News Briefs Week of 3/16/20

Terra State takes
measures to prevent
spread of COVID-19
At the recommendation of State of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to Ohio’s colleges and universities, Terra State Community College is taking decisive, proactive steps to minimize our risk to the growing threat of COVID-19. Effective immediately, Terra State is initiating the following steps:
• Spring break is extended one week. On Monday, March 23, on-campus courses will resume online (distance learning) only. Do not report to campus. Faculty members will contact each class via official Terra State email to inform students of the online learning delivery option. Students are directed to monitor their Terra State email accounts for further information.
2. Students enrolled in laboratory courses will be contacted by their faculty members regarding scheduling of and access to laboratory facilities.
3. Students enrolled in courses meeting at off-campus locations, such as high schools, career centers, Fostoria Learning Center, employers’ facilities and similar locations, will resume as regularly scheduled the week of March 16. These courses will continue to meet in existing format (including in person) so long as the host site conducts regular business. Should a host site need to change business operations, each situation and group of students will be addressed individually.
• Students residing in The Landings at Terra Village have the option of returning to campus the week of Monday, March 23.
• Any person who has traveled within the past two weeks oversees or on any cruise ship must be screened and cleared by an approved healthcare provider prior to returning to campus.
• Everyone is encouraged to follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and protocols to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. Visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html for details.
Future official notices and updates will be conveyed via Terra State email. Every employee and student is asked to please check email regularly. Notifications of official updates will be shared via social media and other means.

Severe Weather
Awareness Week
Gov. Mike DeWine has designated the week of March 22-28 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Many Ottawa County schools, health care facilities and other public and private organizations will be conducting training and drills in conjunction with this program.
A key activity during the week will be a statewide test of weather warning dissemination and preparedness procedures. This test will be conducted at 9:50 a.m., Wednesday, March 25. 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.
In addition, the National Weather Service will activate weather alert radios. Actual weather warnings are disseminated in the same manner.
The county will also test their wireless emergency notification system which will alert residents via cell phones in the event of an emergency. To sign up for this service, text your ZIP code to 888-777.

Public access
policy change
The Village of Gibsonburg is implementing a change in public access policy for the town hall building to reflect recommendations by the Ohio Department of Health for the corona virus.
Beginning March 16, appointments will be required for in-person meetings and only those with a scheduled meeting will be allowed into the building.
Village council will continue to meet on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers and the meetings will remain open to the public.
All utility payments will be accepted by mail, online or by dropping off payments in the drop box located in front of the town hall parking lot. The box will be checked several times during the day. Questions about water or sewer billing should be directed during business hours to Jen Cox, utility billing clerk. The phone number is 419 637-2323 and email is j.cox@gibsonburgohio.org.
Income tax forms and payments will be accepted by mail or the drop box. Income tax payments are also accepted online. The village is asking that tax documents not be emailed. To schedule an appointment with Barb Wildermuth, tax commissioner, or ask a question, call 419 637-6004, or email her at b.wildermuth@gibsonburgohio.org.
Zoning questions should be directed to Marc Glotzenbecker, village administrator, at 419 637-2634, or m.glotzenbecker@gibsonburgohio.org.
Police personnel can be reached at 419 637-2142 or 419 637-2143. The email address is dcollins@gibsonburgohio.org.

OHSAA postpones tournaments
At 12:45 p.m. Thursday, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced that all remaining winter tournament contests are immediately postponed due to the growing situation with the coronavirus COVID-19.
The suspended tournaments include the girls state basketball tournament; the state individual wrestling tournament; the state ice hockey tournament, and the boys regional and state basketball tournaments.
“We will use this time to work with the appropriate state authorities and health experts to determine our next steps moving forward,” Snodgrass said. “We realize this is disappointing for our participants and their fans, but the overall health and safety of everyone involved in our tournaments is our priority.”
No timetable has been determined for possible rescheduling for the tournaments.
The announcement was made after state and local officials recommended that no public gatherings take place to help stop the spread of the virus.
The OHSAA will send further updates regarding ticket refunds.

Neighborhood reunion
Do you remember the good times at the East Toledo Neighborhood House? If so, plan to attend the annual Friends and Family Neighborhood House Reunion on Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m. to relive old memories and reconnect with old friends. The event will be held at the United Steelworkers 1346 Hall, 2910 Consaul, Toledo. Tickets are $20 per person and includes dinner. For more information, contact Tracy Garufos at 419-691-1429.
The East Toledo Neighborhood House, which today is called the East Toledo Family Center, is located on Vinal Street in East Toledo. It started its mission in the summer of 1901. It was enlarged into “settlement work” to assist migrant families adjusting to life in America.