An Upper Sandusky native recently earned a prestigious honor when she was elected president of the Ohio Academic Advising Association. Lydia Rall, a 2004 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, is the senior academic adviser at the Columbus College of Art and Design and has worked there for six years.

The plaque for the Wyandot County Infirmary Cemetery Memorial may have some extra names added after Wednesday’s meeting of the Infirmary Cemetery Memorial committee at the Wyandot County Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

FINDLAY — Blanchard Valley Health System recently has expanded its medical practices by developing an obstetrics and gynecology office in Fostoria. This new practice will be called Blanchard Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology and located at 617 N. Countyline St., Suite B, Fostoria.

The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey hosted the annual novena, culminating with the Vigil of Assumption Tuesday night, the largest yearly event at the Shrine. Pictured, the statue of Our Lady of Consolation is brought down the front steps of the Basilica to be driven to Shrine Park.

The statue of Our Lady of Consolation was delivered to Shrine Park in Carey Tuesday night in a candlelight procession with Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo, who performed a Mass there. People from all around the world travel to Carey for the annual event in a pilgrimage.

Parks Director Keith Niederkohr gave an update on the Bicentennial Park splash pad at Monday’s Upper Sandusky park board meeting. Niederkohr said the sewer and water lines are installed for the splash pad, although it still needs electric run to it.

SYCAMORE — Sycamore Village Council approved hiring a grant writer for a pair of FEMA grants for the Sycamore Volunteer Fire Department during its meeting Tuesday. Fire Chief Rodney Clinger said he found a grant writer while working with other fire departments in an attempt to get a regional grant.

Wyandot County 4-H members were judged for the 2018 animal and garden projects Saturday inside the Arena at the Wyandot County Fairgrounds. Over 200 youth with well over 200 animal projects including horse, rabbit, poultry, goat, sheep, swine, dairy, beef and garden were judged in the biggest pre-fair event.

MARYSVILLE — The Ohio State Fair is the summer’s highlight for many youth livestock exhibitors, and this summer was no exception for Ohio’s youth who won top honors at the Ohio State Fair from July 25 through Aug. 5. The Ohio Expositions Commission awards scholarships to junior beef exhibitors looking to further their education.

SYCAMORE — A memorial bench was dedicated in a ceremony for former Sycamore Police officer William “Bill” Clady on Monday in downtown Sycamore. Clady served the village of Sycamore from 1979 until his retirement in 2003. He died Feb. 1, 2017, at age 73.