Pest infestation spreads to Delaware County site

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio - Ohio's latest emerald ash borer infestation is in a woodlot in Delaware County, the Ohio Department of Agriculture said yesterday.

The site, near Orange and Old State roads near Lewis Center, is six miles south of one that previously was identified in Delaware, Ohio, and just north of one that was identified on the north side of Columbus.

In both cases, numerous healthy trees were taken down in hopes of separating the pest from its only known food source.

State and federal officials have conceded northwest Ohio in hopes of keeping the pest from colonizing other parts of the state.

The infested tree near Lewis Center has been destroyed and the property has been placed under quarantine while officials contemplate their next move.