Lake Erie News

The Ottawa Wildlife Refuge Auto Tour will be open to all visitors with wheels on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18-19. Drive through 7 miles of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge that are normally closed to the public. New entrance from the Visitor Center parking lot opens at 8 a.m. and closes and 4 p.m.
If you’ve always wondered what all the “birders” are doing running around Northwest Ohio, come to the refuge at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, for a Beginner Bird Walk. A seasoned naturalist will guide you on how to spot and identify birds on Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. Binoculars and field guide will be available to borrow.
All events are free of charge and are held at the Visitor Center. Call 419- 898-0014 for questions.

Main Street Port Clinton has rescheduled “Dolphin Tale” to Thursday, Aug. 16, at Waterworks Park. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to claim your spot in front of the large inflatable movie screen. Concessions will be available for a donation or you may bring your own. The movie will begin at dusk, around 8:45 p.m.
The next show will be “Happy Feet,” on Aug. 30.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For $500, your organization may show a commercial before and after each film. Your banners will be displayed on the concession tables and your organization will be announced as a sponsor at all events and meetings.
Current sponsors include: Ottawa County Community Foundation, The Commons of Providence, Holiday Inn Express, Magruder Hospital, Zink Calls,
For information, contact Main Street Port Clinton at 419-734-5503.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife is holding open house meetings in all five districts to discuss proposed rule changes to Ohio’s fish and wildlife rules. The meetings will be noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, and are open to the public.
“Ohio’s anglers, hunters, trappers and wildlife enthusiast are encouraged to provide their input on any rule being considered for change,” said Scott Zody, chief of ODNR’s Division of Wildlife. Rule proposals encompass new rules for wild animal hunting preserves, commercial bird shooting preserves and wild cervidaes to align with recently enacted legislation (House Bill 389). The rule package also includes proposals to define the geographical limits on reservoirs and bag limits on selected fish species.