State Senator Randy Gardner (R- Bowling Green) has been tapped by Senate President Keith Faber (R- Celina) to serve as Chairman of the newly-created Finance Subcommittee on Education. The subcommittee will have responsibility for college and university budget issues as well as elementary and secondary funding.
American Red Cross locations throughout the area are recruiting new volunteers to join the Disaster Action Team (DAT) and assist clients throughout our area. Natural disasters such as winter storms, floods, and home fires increase the organization’s need for trained and prepared volunteers. DAT volunteers are a vital piece of Red Cross response, providing compassion, care, and assistance families need in times of emergency.
I promised to tell you more about the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas on a regular basis. Our last article gave an overview of what we do, now perhaps I’ll delve into the specifics of how criminal cases come to us.
Unlike the Municipal or Juvenile Courts, police officers are not permitted to file their cases directly with this Court. Criminal cases come to this court either having been reviewed by the Municipal Court Judge in a Preliminary Hearing, or by being reviewed by the Grand Jury to determine if there is “probable cause” for someone to face charges. Probable cause means that a crime has probably been committed and the accused probably committed the crime. Only then can charges be filed in the Common Pleas Court. If the Municipal Court Judge finds there is probable cause, he then transfers the case to the Common Pleas Court. If the matter is heard by the Grand Jury and they find probable cause an “indictment” is given. The indictment is the document informing the accused that he or she has been accused of a crime and gives the general nature of the offense with which he or she has been charged.
The January meeting of Johnson’s Island Civil War Round Table will be held Sunday,Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. at T.J. Willie’s Restaurant in Tiffin. The Heritage Minstrels members Howard Schlegel, Barbara Bond, and John Bond will present the program, “Civil War Songs of the South”. President Lincoln himself felt that “Dixie” was one of the best tunes he had ever heard. The meeting is free and open to all interested in the American Civil War. Members and guests may choose to chat and dine beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Port Clinton City School District celebrated the opening of the renovated Bataan Memorial Intermediate Elementary with the community on Saturday, Jan.12, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House. Members of the Brownie Troop 10862 helped to open the new building by cutting the ribbon and opening the doors for the community tours.
On Thursday, Jan. 10, Immaculate Conception School held its annual school spelling bee. Nine fifth graders competed with hopes of moving on to the Ottawa County Spelling Bee next month. The class had been studying and preparing for the bee with Language Arts Teacher Jackie Brown. This year’s winners are: Lissa Gillman, first place; Elena Kessler, second place; and Lohany Arambula, third place.
Danbury Local Schools, through its Community Education Program, will be offering the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course in February. Class dates are Sundays, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3, March 10 and March 17. Class will be held from 12–6 p.m. Fee for the course is $165.00. Course manual and personal pocket mask necessary for the class are included in the fee. You must attend all five classes to complete the course. Candidates must be at least 15 years of age and must pass certain swimming requirements.
On Jan. 14, the Benton-Carroll-Salem Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting along with its regular January business meeting. The group gathered was in a cheerful and proud mood as the Board of Education honored the staff and students of R.C. Waters Elementary School for earning the distinction of being in the top two percent of high achieving school buildings in the State of Ohio. Both R.C. Waters Principal Karen Gruber and Superintendent Guy Parmigian praised the hard work and dedication of teachers, support staff, students, parents, and volunteers for allowing the school to earn the distinction of being in the top 2%. Several members of the R.C. Waters staff were present at the meeting, and Board members congratulated the entire staff. They also encouraged them to keep up the great work with the students they serve.
Besides ringing the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Battle of The High Schools between Oak Harbor and Port Clinton, this year many area schools got involved with raising awareness and funds for The Salvation Army and those in need.
Oak Harbor Middle School raised $528.72 during the OSU/Michigan Game and Danbury High School held a fund raiser designed to aid students their age who may be suffering from the effects of the slow economy.
The first graders and preschoolers at Immaculate Conception School embraced winter by making wonderful snowflakes lasts week. The 3 and 4 year olds created flakes by spraying them with a liquid paint. The icy masterpieces now line the hallway of the school. Miss Mary Heshel and Miss Michelle Wojciechowski assisted with the project.
The first graders of I.C.S. also honored winter at their monthly theme day yesterday. The group made wonderfully huge and intricate snowflakes by twisting paper, drank hot chocolate, created snowman note cards, and made seedy treats for their backyard birds. Mrs. Rita McNutt, first grade teacher, comes up with the activities to usher in the changing seasons and invites family members of the students to join in the day of interactive learning.
