News Briefs Week of 4/26/2021

By: 
Staff Writer

Nonprofits join to
support veterans
and their families

National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., (GSW) in an effort to build a stronger awareness for each group’s common mission, while supporting educational events throughout the nation that will help teach lessons of character and patriotism to the next generation.
Founded in 2007, and headquartered in Columbia Falls, Maine, WAA is best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and now more than 2,500 additional locations nationwide, and the yearlong efforts to support its mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
GSW is a congressionally chartered nonprofit service organization established in1945. Its mission is to preserve and enhance benefits to surviving U.S. military spouses and children; to help its members and their children face the future with courage and determination; and to honor the memory of their military spouses who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The collaboration between the two groups outlines nine key agreements, such as the establishment of a steering committee with a representative from each organization, and collaborative volunteer efforts to provide opportunities for joint event and community service activities that bring awareness to both groups’ missions.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will take place on Saturday, Dec. 18 at more than 2,500 participating locations nationwide.

House passes
Latta opioid bill
The Debarment Enforcement of Bad Actor Registrants (DEBAR) Act, legislation authored by Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5), overwhelmingly passed U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 411-5 on April 15.
Latta addressed the House in support of the bill. “The opioid epidemic continues to drastically impact millions of Americans every year,” Latta said. “We must ensure people who legally should not be able to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance are not able to do so. The DEBAR Act will help stop the distribution of opioids by people who no longer have licenses to manufacture, distribute, or dispense these potentially dangerous and commonly abused prescription medications. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to swiftly consider this bill, so we can stop bad actors who are perpetuating our nation’s opioid crisis.”
The DEBAR Act, which was introduced by Latta in February of this year, amends the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) to give the DEA debarment authority to permanently prohibit a person or entity that has violated the CSA from being able to receive a registration to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance. It would also allow the Attorney General to issue an order to prohibit, conditionally or unconditionally, and permanently or for such period as the Attorney General may determine.

Health dept. launches
Vaccines on Demand
The Wood County Health Department is offering a new Vaccine on Demand pilot program, which offers residents the opportunity to schedule COVID-19 vaccines for one or more individuals at any location in the county.
Scheduling for Vaccine on Demand appointments opened April 23.
Anyone interested in scheduling an appointment will need to provide the location where the vaccine is to be administered and the number of people to be vaccinated at the location. Health department nurses will travel to that location and administer the vaccines. This will be similar to a program for vaccinating individuals who are homebound, but is being expanded to be available to any Wood County resident for whom traveling to a vaccine clinic presents challenges.
Vaccine on Demand appointments will be available each week for the duration of the pilot program.
More info on the program and a link for scheduling is available at Vaccine.WoodCountyHealth.org or by calling 419-823-9512.
Individuals who are 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine is the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use for those younger than 18. Children who are age 16 and 17 must have a parent or legal guardian present to receive the vaccine.

Crossing projects
Norfolk and Southern has informed the Ottawa County Engineer’s Office it has planned resurfacing projects at several track crossings, requiring a full closure of the crossings.
The planned schedule is:
April 27 through April 30: Stange Road, between Moline-Martin and Trowbridge roads, and Graytown Road, between Moline-Martin and Trowbridge roads
April 28 through May 4: Elliston-Trowbridge Road, between Trowbridge and Hausencomb roads; Nissen Road, between Trowbridge and Walbridge East roads, and Walbridge East Road, between Opfer-Lentz and Nissen roads.
For more information, visit the county engineer’s website.

Levy meetings
The Woodmore school board and administration have scheduled two meetings to discuss the upcoming levy on the May 4 ballot.
The meetings are set for April 26 at noon and April 27 at 6 p.m. Both will be held in the board office, 349 Rice St. Elmore.
The meetings are open to the public.

Reservoir ideal for
channel catfish
Beaver Creek Reservoir in Sandusky County is one of several reservoirs in Northwest Ohio touted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in a list of ideal fishing spots.
The ODNR says the reservoir offers good bank access. For channel catfish try deeper water during the day using cut baits or night crawlers. For early morning, early evening, or nighttime fishing try the shallow southern portion of the reservoir. Anglers can expect to find good numbers of fish in the 17- to 20-inch range, with some fish up to 27 inches long.
The reservoir has an improved concrete boat launch with dock and is restricted to electric motors only. Boats with larger motors can keep them tipped up and out of the water. Be aware of strong west winds which can affect launching and landing boats.
Northwest Ohio’s public lakes and reservoirs offer some of the best fishing in the state for yellow perch, saugeye, and more, according to the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

Erie-Ottawa mental
health board splits
The Ottawa County commissioners are looking at other options after the Erie County commissioners voted April 21 to withdraw from the joint Mental Health and Recovery Board of the two counties.
An April 22 statement by the Ottawa County commissioners says they are “exploring options with other…..boards with the possibility of enhancing and/or improving services to our community. It is the commissioners’ goal to provide uninterrupted services during this period of transition.”

Construction of
water tank starts
The Northwestern Water and Sewer District has announced the start of construction for the elevated water tank project in Lake Township. The project was awarded to Landmark Structures for $3.9 million.
The tank is being built near Lemoyne Road, between Latcha and Hanley roads. Residents can expect additional construction traffic in this area. Shoulder restrictions are possible on Lemoyne Road. No lane restrictions or water service interruptions are expected at this time and will be announced, if necessary.
Work on the project will continue through August of 2022.
The tank will distribute water from The City of Toledo and serve approximately 8,000 homes and businesses in Rossford, Northwood, Walbridge, as well as Lake, Troy, and Perrysburg Townships.
The project will include the construction of a 1.5-million gallon storage tank and a 16-inch diameter water main to provide for better flow distribution and redundancy.
The additional storage will improve water quality and flow during normal operations and provide increased capacity during a water emergency.

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