News Briefs

Genealogy program
The Ottawa County Genealogical Society will meet Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ida Rupp Library, 310 Madison St., Port Clinton.
The program will be, “Forgotten Towns of Ottawa County,” presented by John Liske and Dick Martin. The public is welcome to attend.

Donations welcome
The Ottawa County Wreath Committee will present Wreaths Across America to veteran graves in Clay Township and Allen Township cemeteries on Saturday, Dec. 16.
The committee’s goal is to be able to place more than 1,000 remembrance wreaths at the final resting place of Ottawa County heroes.
The committee would also like to include the more than 600 veterans interred in the Marblehead area cemeteries of Clemmons, St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic, Lockwood, Sackett, St. Joseph’s Catholic, Russian Orthodox, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wolcott, Hartshorn, and Battlefield.
The additional cost would be $2,800. Tax-deductible donations of any amount to support the effort may be made to Wreaths Across America and mailed to 8444 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor, OH 43449.
The mission of Wreaths Across America is “Remember, Honor, Teach.” It is carried out in part by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at cemeteries in all 50 states and beyond. The initiative is made possible by volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in the events.
For more information, contact Sara Toris at the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office at 419-898-2089.

Public input sought
TMACOG is seeking public input as it updates its ”Moving Forward 2055” Regional Transportation Plan. The plan is federally required and incorporates all modes of transportation.
Through extensive stakeholder outreach and public involvement, TMACOG and its members will attempt to identify future needs by looking at the current system, identifying new technology and trends, predicting future revenue, and identifying ways to make the transportation system safer, accessible, inclusive and more efficient.
TMACOG is gathering information on people’s needs and how they think the regional transportation system should be developed over the next three decades.
“When trying to plan 30 years into the future, it is so important to understand what residents throughout our region want and need in a transportation system,” said Marissa Bechstein, a TMACOG transportation planner who is coordinating the plan update. “Even though it can be difficult to think so far into the future, we challenge members of the public to think big and provide us with feedback on what they think our transportation system will and should look like.”
There are multiple ways to get involved. An online survey offers anyone the chance to share their input. Complete the survey, which takes about five minutes, by Nov. 30 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/MovingForward2055. To access the survey in Spanish, visit https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/CLVBPS9. Four people who complete the survey will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.
Public input will also be welcomed during a series of information sessions. Locally, sessions will be offered:
• Wednesday, Oct.18 from 9 a.m.-noon at TARTA’s Downtown Toledo Transit Hub.
• Thursday, Oct.19 from 5-7 p.m. at the Oregon Branch Library.
• Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, Perrysburg.
• Monday, Oct. 30 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, Bowling Green State University.
• Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wood County Committee on Aging, Bowling Green.
• Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the College Hall Atrium at Owens Community College.
For information on plan development and an updated calendar of outreach events, visit tmacog.org/transportation/regional-transportation-plan

Drainage project
to close road in
Ottawa County

Ottawa County will be completing a drainage improvement project on Duff Washa Road, between Lemon and Benton Carroll roads, that will require closing that section of Duff Washa.
Work is scheduled to begin Oct. 16 and continue through Oct. 18.
Emergency vehicles, buses, and local traffic will be accommodated but should expect delays. Others will need to use alternate routes.
Updated closure information is available at the website of the county engineer.

Reconnection
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has issued the 2023-24 Special Reconnect Order (SRO). Beginning October 16 through April 15, 2024, Columbia Gas of Ohio customers can reconnect service or avoid disconnection during the winter heating season for just $175, plus a $36 reconnection fee if service has already been disconnected.