2014 in photos

Contributed | December 31, 2014

Take a look at some of our top photos from 2014. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

: Dedication: Alumni, staff, teachers, students and friends helped dedicate the Bronze Bear that now proudly stands outside River View High School during the commemorative 50th anniversary dedication ceremony on Friday evening, Aug. 15, 2014. Striking a formidable pose, the black bear stands 8 feet tall. Pictured from left are: Dan Helmick, committee member; Allan Cottrill, bronze bear artist; bronze bear fundraising committee members – Bee Richard-Lehner, Mary Mason, Bob Buxton, Sarah Jane Lindsey and Brandon Stewart, 2010-2011 Student Council President, who had the idea for the bear. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

: Memories: Mike Newell was in study hall 28 when President John Kennedy was assassinated. “They announced it over the loud speaker and let us out of school,” he said. That study hall was in the old Coshocton High School, which eventually became known as Central Elementary. The building may have come tumbling down in May 2014, but memories of it will live on in the hearts and minds of those who attended school there. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

: Renovations: Jim Lepi, Mark Sheets and Jason Ethell, all of Lepi Enterprises, Inc. are pictured doing work on the ceiling of the Common Pleas Court Room in the Coshocton County Courthouse. The company started working on renovating the court room on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers

: Explosion: Five people were taken to Coshocton Hospital and one person was taken to a Columbus hospital by MedFlight after an explosion Aug. 13, 2014, at the Coshocton Grain Co. Several local fire departments were called to the scene, but officials said everyone got out of the building. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

: Downtown fun: Ice carvings and chili brought people downtown on a February weekend. Our Town Coshocton hosted an ice carving festival Feb. 22, 2014, that featured a chili cook-off, live music, carving demonstrations and more. Our Town Coshocton is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, revitalizing and promoting historic Coshocton County. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers

: Demolition: Demolition crews started the tear down and removal of Lincoln Elementary School on Monday morning, July 7, 2014. A small crowd of onlookers watched as more than 100 years of memories faded away. Kaylee Kreis, who attended Lincoln, as did her sister and father said, “Lincoln was not just a school. Lincoln was a second home to many of us. A home where friendships were formed and memories were made. These are the memories that everyone will want to cherish for the rest of their lives.” Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

: THANKS: Checks were presented in March 2014 to the Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department by Three Rivers Energy LLC and Interstate Commodities to help purchase the first grain bin agricultural escape equipment for Coshocton County. Members of the Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department are pictured from left: Asst. Chief John Ridenour, fourth from right, Alan Brinker of Three Rivers Energy LLC, Chief Bill Burgen Jr. and Ashley Cox of Interstate Commodities. In addition to those donations, several other area companies and organizations provided funds for the purchase of the equipment. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

: Snow rolls: Mother Nature had fun in February 2014 creating snow rollers in fields and yards throughout Coshocton County. Snow rollers are made when wind blows snow along the ground. The winter wonders are usually shaped like cylinders and are typically hollow. The snow roller pictured, was nearly 13 inches tall and was in the yard of a Millcreek Township home. Photo contributed to The Beacon

: Royalty: Donald Stiteler and Lydia Els were named the first ever Bacon Festival King and Queen during a contest held Sept. 13, 2014, at the gazebo on the court square. Stiteler is a senior at Coshocton High School and Els is a senior at River View High School. They both won $500 scholarships sponsored by Kraft Foods.

: Visit: Danielle Peck, a 1997 graduate of River View High School, performed for her hometown at the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2014. She returned again in November to sing at RVHS for a fundraiser to help the school’s varsity boys’ basketball team. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers

: GOBA: Participants in the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure rolled into Coshocton Monday, June 16, 2014, and camped at Lake Park until Wednesday morning June 18, 2014, when they continued on their travels of Ohio’s back roads. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune

: Champs: The Hopewell Indians won the division III basketball championship in March 2014. The Indians were 14-0 and were sent off to the tournament in style with a police and fire escort and cheering fans waving as they traveled down Main Street. The team’s first victory was over Lucas County and then they topped the Hamilton County Lakers 70-59, to win their first ever state title. Photo contributed to The Beacon

: Kraft: Kraft Foods announced in November 2014 that its Coshocton facility was picked for the site of expansion. “We are happy to share that the Coshocton facility will be receiving the investment that has been under consideration and we will be hiring approximately 300 people and doing $40 million dollars in expansion at the facility over the next few years,” said Joyce Hodel, Kraft spokesperson. The local Kraft plant on Second Street was in the running for the expansion of an unknown product line along with a plant in Missouri. Kraft’s announcement included sharing that all of its bacon production will now be done in Coshocton. Beacon photo by Mark Fortune