News Briefs
Toledo Helps Ukraine
welcomes refugees
Toledo Helps Ukraine (4UA.org) welcomed the Bova family from the Zaporizhia Region in Ukraine to Toledo on April 25.
The family of four represents the latest refugee family 4UA.org has brought to safety. To date, 4UA.org has independently secured 15 sponsors and brought 33 refugees to Ohio, and 18 who settled elsewhere in the U.S., for a temporary two-year stay.
“The Bova family heard about 4UA.org through a Ukrainian blogger in New York City who emigrated to the U.S. 15 years ago,” said Alona Matchenko, co-founder of Toledo Helps Ukraine/4UA.org. Alena.America talks about life here through her Instagram account, where she has over one million subscribers.
“Alena.America generously offered to advertise the services of 4UA.org for free through her social media accounts,” said Matchenko. “At one point, we received 34 applications in one day.”
The Bova family has been sponsored by Andrew Schwirzinski and will be living in Toledo.
“4UA.org has received and vetted over 115 individuals from Ukraine who are seeking resettlement in the United States,” Matchenko said. “We receive requests daily from Ukrainians who are desperate to come here for the safety of their family and children. We need additional sponsors to help bring them here while Russia continues to attack their cities and villages.”
Sponsors can be U.S. citizens, permanent residents or other lawfully present individuals. This includes individuals on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and refugees. Groups of sponsors, nonprofits, educational institutions and employers can also help sponsor people fleeing Ukraine.
To learn more or to donate, visit www.4ua.org.
CASA plans virtual
information session
The Wood County Court Appointed Special Advocate program will offer a virtual information session Friday, May 5 at 2 p.m.
A CASA volunteer will lead the no-pressure session, which will address any questions about the program. To join the session, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89587997886.
Those who are unable to attend but would like more information may call 419-352-3554, ext. 8326 or visit woodcountycasa.org or facebook.com/WoodCountyCASAProgram.
Additional virtual sessions will be held Monday, June 12 and Tuesday, July 18.
Diabetes Get-together
Magruder Hospital’s May Diabetes Get-Together will be held Thursday, May 4, at 11 a.m. in the conference center, 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton.
The free get-together is for anyone dealing with diabetes or pre-diabetes, including family and friends. This month’s topic will be “Travel & Diabetes.” Certified diabetes care and education specialists lead the discussions.
This will be the last Diabetes Get-Together until October. No RSVP is necessary. Call 419-732-4047 or email tstadler@magruderhospital.com for more information.
Health fair planned
St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1213 Washington St., Genoa, will host a health fair Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m.-noon.
The event will feature basic health screenings for those who are 18 and older. Hearing, skin cancer and bone density testing will also be available.
The Mercy Mobile Mammography Van will be doing breast cancer screenings. Interested women must pre-register for an appointment. Some insurances will pay for the services. To register, call 833-626-6626.
A number of organizations will be on hand to answer questions about their services including PT Services, Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Be the Match – Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Ottawa County Extension Office (healthy recipes), Ottawa County Health Department, Mental Health Board, Ottawa County Senior Resources, Kroeger & Peters (estate planning), Genoa Fire Department (AED and CPR) plus the Family Advocacy Center.
In addition, attendees can speak with a bicycle expert and experience chair yoga.
Motorist faces
drug charges
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers have filed felony drug charges against a Michigan man after a traffic stop in Wood County.
Troopers seized suspected fentanyl, including 30 grams powder and nine pills. They also seized two bottles containing 8 ounces of liquid promethazine, more than 3 grams of marijuana and an alprazolam pill, with a combined worth of approximately $4,552.
On April 20, troopers stopped a 2021 Nissan Rogue with Kentucky registration for speeding and following too close violations on Interstate 80. While interacting with the occupants, troopers detected the odor of raw marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a consensual pat-down of the driver, troopers located the drugs on his person. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, troopers located additional drugs.
The driver, Dewone Desean-Kenneth Cook, 31, Warren, Mich., was incarcerated in the Wood County Justice Center and charged with possession and trafficking in fentanyl, both first-degree felonies, and possession of dangerous drugs, a fifth-degree felony.
If convicted, he could face up to 23 years in prison and up to a $42,500 fine.
Youth resource
meeting set
The Youth Resource Consortium Roundtable meeting will be held May 2 at the Wilson Nature Center in Creek Bend Farm, 720 S. Main St., Lindsey.
The meeting will be held from 10-11 a.m. Organizations that serve youths will discuss available resources in Sandusky County.
For information call 419-334-5900 or 419-967-0445.
Warbler program
at nature center
Warbler ID for Beginners will be held May 6 at Creek Bend Farm: Wilson Nature Center, 720 South Main Street, Lindsey, from 10 ‐11:30 p.m.
Participants will learn how to identify warblers by recognizing their song, field markings, behavior, and preferred habitat.
Registration is required is required at: www.lovemyparks.com.