The Highland County Board of Realtors presented a $1,000 check to Samaritan Outreach Services Wednesday, Oct. 10. The funds, generated through the Realtors' summer fundraising bowling event at Highland Lanes, will be used to purchase personal hygiene items, household cleaning products and fresh produce for area families in need of assistance.

Secretary of State Jon Husted has announced that he will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to make the final determination on whether the General Assembly of the State of Ohio or the federal courts should set Ohio election laws.

Moving Ohio’s outsourced Statewide Student Identifier system (SSID) to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) could save more than $430,000 annually, or $4.3 million over a 10-year period, according to an interim performance audit report released this week by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The Attorney General's Office is partnering with the Ohio Department of Health and the Drug Free Action Alliance to invite southern Ohio's law enforcement agencies to participate in the newly established Ohio Prescription Drug Drop Box Program.

The Hillsboro Area Branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women), in conjunction with WVNU-FM and The Highland County Press, will hold the annual AAUW Candidates Forum Monday, Oct. 8, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Southern State Community College’s Central Campus in Hillsboro. The forum is a free event and open to the public.

“It was another great turnout and I’d like to thank the community for their continued support of the foundation,” HDH Foundation Director Cathy Jones said. “We couldn’t have done this without all the volunteers from the hospital who were out here bright and early to help set everything up.”

“It was another great turnout and I’d like to thank the community for their continued support of the foundation,” HDH Foundation Director Cathy Jones said. “We couldn’t have done this without all the volunteers from the hospital who were out here bright and early to help set everything up.”

On Oct. 3, the Highland County Sheriff's Office investigated a breaking and entering complaint at a property located on Millerstown Road.

On Oct. 3, the Highland County Sheriff's Office investigated a breaking and entering complaint at a property located on Millerstown Road.

Auditor of State Dave Yost has released an interim report concerning the review of school attendance practices in Ohio, which showed irregularities and made initial recommendations to improve the system.

The 31st National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will honor 80 firefighters who died in 2011 and five firefighters who died in previous years during the official national service on Sunday, Oct. 7, at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.

The October meeting of the Highland County TEA Party will be Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Hi-TEC Center at 1575 North High Street, Hillsboro. The meeting will include guest speakers Rep. Cliff Rosenberger and a representative for Second Congressional District candidate Dr. Brad Wenstrup.

The Hillsboro Police Department is investigating criminal damaging that occurred at the Hillsboro City Schools Administration Building on West Main Street.

The positive news this week that the state of Ohio has approved the Highland/Clinton Help Me Grow initiative also brought less-favorable news that the need for these services continues to increase.

As Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October is a time for all communities to learn about domestic violence; promote laws, policies, and programs to improve services to victims; hold offenders accountable; and do their part to help prevent domestic violence within their communities.