Applying for food, cash and medical assistance just got easier, thanks to a new Web site that allows Ohioans to apply for benefits wherever they can access a Web connection, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) announced this week.

Auction items also include computer and other electronic equipment and office furniture. Other items include a wide variety of miscellaneous items, such as clothing, utility tools, push mowers, paper shredders, commercial dryers and barber chairs.

Responsibly providing fire and ambulance services at a cost taxpayers can afford is a burden that officials in Hamer, Liberty, Jackson, Paint, Penn, New Market and Washington townships are struggling with.
 As contract negotiations continue between the townships and the city of Hillsboro for sustaining the current fire and EMS coverage, the townships have said they are examining all options available to them, and are trying to find a way to provide quality services for the protection of their constituents at a cost that is within their means.

Renovation work is set to begin as early as Monday, Nov. 15 on the Highland County Courthouse. The Highland County Board of Commissioners has entered into a $23,000 contract with Industrial First, Inc., for a number of exterior repairs to Ohio’s oldest courthouse in continuous use. Weather permitting, workers from Industrial First will start Nov. 15. Equipment for the project is expected to be on site by Friday, Nov. 12.

The village of Leesburg unveiled its veterans memorial Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Mayor Jim Cook, who co-chaired the memorial committee along with Charles Newland, said the village worked together to raise the more than $125,000 it took to make the memorial a reality.

The village of Leesburg unveiled its veterans memorial Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day. Mayor Jim Cook, who co-chaired the memorial committee along with Charles Newland, said the village worked together to raise the more than $125,000 it took to make the memorial a reality.

A fire investigation agency that performed testing and other investigatory work for the defense in the Wesley Coonrod trial asked that Highland County Common Pleas Court pay $30,000 more for their work than the court initially approved.
       According to a court entry issued Wednesday by Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss, $13,000 had been approved for compensation prior to the start of trial.

The Ohio Association of REALTORS® will sponsor "7-Hour USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and A Critical Review of Your Appraisal Reports," 8:30 a.m.  4:30 p.m., Dec. 7 & 8 respectively, at the Ohio Association of REALTORS®, 200 E. Town St., Columbus.

A Greenfield native who served 19 years on the bench as a Dayton Municipal Court Judge has died.
 The Dayton Daily News is reporting that Judge James F. Cannon, 79, died Nov. 5 in Dayton due to complications from cancer.

On Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13, the McClain Drama Department will be presenting the classic tale "A Christmas Carol" at McClain High School.
 This timeless story centers around Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Sam Henry. He has become a greedy businessman who is alienated from his family and friends. As his love for money grows, he becomes increasingly self-absorbed, much to the dismay of his employee Bob Cratchit, played by Joe  Barnhart; his nephew Fred, played by Dylan Rhonemus; and his fiancee Belle, played by Alyssa Anderson.

What if you had the gateway to another world hanging around your neck? Adventure, superpowers, and lessons in morality right at your fingertips?
       A family heirloom and a history of helping children learn the magic of reading prompted a Lynchburg area woman to pick up a pen and begin creating her own tale of other worlds, with hometown morals, that emphasizes the importance of working together.

A majority of area townships that contract with the city of Hillsboro for fire coverage have voted to accept a portion of the city's counteroffer for services.
       The Hillsboro City Council voted Monday to ratify a tentative agreement that would increase the cost of coverage for the townships until 2012 by 18 percent over the 2009-2010 contract.

The following are the Hillsboro Police Reports for Nov. 6-8.

The Hillsboro City Council has voted to allow Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink and Safety Service Director Ralph Holt to negotiate with the unions of the city's police and fire department, with health insurance options accepted by the city last week.
       During Holt's report to council during its Nov. 8 regular session he said that negotiations could not continue unless the city had insurance figures to offer. Last week, the city opened bids for health insurance, with only one acceptable bid available. In what the city called the "worst case scenario," the health insurance would be 19 percent more than last year, which is 9 percent more than what the city had budgeted for 2011. A health savings account option would be an increase of just over 17 percent.