BELLVILLE — Major routes have reopened in Bellville, but Mayor Teri Brenkus isn’t breathing a sigh of relief just yet. Brenkus said she’s “very concerned” about a resurgence in flooding even as waters continued to recede Saturday afternoon. The height of the Clear Fork Mohican River sat just under 10 feet as of 2:30 p.m. […]
teri brenkus
Posted inCommunity Development
Richland County growth: Food. Solar. Spec buildings. Cannabis dispensaries.
ONTARIO — Fast food, renewable energy, a spec building and recreational cannabis dispensaries. Ongoing economic development takes many forms, according to Richland County mayors. Mayors from eight cities and villages gathered Wednesday to talk about the state of economic development, housing and more during a mayoral panel hosted by the Richland Area Chamber & Economic […]
Posted inElections
Bellville, Jefferson Twp. voters renew operating levies
BELLVILLE — Voters in Bellville and Jefferson Township approved two levy renewals at the polls on Tuesday. Bellville residents renewed a 3-mill, five-year general operating levy for the village. There were 602 votes in favor and 547 votes against, according to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections. Funds from the tax […]
Posted inNews
Brenkus clashes with Bellville council over social media, mayor’s court
BELLVILLE — Facebook drama became official business Tuesday night when Bellville’s village council voted 5-0 to approve a new social media policy. The new policy clarified who can post on the village’s official social media pages, removing access from Mayor Teri Brenkus and other elected officials. Per the ordinance, the village will use one centralized account […]
Posted inNews
Bellville council fires village admin. Larry Weirich ‘without cause’
BELLVILLE — Bellville Village Council voted 5-0 to terminate village administrator Larry Weirich during a special meeting Sunday night. Weirich, who was hired as village administrator in 2015, was fired “without cause.” However, council members said the decision was made due to a conflict of interest stemming from his romantic relationship with Mayor Teri Brenkus. […]
Posted inNews
Bellville mayor has no plans to step down, despite council’s request for her resignation
BELLVILLE — Mayor Teri Brenkus said she has no intention of stepping down, despite a recent request from council. Bellville Village Council voted 6-0 last week to ask for the mayor’s resignation, citing concerns of “moral misconduct and appearance of impropriety.” Council also voted 6-0 to place village administrator Larry Weirich on paid administrative leave […]
Posted inNews
Bellville conducts public forum on proposed cannabis dispensary
BELLVILLE — More than 150 people attended a public forum regarding a proposed dispensary in Bellville. Planning commission will make a recommendation at a later date.
Posted inNews
Bellville council requests mayor’s resignation, places village administrator on leave
BELLVILLE — Members of Bellville Village Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to place its village administrator on leave and request the resignation of its mayor. Larry Weirich was placed on paid administrative leave — effective immediately and until further notice — due to an alleged violation of the village employee handbook. The resolution was passed as […]
Posted inNews
Bellville sets public meeting for input on marijuana dispensary
BELLVILLE — The village of Bellville has scheduled a public meeting for community members to voice their opinions on the operation of a marijuana dispensary within village limits. The meeting will take place March 21 at 5:30 at the Butler Event Center, located at 111 W. Elm Street in Butler. “Thanks goes to Mayor Dingus of […]
Posted inNews
Lexington council votes to prohibit marijuana dispensaries
LEXINGTON — Recreational marijuana is now legal in Ohio, but you won’t find any retailers popping up in Lexington. Lexington’s village council voted Jan. 15 to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the commercial retail sale of marijuana. The ordinance’s official language bans the processing and dispensing of adult use cannabis, as well as cannabis laboratories, cultivation […]