Home sales activity throughout Ohio increased 13.4 percent in July, helping the marketplace record its 13th consecutive monthly sales gain, according to the statistics provided by the state’s Multiple Listing Services. Sales of new and existing homes posted a 12.9 percent increase during the first seven months of 2012 compared to the same period a year ago, reaching 63,519 sales versus the 2011 mark of 56,270.

On Tuesday, Aug. 21 at approximately 9:08 a.m., an officer went to 147 W. North St. attempting to locate a female on an outstanding warrant. The officer was being assisted by the Hillsboro Police Department K-9 and Greenfield Police Department K-9, who were on a training day. While at the residence, Ernie Haskill fled from the property and was apprehended by the Greenfield officer. Haskill was arrested on two outstanding warrants.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Administrator/CEO Steve Buehrer have announced the convictions of a husband and wife who worked together to defraud the state of nearly $175,000.

The Highland County Common Pleas Court has ruled against former Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent Chuck Biggert in his case against the Board of DD. In an Aug. 20 decision, the Hon. Judge Rocky Coss ruled that the termination of Biggert's contract by the Board of DD "was for good cause."

Ohio law prohibits state employees from using state time and equipment for personal business; however, a new report indicates former Ohio schools superintendent Stan Heffner may have violated that canon. The state superintendent of Public Instruction resigned effective Aug. 10.

A serious motor-vehicle crash on U.S. 62 north of Leesburg in Fayette County remains under investigation.

A serious motor-vehicle crash on U.S. 62 north of Leesburg in Fayette County remains under investigation.

Major work for a culvert replacement project on state Route 138 in Highland County has been completed, and the route is now open to traffic.

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.2 percent in July, unchanged from June, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS).

Adena Greenfield Medical Center’s laboratory has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Adena Greenfield’s Laboratory Services plays an integral role in our patients' diagnosis and recovery.

More than 100 golfers enjoyed a summer Saturday on the links at Snow Hill Country Club Aug. 11, but birdies, pars and fun-filled fellowship represented only part of the story. They were there to pay tribute to Sharon Sims. Sims retired this summer as a professor of health and physical education after 34 years on Wilmington College’s faculty and a coach of, at various times, seven sports, including being the founding coach of women’s golf.

A Hillsboro man is one of two suspects charged in making online threats. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports at www.post-gazette.com that Alexander Waterland, 24, of Loveland and Brett Hudson, 26, of Hillsboro, are facing charges.

A culvert replacement project on S.R. 138 in Highland County will continue through the end of the business day Friday, August 17.

The suspect wanted in a felonious assault in the stabbing of a female on Aug. 14 has been taken into custody.

Flanked by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Second Congressional District candidate Brad Wenstrup, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivered the following message to Ohio voters Tuesday evening in Chillicothe.