Gov. Mike DeWine poses with a classroom of Riverside Schools second-graders during his visit in May to check out the district’s success with the science of reading. (EXAMINER FILE PHOTO)
Here’s a look at some of the top headlines in Logan County for the first half of 2023 (See the Tuesday, Jan. 2, edition for top stories making headlines the second half of the year):
January
• Honda launches 2023 Accord at Marysville Auto Plant, delves into electrified future — Governor Mike DeWine and Honda leadership came together Jan. 5 at the Marysville Auto Plant for a special ceremony to unveil the all-new 2023 Accord and Accord hybrid, creating a new chapter in the storied history of the plant, where the Accord first rolled off the production line upon its November 1982 opening.
In celebrating the 11th generation Accord, the speakers paid tribute to the devoted MAP associates who made this day possible, also noting the 12.5 million Accords that have been produced at the plant in the last 40 years.
“There’s a reason why the Accord has been America’s number one best-selling car. It’s because of you” said Mitsugu Matsukawa, president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA), told the large crowd of associates gathered for the festivities, who also enjoyed the chance to take selfies beforehand with Gov. DeWine.
MAP plant lead Jun Jayaraman and DeWine noted the Marysville plant’s importance in moving into the electrified future, touching on Honda’s announcement alongside LG Energy Solution about the new electric vehicle battery plant to be located in Fayette County and the retooling of each of the Honda plants in Ohio for electric vehicle production.
“Even though we’re the oldest plant in the region, Honda still looks to us as we’re moving into the future,” Jayaraman said. “We had the launch of the new Acura Integra in May, and now the 2023 Accord, an important moment in our company’s history.”
Feb. 28, Honda and LG Energy Solution hosted the official groundbreaking ceremony near Jeffersonville for the new joint venture EV battery plant. The facility is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
The joint venture company will deliver lithium-ion batteries to support Honda’s plan to build battery-electric vehicles in North America.
During March, Honda officials also detailed key next steps at its local manufacturing plants to establish its EV Hub in Ohio, including transforming the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) and Anna Engine Plant (AEP).
MAP is Honda’s first auto plant in the U.S. to transition to making EVs. As early as January 2024, the Marysville Auto Plant will begin preparing for EV production by consolidating its two production lines currently making vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and hybrid-electric vehicle systems.
• Mary Rutan Health marks opening of new facilities — Mary Rutan Health celebrated Jan. 20 the opening of the new Goble Center for Women and Children and offered tours of the state-of-the-art 19,000-square foot facility following the $4 million renovation project that began in early 2022.
Mary Rutan Obstetrics & Gynecology, previously located at 1125 Rush Ave., now has joined Mary Rutan Pediatrics at the 118 Dowell Ave. space, offering a dedicated facility for nurturing the health and wellness of women and children in the community.
“This has been a vision for many of us for many years,” President and CEO Chad Ross said. “We’re excited to be here today to celebrate the completion of this space for pediatrics and OBGYN, all under one roof.
“It will be where expectant parents hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time and discover the gender of their child, and then watch as their children reach new milestones at checkups.
“It also provides women of our community with a facility focused on taking care of their needs through all stages of life with the latest technology.”
The new center is named in honor of former president and CEO of Mary Rutan Health, Mandy Goble, who retired in 2021 after 32 years of service. Goble served for 17 1/2 years as the president and CEO. Prior to that, she was the executive vice president from 2001 to 2004 and vice president of operations from 1989 to 2004.
Ross said many of the medical providers gave their input during the design stage for the Goble Center, with architects from the Design Group in Columbus leading the process. Marker Inc. then set to work on the extensive exterior renovations and on the new clinic space for Mary Rutan Obstetrics & Gynecology. The Mary Rutan Foundation Board also donated $1 million toward the initiative.
One week later, Mary Rutan Health hosted festivities Jan. 27, ushering in another $4 million project with the completion of the third floor of the Health Center at 1134 N. Main St., now home to multiple medical specialties.
The Mary Rutan Health president and CEO said it’s been nearly five years since the Mary Rutan Health Center opened in February 2018. The third floor previously was the unfinished “shell” space at that time.
“We knew early in the master facility planning process that this extra space would be vital to our growth and expansion in the years to come,” Ross said.
“Today, we are excited to complete the Health Center with the opening of the third floor and we welcome Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, ENT, Neurology, Audiology and Podiatry to their new home. This 18,000-square-foot space has allowed us to grow our provider base and continue to offer specialty services rarely seen in a community of our size.”
Within these clinics on the third floor of the Health Center are 21 private exam and procedure rooms, onsite imaging, and a waiting space.
February
• New school-based health center celebrated Indian Lake Schools — Through a collaboration with Community Health & Wellness Partners, the Indian Lake Schools opened a medical clinic and behavioral health school-based clinic, with an official ribbon cutting celebrated by the two entities Feb. 24, also during National School-Based Healthcare Awareness Month.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood said a 2018 survey in the district identified access to medical care as a pressing need, and recently, the district also has observed increasing absenteeism and mental health concerns.
Dr. Underwood and CHWP President/CEO Tara Bair noted the new behavioral health clinic and medical clinic now offered for district students and staff can directly address these issues and cut down on out-of-class time missed from illness.
The behavioral health clinic opened in October, and medical clinic in early January, both housed at Indian Lake Middle School in adjacent offices equipped with private patient spaces. A medical lab also connects the two spaces.
“There is a need, and thanks to the support of the community and our wonderful partnerships at the district, we’ve have been able to rise to the occasion,” Bair said. “It’s all about increasing access to care and eliminating barriers.”
This venture was the third school-based clinic opened by CHWP, following its opening of clinics at West Liberty-Salem Schools and at Benjamin Logan Schools.
The clinic is funded through a grant opportunity from the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Education, with Riverside Schools also benefitting for the funding of a CHWP school-based health clinic, which opened this fall.
• Holland Theatre marks 92 years — In February of 1931, the Great Depression gripped the country, home radios were the latest in technology, storm clouds gathered over Europe – and the Holland Theatre opened its doors to the public for the first time.
The community was invited to celebrate the theater’s 92nd birthday at a concert with Scottish folk band Breabach Feb. 11. Just as it does today, the Holland’s copyrighted design enchanted theater-goers in 1931 with its windmills, tulips and Dutch cityscape, modeled on the architect’s hometown in the Netherlands.
Built as a grand movie palace with the largest screen in Ohio at the time, the Holland was also home to stage productions and community events.
After falling into disrepair in the 1990s, the Holland was saved by the dedicated efforts of community members and public and private donations. A complete restoration of the Holland’s interior was completed in 2019.
This year, Holland supporters once again came alongside the theater to meet a new goal — recreating the grand marquee that lit up downtown Bellefontaine on that memorable day 92 years ago. Removed in the 1950 due to code changes, the original marquee is the inspiration for a new version that will feature the latest in safety and technology.
In September, officials from the theater announced that the Light Up the Holland Marquee Campaign has been fully funded. Thanks to strong community support, the Holland has raised $440,000 in donations and pledges that will be matched by a $220,000 grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation.
Launched in November 2022 and expected to last three years, the capital campaign was completed in less than a year.
“We are honored and humbled by the incredible community support we received that will once again light up the Holland, the gem of downtown,” said Greg Titus, Holland Theatre executive director.
The new marquee, to be built by Wagner Electric Sign Co. of Elyria will combine the grandeur of the past with the latest in LED technology. Construction is expected to take 10 to 12 months. A gala event will be planned to celebrate the lighting of the new marquee.
March
• New monthly tribute begins for Logan County — A local hero who served his country for more than two decades, enlisting in the National Guard at age 16 and then joining the U.S. Marines when he was 18 in 1953, was offered a fitting honor March 28, by the Logan County Commissioners, who officially began a new monthly veteran/citizen tribute in the form of a U.S. flag presentation.
Robert Coffman Jr., age 87, also the past commander of the Charles R. Collins American Legion Post 381, Huntsville, was presented with a U.S. flag that was flown over the courthouse during February. The flag was properly taken down and folded for presentation at the ceremony at the commissioners’ office.
Commissioner Michael Yoder said the new initiative is a way to repurpose the flags flown over the courthouse, to keep them in good condition, and most importantly, to bring recognition to the accomplishments of veterans living in our community.
“It will be a way that we can bring special attention to these individuals, to learn more about their personal stories that we might not otherwise get to hear, and to thank them for their service,” he said.
The commissioners partner with the Logan County Veteran’s Service Office to locate recipients each month to receive the U.S. flag honor.
Other flag recipients this year included: April — Vietnam War veteran Jack Makemson; May —Vietnam War veteran Larry Lance; June — Vietnam War veteran Dan Hewitt; July — Vietnam War veteran Carmen Scott; August — Alice Ann Pruett was honored with a flag for her 100th birthday; September — Nelson Barnes was honored with a flag for his 100th birthday; October — Vietnam War veteran Paul Kari; and November — U.S. Marine Corps veteran Joe Estep.
April
• Chief Standley thanked for longtime service, Lt. Marlow begins new role — The City of Bellefontaine and many of its citizens and staff paid tribute April 6 to the longtime dedicated service of Bellefontaine Police Chief Brandon Standley at a retirement open house in his honor at the Bellefontaine City Building.
His last day in his position was Friday, April 7, following 28 years employed at the Bellefontaine Police Department, including 12 years at the helm of the agency. Monday, April 10, he begins a new role as the Jerome Township administrator in Union County.
Over the years since becoming police chief, Standley said his number one accomplishment has been improving relations with the community and opening up the lines of communication between the public and his officers and staff.
Since he was administrated the oath of commission as chief of police on Nov. 23, 2011, one of his goals was implementing the community outreach program. Many neighbor visits at various parks and city streets since have ensued, which featured BPD employees regularly interacting in a positive environment with youths and adults for cookouts and other fun activities.
“We’ve been able to bring the community closer to us, and us closer to the community,” Chief Standley said Thursday. “It’s led to a stronger police department and has helped us to build up the trust of the public.
“The citizens have gotten to know our officers and they feel more comfortable coming to us in times of trouble.”
During his tenure as chief, Standley said the department hired more than 40 dispatchers, police officers and auxiliary officers.
Chief Standley was hired at the Bellefontaine Police Department as a police officer in 1995. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003.
Now in his retirement from the BPD, Standley said he will miss the people the most, by far.
“We spend so many hours together at all hours of the day and night, and we get to know each other so well,” he said. “You get invested in each other’s lives.”
Lt. Christopher S. Marlow began his role as the interim chief of police, effective April 8. He was promoted as the permanent chief of police during a June 23 ceremony.
“I’m looking forward to the change, the challenge and the privilege of serving our community, and doing my best to serve the men and women of this agency,” said Chief Marlow, who has worked in a wide variety of capacities at the BPD over nearly 27 years, including patrolman, sergeant, K-9 handler for 15 years, Special Response Team leader and working the last four years as lieutenant and chief executive officer.
“Having had the opportunity to serve as the interim chief and now actually being named the chief is quite an honor and I am beyond humbled at this opportunity.”
A 1994 Bellefontaine High School graduate, Chief Marlow said he caught the “law enforcement bug” when he was in high school, through various mentors in his life who were police officers, including former assistant coaches on the football field.
Then he attended Bowling Green State University, and later transferred to Urbana University to finish his undergraduate degree in criminal justice and leadership. He completed his master’s in criminal justice administration from Tiffin University.
Also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College and the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program, the new police chief said he wants to keep the positive momentum moving forward in Bellefontaine.
May
• Ohio Military Hall of Fame honors bestowed on county residents — Twenty-seven new honorees were inducted May 5 into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor in Columbus, and Logan County had a strong showing among the distinguished combat veteran recipients.
Medals were presented for four local individuals, three of which were posthumous honors given to family members, along with several other recipients who are Logan County natives during the Ohio Statehouse ceremony.
One of the local recipients included Ronald K. Wenger of West Liberty, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, who was honored for receiving the Bronze Star with the “V” device. He was accompanied by his wife of 52 years, Marcia, and their children, grandchildren and two of their great-grandchildren.
Mr. Wenger, who also was recently honored at the newly established West Liberty Purple Heart tribute, said he spent 11 months in Vietnam, after being drafted following his 1967 graduation from Logan Hills High School. He was recognized for exposing himself to heavy enemy fire in Vietnam, which helped his unit to continue their mission.
Logan Countian posthumous honors were bestowed on SP4 William L. Arnold for his service in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, received by his wife, Vicky Arnold of Bellefontaine; First Lt. Roger A. Leasure, also for his U.S. Army service in the Vietnam War; accepted by his son, Dustin Leasure of Powell; and Staff Sgt. Robert L. Chalmers Sr. for his U.S. Army service in World War II, accepted by his great-granddaughter Karrisa Vosard, who coincidentally is training to be a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army.
These three individuals also were recognized for receiving the Bronze Star with the “V” device.
Additionally, Logan County natives Victor Dodds, now of Dublin, and Gary Dotson, now of Mechanicsburg, were honored on the stage as well.
• Educators honored for five decades of service — Longevity in the classroom was honored this year by two local school districts, who paid tribute to two educators who have served as teachers for five decades.
Phil Forsythe was recognized May 8 by Bellefontaine City Schools for 50 years in education during a special presentation at the board of education meeting to a capacity crowd at the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center.
“We don’t have to look far to find a legend at BCS,” BCS Superintendent Brad Hall said. “You can see how much Phil loves students and being around people. His impact really is immeasurable.”
Two of his first-year students from his first class of third-graders, Scott Abraham and Renee Price, shared about their experiences.
“He was fresh out of Urbana University and I remembered thinking, ‘This guy is enthusiastic,” Abraham said of his teacher. “He made learning fun and inspired us to do better. He is a caring, loving person who has made this community and Bellefontaine Schools a wonderful place.”
Price said Forythe taught her and her classmates simple, but important lessons, namely: to be learners, to work hard and never give up; to be kind to others; and to be good little people.
“Your class gave us a sense of belonging and of learning being fun,” she told Forsythe. “Thank you for all that you’ve been to all of us for all of these years.”
The now 71-year-old was a full-time teacher at BCS for 44 1/2 years, and has been serving as a substitute teacher at BCS for the last 5 1/2 years, including working in a full-time substitute role as a first-grade Title I teacher in the spring.
Forsythe also learned about a scholarship named after him. A check for $18,600 was unveiled.
This fall, Benjamin Logan Schools teacher Spencer Reames also was honored Sept. 27 by district staff, teachers, board members, students (current and former), friends and family members with a surprise party to recognize his 56 years in education.
They started the celebration at the Kirkmont Center by presenting Reames with a large check to symbolize the $27,660 scholarship fund.
Reames’ initial response was simple. “I’m overwhelmed and really surprised and not quite sure what to say.”
Sally Stolly read messages from Mr. Reames’ former students, including an e-mail from Larrilyn (Yelton) Grant, who is about to start her first attending job at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine.
“Your challenging me during senior year anatomy and belief in me helped me be prepared for college, medical school and beyond,” Grant wrote. “I hope to inspire and change the lives of future students as you have changed mine.”
Dr. Jason Robson with Robson Family Dentistry in Bellefontaine felt Mr. Reames expanded the scope of biological science education at Benjamin Logan.
“His support of students to learn is incredible and hasn’t wavered all these years,” he said. “He prepared us for science fairs, prepared us to take tests, and prepared us to face life.”
• Gov. DeWine explores science of reading at Riverside — Pupils in classrooms at Riverside Elementary School beamed with pride May 15, while showcasing their independent reading skills to Governor Mike DeWine on a special visit relating to the district’s recent success and large student gains while implementing programming based on the science of reading.
“It’s great to see the enthusiasm of the teachers and the reactions of the kids getting into it; they are engaged,” DeWine said.
“Reading is the key to life. It’s foundational to so many other things we do. Our goal is for every Ohioan to live up to their full potential and for every child to live up to their full potential.”
For that reason, the governor stopped at 12 different schools from around the state, from rural to suburban and urban, specifically looking at schools that recently implemented curriculum based on science of reading and how that looks in the classroom, he said.
The science of reading method incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
During his visit, Gov. DeWine said in the state’s proposed biennial budget, he has included more than $100 million in funding dedicated for Ohio school districts to implement programming based on the science of reading throughout the state. The funds would provide for the purchase of curriculum and for trainings for teachers, which would begin right away, if approved by legislators.
“It’s important that we make this transition,” DeWine said. “We want every child, no matter where they live or what school they go to, to have the benefit of the best science of how people learn to read.
“As a former county prosecuting attorney, the jury has returned a verdict and the verdict is that this is the best way to do it.”
A little over six years ago, Riverside Schools began this journey of incorporating the science behind reading when the district received an Ohio Department of Education’s Early Literacy Grant. As a result, Riverside purchased the related curriculum and staff went through detailed professional development training, spanning a two-year time period.
In addition, Margo Shipp, regional early literacy specialist for State Support Region 6, started working alongside district staff and to implement the programs in the classroom. Now Shipp serves as a literacy specialist in the district.
June
• Musical tribute offered to The Mills Brothers — The Logan County Youth Jazz Orchestra took the opportunity June 2 to not only perform together for their inaugural show, but also their dazzle audience with a fitting “Tribute to The Mills Brothers,” honoring the world-renown group with Bellefontaine roots who broke racial barriers and topped the charts in the early 20th century.
The youths in grades 9-12 from area school districts displayed incredible musicianship and engaged their audience in the concert staged the Holland Theatre, which was deeply appreciated by several members of the Mills family who were in attendance.
“To put it in today’s terms, ‘They rocked the house,’” the Mills Brothers’ great-niece Kim Hassel said this week of the student performers.
Hassel, a Bellefontaine native, who now resides in Gahanna, said she attended the concert with her sister, Stephanie Hassel, who lives in Bellefontaine and Bucyrus, and their cousin Michael Hamilton of Shawnee Hills.
After the show, Kim also was able to share some videos from the performance with her mother, Joyce (Hamilton) Hassel, age 93, a niece of the Mills Brothers, and likely one of the musicians’ oldest living relatives.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the level of joy that spread over her face,” Kim said of her mother’s reaction to the musical tribute.
The Mills Brothers (John Jr., Herbert, Harry and Donald) were born in Piqua between 1910 and 1915, and began singing at their father’s barbershop, on street corners and in churches nearly 100 years ago.
Their family moved to Bellefontaine around 1928 and the brothers attended Hubbard School and Bellefontaine High School. One year later, they signed a contract with CBS radio in New York in 1929, becoming first Black music group to have a national sponsorship.
