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Comments accepted through March 18

LIMA–The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Executive Order 11988, is seeking public comments regarding the following proposed projects in the Icon readership area:

HANCOCK COUNTY
State Route 103 bridge maintenance (PID: 105152) - ODOT is proposing to replace the surface of the bridge that carries State Route 103 over Buck Run on the eastern edge of the village of Arlington. The bridge is located approximately one half mile east of the U.S. Route 68 and State Route 103 intersection in the village.

Construction activities will result in temporary roadway closures. Vehicular through traffic will be detoured temporarily. Access for local traffic to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is scheduled to occur in the summer of 2025.

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UPDATE: A period of moderate to heavy rainfall is expected later this morning through this evening (March 3). Storm total rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.25 inches are expected. Wet soil conditions from recent heavy rainfall will lead to a large amount of runoff from this additional heavy rainfall. This will lead to flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas, including small creeks and streams.

Issued March 2:

National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a flood watch for Friday, March 3 including Allen County and the cities of Dunkirk, Pandora, Bluffton and Lima.

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING... *

WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. *

WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and northwest Ohio, including in northwest Ohio, Allen OH, Defiance, Henry, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert.

WHEN...From Friday morning through Friday evening. *

IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. *

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Governor DeWine announced on March 1 that he has spoken with the CEOs of both Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads about the need for increased train derailment response training for first responders. 

Because most rail miles in Ohio are in rural areas, volunteer firefighters are most likely to be the first on scene to a train derailment. However, there is currently very little training for volunteers on responding to trail derailments.

Governor DeWine reported that the CEOs of both railroads were in favor of working with the State of Ohio to increase railroad-specific training for Ohio's first responders.

Governor DeWine also announced that the Ohio Public Utilities Commission currently has up to $800,000 in grant funding available to help Ohio's smaller fire departments pay for critically important training.

Through May 31, PUCO will be taking applications for their annual hazardous materials training grant program. Among the opportunities funded through this program are “rail hazardous materials response training” and hazardous material incident response.

Funding for these grants is from fines paid by hazardous material carriers and shippers. More information is available at www.puco.ohio.gov.

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The Cory-Rawson Local School District is accepting applications from those interested in attending through open enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. Students living in any Ohio school district may apply and enroll tuition-free at Cory-Rawson. Applications are approved annually on a first come, first served basis and approval is subject to grade level enrollment and educational programs. Applications are available in our school offices and online at www.cory-rawson.org.

Our staff looks forward to meeting with any potential families to provide information about our district and programs. Call the district office at 419-963-3415, option 3 or email April Sybert at [email protected] to schedule a meeting and tour.

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The Bluffton Lions Club is seeking nominees for the 2022 Citizen of the Year Award. The award was established in 1981 to honor a person, couple, or person representing a group, who has selflessly given time, effort, and talent for the benefit of those in the Bluffton area, and whose dedication and achievements have profoundly improved the quality of life of the people in this area. The nominee may be living or deceased within the last year. This year’s winner will be feted at a banquet on April 6, 2023. Anyone interested in making a nomination may obtain an application by contacting John Ri

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Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two reports shared in February 2023:

LAKE ERIE
In June 2022, State Wildlife Investigator Jason Hadsell contacted anglers who were returning from Lake Erie to the Fairport Port Authority boat launch. He contacted one vessel with five occupants who claimed to have reached their daily limit of six walleye per person. Officer Hadsell found that all five of the men had valid fishing licenses but counted 32 walleye in their cooler. He issued a summons to the boat’s owner for possessing more than the daily limit of walleye. The fisherman paid $165 for the violation and the two extra fish were forfeited. 

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