning co-Coach of the Year honors in Division IV was McClain head coach Shania Massie. 

• Highland County had 11 players named to the 2024-25 All-District team for the Southeastern District in boys basketball as chosen by members of the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association (OPSMA). As reported Feb. 28, earning first-team honors from Highland County schools was Brody Smith (Fairfield, Div. VII). 

March

• Highland County commissioner Brad Roades announced March 5 that the county received its first Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, from the New Market Solar I project, in the amount of $315,000.

• Whiteoak senior Landen Eyre earned a state championship in the 3200-meter race at the State of Ohio Indoor Track & Field Championships March 7 at the SPIRE Academy near Cleveland. He was state runner-up in the 1600m. Kyler Fite of Lynchburg-Clay also competed and placed 12th in the 3200-meter run.

• The Hillsboro Lady Indians bowling team completed their stellar 2024-25 season on March 7 by placing 11th in the Division I OHSAA State Bowling Championships at HP Lanes in Columbus. 

• The 2024-25 season came to a close on the top stage on March 8 for the Hillsboro Indians boys bowling team, as they placed 10th overall at the Division I OHSAA State Bowling Championships.

• The 19th annual Chili Supper held by the Hillsboro Rotary Club as part of the 53rd Annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon for the benefit of the Highland County Society for Children and Adults was a record-breaking event, as reported March 19. Rotarians served 134 meals, and the dessert auction raised an additional $7,125 for 46 desserts.

• Members of the Highland County Land Reutilization Corporation (land bank) board agreed to assist in covering demolition costs for the former Gross-Feibel property in Hillsboro during their March 20 meeting.

• On March 21 in its first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Vanderbilt, the Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team won 77-73 in overtime over Vanderbilt in the first NCAA women’s basketball tournament appearance for Peyton Scott, a Lynchburg-Clay HS graduate. Scott took a charge and scored four of Oregon’s final six points to lead the team to victory.

• Hillsboro High School graduate Cierra Lively, a standout athlete at Wright State University, was named the Horizon League's 2025 Indoor Horizon League Track and Field Sportsmanship Award winner on March 21, as voted on by the League's head coaches.

• James E. Hall, 34, of Hillsboro was sentenced March 24 to five years in prison. After he was originally charged with two first-degree felony counts of attempted murder, Hall pleaded guilty a bill of information charging him with two counts of felonious assault, both second-degree felonies, in connection with a reported Jan. 8 knife attack on Northview Drive.
    
• Hillsboro's Tylee Davis, McClain's Paisley Pryor, Hillsboro's Peighton Bledsoe, McClain's Larah Henson, Whiteoak's Addy Hauke and Whiteoak's Addison Roberts were named to the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association All-Ohio girls basketball teams March 25.

• On March 25, Hillsboro senior Camryn Spruell threw a no-hitter in the Lady Indians’ 9-0 win over Eastern.

• For a second straight year, the Hillsboro and Greenfield Rotary Clubs raised over $165,000 at the annual Ernie Blankenship Radio-Telethon, continuing a trend of rising totals each year since 2021 for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults. The Rotary Clubs, along with event sponsor Southern Hills Community Bank, celebrated an unofficial pledge total of $166,303 at the end of the night March 26, which is the fourth-highest annual amount raised in the last 20 years. For the 53-year total of the telethon history, the total amount raised has now surpassed $4.5 million.  

• On March 26, the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs defeated Ripley in Southern Hills Athletic Conference action against the Ripley Lady Blue Jays by a 5-0 score, with Noel Barnhill tossing a perfect game.

• The Lynchburg-Clay Marching Mustangs traveled to Cincinnati March 27 and displayed their talents in the Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day Parade. 

• The season opener for the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs for 2025 was March 29, where they hosted the Clinton-Massie Falcons. LCHS split the doubleheader against the Falcons, where they won game one by a 10-0 score with a combined no-hitter, as Cole Wells and Braedon West didn’t allow a hit in their time on the mound.

• James Barrett, the former fiscal officer for the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District, pleaded guilty March 31 to two criminal counts related to his improper use of a district credit card and penalties and interest from late payroll remittances. Barrett admitted to misdemeanor charges of dereliction of duty and misuse of a credit card during an appearance in Highland County Court and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $35,719.25.

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