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Briefly Speaking County offices closed Nov. 28, 29 In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, all courthouse offices and most county offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29, 2013. Sentinel office closed Nov. 28 In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Morrow County Sentinel’s office at 46 S. Main St., Mt Gilead will be closed Nov. 28. MG Schools to hold work session Dec. 4 There will be a work session for the school board to discuss a permanent improvement levy for Mount Gilead Exempted Village Schools on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the board office. Sheriff ’s annual toy drive underway The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office is holding their Annual Toy Drive. All new, unwrapped toys for kids of all ages will be collected. The toys will be distributed to children in Morrow County. You may drop off toys in the lobby of the sheriff’s office, 24 hours a day/7 days a week. All toys must be received by December 16, 2013. Thank you for your continued support of this program. This is our ninth year collecting toys to help support Morrow County Job and Family Services in their efforts to make sure all children have a wonderful Christmas. Next TEA Party is December 16 The next Morrow County TEA Party (a nonpartisan organization) meeting will be Monday, December 16. This will be a regular meeting followed by a Christmas Party, including drawing of the winning ticket for the Morrow County Ohio Historical Henry Rifle .22LR “Golden Boy”. All interested people should attend at 7:00 p.m. in the Mount Gilead Library Annex, 34 E. High Street, in the rear. See News Briefs on page 5
Inside Obituaries
page 5
Matter of Record
Mayor’s Court, Real Estate, Police Calls
Farm and Field
page 17
Market report
page 18
Religion
page 8
Lifestyles/Clubs
page 7
Around the County
page 6
www.morrowcountysentinel.com
Vol. No. 166, No. 33
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Cincy man sentenced in 6-year-old Morrow County vehicular homicide By Donna Carver
A Cincinnati man will face 16 months in prison after being sentenced Friday in the Morrow County Common Pleas Court over a six-year-old vehicular homicide case. Matthew Green appeared in court with his attorney, Adam Bleile of Cincinnati, to change his plea from ‘not guilty’ to ‘guilty’ in a plea agreement, which brings to a close a case that began July 23, 2007. According to published reports, Christopher Brown, 15, also of Cincinnati, was a passenger in a 2003 Ford Thunderbird driven by Green, then 16. The car, which was stolen from the garage of its registered owner, was traveling northbound on I-71 in excess of 100 mph when it veered off the right side of the interstate and struck a tree just north of State Route 95. Green was life-flighted to Grant Medical Center.
Brown, was extricated from the vehicle after an hour using the Jaws of Life and Green was lifeflighted to Children’s Hospital in Columbus, where he died of his injuries less than 16 hours later. The case was originally filed in juvenile court but was later transferred to the court of Common Pleas. There was a delay in the indictment, which was filed in 2011, because the defendant could not be located. The defendant was later found to be serving a sentence in Florida for an unrelated charge. Green received 16 months for the fourthdegree vehicular homicide, and 16 months for receiving stolen property, also a fourth degree felony. The sentences which were issued by Common Pleas Court Judge Robert
Hickson will be served concurrently. Judge Hickson cautioned the defendant that if he rescinds his plea at a later date, the State of Ohio can re-charge him with his original indictments of Aggravated Vehicular Manslaughter, which is a third degree felony, and fourth degree Receiving Stolen Property charges. Assistant Morrow County Prosecutor Dave Homer requested that the court retain jurisdiction over the case and that restitution be determined at a later date. That request was granted by Judge Hickson. The defendant will also be charged for court costs which have not yet been determined. The defendant recounted briefly the details of that day. Defense counsel Bleile wanted to stipulate that Green did not have a driver’s license at the time of the accident as that was one of the eleSee HOMICIDE | 18
Cardington BOE celebrates passage of school levy There was a sense of euphoria in the room when the CardingtonLincoln Board of Education met in regular session on November 11, just six days after the voters approved the .75% earned income tax levy. Supt Brian Petrie thanked all who worked on the levy committee and those who voted for it and extended special appreciation to Troy Ruehrmund, who headed up the Cardington Clear Choice committee. Petrie said he was encouraged by what he saw on election day. Ruehrmund also thanked voters and expressed a hope that
there can be found a better way to communicate with voters in the future. Board member Chuck Jones thanked all who attended this board meeting. “It’s encouraging to see the seats filled.” He thanked all who supported the levy. “While the margin wasn’t a huge margin, it only takes one vote to win or lose,” he said. “I appreciate the folks in the community and district stepping up. We wouldn’t have asked for it if we hadn’t needed it. It would have been very difficult if we didn’t get the support. Now we’re in a position
where we can maintain what we have and continue to do what we need to do to educate our children. My hat’s off to the community.” Tim Brake, board member, thanked the Clear Choice Committee for “getting the word out to the district so we can educate our kids.” Board member Marilyn Davis said “Pirate Pride has been generated again.” During the board’s meeting, the board treasurer, Scott Osborne, giving the October, 2013 financial report, said See BOE | 18
Submitted Photo
The Mad Hatter (Morgan Robinson) and Alice (Destiny Williamson) are two of the lead characters in the production of “Alice in Wonderland” by The Academy of Rising Stars.
Alice in Wonderland coming to CLHS Dec. 6, 7 By Evelyn Long The Academy of Rising Stars will present a dance production of the classic tale “Alice in Wonderland” on December 6th and 7th in the Patrick Drouhard Auditorium at Cardington-Lincoln High School. The curtain will rise each evening at 6 pm. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the Academy of Rising Stars or at the door the evenings of the production. This familiar story is a classic tale of Alice falling down a hole into a mysterious and exciting land where anything is possible. Alice meets many unique characters along her journey and has to find strength within herself to find
her way home. There will be a Character Meet and Greet on Saturday at 5:00 pm before the production begins. At this time kids of all ages can come meet and mingle with the characters of Alice in Wonderland at no cost. A photographer will be available to take photos at that time. Cast members are Destiny Williamson, playing Alice; Morgan Robinson, Mad Hatter; Paige Artz, White Rabbit; Abby Devore, Little Alice; Aleigha Parsons and Sydney Vaught, Tweedles; Lauren Johnson, Red Queen, Samantha Bailey, Knave of Hearts; Megan Greenawalt and Natasha Casey, Red Queen minions; Katie Haught, White See ALICE | 18
Special Needs Registry for county created for emergency personnel By Donna Carver Morrow County EMS & 911 and the Morrow County Health District have joined together to develop a registry for Morrow County residents with disabilities, chronic conditions, and other special healthcare needs to address the needs of residents in times of emergency. The registry took approximately a month to develop once the concept and resources were determined. This system is designed Displaying the banner for the Special Needs Registry are (from left); Captain Travis Ries, EMS Supervisor Jeff Sparks, 911 Supervisor to identify individuals Keith Acker, Health Dept. Emergency Preparedness Planner Patti Ray who may require special and Morrow County Health Commissioner Angie Smith. assistance during emer-
gencies. Enrollment in the Registry does not guarantee assistance, but allows first responders to appropriately plan for, prepare for, and respond to the needs of the community. Any individual, regardless of age, who has a chronic condition, disability, and special healthcare need, or may require additional assistance during a time of emergency should enroll. Some examples include people who use life support systems such as oxygen, respirator, ventilator, dialysis, pacemaker, or are insulin dependent; have mobility disabilities
and use a wheelchair, scooter, walker, cane, or other mobility device; are visually impaired, blind, hard of hearing, or deaf; have speech, cognitive, developmental or mental health disabilities; or use assistive animals or prosthesis. “We are going above and beyond what EMS is about and taking the next step in helping our community,” said Captain Travis Ries, of the registry. If an individual cannot complete the enrollment form themselves, a family member, caregiver, or See REGISTRY | 18
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