News Briefs Week of 7/13/20
Website upgrades
The Wood County Auditor’s office launched an upgraded property search page, available at www.co.wood.oh.us/auditor or at https://auditor.co.wood.oh.us.
Among key upgrades of the site are oblique imagery, integration with Google Street View and Bing Maps and improved printing capabilities. The property search field now autocompletes after a few characters are typed, making searches quicker and easier for users. The site also contains a levy estimator, which shows the financial impact of each upcoming levy specific to any parcel selected.
The upgraded site is touch-screen friendly to be compatible with mobile devices. “We recognize a lot of houses do not have a home computer anymore,” Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestreich said. “Many people use tablets or phones as their main computer.”
After researching and weighing options, the county was able to make the upgrade with no additional costs, Oestreich said, adding that there is actually a slight annual cost savings from the previous web hosting company.
How-to videos are available on the site for additional information and instruction.
Bell ringers sought
for Christmas in July
The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to ring the bell for the “Christmas in July” Red Kettle Campaign, which will take place July 24 and 25 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Kettle sites will be set up at Twin Oast Brewing in Port Clinton and at Friendship Food Stores in Port Clinton and Catawba. All proceeds will help support The Port Clinton Salvation Army Service Unit.
To volunteer or make a donation, contact Salvation Army Director Maureen Saponari at 419-732-2769 or Maureen.saponari@use.salvationarmy.org.
The Salvation Army-Port Clinton Service Unit is also accepting applications and donations for the “Tools for School Program,” which assists school-age children in Ottawa County who are in need of school supplies and book bags for the 2020-2021 school year.
Contact Saponari for more details.
Virtual Leadership
Institute planned
In response to limited access to community organizations because of COVID-19, Leadership Ottawa County is offering a Virtual Leadership Institute designed to help leaders from across Ottawa County and beyond to hone their skills.
Carrie Sanchez, LOC program director, will lead participants through a variety of engaging activities during the eight-week course, which runs, July 28 through Sep. 15. The cost is $179, which includes a textbook and workbook, weekly virtual lessons, discussion boards with peers and leadership simulations. Group discounts and a special rate for LOC alumni are available.
For more details, email Sanchez at carrie.j.sanchez@gmail.com or visit www.bit.ly/2NoXF0P, where a link to the application form can also be found.
Bicentennial events
postponed to 2021
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Sandusky County Bicentennial events have been postponed until 2021.
The Bicentennial Committee announced it will continue to monitor health conditions and will notify the public about rescheduled dates on its website, bicentennial2020.org, and its Facebook page, @sanduskycounty2020.
Rescheduled bicentennial events include:
• Cotillion Affair bicentennial ball;
• Black Swamp Historical Festival;
• State of Eight Vintage Base Ball Tournament;
• Birthday Bash at the courthouse;
• Historical downtown walking tour;
• Bootlegger’s Ball.
“Although it is disappointing that these events cannot take place this year, the Bicentennial Committee’s foremost concern is the health of the public and making sure the celebrations of Sandusky County’s 200th birthday take place in a safe environment,” the press release said.
Newsboys raise nearly $150,000
The Old Newsboys provides shoes, coats and clothing to needy children and food for families in need throughout the Greater Toledo area. The Old Newsboys earn additional funds through their golf outing fundraiser, the St. Patrick’s Day event in downtown Toledo and a Toledo Walleye charity jersey auction.
Last winter, the Old Newsboys provided $96,262 worth of clothing and shoes and $1,829 in emergency food baskets to the community. They also provided $44,128 in grants to organizations that serve children in the area as well as $50,000 in scholarships to area high school seniors.
Last year, volunteers from The Press helped local real estate agent Danny Knopp raise $3,986, which put him third among dozens of Old Newsboys.
Protest damage
at state capitol
nearly $160,000
Repairs to the Ohio Statehouse and the Capitol Square grounds due to the protests on May 28 through June 18 will cost the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board $158,263. The amount does not include the expenses incurred by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, or the costs to repair the damage that occurred on other state property.
The CSRAB is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Ohio Statehouse and Capitol Square..
The CSRAB hired a professional service to clean and remove graffiti from the limestone building and walls, as well as the granite and marble monuments. The broken windows of the Ohio Statehouse have been boarded up since May 29, as the CSRAB collected quotes for repairs to the glass and the wooden millwork of the windows and doors. Exterior damages include pole lights and lanterns, a bench and many of the trash cans.
Road work planned
The Ottawa County engineer’s office has scheduled repair work on Benton-Carroll Road for July 13-16.
Work will be conducted between Bier Road and State Rt. 2. Benton-Carroll Road will be closed to traffic, except for local and emergency vehicles, in one-mile stretches during construction.
Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. depending on the weather.