As we continue to confront Coronavirus, Covid 19, or whatever you want to call it, our team here at The Beacon is continuing to provide you the most up-to-date and pertinent local information possible. As you are no doubt aware, Gov. Mike DeWine has issued a stay-at-home order that went into effect Monday at Midnight.

As determined as an “essential business” by the state, we will continue to print a paper each week providing you the information you need. Our delivery for the foreseeable future will be home delivery. Our newsstand delivery will be limited to local grocery outlets and pharmacies. Please be patient with us as we may encounter some challenges. If you have any questions, please call our office at 419-732-2154 and please refer to our website for updates and more POSITIVE NEWS in and around Ottawa County. Thank you and please be safe.

Starting last Monday, March 23, there are now several locations in the Port Clinton school district where students may pick up “grab & go” five day meal packs that include breakfast and lunch for the week. All locations will serve from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays only. Students and parents should look for the school bus for meal pick up. Meals will be distributed from the school bus so there is no need to enter the buildings. The locations include: Port Clinton High School main parking lot; City Hall Parking Lot; City Beach Playground Parking Lot off of Ash Street; Port Clinton School Bus Garage at 823 Kentucky Ave; Erie Township Hall; Former Catawba School on Schoolhouse Road – now the CIC training center.

Students within walking distance should pick up at each location. If students are not within walking distance please call Pam Bacon, Food Service Director at 419-734-2147 or pbacon@pccsd-k12.net.

This week is important in Port Clinton history. It was 10 years ago when Coach Troy Diels led the unbeaten Redskin boys’ basketball team to the State Finals in Columbus! The tournament ride that year was amazing.

Early Tuesday we received notice from Kenn and Kim Kaufman at Black Swamp Bird Observatory that the Greatest Week in American Birding will have to be cancelled in April and May. Once again concerns about social contact and the coronavirus pandemic.

In a related manner, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in Ottawa County is closed until further notice, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The closure took effect at sundown on Monday, March 23 and includes the boardwalk, parking lots, roads, and walking trails.

John and Marty Folger shared some good news. Their daughter, Kelley Marie, and her husband, Burt, gave birth to a son on Monday. Life really does go on.

We are starting to hear about “random acts of kindness” during this time of self-quarantine, like the extra effort being made by the school cafeteria teams. If you see any, or hear of any, please let us know. It is in these times, times of greatest need, that Ottawa County shines.