Delaware
Delaware County firefighter Mark Lamplugh honored after 50 years of service
Delco firefighter Mark Lamplugh honored after 50 years of service
A well-deserved surprise is in order for Mark W. Lamplugh Sr., a Delaware County firefighter, who has helped keep his community safe for decades.
DELAWARE COUNTY – “50 years of anything is a feat. But 50 years of fire service, like I said to you earlier, it’s a dangerous job and I’m sure he’s seen so much in his lifetime.” Board of Commissioners, Lower Chichester Head of Public Safety Rocco Gaspari commented on the firefighter’s service.
Meet Mark; he started volunteering in the firehouse in Lower Chichester when he was just 14 years old.
“Mark Laplugh is born and raised in this township and he’s a true hero. The uniform he wears, it has his name on his jacket but he doesn’t have a million dollar contract,” Rocco explained.
Tonight, the municipality gathered to present him with a plaque in honor of his service, a gesture that came as a complete surprise to him, since he was quiet about the 50-year mark.
“He’s not a guy that looks for honors, he just knows it has to be done, someone is going to do it and he’s the leader,” Rocco added.
After four decades, Mark has been a volunteer firefighter and, before that, a police officer and an Army veteran. When asked why he chose these paths, the answer is simple.
“I just wanted to help people, I always — military wise, police — I just wanted to be there for someone that needed help, that about it. I don’t know, I just like doing it… being a fireman,” said volunteer firefighter for 50 years, Mark Laplugh.
He’s been the President here for the last 19 years and grew up with a dad who volunteered in this very same firehouse; now his stepson, son, wife, and daughter have all worked in firefighting too.
“I live and breathe it; it’s my whole life,” Mark explains.
And tonight, he was honored that everyone in the station came out to support him.
“My dad would be so proud of me right now, and my grandfather. It just makes me feel really good that those 50 years really did mean something,” Mark reflected.
So tonight, the Board of Commissioners made sure to take the time to thank him and, of course, wish him a happy and healthy 50 more years.
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — People in Delaware County said it feels like new housing developments are popping up on every corner.
WSYX
“What haven’t you noticed, right? The whole area just exploded,” said Scott Shonebarger.
Scott Sanders, the executive director of the Regional Planning Commission, said companies like Intel and other industries are a main driver for thousands of people moving to Delaware County.
With the big boom comes an urgent need for more housing.
John Wicks is the developer at Real Property Design and Development.
He has spent over a decade building homes for families in Delaware County.
Wicks said the Olentangy School District is one of the hottest spots for new homes.
“I started with one high school up until the 90s, then now we’re up to four up to five different high schools so it’s just a big draw,” said Wicks. “It’s a beautiful community.”
The district has grown into the fourth largest in Ohio with a new elementary school opening next year, and a fifth high school in 2028.
Wicks said the growth has presented some challenges over the years like labor shortage and some opposition.
“It’s become a big issue for a lot of people that live in and around these areas. They tend to oppose new growth and new development, so restrictions have gotten a little bit harder. Costs have obviously gone up over the last 20 years,” said Wicks.
The planning commission says between 275,000 and 350,000 people could call Delaware County home by 2040.
That’s up from 214,000 in 2020.
Scott Shonebarger said he supports growth but wonders when is enough.
“I mean to a certain extent I think you know at some point right you have to have some sort of boundaries I think, getting into the fact that now you have five high schools,” said Shonebarger. “What’s the limit?”
Police in Wilmington, Delaware, shot and killed a 19-year-old man Wednesday night.
The incident happened in a residential area near 24th and Jessup streets just after 11 p.m., Wilmington police said in a news release. The person who was shot has not been publicly identified.
Officers were monitoring a large crowd gathered outside when they saw a man exit a home with a handgun and point it toward the crowd, police say.
When officers approached the man, he ran away and a foot pursuit began, police say.
At some point in the chase, an officer fired their weapon and hit the 19-year-old. The man was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
Police say they recovered a loaded gun from the man and that the officer was not injured.
Video filmed at the scene shows a crowd of residents gathered outside after the shooting.
Police are asking anyone with more information to come forward. The shooting is under investigation by the Delaware Department of Justice and Wilmington police.
Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura announced Wednesday that she will lead a new corporate law institute at the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law.
She will step down from the bench of Delaware’s highest court in late July, after choosing not to seek reappointment at the end of her 12-year term. She revealed her plans for the next phase of her legal career in a special session of the court in Wilmington.
As well as joining the Wilmington University law school faculty, Valihura will be the founding director of the school’s new Corporate Law, Governance and Practice Institute. …
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