Auctioneer Red Shaw got the bidding off to a brisk start at Thursday’s Sale of Champions with John Ruckman’s 133-pound Grand Champion Market Lamb, which was purchased at $8 per pound by AVI Foodsystems on behalf of Kenyon College, a strong supporter of local food initiatives.

Veteran auctioneer Red Shaw presided over Thursday’s Sale of Champions at the Knox County Fair, and he began the event by thanking all prospective bidders for their support of the young people of Knox County. He also praised the youngsters for their character and dedication to agriculture.

Fredericktown’s Kyle Daniels knew immediately what he was going to do with the money from the sale of his Grand Champion Broilers. “I’m saving up to buy pigs for next year,” Daniels said.

While local country music fans are looking forward to tonight’s Lonestar concert at the Knox County Fair, members of the band are looking forward to sharing in the fair experience themselves.

John Walsh, owner of Fredericktown Chevrolet, is somewhat concerned about unconfirmed reports that the Transportation Department suspended the Car Allowance Rebate system as of midnight today.

Major cuts from most Knox County governmental entities will enable the county’s general fund to remain solvent for the remainder of 2009. Jan. 1, 2010, however, may bring an unhappy new year.

Ryan Sponsler, vice president of Donley Auto Group, recently purchased a majority ownership in the Mount Vernon location of Donley Ford Lincoln Mercury. He also holds a minority ownership in Donley’s other dealerships in Galion, Ashland and Shelby.