| Local News |
| SR 32 Closed Due To Deadly Accident |
PEEBLES (C103)--Ohio State Route 32 East in Adams County is closed near the 18.5-mile marker after a deadly crash there Wednesday morning. The eastbound lanes of the route are closed at the intersection Portsmouth Road. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers say a semi-truck and a pickup truck collided sometime early this morning. Troopers have not said any more about the crash itself. The closure could be in effect for several hours. Motorists are being detoured via State Routes 41 and 73. |
| Patrol’s 2011 Trooper Shield yields impressive results |
Georgetown – A year ago troopers were asked one simple question under the Patrol’s new mantra, Trooper Shield - What are you going to do today to contribute to a safer Ohio? And troopers answered. They answered with hard work which translated into increased OVI arrests and drug seizures and a decrease in the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes. This hard work contributed to safer roadways and an increased quality of life in Ohio communities. Provisional statistics reveal 997 confirmed deaths on Ohio’s roadways in 2011, with an additional 32 unconfirmed deaths. Even if all the unconfirmed fatalities make their way into the confirmed category, there is still a significant decrease over 2010 - when 1,080 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in Ohio. “Even though we made great strides in 2011 – we will remain focused on continuing these successes into 2012 and beyond,” said Lt. McElfresh, commander of the Georgetown Post. “We have a lot of work left to do. Too many people are losing their lives on Ohio’s roadways and too many criminals continue to traverse our highways.” As part of the Trooper Shield mantra, the Patrol placed an increased emphasis on their criminal patrol efforts. By doing this, troopers were able to seize an unprecedented amount of drugs - removing them from Ohio communities. Overall increases were seen in every significant category of illegal contraband: prescription pills seizures increased by 46 percent, cocaine was up 663 percent, heroin was up 69 percent and marijuana was up 7 percent. To view a complete breakdown of the drugs seized and the Patrol’s overview of enforcement in 2011 please visit http://statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/2011_recap.pdf |
SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO GAS PRICES UP ALMOST 4 CENTS |
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The current average price for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline in South Central Ohio is $3.388, up 3.7 cents per gallon from a week ago. This week’s average prices: South Central Ohio Average $3.388 Average price during the week of January 24, 2012 $3.351 Average price during the week of February 1, 2011 $3.113
Today’s National Average Price $3.443 The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 80 local offices in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, New York and Kentucky servicing 2.5 million members. |
| Sheriff busts suspected meth lab in Brush Creek Township In Highland County |
The Highland County Sheriff's Office on Friday busted a suspected meth lab and found several firearms at a Brush Creek Township residence, Sheriff Ron Ward reported Friday evening. The department executed a search warrant at a residence on State Route 506 in Brush Creek Township. The warrant was executed after an investigation was initiated into concerns that methamphetamine was being produced at this location. Upon execution of the warrant, detectives discovered numerous items related to the manufacture of methamphetamine, as well as several firearms. Arrested and charged with one count of Illegal Assembly of Chemicals, a felony of the third degree, was Jeffrey L. Garen, age 43, of Brush Creek Township. Garen was transported to the Highland County Justice Center where he is being held on a $70,000 bond. Garen is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Hillsboro Municipal Court on January 30. The case will also be forwarded to Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka Collins' office for presentation to an upcoming session of the Highland County Grand Jury where additional charges are possible. Assisting the sheriff's office with the investigation and meth lab dismantle were agents with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, and members of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. |
| AAA: Ohio gas prices up 8 cents this week |
| COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Gasoline prices have jumped 8 cents from last week at Ohio pumps and are almost 30 cents higher than a year ago. The state's average price for regular was $3.39 in a survey today from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. That compares with about $3.31 last Monday. Last year at this time, Ohio motorists were paying $3.11, on average. Analysts say fuel prices could remain volatile because of tensions with Iran and economic concerns in Europe. |
| BWV records show Ohio has fewer teenage drivers |
| DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Fewer Ohio teens are obtaining their driver's licenses. A Dayton Daily News analysis of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles records finds the state saw a 9 percent drop in 16- and 17-year-old licensed drivers from 2006 to 2010. The number of Ohio 18-year-olds with licenses fell 4.7 percent. University of Dayton history professor John Heitmann says teens may be waiting to drive because the economy has made it harder for them to find jobs. He adds that technology has given them texting, Facebook and other ways to feel connected with their friends without having to get behind the wheel. Heitmann teaches a class called "The Automobile and American Life" and has written a book by the same name. |
| Ohio Valley School Board Selects New Member |
WEST UNION (C103)--The Adams County Ohio Valley School District Board of Education has chosen a new member to fill in on an interim basis for a vacant seat on the board. After interviewing five candidates, David Richey was named to the seat that was vacated by outgoing member Tim Naylor late last year. Richey also serves as the Chief Financial Officer for First State Banks. Board member Judy Campbell said in an e-mail to the media that this was a "very refreshing and difficult decision." She also said that she appreciates Richey's willingness to lead in a new capacity. Richey's appointment is effective immediately. |
AEP's rates rise following agreement with Ohio |
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- American Electric Power's residential rates in Ohio have gone up by as much as 5 percent following last month's approval of a rate agreement with state regulators. The Columbus Dispatch reports the typical customer of AEP's Columbus Southern Power division is now paying around $96 a month, $4 more than in December. AEP's Ohio Power customers have typically seen monthly rates rise by about $4.50, to a little over $92. The newspaper reports the current rates are lower than those from the peak months of 2011. A survey from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio shows rates have increased 23 percent in four years for customers of Columbus Southern, serving central and southeast Ohio. In that time rates have jumped 47 percent for Ohio Power customers in rural areas. |
Hillsboro Area Crash Turns Deadly |
| HILLSBORO (C103)--A fatal accident reported Monday morning near Hillsboro. The Ohio Highway Patrol say 37-year-old Elly Albert of Bainbridge turned onto U.S. Route 50 from North Beach Road at about 9:41am, and was struck by a pick-up truck driven by 49-year-old Jeff Sturdivan of Greenfield. Albert died from her injuries and Sturdivan was treated and released at an area hospital. |
| SHERIFF’S OFFICE APPREHENDS THEFT SUSPECT |
GEORGETOWN (C103)--Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger reports that at approximately 2:00AM this date, while on patrol, Sgt. Jamey Sininger noticed a suspicious vehicle leaving D&S Auto Salvage on State Route 125 near Hamersville. Sgt. Sininger proceeded to stop the suspect, who had a large amount of car parts in his vehicle. The suspect admitted to removing the car parts without permission. The owner of the property has valued the vehicle parts at approximately $800.00. The suspect has been identified as Johnny McLeaughlin, 23 years of age, of Augusta, Kentucky. He was charged with Theft, Criminal Trespass and Possession of Criminal Tools. McLeaughlin is currently incarcerated at the Brown County Adult Detention Center and will be arraigned on the charges tomorrow in Brown County Municipal Court. |
Hillsboro Store B&E |
| Hillsboro Police arrested two men late Monday night as suspects for a breaking and entering into Georgia's Bridal Shop on North High Street. Arrested were 25-year-old Dusty Oates and 30-year-old Mark Vaught, both of Hillsboro were charged with criminal trespassing. |
| Narcotics Arrest In Winchester |
| WINCHESTER (C103)—The Winchester Police Department reports that on January 16, 2012 Officers received a call of a reckless operation on SR 136. The officers along with Winchester Police Chief Caudill located the vehicle and made a traffic stop at the 1st stop on SR 136, after receiving consent to search, Chief Caudill located a plastic bag containing 3 grams of heroin and 25 capsules used to package heroin for sale as well as numerous other drug paraphernalia. The driver Justin Conley 31 of Manchester and passenger Jared Shivener 28 of Manchester were arrested and transported to the Adams County Sheriff’s office and charged with Trafficking in Heroin. |
| Reds Sign OF Ludwick To 1-Year Deal |
| CINCINNATI -- Ryan Ludwick and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Foxsports.com and CBSSports.com were the first to report Cincinnati's agreement with the free-agent outfielder. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday night because the deal was pending a physical and no announcement had been made by the team. An All-Star in 2008 with St. Louis, the 33-year-old Ludwick was traded from San Diego to Pittsburgh at the July 31 deadline last season. He batted a combined .237 with 13 homers and 75 RBIs. Ludwick could give the Reds the right-handed bat they've been seeking to complement lefty sluggers Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. He figures to see playing time in left field, a spot filled mostly by Chris Heisey down the stretch last season after Cincinnati traded Jonny Gomes to Washington in late July. It's the latest move in a busy offseason for the aggressive Reds, who had previously been focused on pitching. Cincinnati acquired starter Mat Latos and left-handed reliever Sean Marshall in separate trades before reaching an oral agreement on an $8.5 million, one-year contract with free-agent closer Ryan Madson. Ludwick had a $6,775,000 salary last year. |
| SHERIFF ANNOUNCES DEPUTY & CORRECTIONS OFFICER OF THE YEAR FOR 2011 |
Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger would like to congratulate the following personnel who have been recognized by their co-workers and supervisors for their outstanding performance of duty during 2011. DEPUTY OF THE YEAR: Deputy Eric Lang |