C o n t i n u i n g To P r o u d l y S e r v e C a r r o l l C o u n t y S i n c e 1 8 3 1 $1.00
Thursday, September 19, 2019
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Little arraigned, pleads ‘not guilty’ By GEORGETTE HUFF FPS Contributor
FPS/Georgette Huff
Gene Rinkes, left, with outgoing president Bernie Heffelbower, was one of two recipients of the Farm Bureau’s 2019 Hall of Fame Award. Now retired, Rinkes was the long-time agent and owner of the Nationwide Insurance agency, now owned by his son, Jon.
FPS/Georgette Huff
Dale Hamilton, left, also received a 2019 Hall of Fame award from outgoing president Bernie Heffelbower. Hamilton, who began farming in Columbiana County, in 1975, currently raises beef cattle and grain crops on 1,000 acres in Perry Township.
Matthew Little, accompanied by attorneys William T. Whitaker and Andrea Whitaker of the Akron-based law firm, William T. Whitaker Co., was arraigned in Carroll County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Speaking on Little’s behalf, Attorney William T. Whitaker told Judge Michael V. Repella that he met with Little the evening prior to the hearing to review the indictment and that Little understands the nature and severity of
each of the 15 charges, as well as the possible penalties if he is found guilty. Little has been charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter, all first-degree felonies; corrupting another with drugs, a second-degree felony; endangering children, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and tampering with evidence, all third-degree felonies; corrupting another with drugs, a fourth-degree felony; permitting drug abuse, possession of heroin and gross abuse of a corpse, all fifth-degree felonies; permitting drug abuse
See LITTLE, PG. 2
Scholarship awards, member recognition highlights Farm Bureau’s annual meeting By GEORGETTE HUFF FPS Contributor Organization Director Michele Specht welcomed members and guests to the Carroll County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the FFA Camp Muskingum Discovery Center, on a somewhat somber note. While noting that agriculture “is still the largest industry in Ohio,” Specht said that working in agriculture has been “tough” in the past few years, with farmers facing increased “pressures and burdens” due to factors beyond their control, including shifting weather patterns that affect planting and harvesting schedules and financial worries caused by fluctuating commodities markets. Industry-wide stress and uncertainty has led to such an alarming increase in the suicide rate among farmers that later in the program, state trustee Jerry Lahmers returned to the topic, telling attendees that the “suicide rate among farmers is now higher than among returning war veterans.”
Using the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s “We’ve Got Your Back” program as a template, Specht explained the Farm Bureau has developed “I Am MORE Than My Farm,” an initiative urging members to text “4hope” to 741741, if they or someone they know needs help. On a lighter note, Casey Ellington, whose family farms in Carroll and Stark counties, spoke on Ohio Young Agriculture Professionals, a grass-roots organization that supports and promotes participation and learning opportunities for those ranging in age from 18 to 35, who are interested in farming and related occupations. Ellington said ”YAP activities” include both “recreational and business-related events,” adding that participation in the program increased her own self-confidence. Nicki Gordon-Coy announced the 2019 scholarship awards. Alison Davis was awarded $1,000. Mackenzie Tubaugh, Bailey McKarns, Rebecca Gromley, Jared Lane and Sadie Green each received $200. Outgoing president Bernie Heffelbow-
er presented the “Member of Distinction” award to Bill Newell of Newell Realty and Auctions and the “Partner of the Year” award to Jimmy’s Backyard BBQ and lauded both recipients for their contributions to the community as well as the Farm Bureau. Specht recognized Bobbie Jo Tinlin, Chase Horn and Heffelbower for the volunteer work they have performed on behalf of the organization. State trustee Jerry Lahmers spoke about the Farm Bureau’s “changing relationship” with Nationwide. The concerns of farmers about the cost of car insurance led to the company’s formation in 1926, and 20 percent of its business, nationwide, is with Farm Bureau members. “It’s a big relationship that we have to keep working on,” Lahmers said. Noting the organization’s statewide focus on leadership development and economic development, he said, “Exciting things are happening in the Ohio Farm Bureau.”
See FARM, PG. 3
Submitted Photo
Denny Roudebush, vice president of the Carroll County Foundation, (third from right) presented a $500 donation to the Carroll County Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Accepting the check are members (from left) Dwayne Kinzel, Don Pontones, Mark Oboy, John Davis and Brad Lucky.
Carroll County Foundation donates $500 to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry By KIMBERLY LEWIS FPS Editor The Carroll County Foundation donated $500 to the Carroll County Chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry recently. Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, established in 1997, is committed to feeding America’s hungry by enabling hunters and farmers to donate deer and livestock meat, such as beef, lamb and goat, to approved and inspected meat processors to be provided to area food pantries for distri-
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bution. The local chapter has donated 3,550 pounds of meat last year to Carroll County food pantries, including 2,076 pounds to Loaves and Fishes, 850 pounds to Malvern Christian Care Center and 624 pounds to Dellroy’s Atwood Angels. Donations such as the Carroll County Foundation’s is used to cover the costs of processing, packaging and freezing the meat. According to the Akron Canton Food Bank, Carroll County has a food insecurity rate of 13.2 percent of the total population with a child food insecurity rate of 21.9 percent or 1,230 children.
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Food insecurity refers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s measure of lack of regular access to nutritional food for an active and healthy life. In 2017, the Akron Canton Foodbank distributed 896,525 pounds of food and essential items to Carroll County families in need. Of that, 191,349 pounds was produce, which was distributed for free. In 2018, the foodbank states 667,544 meals were provided to residents of Carroll County and 185,980 pounds of free produce distributed.
See HUNGRY, PG. 3
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FPS Photo / Georgette Huff
Matthew Little (left) walks to the Carroll County Common Pleas Court for his arraignment Sept. 11 with Chief Deputy Calvin Graham (middle) and Sheriff Dale Williams.
Tickets on sale now for Saturday’s Band Extravagana Seven area high school bands and their drumlines will be featured at the annual Carrollton High School Warriors Marching Band’s Extravaganza this Saturday evening. The pre-show ceremony will get underway at 6:30 p.m. and will include the Carrollton band performing the school’s fight song “Wave the Flag”, followed by the playing and singing of the National Anthem and the CHS Alma Mater. The first band performing will be the Malvern Hornet Marching Band under the direction of Jeneva Ford, followed by the Claymont High School drumline. Successive bands and drumlines include: Manchester Panther Marching Band, directed by Glenn Oliver; Sandy Valley HS Drumline; Field Royal Gardsmen Band, directed by Charles Collins; Carrollton HS Drumline; West Branch Warrior Marching Band, directed by Jon Zamarelli; Malvern High School drumline. Following intermission, performances will continue by Claymont Mustang
Marching Band, directed by Jim Howell; Field HS Drumline; Sandy Valley Cardinal Marching Band, directed by Craig Carnes; West Branch HS Drumline; presentation of awards, and Carrollton Warrior Marching Band, directed by David Dickerhoof. Tickets are $5 per person and may be purchased from any band member, at the CHS band office or at the gate Saturday evening.
Voter registration deadline is Oct. 7 The deadline to register to vote or make address and name changes for the Nov. 5, 2019 General Election is Monday, Oct. 7 by 9 p.m. The office will be open until 9 p.m. that day to accommodate voters. A person is qualified to vote if he or she is a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years old on or before Nov. 5, 2019, a resident of the state of Ohio for at least 30 days before the election, and registers to vote at least 30 days before the election. If a registered voter has moved within the state or county or changed his or her name, the change must be reported
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to the Board of Elections. Carroll County residents may register at the Carroll County Board of Elections in the Courthouse in Carrollton. Residents that are already registered in Ohio may change their name or address online as well. As of Jan. 1, 2017, the Secretary of State’s Online Voter Registration system allows an applicant to securely and efficiently submit a new voter registration application online. The website address for changes is www.MyOhioVote.com. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 330-627-2610 with questions.
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