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$1.00 Cadiz, OHiO

School board hears complaints of alleged abuse SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018

By JD LONG

jim@harrisonnewsherald.com

CADIZ – Last ursday before a crowded hall at the Harrison Hills Board of Education (HHBOE) district office, board members heard several complaints regarding alleged abuse by two school officials. e issue has led to the possible elimination of the HHBOE bussing of Harrison County children to Bishop John King Mussio Central Junior High in Steubenville, a private catholic school. Several parents also spoke pleading with the board to not eliminate that route. One parent, Dana McIntosh, came

with several complaints claiming abuse by a Harrison Hills aid and bus driver. e complaint, which she spelled out publicly in front of the board stated that one student was pushed, one had ear buds pulled out, students from two catholic schools were ordered to sit in separate seats (insinuating favoritism) and one disturbing quote allegedly made by the aid said “Catholic Central girls close your legs so boys won’t stare, if they do, they won’t stop looking at your trash.” Still, more accusations claim the bus had been pulled over “repeatedly off the highway” to yell at the kids. e driver and the aid, who will not be named here because they did not

Harrison 51 ordered closed due to “deplorable conditions”

speak publicly at the meeting, both deny anything that McIntosh said took place. e driver said she pulled over at Hopedale East where she is permitted to for “that one time,” referring to an incident in the singular to help the aid, apparently during a disturbance. “I don’t want to see kids get hurt,” she said in regard to the claim that she pulled off along a highway. She also said the students are allowed one ear bud but not both so they can hear instructions if needed. She and the aid also said no one was pushed and that she never pulled off along any highway, as McIntosh claimed, referring to a sheriff’s office report. Yet, another complaint states that the

driver and/or aid do not allow homework on the bus, which they said is not true as well. e homework is fine they said, but pencils are not allowed for fear someone may get jabbed either via an accident or used as a weapon. e complaints, though, are coming from four sets of parents for a total of five children who relayed the complaints and who attend the Mussio school but live in Harrison County. e driver stated that the video surveillance is constant on the bus and that nothing in the video shows any abuse or improper actions by her or the aid. e driver also stated that at least one

complaint states that the driver altered the bus video, which she emphatically denies. “I can’t turn the video off,” she said stating the video starts when the bus is turned on and she has no involvement with it other than that. “We witnessed the videos and there has never been an altercation on the bus from the aid, the bus driver, nor the students,” HHBOE Superintendent Dana Snider said during a joint phone conversation with Director of Operations Brent Ripley. “e video shows that everything has went just fine on the videos, she said.”

SeeCOMPLAINTS, PG. 2

Talent on display in Hopedale

By JD LONG

jim@harrisonnewsherald.com

CADIZ – e deplorable conditions of Harrison 51 described by several officials that were present at the Harrison County Commissioner’s meeting Wednesday morning led to the closing of the road, which leads to the Apex landfill near the Jefferson County line. e catalyst was Sheriff Joe Myers who read a prepared statement recalling his recent attempt to navigate the road during an investigation. “I found the condition of the road impassable to traffic,” Myers said. He went on to cite another complaint regarding the road he received by an individual who filed a complaint asking why the road was in such poor condition and citing public safety issues. “It is my recommendation for the public’s safety that County Road 51, Amsterdam Road, near the Jefferson County line be closed until the needed repairs are made to make the road safe to travel,” Myers said. Myers, in reading from his statement said that “at least” nearly ninetenths of a mile is “unsafe.” He continued by reminding the board that in case of an emergency there could be serious consequences stating he didn’t feel emergency vehicles would be able to access the road because of the “deplorable condition of the road.” “I further suggest the Commissioners and the County Engineer advise the Jefferson County Commissioners and County Engineer that the road will be closed so that traffic for the land fill can be diverted through Jefferson County until the road is fixed,” Myers told the board. He continued by telling the board that this wasn’t the first time his office has had to deal with an issue like this. He said after speaking with the engineer’s office he was informed that the preparation for “stoning,” or crushing stone was to begin Monday but said as of 9:55 Wednesday morning it had not begun. Myers said he has previously threatened to shut the road down, “because of that the people going in there whether it’s truck traffic or whatever I feel, that it’s a big responsibility that us as county people will have that responsibility on our minds because if somebody gets hurt now that’s come to the knowledge of the engineer, I would say it’s going to be on the county.” Commissioner Dale Norris said he’d traveled the road last week and called it “deplorable.” “You’re talking holes that average length of a vehicle up to two feet deep,” Norris said. He added that he’d spoken to officials at Apex prior to the meeting and informed them that they would close the road. “So, I don’t think the county has any other alternative,” Norris told Myers who stated that he did not want to see the county continue taking the liability of the road. “Your point is well taken,” Commissioner Paul Coffland told him then asked Crabtree if the engineer’s office had plans to close the road.

SeeCLOSED, PG. 2

Events

Mary Poppins to pop in to Deersville

e Deersville Community eater invites the public to attend their upcoming presentation of Mary Poppins. See Page 4

NH Photo | ESTHER McCOY

Eric Wilson, Hopedale Community Days coordinator, holds the microphone for J.P. Wilson as he does his magic act to win in the 8-year and under category of the first Hopedale's Got Talent show to be held by the group. The venue was changed to the Hopedale American Legion Post 68 and its spacious grounds, as it had out grown its previous location at the Hopedale Fire Department area.

Hopedale enjoys first Hopedale’s Got Talent show By ESTHER MCCOY NH Contributor

HOPEDALE - An annual event, the Hopedale Community Days, was moved to more spacious grounds at the Hopedale American Legion Post 68 home and grounds on June 1 and 2. e increased space allowed for more concessions, vendors, car show and a talent show that was a success for the first time to be presented. It was held at the Motorist Memorial Foundation and Abate Region stage. Eric Wilson, community days coordinator, told the group at the Hopedale's Got Talent show that the community days event first started at the Hopedale Elementary School, moved to the fire department area and now has moved to the legion grounds so it can expand in future years. Margie Wilson signed in the contestants at the talent show. One of the first events was the Hopedale's Got Talent show that brought out 11 contestants, with everyone winning a cash prize for showing off their talent. Wilson was the emcee for the show that he said could grow in years to come. ere were contestants

Sports

Hayes takes the reigns of Huskies football program About a week after Justin Kropka announced his stepping down as Huskies head football coach, Anthony Hayes stepped in to fill the position. See Page 6

NEWS-HERALD

School

Scio Alumni holds reunion banquet

e Scio High School Alumni reunion banquet was held on May 26 with the classes of ‘68, ‘’63, ‘58, and ‘53 on hand. See Page 7

from age 8 through adult and talent ranged from a magic act, a cappella singing, singing to music, acrobatic dances, improvised dancing and singing and playing the guitar. Winners were J.P. Wilson of Hopedale, first; and Maylee Rawson, Toronto, second, 8-years and under; Aniston Raber, Hopedale, first; Kinsey Geary, second; Aubrey Hanlin, third; and a duo of Abby Ward and Sessly Collins, Hopedale, fourth, 9-13. Jacqui Sheah of Steubenville, first in 14-18 group, sang " I Could Have Danced All Night." Bobby Bawmam, Steubenville played the guitar and sang a Hank Wiliams Jr. song, first; erion Stokes of Cadiz played the acoustic guitar and sang, second; and Pamela Shea, Steubenville, sang to place third in the 19 and up contest. It takes many people to make an event successful and the committee consisted of Eric and Margie Wilson; Donna and Dan Runt, Sheri and Mike Angel, Darlene Wilkins, Lana Case and Rob Raber. Andy Aktins of the Hopedale Legion was assisting with the ticket sale at the fish dinner held in the legion social room. ere was a fudge stand, baked goods by the Cadiz Cub Scouts, pancakes and sausage breakfast, wreath sale by the Pesta family, hot dogs, wings and pizza sold and inflatables on the large grounds for the entertainment of the children.

Question of the week Did you attend any Memorial Day services?

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