After 16 years as magistrate in the Ottawa County Municipal Court, Lou Wargo III has thrown his hat in the ring to replace outgoing Judge Frederick C. Haney II in the general election on Nov. 5. Wargo will be challenged by local attorney Michael Bassett, who was unsuccessful in a bid for Ottawa County Commissioner last November.

Port Clinton Council has a variety of posts up for grabs. Pat Hovis, an executive with Croghan Colonial Bank and a Port Clinton High School grad, will join Democrats Jerry Tarolli, incumbent Roseann Hickman and Republican John Cerbus in the race for at-large council seats, with three assured of being elected.

Running unopposed for Port Clinton office are Michael Snider, a Republican bidding for mayor; Lisa Sarty, a Democrat seeking to be council president; and Cole Hatfield as auditor.

The Benton-Carroll-Salem School District has three levies on the May 7 primary ballot, including a 1.2-mill renewal levy for permanent improvements; a 1% earned income tax levy for current expenses; and a 3.9-mill renewal levy for current expenses.

Owner Kristie Pooley of Catawba Island Jewelers has had a busy week present Valentine’s Day gifts at her store at 3860 Harbor Light Landing near Ciao Bella Restaurant, which opened Oct. 1. Pooley’s little dog, Ginger, shows off a Valentine’s Day necklace to Pat Hovis, an executive at Chroghan Colonial Bank, who declared her candidacy last week for an at-large seat on Port Clinton City Council. (Photo by D’Arcy Egan)