Week of 3/16/15

Campaign fined
The Federal Elections Commission has fined the Kaptur for Congress campaign committee $6,460 for violating a law requiring office seekers to report donations received shortly before an election.

In a Jan. 14 letter to Thomas Jaffee, treasurer of Rep. Marcy’s Kaptur’s (D -Toledo) campaign for the primary election last May, the FEC states the campaign violated a 48-hour requirement for reporting donations exceeding $1,000.

The letter notes the campaign received $52,500 between April 21 and May 3 from donors but missed the reporting deadline.

The fine was paid Nov. 19. The FEC released records of the matter Feb. 27.

Musicians sought
Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School in Oregon is looking for musicians to play in the pit orchestra for its high school musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

The school is looking for people who play the clarinet, trumpet, according, violin, bass and cello. Rehearsals will be the weeks of April 13-19 and April 20-25. The show will be performed on April 24-26.

Volunteers can be any age. For more information, email Tyler Lentz at tlentz@katerischools.org or call 419-693-0465.

Disco Party
Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School and St. Kateri Catholic Academy will hold a Disco Party Saturday, March 21 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $25 per person at the door. The price of admission includes dinner and entertainment. Drinks will be sold at the event. Disco attire is optional, but highly recommended.

For more information, contact Renee Staler at 419-343-7376 or jstaler@bex.net, or Kevin Parkins at kparkins@katerischools.org.

Celebrating women
A gathering, reception and celebration in honor of Women’s History Month and the historic appointment of Paula Hicks-Hudson as mayor of Toledo will be held Monday, March 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Toledo-Lucas County Main Library, Michigan and Madison streets, downtown Toledo.

The event will include opportunities for networking and women sharing stories and messages. Mayor Hicks-Hudson will also conduct a question-and-answer session. Refreshments will be served.

Seating is limited. RSVP by March 19 by calling 419-720-7002. Free parking is available.

Electric vehicle owners to meet
Electric Vehicle owners from the area will gather Saturday, March 21 for the spring meeting of the Electric Auto Association of Northwest Ohio.

The group will meet at 9 a.m. in the Transportation Technologies Building, at Owens Community College, located at 30335 Oregon Rd. Perrysburg.

Members in the local chapter are part of a national organization, Electric Auto Association, based in Aptos, California. The mission of the association, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California, is to act as a source of information to the public on the benefits of electric automobile technology and help educate the public on developments regarding the technology.

The Northwest Ohio chapter has actively promoted the benefits of driving with alternative-fuel vehicles such as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). According to chapter president Michael Hall, the group has reached a large number of individuals through participation at local car-shows and a Ride-and-Drive event hosted at Owens last fall.

The first event of this year will be the Big Solar Business and Community Solar Workshop Friday, March 27 at the Toledo Glass Pavilion, adjacent to the Toledo Museum of Art in downtown Toledo. A variety of electric vehicles will be on display, some utilizing the expansive solar canopy as an energy source to recharge the vehicle batteries.

The public is invited to attend March 21 meeting, and may research additional Electric Auto Association information at www.electricauto.org.


Heating help deadline

Area residents who need help paying heating bills may apply for assistance through WSOS Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP) through March 31.

The program provides utility assistance for Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa and Seneca county residents who are facing a utility shut-off or have already had a utility disconnect, as well as households with a heating supply (propane, fuel oil, wood, kerosene, coal or corn pellets) that will last fewer than 10 days. The program also provides financial assistance for utility deposits.

Along with EHEAP, customers of First Energy (Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison) who need help paying utility bills may be eligible for added assistance. Funds may be used in addition to EHEAP assistance, and are also available to those who have already received help through EHEAP. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and are available for Ohio Edison or Toledo Edison customers only.

Customers may enroll in either or both programs through March 31 or until funds are exhausted. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-888-441-4327 or 419-334-8911. Information is also available at www.wsos.org under the “Utility Assistance” tab on the main page.

Quality-of-life survey
Lucas County residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey designed to gather opinions on the quality of life in the county.

The survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/2015LucasCHIP. The Lucas County Community Health Improvement Planning Committee will use the results of this survey and other information to identify the most pressing problems that can be addressed through community action.

Safe Boating Class
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 16-15 will present a one-day Safe Boating Class Saturday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA at 306 Bush St. Toledo.

The registration fee is $15 for YMCA members (must show card at registration) and $20 for non-members. Family and group members are also available.

Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Phil Wesley, flotilla public education- officer, at 734-847-8580 or philbedford@bex.net.

Office hours set
Regional liaisons for Secretary of State Jon Husted will hold office hours Thursday, March 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Wood County Public Library, 251 N. Main St., Bowling Green.

In addition to making voter registration forms and election information available, regional representatives will answer questions and distribute materials to those interested in learning more about the other functions of the office such as the business services division and various initiatives including the Ohio Business Profile and Military Ready-to-Vote program.

Legislation reintroduced
Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) has reintroduced the VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act, legislation intended to expedite the processing of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs appeals claims.

The legislation places a 12-month deadline for all appeals claims to be certified by a regional VA office and sent to the Board of Veterans Appeals.

“Our veterans deserve the utmost care and service,” said Latta. “However, the unacceptable wait times and lengthy delays that have plagued the VA have prevented many of our nation’s heroes from receiving the benefits they deserve. The VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act would streamline the VA’s processes and provide a deadline by which all appeals must be certified to ensure a more timely processing of veterans’ appeals.”

Currently, when an initial VA claim is denied, a veteran has the choice to appeal the decision. However, in order to do this, he or she must enter into a process, which has forced many veterans to wait years before receiving a final decision. The deadline imposed by the Latta’s legislation would require the VA to expedite and streamline these procedures to ensure this trend does not continue.

Job fair
The East Toledo Family Center, located at 1020 Varland, Toledo, will host a Job Fair Thursday, March 26 from 10 a.m.-noon.

Thanks to the efforts of the Family Center’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) coaches Michelle Gorsuch and Chris Villareal, recruiters from Renhill, Advance Staffing Solutions and TARTA will be on hand seeking to fill multiple temp to hire and direct hire opportunities for CNC operators, assembly work, pick & packaging, inventory workers, customer service, maintenance, production work and more.

“We have had several of these in the past and have always had great response from the public and good feedback from the recruiters,” said Roger Dodsworth, assistant director of the Family Center. “Expectations are high that several of our people will make that job connection.”

Kindergarten screening
Genoa Area Local Schools will hold kindergarten registration and screening March 25, 26 and 27 at Genoa Elementary School.

All parent information and registration forms will be given out at the screening session. To be eligible for kindergarten in the fall, a child must be 5 years old by Sept. 30. All children must be screened and registered.

Call Genoa Elementary at 419-855-7741, ext. 41203 to set up an appointment. Appointment times are 8-10 a.m.; 10:15-12:15 p.m. and 1:15-3:15 p.m. each day. Sessions are limited to 12 students. A parent or guardian must be present during the entire appointment. Children being screened should be dressed in comfortable clothing and tennis shoes.

Special enforcement
The Lake Township Police Department will conduct a special traffic enforcement blitz March 14­18. Additional patrol officers will be targeting violations for speeding, not using seat belts and impaired driving.

Overtime costs are being funded by a state grant.

Circles of Grace continues
The “Circles of Grace” series exploring differences in religion, culture and world views continues on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at Rossford United Methodist Church with the following events: Each presentation will run 60 to 90 minutes.

March 18: Lucy Mendoza, a Peru native who works in the finance industry and is involved in community organizing projects, will lead a discussion on “The Hispanic Experience in America’;

March 25: Rev. Larry Whatley, pastor of Turning Point United Methodist Church in Bowling Green and a former television news reporter and anchor, will lead a discussion on “The Black Experience in America”.

Reservations are not needed. If you go, enter the double doors accessed from the parking lot at 270 Dixie Highway.

B-C-S hires treasurer/CFO
The Benton-Carroll-Salem School District hired Cajon Keeton as district treasurer and chief financial officer.

Keeton, a graduate of Port Clinton High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree from Tiffin University.

He will begin his duties April 1.

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