Harrison News-Herald e-edition 12/18/21

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

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HARRISONNEWSHERALD.COM

Toys for Tots visits Harrison Co. with Court sees success with ‘Intervention in Lieu of Conviction’ candidates Williams Energy-OOGA team-up

Defendant Donald Rollic appears via videoconferencing from Jefferson County. Harrison News-Herald Photo/REBECCA BRATTEN WEISS

The Williams Energy team took a moment out of helping families bag up their Christmas goodies for a quick photo. Harrison News-Herald Photo/SHAWN DIGITY

BY SHAWN DIGITY twitter.com/DIGITYnodoubt

the front entrances to grocery stores, libraries, or other local businesses awaiting charitable community members to drop off donations. Last Tuesday, the Ohio Oil and Gas But the donations are only one avenue that Association, with the help of Harrison the Toys for Tots program uses to provide County-centric Williams Energy, set up camp Christmas gifts. Monetary contributions are at the Sally Buffalo Park Wallace Lodge for taken as well, and eventually, a team spends it their eighth annual Toys for Tots campaign. on toys at a Wal-Mart or similar store. For those unfamiliar, Toys for Tots raises For Chadsey and the rest of the Toys for money to “collect new unwrapped toys and Tots crew, it can be an exhausting week, distribute those toys to less fortunate children especially bouncing from county to county at Christmas.” displaying toys and tables with each new site. OOGA director of public relations Mike Chadsey admitted that the week-long circuit Chadsey, one of the leaders behind eastern of different counties and setting up fresh for Ohio’s Toys for Tots presence, was at the each can be grueling, but he expressed that it’s Wallace Lodge setup last Tuesday, and he took also a humbling and rewarding experience. the time to explain parts of the process that go And the crew on-hand Tuesday was at on behind the scenes. the ready to assist the families as they came Docked outside the lodge, there was a huge, in for their Christmas spree. As mentioned, bright yellow Penske moving van. While it Harrison’s Williams Energy sent a team of might not be difficult to connect the dots, employees to help out the parents and guardians Chadsey expounded that the Association as they perused the toy stations. Some parents rents the van — the largest vehicle that could were beaming as they loaded up bags full of be driven without presents. And a CDL — and as Chadsey members from explained, it’s local oil and gas usually a tale of companies help two reactions: load and unload some are over hundreds of toys. the moon and Chadsey himself Chadsey also shared a fun fact about the Toys exuberant with c o m m a n d e e r s for Tots boxes and logo: In 1947, the Toys for Tots their thanks, the Penske van to program was incepted by a single U.S. Marine who and others are would create toys for children by hand. Eventually, each new location stoically gracious. t h r o u g h o u t the recognizable train logo for the initiative was by Walt Disney himself. Photo from Toys for But Chadsey the week. He designed Tots website added that they’re explained that not there to judge every year at the or pry. The circumstances for each parent beginning of December, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association and a unique oil and gas company or guardian are different, but Chadsey and work a five-county circuit (Harrison, Carroll, company — by way of the spirit of the Toys for Monroe, Jefferson, and Belmont) in the Ohio Tots program — are keeping the children at Valley. Chadsey is also hoping to eventually the forefront. The motivation for the program add two more counties into the mix (Noble is relatively simple in that regard: ensure and Columbiana), but as it stands for the five Christmas presents for kids who otherwise current counties, the team sets up shop with might not get any. In fact, the site’s overview numerous tables and stations chock full of states that “the primary goal of Marine Toys toys for children of all ages. And the stations for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help are efficiently established to allow “shopping” bring the joy of Christmas and send a message for kids of specific demographics. As families of hope to America’s less fortunate children.” register for slots in each county, the Toys for And as Chadsey and company wrapped up Tots volunteers are simply given note cards their 2021 circuit, many local families could with the gender and age of each child — attest to the Toys for Tots mission. And as a that’s all. And as families are guided through symbol for the larger cause, Chadsey was proud the process, they are never shoehorned into of the event’s turnout — and grateful for the any given station to pick their presents. The assistance from Williams Energy. “Today [last breakdown of each table is to help provide a Tuesday] was a great day. There was so much starting point, not an exhaustive selection. If a energy, passion, and Christmas spirit from the child would potentially want something from entire crew at Williams for giving back and a different table outside the age range, then it’s being a part of their operating communities. all fair game. We are proud to call them members and salute When traveling from site to site, toys are their service to folks in Harrison County,” he loaded up in the official Toys for Tots collection stated, reflecting on Tuesday’s Toys for Tots boxes. But at the Wallace Lodge, they had event. all been sequestered into the corner of the And Jake Burnett of Williams Energy — building and stacked as high as the ceiling. In a one of the team members that helped out at way, the boxes have been somewhat of a calling Wallace Lodge — also chimed in on the Toys card for the program. The recognizable white for Toys program: “We like to be involved in cardboard boxes — and their classic red train the community and give back. We like to have logo — can seem ubiquitous, especially around a good time and provide for the families in the the holidays. Passersby have probably seen them before. They’re often standing guard at area we operate in.”

CHRISTMAS

BY REBECCA BRATTEN WEISS Harrison News-Herald Reporting Journalist The Harrison County Court of Common Pleas maintained a brisk pace on Tuesday, Dec. 14, with Judge T. Shawn Hervey presiding over several arraignments and ongoing cases, as well as handing down a sentence. Defendant Timothy McDonald appeared via videoconferencing from Jefferson County for his final sentencing after pleading guilty to domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. As per the state’s recommendation and following discussion between prosecutor Lauren Knight and public defender C. Adrian Pincola, the court sentenced McDonald to 14 months incarceration in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, despite the defendant’s repeated and aggrieved demands that the sentence be reduced to 13 months. Prior to the sentencing, victim coordinator Sarah Devore read a prepared statement from McDonald’s victim: “You tore me down, but you didn’t break me. I stand tall and proud of who I am,” the victim wrote. She also stated that she hoped McDonald would seek serious mental help and that she herself was healing after the physical, mental, and emotional abuse he had put her through. “I can only go up from here,” she wrote. “Can you say the same?” McDonald did not seem noticeably moved or affected by his victim’s statement. The judge reminded him that since he had pleaded guilty, he could still theoretically appeal his sentence — but not the facts of the case. Another defendant appearing via videoconferencing from Jefferson County, Donald Rollic, was recently declared competent to stand trial for the multiple charges against him: rape, kidnapping, abduction, grand theft, and domestic violence. However, Rollic still has

to submit to an Ohio risk assessment before his hearing can proceed. The court reviewed the cases of several defendants who appeared in court in person and had been assigned treatment for substance abuse at the Wellmore Centre through the “Intervention in Lieu of Conviction” program. The program allows eligible individuals who have pleaded guilty to certain nonviolent felonies to have their felony offenses removed from their record, providing they satisfactorily complete court-ordered treatments. Defendants who qualify for the program are those who have committed their offenses on account of the influence of either substance abuse or mental health issues and are deemed lower risk. The defendants whose cases were reviewed on Tuesday had all originally been indicted on drug charges, and all were noteworthy for the evident success of their treatment programs. Defendant Georgine Elmore, originally in for aggravated possession of drugs, obstruction of official business, and criminal trespass, was in the courtroom for a final review of her case. Andrew Foreman, the Intervention in Lieu of Conviction coordinator, stated of Elmore that she had had an “amazing transformation.” Another defendant appearing for review who had gone through the intervention program was Michael Beach, who had originally been indicted for aggravated trafficking in drugs. Beach shared with the court that he had just celebrated 14 months of sobriety. When asked by Hervey the last time he had been sober, Beach replied, “when I was 11. I’m 39 now.” Foreman said of Beach that he is “probably one of the biggest transformations we’ve seen.” Rachel Price, another intervention in lieu candidate, also appeared in the court and was affirmed to be doing well with her treatment. Price’s original indictment was for aggravated possession of drugs.

New Tappan resort, recreation center, convenience store coming in 2022 BY REBECCA BRATTEN WEISS Harrison News-Herald Reporting Journalist

Visitors to Tappan Lake — whether local or from out of the area — can look forward to the 2022 opening of a new lakeside cabin rental venue, complete with a recreation center and convenience store. Lawton and Kodi Brock, owners of Brandywine Construction, came up with the plan for Tappan Lakeside Resort (as it will be called) so that more Tappan victors can stay overnight and enjoy the peace and beauty of nature and the many outdoor activities at the lake, marina, and park. The resort will be located across from the boat launch site, on the other side of Highway 250. Lawton Brock spoke with the News-Herald at the resort construction site, and he shared that this was something he and his wife had wanted to do for a while. “Our family’s big on the outdoors, and we travel a lot,” he said. “We always end up in neat little places like this. We enjoy seeing other families having fun. It’s all about creating experiences.” At present, there are very few options available to those who want to stay overnight.

1,000 POINTS

NEW FLAGS

Tappan Lake Park has 11 cabins near the beach area, an RV camping area with hookups, some primitive camping sites, and a few Airbnb properties near the lake, but the demand for vacation rentals far exceeds the supply — especially for guests in search of privacy and tranquility. In early 2021, the Brocks purchased the nine acres on which the resort site is located, put up a warehouse for storage, and began clearing land for construction over the summer. Then in August, the crews showed up to begin construction of the cabins, recreation center, See TAPPAN RESORT Pg.- 12

OBITUARIES Bill Boles

USPS Publication No. 236-080 One Section, 12 Pages Vol. 54, No. 32

Carol Albright Reicosky

James A. Carman

Edgar Cunningham

Ray Hawkins

Gordon E. Wilson, Sr

PG - 2

PG - 4

PG - 11

Harold Robert McMillen


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