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The Lima/Allen County Regional Planning Commission (LACRPC) will host an open house at 10:00 a.m. on July 18 regarding the Long-Range Transportation Plan update. The plan includes a budget to guide improvements for public transportation facilities and infrastructure for the next 20 years. View the plan HERE.

The event will include a presentation and Q&A session. All members of the public are encouraged and welcome to attend this event at the RTA Administration Building Conference Room 200 E. High Street Lima, Oh 45801. Light refreshments will be provided. Free transportation is also being offered by the Lima-Allen Regional Transit Authoritty; hop on any RTA fixed bus route and tell the driver you’re on your way to the open house for a free ride to and from this event courtesy of RTA. (View the Monday-Friday Bluffton Route 9 HERE.)

Another meeting will be held from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on July 19 at the planning commission's office, 130 W. North St., Lima.

The plan will be open for public comment from Monday through July 31 at www.lacrpc.com.

For more information, contact Public Outreach and Community Program Planner Shaunna Basinger at [email protected].

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Heard it through the grapevine (Facebook) that the Suter Produce little red barn on State Route 103 near I-75 will have sweet corn beginning July 10.

Expect traffic impacts as the strawberry traffic jam is replaced by sweet corn relishers. 

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COLUMBUS--On July 7, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, joined by Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Lori Criss, and Ohio 988 Administrator Doug Jackson, recognized the positive impact of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on Ohioans following one year of state-and-nationwide implementation. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides residents with one, easy to remember number to call–988–when they or someone they know is in crisis.

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The American Red Cross continues to report a blood supply shortage and encourage donors to make an appointment at upcoming blood drive events.

July blood drives in the Icon readership areas include:

Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
116 Church Street, Bluffton, OH 45817

Monday, July 31, 2023, 11:30 a..m.-5:30 p.m.
Visiting Nurses & Hospice
1200 S. Main St., Ada, OH 45810

To schedule an appointment to donate, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross is offering several incentives to donors who come out to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks.

July 12-Aug 12: Those who come to give will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark/

July 17-31: Presenting donors will receive an officially licensed Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark/

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COLUMBUS–The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 11 people lost their lives in nine traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, which began Monday, July 3 and ended Monday, July 4. Impairment was determined to be a factor in two of those crashes and a safety belt was not used in three of those crashes. 

Troopers made 133 arrests for impaired driving and 96 for drug-related charges. The Patrol responded to 249 crashes and rendered assistance to 1,067 motorists. In total, troopers made 13,634 contacts with the motoring public.

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Ohio EPA has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.  The advisory is in effect through June 28-29. Ohio EPA expects the Air Quality Index to be in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” to “very unhealthy” ranges.

When air quality is in the very unhealthy range, all people may experience health effects and should limit outside exposure when possible. To see real-time air quality in your area, visit the AirNow website HERE.

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