Tri County News

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 380, which will name twenty-nine roads and bridges throughout the state, announced State Representative Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie).

Included in this bill is House Bill 365, also sponsored by Barhorst, which designates three memorial highways in the 85th District:

- Army Corporal Charles E. Hiltibran Memorial Highway: A portion of U.S. Route 68 in Champaign County will be designated as the Army Corporal Charles E. Hiltibran Memorial Highway. Corporal Hiltibran served in the Korean War and was reported missing in action on December 2, 1950, after his unit was attacked near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. His remains were returned to Urbana, Ohio, on August 1, 2018, as part of an agreement brokered by the Trump Administration.

- Army PFC Herbert S. Bechtel Memorial Highway: A portion of U.S. Route 68 in Logan County will be designated as the Army PFC Herbert S. Bechtel Memorial Highway. He was killed in action in 1966 while providing cover fire towards enemy forces so his fellow soldiers and those wounded could safely retreat. His bravery and sacrifice posthumously earned him the Distinguished Service Cross.

- Patrolman Frank J. Hossler Memorial Highway: A portion of State Route 235 in Logan County will be designated as the Patrolman Frank J. Hossler Memorial Highway. Patrolman Hossler was killed in a car crash while on patrol on September 22, 1956. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who received the Purple Heart and served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol for ten months before his death.

“Designating portions of local highways in honor of these three heroes is one small way we can say ‘thank you’ for their service and sacrifice,” said Barhorst. “We will never forget their contributions to our great nation.”

The legislation now heads to the Ohio Senate for consideration.