Hardin County posted a 4.9 percent unemployment rate in February, according to information released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

BELLEFONTAINE — A 77-year-old Rushsylvania woman admitted Monday she allowed her mother, Blanche Cowen, to live in squalid conditions for years and to eventually die under the care of a mentally-handicapped man barely capable of caring for himself.

The Kenton-Hardin Health Board, at its monthly meeting Tuesday night, condemned a Dunkirk home until the water service to the structure is restored.

A vehicle owned by Jodi Thomas, 128 S. Main St., was parked in the city/county parking lot behind Liberty Bank when it was struck by an unknown vehicle, resulting in minor damage to the left rear quarter panel.

Jeremy Petty and his three-year-old son had just returned to their West Carrol Street home in Kenton on Saturday afternoon and he was preparing to let the family dog out in the fenced-in back yard. But just as he started to open the sliding glass patio door, Petty looked out and saw two big pit bulls in his yard.

Action by Kenton City Council on Monday night cleared the way for construction of a new home for Mid Ohio Energy Cooperative in the city. Council, following a public hearing earlier in the evening, suspended its three-reading rule and approved rezoning of the 16.038-acre West Lima Street (Ohio 309) site from residential to general business.

Hardin County Municipal Court, thanks to an increase in civil and small claims cases, posted a $51,000 increase in revenue during 2014. Judge Greg Grimslid and Clerk Elois Cramer presented the court’s annual report to Kenton City Council on Monday night.

The Kenton Fire Department and BKP Ambulance District reached an agreement on working together for medical response.

The Hardin County Republican Party held its annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Sunday, March 22 at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Kenton. An overflow crowd of more than 115 Republican leaders from throughout the county were welcomed by Hardin County Republican Chairman, Rob Radway.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — The Riverdale Board of Education approved a project to renovate certain exterior light fixtures with new LED fixtures and/or modules. The board unanimously approved a resolution at Monday’s regular meeting authorizing HEAT Total Facility Solutions, Inc. to submit to the Ohio School Facilities Commission, on the school district’s behalf, a request for approval to participate in the School Energy Conservation Financing Program (House Bill 264).