Adena fire district seeks levy

By Cornelia Grace Harrison News-Herald Reporter

ADENA — Village council began with a visit from the new fire chief of the Short Creek Fire District, Austin Raymond.

He came to share a few things that are happening in the district, including that they are “getting trucks worked on. We’re up to $25,000 in repairs to all the trucks to get them up to par, not even perfect condition,” he began. “We’re going to be starting a lot of trainings, a lot of fire trainings. We’re doing a live burn up at the burn building in Wintersville probably within the next month. … Got a lot of our equipment tested, looking at ladder testing, starting pump testing and air-pack testing.”

He said that he will be seeking an EMS levy to be added to the ballot for November because they’re greatly in need of funds. “Putting seven full-time people on and trying to run them 24/7 with insurance and benefits and everything, then we took a hit with the ad velorum tax. We lost about $100,000 roughly so we’re hurting,” he explained.

He also explained that they are in need of a new ambulance as the current vehicle is in disrepair. “I’ve been working on a bunch of grants, too,” Raymond said. “At this point, we are in dire need of an ambulance and fire trucks.” There are some fundraising ideas in the works to try to get involved in the community. “We’re moving forward,” he said.

Mayor Brenda Roski, “I really appreciate you coming. This is the first time somebody had come and explained to us what they need a levy for. Most of us sitting here have always felt the fire department is important for all of us.”

Raymond had to leave suddenly on a call, but Short Creek Fire District Fiscal Officer Sally Patton had come to the meeting with Raymond to make sure council got all of the needed information.

Council asked Patton about the ad velorum tax loss.

“We’re not sure why,”

Patton said. “It has to do with the oil and gas and I don’t understand it fully myself,” she explained there is another member of the board that has more in-depth knowledge of the situation.

“We lost over $100,000 the year before last and this year on our income. It hit us hard because we put on three full-time EMTs to work 24/7.”

She said that the district is lucky to have the workers they do because their wages are currently not competitive for the area.

Council moved on and Council President R.J. Konkoleski said he had found that OMEGA has around $10 million for the development of land reclaimed from old mines. He shared a map that showed much of the land around and in Adena could qualify for the grants. Roski agreed it would be good to apply for the money.

Council also announced that the road, colloqually known as Church Hill, will be closed for approximately 60 days starting at the end of the month.

Modern homesteading options

By Terri Brock

The definition of homesteading used to be living as a settler.

Owning a piece of land, typically, back in the day meant a 160-acre parcel. Homesteading was living off the land, only purchasing the “staples” like sugar, flour, salt, and some basic seasonings and grains. Today’s homesteading is a bit different, primarily due to the amount of land that most own. You can own one-fourth of an acre up to hundreds of acres and still homestead.

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from Page 2 lighter and a burnt marijuana cigarette inside was found on the driver. The driver failed every sobriety test and was placed under arrest for OVI. His initial breath test came back at .183, over double the legal limit.

• May 22 – An employee of a mining location wanted to speak with a deputy about an unruly male. The employee said that he is in charge of granting permission to anyone wanting to fish at any of the many ponds on the property. This has typically not been an issue as other employees are generally allowed, as long as they make him aware of it. The employee noticed a male he did not recognize fishing at one of the ponds.

If you don’t have the land, you can do a landscape-type garden. You can also always do container gardening. You have to think outside of the box, so to speak. A homesteader doesn’t have to raise their own veggies and fruits to can or stock up. There are always farmers, gardeners, homesteaders, and co-ops, where you can

When approached, the male said his father had been employed at the mine and he’s fished on the property many times. The employee told the male that he did not have explicit permission to fish and would need to leave. At first, the male refused and an argument ensued between the two. The male eventually packed up his gear and got in his truck to leave. The employee yelled at the male again as he was driving away and the male allegedly stopped his vehicle and yelled back, threatening the employee’s life. The male then left the property entirely and the employee called law enforcement. The deputy was able to contact the male, who stated there had been a verbal argument but nothing physical and he had purchase in bulk to can, freeze, freeze dry, or dehydrate foods. Along with that, if you are handy, you can knit, crochet, sew, and make soaps and lotions. With these skills, you could possibly barter what you’re able for what others are able to grow. Though most think of homesteading as growing your own food, possibly having your own animals to butcher or a dairy cow or goat. There are a variety of ways that you can still homestead without “doing it all.” not made any threats against the employee’s life.

• May 22 – A man called the office for a scheduled sex-offender registration and during the call stated his life had recently been threatened. He was transferred to a deputy to give more details. The man stated an unknown male, possibly a neighbor, had yelled racial slurs at him and had approached him with a crowbar. This had happened two weeks ago and when asked why the man had not reported the incident at that time, he said he had been afraid to report it. He could not give a solid answer as to why he now felt the need

By Susan Adams

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is celebrating 90 years in 2023.

This sign gave the statistics for Tappan Dam when it was built in 193536.

“The MWCD was formally created June 3, 1933. Its purpose was to prevent floods, conserving flood waters for beneficial uses, to do all other things necessary for the fulfillment of the purpose of this act, such as forestation, the building of check dams and other control works to prevent soil erosion and the consequent clogging of stream channels. The Ohio Conservation Act at the time did not authorize recreation.”

Picture is from HCHS and was enhanced by Jack Kibble. Information is from the book “A Valley

Renewed: The History of the MWCD” by Hal Jenkins donated to the HCHS by Lorna Bower.