FREDERICKTOWN -- Firefighter Jason Bostic of the Fredericktown Community Fire District will participate for the second time in the Scott Firefighting Stairclimb benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Over 1,300 firefighters are expected to compete in this year's 17th annual timed climb, which takes firefighters in full gear up 69 floors to the top of Columbia Center in Seattle.

MOUNT VERNON -- After more than 30 years in Mount Vernon, John "Pete"and Mary Dilley are stepping away from the full-time operation of Dilley Funeral Homes. Brent and Gloria (Dickerson) Lasater are taking over the day-to-day operation of the funeral homes in Mount Vernon and Bladensburg.

MOUNT VERNON -- Even though Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation criminal records checks have long been required for teachers and certain other school employees, the Ohio Legislature enacted still more stringent rules through HB 109, which went into effect in November.

WATERFORD -- Fridays are still hopping in Waterford, just not as much as in the summertime. Although it's best known for its seasonal bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, the Owl Creek Produce Auction keeps plugging away all winter long by offering hay, baked goods and more.

MOUNT VERNON -- It's appropriate that "The Padre Polka,"a lively Act I number from "Nunsense II: The Second Coming,"is a parody of "The Beer-Barrel Polka,"because the secret to pulling off this frothy but flawed musical is to barrel on through, hardly ever giving the audience a chance to dwell on the thin plot.