Pam Conley assists a young student with her spelling words

Setting its sights on one of its main focus areas – education – United Way gathered up over 30 volunteers to read to children at local schools.

“One of United Way’s national goals is readiness to achieve in school. Studies have shown that a third grader who can’t read on grade level is four times less likely to graduate by age 18 than a proficient reader,” said United Way director, Whitney Gentry, “so we thought this would be a great project for Make a Difference Day.”

Volunteers came in the form of concerned citizens, retired teachers, and personnel from local government and businesses who allowed their employees to take time from work to assist the students at Belle Aire Intermediate School, Cherry Hill Primary School, Head Start, and Miami Trace Elementary.

Activities ranged from reading a book to the entire class to one-on-one help with spelling words.

“The volunteers have had nothing but positive things to say about their experience. They really enjoyed working with the children. My hope is that people will see how easy, fun and rewarding it is to spend some time helping a child and the schools will have a constant supply of volunteers to help the kids,” said Gentry.

“We greatly appreciate the volunteers who readily came forward to assist the students and wish to thank the schools for assisting with National Make a Difference Day.”

Fayette County Sheriff Chief Deputy Andy Bivens, left, meets with Washington Court House Police Lieutenant Jon Long, center, and Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight Radcliff at the crash scene. Photo/Nancy Radcliff, Circleville Herald

Fayette County Sheriff’s office confirms David L. Payne, 27, was being transported to Fayette County Memorial Hospital when he overpowered Fayette County Sheriff Deputy Don Campbell at the hospital on Columbus Avenue.

“The inmate was scheduled to come here for a procedure,” said Chelsie Hornsby, media relations representative at the hospital. “He did not make it into the hospital but the incident took place in our parking lot.”

Contrary to reports, the hospital was not on lock down.

The escapee threw Campbell to the ground and made several attempts to carjack vehicles in the Walgreens’ parking lot.

“Payne attempted to steal (car jack) two vehicles parked on the parking lot and occupied by drivers,” said Washington Police Lieutenant Jon Long. “The vehicles were driven by Kendra Stice of Hillsboro and Carey Vance of Hilliard.”

He allegedly told Stice he would kill her if she didn’t turn the vehicle over to him. She reportedly refused.

Payne left the lot and broke into a house at 1213 East Paint Street and stole money and keys to a 2005 Kia Amanti from the homeowner who was sleeping on the couch. He also stole a pair of jeans that he used to conceal his prison clothing.

He led deputies and officers on a high speed chase on Robinson Road and State Route 753 before wrecking the car on route 104 near the Ross and Pickaway County lines. He died at the scene.

Natawsha Ward saw the escape happen.

“This was so disturbing to watch,” Ward told Fayette Advocate. “He hit and knocked down a sheriff at the hospital, ran over into the Walgreens parking lot where he started hitting and trying to get innocent people out of a vehicle and when he failed, he then ran behind Walgreens where he was able to steal a vehicle and take off.”

Payne was originally awaiting trial for drug charges. Campbell is listed in stable condition.

Stay with Fayette Advocate for the latest.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, formerly known as The Sheriff’s Residence.

According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s office, Deputy Shannon Plumlee, assigned to the county’s jail, has resigned after an escaped inmate stole a car on Monday and led deputies on a high speed chase before crashing and dying.

David L. Payne, 27, was being transported to the Fayette County Memorial Hospital when he attacked the deputy assigned to keeping him in custody and used a key to free himself.

Payne got the key after Plumlee dropped it earlier in the jail during a scuffle, according to the Sheriff’s office.

He fled the area, broke into a house, stole a car, and led deputies on a pursuit before ultimately crashing and dying.

The Miami Trace Local School District seems perpetually at the crossroads, and this year is no different, which makes selecting the next school board all the more important.

Think about it: in just a few years, we’ve seen the district weather controversies.

Many good things occur in schools every day, but the problems facing Miami Trace weighs heavily on taxpayers — that directly impacts our children. Leadership is required and quickly, too. We need strong voices on the school board, unafraid to listen to the community, hold the staff accountable, and question administrators.

Therefore, we are endorsing Miami Trace School Board Candidate Mike Callahan.

“We did not do a formal process, and Mike Callahan and others did not seek our endorsement,” Fayette Advocate editor-in-chief Derek Myers said. “But after conducting investigations on candidates, we’re recommending Mike Callahan because he will be good for our kids and good for education in Fayette County.”

Mike Callahan wants a more transparent Miami Trace as well as community involvement before policy decisions are made, whether through the district’s online presence or in person.

Mike Callahan is a life-long district resident — with the exception of a few years he spent serving our country in the armned forces. He is a 1989 graduate of Miami Trace and he and his wife Mendy have two children who attend the district.

Mike Callahan knows how to get onto the kids’ level. Mike works in the healthcare field and knows the daily struggles of those suffering from poverty. Too often students fall through the cracks from the lack of financial means. And too often these students and their parents feel alienated from their school district. Mike’s emphasis on connecting with the district’s under-served students is refreshing.

In the future the work of the school board is going to get a lot tougher. The ground under the district has shifted, and anyone from custodian to board member who doesn’t see this probably shouldn’t be there. Any new board member will quickly discover that Miami Trace is caught in a whirlpool of state-driven initiatives, introducing a more rigorous statewide curriculum.

Mike Callahan has an impressive education background. He has two bachelor degrees in nursing and health care administration, as well as a masters in business administration from Franklin University; he has the knowledge and patience it takes to learn the new state-mandated guidelines that will be implemented.

Mike Callahan is in charge of a 20-plus million dollar budget in his professional career. He knows how to be fiscally responsible and do more with less without passing the burden onto taxpayers.

Mike Callahan is better qualified and has the knowledge both in government and in his professional life that will be important and useful to Miami Trace in a time of declining resources and great need.

It is with great thought that Fayette Advocate endorses Mike Callahan for Miami Trace School Board.

Read this response from Mike Callahan:

Thanks for the kind words. Very much unexpected…I have two kids in the District, and couldn’t be more happy with the academic education they have received. Dan Roberts, the administration, teachers, and staff set a great path to achieve regional educational prominence. I have been impressed with the new superintendent and have no doubt that this will continue.

The reason I am running for school board is that I have a deep commitment to serve and want the best for Miami Trace. As weird as it may sound, I feel more school pride for my high school than any college that I ever graduated.

I do believe I have certain skill sets that can enhance the board. First, I am a big believer in fiscal responsibility. I have over ten years of leadership and management experience where (as you pointed out in your endorsement), I have managed multi-million dollar budgets effectively. In fact, I am often sought after to explain and teach others budgetary matters in my organization. I definitely believe this is an area where I can be effective.

Second, I have experience and great working relationships with collective bargaining units in situations where budgets can be tight. Relationships are important to me and there is a lot of things that go into working effectively to make sure that everyone believes they are being treated fairly. People may not agree with my opinions, but you will never find a person that can say I have done them wrong (intentionally).

Third, I have good communication skills. The good and bad of what I do professionally is to share positive and negative results alike. This has been a learned skill and something I have developed over time. Communication is a two way street. Listening and sharing ideas, strategies, etc will go a long way to make sure everyone is working towards the same goals.

Finally, I have a good understanding of the legislative process and am not shy about advocating for something I believe. The state and federal government are both involved more than ever in our schools. I believe I can advocate effectively for Miami Trace on that level.

Thanks again for the kind words. If elected, I’ll make sure that I do my best to serve the people in the district to my best capabilities.

Jail house video has been released of the moment a former inmate picked up a handcuff key used during his escape.

Video released by the Fayette County Sheriff’s office shows the late-David L. Payne, 27, engaging in a physical fight with an unidentified inmate in the booking cage area of the jail on Monday.

Moments later the film shows two Sheriff’s deputies entering the cage and breaking up the fight.

Seconds after Payne is seen bending down to the ground and presumably picking up a handcuff key unknowingly dropped by then-corrections officer Shannon Plumlee.

Payne was transported to Fayette County Memorial Hospital for an undisclosed medical condition a short time later.

While at the hospital Payne escaped custody by using the key dropped by Plumlee that went unreported to supervisors at the Sheriff’s office, according to Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth.

He led deputies on a high speed pursuit before crashing a stolen vehicle and dying from injuries sustained in the crash.

An investigation later revealed how the unreported missing key aided in the escape.

Plumlee resigned from the Sheriff’s office on Tuesday and Stanforth has ordered a complete review of the jail’s policies.

Payne was awaiting trial for drug charges.

Washington Court House residents have important choices to make on November 5. On election day, they’ll be choosing between incumbents and challengers for city council.

Voters will see eight candidates on the ballot and have the opportunity to vote for four.

The council faces important decisions about budget priorities, zoning, development and other issues. Voters’ choices will determine the city’s direction in these areas for the next two years, and even decades to come.

Voters should choose Leah Foster to serve their city.

We applaud Foster, a born resident of Washington Court House, for her desire to get involved and give back to the city she cares about. Although some of her challengers are incumbents, Foster’s knowledge of issues facing the city and her proven track record is the better choice.

Foster has shown leadership in many areas, for example, running her own business. In her professional capacity, she counsels struggling businesses on how to grow their products and brands and how to strengthen their customer base.

We agree with Foster that the city has been too slow to review its downtown zoning regulations, and we’re glad that she has showed the leadership to introduce news ideas to start the process.

Foster would be a new voice and a fresh perspective on council. She brings experience in issues that are crucial to Washington Court House, particularly the business growth question, from her tenure as head of her own business.

We’re confident Foster will serve her constituents and the city well if she’s elected.

For their second choice, voters should cast their vote for Jay Yahn.

Yahn has shown leadership during his time in the community and he has worked to address important issues through his community involvement and campaign. We also agree with Yahn that the city needs to pay attention to infrastructure needs and maintain, or seek alternatives, to adequate police and fire staffing.

Yahn has made it a priority to communicate with voters via social media and by holding public events, and we like his insistence that the city needs to review their zoning regulations.

It’s clear Yahn cares about the city and has worked hard to address issues he thinks are a priority. We applaud his effort to get involved in city government.

We must do something to change our city. Millions of dollars in lawsuits, high water rates, lack of police and fire personnel, and one look at our downtown are just a few of the reasons why we should elect new council members.

And don’t even get us started on the poor-excuse of a “city manager” who was quoted saying the capitol of our great nation could fall into the ocean and it not impact Washington Court House; this is why we’re not endorsing incumbents: they’ve enabled this person for nearly a decade.

The “city manager” should tell his quote to the local business owner who lays carpet and had government contracts. His paycheck was delayed several weeks because of the government shutdown, his family had to eat at a local food bank. Or what about the FAA air traffic employee who lives and spends their money in our city? Her daughters went without school supplies.

Oh, and we can’t forget the dozens of not-for-profits who receive federal grants to assist in their operations and missions to help people in our community such as abused woman and children, and the homeless.

However, even though we’re not endorsing incumbents, we would like to applaud them and the two new-commers for stepping up and running for local office.

Foster, Yahn, or the others did not seek our endorsement and our view of Denen does not necessarily match their opinion.

Whether you agree with our choices or favor another slate entirely, please do your civic duty and cast an informed vote for local offices on Tuesday.

Kim Bonnell and Leah Foster elected to Washington City Council, Dale Lynch and Ted Hawk win re-election. Chuck Winkle and Gordon Davis were unseated.

Ken Upthegrove reelected to city school board. Craig Copas unseated by Jon Creamer.

Mike Henry and Rob Dawson win reelection for Miami Trace School Board. David Miller takes empty seat, Mike Callahan places fourth in Fayette County. However, Miami Trace School District stretches into five counties. Callahan is down by 21 votes behind Miller, that’s including Pickaway County, and there is approximately 40 absentee ballots to be counted that will take ten days.

In township trustee races, Ken Kelly and Scott Cook win Paint. David Edwards, Maurus Malloy win Union. Marie Fetters secures her seat in Wayne with Ron Weade winning, too. Jeff Hoppes and Ryan Yenger beat Bob Steele in Jefferson.

Bloomingburg won their 2.8 mills renewal operating levy by 80%.

The street levy and renewal operating fund for New Holland failed in Fayette County. Keep in mind most of the village’s voters live in Pickaway.

Their cemetery levy passed in Fayette.

Sunday liquor sales were approve for The Club at Quail Run.

Concord Township won their fire renewal levy with over 90%.

Madison Township secured their cemeteries levies, too.

For a numerical breakdown of each race, click here.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a Circleville woman whose body was discovered Sunday in a driveway near Mount Sterling. The woman was identified as 33-year-old Bridget Blaney, of Elm Avenue, in Circleville, Clear Channel News reports.

The Sheriff’s Office was called to Woods & Opossum Run Rd at 11:28 a.m. with a report that a woman had been found in a driveway. Blaney was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the arrival of paramedics.

The cause of death is unknown. The case is being treated as a suspicious death, according to Clear Channel News.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is performing the autopsy.

The Fayette County Courthouse

Organizers for the event said that the theme for this year’s parade will be “Light the way to Freedom” in honor of Military Veterans.

The parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, and will step off from the campus of the Fayette County Hospital at 6 p.m.

As in years past, the parade will be a holiday light show with floats decorated with various lights.

The parade route is Columbus Avenue, Court Street, Hinde Street, and East Street, and disbanding at the Chamber’s office on East East Street.

For more information, the chamber may be reached at (740) 335-0761.

Detectives believe the unknown male in this security camera photo is the person likely responsible for the burglaries. Photo: WHIO-TV

Several rural homes in Fayette County have been hit over the past month and investigators are starting to learn about similar break-ins in Clark, Warren, and Greene counties.

It all started with about 10 burglaries reported in Greene County. Greene County Sheriff’s Det. Chris Moore told WHIO-TV that there are multiple similarities that may tie the crimes to the same burglar.

Multiple reports indicate that the man may be a stocky, white male with long hair driving a blue-colored van.

Similarities that likely link the burglaries are that the crook hits in the daytime and the items targeted are electronics, weapons, and jewelry.

“It’s pieces of the puzzle and so you get a little bit from this witness, a little bit from this witness, different locations, and I think some things are staying true,” Moore told WHIO-TV.

One victim, Scott Jones, said his wife came home in the afternoon and found the front door window bashed in. Inside the TV and a laptop were gone. Jones said he’s since invested in new doors, deadbolts, and a security system.

“We’ve lost the peace of mind is the biggest thing, and our property, our merchandise, deductibles, and even my wife doesn’t want to be home by herself and I can’t blame her,” Jones said.

Law enforcement are reminding those that live in rural areas to keep their doors and windows locked.

“We see that in the rural areas that you have unfortunately a false sense of security…people oftentimes don’t lock doors,” Moore told WHIO-TV.

If you recognize the man or vehicle in the security photo, police would like to speak with you.

Over one thousand homes lost power in Fayette County Sunday night because of severe weather.

Dayton Power and Light reported nearly 1,010 customers were without electricity at 8 p.m., Sunday due to high winds. American Electric Power and South Central Power company reported a few hundred outages in Fayette County.

Phone numbers to report outages:
SOUTH CENTRAL: 877-688-2437
DP&L: 877-468-8243
AEP: 800-672-2231

If there is a fire, get to a safe place and call 911. The fire department will respond to the emergency.

Give Customer Service the Best Number to Reach You
After electricity has restored service to your area, they will attempt to confirm your power has been restored if you reported the outage. To ensure you receive this phone call, check to make sure customer service has the best phone number to reach you. If your service has not been restored, you will have an opportunity to report the continued outage, letting the power company know you have a problem with your individual service.

Be Careful Using Candles, Portable Heaters and Generators and Your Fireplace Candles
Avoid using candles if possible. Flashlights are a safer alternative. If you do use candles, be sure to place them on a stable surface away from combustible materials, and be careful around children and pets. Never leave burning candles unattended.

Portable Heaters and Generators
When using portable heaters and generators, follow all manufacturers’ instructions and think safety first. One of the most important precautions is to ensure that you have proper ventilation for this type of equipment. Keep generators far from your home (your porch is too close). More generator safety tips.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Do not use a kerosene heater or gas logs for heat unless you have a working carbon monoxide alarm.

Fireplace
Gas and wood-burning fireplaces both emit carbon monoxide. Make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home to detect the odorless gas. Use caution anytime you burn anything in your home and make sure that the area is well-ventilated and monitored for carbon monoxide.

Keep the Refrigerator Closed
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). More food safety tips.

Unplug Electronics
Go through your home when the power goes out and make sure that all heat-producing appliances (ovens, ranges, toasters, curling irons, etc.) are turned off or disconnected from a source of electricity so that when power is restored your home is safe from accidental fires.

A good practice is to always ensure there are no papers or other flammable materials on top of your electric range, in case it is accidentally turned on.

Know What You’re Responsible For
At a typical residential customer’s location, there is a service line that connects to the home through a masthead, service entrance cable and meter box. See what you are responsible for maintaining.

Allow Utility Crews to Focus on Restoration
When a utility crew arrives in a neighborhood, it’s not uncommon for people to be interested in the work that they’re doing or want to talk to the crew members about the status of restoration. These crews are dealing with extremely hazardous conditions and they need to focus all of their skill and knowledge to stay safe. They go through years of training and use special equipment to minimize the chance that they will get hurt while doing their job. For the safety of the crews and for your own safety, please stay away from utility crews and do not approach their work area or their vehicles.

Detectives believe the unknown male in this security camera photo is the person likely responsible for the burglaries. Photo: WHIO-TV

Several rural homes in Fayette County have been hit over the past month and investigators are starting to learn about similar break-ins in Clark, Warren, and Greene counties.

It all started with about 10 burglaries reported in Greene County. Greene County Sheriff’s Det. Chris Moore told WHIO-TV that there are multiple similarities that may tie the crimes to the same burglar.

Multiple reports indicate that the man may be a stocky, white male with long hair driving a blue-colored van.

Similarities that likely link the burglaries are that the crook hits in the daytime and the items targeted are electronics, weapons, and jewelry.

“It’s pieces of the puzzle and so you get a little bit from this witness, a little bit from this witness, different locations, and I think some things are staying true,” Moore told WHIO-TV.

One victim, Scott Jones, said his wife came home in the afternoon and found the front door window bashed in. Inside the TV and a laptop were gone. Jones said he’s since invested in new doors, deadbolts, and a security system.

“We’ve lost the peace of mind is the biggest thing, and our property, our merchandise, deductibles, and even my wife doesn’t want to be home by herself and I can’t blame her,” Jones said.

Law enforcement are reminding those that live in rural areas to keep their doors and windows locked.

“We see that in the rural areas that you have unfortunately a false sense of security…people oftentimes don’t lock doors,” Moore told WHIO-TV.

If you recognize the man or vehicle in the security photo, police would like to speak with you.

Sheriff detectives are investigating a drive-by shooting in Jeffersonville.

Authorities report that shortly before 3 a.m. on Sunday, someone dialed 9-1-1 and reported that a vehicle on Maple Street had fired a gun into the home of Tracey O’Conner, 34 Maple Street.

Over a half-a-dozen people were inside the home at the time of the shooting, according to reports.

No injuries were reported but an alleged bullet hole was found in an upstairs bedroom window. The bullet itself wasn’t recovered.

A light colored vehicle was seen fleeing the area and speeding down Maple Street before turning onto Route 729.

According to detectives, the house was targeted by the presumed shooter and no other shootings have been reported.

Carolina Bed Bug Dog

The case is reportedly isolated, according to school officials, and is allegedly only in a few hallways inside Miami Trace Elementary.

“We have had an isolated incident and the district is preparing to send a letter home with all students hopefully by the end of the week,” Miami Trace Superintendent Dave Lewis told Fayette Advocate.

After Fayette Advocate contacted the school district to ask questions, the letter [click here to read] was sent home with students on the following day alerting parents to the infestation that was discovered in “recent weeks.”

The letter stated, “In recent weeks, school personnel have found evidence of a very limited number of bed bugs on our school campus…the source of bed bugs cannot be determined… however, we believe that these pests were brought into the schools after clinging to clothes or hiding in student book bags.”

Lewis said that the district’s staff “will conduct routine inspections and, if needed, will direct a licensed professional to treat the area.”

Although the letter is dated November 14, one parent told us that she didn’t receive the letter until Monday. Another parent said that she hasn’t even received a letter from the school.

It’s unknown why the school waited “weeks” to notify parents but one district mother — who agreed to speak to Fayette Advocate on grounds of anonymity — said she fears that her children will bring the pests home.

“I have a daughter in preschool and bed bugs can spread anywhere. I don’t get off work until 12:30 a.m. and have to go home and check my house [for bed bugs],” she said.

The mother said she received a phone call from her daughter’s teacher who said the bugs were found in the preschool and kindergarten hallways.

“I don’t think it is fair that me or anyone else have to go through this. If anyone, or myself, have them are they going to help people get rid of them?”

Another concerned parent said, “I feel the situation is worse than what we are being told.”

So far, the Fayette County Health Department said that they haven’t been notified of the issue.

Exactly what is a bed bug and how harmful is it? Well, we asked some professionals.

“Adult bed bugs are small, but visible to the naked eye. An adult bed bug is from 1/4 – 3/8 inches long and reddish brown. Bed bugs have an oval shape with a flattened body when unfed; their body becomes swollen after they have fed,” said a representative with the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force.

The most obvious signs of bed bugs are small black spots (feces) deposited in and near bed bug hiding places. Shed bed bug skins, egg shells and live bed bugs also may be found. Another sign is blood stains, which typically occur when a bed bug is squashed.

And how do you know if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug?

“Bed bug bite reactions vary from person to person. Humans often exhibit a range of reactions to the bed bugs injected saliva. Some people exhibit no reaction whatsoever and others experience a raised itchy red welt at the site of the bite. Bed bug bite reactions often appear as two or more bites in a row. They often occur on exposed areas of the body, such as the face, neck, arms and shoulders. Bed bug bites may resemble bite reactions caused by other insects and other medical conditions,” said the task force.

Fred Williams. Courtesy: highdd.org

Details are scarce on the investigation but Board of D.D. members confirmed to Fayette Advocate that superintendent Fred Williams is under an investigation in Highland County.

It wasn’t confirmed by board members what the nature of the investigation is but Fayette Advocate was able to confirm with local law enforcement that a criminal complaint hasn’t been filed against Williams.

Williams told Fayette Advocate on Tuesday that he couldn’t comment on the on-going investigation.

Williams was implicated in a controversial Ohio database searches of Joe Wurzelbacher that occurred during the last few weeks of the 2008 US Presidential election campaign, when Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) employees, and Ohio officials, became embroiled in a controversy over searches of Joe Wurzelbacher’s government records after he came to national attention as “Joe the Plumber.”

In 2009, in a U.S. District Court in Columbus, a group titled “Judicial Watch” filed a lawsuit charging that Williams and others improperly searched “confidential state databases” in an alleged attempt to retaliate against Wurzelbacher’s criticism of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Williams has been employed as the superintendent for Fayette County’s Board of D.D. since August 2010. He was hired as Highland County’s Board of D.D. interim-superintendent in 2011 and hired in the official capacity in 2012.

The propane tanker that overturned was carrying a highly flammable load. Photo/Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth

At 7 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was reported into the Sheriff’s office command center reporting the tractor-trailer rollover on U.S. 62 south at Miami Trace Road.

The driver was able to climb out of the overturned wreckage and wasn’t injured.

Authorities say the load inside the tank is “highly flammable” and that homes within a one-mile radius were evacuated as precaution.

“The area isn’t safe and we’re trying to stabilize the scene,” said Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth.

The crash happened in the front yard of Chasity Pinkerton. She said that she and her husband heard a loud boom before running outside and calling 9-1-1.

“My husband was sitting in our living room and heard a big boom and we lost power,” she said. “He jumped up and seen the tanker flipped and snapped electric pole so he ran out to check on the guy and called 911.”

Pinkerton and her family were evacuated by firefighters.

U.S. 62 between Stafford Road and Greenfield-Sabina Road remains closed off while crews work to stabilize the wreckage, according to Stanforth.

By: Allison Rife, Miami Trace Student

Winners of the National FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Development Event (CDE) were announced Friday November 2, 2013 at the annual awards luncheon.

The event was held in conjunction with the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo. in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. James Ertl of Minnesota served as superintendent of the event.

The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and dairy cattle evaluation event are sponsored by Allflex USA Inc.

The National FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management CDE is a competitive event that tests the student’s ability to select and manage quality dairy cattle. Event components include six classes of dairy cattle, herd record evaluation and dairy management team activity. Each team competed at local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing their home state at the National FFA Convention and Expo.

The event, held at the Kentucky Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the many educational activities at the National FFA Convention and Expo. in which FFA members demonstrate their ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

The Miami Trace FFA Chapter’s Dairy Cattle Evaluation Team consisted of Sam MacGregor, Brooke Mossbarger, Ginna Climer, and Barbara Sears. The team was recognized as a silver emblem team. Sam MacGregor was recognized as a gold emblem individual. Brooke Mossbarger, Ginna Climer, and Barbara Sears were recognized as silver emblem individuals. The Miami Trace FFA Chapter is proud of the hard work and dedication of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation team.

FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Fayette County Early Learning Center: Self transport for morning session only

ODOT’s Fayette County garage located at 2231 US 22 Southwest in Washington Court House. Credit: State of Ohio

Crews from ODOT’s garages are patrolling and treating routes as needed this evening in anticipation of the forecasted storm. However, their operations started late last night and have continued throughout the day as crews began working 12-hour shifts at midnight, and these shifts will continue through the overnight and tomorrow.

Although precipitation has been light today and pavement is currently clear, periodic bouts of rain, freezing rain and light snows have kept roadways wet, and temperatures are expected to drop throughout the night, which could cause ice to form. In addition, snow showers are anticipated to move into the area after 6 p.m. tonight, with a possible total accumulation of three to five inches.

ODOT crews will be treating and plowing routes as needed throughout the storm, and motorists are reminded of the need for additional caution. Along with reducing their speed, drivers need to allow additional travel time and maintain a safe following distance behind other vehicles.

Motorists are also reminded to give ODOT crews room to work. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted, so it is important that drivers keep their distance and watch for sudden stops.

Southern State’s Fayette Campus

The concert is free and open to the public. Joining in the festivities will be students in the advanced ceramics classes who will be displaying and selling their one-of-a-kind handmade pottery.

On Dec. 5 and 6, the SSCC Student Government Association will host Santa’s Workshop. The community is invited to bring their children for photos with Santa, coloring books, and food.

In exchange for the Santa photo, a donation of socks, mittens, or a hat is requested and will be delivered to a local charity. All proceeds from food sales go to the Highland County Society for Crippled Children & Adults.

Santa’s Workshop will be open both days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the lobby on the college’s Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro.

For more information, please visit www.sscc.edu or call 1-800-628-7722