The legal battle over the federal health overhaul has not been tidy. Within months of its passage, 26 separate lawsuits were filed against it, several involving states. In the year-and-a-half since, federal courts have ruled both for and against the law and appeals decisions have varied widely. But this week, all eyes were on just one case — Florida v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Fall wild turkey hunting opens in 48 Ohio counties on Saturday, October 8, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. The season continues through Sunday, November 27.

The most populated county in the new 15th Congressional District – which includes Highland County – is Franklin.

On Friday, Sept. 30, petitioners seeking a referendum on House Bill 194 filed more than 318,000 signatures with Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office. The Secretary of State’s office must now determine if petitioners have gathered the required number of valid signatures – 231,147 or six percent of the total vote cast for Governor in 2010. Secretary Husted will direct the 88 county boards of election to have the validation of signatures completed after the November Election.

A Greenfield man was sentenced to two years in prison Friday for his involvement in an alleged heroin trafficking ring. 

Frank Parr was arrested in August after he was indicted on charges of first-degree felony engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, drug possession, drug trafficking and trafficking in drugs in the vicinity of a school. 

Highland County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Chris Bowen has been suspended for five days, Sheriff Ron Ward reported today. Bowen, 39, of Hillsboro and Kendi S. Jordan, 26, of Leesburg were charged with disorderly conduct at approximately 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, after officers from the police department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to an altercation at the Ole Depot, at 421 N. West St., Hillsboro.

Sen. Portman: 'I’m disappointed that the Department of Energy’s inaction has led to potential layoffs in Piketon. Three years after President Obama promised hope, the workers are receiving WARN notices instead. I’ve been a strong advocate for ACP’s loan guarantee due to the energy security and national security aspects it provides, and the 4,000 jobs it would add to Southern Ohio, an area with employment rates as high as 15 percent.'

The Colony Theatre will host a membership drive Saturday, Oct. 1, from 2-6 p.m., and will introduce the Highland County community to the new mission and direction the theatre will be taking in its coming seasons.

Gov. John R. Kasich has announced the appointment of Douglas William Boedeker of Washington Court House (Fayette Co.) to serve as a member of the Southern State Community College Board of Trustees for a term beginning September 28, 2011 and ending May 11, 2016.

The Highland County Board of Commissioners have agreed to a recommendation by Highland County Job and Family Services Director Debbie Robbins to terminate the employment of Kendi Jordan, who works in the Children Services Department of JFS. The termination of employment is effective immediately, according to commission president Shane Wilkin.