Community Young Eagle Scout on the rise

By Cornelia Grace Harrison News-Herald Reporter DEERSVILLE

— In 2015, Noah Strickler was in the first grade. He listened to a presentation at his school about scouting and decided he wanted to join Cub Scout 429. Soon after joining, Strickler began putting all his energy into achieving Eagle Scout status. This is the highest achievement, and since 1911, only about 4% of all scouts have gained the rank with most reaching at around age 17. It is a high honor that requires earning 21 merit badges, some of which can take months or even years to accomplish.

Now in Boy Scout Troop 429 and soon entering the ninth grade at Indian Valley High School, Strickler has earned 36 badges and is planning to obtain another four in the near future.

Strickler has been nothing if not accomplished throughout his life. In July of 2022, he attended the National Youth Leadership Training and currently serves as Assistant Patrol Leader of his troop. In August 2022, he joined the Order of the Arrow. The order was founded in 1915 according to the Boy Scouts of America web - site, it was made to serve one purpose, “to cause the Scout Oath and Law to spring into action in all parts of the nation.”

This is no small feat as there are many difficult requirements for joining the order. In April of 2023, Strickler earned his Brotherhood in the order and serves as the Vice Chief of

See SCOUT Page 11

Last week, bids were opened for a paving project that was split into three parts: part one being for County Road 8 and County Road 503; part two for County Road 13; and part three for County Road 43 and a portion of County Road 44. County Engineer Doug Bachman recommend - ed that parts 1 and 3 be awarded to Shelly & Sands, Inc. and part 2 be awarded to NLS Paving, Inc. The commissioners followed this recommendation.

After several months of deliberations and a few weeks of negotiations, the commissioners have entered into contracts with two local fire departments to provide backup EMS services to Harrison County. The two contracts with Hopedale Fire Department and Bowerston Fire Department will begin on July 1 and run through July 1, 2024.

Hopedale Fire Department will be covering townships Archer, Athens, German, Moorefield, Noth, Nottingham, Shortcreek, and Stock. Bowerston Fire Department will be covering townships Franklin, Freeport, Monroe, North, Nottingham, Stock, and

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Toledo guitarist dazzles in Cadiz

By John Shiflet Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

CADIZ — After country-and-western artist

Neal McCoy opened the first concert at Mark in the Park a few weeks ago, the second concert was by a tribute band playing songs made famous by the multi-platinum English rock group, Fleetwood Mac.

Anyone who’s heard tribute bands knows that many of them often sound like lesser talented versions of the famous band members who inspired them. There are, however, a small number of tribute bands that truly stand apart from the rest. Fleetwood Gold took classic Fleetwood Mac songs and made them sound fresh again.

The five-member band was fronted by an outstanding guitarist, Chris Shutters from Toledo. Shutters has twice won a national blues guitarist contest and he dazzled the crowd with his virtuoso performances. Erika Prehm and Sara Reed handled the female vocals. The bass player hit every note and the drummer kept a steady beat.

The concert began promptly at 6:30 after a welcoming introduction by the MC. Credits were given for all the sponsors who made the concert series possible. The song list for the evening included Fleetwood Mac classics from their best selling albums. Those in the audience often sang along with the band on stage. Somewhat surprising was to hear songs by early Fleetwood Mac member Peter Green who departed afterwards and was replaced by Lindsey Buckingham. Unexpected as well were song collaborations with other art-

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