News Briefs Week of 5/11/20

Shred Day postponed
Better Business Bureau’s Annual Shred Day has been postponed to Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the former Sears parking lot in Westgate, located at Secor and Central avenues, across from Costco.
For more info, contact Denise Sprague at 419-531-3116 or denise@toledobbb.org.

Blue Week
Nature Programs
The natural habitats found in the Oak Openings Region are among the rarest on the planet. Join Oak Openings Green Ribbon Initiative (GRI) for a virtual celebration of this rare habitat during Blue Week May 11-17.
Daily educational programs for adults and kids, DYI adventures and contests and conversations with regional experts offer an opportunity to learn about the unique natural features of Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. “Oak Openings Blue Week is all about raising awareness and revealing the wonders of our home,” said Ashlee Decker, GRI Partnership Specialist. “Blue Week has activities that can help all of us to feel proud to live in the Oak Openings.”
For a complete list of Blue Week adventures, visit http://www.oakopenings.org/blue-week/.

Nominations sought for
Veterans Hall of Fame
The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame is accepting nominations to recognize those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and continue to contribute to our communities, state, and nation through exceptional acts of volunteerism, advocacy, professional distinction, public service or philanthropy.
Each year, the Hall of Fame inducts up to 20 former service members based on recommendations from an executive committee of veterans from throughout the state and approval from the governor of Ohio.
To be considered, the veteran must meet the following criteria:
• Be a past or current Ohio resident;
• Have received an honorable discharge;
• Be of good moral character.
The nomination deadline is June. Guidelines, a sample nomination, and more information are available at http://dvs.ohio.gov/main/veterans-hall-of-fame.html.

Wood Co. Humane
Society reopened
The Wood County Humane Society reopened May 5 after being closed for several weeks due to coronavirus concerns.
Changes in operating protocol have been instituted to maintain the health and safety of staff and visitors. Only potential adopters will be admitted to the shelter at this time, and those visitors will be accepted by appointment only. Adoption appointments can be scheduled by calling the shelter during regular operating hours, which have been temporarily modified to 12-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Adopters are encouraged to begin the adoption process online and by scheduling phone or Zoom meetings.
When visiting the shelter for an appointment, all persons must consent to having their temperature taken via forehead scanner, and must wash their hands upon entering the shelter. Once inside, visitors must wear a face mask/covering at all times.
In addition to potential adopters, anyone seeking food assistance, animal intake, donation drop offs, or/and trap-neuter-return must schedule an appointment to visit the shelter.
Staff is ramping up disinfection/sanitation procedures throughout the shelter and maintaining a minimum of 6 feet of distance between themselves and others while on shelter property.
For complete regulations regarding shelter visits, or to schedule an appointment, call 419-352-7339.

Pay it Forward
In recognition that the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving many in the community with financial challenges, the Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District) and the Salvation Army are teaming up to help neighbors in need with the Pay It Forward Program.
The Pay It Forward Program uses donations from customers to help people in need of assistance paying their water and sewer bills during a financial emergency. Donations are forwarded to the Salvation Army.
The District has set up a fund dedicated to the Pay It Forward Program. All donations stay within the District’s service area and are tax-deductible.
Those wishing to contribute may make a one-time donation or choose an amount to be paid monthly along with their water and sewer bill.
Donation forms may be downloaded at www.nwwsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Pay-It-Forward-Form.pdf, or call 419-354-9090, and select option 2 during regular business hours.
Funds will be distributed by the Salvation Army. Those who need assistance may call the Salvation Army office at 419-352-5918. Certain guidelines must be met to qualify.

Library open for
no-contact service
The Harris-Elmore Public Library and its Genoa Branch will re-open for no-contact curbside service beginning Monday, May 11. New library hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Patrons may either call the library or place an online order Monday-Friday between 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and staff will have items checked out, bagged, labeled with your name and ready outside of our doors for pick up before 5 p.m. each day.
Call the library at 419-862-2482 (Elmore) or 419-855-3380 (Genoa) to place an order. Online orders may be placed via the chat function on the library’s website (www.harriselmorelibrary.org), on the Curbside Delivery Page at www.harriselmorelibrary.org/curb-side-service.
The library is also allowing limited faxing and copying services by appointment only. Call the library or use the online chat function during library hours to make an appointment. Patrons will leave their documents and payment in the provided boxes outside the door and staff will complete the transaction and return the items to the boxes provided. Patrons may also access any of the library’s online collections 24/7 at www.harriselmorelibrary.org/digital-collections www.harriselmorelibrary.org/local-history-genealogy.
Additionally, Wi-Fi is accessible from the library parking lot.

Memorial Day
activities canceled
Due to concerns over COVID-19, VFW Walbridge Post 9963 Board of Trustees has voted to cancel all Memorial Day 2020 activities, including the parade, ceremony and party afterwards in the hall.
“Gov. Mike DeWine’s mandates on the maximum total of people present at an event, social distancing and the wearing of PPE makes it impossible to have such a large gathering in a small space,” Post Commander Ken Gilsdorf said. “Last year’s attendance was approximately 350 people.”
He added that Lake Local Schools is closed and the Boy Scouts of America are not meeting made coordinating Memorial Day activities more difficult.
Gilsdorf said the post is having discussions with Lake Township Fiscal Officer Buddy Ritson about the possibility of having a video presentation of a Memorial Day event.

Tornado memories
The Press Newspapers is seeking your recollections of the tornado that hit Millbury and its surrounding area on June 5, 2010, as part of an upcoming series of articles on the 10 year anniversary of the deadly twister. If you have any memories of that day and/or its aftermath that you would like to share with our readers, please contact The Press Features Editor Tammy Walro at twalro@presspublications.com or write to The Press, 1550 Woodville Road, Millbury, OH 43447, by May 25.

Crossings to be closed
Norfolk and Southern has informed the Ottawa Count engineer’s office it plans to install new rail at several locations, resulting in several crossings being temporarily closed.
From May 7-11, crews will be working on a line at Fostoria Road, north of State Rt. 795.
From May 11-14, crossings at Billman, Reiman and Bolander roads, north of Moline-Martin Road, will be closed.