Harrison News Herald 12-12-19

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2019

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Law enforcement conducts meth bust in Scio This case illustrates the recent rise in methamphetamine use - both statewide and in our county - and the hard work that local law enforcement have been working to stem the flow of drugs into the county from surrounding areas. Harrison County Prosecutor, Owen Beetham

By JD LONG

jim@harrisonnewsherald.com

SCIO – An arrest Tuesday afternoon in Scio has resulted in one of the more severe drug charges the county has seen, according to Prosecutor Owen Beetham. Felecia Castorani, 50, of

89440 Cemetery Road, Scio appeared for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon in county court without an attorney. She is facing a felony of the second degree, the most severe for a drug offense, according to Judge Mark Beetham. Castorani was taken into custody as

she was leaving the Scio Post Office with a package containing 15.5 grams of meth amphetamines. The package included a return address from “Bonana” of North Palm Springs, California. The kicker was that the bag of meth was hidden inside a baby doll and included scented crystals designed to deflect the scent of the drug, but it didn’t work. According to Lt. Ron Carter of the Cadiz Police Department who acted on a tip he received at the end of last week, sat on the location in Scio all day Monday and returned Tuesday where Castorani finally showed up for the package around 2 p.m. But unbeknownst to Castorani, Carter and Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy Todd Smith, arrived at the post

office on Monday to inspect the package after Sheriff Joe Myers, gave the go ahead based on information Carter already had. Once Cadiz Police Chief Ryan McCann was informed, Myers contacted the post office in Scio and informed them of the possible drug trafficking. Post office officials in turn informed authorities that they had been receiving packages addressed to Castorani from California for months, according to Carter. Carter and Smith then took a chance on Monday and had numerous packages laid on the floor in preparation for a drug sniff by K-9 dog officer Ramos. Also, Officer Byers was not informed which package contained the drug. But Carter said once Ramos

Ho, ho, ho in Deersville

entered the building he went straight for the package containing the drug. Carter said the evidence is being sent to BCI for further testing but added that the package had been previously damaged and they could see the doll inside, which matched their intel. The white substance was field tested and returned positive for meth but everything was put back together in preparation for Castorani to pick up, which she did. Carter said the head of the doll easily came off where numerous scented beads fell out. “I want to extend my thanks to the sheriff’s office who did a quick and excellent job with this case,” Carter stated. “I have to send huge thanks to

See SCIO PG. 2

Jewett waterline project well underway By JD LONG

jim@harrisonnewsherald.com

Photo submitted

Deersville Volunteer Fire Department welcomes Santa

The Deesville Community Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the 28 children and their families that came out and supported a visit with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 15. Santa enjoyed many ho hos along with many Christmas carols. The kids also enjoyed milk and cookies and they were able to have their picture taken with Santa. The Deersville Community Volunteer Fire Department would like to wish the community and surrounding areas and safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Santa Claus comes to town. Pictured is Santa along with Deersville Fire Chief John Sukosd with Engine 87.

JEWETT – Water & Sewer Superintendent Charlie Harris provided his normal report at Wednesday’s Jewett council meeting informing them that approximately 1,300 to 1,400 feet of new pipe has been laid down as of now. He said Border Patrol began work at the park and though, there have been some “slow spots” dealing with gas lines and such, the work is still moving along. He said some areas contained old clay pipe that required replacing. Harris added that things were going good with two crews working on the project. Council member Rick Meneely said as long as they didn’t have to dip into any contingency fund but Treasurer Linda Ager told him they already had. Meneely said he was more concerned with extra costs as the project moves along. Harris noted how an inspector has been there every step of the way, which Mayor Dwight Busby and Meneely confirmed. Harris said the inspector is noting all gas lines, abandoned or not and Meneely said the inspector was basically mapping it all out for the village’s sake. Harris said the project is also accompanied by a village employee to shadow the inspector as well. Also, Clerk of Water and Public Affairs Rhonda Harris said their year-to-date figure of $47,808.06 in tax collections was $13,104.88 ahead of last year’s at this time. After telling council she needed a copy of their new ordinance for the new rates, said she was not comfortable billing customers when she doesn’t know who owns certain properties, or have correct addresses. Once it was clear that she would bill January customers in February for the new rates, which begin on Jan. 1, she also asked about placing delinquent customers on the shutoff list during Christmas. She said the current shutoff list is “big” and Meneely

See JEWETT PG. 2

Commissioners approve resolutions, sheriff’s bids By JD LONG

jim@harrisonnewsherald.com

CADIZ – The Harrison County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a memorandum of agreement brought forth by Emergency Management Agency Director Eric Wilson. “This is regarding the application of a grant,” Wilson explained, “it’s being offered by the state of Ohio Department of Administrative Services

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through the state office of 911.” He said the grants up for grabs are in the millions for upgrading technology software, he provided as an example. The agreement is being shared by six counties as part of a pilot project, which include: Morgan, Columbiana, Carroll, Monroe, Union as well as Harrison County. Wilson said Morgan County is taking the lead on this agreement where they would the entire amount up front. “So we acted together and because we did that General Dynamics (GD) gave

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us preferred pricing on a lot of our equipment for Next Generation,” Wilson told the board. He said the company they are now dealing with is Comtech but they are the same people after GD diverted. Wilson said the goal is to apply for the funding in order to obtain software for receiving texts to 911. That cost he provided is $160,000 and Harrison County’s share of that would be $26,600 but if the grant is successfully awarded the county’s share would be only $10,600. Wilson said a recent

change was for Morgan County agreeing to take the lead and pay the entire $160,000 if the grant is awarded with Harrison’s share still being the $10,000-plus to pay. “They will make all of the initial payments,” Wilson said of Morgan County, “we’ll pay them our portion and any reimbursement they get from the state they’ll get to keep because they paid the money up front.” He said the grant application is due at the end of this month and expenses must be paid by November of 2021.

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Christmas

Also, Harrison County Engineer Doug Bachman said he was not optimistic concerning FEMA and the reimbursement of funds for damage expenses the county spent after storms hit earlier this year. “I’m not optimistic about it,” he said when asked. He further explained that after speaking with other county engineers and providing information to FEMA on a repeated basis, he called it an “endless cycle so far.” When

See APPROVE PG. 2

Obits Karen Lee Bishop Cadiz, Ohio Ronald Gene Booth Bowerston, Ohio

Huskies split divisional matchups | PG 6

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DAR installs new officers at luncheon | PG 3

Area kids pen letters to Santa | PG 7

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