News Briefs Week Of 5/30/2022

By: 
Staff Writer

Oak Harbor to hold final fireworks fundraising efforts in June
With just over a month until the Oak Harbor Independence Day Celebration on July 3, the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce is making the final push to reach its fundraising goal to support the fireworks show this year.
As a result of a 30 percent increase in costs due to continued supply chain issues, the chamber reached out to the community for support to ensure that the event could continue. Thanks to business and individual donations, the Fireworks Fund Reverse Raffle, and the first Oak Harbor Lions Club sandwich sale in May, the Chamber has reached approximately 75 percent of its goal.
The community still has an opportunity to support the event in the following ways:
• The Oak Harbor Lions Club will host another sandwich sale featuring its famous sausage and sirloin sandwiches on Friday, June 3, from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday, June 4, from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Hardware’s Mill Street parking lot.
Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the fireworks fund.
• Similar to years past, the community can purchase paper stars beginning Memorial Day weekend through the end of June at both Community Markets and Friendship Sunoco in Oak Harbor. Stars can be purchased for $1, $5 or $10.
• Monetary donations may be dropped off or mailed to the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce at 161 W. Water St., Oak Harbor, OH 43449.
“The Independence Day Celebration is a staple in Oak Harbor,” said Valerie Winterfield, executive director, Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s always been an opportunity for our community and families to come together in downtown to celebrate with one another. We can’t thank the community enough for stepping up this year to support our village and this signature event that thousands look forward to every year.”
Funds raised exceeding the amount needed for 2022 will automatically go into the 2023 fireworks fund.
The annual, half-day event is free and includes food vendors, local entertainment, the Apple Festival Royalty Duck Race on the Portage River and inflatables for children, culminating with the fireworks display around 10 p.m.
“The 4th of July celebration is a beloved tradition in Oak Harbor. We have almost reached the goal so special thanks to the Lions Club, Community Markets and Friendship Sunoco for their additional efforts. Together, I am confident we will reach our goal and have another fantastic Independence Day celebration,” said Quinton Babcock, mayor, Village of Oak Harbor.

Care Compass Project
quarterly meeting set
The Care Compass Project, a quarterly network gathering for caregivers and those who may be caregivers in the future, will meet Wednesday, June 1 at 11 a.m. at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 South Grove St., Bowling Green.
Care Compass offers a place to gather information and obtain resources to make the journey of caregiving less stressful. The upcoming session, focusing on caregiver resources, will be held in-person and virtually using Zoom.
The Care Compass Project is free and open to all caregivers and community members but requires pre-registration by calling 1-800-367-4935 or 419-353-5661 or by emailing programs@wccoa.net. Zoom login information will be given upon registration if requested.
Lunch sponsored by Brookdale of Bowling Green to the first 20 Wood County residents registered for the session and who will be attending in-person.
The agenda includes:
• 11 a.m.: “Caregiver Support Program,” presented by Jennifer Forshey, LSW, Family Caregiver Specialist, Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio.
Families, not social services agencies, nursing homes or governmental programs, are the main providers of long-term care for older person in Northwest Ohio. The National Family Caregiver Support Program, implemented as a part of the Older Americans Act of 2000, recognizes the monumental role caregivers play in caring for older family members. The Caregiver Support Program offers a variety of resources for caregivers such as educational opportunities, respite opportunities, and caregiver counseling.
• 11:45 a.m.: “Managing Caregiver Stress,” presented by Salli Bollin, executive director, MemoryLane Care Services
Caregivers will often face stressors that they may not recognize nor have the tools to manage. This program will identify common causes of caregiver stress, explore how it impacts an individual’s well-being, and discuss methods to proactively manage stress. As part of the session, local support and resources, and practical strategies to minimize stress that can fit into the busy schedule of a caregiver will be shared.
The Care Compass Project is sponsored by Bowling Green State University Optimal Aging Institute, Brookdale of Bowling Green, Golden Care Partners, Ohio Living, Wood County Committee on Aging and Wood County Hospital.

Hydrant flushing
The Northwestern Water and Sewer District has begun its annual hydrant flushing program.
Hydrant flushing consists of opening approximately 4,000 hydrants throughout the district’s five-county service area for maintenance. This maintenance project generally takes the district seven to eight months to complete and is expected to wrap up in November.
Flushing not only tests hydrants to ensure they work properly and have ample flow for first responders but also improves water quality by removing fine sediment in the distribution system. The Ohio EPA requires annual flushing.
During hydrant flushing, water is safe to drink. There may be a temporary drop in water pressure during testing periods. Occasionally, water becomes discolored after hydrant flushing. If this happens, run the cold water tap for a few minutes until the water clears. If it does not clear the first time, wait a few minutes and run the water again. Avoid washing clothes until the water clears. Should your laundry become discolored, the district offers stain remover caused by discolored water. For additional information, call 419-354-9090, ext. 170.
District crews flush hydrants weekdays from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Crews will start working in and near US 23 from Fostoria to Rising Sun, Cygnet, Custar, Milton Center, and Weston through early June.
Visit nwwsd.org for more information.

Nominations open
Nominations are open for the 27th annual 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition program, which salutes young, dynamic leaders under the age of 40.
The 20 Under 40 program focuses on individuals in Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan who have distinguished themselves in their careers and/or as volunteers in their communities.
To submit a nomination, visit 20under40toledo.com and complete the electronic form by Wednesday, June 30. A nomination requires only the nominee’s name, company or organization, and email address.
To be eligible, candidates must be under 40 years of age as of June 30 (born before June 30, 1982.)
The 2022 Recognition Program will take place at The Valentine Theatre on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The 2020 and 2021 awardees will be recognized during the program, as well as alumni celebrating five (2017), 10 (2012), 15 (2007) and 20 (2002) year anniversaries.
For the 27th consecutive year, Chrys Peterson, former WTOL news anchor, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Welcome to Medicare
The Ohio Department of Insurance OSHIIP Division will present a Welcome to Medicare program for those who will be eligible for Medicare soon, are on Medicare but still have questions, or those who help a family member with Medicare issues.
The in-person event will be held Tuesday, May 31 from 5-6 p.m. at the Civilian Marksmanship building on the Camp Perry campus, 1000 Lawrence Rd., Port Clinton.
Those interested in attending may call 419-898-6459.

Groundbreaking
The City of Northwood is hosting a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Bridges of Northwood, a 114 unit townhome development, at The Enclave (former Woodville Mall property). The ceremony will take place on June 2nd at 10:30 a.m. under the large white tent on site. Light refreshments will be provided. Please enter from Woodville Rd.

EPA education
grants awarded
Five Ohio organizations are receiving Ohio EPA Environmental Education mini grants for projects focused on habitat restoration, storm water management, and environmental careers. The mini grants are being awarded statewide for a total of $16,066.
The five mini environmental education grants being awarded for Spring 2022 are:
-Eastwood Local Schools – Eastwood Middle and High Schools, are receiving $2,060 for 8th grade science lessons focusing on reproduction, adaptations, and natural selection of trout, and what makes successful or unsuccessful habitats over time. The high school marine science class will monitor and care for the fish as they grow.
-Perrysburg Exempted Village School District – Hull Prairie Intermediate is receiving $1,506 to raise trout from eggs to fingerlings and facilitate their release in an Ohio Department of Natural Resources-approved location. The focus is on the importance of trout in the biosphere, water quality, pollution, and restoration efforts.
-Friends of Old Woman Creek, in Erie County is receiving $5,000 to install a weather station at the Western Reserve Local School’s campus to be monitored by educators and students with assistance from Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve staff.
- Alpha School, in Perry County, is receiving $2,500 to construct towers for chimney swifts to live in and breed. The towers will be 16 feet high and placed in the Wild School Site.
-Springhill STEM Elementary in Richland County is receiving $5,000 to provide professional development of the Project WET and Project Learning Tree Curriculum for teachers and students.
The Ohio Environmental Education Fund provides grants each year for environmental education projects serving kindergarten through university students, the public, and the regulated community.
Eligible grant recipients include environmental groups, public and private schools, colleges and universities, trade or professional organizations, businesses and state and local governments.
Letters of intent for the next grant round are due to Ohio EPA no later than July 8, 2022, and applications are due no later than July 15. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Ohio Environmental Education Fund online or at 614-644-2873 to discuss project ideas.

Transportation
App updated
TRIPS Public Transportation is offering riders the ability to check on their ride status through the Ecolane Mobile App.
Currently, TRIPS rides must be booked by calling 24 hours in advance, and riders will be given a 30-minute pick-up window for their trip. But with the Ecolane Mobile App, riders will be able to see the expected arrival time of their TRIPS ride on the day of the trip and see real-time updates on their scheduled rides.
“While riders will still have a 30-minute window for pick-up when booking a ride with TRIPS, Ecolane will give them the convenience of knowing more precisely when to be ready for pick-up on the day of their scheduled ride,” TRIPS Transportation Specialist Lori Beers said.
Riders will also be able to cancel a scheduled ride with TRIPS through the app.
To sign up for the app, riders should contact TRIPS dispatch at 419-332-8091 or trips@glcap.org. TRIPS will ask riders to provide an email address to establish a user identification. Once TRIPS makes a user identification for the rider, TRIPS will then send an email to the rider with information on setting up a password and downloading the app.
While the Ecolane app is also available for download on the iTunes and Google Play app stores, users must still contact TRIPS to establish accounts.
For more information on TRIPS Public Transportation, visit www.glcap.org/trips.
TRIPS Public Transportation is a service of Great Lakes Community Action Partnership.

Retire/rehire
meeting set
The Woodmore school board has scheduled a meeting July 21 to consider re-employing two employees who are planning to retire.
Christine Barnhouse, a cook, and Robert Kelley, a bus driver, are set to retire June 1.
The board will consider re-hiring them effective Aug. 19.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the high school media center.

Addiction task
force to meet
The Wood County Prevention Coalition/Addiction Task Force’s next meeting is June 10 at 9 a.m. at the Wood County Educational Service Center, 1867 N. Research Drive, Bowling Green.
The coalition unites community members working together to coordinate programs for the prevention of youth substance abuse in the county.
The coalition was established in 2004.
For more information, contact Tina Bradley at tbradley@wcesc.org.

Air quality
alerts issued
Throughout the summer, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments works with the City of Toledo’s Division of Environmental Services to release daily ozone forecasts.
Forecasts range from “Good” or “Satisfactory” to “Precautionary Measures Should be Taken by Sensitive Groups” and “Caution.”
Ozone at ground level can damage lung tissue, and research shows it also damages growing plants and can affect agriculture. Breathing ozone can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma, reduce lung function, and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.
People can reduce their exposure to ozone by changing the time of their activity, or simply taking it easier on days when ozone levels are expected to be high.
To learn more, go to www.ozoneaction.org.

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