Regional news

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COLUMBUS, Ohio– The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry is urging Ohioans to follow the state’s outdoor burning regulations and to take precautions if they plan to burn debris this spring. Ohio law dictates that most outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. March through May.
 
“Each spring, wildfires ignite in Ohio due to careless trash and debris burning,” said ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser. “If Ohioans follow safe burning practices and obey regulations, they can help prevent wildfires.”
 

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The Lake of Lights held its annual Awards Presentation (photo) on February 18 at the Mid-Ohio Energy Conference Room in Kenton, Ohio.

Each year money from the event’s gate profits is distributed to area non-profit groups, charities, and organizations, based on the number of volunteer hours each group contributed to the event's set-up, operation, and tear-down. This year, Lake of Lights presented $10,692.00 to 29 different area charities and non-profit organizations that volunteered to help during the event. 

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UPDATED Feb 20 with additional details.

Hardin County OSU Master Gardener Volunteers will host the program Down the Rabbit Hole on March 20, 2025.

Cost: $50.00 general public, $40.00 for Master Gardener volunteers and interns. Registration Includes a continental breakfast and taco bar lunch, as well as handouts and door prizes. 

Class size is limited. Register by March 13, 2025 using the attached form.

The event will take place at the Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative Community Room, 1210 West Lima Street, Kenton, OH 43326. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Program: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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Are you a Pickleball Fanatic? Ready to take your game to a whole new level? Want to flex your skills?

The United Way will host a Pickleball Tournament on April 19 at the Kenton YMCA with Men's, Women's and Mixed Double divisions.

Choose your partner or sign up as a single and be randomly assigned a teammate.

Cost is $20.00/person for the first event and $10.00 for the second event. Lunch and T-shirt will be provided!

Sign up now, space is limited!! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCiArRN-xgZhmPsPOTf_ECQtSNMKe0...

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An independent auditor's report for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 has been provided to Liberty Township trustees and posted on the Ohio Auditor of State website HERE. Findings include 1) a fair presentation of cash balances, receipts and disbursements and 2) an adverse opinion on accounting practices and the presentation of the Township's financial standing. The following is the letter that precedes the 35-page report.

To the Board of Trustees: 

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements

Unmodified and Adverse Opinions 
We have audited the financial statements of the Liberty Township, Hardin County, Ohio (the Township), which comprises the cash balances, receipts and disbursements for each governmental fund type and the fiduciary fund type combined total as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related notes to the financial statements. 

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Following the organization's quarterly meeting on February 4, the Hardin County Community Foundation announced that it will offer $227,000 in grants and scholarships in spring 2025. 

The grants to non-profit organizations in the county will support programs and projects in the fields of education, youth services, recreation, arts and culture, social services, and civic and community development.

The foundation is accepting applications through February 28. Forms are on the foundation’s website, www.hardinfoundation.org/

The Grants Committee will review applications. Groups and organizations awarded grants will be notified in late April 2025.

Grant funds are generated by earnings on the foundation’s assets. Total assets of the foundation were at $14,031,499 through Dec. 31, 2024. The foundation received $17,975 through its annual fund drive.

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