As I was cruising through the news department the other day, I noticed a news release from the Ohio Lottery that recognized Claymont High School as one of the Lottery's Schools of the Year. The selection is made through a drawing (imagine that), and happened because Claymont’s Susan Monticelli was Teacher of the Month in February which made the school eligible for the recognition. Monticelli received the nomination for her dedication, professionalism, and work on behalf of the State's young people. The school will be recognized in a special assembly and will be featured on the Ohio Lottery website, which is OhioLottery.com.

Congratulations also goes out to TV Specialties on West Third Street in Dover for their 50 years in business and to the First National Bank of Dennison on their 75th year. It is always nice to recognize businesses in the area that have achieved those milestones. If you know of a business that is celebrating an anniversary of 25 years of more, let me know and I will acknowledge them here in R News and Views. After all, any business that survives that long deserves credit and recognition.

You have probably noted, as I have, that as the weather gets nicer and it stays lighter longer, that there seems to be more and more people outside walking. We all know that walking is a great way to get some exercise and to improve and maintain your health and well-being. If you are looking for some new places to walk, you might want to check out the new outdoor walking trail that circles around Union Hospital's 25-acre campus here on the Boulevard across from WJER Radio. The trail uses existing sidewalks on hospital property as well as crushed limestone walkways that wind in between and behind several of the medical office buildings along Medical Park Drive. The trail is eight-tenths of a mile. It is part of the hospital's Workplace Wellness Department, but they invite the public to use the trail as well. Just follow the small blue circles on the pavement and along the pathway. The trail is open from dawn to dusk. I personally walked the trail and you do have to pay attention to follow the blue circles. It will keep you alert.

It was a pretty jubilant week here at WJER. Last weekend at the spring meeting of the Associated Press Broadcasters, the WJER News Department walked away with 13 first and second place awards for various news stories we presented over the past year. Once again the WJER News Department was named the Most Outstanding News Operation in the State of Ohio in the Small Market category. The judges noted that WJER is the valley's information station and that WJER does a great job taking the listener to the news, which makes listening more interesting. To receive this award from a determination of our peers is impressive and means a great deal to us…and hopefully to you our listeners. Jamie Hambach was selected as the Best Small Market News Reporter in the State. This is no small feat, and to receive this award is one of the highest honors that can be given to a broadcast news reporter. Obviously, I am proud of our news team, and I think it shows the dedication and commitment WJER Radio has to providing you with the most thorough and balanced radio news coverage in the county. We are your local news and sports station and we are proud to serve you and this great county. To our news director Jennifer Clark, to Jamie Hambach, and our newest reporter Jessica Eggan and to Amy Smith who is a regular contributor to the news department, I thank you for your efforts and hard work. Congratulations.

Well, those are my views, if you want to see these comments and more, check out the WJER website at wjer.com and click on R News and Views.