News Briefs

Holiday closure
The Ottawa County Board of Elections office will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29, in observance of Thanksgiving,
Regular office hours will resume on Monday, Dec, 2. Call 419-898-3071 for more information.

Winter Crisis Program
Last winter season, more than 1,100 households received emergency heating assistance through the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) Winter Crisis Program.
The program helped 1,118 households in GLCAP’s service region reconnect disconnected utilities, prevent shut-offs, or replenish heating fuel through the cold-weather season of November through March.
The program is again offering assistance to households in need from November through March 31, 2025. GLCAP serves eligible households in Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties.
Households must be at or below 175% federal poverty guidelines (e.g., $26,355/household of one, $54,600/household of four). Applicants must provide a list of all household members, including Social Security numbers, birthdates and proof of citizenship; proof of income for all household members for the previous 30 days or 12 months and copies of recent utility bills.
Along with preventing disconnects and replenishing fuel supplies, the Winter Crisis Program can also assist with establishing of transferring new service.
Scheduling for appointments is available at 419-273-4212 or online at glcap.org/winterheating.

Veteran ID cards
now available
The Ottawa County Veterans Service Office is now printing the Ohio veteran identification card.
To be eligible, veterans must have presented their discharge for recording, provide two forms of current and valid identification (at least one must bear their photograph), and not be dishonorably discharged.
Ohio Revised Code stipulates that veterans must have their discharge recorded with the Ottawa County Recorder’s Office in order to receive the Ohio veterans identification card.
The Recorder’s Office is located in the Ottawa County Courthouse at 315 Madison St., Port Clinton. Appointments are requested to have a card printed.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 419-898-2089.

OJHS seeking
bakers, volunteers
Oregon Jerusalem Historical Society is preparing for its Community Christmas event, which will be held Saturday, Dec. 7 in the Educational Wing of Brandville School Museum Complex, 1133 Grasser St., Oregon.
OJHS is expecting 600-800 people at the event, which is in its third year.
The society is seeking bakers to donate cookies – every child will enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie after he or she sees Santa, Mrs. Claus and Old St. Nick – and other baked goods for the bake sale.
Volunteers are also needed in various roles Dec. 7, including selling raffle tickets for the Parade of Trees room, helping children fill out their tickets to win free trees and a free history camp, and other tasks.
Those interested in baking or volunteering may call Kitty Sternberg at 419-376-9491 or Angie Greszler at 440-396-1455 to make arrangements. Baked goods will be accepted on Friday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
OJHS will hold Members and Friends Preview Night Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. View the more than 30 trees in the Parade of Trees, get early access to any décor items that will be for sale and purchase raffle tickets for the trees and baskets being raffled on Dec. 7.

‘Polar Express’
Pajama Party
Kids are invited to put on their favorite pajamas for train-themed fun at the Hayes Museum in Fremont on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Attendees can pick one session.
A special guest will read “The Polar Express,” and kids will see and interact with the “Hayes Train Special” model train display. Refreshments will also be provided.
Tickets are required and are available at rbhayes.org/news/2024/11/06/general/polar-express-pajama-party-offers-family-fun-for-the-holidays/. Tickets are $7 for non-members and $5 for Hayes Presidential members. These prices apply to all ages.
This event is part of A Presidential Christmas, a series of holiday events at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. A Presidential Christmas is sponsored by GEM, Inc. Partial funding for A Presidential Christmas is by Wright Leather Works.
Hayes Presidential is located at Spiegel Grove at the corner of Hayes and Buckland avenues. For information, call 419-332-2081, or visit rbhayes.org.

Gavarone elected
majority whip
State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) has been elected by the Ohio Senate majority caucus to serve as the Majority Floor Leader in the 136th General Assembly, which begins in January.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be chosen for this role in our leadership team by my colleagues,” Gavarone said. “I am grateful for their trust in me and look forward to continuing to serve my constituents and our great state every day.”
Sen. Gavarone currently serves as the Majority Whip and previously vice-chaired the Senate Finance Committee during the 134th General Assembly, playing a role in crafting the state’s main operating budget. She has been in the Senate since 2019.

Habitat hires director
Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County has hired Valerie Winterfield as its new Community Engagement Director.
Winterfield had been executive director of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
"What drew me to Habitat for Humanity is the incredible mission," Winterfield said. "Ottawa County is my home. The people here are amazing, and it's such a welcoming and vibrant community. I feel fortunate to contribute to a place I care so much about."
She became a homeowner years ago when she purchased her home in Rocky Ridge through Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County.
"As a Habitat homeowner, I know firsthand the life-changing impact that affordable housing can have," she said.
During her 17-year tenure at the chamber of commerce, she collaborated with local businesses and community members to improve the greater Oak Harbor area. She spearheaded the Oak Harbor Apple Festival, an annual event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
"Many people have misconceptions about Habitat, such as the idea that we give away houses for free. Having a leader like Valerie who understands our work and the impact that safe, affordable housing has on a working family is truly invaluable," Habitat Executive Director Debi Heiks said.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County, contact Winterfield at 419-734-7074 or community@HabitatOttawaCounty.org

Bus safety bill
introduced
State Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) has introduced Senate Bill 329, which she says will help keep children safe on their way to and from school.
"It's critical we prioritize the safety of our kids, especially on the road. According to the State Highway Patrol, they issued 16,000 citations for passing stopped school buses and other school zone violations from 2018 to August of 2023," Gavarone said. "This legislation aims to increase awareness of
the law and protect our children."
Senate Bill 329 creates a civil penalty for drivers who illegally pass school buses but are not criminally cited. The civil penalty will be $300, most of which will support school bus safety technology initiatives. Fifty dollars from each fine will go towards the school bus safety fund. This fund will support grants to school districts for improving safety features on school buses and help the Department of Education and Workforce educate the public on school bus safety laws.
The bill also designates August as "School Bus Safety Month" to promote awareness about sharing the roads with school buses as the academic year begins.

B-C-S senior
citizens luncheon
set for Dec. 4

The Benton-Carroll-Salem Christmas luncheon for senior citizens will be held Dec. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Oak Harbor High School auditorium and cafeteria.
Reservations should be entered by Dec. 1 by calling 419-898-6210.
(The Press mistakenly published this event last week with an incorrect date of Dec. 14 for the luncheon.)

Crash under
investigation
The Swanton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle injury crash involving an Ohio Turnpike maintenance vehicle.
The crash occurred Tuesday at 11:52 a.m. on I-280 south at the ramp to the turnpike in Lake Township.
A turnpike maintenance truck with its emergency lights activated, occupied by Jason Kingseed, 40, and George Roberts, 29, was stopped on the southbound shoulder of I-280. A southbound Ford Fusion, operated by Jean Rodriguez, 24, Elyria, Ohio, drove off the right side of the road and struck the vehicle.
Kingseed suffered a possible minor injury and was treated at the scene. Roberts was not injured. Rodriguez sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Mariah Rosa, 24, Elyria, and a juvenile passenger in the Ford were not injured.
The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Lake Township Fire and EMS, and Madison Motor Service. The crash remains under investigation.

Library hosting
Christmas party
The Genoa Branch Library is partnering with United Way of Greater Toledo and the Imagination Library to host an “Elf” themed Christmas party on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The party will feature Santa Claus, crafts, games, and candy.
Allen-Clay Joint Fire District Chief Mike Musolf will be reading Christmas stories starting at 11 a.m.