Jury selection began Monday in Highland County Common Pleas Court in the capital murder trial of Wesley Coonrod.
 Of the 400 jury notices sent out, just under 320 potential jurors are left after dozens were dismissed in the weeks leading up to the proceedings. Jurors 1-50 met Monday morning in the courtroom, with another 50 scheduled to report after the noon hour. Jurors must each complete a questionnaire that is 18 pages long with an estimated 99 questions.

Early voting for the Nov. 2 general election begins Tuesday, Sept. 28, as Ohio opens a 35-day voting period.

A poll by Ohio's eight largest newspapers and the University of Cincinnati shows that the race for governor is getting tighter, The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The newspaper said the poll shows Republican John Kasich has an apparent lead of 49-45 over Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

The Hillsboro Police Department and Hillsboro Fire and Rescue are currently investigating a house fire in the 100 block of East Pleasant Street that may have been the result of a meth lab.
 The fire department was dispatched at approximately 7:37 p.m. after a 911 call reported the fire in the two-story structure.
 According to Officer Larry Barker of the HPD, the fire may have been the result of a meth lab, but he could not say what led them to believe that. He declined to comment as to whether or not items relating to a meth lab were found at the scene.

The Hillsboro Police Department and Hillsboro Fire and Rescue are currently investigating a house fire in the 100 block of East Pleasant Street that may have been the result of a meth lab.
 The fire department was dispatched at approximately 7:37 p.m. after a 911 call reported the fire in the two-story structure.
 According to Officer Larry Barker of the HPD, the fire may have been the result of a meth lab, but he could not say what led them to believe that. He declined to comment as to whether or not items relating to a meth lab were found at the scene.

In a political flier for Highland County Commissioner Gary Heaton inserted in select routes of the Sept. 25 Highland County Press, the following disclaimer was omitted by the printer: "Paid for by the candidate, Gary Heaton, 897 Flat Run Road, Seaman, Ohio 45679.

Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss denied two motions to suppress Thursday in a case regarding a Mt. Orab firefighter who is charged with giving pot to two children.
 Joel R. Harris, 26, of Clay Township in Highland County, was indicted in July by a grand jury in Highland County Common Pleas Court on two counts of corrupting another with drugs, each a felony of the fourth degree.

During a special session held Thursday evening, the Hillsboro City Council voted 6-0 to approve a bid submitted to purchase the former city safety building on North High Street.
 On Sept. 17, Drew Hastings, a Highland County resident who owns property in the uptown area, submitted the only bid for the former fire station, in the amount of $74,000. As required, Hastings had submitted a check for 10 percent of the purchase price with the bid.

The Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center's 18th annual Walk for Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center (SOPC) executive director Cathy Griffith, who has served as director since 2007 and previously served as the chairman of the center's board, said that plans are under way and that she is excited about various changes to the schedule this year, including the first-ever Ride for Life.