Effective immediately, deputies from the Highland County Sheriff's Office will be conducting concentrated traffic enforcement throughout the county, cracking down on speeders, aggressive and impaired drivers and enforcing seat belt laws.

Secretary of State Jon Husted’s regional liaison will hold open office hours from 10-11 a.m. Friday, June 1 at the Greenfield Branch Public Library, 1125 Jefferson St. The goal of open office hours is to give local citizens an opportunity to learn more about, and stay connected with, the Secretary of State’s office in an informal and accessible setting.

There is simply no disputing that wearing a safety belt can save your life. That is why the Ohio State Highway Patrol is encouraging all motorists to buckle up. In 2011, nearly 65 percent of the people killed on Ohio's roadways were not wearing a safety belt. During the first three months of 2012, safety belt citations by Ohio troopers are up 19 percent over 2011, and during this time, unbelted traffic fatalities decreased by 16 percent.

In response to the rising traffic crash fatalities in Ohio and the Ohio State Highway Patrol's ongoing effort to contribute to a safer Ohio, troopers are focused on removing impaired drivers more than ever before. The Patrol is warning drivers: If you choose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. Through March of this year, troopers have arrested 503 more drivers for OVI than during the same period in 2011.

Local financial adviser Eric Mathews of LPl Financial, has announced he has become a member of the Financial Services Institute (FSI) in Washington, D.C.

EMD guidance revolves around ensuring the general safety of the individual(s) involved. It can include advice related to bleeding control, airway management, coaching CPR or even helping deliver a baby. OnStar subscribers Jeff and Kim Haines of Leesburg recently used their emergency connection on the way to the hospital for the birth of their third child.

The following are arrests and citations issued by the Hillsboro Police Department, May 10-19.

The students at St. Mary Catholic School recently enjoyed a field trip to Paint Creek State Park. The students learned about water flow from the dam, enjoyed a nature hike and learned about water safety.

The Ohioana Library, a unique library in Columbus devoted exclusively to the creative output of Ohio writers and songwriters, has a delightful festival each May to celebrate Ohio books and writers. Local editor and author’s collaborator Carol Cartaino of Seaman headed up a panel at this year’s festival on May 12 at Fort Hayes titled Publishing 101 — Everything You Need to Know About Getting Published.

Ed and Helen Hiestand will soon experience the joy of Christmas all over again when they deliver gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in Uganda. The Hiestands will travel to Africa this month as part of a special team with Operation Christmas Child.

The Ohio Senate has approved a number of reform measures for four of the five state public pension systems.

Although it's still more than three months away, the musical entertainment lineup for the 2012 Highland County Fair is beginning to take shape. According to Highland County Fair Board member Jeff McCoy, this year's county fair will host two prominent entertainers – David Wayne on Wednesday, Sept. 5, and Wilburn & Wilburn on Thursday, Sept. 6.

Although it's still more than three months away, the musical entertainment lineup for the 2012 Highland County Fair is beginning to take shape. According to Highland County Fair Board member Jeff McCoy, this year's county fair will host two prominent entertainers – David Wayne on Wednesday, Sept. 5, and Wilburn & Wilburn on Thursday, Sept. 6.

The Mowrystown FFA and FFA Alumni will host a tractor and antique machinery show and farmhand auction on Saturday, June 16 at Whiteoak High School, 44 North High Street, Mowrystown.

State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed Substitute House Bill 360, which revises the amount and methods of collections and remittance of the wireless 9-1-1 charge for prepaid wireless services, to take effect in 2013.