News briefs June 19

Artificial intelligence scam discussion set

        The Lake Township Police Department, in conjunction with its Neighborhood Watch program, will host a meeting to discuss how scammers are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to scam unsuspecting victims out of money and their identity.

         The discussion will be held Tuesday, June 27 at 7 p.m. at the Lake Township Hall, 27975 Cummings Rd. Millbury. There is no charge for the event and no pre-registration is required.

         “People are being scammed out of millions of dollars and their identity is being stolen through these scams when they are thinking they are talking to their relatives and friends,” said Ron Craig, Lake Township Police Department’s crime prevention officer and community policing officer.

         Craig said the AI being used is so good, even experts are being fooled by the technology.

         Details will be provided during the meeting as to how the scammers are gaining access to a person’s voice, using the new technology of AI to duplicate that voice, then using information that is readily available to complete the scam. “We will also inform people how they can protect themselves and thwart these types of scams,” Craig said. “We hope the public will attend this Neighborhood Watch meeting to learn details of the scams.”

Members of the township’s Neighborhood Watch groups are encouraged to attend the meeting as well.

         Government officials estimate that $10 billion dollars are lost annually to various types of scams.

         “We get reports on a regular basis from people, especially seniors, who are either victims of scams or potential victims. We had one resident who lost more than $6,000 in a scam that involved money being sent to Hong Kong,” Craig said. Once people lose their money or identity to scammers, their little law enforcement officials can do to get it back.

         “Most scammers are operating from outside the United States, so they are usually beyond the reach of even the FBI,” Craig pointed out.

For more information, call 419-481-6354.

Clean Plate Awards

         Wood County Health Department presented this year’s Clean Plate Awards on June 15.

         The awards were presented to 38 licensed food facilities out of more than 800 in Wood County for their dedication to upholding excellent sanitation and food safety knowledge within their operations. 

         The health department presented recipients with certificates of excellence and recognition of outstanding performance in food safety. Clean Plate Award winners also received a decal to display at their facilities. 

         This is the 13th year that the Wood County Board of Health presented Clean Plate Awards.

         “The food service and retail food service establishments that receive this award make food safety their number-one priority. Meeting the criteria for the Clean Plate Award is no easy task. We are thankful for their dedication to providing safe products for their consumers,” said Lana Glore, environmental health director at the Wood County Health Department.

         This year’s recipients include: The Bard’s Coffee, BG’s Frosty Fare, Bowling Green Manor, Conneaut Elementary School, Crim Elementary School, Eastwood Elementary School, Eastwood High School, Eastwood Middle School, First Solar PGT-2, Frobose Meat Locker, GLCAP Jordan Family Development Center, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Kingston Care Center of Perrysburg, McDonald’s on South Main Street in Bowling Green, McDonald’s on Wooster Street in Bowling Green, Meijer Gas Station-Store #116, Mike & AJ’z Ice Cream Shack, Myla Marcus Winery, North Baltimore Middle/High School, Northcoast Deli & Mr. Melon 2, Northwood Local School, Owens Community College Culinary Center – Terrace View Café, Porkbelly BBQ, Primrose School of Perrysburg, Rita’s Dairy Bar, Robert Bettinger Inc. (Nazareth Hall), Rossford School PK-5, Rossford School 6-12, Sundae Station, VFW Post #1148, Wood County Committee on Aging – Bowling Green, Grand Rapids, North Baltimore, Northeast, Pemberville, Perrysburg and Wayne locations,  and Wood County Justice Center.

         Questions regarding the Clean Plate Awards may be directed to lglore@woodcountyohio.gov.

Holiday closure

         The Ottawa County Board of Elections office will be closed Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth Day.

         Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, June 20. For more information, call 419-898-3071.

Volunteers sought

         The Boardwalk at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve, 29530 White Rd., Perrysburg, is being reconstructed, thanks to a grant from the Country Garden Club. 

         Volunteer assistance is needed to help park district staff complete the boardwalk and reopen the trail quickly. Tools, materials, and instruction will be provided.

         Volunteer days will be held throughout June, in shifts running from 9-11 a.m. or 12-2 p.m. To register, or for more information, visit wcparks.org/volunteer.

         The W.W. Knight Nature Preserve is open daily from 8 a.m. until 30 minutes past sunset. Learn about Wood County Park District’s 21 parks and nature preserves at wcparks.org or 419-353-1897. 

Genealogy meeting

         The Ottawa County Genealogical Society will meet Tuesday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ida Rupp Library, 310 Madison St., Port Clinton.

         The speaker will be Henry Stobbs, who will discuss, “The Conundrum of Two Henrys.” The public is welcome.

Road Closure

         The Dearborn Avenue (between Wheeling St. and Navarre Ave.) LUC-Munding Road and Dearborn Avenue Reconstruction (PID 111524) project will require a road closure and detour. Beginning Thursday, June 22, 2023 through Friday, August 18, 2023, the city will close Dearborn Avenue between Wheeling Street and Navarre Avenue to all through traffic. The road closure is necessary to permit D.L. Smith Concrete, LLC to remove and replace the existing concrete pavement on Dearborn Avenue. The signed detour route for all vehicles shall be: Navarre Avenue (SR 2) and Wheeling Street. This work is expected to be completed no later than Friday, August 18, 2023. 

Stritch student gets scholarship 

         Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School & Academy recently announced that Kent Horvath '24 has been awarded the Alfred University Scholar Award, the highest and most prestigious scholarship from Alfred University located in Alfred, New York. The scholarship is $30,000 per year, renewable for four years.

          Unknown to the Horvath family, principal Mel Viers nominated Kent for the award. "I was honored that Mrs. Viers thought of nominating me,” Kent said. "I am still in awe that I was awarded the scholarship, let alone be nominated." According to the Office of Admissions at the university, the award review process considers a student's cumulative GPA, high school quality, and rigor of curriculum, as well as the student's strength in their coursework, leadership, service, and participation in extracurricular activities. 

         "Kent truly fits Alfred University's Outside of Ordinary description of one who is an exceptional scholar, athlete, musician, student leader, and servant of the Church," Viers explained as to why she nominated Kent. "We are very proud of him and know he will do well when he leaves the Cardinal nest."

         Kent's parents are elated as well and have researched the university, its curriculum, and student life. Kent states that they are hoping to personally visit the campus soon.

         "I have been looking into their engineering program and degrees they offer as I am leaning towards majoring in the field of engineering," he said.

          At Cardinal Stritch, Kent is busy on a field, in the music room, and serving at all-school Masses. He has played soccer and football for the Cardinals, is a member of the marching band, and has performed in school musicals. Kent is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and the Stritch Science Club. Kent is involved in campus ministry as a Kairos Leader and also serves at all Masses. 

Bulletproof  vests 

         Oregon City Council recently approved a request by the police department to apply for bulletproof vests.

         The grant is from the 2023 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 was signed as law for the purpose of saving the lives of law enforcement officers by helping states and units of local government to equip their law enforcement officers with armored vests. The grant provides an approximate 50 percent match for the purpose of purchasing the new armored vests for police officers this year and next year.

Health dept. clinics

         The Ottawa County Health Department, 1856 E. Perry St., Port Clinton, has issued a schedule of clinics for the week of June 19-23. Appointments may be made by calling 419-734-6800.

         June 19: Holiday – office closed.

         June 20: WIC Clinic, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; 60+ Clinic – Put-in-Bay, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Genoa Immunizations (Allen Clay Fire Station), 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Tuberculosis Clinic, 3-4 p.m.

         June 21: Family Planning Clinic, 8-9 a.m.; Immunization Clinic, 12-4:30 p.m.

         June 22: Immunization at JFS, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; Tuberculosis Clinic, 3-4 p.m.

         June 23: WIC Clinic, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Immunization Clinic, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.