News Briefs - March 16, 2025

 
Block Watch to meet
   
Northwood Neighborhood Block Watch will meet Wednesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the new Northwood Community Center on Main Street in The Enclave. 
   
Attendees will learn about Roth ID tags –  an information tag that can be affixed to a child’s car seat. In the event of an emergency, the tag pulls from the car seat and becomes an emergency identification wristband.
   
Parents who attend will receive an ID Tag. Children are also welcome to attend.
 
 
Congressional Art Show
   
The Arts Commission and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur present the Ninth Congressional District Invitational Art Competition to honor artistic excellence demonstrated by area high school students.
   
The exhibit is on display in the Toledo Museum of Art’s Robert C. and Susan Savage Community Gallery through March 30 during regular museum hours.
   
Kaptur has been presenting this opportunity to her district since 1983. High Schools and student artists in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Fulton, Williams, Defiance, Erie, and parts of Wood Counties are invited to participate.
   
The 2025 jurors include Barb Miner, of the University of Toledo; Erin Szavuly, of Lourdes University; Bart Woodstrup, of Bowling Green State University and artist Mariah Maddox.
   
Locally, Guillermo Rocha-Silguero, of Waite High School, earned runner-up honors for her piece, “El Cuervo Immortal,” sponsored by Toledo Sister Cities International.
   
For more information, visit TheArtsCommission.org.
 
 
Nominations accepted
   
Nominations for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame are being accepted through Sunday, June 1.
   
The Hall of Fame recognizes those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and continue to contribute to Ohio’s communities, state and nation through exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy, professional distinction, public service or philanthropy.
   
The Hall of Fame also can accept nominations for those who would be inducted posthumously.
   
To be considered, the veteran nominee must meet the following criteria:
    • Be a past or current Ohio resident.
    • Have received an honorable discharge.
    • Be of good moral character.
    Complete guidelines, a sample nomination and more information are available at dvs.ohio.gov/hall-of-fame.
 
 
Severe Weather Awareness Week
   
The Wood County Emergency Management Agency reminds residents and businesses that Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio will be March 16-23.
   
There will be a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 19, at 9:50 a.m. Outdoor warning sirens in Wood County will be activated for the statewide drill.
   
The National Weather Service will also activate the NOAA Weather Radio Alert System at that time to test weather radios and announce the drill.
   
All area residents and businesses should take this opportunity to establish, review, and practice their procedures in seeking safe shelter when severe weather occurs. Everyone should stay alert for rapidly changing weather conditions when a “watch” is issued and be prepared to take immediate safety measures in the event a “warning” is issued or weather conditions warrant taking action.
   
For more information on severe storms and storm safety, contact the Wood County Emergency Management Agency at 419-354-9269 or visit the National Weather Service website at nws.noaa.gov or the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness web-site at weathersafety.ohio.gov.
   
Ottawa County
   
The Ottawa County siren system will be activated for three minutes, and the Sheriff’s Dispatch will broadcast a test message to police, fire and EMS departments on March 19 at 9:50 a.m.
   
The county will not be testing its wireless emergency notification system, which would also alert residents via cell phones in the event of an emergency.
   
To sign up for this service, visit the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency website at co.ottawa.oh.us/230/Emergency-Management-Agency.
 
 
E-Cycling event to benefit Nature’s Nursery
   
Nature’s Nursery has teamed up with AIM ECycling, for the sixth year to offer Toledo-area residents an earth- friendly and secure way to properly dispose of old electronics.
   
“E-Cycling For The Animals” will take place Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Lucas County Rec Center,  2901 Key St., Maumee.
   
The event offers an easy and affordable way to keep old electronics out of landfills, to make sure personal electronic data is securely destroyed and help Nature’s Nursery share their mission to care for local wildlife and their habitats.
   
A donation of $10 per carload is suggested, with contributions benefiting Nature’s Nursery (a 501(c)3 organization).
   
Items that will be accepted include laptops, computers, printers, hard drives, modems, flat screen monitors, cables, speakers, keyboards, cameras, cellphones, radios, game systems and fax machines.
   
TVs, CRT/non-flatscreen  monitors, air conditioners, appliances, fluorescent bulbs, alkaline batteries and all other non-electric items such as furniture, toys and clothing will not be accepted.
   
“Nature’s Nursery is best known for taking in sick, injured or orphaned wild animals,” said Executive Director Allison Aey. “But we also serve to educate the public on wildlife conservation, including preserving natural habitats and environments. Aligned with our work to save these animals is also a need to make sure that natural resources are preserved and plentiful for both wildlife and people.”
   
“Aim ECycling is a local Toledo company that has the highest certification for proper data destruction and recycling of electronics,” said Aey. “Their R2 designation means they pass very stringent guidelines for minimal landfill waste and the highest secure handling of data destruction.”
   
For more information on Aim Ecycling, visit aimecycling.com.
 
 
Prescribed burning
   
Wood County Park District stewardship department is planning to conduct prescribed fires in several park properties this spring.
   
Burns will be conducted in Bradner Preserve, Cricket Frog Cove Area and Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve. The exact timing of the fires will be determined by weather factors to ensure the most effective and safe conditions, including smoke mitigation.
   
All prescribed fire practices are conducted under waiver through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, notification of the Ohio EPA, as well as direct supervision by an Ohio Certified Prescribed Fire Manager. Local fire departments for each site are aware of these plans and will be notified at least 24 hours before the fire and also on the day of the fire by the district’s fire manager.
   
The purpose of the fires is for the benefit of the natural areas and native ecosystems. All fire management is completed with best management practices.
   
Call 419-661-5113 or email zalbert@wcparks.org with any questions. For park district information, call 419-353-1897 or visit wcparks.org.
 
 
Wood County history topic of library program
   
Those who enjoy learning about Wood County history are invited to join Mike McMaster from the Wood County Museum for a presentation Thursday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Walbridge Library, 108 N. Main St.
   
Reverends Joseph Badger and Isaac Van Tassel were two important figures in the history of Wood County, but did Rev. Badger’s daughter, the wife of Reverend Van Tassel, overshadow them both? How is the memory of the old Indian Mission preserved today? Find out with a story that’s not as simple as one might think.
   
No registration is required. For more information, visit wcdpl.org/events.
 
 
Fire District raffle
   
Allen-Clay Joint Fire District Station 36 Association is raffling off a stay at Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, 5406 Wilkins Road, Whitehouse.
   
The winner will receive a gift certificate and can book the stay at a date of their choice.
   
The cabin sleeps six and features a fireplace, a full kitchen, heat and air conditioning, a bathroom and shower and a charcoal grill. No internet is available. Check in at 3:30 p.m. and check out at 10:30 a.m.
   
Raffle tickets are $2 for one entry, $5 for three entries and $10 for eight entries.
 
Visit https://bit.ly/m/ACJFD to enter.