Firehouse construction site visit, Ohio farmer electrocuted, 1 obituary, Buckeye tree celebrates Ohio State national championship
By David Jacobs
The new firehouse is making steady progress, as shown earlier this week, ahead of a projected completion later this year.
The project broke ground on Sept. 12, 2024.
Crews with Simonson Construction are leading the effort.
Funding includes contributions from the Milliron Foundation and a state grant, ensuring resources.
A stormwater retention pond is at the front of the construction site. The pond will remain in place once the new fire station opens, helping to manage water runoff.
AGRICULTURE
Ohio farmer electrocuted while working in field
FAYETTE COUNTY — A farmer died when the farm tractor he was operating struck an overhead power line and became energized in southern Fayette County, authorities said Friday.
Matthew L. Stoll, 45, of Leesburg, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office said.
Investigators said Stoll’s John Deere 7210 tractor, pulling an agricultural sprayer, contacted the line, and he was fatally shocked while exiting the machinery.
"One of the sprayer boom arms was elevated upward and connected with an overhead power line in the field which energized the farm machinery," the sheriff's office said. It is believed that as Mr. Stoll was exiting the machinery, he sustained a fatal electrical shock, authorities added.
South Central Power Company members responded to the scene, ensuring the power was neutralized and the scene was accessible to first responders. They included the Concord-Green Fire Department, Fayette County EMS, and Leesburg EMS.
The Fayette County coroner ruled the death accidental by electrocution.
OBITUARIES
COMMUNITY
Jackson Township’s spring cleanup continues from 8 a.m. to noon today, Saturday, April 26.
OHIO STATE
BUCKEYE TREE PLANTING CELEBRATES OHIO STATE’S NATIONAL TITLE
COLUMBUS — Ohio State football team members celebrated their recent national championship victory with a tree planting ceremony on Thursday.
During the event, players and community members came together to plant an Ohio buckeye tree at Natural Resources Park at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds.
The Ohio buckeye tree is an important symbol to both the State of Ohio and Ohio State University. It was named the state tree of Ohio in 1953, and the buckeye is the namesake of Ohio State’s mascot, Brutus Buckeye. Buckeye trees can be found throughout Ohio, with the highest concentrations in the western half of the state.
“I am so proud of the Ohio State Football team and their amazing journey to win the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff national championship earlier this year,” said Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, who was OSU’s head football coach from 2001-2010.
“Players, coaches, and the entire staff are role models to so many here in the Buckeye State, and this tree celebrates the commitment, hard work, and resiliency this group displayed on their journey to the national championship,” he said.
Visitors can check out the new Ohio buckeye tree during the 2025 Ohio State Fair as well as other events that take place at Natural Resources Park throughout the year.
OHIO OUTDOORS
Top 10 counties: start of Ohio’s wild turkey hunting season
Wild turkey hunters in Ohio checked 4,281 birds during the opening weekend of the spring hunting season, the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported this week.
The season began on Saturday, April 19.
The top 10 counties for wild turkeys checked during the opening weekend of the 2025 season: Belmont (148), Meigs (136), Guernsey (135), Monroe (134), Carroll (122), Coshocton (122), Harrison (116), Washington (116), Columbiana (109), and Muskingum (109).
Wild turkey hunting is open in the 83 counties in the south zone. The season kicks off in Ohio’s northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull) on May 3.
WEATHER
Shelby forecast (live updates)
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Reporter David Jacobs can be reached at davidjacobs@shelbynewsreporter.com