Residents of Pemberville, OH will vote on an income tax levy on this year’s ballot. According to Mayor Carol Bailey, the town hasn’t voted on an income tax levy since 1976. 

Town administrators say that funding is running low with a current income tax of 1%. The town is asking the public for a 0.5% increase in this year’s ballot. There has been no income tax increase for almost 20 years after the town got rid of reciprocity in 2006. Since then, the town has split its income tax fund 60% to general funds and 40% to permanent improvements. The goal is to eventually split the general and permanent improvement funds 50/50 in the future by rebuilding the town’s general fund.

If the levy does not pass, then it will be placed on next year’s ballot in May.

The Seneca County Board of Elections is reminding voters that November 3 at 5 p.m. will be the last day for early, in-office voting. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find a polling location follow this link: https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/seneca/. Once you do that, click on the precinct and pilling location, click polling place search, and then enter your information. 

If you are filling out an absentee ballot, they need to be postmarked and sent out by November 4. You can also drop off ballots at the BOE office on Election Day by 7:30 p.m. There is a drop box at the office that is available 24/7. The Seneca County BOE Office is at 71 S Washington St., Suite 1101, in Tiffin. If you have questions, call 419-447-4424.

United Way of Hancock County is getting ready for its 2024 Annual Campaign by calling it "Difference Makers". The goal is to raise $2.1 million to put back into the community through grants that cover basic needs for residents. This campaign will run until November 22 and anyone wanting to donate can go to www.uwhancock.org. 

On Wednesday October 2, former Owen’s Community College President, Daniel H. Brown, passed away. Brown was the school’s third president starting in 1984 and eventually retired in June 2001.

He started working at the school in 1966 when it originally opened as Penta Technical College. He played a key role in launching the sports programs during his time at Owens and received induction into the Owens Express Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. Brown helped the school transition from a technical college to a comprehensive community college that allowed students to complete their first two years of a bachelor’s degree and then transfer to a four-year college. While seeing the schools attendance grow from 4,500 students to 17,000 by the time he retired, and a big part of that was lowering the school’s tuition.

Last, after Brown retired, they established a scholarship for his legacy, which has helped 60 students so far.