County moves to foreclose on Fiesta Grandé for tax delinquency. Amping up speed enforcement around US 42 construction. Fire fighters foil field fire on Fladt Road.
Give us a few moments and we'll serve up what matters in Marysville on Thursday, July 10, 2025
In this edition, sponsored by 2nd Chances Thrift Stores in uptown Marysville:
County moves to foreclose on delinquent uptown restaurant
Sheriff Justice is amping up traffic enforcement on unofficial detours near the US 42 work
$4M for expansion of the Leesburg fire station in Pharisburg
Tuesday crashes on county roads send 2 to local hospitals
And fire crews foil Fladt Road field flames
But first, a word from today's sponsor
Beat the Heat and enjoy summer bargains!
Shorts, t-shirts, swimwear, pool inflatables, patio furniture, grilling tools, coolers, fans, ice machines, and more!
Shop-donate-Volunteer, knowing that 100% of profits are donated back to Union County emergency assistance and to subsidize Christian education at Trinity Lutheran School & Lifewise Academy.
Shop both stores daily 10-7, closed Sunday
Second Chances Thrift Stores, with two locations in uptown Marysville!
County files foreclosure cases against Fiesta Grande owners
Union County officials have filed a foreclosure lawsuit against the owners of Fiesta Grande at 109 North Main Street in Marysville.
In the civil lawsuit filed on behalf of County Treasurer Andrew Smarra by the Union County Prosecutor’s office, the action states the owners of the restaurant owe $16,628 in delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest.
Officials are also pursuing foreclosure on the old Goodwill building at 303 S. Main Street, a local eyesore that has been the focus of recent litigation by the City of Marysville Zoning Department.
In the foreclosure case filed by the county, it states that the owner, Fresnillo LLC, owes the county $19,205 in delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties, and interest.
Fresnillo owner Cristian Bravo was fined in Marysville Municipal Court this year for failure to comply with zoning regulations regarding the upkeep of the 303 S. Main Street building.
Mr. Smarra's office has been teaming up with the Prosecutor's office this year to pursue the top delinquent tax accounts in the County through legal action. He recently shared that the approach has proven effective.
Developmental Disabilities renewal levy approved for November ballot
The Union County Board of Developmental Disabilities will ask voters to renew a 3.8 mill five-year operating levy on the November ballot.
The Union County Commissioners took the final step to approve the levy ask of County voters.
The levy, if renewed, will continue to charge $57 for each $100,000 of valuation from county property owners.
The renewal levy will generate $5.55 million to fund the ongoing operations of the UCBDD, which serves households across the county.
"This levy has not increased taxes for anyone since 2002, and the only increased revenue we have experienced from this levy comes from new construction since 2002," UCBDD Executive Director Kara Brown told us in May.
“We are asking to maintain the same revenue from the 3.8 mill levy we have had for the last 23 years.”
Increased enforcement planned for US 42 road work
If you are inclined to take county backroads to get around the US 42 construction work in the eastern and southern part of the county, expect to see more traffic enforcement from the Union County Sheriff's Office.
The US 42 repaving project began this week with a southbound traffic detour. For instance, you aren't currently able to make a left-hand turn coming out of the Kroger at Ravenhill.
"We're going to pick up some extra patrols on the side roads," Sheriff Mike Justice told the Union County Commissioners on Wednesday.
Northbound traffic is being maintained during the project, which runs from US 33 up to SR 745. Southbound traffic is subject to rolling closures and detours.
The Sheriff's Office is also implementing targeted traffic enforcement in Jerome Township, with the Township picking up the tab.
In terms of extra wear and tear on county and township roads being used by motorists as unposted detours, ODOT has a deal with the contractor to come back and make repairs, according to information shared by County Administrator Bill Narducci.
Leesburg Township to get loan for fire station upgrade
Leesburg Township has received approval for a $4M low-interest loan from the USDA to upgrade fire station facilities.
The loan will be used to modernize and upgrade the Leesburg Township fire station. Leesburg is part of the Northwest Fire District.
“This taxpayer-funded loan is another shining example of the bold actions the Trump Administration and Secretary Rollins are taking to empower rural America," USDA stated in a press release.
"Protecting and preserving the quintessential American way of life continues to be at the forefront of USDA Rural Development’s mission, and I am pleased we could invest in Ohio’s dedicated first responders in this significant way.”
The Northwestern Joint Fire District serves the Townships of Leesburg, Liberty, Taylor, and York in Union County, Ohio. The $4 million in Rural Development loan funds will be used to construct an expansion to the Leesburg Township Fire Department’s fire station.
This new 6,005 square foot expansion will include a training room to keep staff able, amenities such as barracks to allow late-night responses, a radio room to assist in multi-township communication efforts, and office space to assist in the administration of the district.
This loan will ensure that the first responders of Northwestern Joint Fire District are both capable and able to provide fire protection services to the 6,392 residents who live in the townships it serves.
"It's a good win for the area," said County Administrator Bill Narducci.
"The Channel 10 presentation was a little curious because they interviewed people in Richwood, which is in another fire district," quipped County Commissioner Steve Robinson.
Darby Township considers options for public safety officer
On July 16, Darby Township residents are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to proceed to provide public safety in conjunction with the Union County Sheriff's Office.
A levy that funds the Sheriff's Office's public safety officer contract is set to expire in 2026.
A meeting is then scheduled for the next evening, July 17, for potential action.
Two transported in separate crashes on Tuesday
One person was transported to Memorial Hospital following a Tuesday morning crash in the 12000 block of Watkins Road.
It happened around 9:15 a.m.
According to the Union County Sheriff's Office, deputies and units from the Marysville Fire
The department responded to the crash involving a 1998 Dodge Ram truck that lost control, drove off the roadway, struck a tree, and then came to rest in a farm field. One person was transported to Memorial Hospital.
The driver, David J. Ewing, age 38 of Ostrander, was issued a traffic citation for failure to control.
Later in the day, around 1:15 p.m., deputies, EMS crews, and the State Patrol were called to another injury accident in the 32000 block of SR 31.
A 2016 Kenworth tractor and trailer lost control and rolled over.
One person was transported to Hardin County Memorial Hospital, and the Ohio State Patrol handled the crash investigation.
Fladt Road wheat field scorched by fire
Marysville Fire Division, along with crews from Jerome Township and Pleasant Valley Joint Fire, responded to a fire in a field on Tuesday evening.
When crews arrived on the scene, they found approximately 1 acre of a wheat field near Brown-Moder Road in flames.
Crews spoke with the landowner and advised him to till around the fire if possible to prevent it from rekindling, but the farmer did not wish to do so.
The cause of the fire was undetermined. And no damage estimate was provided in the report filed by the Marysville Fire Division.
State regulators move to create data center charge
Residents have expressed concerns about the impact of data centers on the power grid. They aren't the only ones.
Central Ohio is a hotspot for data center development, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is taking action to protect the grid and future rates for Ohio residents.
On Wednesday, the PUCO issued an order directing AEP Ohio, which serves Columbus and other parts of central Ohio, to file new tariffs (or fees) applying to data centers.
The order was aligned with a settlement reached by the state, the Ohio Consumers Council, and AEP Ohio.
“Today’s order represents a well-balanced package that safeguards non-data center customers on an industrial and residential level while establishing a dependable and reasonable environment for data centers to continue to thrive within Ohio,” stated PUCO Chair Jenifer French.
In its order, the Commission noted the settlement safeguards other non-data center customers from cost-shifting risks of underused investments made to serve Ohio’s growing data center industry.
The Commission recognized that AEP Ohio is faced with unprecedented load growth. That requires the company to construct significant electric transmission infrastructure to serve data center customers in its territory.
Thanks for reading Marysville Matters!
Every day, thousands of readers open their email, anticipating their daily dose of local news--free of charge and free of filler.
It's hard to believe Marysville Matters is approaching our 4,000th subscriber. The fact that this outlet for timely, fact-based local news and information didn't exist last year at this time underscores the strong desire of residents to be informed.
So much happens in Union County every day. And the newsletter is an attempt to keep you up to date so that you can be equipped to have informed and constructive conversations.
The quality of a community is, in part, determined by how many of its citizens are equipped with facts.
If you found value in today's newsletter:
Hit the LIKE button
HELP spread the word. Share the newsletter with a friend or neighbor.
Subscribe for FREE daily updates, straight to your inbox!
And let the folks at 2nd Chances Thrift Stores know you appreciate their sponsorship of the newsletter when you stop by this week!
Have a great Thursday!
-Joe C.