The Highland County Common Pleas Court has launched its website this week, and Tuesday, Judge Rocky Coss gave a demonstration for courthouse personnel and county offices that will be regularly using the site.
 The site, www.commonpleas.co.highland.oh.us, was officially launched for public use Tuesday.

A Senate committee could finalize revisions and vote on Senate Bill 5 Tuesday, March 1, as protests from union groups continue in Columbus. Senate Bill 5, introduced by Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro, seeks to end certain collective bargaining rights for more than 350,000 state workers, teachers, safety forces and other public employees.

Former Hillsboro High School standout wrestler Greg Rhoads jumped in celebration after posting a 7-3 victory in the championship bout of the 184-pound weight class at Saturday's NCAA Division III Midwest Wrestling Regional. The victory gives Rhoads an automatic berth at the NCAA National Championship meet.

Former village fiscal officer Jackie Prine stole $37,081 of public money from the Village of Alger according to a special audit released by Auditor of State Dave Yost. Prine pleaded guilty last week in the Hardin County Common Pleas Court to collecting but not depositing utility payments over a five-year period.

A severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado watch have been posted for southern Ohio, southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service. There are also flash flood warnings for much of the state.

Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder discussed staying true to the taxpayers, while New Market resident Lowell Sullivan was named Republican of the Year Thursday during the Highland County Republican Party's annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
 The event, held at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro, also allowed the three Republican candidates for the Hillsboro Mayor's race to address voters.

Heartland's Debbie Rhude thanked all participants, judges and sponsors of the event and again reminded everyone "how important it is to purchase a ticket."

Heavy rains through the late evening Thursday and early morning Friday have led to one local school delay and several reports of high water. The Lynchburg-Clay Schools were on a one-hour delay due to areas of high water.

State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) has announced that House Bill 2, which will reduce wasteful spending and help to save tax dollars, passed unanimously from the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 97-0.

The Highland County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the leasing of three new cruisers for the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, with the stipulations that for 2010, no new funds be drawn from the general fund.

The case of a former corrections officer with the Highland County Justice Center indicted on a charge of sexual battery has been dismissed. However, according to the Highland County Prosecutor's Office, as a result of the charge being dismissed, the defendant agreed to never be a law enforcement officer again.
 Christopher L. Hilderbrandt, 30, of Highland County, was indicted in October on one count of sexual battery, a felony of the third degree.