News Briefs

Dog license deadline
Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestreich reminds dog owners that Jan. 31 is the deadline for 2025 dog registrations.
A registration fee of $14 must be paid with the application for each dog registered.
Information necessary for registration includes age, sex, whether the dog is spayed or neutered, color, length of hair, breed, name of dog and the name, address and phone number of the owner.
A kennel fee of $70 must be paid with the application for each kennel registered and additional tags are available for $1 each for kennels with more than five dogs.
Dogs may be registered for a one-year ($14) or three-year ($42) term, or a permanent license $140) (for the dog’s life). No refunds will be issued.
Penalty fees will be collected on registrations received after Jan. 31, in the amount equal to the registration fee for each type of license, i.e., $14 for regular licenses and $70 for kennel licenses, in addition to the regular registration fee.
Persons acquiring dogs after Jan. 31 have 30 days after the date of acquisition or the date that the dog reaches three months of age to register with the Auditor’s Office.
The preferred method of renewal is by mail or online. When mailing the application, include the license fee, dog information (as stated above) and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of the license.
If necessary, licenses can be purchased in person at the Wood County Auditor’s Office, second floor of the county office building between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday or at the Wood County Dog Shelter.
Online applications may be made at auditor.co.wood.oh.us and require an additional $2.15 processing fee per license, which goes to the online firm processing the credit card purchase. Do not send cash with mail-in applications.
For more information, call 419-373-4917.

Bluegrass in
Super Class
The 36th Annual Bluegrass in Super Class, one of the largest bluegrass events held in Ohio, is being held Jan. 9-11 at Maumee Bay Resort in Oregon.
The event features a number of national, regional and local bluegrass performers. Once again, Bluegrass in Super Class is sponsoring a local individual who has brain cancer and is also donating to the American Brain Tumor Association.
In addition to concerts, the festival includes jamming, workshops, artist merchandise, autograph opportunities, food and more.
Saturday’s performance schedule includes Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, the Queen of Bluegrass (most awarded bluegrass band and Grand Ole Opry member), Larry Efaw & Bluegrass Mountaineers, New Outlook, Dean Osborne Band and 7 Mile Bluegrass.
Music starts at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $35 reserved on Saturday. For tickets and more information, visit rhondavincent.com.

Menards food drive
The Oregon Menards store, 3100 Brown Rd., is serving as a drop-off site for local food pantries through March 31.
Menards offers a wide variety of non-perishable food items that can be donated to food pantries, from boxed cereals to cans of soup and more.
For more information, visit the store or call 419-693-0799.

Real estate tax
bills due Jan. 31
Lucas County Treasurer Lindsay Webb announced that her office has begun to mail the real estate tax bills for the first half of 2024, which are due by Jan. 31.
Webb notes that in-office payments must be made by Friday, Jan. 31. Mailed payments must be postmarked on or before Jan. 31. Online/phone payments must be made by 8 p.m. on that date.
Due to changes in postal sorting procedures, Webb recommends that taxpayers mailing payments close to the deadline inquire at their local post office regarding postmark procedures and timelines.
The treasurer encourages taxpayers to consider using contact-free options when paying property tax bills – including online payments, or paying via phone, mail or outdoor drop-box, which is located on Jackson Street, across from One Government Center (640 Jackson St.). The drop-box will accept real estate payments 24 hours a day (checks/money orders only).
Credit card payments cannot be made by mail but will be accepted from those paying in person at the treasurer’s office. Credit card and E-check payments may also be made by phone using Paymentus (1-866-288-9803) or online at co.lucas.oh.us/treasurer.
Payments may also be made at local GenoaBank and Premier Bank branches in Lucas County during January (taxpayers must bring their tax bills and pay in full).
The treasurer asks that all customers paying in office bring their bills with them. The Lucas County Treasurer’s office is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Per section 323.122 of the O.R.C., members of the National Guard or reserve components of the U.S. Armed Forces that are called to active duty may be granted an extension on their property taxes.
People with questions about their bill or having trouble paying their real estate taxes are encouraged to contact the
Office’s Real Estate Department at 419-213-4305.

Book Birthday:
celebrating 150 years
All year long, the Wood County District Public Library will host a variety of events for all ages in celebration of the library’s 150th birthday.
To start, explore the library’s history at wcdpl.org/wcdpl-timeline. This timeline features the very beginnings of a library in Wood County, details how WCDPL came to be and how it grew to its current position in the community in 2025.
Next, check out 150 things you can do at WCDPL at wcdpl.org/150-things-to-do. In honor of the 150th birthday celebrations, there are at least 150 things to do at the library, including getting a reading suggestion, attending a book club, printing on the 3D printer, or using a library resource.
Finally, browse upcoming events in honor of the 150th birthday, including special Get Crafty sessions, programs on exploring The Library of Things and digital resources, unique book discussions and more. Find a full list of events on wcdpl.org/150th.
For more information, visit wcdpl.org/150th, call 419-352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.

Bond set in
rape case

Bond has been set at $100.000 in the case of an employee of the Woodmore Local School District charged in the rape of a 15-year-old student with disabilities in his Woodville Township home.
Christin Coble, 45, a paraprofessional with the school system, was charged in Sandusky County Court Jan. 8 and was ordered to not have any contact with the victim or his family.
The case is being bound over to a grand jury.
A deputy of the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from the victim’s mother around 12:22 p.m. on Jan. 6.
Classes had been cancelled that day due to the weather conditions.

Snowmobilers warned
about trespassing

With the possibility of a snowy winter looming over the area, comes a warning from the Lake Township police department for those who like to take to their snowmobiles and ATVs and enjoy a brisk ride across the country-side.
Police chief Mark Hummer said anyone caught riding on private property in the township without the owner’s permission will be prosecuted.
“It looks like we could have a significant amount of snowfall this year,” the chief said. “The last time we had a good amount of snow we cited three or four people.”
In years past, farmers, especially those who’ve planted winter wheat, have complained to the police department and township trustees about damage to their fields.
A conviction for criminal trespassing is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, the chief said.
According to the Ohio Revised Code, snowmobiles and ATVs can be ridden on public right-of-ways, and berms or shoulders of county and township roads while traveling from “one area of operation…to another such area.”
Chief Hummer said there are no public areas such as parks in the township where snowmobiles are permitted to operate.