Local Army National Guard Specialist Donald H. Lawrence III was recognized by the Clermont County Commissioners Wednesday, Aug. 25. Spc. Lawrence recently returned from training Iraqi police officers in various locations throughout Iraq. The 2008 Glen Este graduate began his tour in Iraq by closing down Al Taqaddum air base west of Baghdad.

Just days before Cheyenne Ward was to enter the second grade her life ended in a house fire in Jackson Township. According to communications records the fire in the house on U.S. 50 where Cheyenne lived with her grandmother Stella Ward and her two older brothers broke out some time around 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26.

Eight Clermont County schools achieved excellent ratings on the state report cards released by the Ohio Department of Education last week. Three districts further achieved excellent with distinction ratings. Milford Exempted Village School District achieved an excellent with distinction rating for the second year in a row.

The Board of Education of the Bethel-Tate Local School District will hold a special board meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at Hill Intermediate School library. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the levy.

Recently my wife Connie and I took a trip to Beallsville Ohio located in Monroe County, population 402. Beallsville is a beautiful small town where most people know one another, friendly acknowledgements are common as people pass on the sidewalks, and one building still accommodates all students from K through 12.

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