Influenza data released today by ODH indicates that there have been 1,922 influenza-associated hospitalizations reported so far this flu season. That total number compares to 175 in the 2010-11 season and 86 in the 2011-12 season.

Area firefighters were called to two separate structure fires Thursday evening and Friday morning. At approximately 7:19 p.m. Thursday, Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District was toned out to a trailer fire at the Lighthouse Trailer Park near Rocky Fork Lake.

Area firefighters were called to two separate structure fires Thursday evening and Friday morning. At approximately 7:19 p.m. Thursday, Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District was toned out to a trailer fire at the Lighthouse Trailer Park near Rocky Fork Lake.

Tossing a canvas bag 27 feet away, with the sole purpose of sinking the bag in the target – a hole sawed into the awaiting board – is more than just a game of cornhole amongst friends on the weekend for Jay Dotson and Brandon Hill. This Highland County duo is currently ranked No. 1 in the world in the American Cornhole Organization as they are set to play in the ACO World Championships of Cornhole VII this Saturday.

The Lima Company Memorial: The Eyes of Freedom will return to the Ohio Statehouse and will be on view from February 15 to March 17. The exhibit was first unveiled at the Ohio Statehouse in 2008. The display was created in memory of 22 fallen Marines and a Navy Corpsman from the Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division who lost their lives while serving in Iraq in 2005.

A comparison in total departmental expenses in the Hillsboro mayor's office from 2011 to 2012 shows a 40-percent increase in spending, according to data provided by Hillsboro City Auditor Gary Lewis this week, after a public records request by The Highland County Press.

A comparison in total departmental expenses in the Hillsboro mayor's office from 2011 to 2012 shows a 40-percent increase in spending, according to data provided by Hillsboro City Auditor Gary Lewis this week, after a public records request by The Highland County Press.

A dual bridge replacement project is scheduled to begin February 4 on S.R. 321. The route will be closed at the 2.17-mile marker, between S.R. 134 and C.R. 2 (Gath Road) for the first bridge replacement, and once this project has been completed, operations will move to the second bridge, located at the 3.97-mile marker, between T.R. 141 (Marconette Road) and T.R. 143 (Bell’s Run Road).

Highland County Commission Clerk Beth Bell informed commissioners Shane Wilkin, Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer of her resignation in a letter dated Jan. 2. Bell has served as clerk since succeeding former clerk Debbie Sansone, who resigned in January 2012.

Frances and I will continue to be politically active private citizens. We will continue to stand with working men and women to build a stronger Ohio — and to defeat anti-worker and anti-middle class legislation that may arise.

As of Dec. 31, 2011, 71 Influenza-associated hospitalizations had been reported to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). This year, 1,230 such hospitalizations had already been reported by the comparative time frame.

During today’s opening ceremonies for the 130th General Assembly, Bob Peterson (R- Sabina) was sworn in as the Senator for the 17th Ohio Senate District, which encompasses Fayette, Clinton, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Pike and Ross counties as well as portions of Lawrence, Pickaway and Vinton counties.

Ohio House Bill 555 will change the manner in which the state's public school districts are evaluated. Signed last month by Gov. John Kasich, the legislation replaces the old school rankings – which ranged from academic watch to excellent with distinction – to letter grades from A through F.

Taking just a few minutes to donate a cheek swab or a blood sample and join the Be The Match bone marrow registry could eventually save the life of a cancer patient. One Hillsboro family hopes a Be The Match event in Leesburg this month will find a bone marrow donor for a young husband and father.

Recent federal action and Ohio’s declining unemployment rate will soon trigger a change in the amount of federal unemployment compensation available to Ohioans.