Easing back-to-school anxiety
Education, Local News, Marysville School Board, News
August 25, 2026
Students and families gather near a school bus during Marysville Schools' First Time Rider event earlier this month at IMPACT Stadium. The event gives children who are new to bus transportation a chance to take a short ride, learn about bus safety and meet their driver before the first day of school. (Photo submitted)

Easing back-to-school anxiety

A variety of activities help calm the first-day jitters at Marysville

By Chad Williamson 

For students, the first day of school can mean a new building, a new bus, a locker combination that won’t cooperate or simply a hallway filled with unfamiliar faces.

Marysville school officials are trying to take some of the anxiety out of those experiences, while building on the sense of community...

Public defender sees benefits in current system
Local News, News
Public defender sees benefits in current system
By Michael Williamson 
August 25, 2026
Despite local growth and the continual increase in caseload year-to-year, the Union County Public Defender said the county’s current system still works better than establishing a public defender’s off...
Marysville fifth grade class passes 500 students
Local News, Marysville School Board, News
Marysville fifth grade class passes 500 students
Is largest class ever; district bucks statewide enrollment trends
By Chad Williamson 
August 22, 2026
Marysville Schools is beginning the new school year with more students than it had last year and dozens more could still be on the way. The district continues to see its student population buck a stat...
Jerome residents question renovations
Local News, News, Plain City, ...
Jerome residents question renovations
By Kyle Meddles 
August 22, 2026
As Jerome Township moves forward with plans to renovate the township hall, a pair of residents voiced their distaste in the decision to spend up to $2.1 million on the project. “By choosing to spend m...
Other news
Public defender sees benefits in current system
Local News, News
Public defender sees benefits in current system
By Michael Williamson 
August 25, 2026
Despite local growth and the continual increase in caseload year-to-year, the Union County Public Defender said the county’s current system still works better than establishing a public defender’s off...
MHS pass defense gives up late scores in loss to W. North
Sports
MHS’ Noah Miller (12) gains yardage against Westerville North. The Monarchs lost 31-9. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
MHS pass defense gives up late scores in loss to W. North
By Chad Williamson 
August 24, 2026
Trailing by a single point heading into the fourth quarter Friday against Westerville North, the Marysville pass defense unraveled and allowed scoring strikes of 44, 30 and 27 yards. As a result, MHS ...
NU Wildcats put the hammer down in pummeling Pleasant
Sports
North Union’s Wyatt Arver (21) picks up yardage against Pleasant. The Wildcats opened the 2026 season with a 49-7 victory over the Spartans. (Photo submitted)
NU Wildcats put the hammer down in pummeling Pleasant
By Bob Putman 
August 24, 2026
For the first time since the 2022 season, the North Union football team will not go into the second week of the campaign looking for its first win. In each of the last three seasons, the Wildcats lost...
FHS gridders drop game
Sports
Brennan Peffer of Fairbanks picks up yardage on the ground during a 2025 game. Peffer scored a touchdown during FHS’ 45-21 loss at Colonel Crawford on Thursday. (Journal-Tribune file photo by Tim Miller)
FHS gridders drop game
By Bob Putman 
August 24, 2026
In a rare night to open their football season, the Fairbanks Panthers traveled on Thursday to Colonel Crawford. The Eagles scored on their first three possessions of the game, including a touchdown on...
Triad overcomes weather to pound Rockets
Sports
Triad quarterback Blayk Thomas (5) hands off to Luke Botkins. Thomas threw a school-record five touchdown passes during a 40-2 win over Ridgedale. (Journal-Tribune photo by Josh Kaeser)
Triad overcomes weather to pound Rockets
By Eva Paspalis Case 
August 24, 2026
When the Triad Cardinals opened their football season at home against the Ridgedale Rockets, the teams had to play against the weather and each other. Despite two mid-game lightning delays, a torrenti...
Pioneers open 2026 grid campaign by clubbing West Liberty-Salem
Sports
Jonathan Alder quarterback Drew Hughes (5) attempts to pick up yardage on Friday against Wests Liberty-Salem. In his varsity quarterback debut, the sophomore completed 11-of-12 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Pioneers open 2026 grid campaign by clubbing West Liberty-Salem
By Tim Miller 
August 24, 2026
Jonathan Alder’s football team went into the new season with some question marks due to the graduation of several key seniors from a 10-2 team in 2025. One of those questions may have been at the quar...