Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

Time is running out to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as H.E.A.P., which is an end date of March 31st for it’s 2020-21 Winter Crisis Program.

Appointments are still available with assistance for natural gas, electric, fuel oil/propane and firewood. One time assistance is still available for those who have not utilized the program for this winter season.

Households eligible must be at or below 175% of the 2020-21 federal poverty guidelines.

See more details below:

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Congressmen Stivers & Wenstrup Meet With Chillicothe VAMC Officials

February 24, 2021 Mike Smith

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO – On February 22, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center Director, Dr. Kathy Berger, hosted a visit with Congressman Brad Wenstrup and Congressman Steve Stivers. Discussions centered on current operations and other potential plans for the future of the Chillicothe facility. Dr. Berger responded to the congressional questions about services offered at the Chillicothe VA, and questions about the new travel voucher program.

Dr. Berger also shared plans for working with VA market partners in southcentral Ohio, which may enhance/expand services. Some areas that have proposed changes include additional mental health services and rehab services. Those proposed changes are currently under review. Veterans and staff can be assured that the Chillicothe VA remains ready to care for Veterans’ needs.

The COVID vaccination program was also discussed and the facility highlighted its current progress with vaccines being offered at the main campus and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) locations.

As a healthcare delivery system for Veterans, the Chillicothe VA is committed to continually assessing Veterans’ needs in the 17 counties served and meeting those needs in the most appropriate way possible.

Chillicothe VA is very appreciative of the continued support of Congressional members and stakeholders and is committed to ongoing communication.

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Highland Teen Drowns and ODNR Officer Dies After Rescue Attempt On Broken Ice at Rocky Fork Lake

February 24, 2021 Mike Smith 1 Comment

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

A Highland County teenager drowned and an officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources died from a medical emergency Tuesday evening after an attempted rescue when two teens broke through the ice at Rocky Fork State Park Lake.

ODNR officials say the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The 16-year-old drowning victim was a female and the ODNR Officer was identified as Jason Lagore. The name of the teenage girl has not been released. Her body was recovered at approximately 11;00 P.M. Tuesday.

A 13-year-old boy rescued himself from the ice and water and was taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia. His condition was not known.

During the four-hour rescue, Natural Resource Officer Jason Lagore suffered a medical emergency and was taken to Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro, where he was pronounced dead.

In honor of the life and service of Ohio Department of Natural Resources Officer Jason Lagore, Governor DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds in Highland County, and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus. Flags should remain lowered until sunset on the day of Officer Lagore’s funeral.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly U.S. and Ohio flags at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

This order will run concurrently with yesterday’s order to lower flags in honor of the more than 500,000 Americans who died due to COVID-19. Flags on public buildings and grounds in Highland County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower should remain lowered after February 26, 2021, if Officer Lagore’s funeral has not yet taken place.

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New State Park To Preserve Oldtown Area Known As Tecumseh Birthplace

February 24, 2021 Mike Smith

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin” It!

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz announced today that Ohio will develop a new state park around an important, yet often overlooked historical site in Greene County.

Oldtown, located at what is now the site of the Tecumseh Motel at 1575 U.S. 68 in Xenia, is the site of one of the largest-known Shawnee settlements in Ohio and is often cited by historians as the birthplace of Tecumseh.

Yesterday, the State Controlling Board approved ODNR’s proposal to purchase the motel for $260,000 to transform the half-acre property into Ohio’s 76th state park.

“Preserving this site gives us a unique opportunity to connect today’s generation of Ohioans with the past,” said Governor DeWine. “By protecting this property, we are preserving Tecumseh’s legacy and Ohio’s long, rich history.”

Tecumseh established himself as a Shawnee military and political leader who fought to preserve native land against American westward expansion and the U.S. military.

“By turning this historic land into a new state park, it’s our goal to restore and preserve Oldtown for the public to enjoy,” said ODNR Director Mertz.

ODNR plans to engage with the three sovereign and federally recognized Shawnee Tribes – the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, the Shawnee Tribe, and the Absentee Shawnee – to preserve and highlight this important historical site. The state park will include an interpretive center, and several markers memorializing historical events at Oldtown, including the marker pictured above, will be preserved.

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Chillicothe Steel Buys Acreage In Gateway Exchange Industrial Park

February 24, 2021 Mike Smith

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

There is some good news of business expansion in the Chillicothe area. Ross County Community Improvement Corporation has announced the sale of 6.44 acres located in Gateway Interchange Industrial Park to Chillicothe Steel.

The family-owned company, currently leasing space in the McArthur Street Industrial Park, has been operating in Chillicothe for nearly 30 years. The company sells products throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, and to customers in other areas. The company’s expansion is expected to create eight new full-time jobs.

In a press release, company president Jeff Crace said- “At Chillicothe Steel, we take great pride in our excellent service and customer satisfaction. We are pleased to contribute to the growth of the Chillicothe area”