News Briefs

Construction City
Hundreds of local Scouts will test their STEM skills in the fields of engineering, science, design, and construction at the 33rd annual Construction City event, hosted by the Erie Shores Council of Scouting America, on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Penta Career Center, located at 9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg.
Participants also have an opportunity to earn their Engineering Adventure Pin.
The program offers two divisions – City Building and Bridge Building. City Building requires Scouts to build several structures on an 8x8-foot plot. Bridge Building requires Scouts to build a bridge spanning 12 feet that can hold scale weights, while controlling the structure weight.
Working in groups, Scouts function as urban and regional planners for the day, designing their projects and getting plan approvals and permits before beginning their buildings. They can only use the provided cardboard, tape and tools to complete their builds, which creates opportunities for discovering innovations in real time and pivoting as necessary to accomplish their objectives.
After the builds are complete, judges assess the cities and test the bridges to determine awards in design, creativity and other categories. Then, the Scouts will get to demolish their projects and clean up before the awards presentation and closing ceremony.
To learn more, call 419-2417293 or visit erieshorescouncil.org.

LC4 volunteer
program relaunched
The Board of Lucas County Commissioners announced the return of the Volunteer Program at Lucas County Canine Care & Control (LC4).
Those interested in volunteering can fill out an application online at lucascountydogs.com/new-volunteer-information.
The primary volunteer opportunity is walking dogs at LC4, though there will be opportunities for volunteers to participate in the Dogs on the Town (DOTT) field trip program, enrichment activities for the dogs, and special LC4 events.
“We promised to bring the volunteer program back to LC4 after we put it on pause to evaluate and make improvements. We have kept that promise, and I am proud of the comprehensive changes we have made,” Commissioner Pete Gerken said. “We now have a program that adheres to best practices, has clear policies and procedures, and has the organizational support it needs to be successful.”
All interested volunteers must fill out an application and go through a screening process which includes a background check, which ensures the safety of Lucas County employees and the dogs at LC4. Applicants must also review LC4’s updated volunteer handbook and sign a code of conduct.
Volunteers are required to complete a series of online training sessions regarding dog behavior and fear-free sheltering, attend an in-person volunteer orientation, and complete an in-person dog-walking training session to ensure they are prepared to handle dogs.
“Volunteers are an important supplement to the day-to-day operations of LC4. They provide additional exercise and fresh air for the dogs in our care, help socialize the dogs, and often introduce our adoptable dogs to the public through the Dogs on the Town program,” Commissioner Lisa A. Sobecki said.
Once an applicant is approved to volunteer with LC4, he or she will be able to sign up for volunteer shifts. There will be two dog-walking shifts per day with a maximum of four volunteers needed per shift. Shifts for other volunteer opportunities, such as Dogs on the Town, enrichment activities at LC4, or off-site events, will vary depending on the operational needs of LC4.
LC4 is now utilizing a volunteer management software that will allow volunteers to sign up for shifts, see their schedule, and log their hours. For more information about LC4 volunteer opportunities or to apply to become a volunteer, visit lucascountydogs.com/new-volunteer-information.

Elections board
in special session
The Ottawa County Board of Elections will be in special session on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to conduct the November General Election and address any other business that comes before the board.
The meeting will be held at the Board of Elections, located at 8444 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor, in the Veterans Memorial Building.
Voting on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5) begins at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m. at polling locations in Ottawa County.

Quilt Guild to meet
The Maumee Bay Country Quilt Guild will meet Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 6:45 p.m. at the Northwood Church of God, 3375 Curtice Rd.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The program will feature Maggie Trczinski, who will lead members in the creation of pottery
Christmas ornaments. There will also be a special “show and tell” featuring Christmas quilts.
Visitors and new members are welcome. The visitor's fee is $10; yearly membership is $35.
The December meeting, set for Dec. 3, will be a Christmas dinner and musical program. Reservations may be made by contacting Bonnie Olson.

Pumpkin composting
Once again, the Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Solid Waste District (OSS) is helping residents put their seasonal pumpkins to good use with its annual Pumpkin Composting Collection.
This November, residents in each county can drop off their pumpkins and gourds used for seasonal decor at conveniently located bins at the county fairgrounds. Instead of adding these items to the landfill, the pumpkins will be collected and transported to Garza Dirt Works in Clyde, where they will be composted and returned to the soil.
For those who may not be able to use OSS’s drop-off bins, there are other ways to keep pumpkins out of the landfill. Consider composting them at home to enrich your garden, or reach out to local farms that may accept pumpkins for livestock feed or their compost piles.
Pumpkin drop-off bins will be open to the public throughout November during daylight hours. The bins are for pumpkins and gourds only—no other yard waste.
Drop-off locations include:
• Ottawa County Fairgrounds - 7870 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
• Sandusky County Fairgrounds - 712 North St., Fremont.
• Seneca County Fairgrounds - 100 Hopewell Ave., Tiffin.
Share composting stories and pumpkin photos on Facebook @OSSSolidWaste, Twitter (X) @Aim2BGreen, or LinkedIn at OSS Solid Waste District.
Visit RecycleOSS.org for more information.

Coy Road closing
for pipeline work
The City of Oregon has issued a traffic advisory for Coy Road.
Beginning Nov. 4, through approximately Nov. 15, the road will be closed to traffic approximately 250 feet north of Navarre Avenue between Navarre and Starr avenues.
The closure is needed to permit Degen Excavating Company, Inc. to perform maintenance work on a pipeline in the 700 block of S. Coy Road.
Unless notified otherwise, the entrance drives to properties within the closure area will remain open throughout the closure period.
The signed detour route for this road closure will be Starr Avenue, Wheeling Street and Navarre Avenue.
This closure of the above roadway is expected to be open to through traffic by 5 p.m. on Nov.15.
Anyone with questions should contact the Director of Public Service office at 419-698-7047.

Library will be
open for voting
The Oregon Branch Library remains closed after being flooded in August but voting will be held Nov. 5 at the meeting room in the front of the building, which wasn’t damaged.
Repairs are expected to last through mid-December. Shelving will then need to be re-installed, pushing the opening to January, said Kristi Kopanis, a spokesperson for the library.
She said the library continues to work with its insurance company and a restoration company on repair costs and material ordering.
The building has been dried out and drywall and carpeting removed.
The in-floor electrical system has been evaluated and some elements will have to be replaced.
The City of Oregon is requiring the library obtain a building permit, Kopanis said, and an architectural firm to produce the required drawings has been retained.
Once the drawings have been approved a permit can be issued and repairs can start.

Special board
meeting set
A special meeting of the Eastwood Board of Education is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium to discuss district facilities.