FOREST — The Forest Village Council started the new year on Thursday night with a look back at last year’s accomplishments. Mayor Tom Seem presented his annual report for 2017 which highlighted projects and activities in the village.

A crew from Brian Brothers Painting and Restoration of Piqua puts a protective plastic covering over the mural on the north wall of the third floor of the Hardin County Courthouse on Wednesday morning.

DUNKIRK — The Hardin Northern Public Library recognized Sex Trafficking Awareness Month with a program on the issue Wednesday evening. Julie Zaring, executive director of Heartbeat of Hardin County, and Deb Oestreich, program director for the Crossroads Crisis Center, told those who attended the session that traffickers prey on the insecurities of 12-14-year-old girls in drawing them into a life of sexual slavery.

For many years, Hardin County has reported local drug activity to the El Paso (Texas) Intelligence Center (EPIC). But it wasn’t until Sheriff Keith Everhart recently visited the center on the U.S.-Mexico border that he realized how much assistance the federal program can provide to his office.

RIDGEWAY — With the cold weather, the volunteer work by Ridgeway officials has moved inside. Mayor Kevin Howland reported that he and Councilman Dennis Kelly have nearly completed work on the ambulance bay which is to be the new home of the Southeast Hardin Ambulance District unit.

Three Kenton police officers and a dispatcher received commendations for exemplary service during 2017 at Monday’s City Council meeting. Chief Dennis Musser presented the awards to Sgt. Ed McNamara, Officers Dan Foulk and Jen Brand, and Dispatcher Karen Harp.

ADA — A Lima man has been charged with the robbery of an Ada store, part of what has been called a crime spree in the area. Clark E. Sturgeon, 42, faces the charge for the robbery of the 302 Carryout in Ada on Jan. 3 at 11:30 p.m.

ALGER — An Ohio Environmental Protection Agency inspection of Alger’s water treatment system has revealed several concerns including the stability of the town’s water tower. Water Superintendent Dale Albert presented a copy of the OEPA report to the Alger Board of Public Affairs at its meeting Monday evening.

ALGER — A village official will face disciplinary action by Mayor Von Summa for not making sure employees are following purchase procedures established by council. The decision for the action came after council members met in closed session during Monday night’s meeting.

Nearing her seventh year as a deputy clerk at the Hardin County Municipal Court, Heather Sheldon regularly works with individuals of the community who are not always happy to be in the situation in which they find themselves.