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.

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.

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).

TUESDAY, MARCH 24 Ada council – 6:30 p.m., council chambers; special meeting to discuss and consider the ODOT summer salt program.

DUNKIRK — For Dan Marshman, retirement is not sitting around the house, waiting to go to Florida for the winter. For him, it’s about helping make his town and county a better place for its residents.

BELLEFONTAINE — Artwork by Sabrielle “Saber” Davidson, a junior from Benjamin Logan High School, will be part of the 2015 Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition. Her artwork is a series of 3 original photos titled “Innocence.”