News Briefs Week Of 12/19/2022

Council vacancy
The Lucas County Democratic Party is accepting applications for the vacancy of the Toledo City Council at-large position that will be vacated by District 43 State Representative-Elect Michele Grim.
To apply, visit lucascountydemocraticparty.com/screening. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 30.

Fatal crash
on turnpike
A New York man was killed last week in a crash along the Ohio Turnpike in Perrysburg Township.
Evgeny Zolotarev, 61, Brooklyn, New York, was driving a 2017 Ford van westbound on the turnpike when his vehicle went off the right side of the road and struck a tractor trailer parked in an emergency pull off.
Zolotarev was wearing a seat belt but was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck was occupied by Anvar N. Almsov, 49, Toledo, who had pulled off the roadway with engine trouble.
He was not injured.
Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to the Swanton post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash.

Shoreline project
contract awarded
Shoreline Contractors, Inc. has been selected by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the Magee Marsh Shoreline Protection Barrier Rehabilitation project.
The Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is comprised of 2,202 acres of controlled hunting and wildlife protection area and is located 17 miles west of Port Clinton in Oak Harbor.
The erosion control and barrier rehabilitation project involves maintenance and rehabilitation of 6,817 linear feet of existing shoreline revetments and is set to begin in 2022 and will include installation of over 75,000 ton of Armor stone.
Shoreline Contractors, Inc. specializes in marine construction projects, including erosion control, pile driving/sheet piling, dredging, beach building, geotechnical borings, pier/dock installation, water accessibility, and more.

Drug arrest on
Ohio Turnpike
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers have filed felony drug charges against an Ohio man after a traffic stop in Ottawa County.
Troopers seized 11 pounds of cocaine with a street value of approximately $162,000.
On Dec. 6, at 1:31 p.m., troopers stopped a 2019 Ford Taurus with Ohio registration for a window tint violation on the Ohio Turnpike. Criminal indicators were observed and a drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. During a probable cause search, tamper marks were observed on the dashboard. Further investigation revealed an after-market modification under the dashboard, which was determined to be a hidden compartment. The compartment was opened and was found to contain five packages of cocaine and United States currency.
The driver, Rafael L. Patterson, 32, of Warren, was incarcerated in the Ottawa County Jail and charged with possession of drugs and trafficking in cocaine, both first-degree felonies. He was also charged with hidden compartments in vehicles, a third-degree felony.
If convicted, Patterson could face up to 25 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.

Water, sewer rate
hike coming in ‘23
The Northwestern Water and Sewer District Board of Trustees recently passed its 2023 operating budget, including a rate increase: a 3.74 percent increase in water rates, and a 3.04 percent increase in sewer rates.
The new rates will be effective Jan. 1, 2023.
The district purchases water from six water treatment providers including the cities of Toledo, Bowling Green, Oregon, Fostoria, Napoleon, and Perrysburg. For sewer service, the district works with the cities and Lucas County to treat wastewater.
The board also approved a $32 million capital budget that includes $16.4 million for 35 water projects and $15.5 million to be invested in 30 projects in the wastewater network.
Budgeted projects for 2023 include a new 8-mile waterline from Weston to provide water service to McClure, Liberty Center, and surrounding areas in Henry County. Construction is scheduled to be completed by next summer.
The district will soon begin construction on another 8-mile regional waterline that will supply water from the Village of North Baltimore to the Village of McComb.
Major sewer projects include a new pump station at Ford Road in Perrysburg Township. Federal and state grant programs will assist the district in moving forward on construction for an Ohio EPA-ordered sanitary sewer system near Sugar Ridge in Middleton Township in Wood County. The project will replace aging septic tanks.

Elections board
sets holiday hours
The Ottawa County Board of Elections office will be closed on Dec. 23 and Dec. 26, in observance of Christmas.
Normal office hours will resume on Dec. 27.