Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Foundation accepting grant applications
The Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) is accepting grant applications for 2025-26.
OCCF grants support special projects in the fields of education, health and social services, economic development, natural resources and the arts.
“Today’s struggles in our communities are greater than ever,” says OCCF Grants Chair Mary Coffee. “OCCF looks forward to partnering with our county nonprofit agencies, in 2025, to help those in need.”
Last year, the foundation awarded 58 grants totaling more than $116,000 to local nonprofit organizations. According to Coffee, $76,000 of that total was awarded to 34 nonprofits as part of the annual community grants cycle. Additional grants throughout the year supported training in the skilled trades, science field trips to Stone Lab, dyslexia training for schoolteachers, the Top Ten Banquet, and Rapid Response opportunities.
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in or serving Ottawa County are invited to submit a request for grant funding. OCCF Community Grant applications will be accepted until Saturday, March 1, 11:59 p.m. via an online application portal at ottawaccf.org/grants. Note: OCCF utilizes the Greater Toledo Community Foundation’s (GTCF) grant portal to accept its community grant applications.
Applicants will see GTCF information to begin the process and must click on the Ottawa County Community Foundation description to access the logon page. First-time applicants must create an account to begin. Previous grant applicants may log into their existing account to begin a new application.
For questions regarding a grant submission, contact Coffee at coffee.occf@gmail.com or 419-341-7400. Questions about establishing a fund may be directed to 419-635-7750 or ottawaccf@gmail.com.
Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) is a public charitable organization established in 1999 to improve the quality of life in Ottawa County. OCCF administers more than 100 donor-established funds totaling approximately $12 million in assets.
Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $8 million in grants and scholarships.
Habitat Volunteer & Application Night
Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County invites the community to its Volunteer and Appreciation Night on Sunday, Feb. 16, from 5-7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa St., Oak Harbor.
This event offers an opportunity to learn about Habitat’s homeownership program, including the application process and sweat equity requirements.
Attendees will also learn how to volunteer, from building homes to helping at the Habitat ReStore, serving on committees, or supporting fundraising efforts.
For more information, email community@habitatottawacounty.org or visit habitatottawacounty.org.
Elliston Zion plans ‘Souper Bowl’ events
The LIGHT Neighborhood Pantry at Elliston Zion United Methodist Church in Graytown is hosting two events for
Souper Bowl Sunday on Feb. 9.
First, the Annual Souper Bowl of Caring Party and Ping Pong Tournament will be held in the church fellowship hall at 11 a.m. A variety of homemade soups, bread and desserts will be available, along with sub sandwiches made by Troop Woodmore. Everyone is welcome to play ping pong. No experience is required.
Additionally, the church is hosting a Drive-Thru Chili fundraiser from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or until sold out. Pre-orders only. The link to order is: https://forms.gle/CobnNZ4ut5AV2ue89.
Suggested donations are $5 for a small (16 ounces) and $10 for a large (32 ounces). Fresh baked cornbread will be included.
All donations will benefit the LIGHT Neighborhood Pantry at Elliston Zion – a free choice food pantry serving all of Ottawa County.
Elliston Zion is located at 18045 W. William St. (off Elliston Trowbridge Rd) Graytown (Elliston).
Land available for land use
The Ottawa County Commissioners will accept proposals from anyone interested in the use for agriculture purposes of approximately 72 acres of land just off SR 163 on Toussaint South Road near the industrial park and highway garage in Oak Harbor.
Those interested may submit a letter to the Commissioners at 315 Madison St., Port Clinton, OH 43452 no later than Friday, Feb. 21 with the amount they would pay per acre. The current contract is $185 per acre.
The highest bid will be considered for a five-year contract, as long as the bidder is in good standing with the county.
NOTE: This brief originally stated that 27 acres of land were sale, which was incorrect. There is 72 acres for sale.
Tax prep vouchers available for seniors
For the second year in a row, Ottawa County Senior Resources and the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners are teaming up with local tax preparers to offer tax prep vouchers to qualified county senior citizens age 60 and better.
The tax prep voucher program is currently underway and is first come, first serve with a limited number of vouchers available. Vouchers will cover up to $100 per return and are limited to one voucher per registered taxpayer senior citizen. Any additional preparation cost is the responsibility of the individual taxpayer.
Eligibility for 2024 tax prep vouchers includes:
• Reported income status.
• Proof of residence in Ottawa County.
• Willingness to use selected tax preparers including:
Genoa Accounting, 505 Main St., Genoa, 419-855-3215.
H&R Block, 149 Buckeye Boulevard, Port Clinton, 419-734-4601.
Liberty Tax, 313 Harrison St., Port Clinton, 419-732-1776.
For more information about tax prep vouchers and/or to review individual qualifications, contact Ottawa County Senior Resources at 419-898-6459 or ksedlak@co.ottawa.oh.us.
P.E.R.I. meeting set
Public Employees Retirement Inc. (P.E.R.I.) Chapter #82, Ottawa County District 1 will meet Monday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. at the Ottawa County Community Resource Center, located at 8043 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
Guest speaker will be Dakota Stone from the Alzheimer's Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter, who will discuss
information about Alzheimer's and dementia, as well as information about the services that are available from the organization.
Attendees will also hear an update on legislative progress and a review of the recent state meeting.
The meeting is open to all P.E.R.I. members, P.E.R.I. guests, pre-O.P.E.R.S and O.P.E.R.S retirees of Ottawa County and the surrounding counties.
Those who have questions or concerns regarding benefits may attend or call Peggy at 419-350-9854 and leave a message.
Board of elections to meet Feb. 27
The Ottawa County Board of Elections will meet Friday, Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m. for a regular board meeting and to address any other business that comes before the board.
The meeting will be held at the Board of Elections office located at 8444 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor, in the Veterans Memorial Building.
For more information, call 419-898-3071.
Turnpike cautions customers to pay unpaid tolls
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is providing advance notice to its customers – which includes both passenger car and commercial truck drivers – to pay their unpaid tolls.
When the Ohio Turnpike’s new toll collection system went live on April 10, 2024, many customers without an E-ZPass traveled in E-ZPass lanes. As a result, these customers received unpaid toll invoices by mail.
In mid-August 2024 – as a courtesy to its customers – the Commission suspended all late fees, collections and vehicle registration holds to allow more time for customers to become familiar with the new open road tolling system. The initial suspension lasted 60 days but was extended again to give its customers more time to adjust to the new system.
Over a nine-month period from April 2024 through December 2024, nearly 347,000 transactions remain unpaid compared to more than 44 million transactions that were paid successfully.
Beginning Feb. 3, the Commission will start issuing late fees for unpaid tolls.
• Customers who incurred an unpaid toll by driving through an E-ZPass lane and who do not pay the first unpaid toll invoice within 30 days will have a $5 late fee added to the second mailed invoice for each toll that remains unpaid.
• Customers exiting through a cash/credit lane who are handed an unpaid toll notice by a toll collector for failure to pay will incur a $5 administrative fee. If the notice remains unpaid for 30 days, the customer will be mailed a second notice, and a $5 late fee will be added to each toll that remains unpaid.
Beginning Feb. 10, 2025, the Commission will send any unpaid tolls incurred since April 10, 2024, to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for collections and to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) for a hold on vehicle registrations.
• Mailed invoices and notices that remain unpaid for 90 days from the issue date will be sent to the AG’s Office for collections and/or the BMV for vehicle registration holds.
• The accounts of customers currently involved in an active hearing dispute or during the resolution process will not be sent to the AG’s Office for collections or the BMV for vehicle registration holds.
To make a toll payment, visit ezpassoh.com or call the customer service center at 440-971-2222.
Quilters to meet
The Maumee Bay Country Quilters’ Guild will hold their next meeting Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 6:45 p.m. at Northwood Church of God, 3375 Curtice Rd.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Joanne Hubbard will present the program, “How Quilting is Healthy.”
Visitors and new members are welcome. The visitors’ fee is $10; yearly membership is $35.
Gibsonburg project seeks proposals
The Village of Gibsonburg is accepting proposals from qualified engineering firms for the design of an improvement project in the downtown district.
The village will be utilizing the request for proposals to procure engineering services for a multi-modal pedestrian and bicycle replacement project in the district.
The proposals will be accepted until Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. at the town hall, 526 N. Webster St., Gibsonburg, Ohio, 43431.
The project will include the removal and replacement of deteriorating walkways and curbs; and improving water and sewer lines, meter pits, and service connections. Americans with Disability Act compliant walkways, curb ramps, and drainage improvements, traffic signal upgrades, and safety lighting for pedestrians and bicyclists are also planned.
The project will be centered in the area of Madison Street, from Gibson Street to Hurlburt Street, and Main Street, from Yeasting Street to Stevenson Street.
Partial funding for the project is being provided by a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
For information contact Marc Glotzbecker, village administrator, at m.glotzbecker@gibsonburgohio.org.
Klaehn entering judge’s race
John Klaehn, Ottawa County Clerk of Courts, has announced his candidacy for Ottawa County Municipal Court Judge in the 2025 election.
"Serving as clerk of courts has been a wonderful experience and I feel the opportunity to make a positive impact on our community will be even greater as Municipal Court Judge," said Klaehn. "I've lived and worked here my entire life so I am honored to ask my neighbors for their support."
He has practiced law for more than 20 years, including 18 years as a criminal defense attorney in Ottawa County Municipal Court.
Since 2021, Klaehn has served in the elected position of clerk of courts, an office that oversees all the county's vehicle titles and processes legal filings for the Common Pleas Court. Since taking office, Klaehn modernized the office by launching its first website and adding credit card payments for legal filings.
Conference set in ODOT case
A telephone conference is scheduled for April 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the case of the Ohio Department of Transportation suing United States Gypsum Co.
The case was filed in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court and is being heard by Judge Bruce Winters.
The transportation department, represented by Ohio Attorney General David Yost is suing to recover about $16.7 million it spent to stabilize the company’s abandoned mines below State Rt. 2 in the county.
The case dates from 1965, when USG sold land to ODOT to build State Route 2 above the company’s underground gypsum mines. The purchase agreement required USG to maintain the integrity of the mines to ensure the highway’s stability, according to the state’s complaint.
As Yost’s lawsuit alleges, however, USG filed a quit claim deed in 1977, withdrawing its commitment to maintain the mines but failed to notify ODOT about the filing or seek the department’s approval.
A statement by the company issued after the lawsuit was filed reads: “From our reading of the complaint, the Ohio Department of Transportation is only seeking to recover legacy costs that were incurred by it for work on State Road 2 that occurred a decade or more ago. The complaint does not allege any imminent risk to public safety. Safety is our top priority for both our employees and our community. To that end, USG monitors and conducts regular inspections of its closed mine areas. USG will fully respond to the state's allegations in court.”
