News Briefs Week Of 1/2/2023

Light recycling
offered at bank
AIMECycling of Toledo has partnered with GenoaBank to offer a way to keep old Christmas lights out of the landfills for an eco-friendly option to discard them. Through Jan. 14, residents can drop off broken Christmas lights at any GenoaBank branch location during lobby business hours.
“Christmas lights are just one of those things that people often overlook as being recyclable but it’s really important to utilize this option” said Jeff Norden from AIMEcycling. “Christmas lights are made from several non-biodegradable components, mostly plastic, glass, and copper. They take decades, if not hundreds of years to break down if sent to a landfill.”
Christmas light bulbs can also contain toxic metals such as mercury that can be released into the environment when the bulbs are broken.
For a list of GenoaBank branch locations and hours, visit www.GenoaBank.com.

Board vacancy
The Board of Lucas County Commissioners is seeking to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term on the board of directors of the Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The commissioners desire applicants who are interested and knowledgeable in the field of intellectual disabilities and other allied fields, and to the maximum extent possible, have professional training and experience in business management, finance, law, health care practice, personnel administration, or government service.
Appointed trustees must be available to meet on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. More information regarding the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities can be found at http://lucasdd.org.
Questions about this appointment should be directed to Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities Director Michele Myerholtz at mmyerholtz@lucasdd.org.
The appointment will be to complete an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2025.
Any person interested in being considered for a board vacancy must fill out the “Application for a Public Volunteer” form, which can be found at https://www.co.lucas.oh.us/Faq.aspx?QID=54.

‘Treet’ animals
at wildlife park
Eco-conscious Ohioans looking to sustainably dispose of their Christmas trees can bring them to African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton as a post-holiday treat for bison, cattle, alpacas and deer.
The trees will be used as enrichment, which is defined as a stimulant that encourages natural behavior to improve animal wellness.
“Christmas trees are some of the best enrichment items out there,” said park director Kelsey Keller. “The animals love to toss them around, rub their horns and antlers on them, and smell the fragrant pine needles. When the animals are done playing, the remnants of the trees are composted and used as mulch around the park in the spring.”
Trees can be dropped off at the designated area of the park’s main parking lot. Donations will be accepted daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 7.
For animal safety, lights, ornaments, hooks and other potentially hazardous items should be removed from trees prior to donation. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

Model train clinic
at Hayes library
Does your model train need repair?
Veteran model train hobbyists can help at the annual Model Train Clinic on Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Hayes Presidential Library & Museums. The hobbyists can give expert advice about train repair and help estimate the value of some trains.
The clinic is from 1 to 4 p.m. in the museum auditorium. Tickets are $5 per person ages 6 and older. Kids 5 and younger are admitted for free.
Tickets are available in advance online at https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2022/08/25/general/get-help-with-your-model... and in-person the day of the event.
Those who bring trains to the clinic can also run their trains on the “Hayes Train Special” track. The track fits standard, O-gauge and G-gauge trains.
“The Hayes Train Special” is Hayes Presidential’s annual model train display, where model trains run through a Victorian holiday scene and delight visitors of all ages.
Visitors and train clinic participants can watch them wind through tunnels and villages in the multi-tiered 12-foot-by-24-foot exhibit.

Tree recycling
Toledo residents may recycle their Christmas trees for free by bringing them to one of five drop off locations in Toledo through Jan. 31.
The drop off sites are:
Byrne Park: 2201 Byrne Rd.
Jermain Park: 1720 South Cove Blvd.
Ravine II Park: 1600 Mott Ave.
Detwiler Park: 4001 North Summit St.
Bowman Park: 4793 Jackman Rd.
Due to ongoing construction, Schneider Park will not be open for Christmas tree recycling this year.
Trees should be cleared of all decorations, lights, bags, or other materials. All trees collected will be ground into mulch by forestry crews.

Radio grants
awarded by
fire marshal
Fire departments in Sandusky and Wood counties were among the recipients of grants for purchasing Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems (MARCS) in 2023.
In all, $3.5 million was awarded to 325 fire departments in 76 counties throughout Ohio, according to the Ohio Fire Marshal’s office.
In Sandusky County, the Lindsey Volunteer Fire Department received $6,720 and the Fremont Fire Department received $5,930.
Five Wood County departments received grants. Hoytville Fire Department, Central Joint Fire District, Wayne Volunteer Fire Department and Weston Township Fire Department each received $1,440 and Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department received $2,880.
The MARCS radio system allows first responders to communicate with each other and with other agencies responding to an incident.
Priority grant funding goes to departments applying as part of a regional or county-wide effort.
The grants are available annually to departments with service areas of 25,000 people or fewer.
This cycle, the fire marshal received more than $7.7 million in requests for the $3.5 million in total available funding.
“This is a highly competitive selection process, so our emphasis has been on growing the MARCS program with the goal that one day every department in Ohio is on this communication system,” Kevin Reardon, fire marshal, said.

Chamber event set
The Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual State of the Communities Address Jan. 27 at 7:30 a.m. in the Oregon Room at St. Charles Hospital.
For information go to www.embchamber.org.

Patrol urging
drivers to
remain sober
This year, the New Year holiday is also mixed with a college football playoff game featuring the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers who intend to watch football and/or celebrate the holiday to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. The patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.
The New Year’s holiday reporting period begins Dec. 30 at midnight and ends on Jan. 2 at 11:59 p.m.
During the four-day 2021-2022 New Year’s reporting period, there were 12 fatal crashes that killed 12 people. Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in six fatal crashes, while speed played a role in two of the crashes. Of the eight fatalities in which seat belts were available, five were unbelted. There were also four pedestrians killed during the holiday period.
During last year’s reporting period, the Highway Patrol made 232 arrests for OVI. Last year’s reporting period ran from Dec. 30 through Jan. 2.
“Driving impaired can have tragic and senseless consequences,” said Colonel Chuck A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “We need you to help us ring in the year safely and responsibly.”
Additional crash information is available on the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) crash dashboard at: https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/ostats.aspx.
The Patrol reminds drivers to plan ahead, designate a sober driver or make other arrangements.
Motorists are encouraged to report impaired drivers and drug activity to the Patrol by calling #677.

Budget commission
plans meeting
The Ottawa County Budget Commission will meet Jan. 10 at 10 a.m.
The meeting will be held in the county prosecutor’s office on the second floor of the Ottawa County Courthouse in Port Clinton.

Diabetes management
get-together Jan 5

Magruder Hospital will hold the next in its series of Diabetes Get-Togethers on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. in the hospital conference center, 615 Fulton St., Port Clinton.
The free get-together is for anyone dealing with diabetes or pre-diabetes, including family and friends. The topic for January will be “Strategies for Managing Stress.” Certified diabetes care and education specialists lead the discussions. RSVP is not necessary. Call 419-732-4047 or email tstadler@magruderhospital.com for more information.

VA event planned
Genoa Retirement Village will host an informational meeting on the Veterans Aid and Attendance Program Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 2-3 p.m.
Sara Toris, from the Ottawa County Veteran Service Office, will discuss the program and answer questions. The meeting will be held in the Genoa Retirement Village’s Assisted Living, 300 Cherry St.
RSVP by Jan. 9 by calling 419-346-9976.

Humane Society
annual meeting
The Humane Society of Ottawa County will hold its annual meeting Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Ida Rupp Public Library, 310 Madison St., Port Clinton. A general election will be held for one open seat on the board of directors.
Members of the Humane Society of Ottawa County are eligible to vote. Members include anyone who adopted a pet from the shelter in 2022; anyone who volunteers at the shelter on a regular basis; employees of the Humane Society; and anyone who donated to the Humane Society in 2022.
Anyone interested in serving as a board member can attend the meeting. Nominations for board members will be accepted from the floor during the annual meeting.