News Briefs

Gas cap testing
Drivers can get a free test of their vehicle’s gas cap and a no-cost replacement if a leak is found at events coming up across Northwest Ohio.
At the drive-up testing event, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) staff will do a quick compression test to make sure gas caps are sealed.
Aside from the environmental impact, a broken or missing gas cap can impact a vehicle’s performance and reduce fuel efficiency by 1-2 percent, costing up to two full tanks of gas each year.
TMACOG will offer free gas cap testing and replacement from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the following locations:
• Wednesday, July 19: Bowling Green State University, Lot 13, Wooster Street and Alumni Drive, near Doyt Perry Stadium.
• Thursday, July 20: Westgate Village, 3450 Central Ave., Toledo.
• Wednesday, July 26: Perrysburg Junior High, 550 E. South Boundary St., back parking lot.
Older vehicles are more likely to have a poorly sealed cap, but any vehicle could be leaking. A loose gas cap may trigger the check engine light, so if the light turns on randomly or right after filling up, the cap may need to be replaced.
TMACOG is a non-partisan regional planning partnership made up of voluntary members in Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Together, TMACOG members work on transportation, water quality and other economic development endeavors that affect quality of life for everyone in our region. For more information, visit tmacog.org.

Farmers market,
Living off the Grid
event set in Fremont
Downtown Fremont will host the Croghan Colonial Bank Farmers Market and Crown Battery Living Off the Grid Event on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine. Attendance is free.
During the farmers market, participate in the “Set up your Homestead” activity by visiting the featured vendors throughout the market. First stop by the Downtown Fremont Inc. tent at the intersection of Front and Garrison streets to pick up a worksheet.
Visit the following featured vendors including Ottawa Sandusky Seneca Green Recycling Scene, Ladies Homestead Gathering, Celery Gardens of Ballville, Paradise Energy Solutions, Black Swamp Coalition and Joyfully Remade to learn more about survival, recycling in the outdoors and setting up a homestead. Those who complete the worksheet may return to the Downtown Fremont Inc. table to be entered into a drawing for a $25 Think Fremont Community Card.
As always, farmers and vendors will be selling produce and unique items 6 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be no parking on Front Street between Croghan Street and the alley at the Fremont City Municipal Building and on Garrison Street between Arch Street and Bidwell Avenue in downtown Fremont due to the farmers market.
To learn more about these and other Downtown Fremont Inc. events, visit downtownfremontohio.org or call 419-332-8696 or 567-342-4758.

Tools for School
The Salvation Army is getting ready to help students start the school year off geared for success.
Tools for School is a Salvation Army program that provides backpacks with school supplies to Lucas County students. By providing basic school supplies and a new backpack The Salvation Army hopes to even the playing field for children who may not otherwise be able to start school with the tools they need to succeed throughout the school year, according to Maj. Gayle Miga, area coordinator, the Salvation Army of Greater Toledo.
A Tools for School distribution will be held Tuesday; July 18, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. at The Salvation Army, 620 N. Erie St., Toledo.
Documents required at pickup include a photo ID, proof of address, proof of children’s ages and custody papers, if applicable.
For more information, visit SalvationArmyNWOhio.org.

Chip Away at Hunger
A benefit ladies golf outing will be held Wednesday, July 26 at the Oak Harbor Golf Course, 10433 W. Oak Harbor Southeast Rd.
Funds raised at the event will benefit the Benton-Carroll-Salem Food Pantry, Port Clinton’s Ruth Vogt Angel Fund and Oak Harbor Care Fund, which provides lunches for children.
The four-person scramble event will tee off at 9 a.m. The registration fee is $60 per person or $240 per team includes golf, a cart and lunch. Participation is limited to 25 teams.
The event, sponsored by Bassett’s Market, will also include prizes, and a 50/50 raffle.

Blood Donors Needed
The American Red Cross is seeking blood donations to help avoid a blood shortage that could impact patient care at hospitals.
The Red Cross is offering incentives to donors in the coming weeks, including the chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two, and a Shark Week T-shirt.
Locally, donors can go to Hope Community Church, 5650 Starr Ave., Oregon, on July 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Road paving
July 17-21
Ottawa County and several townships have contracted to have roads paved July 17-21.
Converse Street, between Sloan Street and N.W. Catawba Road; Croghan Street, between Porter
and State Rt. 53; Porter, between W. Catawba and Rt. 53; Sloan Street, between W. Catawba and Rt. 53; Wonnell Road, from Rt. 53 to the end, and the entire length of Applegate Road will be closed to through traffic during construction.
Crews are scheduled to work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Project updates will be posted on the county engineer’s website: www.co.ottawa.oh.us/219/Road-Closures.
Bridge work
underway
In Ottawa County, repairs began July 10 on a bridge along Paulsen Road over Quisno Ditch and will continue through Aug.16.
The bridge is located between Oak Harbor Southeast Road and Little Portage East Road and no through traffic will be permitted during the project. A detour route is posted.

Living history
event returns to
aviation museum
The Liberty Aviation Museum is hosting the return of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation's Vietnam-era Huey and Cobra helicopters for living history rides at the Liberty Aviation Museum, July 14 from noon-4 p.m. and July 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the museum's annual Military Vehicle & Living History Weekend.
Helicopter rides and the event will take place at the Liberty Aviation Museum, located at 3515 E. State Rd., Port Clinton
The free military show on Saturday & Sunday will feature military vehicles and equipment from all military eras, military and veteran vendors, re-enactors, Living History Displays, and primitive camping for those participating. Admission is required if you are interested in touring the museum, or if you are
interested in taking a helicopter ride. UH-1 Huey Helicopter rides are $110 per person. Flights can take upwards of 12 passengers at a time. Cobra Helicopter flights can only take one passenger at a time and flights are $625 per person.
In addition, The late Hogan’s Heroes actor Bob Crane will be in the spotlight at the Bob Crane: The Definitive Biography presentation and book signing with author Carol Ford, who will be signing both days during the military vehicle event with a special free presentation in the museum's conference room on both days around 1 p.m.
Walk-up ticketing is available for the Huey and Cobra helicopter rides on all dates. Call the Liberty Aviation Museum at 419.732.0234. The email address is marketing@libertyaviationmuseum.org or visit the website at www.libertyaviationmuseum.org and click on the Event tab.

Turnpike exit
ramps reopened
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has reopened the eastbound and westbound exit ramps at Toll Plaza 81 (Elmore-Woodville-Gibsonburg) in Ottawa County.
The toll plaza was closed for toll collection system upgrades and other construction projects on June 5.
The commission said the new collection system is big step forward in safety, efficiency and convenience for the Ohio Turnpike’s passenger car and commercial truck customers.