FOSTORIA — One of northern Ohio’s largest lenders for farmers, rural homeowners and agribusiness recently declared a patronage refund of 30.03 percent for 2017, resulting in $24.1 million refunded to its member borrowers. This patronage payment provides a refund to the lending cooperative’s shareholders of 30 cents for every dollar they accrued in interest on their loans for the past year.

This is an opportune time to take another look at farming operations and determine if there are areas that could benefit from the establishment of one or more conservation practices. For instance, does a farm have a ditch or stream running through that needs a filter strip?

BUCYRUS — Not many schools in the state of Ohio will win the Ohio Department of Education’s Momentum Award. Even fewer will win the award in back-to-back years.

Upper Sandusky Mayor Scott Washburn read a proclamation Monday morning declaring April 30 as Arbor Day in the city of Upper Sandusky.

Upper Sandusky middle school and elementary students helped plan a blue spruce Monday morning at Duck Pond Park as part of the city’s Arbor Day celebration.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is reporting that the Ohio 53 overpass above U.S. 23/U.S. 30, north of Upper Sandusky, will be affected by a bridge repair project. Work is being performed by R&I Construction, Tiffin.

Upper Sandusky Elks No. 83 recently donated $2,000 to the Upper Sandusky Parks so that all restrooms could be equipped with baby changing stations. Pictured with City Park Manager Keith Neiderkohr is Jacie Lehman and ER Stefeni Wessler.

A craft fair was held at St. Peter School on Sunday. Over 40 venders put their wares on display for a steady stream of attendees.

The Upper Sandusky High School Alumni Association donated $1,000 recently to the Upper Sandusky Academic Boosters. Pictured are (from left) Upper Sandusky Academic Booster President Karen Fritz, Upper Sandusky Alumni Treasurer Deanna Piecha, Jerry Taylor and Neil Kanley from the class of 1948.

CAREY — Ground recently was broken for the foundation of a planned $7 million medical clinic in Carey, an expansion of Blanchard Valley Health Systems in the area. The new medical center will be 15,800 square feet, nearly 10 times larger than the current 1,600 square-foot doctor’s office in Carey, which is practiced by Dr. Troy Puckett.