Business Briefs

Polish Genealogical
Society plans meeting
The Toledo Polish Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at St. Michael’s School Hall, 420 Sandusky St., Toledo.
Guest speaker Rhonda Casler will discuss, “Record Keeping, File Organization, and Documentation for the Genealogist.”
Casler is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and minor in Anthropology/Archeology. She has nearly 40 years of experience in the field and will offer tips to improve genealogical records.

Volunteers sought
Since 1988, Wood County CASA/GAL volunteers have been advocating on behalf of children who have experienced abuse, neglect or dependency by gathering information about them for the Juvenile Court.
The volunteers serve a crucial role in keeping the court informed on the children’s well-being, placement, and needed services.
The Wood County CASA/GAL Program is accepting applications for the next pre-service training class for new CASA/GAL volunteers, which will start on Wednesday, May 8.
Interested persons will complete an interview, a background check, 30 hours of pre-service training, and three hours of court observation before being eligible to take the oath from Wood County Juvenile Court Judge David E. Woessner.
The Wood County CASA/GAL Program currently has 28 volunteers serving 55 children and youth. Additional CASA volunteers are needed so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in Wood County has an advocate.
Individuals interested in volunteering with the Wood County CASA/GAL program or with the Citizen’s Review Board may contact Kristen Leverton, program director, or a volunteer coordinator at 419-352-3554, email casa@woodcountyohio.gov or visit woodcountycasa.org.

Annual plant sale
Sandusky/Ottawa Counties Master Gardeners will present the 19th Annual Plant Sale Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont.
The sale will feature a variety of flowering annuals and perennials, as well as hanging baskets, herbs and vegetables. Volunteers will be available to answer questions about planning and maintaining gardens.
There will be no early sales. Payment may be made by cash or checks.

Habitat for Humanity
planning local builds
Habitat for Humanity of Wood County, Inc. announced plans to build homes in Walbridge, Bradner, Rossford and Wayne.
Individuals interested in applying for Habitat’s Homeownership Program are encouraged to apply online at wchabitat.org.
“Many people do not realize that they are eligible for a Habitat for Humanity home,” said Mark Ohashi, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of Wood County, Inc. “Our criteria make homeownership a real possibility for many people.
“We want people to know that they can replace their rent payments with an affordable mortgage and own their own home through Habitat’s Homeownership Program,” he said. “We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
“For example, a family of four that makes between $23,000 and $62,000 annually may qualify,” Ohashi said.
As part of the Homeownership Program, approved applicants agree to provide 200 “sweat equity” hours (volunteer time). Their commitment includes attending mandatory monthly homeownership education workshops, completing “Financial Peace University” workshops, and volunteering time on their home and those of other Habitat families.
On average, each Habitat home includes over 2,000 hours of volunteer support. Habitat for Humanity of Wood County is one of 44 Habitat affiliates in Ohio. For more information on criteria for being selected for Habitat’s Homeownership program, visit https://wchabitat.org/ or call 419-481-8100.

Turnpike travel increased in 1st quarter

Ohio Turnpike motorists logged nearly 648.7 million miles traveling on the toll road during the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 1.1 percent compared to the same three-month period a year ago.
Passenger cars traveled 364,974,303 miles, up 1.9 percent; and commercial trucks traveled 283,683,999, up 0.2 percent.
Passenger cars and commercial vehicles accounted for 56.3 percent and 43.7 percent, respectively, of miles traveled.
The combined number of vehicles that traveled on the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike, which is designated as Interstate 80, I-90 and I-76, was 11,072,584, up 2.1 percent, during the first quarter of 2024.
Passenger cars completed 8,075,720 trips, up 2.2 percent; and commercial trucks completed 2,996,864 trips, up 1.9 percent.
Passenger cars and commercial vehicles accounted for 72.9 percent and 27.1 percent, respectively, of traffic.

E-ZPass use rises
Through the first quarter of 2024, combined E-ZPass use by the Ohio Turnpike’s passenger car and commercial vehicle customers was 76.6 percent, up 0.3 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
E-ZPass use by passenger vehicle customers was 65.4 percent, up 1 percent; and commercial truck customers was 91 percent, up 0.2 percent.
To calculate the savings with E-ZPass, check the Ohio Turnpike’s Fare Calculator.

Plan commission
meeting May 7
Amendments to the zoning resolutions in Freedom and Troy townships are on the agenda of the Wood County Planning Commission’s May 7 meeting.
In Freedom Township, the trustees have submitted a series of text amendments to the zoning resolution regarding multi-family housing.
The Troy Township Zoning Commission wants to amend its zoning resolution to address the prohibition of data centers in all zoning districts and the addition of a definition of data centers.
Other items on the planning commission agenda include:
-Liberty Township is adding language to address solar power within the township.
-Plain Township is considering amendments to deal with non-traditional accessory buildings, solar power, wood-fired outdoor boilers, and moving pods.
Also, the township has received an application to rezone about 74 acres of land from an industrial zoning classification to a commercial classification.
-Henry Township is amending its zoning to address solar power.
The planning commission meeting will be held in the county office building in Bowling Green and starts at 5:30 p.m.