The Wyandot County Health Board reviewed its budget for 2017 during its monthly meeting at Wyandot Memorial Hospital on Wednesday. A new tax levy that passed on the November ballot further increased the difference between 2017 appropriations and expected revenue compared to the previous year.

On the upcoming New Year’s weekend, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will release the new automated title processing system to the county clerks of courts in the state of Ohio. In preparation for the upgrade, the current system will be unavailable to title offices Dec. 30 and 31.

SYCAMORE — Mohawk Animal Hospital, a new veterinary operation owned by Sally Chevalier, recently opened at 414 W. Seventh Street, Sycamore, after a building renovation project was finished in about six months.

SYCAMORE — The First National Bank of Sycamore is announcing expanded hours effective Jan. 3, according to a news release. At the Sycamore and New Riegel locations, the lobby will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Drive-thrus at the locations will be open until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday.

COLUMBUS — The Buckeye Institute recently released its latest economic freedom report in partnership with the Canadian Fraser Institute. According to the Economic Freedom of North America 2016 report, Ohio ranks 38th in the United States in economic freedom.

Forty-eight attendees of a customer service seminar at the Upper Sandusky Community Library on Tuesday were treated to a free lesson on maintaining good working relationships. The seminar was sponsored by the Upper Sandusky Area Chamber of Commerce, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot Counties and Wyandot County Home Health.

A joint recommendation was accepted during a sentencing hearing for a Pickerington man in Wyandot County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday morning. Jason S. Smith, 40, was sentenced to two years in prison for second-degree drug abuse (possession of heroin).

WHARTON — Three bids were accepted for work inside the village of Wharton corporation limits during a regular village council meeting Tuesday evening. The bids placed by Bryce Walter of J.B. Walter Co. were selected by council to have exclusive rights to village general maintenance, snow removal and trash pickup from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2017.

The Daily Chief-Union office will be closed Monday and Jan. 2 and no newspapers will be printed those days in observance of the Christmas and New Years holidays. The deadline for advertisements for Tuesday’s edition is noon Friday.

CAREY — Carey FFA member Olivia Coppler placed eighth in the state in Division I in the state job interview career development event at Ohio State University. This CDE allows students to have a job interview for any agriculture job.