Is it legal to set off fireworks in Marysville? And Project Lifesaver is looking to expand

Give us a few moments and we'll serve up what matters in Marysville on Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Joe C.

Jul 01, 2025

In this edition, sponsored by Martinizing Cleaners on Emmaus Road:

We crack open the almanac to see if any local records were broken by last week's heat

With the 4th coming up, is it legal to set off fireworks in Marysville?

A bench trial has been scheduled for a man who pulled a gun at Stephen's Lounge last week

Bond is set for a woman arrested after the June 20 shooting on Allenby Drive

A look at commercial development in Marysville

And Project Lifesaver is looking to expand its services in Union County

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Did we set any record temperatures last week?

Even though it was sweltering last week, we didn't break any official records for high temperatures in Marysville last week.

At least that is according to the official data tracked by the National Weather Service, which is collected at the Union County Airport.

While temperatures reached the mid to upper-90s several days, we weren't close to the record highs of 101 set back in 1988 for Wednesday and a record high of 101 set in 2012 for Saturday.

It's looking like good weather this holiday weekend in the 43040 area, with sunshine and 88°F forecast for Friday and sunshine and 90°F forecast for Saturday.

Are fireworks legal to set off in Marysville?

person holding fire cracker shallow focus photography — Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

With Independence Day coming up on Friday, it’s not uncommon to hear fireworks being launched in the city.

Is that legal?

According to Marysville Police Chief Tony Brooks, it is not. The City code prohibits all fireworks in the city limits except for sparklers, snappers, snakes or smoke devices.

Only a licensed exhibitor is allowed to use 1.3 G fireworks meant for displays.

Violations of the City ordinance can lead to misdemeanor charges and up to a $1,000 fine.

With regard to the local fireworks display on Saturday evening, the Marysville Fire Division will be on hand to oversee the event.

"Our Community Risk Reduction Bureau will be working closely with the vendor on Saturday at the Union County Fairgrounds to ensure all safety regulations are followed for the local fireworks display," said Fire Chief Nathan Burns

Bench trial set for man who pulled gun at uptown bar

A Marysville man entered a not guilty plea to a 1st degree misdemeanor charge of aggravated menacing following his arrest for pulling a gun at Stephen's Lounge in uptown Marysville Thursday night.

22-year-old Samuel McNeely will face a bench trial in Marysville Municipal Court on July 23.

McNeely is prohibited from possessing any weapons or ammunition and was ordered to turn over any other firearms to the Marysville Police Department. He was also ordered to avoid any contact with the victim he threatened with the weapon on Thursday evening.

He was released on his own recognizance.

Bond set for woman involved in Allenby Drive Shooting

A Marysville woman remained in the Tri-County Jail on Monday after her bail was set at $100,000 in Municipal Court.

35-year-old Chandilier Gee is facing multiple charges following an incident overnight on June 20, 2025.

When Marysville Police arrived at the scene on Allenby Drive, they found a man who had been shot in the foot. Brandon Brown was taken to Memorial Hospital and then transported to OSU Medical Center in Columbus.

Gee allegedly lied to police investigators regarding her knowledge of a firearm in the residence. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Brown and Gee were intoxicated when the shooting occurred. Gee hid the firearm in a trash can. Gee allegedly stated to investigators that the shooting was an accident. She later changed her story to say Brown had the firearm when it went off.

The case has been handed over to the county prosecutor’s office.

Gee faces charges of felonious assault, obstruction of official business, tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor charge of using a weapon while intoxicated.

Minor injuries in Friday PM US 33 crash

A Bellefontaine woman was cited for unreasonable speed after rear-ending another vehicle on westbound US 33 on Friday afternoon.

The collision occurred around 4:05 p.m., according to a report filed by the Marysville Police Department.

38-year-old Kelly Holley was slowing in stop-and-go traffic when she rear-ended a car driven by 42-year-old Matthew Roeckner of Marysville.

Holley was transported to Memorial Hospital by Marysville Fire EMS for treatment of minor injuries.

Elderly Mechanicsburg woman killed in US 36 crash

An 82-year-old woman died in a head-on collision on US 36 in Delaware County on Saturday. The crash happened around 5 p.m., according to the Delaware County Post of the State Highway Patrol.

Brenda Farley of Mechanicsburg was pronounced dead at the scene. The teenage driver of the other vehicle was transported to a Columbus hospital.

The teen driver reportedly crossed the center line and hit Farley's vehicle head-on, and then both vehicles went off the road into ditches.

The fatal accident remains under investigation.

Commercial and industrial projects in the pipeline in 43040

A screenshot of a building

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

According to a new website launched by the City of Marysville last week, all the hurdles have been cleared for the construction of a Starbucks/Chipotle on the parcel of land between Kroger and McDonald's on W Fifth Street.

The website reports that the project has received city approval, as well as engineering and zoning approval from the County. So, when will dirt move? No one seems to know.

Among other items of interest published on the site regarding commercial and industrial growth in the community, a total of 11 projects are either pending, approved, or under construction. The commercial sites represent a total of 106,019 square feet of potential investment in the community.

Along with Starbucks & Chipotle, Dairy Queen, Dunkin Donuts, and Chick-fil-A are on the list. Also included are four multi-tenant buildings, including one on Columbus Avenue, one on Coleman's Crossing, one at Woodside, and an outparcel lot in front of Lowe’s.

Above: A map of commercial and industrial projects in the pipeline in Marysville

The commercial proposals pale in comparison from a square footage standpoint to the industrial proposals in the pipeline.

The OPUS building, a multi-tenant spec building in the Innovation Park, boasts 252,373 square feet of new industrial space.

And the Amazon Web Services data center, as proposed, would add 438,600 additional square feet of industrial space, also in the Innovation Park.

Is someone in your household eligible to sign up for Project Lifesaver?

Above: UCSO Sgt. Shawn Dyer provides a briefing for local first responders at the Union County Fairgrounds on Monday

Project Lifesaver in Union County is open for enrollment.

It's a program that provides a layer of protection to locate individuals with cognitive disabilities who may be prone to wander.

Sherry Sheares has been on the Project Lifesaver Board since its inception by former Sheriff Rocky Nelson.

"The more population we get in the county, probably the more we're going to need it," she told me at the training on Monday.

"Not always do people think first responders do something like this," Sheares said. "I think it's neat that we are showcasing it and letting people know that it is available."

At a training for first responders on Monday hosted by Union County Sheriff Mike Justice, Sgt. Shawn Dyer told me that they are looking to enroll more eligible clients.

"Project Lifesaver is for anyone who may have an issue with Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, anything that would cause that person to have a propensity to wander from their families," Dyer, who is with the Sheriff's Office.

He said the program is for all ages who have a caregiver with them 24/7. A recommendation from a physician is also required.

"It gives them that peace of mind."

How to apply?

Sgt. Dyer advises those interested to reach out to him at the Sheriff's Office.

"The Project Lifesaver committee of Union County reviews the application. Once it is approved, I would do the home visit, talk about the program in more detail, and install the transmitter on their loved one's arm or leg."

Above: The Lifesaver device is worn like a wristwatch by clients signed up. It emits a battery-powered radio signal that can be tracked by a receiver

The device is as small as a watch and fits on a wristband. It uses a simple radio signal and acts as a homing beacon if the client wanders away from their home.

He said the Sheriff's office checks in with participants every 60 days to check in with the family.

There are roughly a dozen participants in the county right now.

"Our goal is to keep growing this. We do not have a limit," he said, noting the program is funded by donations and volunteer time.

He said that just this year, the Project Lifesaver technology has been used to locate two local individuals who wandered away from home.

At the training on Monday, participants from Marysville Fire, Jerome Fire, Northwestern Fire, Plain City Police, Richwood Police, Union County Sheriff deputies, and dispatchers were taught how to use the technology effectively.

A need for more equipment

Above: The Sheriff’s Office is looking for local partners to help purchase additional Lifesaver receivers, like the one above

Sgt. Dyer says their goal is to expand the program to all corners of the County.

"The kits themselves are just a little under $2,000. They do last; they are very hardy. The benefit of having them spread around the county would be a better response time. Having more receivers would be a benefit to the program."

If you are interested in helping the program acquire new equipment or enrollment of a loved one, contact the Union County Sheriff's Office and ask for Sgt. Dyer.

"I hope we can get outside sources, people within the community who are willing to donate and continue to do these things," said Mrs. Sheares. "The biggest part of it is the peace of mind it gives to that caregiver and their ability to find that person as quickly as possible."

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