LAKESIDE CHAUTAUQUA FIREWORKS STILL ON TAP FOR FOURTH

Lakeside Chautauqua will be scaling down its 4th of July celebrations this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not the fireworks show. The fireworks will go off starting at 9:45 p.m., with the fireworks launched from a barge off the Lakeside Pier. To allow social distancing recommended by the Ohio Department of Health, people will be spread out along the lakefront, and the pavilion will be closed.

Chairs and blankets will not be allowed to reserve shoreline viewing spots until the Fourth of July. In case of bad weather, the fireworks show will be held on Sunday, July 5.

There will be a cookout on the lawn in front of Hotel Lakeside from noon to 3 p.m., and afternoon and evening music in Bettinger Park. Featured will be JK All Day, Carpenter Ants, Rick Kelley and Hay Mavis. The annual Children’s Bike Parade and the Fourth of July Float Parade have been cancelled.

LAKE ERIE SHORES & ISLANDS TO OPEN PORT CLINTON WELCOME CENTER

The Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center on Catawba Road (Route 53), just north the Route 2 in Port Clinton, has been given the nod this week to reopen by the Ottawa County Department of Health. The tourism center will be open on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Salaried staff will be taking shifts serving guests since the West Welcome Center has yet to bring in travel counselors. The new East Welcome Center in Sandusky will take a little longer to open, with furniture and other supplies still being moved to the new center.

PUT-IN-BAY CANCELS FIREWORKS SHOW ON 4TH OF JULY

The Put-In-Bay Community Fireworks Fund has announced that it will have to cancel the popular fireworks show in Put-in-Bay Harbor on the 4th of July. Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce was alerted that after discussions with community members, including local law enforcement, EMS, and local businesses that cancelling the show was the best decision.

The decision was made based on many factors, including lessening the pressure on law enforcement and emergency services on Saturday, July 4, which is expected to be an already high traffic day on the island. Also considered was the possibility of flooding in the viewing areas.

FUNDING CONTINUED FOR ‘VALUABLE’ 2-1-1 PHONE SERVICE

The Ohio Department of Health will continue to fund its Ohio 2-1-1 service going into the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Mike DeWine describes the Ohio 2-1-1 service as a “valuable” link between residents and local non-profit and government services for healthcare, food and meals, housing, transportation, mental health and legal services.

At the beginning of 2020, the 2-1-1 service was available in 51 of Ohio’s 88 counties. When the pandemic began, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency asks Ohio AIRS, the non-profit that governs Ohio 2-1-1, to expand it to all of Ohio in March.

Ohioans can also reach the Ohio 2-1-1 line at 1-877-721-8476.

PORT CLINTON EXTENDS WATER SERVICE SHUTOFF BAN

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency suspended actions by Ohio public utilities to shut off services for non-payment of bills, but the EPA ended the ban as of July 12. Port Clinton officials have now extended their shut off ban until Saturday, Aug. 1.

FREMONT TO RESUME REGULAR TRIPS SHUTTLE ON JULY 6

The Great Lakes Community Action Partnership will resume the TRIPS Fremont Shuttle regular services on Monday, July 6 that service the west and east sides of Fremont. The shuttle will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

The shuttle proves a one-hour loop that stops at a variety of Fremont locations. A complete schedule of TRIPS stops is at glcap.org/trips. Bus riders are strongly encourage to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. The regular $1 shuttle fee will not be charged to eliminate the handling of money during the pandemic.

LIBRARY BOOKS SAFE TO BORROW AFTER JUST 72 HOURS

Libraries around the country have celebrated news from the Batelle, a global research and development organization committed to science and technology in Columbus, that books and other printed materials need only 72 hours before the COVID-19 virus is undetectable.

Many libraries have been practicing the 72-hour window before re-lending books in order to thwart the virus. According to reports, the virus was not detectable after just one day on hard- and soft-covered books.

NFL CANCELS HALL OF FAME GAME IN CANTON

The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio is the traditional opener of the National Football League season, but not this year. The Aug. 6 exhibit game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed until Aug. 5, 2021 and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for 10 men to be honored this year will now be held Aug. 7, 2021.

CEO David Baker of the Hall of Fame called it the right decision for the “health and welfare of our Gold Jackets, incoming centennial class of 2020 members, hall personnel and event volunteers.”

NFL owners are still discussing the possibility of a 2020 pro football season, with the preseason schedule trimmed from four to just two games.