A Highland County man was sentenced to four years in prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and selling it as scrap metal, and to vandalizing the Highland County Justice Center while he was in custody.
  Kyle Smallwood was arrested in June after he allegedly stole a metal grain cart, a generator, a Caterpillar trailer and other items from five individuals who live in Highland County. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to a bill of information on charges including five counts of receiving stolen property, felonies of the fifth degree, and vandalism.

The Hillsboro City Council has had the first reading of an ordinance that, if passed, will increase sewer rates 15 percent over three years.
  During council's regular meeting Monday, utilities committee members Dave Shoemaker, chairperson, and Bonnie Parr told council that they were at an impasse on making a recommendation on that matter.

The Highland County Board of Commissioners are awaiting an opinion from the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine regarding the next appointment to the Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Award-winning blues-rocker Matt O'Ree will bring his high-energy, high-voltage band to the Fling Barn this week in a rare Friday night concert. Dr. Bill Fling, owner of The Barn, located just south of Hillsboro at 8205 W. Berrysville Road, invites the community to see and hear this entertainer who's won two recent Asbury Music Awards for best blues band and best guitarist.

A multi-vehicle crash caused a semi truck to burst into flames on state Route 41 three miles north of Greenfield Friday at approximately 6 p.m.

According to a witness at the scene, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, and fire crews from Washington C.H. area, along with the Paint Creek Joint Fire/EMS Department out of Greenfield responded to the scene. 

"I can't understand from looking at the facts and figures how (Holt) came up with $40," Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins said. "I don't understand where that figure came from. We aren't agreeing to that. It's going to be back and forth (negotiations) from here. I hope it doesn't become a lot of back and forth because that takes too long if things don't get resolved."

Local 12 in Cincinnati is reporting that a man whose body was found in the Ohio River Thursday was from Highland County.
  According to the television station, "The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Clermont County Sheriff Deputies have pulled the body of a missing fisherman from the Ohio River. Officials tell Local 12 that a 65-year-old man, whose name has not yet been released by officials, left Highland County last night to go to Chilo to go fishing.  The man had not been seen since.

Hillsboro City Auditor Gary Lewis has released the city’s basic financial statement for the year ended Dec. 31, 2010.