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Saturday, March 12, 2022
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
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CIC-commissioners at impasse BY REBECCA BRATTEN WEISS Harrison News-Herald Reporting Journalist
Convening on Tuesday, March 8, the county’s Community Improvement Corporation (or CIC) devoted a majority of its time discussing the recent ultimatum delivered by the county commissioners, who recently demanded the termination of one CIC employee — or the relationship between the two groups would come to an end. During one of their late February meetings, Commissioners Don Bethel and Paul Coffland publicized a statement that they had “identified several issues” with the Harrison County CIC, referencing “multiple cases of blatant and premeditated breaches of trust.” In their statement, Bethel and Coffland gave the CIC until April 21, 2022 to sign a new contract and “terminate the person currently employed by the HCCIC that breached our trust.” Although they did not, at the time, name that
person, they later confirmed to the media that the individual they are taking issue with is Nick Homrighausen, the county’s economic development director. Commissioners Bethel and Coffland were present at the CIC meeting — as was Homrighausen — when the subject was raised. CIC President Dale Arbaugh stated that since receiving the commissioners’ letter, he’s communicated with them in a letter of his own. Also, Arbaugh said he has declined to comment on the situation to the public yet because he wants to decide how to move forward first. “We’ve had multiple meetings with the commissioners,” Arbaugh stated. “We pretty much have an agreement worked out.” As well as the letter from the commissioners, Arbaugh shared, the CIC has received other critical messages, including an anonymous email accusing them of keeping two separate sets of books. Arbaugh stated for the record
that the CIC has only one set of books and has done nothing without the board’s approval. Another accusation, Arbaugh said, was that he was unaware of what Homrighausen was doing or didn’t have control of him. Arbaugh also denied that this was the case. “I’m very aware of what’s happening in the office.” However, the one issue that had not yet been resolved was that of Homrighausen being on the books at all. Arbaugh put it to the board that they needed to make a decision: “Do we
maintain the status quo, have the contract terminated, or terminate Nick’s employment?” The board then voted to go into an executive session to discuss this. But, as Arbaugh reported afterward, no action was taken. Both sides made their case, and the board was given a chance to think about it before proceeding to a decision. However, Arbaugh was insistent that a decision must be made and even suggested a special meeting soon to vote on the matter.
Court sees arraignments, sentencing, intervention
Attorney Edward Gillison with client Rodney Gaydos. Harrison News-Herald Photo/ ROBERT AMABILE
BY REBECCA BRATTEN WEISS Harrison News-Herald Reporting Journalist Defendant Shannon Boggs appeared in criminal court on March 8, accompanied by his attorney Brett Hillyer, and agreed to plead guilty to three of the five charges against him. Initially, Boggs was indicted on one count of burglary (a third-degree felony), three of aggravated menacing (a first-degree misdemeanor), and one of criminal trespass (also a first-degree misdemeanor). Due to a communication issue, the court proceeded partway into the hearing on the presumption that the four misdemeanor charges against Boggs were all of aggravated menacing. However, once it was brought to the attention of court officials that the fifth count was, rather, trespass, Hillyer suggested that they drop it — along with the felony charge — since this would not alter the practical ramifications in the case. The court had raised questions earlier about Boggs’ competency to appear in court. Prosecutor Lauren Knight, representing the State of Ohio, stated that the forensic diagnostic center had provided what she described as a “neutral” report on the defendant’s condition. On the subject of the defendant’s mental health, Hillyer noted that Boggs had been attending counseling sessions as well as taking his prescribed medication. Taking this into account, Judge T. Shawn Hervey agreed to adopt the recommendations of the state, namely, that Boggs be given a 180day jail sentence for each misdemeanor charge, that the sentences run together concurrently, that the defendant be given credit for time served, and that the balance of his sentence be suspended with one year of probation. He also recommended additional counseling for Boggs. “It’s incumbent on you to understand that you need your medication,” Hervey warned
Attorney Brett Hillyer with client Shannon Boggs. Harrison News-Herald Photo/ ROBERT AMABILE
Boggs. “This could have gone much worse. You could have ended up in prison.” Several defendants appeared in court that morning via video conferencing from the Jefferson County Justice Center. One of these, Jeraud Rupp, was charged with having a weapon while under a disability — for reasons pertaining to prior offenses, substance abuse issues, or mental illness. The state offered Rupp 24 months in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction with credit for time served in exchange for a guilty plea. Rupp seemed to think he was entitled to a shorter sentence. “That’s not going to happen,” he scoffed, earning a swift reprimand from the judge, who reminded him that he could be found in contempt of court and remain incarcerated even longer. Orean Sutton was present for his arraignment on charges of aggravated possession of drugs and forgery, both fifthdegree felonies. Sutton told the judge that he did want to be represented by an attorney and expressed his willingness to comply with the court system. “I’ve just started having home visits with my son,” he said. “My son is the most important thing to me, so anything the court needs, I’ll do.” Two defendants, Lesia Geer and Rodney Gaydos, were recommended for the Intervention in Lieu of Conviction Program, which gives nonviolent, low-level felony offenders an opportunity to expunge their charges from their record, on successful completion of the program. And Devlyn Lendon appeared for his final review in that same program, which he was deemed to have successfully completed. Also appearing before Hervey were Sharon Dulkoski, Christopher Scheutzow, and James Dodds. Dulkoski agreed to plead guilty to the drug charges against her. Scheutzow was arraigned on new charges of aggravated possession on top of his existing felony charges. And the case against Dodds was continued.
FLOODING
HC students to present ‘Beauty and the Beast’ BY ED BANKS Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer CADIZ — On March 18 at 7 p.m., the Harrison Central junior and senior high school students will be presenting “Beauty and the Beast” in the auditorium. They will follow up that presentation with three additional shows scheduled for the 19th at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. And they will close the play with a final presentation on March 20 at 2 p.m. The play will be under the direction of Ashley Doran, school counselor. Co-director and choreographer Bailie Ray and technical director Karli Ray will assist Doran. Mark Smith will be the stage coordinator for
BOWLING
COURTHOUSE
the production, and Madison Keller will manage the sound. In the play’s lead, Abigail Creamer will play Belle, and Devan Woods will play the Beast. “We are beyond proud of the students acting in this production,” Doran said. “We are all excited over the fact that this will be the biggest production ever presented by the school. We want to thank the community for their support in our efforts, and we would like to invite everyone from both the community and surrounding area to be our guests for the presentations,” she added. Tickets for senior citizens and groups of 10 or more are $5 each; prepurchased tickets at the school’s office (on sale this week) are $7. Tickets at the door will be $10.
OBITUARIES Dorothy Henthorn Anthony Warner
USPS Publication No. 236-080 One Section, 12 Pages Vol. 54, No. 44
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