Fayette Solar presents case
By Tim Colliver - tcolliver@aimmediamidwest.com
The highlighted part of this coverage map shows the parameters of Fayette Solar, provided by National Grid Renewables. Fayette Solar is proposed to occupy 517 acres of land in southeastern Fayette County, just across the Highland County/Fayette County line between Bonner, Barrett and Beatty Roads, and a segment of northeastern Highland County, roughly one-half mile north of Greenfield, with connection to the electric grid at the existing Greenfield substation.
Tim Colliver | The Times-Gazette
The company behind the proposed Fayette Solar solar array system held an open house Thursday evening to acquaint those in Greenfield and Madison Township with its plans for a 47.5-megawatt solar panel farm, of which 7.5 megawatts of photovoltaic cells are slated to be built just one-half mile north of Greenfield.
Tempers flare at solar forum
By Tim Colliver - tcolliver@aimmediamidwest.com
State Rep. Shane Wilkin (left) listens to one of the concerned citizens who packed the Lynchburg fire station Tuesday night to express both concern and anger regarding a trio of solar panel farms proposed to be built near the village. At center, back to camera, is David Gingerich, who was the moderator and a member of Clinton County/Highland County Citizens Concerned About Solar Farms.
Tim Colliver | The Times-Gazette
It was standing room only at the Lynchburg fire station for Tuesday’s solar farm discussion. Organizers of the event estimated nearly 200 people were in attendance.
Ratcliff named new JFS director
By Tim Colliver - tcolliver@aimmediamidwest.com
Ratcliff
Jeremy Ratcliff, former director of the Highland County Probation Department, has been given the nod to lead the Highland County Job & Family Services office as its new director.
The announcement was made by the Highland County commissioners, who met in special executive session Friday morning as commissioner David Daniels put forth the motion, which was seconded by vice president Terry Britton, to hire Ratcliff, current director of court treatment at the Talbert House in Cincinnati.
According to information supplied by the commissioners office, Ratcliff is a Wilmington College and Western Governors University graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in social and political studies/criminal justice from Wilmington College before going on to achieve a Master of Science Management and Leadership degree from WGU’s College of Business in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sabina man given prison time
Dettwiller
HILLSBORO A Highland County jury found a Sabina man guilty of two counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, both fourth-degree felonies, this week and Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss rendered sentencing the same day.
Joshua J.J. Dettwiller, 29, was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for stealing the same vehicle on two separate occasions in December 2020, plus got additional prison time for violating the terms of community control from a prior felony conviction.
According to the original indictment, the first incident occurred on Dec. 6, 2020 in Greenfield, when a woman reported that her black Dodge Caravan had been stolen from her residence overnight.
Tempers flare at solar forum
By Tim Colliver - tcolliver@aimmediamidwest.com
It was standing room only at the Lynchburg fire station for Tuesday’s solar farm discussion. Organizers of the event estimated nearly 200 people were in attendance.
Tim Colliver | The Times-Gazette
LYNCHBURG One concerned citizen called the area “the wild west of solar panels,” and it was a frustrated, exasperated and at times hostile crowd that greeted State Rep. Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) in the Lynchburg fire station Tuesday evening.
The standing room only event was called to allow private citizens whose property either bordered on or was adjacent to any of the three proposed solar panel farms in the Lynchburg area to air their grievances about perceived devaluation of property values, loss of productive farm land, wildlife and health concerns, and fears of pollution of ground water.