Union Co. bucks national measles trend. Several uptown projects are before the Design Review Board tonight. And quick action prevents Plum Street fire.
Give us a few moments and we'll serve up what matters in Marysville on Wednesday, July 9, 2025
In this edition, sponsored by Memorial Health
It was mostly quiet on local roadways over the holiday weekend
Local fire crews prevented a Plum Street home from going up in flames
An uptick in measles is trending nationally, but how about Union County?
Several uptown projects are before the City Design Review Board tonight
And details on the 2025 Summer Farm Fest
But first, a word from today’s sponsor
Parents of student-athletes, this one is for you!👇👇👇
Parents and student-athletes: Don’t forget that the deadline for fall sports physicals is August 1.
So, why choose Memorial Health for your student-athlete’s physical?
1️⃣ On your schedule! Book an appointment according to your schedule. Remember, completed sports physicals are due before your athlete starts their season!
2️⃣ With your team physician! By scheduling with Memorial, your student will be seen by one of the team physicians (if your school is in Memorial’s Sports Medicine network).
3️⃣ Memorial Health offers two convenient locations, appointments over 12 months, and the best, caring expert sports medicine team!🧡
And Memorial Health covers physicals for grades 7-12 and for all sports!
Click here for more details!
Quiet holiday weekend on Union County roads
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 10 people lost their lives in 10 traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, which began Thursday, July 3, at midnight and ended Sunday, July 6, at 11:59 p.m.
In seven of the fatalities in which safety belts were available, six were unbelted (86%).
Statewide, troopers also made 404 arrests for impaired driving and 73 for drug-related charges. The Patrol responded to 482 crashes and made 30,403 traffic contacts in total. Troopers also assisted 2,012 motorists.
In Union County, the Marysville post of the State Patrol responded to 313 calls, but no serious accidents.
Infant transported following US 33/Post Road collision
Jerome Township EMS crews transported a Marysville infant to Nationwide Children's Hospital following a three-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon around 1:30 p.m.
According to a report filed by the Union County Sheriff's Office, 18-year-old Hailey Topp of Wapakoneta was westbound on US 33 and swerved out of her lane to avoid a vehicle that was attempting to merge from the Post Road entrance ramp.
Topp then struck another west-bound vehicle operated by a Columbus driver, and then back into the merging vehicle operated by 41-year-old Margaret Graham of Marysville. An infant in the Graham vehicle was transported for possible minor injuries.
Topp was cited for failure to drive in marked lanes.
Plum Street house fire prevented
Marysville Fire Division crews were able to prevent damage to an unoccupied residence on South Plum Street on Monday.
Crews were dispatched to a report of a fire at 755 S. Plum around 6:15 a.m. When they arrived, they found a small mulch fire that appeared to have caught a window air conditioner on fire. The flames were quickly extinguished. Crews had to force their way into the empty home. The only damage was to the AC unit.
The case was reported to the State Fire Marshall's office per the report filed by MFD.
The fire caused roughly $2,000 in damage.
Measles may be trending nationally, but not in Union County
Several recent reports have been published about a rise in the rate of measles in many parts of the country.
But for now, it's not an issue in Union County, where our local health department experts have been keeping an eye on the situation.
"We have not had any cases among Union County residents this year or the past several years," reported Health Department spokesperson Jennifer Thrush. "We are certainly staying prepared in light of the national trends."
She said there have been more investigations over the past few years--five since 2022.
"Some of these are very quickly ruled out, and others have been ruled out after further testing."
At the national level
Between January 1 and April 4, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been notified of 607 confirmed U.S. cases of measles in 22 jurisdictions and six outbreaks.
2% of reported measles cases this year in the United States have been hospitalized.
There have been 2 confirmed deaths from measles, and 1 death under investigation.
Staying cool at the pool over the holiday
Great weather over the holiday weekend made for great attendance at the Marysville Municipal Swimming Pool.
According to data provided by the city, season and daily pass holders numbered 2,526 between July 2 and July 5.
The best-attended day was July 3, when 832 pass-holders checked in at the gate.
On July 4, 631 were on hand.
The pool remains open through August 10, from Noon to 8 p.m.
The pool will close early today at 4:30 p.m. for a swim meeting, so plan ahead.
Tax repeal misses ballot deadline
Backers of a petition to ask Ohio voters to repeal property taxes statewide officially conceded last week that they will not be able to get the issue on the November ballot.
The Committee to Abolish Ohio's Property Taxes is now targeting the November 2026 election to ask voters to approve the issue.
Local government services at the county, township, and city levels are heavily reliant on property taxes to fund local services.
With no alternative funding method, several elected officials I've talked to worry about the ability to maintain even basic safety services like police and fire protection if the repeal is ever approved by voters.
Plans to remodel uptown building go before DRB tonight
A plan to remodel the 2nd and 3rd floor spaces of an uptown building will go before the Marysville Design Review Board this evening.
The intent is to turn the upper floors of 113-115 North Main into multi-family apartments. The first floor will remain available for commercial use.
If a certificate of appropriateness is approved, the game plan is to also spruce up the outside of the building, including replacement of the building storefront, cleaning/repairing of brick, replacing windows, doors, and trim.
The building, originally built in the late 1800's was last updated in the 1940s.
Historic Liggett Building upgrades
Also, up for consideration are paint and window upgrades for the historic Liggett building on East 5th Street.
Water and Light exterior and landscaping plan
And the Design Review Board will be going over the Exterior and Landscaping plans for Phase 1 of the Water and Light development on North Main.
The applicant, Connect Realty, is proposing to construct two new multi-family buildings with access drives, parking lots, and associated landscaping. A PUD Development Plan was approved by the Planning Commission in October 2024 and City Council in December 2024.
The first phase construction will include 300+ parking spaces, and the two four-story buildings will include 256 multi-family units in 1 and 2-bedroom configurations.
The Design Review Board meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Summer Farm Fest slated for August 3
The Union County Republican Party’s third annual Summer Farm Fest is slated for August 3.
The keynote speaker will be Vivek Ramaswamy, the leading Republican Candidate running to replace Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. Ramaswamy unsuccessfully ran for president last year.
“We make this a fun, family event, and have bounce houses, hayrides, Fire Dept. touch-a-truck, a DJ as well as locally owned food trucks and an ice cream truck,” said Union County Republican Party Chairwoman Sarah Herbert.
“We feel like the event is unique because it gives people the opportunity to hear from a lot of different elected officials, bring their family along, and have a bit of fun.”
General admission is free, and people can come hear from Vivek as well as many elected officials and organizations.
The event is hosted at the farm of Dean Cook, located at 20158 Wolford-Maskill Road.
Residents who are interested in table reservations or event sponsorships can contact Gary Conklin of the Summer Farm Fest Subcommittee at 614-314-5236 or broker766@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading Marysville Matters!
Timely. Fact-based. Unbiased. Locally curated. No fillers.
If you found value in today’s newsletter:
Hit the LIKE button
SHARE the newsletter with a friend or neighbor
SUBSCRIBE for FREE daily updates straight to your inbox.
A big thank you to our sponsor, Memorial Health!
Have a great Wednesday!
-Joe C.