Study Shows High Number of Leukemia in County 
After nearly a year of anticipation, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) released its findings to the Restoration Advisory Board Thursday in the case review of leukemia among residents of Marion County and graduates of River Valley High School.  The study included River Valley graduates from 1963-2000 who reported having leukemia and residents on Marion County from 1992-1999 with leukemia.  ODH representative Robert Indian told the RAB that 83 cases of leukemia were found, and 47 of those cases were reviewed for the study, including the 9 River Valley graduates.  

Indian reports that the study indicated a higher than expected number of leukemia among women in Marion County over the age of 58 and among River Valley graduates at the average age of 29.  The study, however, was unable to attribute the cause of the leukemia to any one factor.

Indian further stated that the number of River Valley graduates with leukemia is definitely higher than the 9 that were included in the study as only 32% of graduates responded to the ODH survey.   

Morral Man Facing Pornography Charges
A Morral man will be in a U.S. District Court soon, facing charges of pornography.  According to Anchor Broadcasting, 32-year-old Bruce Clevenger has been arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography.  If convicted, he could receive a sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  A court date has not yet been set.

Rape Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to 99 Counts
A Marion man accused of sexually abusing 2 children has been arraigned in the Marion County Common Pleas Court.  According to Anchor Broadcasting, 40-year-old David Fay plead not guilty after being indicted by a Grand Jury on 99 counts of rape.  Bond for Fay has been continued at $150,000.

Fay was arrested earlier in July by the Marion Police Department and is being held in the Multi-County Correctional Facility.  If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on each rape count.

Army Reserves Update RAB on Investigation
The Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for the Former Marion Engineer Depot and Scioto Ordnance Plant got its first taste of the investigation going on at the Army Reserve site Thursday night.  Representatives from the Reserves outlined the investigation that began in 1998 and still continues.  Representatives reported on testing that had been completed since the beginning of the investigation and results of the testing, including evidence that parts of the Reserve exceeded screening levels for volatile and semi-volatile compounds, as well as dioxins, metals, and radium.  The group hopes to complete its site investigation and have its Human Health Risk Characterization completed by May 2002.

During public comment time, Concerned River Valley Parent Kent Krumanaker addressed Reserve representatives concerning the current use of the Reserve property.  Representatives stated that the property is now restricted; Reserves are no longer admitted on the property.  The Army Reserves reportedly felt that it would be unsafe for Reserves to continue to train on the property while an environmental review was taking place.

Krumanaker then addressed the RAB, questioning the fact that students still remain on the River Valley campus despite the ongoing investigation going on.  Jeff Steers of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency stated in response that the Army Reserves had the right to make its own decision concerning the risks on its property, and that the OEPA and the school board made its own decision concerning the students at River Valley.

Entries Being Accepted for Festival Golf Tournament
Entries are now being accepted for the annual Marion Popcorn Festival Golf Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, August 18 at Whetstone Golf Course. The tournament is structured as a 4-person scramble with a 1:30p.m. shotgun start. Co-ed teams are welcome. The entry fee of $40, which includes a cart and Bar-B-Q dinner. First, second, and third team prizes will be awarded, along with a number of door prizes. 

For more information, contact Rob Morgan by leaving a message at 740/387-FEST. Entry forms are available at the Marion Chamber of Commerce. Entry deadline to enter is August 4.

Firemen's Festival Begins Friday
Waldo's annual Firemen's Festival is coming up Friday and Saturday and promises to provide two days of food and fun.  Friday evening and all day Saturday, the public is invited out to take part in the "Big Flush"; celebrities will be sitting on the "throne" for you to flush!  Musical entertainment will be provided in the evenings.  Children are invited to participate in games, provided by the Waldo United Methodist Youth. 

The Waldo United Methodist Church will again be serving food on Friday evening, beginning at 4:30 p.m. There will be noodles, sandwiches, side dishes, cakes, pies, ice cream, and more at the air-conditioned church located just south of the festival on Marion Street. 

Kids "Meet" Famous Artists
The Palace Theatre will be holding their "Meeting Famous Artists" summer camp on July 30 through August 3 from 9:30am to 12 noon in the Palace Theatre True Room. Kids will learn about the works of various famous artists, such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Frank Stella. Each day they will use what they have learned about the different artists styles to create their own works of art. Registration is open up to two weeks before the camp begins. The cost is $50 and includes all supplies and a daily snack. Full or partial scholarships are available based on financial needs. A minimum class size of 6 is needed to run the camp. Call (740) 383-2101 for more information or class registration.

This is the second summer the Arts Palace has offered a camp-type setting for children to learn about the arts. This summer's sessions will be taught by Danielle Triplett. Danielle is an art teacher for the Cardington Lincoln school system and has been with the Arts Palace for two years.

MCF Grant Requests Due Friday
The Marion Community Foundation (MCF), a community foundation dedicated to maximizing individual donations for the purpose of funding local grants, scholarships and endowments, recently announced it is accepting grant proposals in the area of health needs.

According to Ted M. McKinniss, chairman of MCF's Grants Committee, organizations interested in applying must have a 501(c)(3) designation or its equivalent. He said that in order to be eligible for funding, proposed projects must meet a health-related need and the project must benefit residents of Marion County. Deadline for submission of proposals is 4 p.m. July 27. 

For more information, click here.

Marion Dog Show
The AKC All-Breed Dog Show will be held from Friday, July 27, 2001 to Sunday, July 29, 2001. Show participants include Dan Emmett and the Marion Ohio Kennel Club. Judging begins each day at 8am, group judging at 2pm, and best in show at 4pm. For more information call after 6pm at (740) 383-1924 or (740) 383-2483.

U.S. 30 Accident Kills One, Injures Two
One person was killed and two others injured Wednesday morning in an accident just west of Crestline.  According to Anchor Broadcasting, 29-year-old Jeffrey Rupert of Ashland, Kentucky, died after the vehicle he was in was struck a semi-truck.  Rupert was reportedly a the back-seat passenger in a car driven by Trevor Gallion, 20, of Ironton.  

The accident occurred on U.S. 30 when Gallion was passing traffic and struck the semi-truck head-on.  Gallion was slightly injured and was transported to Med Central in Crestline.  Another passenger in the vehicle, 22-year-old Christopher McClellan, also of Ironton, was life-flighted to Cleveland Metro Hospital.  The driver of the semi-truck, Thomas Emerick of Bluffton, Indiana, was not injured. 

The accident remains under investigation.

Temps to Warm for Weekend
The National Weather Service said highs Friday will be in the mid to upper 70s with comfortable nighttime lows in the 50s and 60s.  The threat of rain returns to Ohio this weekend following two days of cooler and drier weather.

Temperatures will start to warm up again on Saturday and there's a chance of resumed showers and thunderstorms, forecasters said. Highs will be 75-85.  There is an even greater chance of storms on Sunday, when highs will be in the 80s, the National Weather Service said.

Friday Fun Craft at Library
The Marion Public Library will be holding Friday Fun Craft on Friday, July 27, 2001 beginning at 10am at the library. This activity, for children ages 6 and up, will teach participants how to make a seashell candleholder and an ice cream placemat. Call the library at (740) 387-0992 for more information.

Harding  Class of '81 Reunion
Harding's Class of 1981 will hold a reunion July 28 at Carousel Concepts and Convention Center beginning at 6pm.  For more information visit their web site. Click here.  If you have any questions, call 740-389-4421 or Email

Book Signing at Mall
Former Marion man Mike Brumfield, will be at Walden Books in the Southland Mall on Saturday, July 28, 2001 from 5-7pm. Brumfield will be signing copies of his book "The Two Witnesses and the Religion Cover-up."

St. Joseph's Church Annual Festival
The Salem Township St. Joseph's Church in Wyandot County will hold its annual festival 4-10 p.m. July 29. Located at the church, on TR 103 near the CH 44 intersection, the festival is to include games for all ages, entertainment,
bingo, a beer tent, and food including barbeque dinners, chicken sandwiches, noodle soup, and homemade pies and cakes. Appearing 6 p.m. -10p.m.  in the beer garden, Fritz and the Kid. More than $4,400 in cash and prizes will be
raffled beginning at 10 p.m.

Marion Industrial Club Board Meeting
On July 30, 2001 at 5:15pm the Marion Industrial Club Board of Trustees will be meeting.

Road Closings & Delays
Bridge Closing
On Monday, July 16, 2001 a bridge on Wildcat Pike Road will be closed. the bridge between Ohio 37 and Dry Lane Road is being resurfaced. A date has not been set for when the bridge will be re-opened.