The Greenfield City Council voted 5-0 to pass its 2011 permanent appropriations ordinance Tuesday evening during a special session that lasted less than four minutes.
 The meeting was necessary after council failed to receive enough votes to waive the three-reading rule during its regular meeting Dec. 21. Council member Harvey Everhart voted against the measure, saying that there were too many "glaring errors" in the ordinance.

Holiday travelers have more to contend with than just cold and icy weather, as gas prices have soared past $3 a gallon.
 In Hillsboro Tuesday afternoon, gas prices averaged $3.19, and according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nationally prices are at their highest rate since 2008.

It is with mixed emotions that I write this column this week. Beginning January 3, 2011, I will change job responsibilities with Ohio State University (OSU) Extension and assume the role of OSU Extension Beef Coordinator. This position will be based out of the OSU Extension Center at Piketon.

Highland County and the Fraternal Order of Police representing the deputies of the Highland County Sheriff's Office have extended negations to March so that both sides could collect and present "fact finding."
 Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward told The Highland County Press that the only matter left to reach an agreement on is wages.

The Penn Township Trustees will meet later this week to discuss the next step for the township following the death last week of their fiscal officer.
 Philip Davis, who had been the fiscal officer for the past seven years, died Dec. 22.

NCB, FSB (NCB) a federally chartered savings bank is actively engaging local youth throughout Southern Ohio in financial literacy by launching a SMART Savers program. Students in grades first through fifth at Blanchester and Fayetteville-Perry Schools are able to open a SMART Savers Savings Account and then on their lunch hour during designated bank days, NCB representatives will be at their schools to accept deposits.

In Hillsboro Tuesday, Dec. 28, prices shot up to $3.19 a gallon, up from $3.03 the day before, for a gallon of regular gas.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has announced that more than 35,776 eligible unemployed workers in Ohio are again receiving federal extended unemployment benefits, after President Obama signed legislation on Friday extending deadlines for the program from November 27, 2010, to December 31, 2011.

Ohio Auditor of State Mary Taylor has released the special audit investigation of the village of Ripley, identifying $952,618 in findings for recovery against former utilities clerk Katherine Lang for utility payments that were collected but not deposited into a village account.

In looking at ways to balance what may be a $10 billion budget deficit, some Ohio lawmakers are taking a look at the salaries, wages and benefits of Ohio's public employees.

The staff of The Highland County Press - Angie Matticks, Lisa Wharton, Stephen Forsha, Caitlin Ryan, Rosemary Ryan, Brandy Chandler and Rory Ryan - wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

While many Ohioans have grown accustomed to hearing about a pending $8 billion deficit in the state budget, one Ohio lawmaker is predicting it could be worse. A lot worse.

Ohio's Fourth District Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of an area man convicted of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.
 According to the decision published online Dec. 23, the court considered the appeal of Jeremy D. Lansing.

The case of a Hillsboro man charged with shooting another man in the face has been bound over for consideration by a grand jury in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
 Jimmie Jacobs, 64, was charged with second-degree felony felonious assault following the Dec. 15 shooting at J and J automotive, which left 28-year-old Jonanathan Harris, of Hillsboro, in critical condition.