News Briefs Week of 1/25/2021
Gavarone named
committee chair
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman has named State Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) as chair of the Senate’s Local Government & Elections Committee, as well as vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, the panel responsible for managing Ohio’s biennial state budget bill.
“I am honored in the faith President Huffman has placed in me to work on a variety of issues important to Ohioans, including playing an integral role in crafting the state’s operating budget, elections law, ensuring our small business owners have the tools and resources necessary to move our economy forward and much more,” said Gavarone. “It is time to get to work!”
In addition, Gavarone will serve on the Judiciary Committee, Small Business & Economic Opportunity Committee and Rules & Reference Committee.
Ohioans can follow Senate committees live on OhioSenate.gov and OhioChannel.org.
Dog license deadline
Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestreich reminds dog owners that Jan. 31 is the deadline for 2021 dog registrations.
The fee for a one-year dog license is $14. Three-year and lifetime licenses are also available for fees of $42 and $140, respectively. No refunds will be permitted.
A kennel fee of $70 must be paid with the application for each kennel registered. Additional tags are available for $1 each for kennels with more than five dogs.
Owners should include their name, address and phone number, along with the dog’s age, sex, whether spayed or neutered, color, length of hair and breed when submitting an application. Penalty fees for late registration are $14 for a regular license and $70 for kennel licenses, in addition to the regular registration fee.
Those acquiring dogs after Jan. 31 have 30 days after the date of the acquisition or the date the dog reaches 3 months of age to register with the auditor’s office.
Licenses may be purchased in person at the Wood County Auditor’s office, located on the second floor of the county office building, 1 Courthouse Square, Bowling Green. Licenses may also be purchased online at auditor.co.wood.oh.us (additional processing fee applies), or by mail. Send application information, a check, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Matthew Oestreich, Wood County Auditor, One Courthouse Square, Bowling Green, OH 43402.
Call 419-354-9150 for more info.
Court report
In 2020, Walbridge Mayor’s Court heard a total of 75 cases, including 59 traffic cases, 10 criminal cases and six zoning and other cases.
The court collected $6,488 in fines.
Cases were heard by Drew Griffith, a magistrate, and Cory Speweik, an alternate magistrate.
Village officials had decided to disband the court in 2015 and have cases heard instead in Perrysburg Municipal Court.
Mayor Ed Kolanko decided to bring the court back as it would be more convenient to settle issues locally rather than having to drive to Perrysburg. Having the court in the village also kept overtime costs for police officers down, he said.
Humane Society
report for 2020
The Humane Society of Ottawa County has re-elected four incumbent members to 2-year terms; Lara Bischoff, Diane Hopkins, Marty Mortus, and Sue Sradeja. The board welcomed new member Sarah La Marca at its annual meeting.
Shelter manager Lesa Heredia reported the activity for the shelter in 2020. A total of 150 animals were brought into the shelter; 124 cats and 26 dogs. A total of 156 animals were adopted out of the shelter; 1 bird, 110 cats, 41 dogs and 4 reptiles.
A total of 97 animals were spayed and neutered; 87 cats and 10 dogs.
The Humane Society was able to begin Trap/Neuter/ Return projects in Port Clinton, Oak Harbor, Williston, Martin and Marblehead .These efforts are to reduce the feral and stray cat populations in neighborhoods..
A total of 19 cats were trapped and vetted, then released back into their colonies. Sixteen cats were placed in barns after being trapped and vetted. Ten cats were able to be adopted.
Anyone interested in adopting an animal can visit the website HSOCpets.org to see animals that are up for adoption. Due to COVID restrictions, the shelter office is open by appointment only. Call 419-734-5191 to make an appointment.
Pethood raffle
Following the success of its first 50-50 online raffle, which raised $12,200, Planned Pethood’s mid-winter 50-50 online raffle is underway.
The new raffle runs from Jan. 21 through Feb. 18 and begins with a starting jackpot of $1,000.
Visit plannedpethood5050.com to purchase tickets.
Half of the jackpot will help provide the programs and services for Planned Pethood to rescue and care for abandoned, injured and unwanted dogs and cats in the community. The funds also contribute to proactively addressing overpopulation.
“The November-December online 50-50 event was our first, and it was a resounding success,” said president Jennifer Herbert. “We raised $12,200 in donations, with $6,100 going to our winner (drawn from all entries). We’re thrilled to be able to begin this new raffle at $1,000.”
Cal 419-826-3499 or visit plannedpethood.org for information.