Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor, 63, is set to be released from custody on Friday, December 6 after serving nine years in prison for his sex crimes against numerous underage boys.

According to court records, Taylor was indicted on eleven counts of rape in 2002, nine counts of gross sexual imposition, and one count of attempted rape after numerous pre-teen and teenage boys from Washington Court House came forward claiming sexual abuse. In 2006, instead of going to trial he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual battery. He was sentenced to nine years behind bars.

After his release he will be on parole for five years. Attempts to reach Taylor’s attorney weren’t successful. It’s unknown if Taylor will return to Washington Court House.

In 2010 during an early-release hearing Taylor said he would file a motion to live with his then-wife at 101 Taylor Lane.

Shortly after his early release was denied his now ex-wife later sought a divorce and sold the house on the street named after him in Storybrook.

Taylor was a Washington Court House School Board member, local general contractor, real estate agent, and former city police officer at the time of his arrest.

Consumers across the country say they’ll rally behind one of the most important shopping days on the calendar for small businesses – Small Business Saturday. A day created to address one of small business owners’ most pressing needs – more customers. According to the second annual Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, awareness of Small Business Saturday among U.S. consumers shot up to 44% compared to 34% during the same period a year ago. In addition, 77% of those aware of the day say that they plan to “Shop Small” this year. That translates to tens of millions of -consumers across America who say they plan to patronize a small business on November 30th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The forecasted increase in shopping activity should come as welcome news to retailers facing the shortest holiday shopping since 2002.

“Small Business Saturday has really resonated with consumers who are eager to show support for their neighborhoods,” said Susan Sobbott, president at American Express OPEN. “Shoppers have made their intentions clear, and we expect Small Business Saturday to be an incredible boon for independent businesses across the country.”

Additional findings from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights survey include:

Consumers say they would attend a community event on Small Business Saturday (44%);
Part of the reason consumers are attracted to small businesses is because they are able to find gifts for people who are hard to shop for (70%);
One fifth (21%) of consumers said one of the main reasons they patronize small businesses is because they offer better prices; and
The top five places that consumers plan to shop on Small Business Saturday are food stores (38%), restaurants (37%), clothing stores (35%), bakeries (34%) and gift/novelty stores (31%).
”When people shop at small and independent businesses, they are giving back to their communities in a big way,” said NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner. “It is very encouraging to see that the intent to “Shop Small” grows each year and we expect this year’s Small Business Saturday to be a great success for Main Street.”

With more consumers planning to shop, small business owners appear ready. According to small business owners polled earlier this month for the Small Business Saturday Insights Survey, of those small business owners incorporating Small Business Saturday into their holiday plans, 70% say Small Business Saturday will be helpful in attracting new customers and 67% will offer discounts to drive consumers to “Shop Small” on November 30.

“We are seeing great support from the community and local businesses,” said Sobbott. “Our research shows that more than half (52%) of consumers say the primary reason they choose to shop at a small business is because they feel it is important to their neighborhood and community.”

A processing malfunction in Columbus is causing mail in the Washington Court House area to be delayed for several hours.

According to the United States Postal Service the malfunction occurred early this morning at the USPS’ headquarters on Twin Rivers Drive in Columbus.

“The trucks for our area was supposed to be here at six o’clock this morning but they weren’t here until about 11:45,” said a USPS representative.

All 14,000 homes in Fayette County were impacted, including the hundreds of businesses.

Mail carriers are running three-to-four hours late because of the malfunction. They’re expected to deliver mail until 7 p.m. tonight. Whatever pieces of mail aren’t delivered today will be delivered tomorrow, according to post office officials.

In today’s game – Unranked Michigan was leading Number 3 Ohio State 21 to 14 in the second quarter.  Three players were ejected from the game after a fight broke out just two minutes into the second quarter.

Michigan’s backup linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone was ejected after ripping off Ohio State Dontre Wilson‘s helmet who returned the kick off.   Wilson, obviously angry and upset used an open hand to strike back against Wilson and was ejected for the retaliation.

Courtesy Twitter

Ohio State starting right guard Marcus Hall threw a punch at Michigan’s Keith Heitzman and was ejected for his unsportsmanlike conduct.   Furthering the embarrassment of the Ohio State Buckeyes -  Hall, gave the fans the double-bird treatment.

At press time – it is unknown if any of the players will receive further disciplinary action.

Sadly – it took the action of both Urban Meyer and Brady Hoke coming onto the field to break up the melee.

The Final Score was 42 to 41 – with The Ohio State Buckeyes pulling out the win.

What Punishment, if any, should Dontre Wilson and Marcus Hall receive from Urban Meyer and The Ohio State Football coaching staff?  Sound Off Below

Andrea Wilson was one of the many volunteer performers for a fundraiser at The Well on Saturday.

The Well at Sunnyside held a Christmas variety dinner and a show on Saturday to raise money for new tables for the organization’s cafeteria.

The show — which was organized and performed all by volunteers — lasted roughly two-hours where some of the area’s most talented singers performed.

Pianist Jeanne Rosendahl played the piano for numerous acts while Miami Trace’s Soundsations, under the direction of Holly Stanley, performed “Christmas is” and “Carol of the Bells” as the opening acts, joined by the school’s Pink Panthers.

The Sunshine Singers, comprised of Eric Pitstick, Randy Woods, Jason Pemperton, and Sonny Walters, sung “My Lord and I,” “At The Cross,” and were joined by Terri Summers, Tonya and Debbie Woods.

Andrea Wilson awed the crowed by singing “Grownup Christmas List” and her daughter, Anna Grace, sung “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

A group of youth dancers from First Church of God broke-down in a praise dance to “Smile.” Ballerina Cierra Johnson danced to Eric Pitstick singing “Mary did you know.”

Chiquita Nash, The Well’s Free Store Director and Volunteer Coordinator, was seen crying because of the hundreds of people who showed up to support the event.

“This was our first dinner and a show fundraiser,” Nash said. “We exceeded our fundraising goal. God is good to us and I want to thank everyone who made this event possible.”

Fayette Advocate’s editor-in-chief Derek Myers was the event’s Master of Ceremonies.

“During rehearsals Chiquita was nervous that only a few people would show up for the event, but volunteers ended up scurrying to find tables once all of the seats were filled and there was still a line down the hallway waiting to get inside,” Myers said. “Once the show got started I kept waiting for an act to be ‘just okay’ but I was blown away when each performer walked onto the stage.”

100% of the monies raised through ticket sales and a silent auction will go toward The Well buying new tables for their hot-meal outreach ministry.

Tammy Walters and Jill Maddux were key people in planning the event.

Fayette County Board of Elections

The battle has been ongoing for months and the Chairwoman of the local Democratic Party, Judy Craig — who also sits on the Board of Elections — stood her ground and kept to her beliefs. Meanwhile, the other democrat on the board — Myron Priest — is being called a traitor by some within his own party.

The Fayette County Board of Elections voted on Monday to eliminate  a position inside the Fayette County Board of Elections that has always been held by a registered democrat. The office staff that runs the Board of Elections has been comprised of four workers, two registered democrats and two registered republicans for decades. The person who fills those roles have always been people recommended from their respective political party.

Presently, the staff is Beth Ann Snyder, a registered democrat who was chosen by her political party to fill the position, and Jamie Brooks and Jamie Teeters, both registered republicans, also recommended by their party to fill their positions.

Trina Walters was the other democrat who worked for the board but resigned earlier this year after taking a position at an incorporated company. This left an open position inside the office.

For months, the Board of Elections has debated on filling Walters’ position, but the decision had to be made by a majority vote from the board. Craig and Priest argued that the position needed to be filled by a democrat to allow balance within the office. The republicans on the board, Robin Beekman and David Bihl, allegedly argued that the position wasn’t needed.

On Monday, Craig made a motion at the board’s meeting to keep the position left empty by Walters open and to budget for the salary in the 2014 budget, and that the Democratic Party would recommend a person to be hired. The motion died for a lack of a second. Previously, Priest agreed with Craig but that changed on Monday.

A different motion was made by Beekman to pay the Director and Deputy Director $40,000 a year at 35 hours a week and pay a clerk hourly. No overtime or comp time would be given to the clerk as of January 1. Priest seconded the motion with Beekman and Bihl voting in favor of it. Craig voted against it.

Excuses made by some that the position was cut because of budget issues and not political reasons were proved invalid by Fayette County Commissioner Dan Dean, saying that the commissioners haven’t suggested cuts in the Board of Election’s budget.

“I think they were trying to provide the best service to the citizens of Fayette County for the least dollars but we haven’t received their budget,” Dean said. “As we get close an election, they might add a [temporary] fourth person to help out, if needed.”

Craig said that the eliminated position is very much needed and that she and a former Board of Elections employee assisted the three other office workers during the election because the workload was too heavy.

“Myself and Vivian Heidi went into the office to prove that it took four people to run the office,” Craig told Fayette Advocate. “Vivian worked three days and I volunteered on the other days. We documented the workload and presented it to the rest of the board proving the work was too much for three people, yet they voted against it.”

Some within the local democratic party said Priest is a traitor and shouldn’t have agreed to eliminate the position that allows the republicans to outnumber the democrats and essentially giving control of the office to one political party.

There is no state law put in place saying that there has to be a balanced number of political affiliations in the office but for decades it has always been balanced in Fayette County.

“I’m very disappointed in the vote,” Craig said. “Myron’s term is expiring on February 29 requiring reappointment by the Democratic Executive Committee. We will just have to see where the executive committee stands.”

Calls to Priest and the others weren’t returned.

Protect and serve, what all facets of law enforcement are sworn to do. Yet, some officers will spend their time doing other things.

One particular officer — a member of the Washington Court House Police Department — has threatened my life and harassed me to the point where I have to hire personal security to protect me and my staff.

In the summer, I was traveling in the city and I noticed that a Washington Court House police cruiser was following me. I took deliberate turns to “lose” the cop but to no avail, he continued to follow me.

Scared for my life, I immediately parked my car.

Just a few short days later, the police officer, Derek Pfeifer made comments on Facebook where he offered to pay another person to physically assault me.

A person had posted on Facebook, “This fayette county advocate website is so typical Washington ch, I want to throat punch whoever runs it.”

— CONTINUE READING BELOW IMAGES —

Pfeifer responded, “I’ll pay you… Please do it…,” and the person wrote, “I’ll make it happen,” and “I will bring back up…”

Scared for my life that a police officer — a person sworn to protect the public — would offer to pay money for someone to physically assault a member of the media, I immediately sought out ways to protect my safety and hold this police officer accountable.

After determining the best course of action, I was parked in downtown and walked to the Fayette County Sheriff’s office to file a criminal complaint and seek a restraining order against Pfeifer.

As I exited a building downtown a patrol car was sitting on the corner of the street being driven by Washington Court House Police Officer Matt Pfeifer, Derek’s cousin. One could only think that Matt Pfeifer was following me and waiting for me to leave because he followed me around the block as I walked to the Sheriff’s office. He parked in the bank next-door and watched me walk into the Sheriff’s office.

I filed a criminal complaint with the Sheriff’s office and I sought a protection order against Derek Pfeifer.

Just a few days after the court held a hearing regarding the protection order, I was parked in downtown and received a parking citation for allegedly not parking within the lines. The issuing officer? Derek Pfeifer.

A simple public records request will show that the city hasn’t issued this citation to any other motorist in the thirty days preceding the one issued to me. This, in my opinion, was clearly him targeting me, again.

Months later, he continues to harass me publicly on social media.

Recent postings made my Pfeifer read, “Everytime [sic] I see the Fayette Advocate in my newsfeed [sic] I puke a little bit. That trash doesn’t belong in my newsfeed [sic] dangit!!!”

Every time I see an officer who is suppose to be a role model harass a citizen — a member of the media — I get a pain in my stomach and feel like I AM going to puke. It’s sad that he has no morals or class.

“I’m sorry, but if you like fatty blogs, we can’t be friends,” another posting read.

Why is he so concerned about my weight? Shouldn’t he be more concerned about his behavior? He can mock my weight all he wishes, it’s freedom of speech, which I believe in. But he admits in another posting that he knows his mouth will get him in trouble.

If I was unhappy with my weight, I would lose it. But I’m not unhappy. I have my dream career, the love of my life, and friends and family who support me unconditionally. Again, if my weight made me unhappy, I would lose it. But why does it make Pfeifer so unhappy?

He has attacked Hispanics, gays, those overweight, those on government assistance, and even our children. I’m curious: how many minorities has he arrested simply because they’re minorities?

His comments about my weight don’t bother me. In fact, the purpose of this editorial isn’t because I’m upset, it’s to expose what kind of “officer” is strapped with a gun and allowed to roam free in our city.

Derek Myers is Editor-in-chief of Fayette Advocate

The Southern State Community College Foundation is pleased to award the first Student Government Association (SGA) scholarship to BG Prater of Hillsboro, a second-year student at Southern State

Based on its members’ interest in advancing student success, the Student Government Association created the scholarship as a way to award funds to second-year students in good academic standing. This new scholarship, a fundraising priority for the SGA, is supported by the organization’s annual Discount Card campaign.

“It was a pleasure working with the SGA officers to get this scholarship program off the ground,” said Dr. Nicole Roades, SSCC Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “They set their sights on the projects they could feasibly accomplish in a given year and they organized their efforts to support very specific targets. I am delighted and thankful they recognize the value in supporting student success through scholarships.”

SGA is a student-led leadership organization representing the student population on all campuses by pursuing social, political, academic, and administrative initiatives of interest to the Southern State student body.

Donna J. Vangundy

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a Tarlton woman reported missing after she left for work early Wednesday morning and never arrived.

The Circleville Herald reports Donna J. Vangundy, 53, of East Main Street, Tarlton, reportedly left for work at Walmart Distribution Center in Grove City about 3 a.m. Wednesday in her black 2005 Mercury Mariner, license plate number FDK 6908.

Vangundy never arrived at work and did not call off to report her absence. Her family has not heard from her since she left Wednesday morning.

Vangundy is about 5 ft. 4 in. tall and weighs about 195 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

According to Lt. Dale Parish, Vangundy has no known medical issues.

“At this time, we have no indication that there was any foul play,” Parish told the Cricleville Herald. “We’re just trying to locate her.”

Parish said sheriff’s deputies have been searching for Vangundy throughout the day, and members of the Tarlton Fire Department also have volunteered to assist with the search.

Anyone with information on Vangundy’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 474-2176.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

Miami Trace Schools: CLOSED

Washington City Schools: CLOSED

Laurel Oaks: CLOSED

Fayette Christian School: CLOSED

Wilmington City Schools: CLOSED

Hillsboro City Schools: CLOSED

Leesburg Schools: CLOSED

East Clinton Schools: CLOSED

Fayette County D.D.: CLOSED

Southern State College: CLOSED

The Ohio Attorney General may launch an investigation into the conduct of a Washington Court House Police Officer after that officer took to social media and attacked a member of the media and several minority groups.

A letter sent today from Fayette County Prosecutor Jess Weade to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine requests that the Attorney General investigate Officer Derek Pfeifer’s conduct in May where Pfeifer offered to pay another person to have Derek Myers — Fayette Advocate’s editor-in-chief — physically assaulted.

DeWine was also requested  to investigate numerous racial, homophobic, fatphobic, and other discriminatory Facebook postings made by Pfeifer.

Some of the postings read,”I’m sorry, but if you like fatty blogs, we can’t be friends,” “I was talking about a really fat guy that has a blog,” “stupid fat people,” “he’s extremely fat so you’ll have to give it a good punch. He’s surrounded by a force field of lard!” and name-calling such as ”fatty mctirebelly.”

Another read, “I see on TV everyday so many homo’s that are celebrated and labeled as “brave” because they came out. Are they really America’s Heroes right now? Because that’s what the media wants us to believe. this country is going to hell in a handbasket!”

Another read, “WHYYYYYYY is El Dorados closed on the 4th of July??? Who the eff at El Dorados celebrates American independence???? Seriously though……….”

Another posting read, “I feel like every turn I took today I almost smashed someone’s unattended little hood rat kid playing in the middle of the street! I probably would have skipped school to if I knew the government would take care of my lazy butt when I grew up!!”

Weade said he was asking the Attorney General to investigate after receiving a complaint from Myers to avoid any appearance of impropriety because Pfeifer is a regular witness in criminal cases prosecuted by his office, and he needs to be able to communicate freely with his witnesses.

He said that if he was to investigate Pfeifer himself, it could be difficult and could potentially have adverse negative impact on victims. The Attorney General’s office was asked to assign the matter to the appropriate division of the Special Prosecution’s unit for investigation.

The Washington Court House Police Department said that they also have launched an internal investigation into Pfeifer’s Facebook statements.

Facebook

However, since the internal investigation was launched, Fayette Advocate has uncovered new details that outline Pfeifer has an alleged discriminatory history.

A Facebook photo posted on November 2 by Pfeifer obtained by Fayette Advocate this weekend shows Pfeifer giving a thumbs-up while standing in front of a sign that reads, “NO COLORS ALLOWED” with a caption typed by Pfeifer that says, “silly white people.”

In 2005, Pfeifer was fired from the Ohio Department of Corrections for allegedly making racial slurs.

The Ohio Department of Corrections said that the alleged slurs made by Pfeifer was the “N-word.”

In documents obtained exclusively by Fayette Advocate, former co-workers of Pfeifer filed complaints against him after they say they heard him say the derogatory remark.

One of the former co-workers wrote in a statement that, “While myself, NAME REDACTED, NAME REDACTED, and c/o Pfeifer was working in SMH having a general conversation he, (c/o Pfeifer) said he thought it is okay to call black people that word…He stated that since he says it with an ‘a’ not an ‘er’ it’s okay.”

The corrections officer said that her ”daughter is black and that still don’t give me the right. I wouldn’t it any way because it’s disrespecting their race.”

Another corrections officer wrote in her statement that Pfeifer said he uses the word all the time.

“Offer Pfeifer commented that he couldn’t believe that someone would be offended by the phrase. He said that he uses the word all of the time,” she wrote. “The officer did not apologize after we expressed offense to his comments and continued to attempt to justify his thinking.”

Both former co-workers said Pfeifer kept repeatedly insisting it was okay to use the word, the documents read. Pfeifer was fired for his alleged conduct.

A December 9, 2005 letter addressed to Pfeifer obtained by Fayette Advocate reads, “This letter serves to notify you that you are being removed from your position of Correctional Officer effective December 9, 2005.”

The termination letter further reads that Pfeifer was removed for “violations of rule 12, making obscene gestures, or statements of false, abusive, or inappropriate statements.”

Pfeifer was hired by the Washington Court House Police Department in 2007 and according to his initial job application filed with the city in January 2006, under employment history, where he listed the Department of Corrections as a former employer, he marked “no” when asked, “Were you terminated or asked to resign from this job?” and above it, he wrote that his reason for leaving was that he “resigned.”

According to the job application, any false statements made on the application subjects the applicant to discharge after their appointment and may subject them to prosecution under Ohio Revised Code 2921.13, Falsification.

City administration said Pfeifer isn’t being placed on administrative leave nor is he being taken off the street because the police department doesn’t believe he is a threat to society.

Washington High School students Alicia Moody, Bailey Hoppes and Josh Sestina were elected to key leadership positions for the 63rd Ohio YMCA Youth in Government program at their annual Fall Leaership Training held this past weekend at YMCA Camp Willson.

Alicia Moody was elected to serve as the President of the Senate; Bailey Hoppes was elected as the Senate Clerk and Josh Sestina elected as a Committee Chair. The 63rd Ohio YMCA Youth in Government program is sponsored by the Ohio Alliance of YMCAs and is one of its many civic education activities, “this program is a fantastic opportunity for our students to be the government, : said Charlie Myers, Ohio YMCA Youth in Government Director.

The YMCA Youth in Government program is open to every student throughout the state. This program is a national program offered currently in 38 states and always looking at new states to expand. The Ohio Alliance of YMCAs is working with the Fayette County Family YMCA to offer this program to all in Fayette County, it is not too late to get involved. May school and community may involve their teens by calling Charlie Myers at 419-632-1000 or by email at cmyers@ohioymcas.org

Fayette Advocate’s Editor-in-chief found a dog wandering late Wednesday night.

The Advocate’s editor, Derek Myers, found a black and white male puppy walking in the area of North and Broadway Streets near downtown Washington Court House shortly before midnight.

The dog is well behaved and appears to be potty trained.  He was wearing a very distinctive collar, according to Myers.

“We’d love to return this beautiful dog back to his family,” he said. “There is a reward for anyone who helps us locate that family.”

If you recognize this dog, please call or text our newsroom at (740) 313-4075.

“Deputies Havens, Rummer, and Blair of the Fayette County Sheriff’s office deserve a public thank-you for their assistance.”

It’s a week away but meteorologist in Ohio are bracing for a big storm next week.

“The EURO model is picking up on a big storm that right now is tracking into the Ohio Valley,” said WBNS-TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Bradley.

The EURO has the low over Kentucky and West Virginia and is printing out well over a foot of snow next Sunday into Monday.

“We are certainly not forecasting that at the moment, but this is what the model is showing right now. Gonna need to keep an eye on this one for sure,” Bradley said.

NOTE: Since the original article was published, the model has changed and this weather is not anticipated.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

Miami Trace Schools: Two-hour delay

Fayette County Head Start: One-hour delay

Fayette County Board of D.D.: One-hour delay

Washington Court House City School: One-hour delay

Fayette Christian School: One-hour delay

Roy Rucker

The initiative began as the inspector general completed an earlier investigation which resulted in the criminal prosecution and conviction of two Ohio Department of Natural Resources wildlife officers who were deer hunting while on duty in Brown County.

Suspecting the activities might be more than an isolated incident, the inspector general launched a review of the timekeeping records for the days when any of the 490 employees at the division of wildlife reported harvesting a deer.

The timekeeping records for 18 wildlife employees contained conflicting information which showed wrongful activity: either the employee was on-duty while engaged in deer hunting activities, or off-duty and falsifying work records to obtain pay they were not entitled to receive.

One of the accused is Roy Rucker, formerly employed in Fayette County. Rucker has been serving Ohioans as a wildlife officer since 2005. He is a now assigned to Gallia County.

Rucker claimed nine hours of regular pay for October 29, 2009. He harvested a deer at 6:32 p.m. in Fayette County and checked the deer in on October 30, according to the state. His unit history log shows that on October 29, he signed on duty at 9:28 a.m. and off duty at 1:26 p.m. The total number of hours accounted for is 3.97.

Assuming Rucker worked nine continuous hours starting at 9:28 a.m., he would have worked until 6:28 a.m. and would have harvested the deer while on duty. On the following day, October 30, when he checked the deer in, Rucker claimed eight hours of regular pay.

He was named officer of the year in February 2013.

Fayette County Prosecutor Jess Weade released a statement regarding the alleged falsified time sheets.

“At the present time, we are reviewing what we have for potential charges,” he said.

As a result of previous investigations, it has been determined that many wildlife officers did not follow the ODNR communication policy of marking on duty at the beginning of their shift, off duty at the end of their shift, or provide hourly updates of their status. Also, the Ohio Division of Wildlife does not audit or compare the number of hours claimed against the hours marked as being on duty.

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

Three teenagers have already ran away from a behavioral facility that recently opened their doors in Washington Court House.

Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth reports that on Sunday his office received a 9-1-1 call from staff at The Ranch of Opportunity, 1771 Palmer Road, reporting three teenage girls had damaged the facility and fled the area on foot.

The Sheriff’s office responded to the area and an active manhunt pursued for the three teenagers. They were apprehended a short time later and were charged with unruly and transported to the Juvenile Detention Facility in Chillicothe.

The Ranch of Opportunity houses 30 girls from ages 13-to-18, according to their website, and opened roughly a week ago. Their mission is to create new chances, new choices, and new hope for traumatized children and their families by breaking the vicious cycle of child abuse and by addressing the self-destructive behaviors brought on by experiencing severe trauma in childhood, their website read.

Third party data recently released shows that Fayette Advocate is the area’s highest rated news source.

Alexa.com ranks Fayette Advocate as one of the 600,000 most popular websites in the world, as well as placing Fayette Advocate millions above other area news sources.

“The goal is to be closest to number one,” said Fayette Advocate’s editor-in-chief Derek Myers. “Obviously, being the number one website in the world isn’t feasible in the near future — Google is number one — but we are number one in the area.”

Alexa traffic rank is based on three months of collected historical traffic data from millions of users.

Fayette Advocate places 526,865, while the second rated news source in the area ranks at 3.8 million. Again, the goal is to be 1.

“Some will argue that it’s due to recent controversy that has hit the community, but the data clearly shows that we surpassed our competitors in mid-October before the so-called controversy started,” Myers said. “On December 16 alone, our Google analytics logged 56,001 unique visitors. This data comes from third parties…they’re trusted by millions of companies around the world. We want to thank our readers for making this possible.”

Alexa — a subsidiary of Amazon — complies their data through numerous platforms such as search engines, website crawlers, tool-bars, and cookies.

Grinch, 56, of Mount Crumpit, was apprehended in Fayette County.

Children throughout Fayette County can sleep soundly tonight, as the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended the famed Christmas thief, The Grinch.

Grinch, 56, a green male who resides on Mount Crumpit near Whoville had been hiding in the Fayette County area, looking to steal Christmas trees, ornaments, decorations, and most importantly, presents for local children.

“We received a tip from Cindy Lou, of Whoville, who said after failing to stop Christmas in several other cities, he was headed to our area,” said Fayette County Sheriff Vernon P. Stanforth.

Lou, one of the first victims of the Grinch in Whoville, has since dedicated her life to tracking down the Grinch after he seemingly reformed his ways of Yuletide swiping, only to continue his stealing spree outside of her town.

“Our Investigators spotted his dog, Max, at Eyman Park, and we managed to secretly put a microphone on his collar,” Stanforth added. “Thankfully, for our investigation, Grinch tells his dog everything.”

Investigators found that Grinch was secretly setting up his operations in Fayette County, waiting for Christmas to come. Once Investigators had the evidence, deputies apprehended Grinch after a short foot-chase.

Further investigation revealed Grinch had set up his operations in a well known cave nearby and was planning to hit a number of elected officials’ homes, but deputies would not release their names.

Following his arrest, Grinch was left puzzled, telling investigators during interrogation, “How could it be so?” Grinch said. “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!”

“My hopes are that the citizens of our county can now relax and have a very Merry Christmas, and enjoy their families and feasts without the fear of this anti-holiday beast,” Stanforth said upon helping book the Grinch into the Fayette County Jail. Then he turned to the Grinch and said, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel.”

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.