Marilyn Shaw lifts a box of donated clothing to a stack at Love INC offices Wednesday morning. Within 24 hours of the fire at Scioto Village Apartments, the Hardin County community had filled one of the storage rooms at Love INC with food, household items and clothing while contributing financially to assist the victims of the fire, said Secretary Robin Oates.

The source of Tuesday morning’s fire at the Scioto Village Apartment’s B building may not be known for a few more days. A K-9 officer from the Columbus area trained to sniff out accelerants was brought to the scene of the fire shortly after noon Tuesday, but the results of that search wont’ be released until a final report is completed, said Kenton Fire Chief Russ Blue today.

ADA — The Ada Community Improvement Corporation was presented with a check for $1,500 because of its participation in an economic development program. Jon Cross, president and CEO of business development, and John Hohn, director of economic development, both with the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance, were present at Tuesday night’s village council meeting to present the check to village administrator Jim Meyer, who in turn will take the check with him to the Ada CIC.

Four people were taken to area hospitals from an early morning fire at the Scioto Village Apartments in Kenton, but, according to witnesses, things could have been much worse if not for the heroic acts of some residents. Kenton Fire Chief Russ Blue said his department was called to the apartment complex on the south side of the city at 5:38 a.m. today.

St. Rita’s Professional Services broke ground Monday on a new $1 million facility in Ada. Located across from the Ada school on Ohio 81, the new offices are expected to open in April.

ADA — Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, Mary Jo Yeakel cherished her time in church, inspiring her to become a pastor herself. Reverend Yeakel has been pastor at the Ada First United Methodist Church since July of 2011. Since being ordained in upstate New York, she has also pastored in Ansonia, Dayton, Columbus, Worthington and Athens. She likes to call herself a “professional visitor.”

It has become commonplace for people to provide food for others at Christmas who may not have the means to pay for a meal. Toys are given to make the Christmas season happier for the young people of the community. But Dennis and Peg Wells are offering something unique this holiday season – live Christmas trees to those who might otherwise go without one.

The Kenton Elks Lodge honored the top teens from each of the six area schools as Teenagers of the Month at a luncheon on Thursday.