🖤 Tale of two counties

Good morning, Marion County. Behind the stark statistics of Franklin County's infant mortality crisis lies a troubling reality: Black babies are dying at over three times the rate of white infants. The newly released health map exposes not just a medical issue, but a social one—with housing insecurity and economic inequality creating a 15-year life expectancy gap between neighborhoods. These numbers tell a story of two counties existing side by side, with Linden residents bearing the heaviest burden.

In other local developments, Columbus police are investigating a fatal shooting at a North Linden business that claimed one life early Wednesday morning, while the automotive landscape continues to evolve with Chesrown Automotive's acquisition of three Sidney dealerships from Germain Motor Co. The expansion marks a significant move for the Columbus-area group, with the Gill family now overseeing operations across nearly 20 acres of combined dealership property.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Marion

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Prospect

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Waldo

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LaRue

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Green Camp

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Morral

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Caledonia

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New Bloomington

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

👶 Franklin County's infant mortality crisis hits Black babies hardest. A new health map reveals a stark disparity with Black infant mortality rates at 12.6 per 1,000 births compared to 3.7 for white infants. The Linden area has the highest rate at 17.9 deaths per 1,000 births. Poor housing quality and economic insecurity contribute significantly to health outcomes, with more than 30% of households spending at least 30% of income on housing. Overall county life expectancy has dropped to 75.9 years, with some neighborhoods facing a 15-year gap compared to others.

🔫 Deadly shooting rocks North Linden shop in early morning hours. Columbus police report one person was killed in the incident that occurred around 1:05 a.m. Wednesday at a business near Huy Road Park. The victim was rushed to Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead at 1:41 a.m. Authorities have not released information about what led to the shooting or identified any potential suspects. The investigation is ongoing in the Ontario Street and Oakland Park Avenue area.

🚗 Chesrown Automotive buys three Sidney dealerships from Germain Motor Co. The Columbus-area dealership group acquired Germain's Chevrolet-GMC, Ford, and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram locations in Sidney, Ohio earlier this month. The newly rebranded Chesrown dealerships mark the first major expansion for the company under Jim Gill, whose sons Ryan and Joseph will oversee operations across all three locations. Germain divested these properties to "focus on expansion opportunities in other markets" while maintaining their other dealerships across six states. Combined, the three Sidney dealerships span nearly 20 acres with more than 50 service bays.

Countryside farmhouse near park paradise: Priced at $399,000, this updated farmhouse offers countryside bliss with three living areas, modern kitchen, new flooring, generous bedrooms, and two historic barns on a private, tree-lined property minutes from Delaware State Park.

Compact Ohio home three bedrooms: Listed for $220,000, this compact Marion home at 383 Brentwood Dr offers 900 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, making it a cozy option for potential buyers in Ohio.

Historic gem at unbelievable price: For just $1, this well-maintained 1920s two-story home offers 1280 sq ft of charm with 3 bedrooms, original hardwood floors, modern kitchen amenities, and a detached garage on a city lot.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🎨 Jun. 19 - 3rd Thursday Street Art: Groove to the beats of Hard Drive at Founder's Park for 3rd Thursday's "Art in the Street" celebration! Enjoy inflatable play zones, art displays, and support Downtown Marion with the 50/50 raffle on June 19.

🌮 Jun. 19 - Birria Food Truck Feast: Birria lovers rejoice! The mouthwatering Birria Madness Food Truck pulls up to Shovel City Drinkery on June 19, serving authentic Mexican goodness from 5-9pm at 181 N Main St, Marion.

🤠 Jun. 20 - Marion Country Music Bash: Stomp your boots at Marion Moose's country music extravaganza! Join fellow music lovers on June 20 at the Loyal Order of Moose (1085 W Center St) for an evening of twang and toe-tapping tunes.

🎪 Jun. 20 - Water Circus Gold: Step right up to the Water Circus: Gold Unit at Marion County Fairgrounds! Cirque Italia brings aquatic spectacle and dazzling performances on June 20. Tickets assigned by best available seating.

🎸 Jun. 21 - Analog Youth Rocks OK: Rock out with Analog Youth as they return to shake the OK Patio on June 21! Catch their energetic performance at OK Cafe in Marion, Ohio for a night of live music and good vibes.

🥁 Jun. 21 - 3rd Annual POUND Workout: Get ready to rock your workout at the 3rd Annual PFTP at Center Stage Dance Factory! Join POUND Pros on June 21 for an exhilarating, fierce-feeling fitness experience at 205 W Center St, Marion.

🎸 Jun. 22 - UPRISING Live at OK: UPRISING band returns to rock the OK Café! Catch their first public gig of the season at 734 E Center St in Marion on June 22, 3-6pm. Let's pack the house for this hometown performance!

💍 Jun. 22 - Tony n' Tina's Auditions: Crash a wedding and get applause! Audition for the hilarious "Tony N' Tina's Wedding" at Marion Palace Theatre on June 22 - your chance to join this wildly fun, immersive theatrical experience.

🙏 In Remembrance

Richard Leroy Drollinger

Richard Leroy Drollinger, 67, of Caledonia, passed away on June 11, 2025, at his residence. A skilled machinist, he worked at Arcelor-Mittal for nearly 20 years after stints at Marion Power Shovel, Rockwell International, and HPM, where he was particularly proud of his work on the B-1 Lancer program. Richard was a proud union member who enjoyed working on vintage Chryslers and attending car shows in his free time. He is survived by his sisters Vickie and Patricia, along with several nieces and nephews, while his parents, former wife Terri, and sisters Kim and Tina preceded him in death.

Roy A. Loudenslager

Roy A. Loudenslager, 89, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2025, surrounded by family. A fourth-generation farmer who valued hard work and integrity, Roy dedicated his life to agriculture and was inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2015. Beyond farming, he was a pilot, business owner, and community servant, active in organizations like the Ohio Soybean Council and Ridgedale Lions Club. Roy leaves behind a daughter, three grandsons, two great-grandsons, and a legacy of dedication to his family, farm, and community, with his proudest achievement being his 63-year marriage to Judy, who preceded him in death in 2021.

Bonnie Sue Hill

Bonnie Sue Hill, 53, of Kenton, OH, passed away on June 14, 2025, at Kenton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born on November 19, 1971, in Portsmouth, OH, to the late Jimmie and Norma Bivens, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Hill. Bonnie is survived by her four children—Kayla, Christopher, Matthew, and Teddy—and three grandchildren. A high school graduate who enjoyed being a homemaker, Bonnie loved jewelry (especially rings), gardening, crocheting, knitting, and spending time with her family.

Jim Metcalf

Jim Metcalf, 87, passed away on June 16, 2025, at Primrose Retirement Communities of Marion. Born in Athens on October 23, 1937, he graduated from North High School in Columbus in 1955 and married Judy Reynolds in 1959, enjoying 65 years together. Jim served in the Army Reserves, worked as a barber and for Columbia Gas of Ohio for 29 years, and is survived by his wife, four sons, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. After retiring in 1996, he and Judy moved to Florida before returning to Ohio, where he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.

Elizabeth Ann Price

Elizabeth Ann Price, age 77, passed away on June 15, 2025, in Marion. Born in Johnson City, TN, in 1947, she was a businesswoman who owned multiple enterprises, including a craft shop and seamstress service, while also working at ConAgra. Elizabeth was a woman of faith who attended Marion Enterprise Baptist Church and cherished family gatherings, particularly Sunday dinners with her loved ones. She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and siblings, while being preceded in death by her parents, husband John, a great-grandchild, and two brothers.

Rose Mary Bonham

Rose Mary Bonham, 77, of Columbus, passed away on June 13, 2025, after growing up on a family farm in Marion where she developed a love for animals. After graduating from Richwood High School in 1965, she worked for the State of Ohio for 32 years, eventually becoming a Fiscal Specialist known for her innovative reports. In retirement, Rose devoted time to her hobbies of crocheting, baking, reading, and crossword puzzles, creating cherished handmade items for family and friends. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth, numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family, with funeral services scheduled for June 21, 2025.