Ohio EPA awards grants to 46 local agencies for mosquito control
COLUMBUS — Forty-six local health departments and municipalities across 41 Ohio counties, including Crawford County, are receiving $816,000 in grants from the Ohio EPA for mosquito control activities. The funding includes $127,000 to remove scrap tires, which can become breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. The grants will help mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika, West Nile, and La Cross encephalitis.
In Northwest Ohio, 11 county and city health departments are receiving grants. Among them are Richland Public Health ($14,980), the Shelby City Health Department ($11,700), the Galion City Health Department ($13,000), and the Ashland County Health Department ($25,000).
Over the last seven years, the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health have awarded $7.5 million to local health departments and communities for mosquito control programs.
Kelly Park ‘Free Little Library’ ribbon cutting held
CRESTLINE — The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) welcomed the “Free Little Library” to Kelly Park in Crestline with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Ten-year-old Adylina Troiano, a Crestline resident, is the force behind the new Free Little Library — an unlocked, weather-proof box in the park that is open for everyone to take or leave books.
Troiano told those assembled for last week’s ribbon-cutting that he was inspired when he saw the Free Little Library at the Galion YMCA. Once the idea took root, she got the go-ahead from her mother and then approached the Crestline Village Council for approval and started raising money to buy the box. After exceeding her initial $300 fund-raising goal, Troiano said she was happy to be able to get “an even better box” than the one she had initially selected.
June 18-24 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), National Weather Service (NWS), and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) are promoting June 18-24 as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week and encouraging all Ohioans to know what to do before, during, and after a thunderstorm, and to practice severe weather safety and preparedness throughout the summer.
Lightning is one of the leading causes of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.
Ohioans are urged to remember “When thunder roars, go indoors!” This means you should stop outdoor activities and seek a safe, enclosed shelter immediately. This includes all water activities.
You can find more tips for keeping safe during storms at ready.ohio.gov.
Upcoming meetings:
● Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Richland County , 5:30 pm, Tuesday, 87 E. First St., Mansfield
● Mansfield City Council Caucus/Council, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Municipal Building, 30 N. Diamond St., Mansfield
● Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors, noon, Wednesday, Mid-Ohio ESC board room, 890 W. Fourth St., Mansfield
● Pioneer Career and Technology Center Board of Education, 10 am, Friday, Mid-Ohio ESC conference room, 890 W. Fourth St., Mansfield