News Briefs Week of 9/07/20
Wreath Raffle set
The Ottawa County Wreaths across America committee is holding two wreath raffles to benefit the organization’s effort to place a wreath on the graves of Ottawa County veterans on Wreaths across America Day, Dec. 19.
Both wreaths to be raffled contain gift certificates to local restaurants, businesses and attractions.
The first drawing will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11. The value of the items on this wreath is more than $500.
The second drawing will be Tuesday, Dec. 1. The value of the items on this wreath is more than $300.
Tickets for each drawing are $20 and may be purchased from Shelley at Helena Agricultural Services, 3014 N. Martin Williston Rd., Martin or from Sara at the Ottawa County Veterans office, 8444 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor, during business hours.
Committee members John Heminger, Genoa; Nate Holman, Port Clinton and Kayleen Daup, Carroll Township also have tickets available.
Board vacancies
The Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas is seeking to fill two board member vacancies on the Ottawa County Veterans Service Commission.
Interested parties for a member-at-large vacancy should be willing to serve a minimum term through Jan. 14, 2022, meet twice monthly for board meetings (usually at 4:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of the month), and attend education and training as directed by Ohio Revised Code Title 5901 and the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
To be eligible, an applicant must be an honorably discharged veteran, a resident of Ottawa County, and shall not be an employee of the Commission or hold an elective or appointive office of the county served by the Commission.
There is currently a vacancy held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Interested parties for this appointment should be willing to serve a minimum term through Jan. 14, 2021, meet twice monthly for board meetings (usually at 4:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of the month), and attend education and training as directed by Ohio Revised Code Title 5901 and the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.
To be eligible, an applicant must be an honorably discharged veteran, a resident of Ottawa County, and shall not be an employee of the Commission or hold an elective or appointive office of the county served by the Commission.
Contact the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas at 419-734-6790 for more information. Applications, DD214 (or equivalent), and a letter of endorsement from a veteran service organization may be sent to the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas, 315 Madison St, Port Clinton, OH 43452, as soon as possible.
FEMA announces
lost wages aid
FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Ohio for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Ohio to provide $300 per week – on top of regular unemployment benefits – to those unemployed due to COVID-19.
FEMA will work with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to implement a system to make this funding available to Ohio residents.
On Aug. 8, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 26, the state of Ohio agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.
FEMA will work with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program. To see a list of states previously approved for lost wages assistance, visit www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/lost-wages-assistance-approved-states.
To learn more about FEMA’s lost wages supplemental payment assistance, visit www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-lost-wages-supplemental-payment-assistance.
Traffic restrictions
Construction crews are expected to be paving a section of State Road in Ottawa County until Sept. 18, the county engineer’s office said.
The county has contracted with Erie Blacktop to pave the road, from State Rt. 53 to Plasterbed Road, and the project will restrict traffic to one lane while crews are on site. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Bridge project
To complete the replacement of a bridge at Fulkert Road over Toussaint Creek, the road closure is being extended until Sept. 25.
Fulkert will remain closed between Opfer-Lentz and Nissen roads but access for farm equipment will be provided as necessary.