News Briefs 1/11/2021

Warm Up & Read
Wood County District Public Library invites adults age 18 and older to warm up and read this winter with an adult winter reading program running through March 15.
The “Warm Up & Read Program” encourages adults to submit entries of all the books read from Jan. 4 through March 15 to be entered into drawings for prizes. Submissions may be made in person at the library or online at wcdpl.org/winter-reading.
Drawings will be held Fridays, Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and March 5, with the grand prize drawing of a $50 Visa gift card, one-year membership to Friends of the Library and a Friends of the Library tote bag held on March 15. The deadline to submit entries is 4 p.m. on the day of each drawing.
“We know people will be doing a lot of indoor activities during winter, so why not promote reading as one of those activities and have a chance to win prizes for it?” said Kristin Wetzel, WCDPL Information Services Coordinator.
The program is made possible with the support of the estate of Julia Rentz and the Friends of the Wood County District Public Library. For more information on how to enter, prizes and submission forms, visit wcdpl.org/winter-reading, email woodref@wcdpl.org, or call 419-352-5050.

Grant requests sought
The Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) is accepting applications for the 2021 Community Grant program.
Since the first Community Grants were awarded in 2003, the foundation has awarded grants annually to local organizations that have identified important needs within the community and have formed a plan to meet those needs. Through the Community Grant program, the foundation strives to provide for the enrichment of the quality of life in the Ottawa County community and awards grants in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, safe and positive living environments, natural resources and the arts.
Funding for these grants is made possible from numerous unrestricted funds held by OCCF.
Nonprofit organizations located in or serving Ottawa County are invited to submit grant requests to the foundation via a new online portal for accepting grant requests. Alternatively, applicants may download the “Guidelines for Grant Seekers and Forms” from the foundation website and submit a written application by mail.
Visit www.ottawaccf.org/grants for more information. All completed applications, both online and mailed, must be submitted no later than the March 15 deadline to be considered for funding.
Email questions to ottawaccf@gmail.com.

SCEDC receives
grant for laptops
The Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) received a $1,999.96 grant for two new Lenovo laptops as part of the Sandusky County Communities Foundation’s 2020 Community Grant Award Program.
This award allows the SCEDC staff to make a seamless transition when working remotely in meetings or at home if needed.
“Allowing the SCEDC to continue working full time virtually anywhere, enables us to strengthen our collaboration with our countywide partners, businesses and residents and address their needs to do business in the most efficient way possible,” said Beth Hannam, SCEDC executive director. “On behalf of the SCEDC Board of Directors and staff, we would like to thank the Sandusky County Communities Foundation for this grant and the positive impact they make on the community.”

Leadership Institute
being offered virtually
The Leadership Ottawa County (LOC) Board of Directors is offering its Winter 2021 Leadership Institute virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will be a unique learning opportunity led by Carrie Sanchez, LOC program director.
Sanchez will lead participants through a variety of engaging conversations addressing current trends and challenges in leadership roles while reading Simon Sinek’s book, “Start With Why.”
The cost of the 10-week course is $179, which includes a copy of Sinek’s book. The program will include six virtual class meetings held via Zoom, independent reading and discussion emails with peers. Group discounts and a special rate for LOC alumni are available.
Classes will begin Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. and continue through March 30.
For more info, contact Sanchez at carrie.j.sanchez@gmail.com or visit https://bit.ly/WelcomeLOC.

Food drive a success

A food donation drive was conducted recently by two officers of Lake Township Police Department. Patrol officers Rachel Caputo and Kelly Clark spearheaded the drive, which resulted in the collection of hundreds of non-perishable food items that were donated to the Lake Local Schools Glider Pack Program.
In addition to the food items, the drive collected $400 in cash contributions.
The program, initiated by Chris Wilson, provides food items to students of the school district during times school is not in session, helping to ensure all students have food during these times.
“An excellent job, as always, was done by Kelly and Rachel,” noted Police Chief Mark Hummer. “We are also very appreciative of all those who donated these items. It shows we have
wonderful, caring community members here in Lake Township who will step up to the plate to help others in times of need.”
The items were delivered to the school over the New Year’s weekend.
Wilson said the items will cover about a month’s need for the program. Anyone who wishes to contribute food items or cash to the program may drop those off at the High School office during normal school hours.

2 arrested
after chase
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrested two people Jan. 5 following a multi-county pursuit that started on southbound Interstate 75 near Bowling Green and ended near Cridersville.
According to the patrol, about 9:30 p.m., troopers attempted to stop Cortez T. Larkin, 38, Columbus, for a speeding violation on I-75 near U.S. Route 6.
A registration check of the 2015 Ford Escape revealed the vehicle was stolen. Larkin failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. Troopers and assisting law enforcement agencies deployed tire deflation devices in multiple locations during the pursuit. At least one of those attempts was successful, flattening the two front tires of the vehicle. However, Larkin continued to drive the vehicle on the rims for several miles.
Troopers were attempting a rolling roadblock near the National Rd. (Cridersville) exit to stop the pursuit, when Larkin intentionally stuck a patrol cruiser. A trooper then successfully performed a precision immobilization maneuver, bringing the pursuit to an end.
Troopers took Larkin and his passenger, Kaneasha De Ann Price, 37, Columbus, into custody without further incident. Larkin was charged with speeding, failure to comply, receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence. He was also found to have multiple felony warrants out for his arrest.
Price was charged with receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence. Both were incarcerated at the Wood County Justice Center. Two patrol cruisers sustained minor damage during the pursuit and the Escape sustained disabling damage. The incident remains under investigation and additional charges are pending.

Board to meet
The Benton-Carroll-Salem school board will hold its organizational meeting Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. The regular board meeting will follow at approximately 6:15 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Hub, located at Oak Harbor High School, 11681 W. State Route 163, Oak Harbor.