Briefs: Gov. DeWine announces over $42 million in demolition funding

Marion County Land Reutilization Corporation awarded demolition funding

COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have awarded over $42.1 million in grant funding to help communities in nearly every Ohio county turn blighted properties into new opportunities that attract investment, business and jobs.

Eighty-seven counties will receive up to $500,000 in grants as part of the first phase of the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, which funds the demolition of dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and the revitalization of surrounding properties. Among those receiving $500,000 is the Marion County Land Reutilization Corporation.

In total, approximately $150 million in grants will be awarded for demolition and revitalization projects across the state in coming months. As part of the program's initial round of funding, $500,000 was set aside for all of Ohio's 88 counties through June 30. The program's remaining funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to counties that applied for funding in excess of $500,000.

New Bloomington business celebrates silver anniversary

NEW BLOOMINGTON — Marion Area Chamber Ambassadors marked 25 years in business for Sneed Business Services with a ribbon cutting on Friday.

Doris Sneed Rapp, owner/accountant, started the business in Delaware county on July 1, 1997. In 1999, the company moved to Marion. Currently the business is operating at 1067 Osbun Road in New Bloomington.

Sneed Rapp specializes in tax preparation, accounting and payroll. She is also a notary for the State of Ohio. Her home-based business operates all year round with normal operating hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Saturdays and Sundays are by appointment only.

For more information, call 740-499-2903 or 740-815-0043 and follow her on Facebook .

Ohio fatalities decreased over 4th of July holiday

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 16 people lost their lives in 16 traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, which began Friday and ended Monday. Impairment was determined to be a factor in four of those crashes.

Troopers made 444 arrests for impaired driving and 239 for drug-related charges. The Patrol responded to 559 crashes and made more than 33,000 traffic contacts in total. Troopers also provided assistance to more than 2,588 motorists.

In Marion County, there were 518 recorded incidents.

During last year’s Fourth of July reporting period, a total of 21 fatal crashes killed 23 people. Of those, 12 crashes and 12 fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs.

VBS starts Sunday at Prospect Street United Methodist

Vacation Bible School at Prospect Street United Methodist Church, 185 S. Prospect St. in Marion, kicks off Sunday and runs through Thursday for children in preschool through those going into sixth grade. Registration begins at 5:45 p.m.

For more information, call 740-382-6069.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Briefs: Marion County Land Reutilization Corp gets $500,000 grant