Madison Messenger

Madison Messenger Newspaper covering Madison County, Ohio, including London, West Jefferson, Plain City, Mount Sterling

It was a meaningful and emotional day at the West Jefferson Police Department as the department welcomed longtime commun...
01/09/2026

It was a meaningful and emotional day at the West Jefferson Police Department as the department welcomed longtime community member Vicki McNeal, along with her sister, Beverly Boseker, and niece, Julie Upthegrove.

The visit served as a tribute to a family whose legacy of public service runs deep in the West Jefferson community. McNeal’s husband, the late Gary McNeal, proudly served as a police lieutenant with the West Jefferson Police Department, while her son, Tommy Rees, honorably served as a firefighter with the Jefferson Township Fire Department.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/community/01/08/familydonation1-4/

01/08/2026

Looking for some fun, upcoming events?
Check these library events out:

Open to all Ohio students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the contest welcomes entries from public, private, home-...
01/07/2026

Open to all Ohio students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the contest welcomes entries from public, private, home-schooled students, and those receiving individualized instruction or special education services. Submissions will be accepted through Jan. 12, 2026.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/news/01/01/emacontest1-4/

01/06/2026

UK-based sports equipment retailer Net World Sports has officially selected Jefferson Township as the site of its first North American headquarters and production facility. The $30 million project represents a significant boost to the central Ohio economy and marks a pivotal expansion for the global e-commerce company, which serves customers in more than 130 countries.

The development will include a state-of-the-art logistics, manufacturing, and high-capacity distribution hub designed to streamline shipping throughout the United States and Canada. Construction costs are estimated at $29 million, with an additional $1 million invested in equipment.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/news/01/01/networld1-4/

01/05/2026

The provision transfers $40 million in seed funding from the GRF to for the Post-Traumatic Stress Fund. The state’s Post-Traumatic Stress Fund will cover treatment for peace officers, firefighters and EMS personnel in need of care.
The provision was included in House Bill 184, legislation that sets limitations on intercollegiate athlete contracts and clarifies provisions to the state operating budget. House Bill 184 will go into effect March 18.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/news/12/25/repmathews-12-28-25/

01/04/2026

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has officially released the 2026 Ohio county fair schedule, giving fair boards, exhibitors, families, and fair-goers plenty of time to plan for another summer and fall filled with livestock shows, junior fair competitions, grandstand entertainment, and community traditions.

Locally, the Madison County Fair will take place July 11–18, 2026, aligning with several other central Ohio fairs and continuing its long-standing mid-July tradition. The Madison County Fair remains a highlight of the summer calendar, drawing youth exhibitors, agricultural families, and visitors from across the region.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/news/01/01/countyfairs1-4/

01/03/2026

After weeks of holiday celebrations, family gatherings, and time away from the classroom, Madison County students are beginning the transition back to school as winter break comes to an end.

While the return dates vary by district, classrooms across the county will soon be buzzing again as students and teachers settle back into routines for the second half of the school year.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/community/01/01/endofbreak1-4/

01/02/2026

With no seismic activity detected locally, speculation has turned to other possible explanations. One theory circulating online is that the sound may have been a sonic boom, which can occur when aircraft exceed the speed of sound. Sonic booms are known to cause brief but powerful vibrations that can shake windows and structures.

However, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has not confirmed whether any aircraft activity in the region could be connected to the boom.

Another theory raised by residents is the possibility of a frost quake, a rare phenomenon caused by sudden freezing temperatures that can cause the ground to crack and produce loud booming sounds. Frost quakes are uncommon in Ohio and are difficult to confirm without seismic evidence. Again not confirmed by the Ohio organizations that track seismic activity.

The Madison County law enforcement offices report receiving multiple calls from concerned residents following the incident, but no damage or injuries were reported.

At this time, the exact cause of the boom remains unknown, and no official agency has confirmed what triggered the event.

https://www.themadisonmessenger.com/news/01/01/boom1-4/

01/02/2026

With New Year’s Day 2026 brought a higher minimum wage to Ohio, an increase to $11 per hour for employees working without tips and $5.50 per hour for tipped employees. The new figure is a 2.8% increase from 2025.

In November 2006, Ohio voters passed a Constitutional amendment requiring Ohio’s minimum wage to increase on Jan. 1 of each year based on the inflation rate. The 2.8% increase on the first day of 2026 corresponds to the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the 12-month period ending in August.

The threshold for businesses to which the new minimum wage applies also increases. Businesses with annual gross receipts above $405,000 are required to use the updated minimum wage. However, 14- and 15-year-olds are still subject to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, as are workers at businesses under that threshold.

From all of us at your local paper to all of you readers, ad customers and subscribers, thanks for your continued suppor...
01/01/2026

From all of us at your local paper to all of you readers, ad customers and subscribers, thanks for your continued support! Have a safe and happy new year!

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