The United Way of Logan County annual campaign is approaching the 30 percent mark with nearly $219,000 raised thus far.

Campaign co-chairs Mike Minnich (pictured) and Jack Reser report that many volunteers have been busy distributing materials to local businesses and individuals.

They lauded the efforts of these folks noting that volunteers are the heart and soul of the local United Way. “Thanks to our community members to give, not only of their money, but also of their time, our administration and fundraising expenses remain low,” Minnich said.

The United Way helps fund 24 health and human service agencies, which serve about 15,000 local residents each year.

This month, Wal-Mart shoppers will see the dollars raised put to good use as Warm Clothers for Kids volunteers will shop with eligible elementary school age children from the city and the county to purchase a warm coat, pants, shoes, and undergarments. Volunteers will meet at Wal-Mart every Monday and Wednesday between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Anyone interested in shopping with the families can call the United Way office for more information. This year “Warm Clothes for Kids” will receive $40,000.

You can find out more by calling the United Way at 592-2886, or by visiting the office at 122 North Main Street, Bellefontaine.

You can see more at www.uwlogan.org or www.facebook.com/loganuw.

The campaign runs through November 30th.

A local man’s illness caused an accident in the city yesterday afternoon around two o’clock.

The Bellefontaine Police Department reports that Gary Marchal, 40, of 2547 Couchman Road, West Liberty, became ill and passed out while exiting the parking lot of McDonald’s, 1780 South Main Street.

Marchal’s northbound ‘88 Ford Ranger went through the flower garden area of McDonald’s, then continued across the driveway and struck two unoccupied cars at Arby’s.

Marchal was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Bellefontaine Fire and EMS.

He was cited for failure to control, and his pickup suffered heavy damage.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) submitted an order for 160,100 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday afternoon. A total of 160,100 doses will be shipped directly to 314 local health departments and hospitals in 88 Ohio counties.

The order includes 66,100 doses of nasal-spray vaccine and 94,000 shots of H1N1 flu vaccine.

Nasal-spray vaccine is approved for use only in healthy people ages 2 to 49, while the shots will be given to high-risk individuals including pregnant women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.

The vaccine orders should begin arriving at providers’ offices Oct. 27, according to CDC.

ODH has previously ordered 435,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine, bringing Ohio’s total to 595,200 doses thus far. More vaccine is expected to be available in the coming weeks.

For more information on vaccine availability, check the ODH Web site at http://www.flu.ohio.gov or call the ODH H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Locally, there will be a free H1N1 shot clinic on Wednesday at the Discovery Center (1973 State Route 47 West) from 4- 7 p.m. for primary caregivers of children younger than 6 months.

Other vaccination clinics will be administered on a priority basis in the county.

Watch for more details over the next couple of weeks.

Troopers arrested a Sidney woman Friday for attempting to convey drugs into the London Correctional Institution.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers charged Tisha Chess, 36, with attempting to convey drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility, a third-degree felony.

Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators obtained information that Chess was planning to bring drugs into the London Correctional Institution. Upon her arrival around 8:45 a.m. Friday, investigators confiscated eight balloons containing a total of 24 grams of marijuana from her person.

If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state-owned and leased property.

A  Logan County infant has been diagnosed with the swine flu virus.

Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott says the baby is getting better, but parents need to take extra precautions when it comes to H1N1. Listen to comments from Dr. Hoddinott.

The Logan County Health Department is vaccinating all health care workers and pregnant women at this time.

Next week they hope to open up clinics for care givers of infant 6 months or younger.

Again, because the swine flu is twice as contagious as the regular flu virus, Dr. Hoddinott urges parents of young children to keep them at home as much as possible to avoid infection.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS, Tri-Valley Fire and the Bellefontaine Police Department responded to a house fire at 128 East Auburn Avenue at approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday night.

Upon arrival crews encountered a two-story duplex with fire and smoke showing.

The home was vacant at the time and responders had the blaze under control shortly after arrival.

The property is owned by Erick Erickson.

However, Erickson was arrested at the scene for interfering with firefighter’s efforts to put out the blaze.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the estimated loss is $50,000.

The investigation into what started the fire continues.

The Family Career and Community Leaders of America are holding a regional rally at Bellefontaine High School this afternoon.

Dozens of students from all around the area will attend several workshops and presentations.

GRADS teacher Nancy Decker of the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center will be making a presentation about the March of Dimes, whose mission is the prevention of premature births and birth defects.

Locally, the March of Dimes has an upcoming event called Light a Little Star, which will be held November 7th at Northeastern Elementary School.

FCCLA and the March of Dimes partner at a national level to raise money and awareness.

The Bellefontaine City Engineer says crews from Shelly Materials will begin paving next week, weather permitting.

People are asked not to put their leaves on the street or park on these streets so that this work can be completed.

Monday, October 26th-East Auburn, S. Madriver, E. and W. Sandusky repair areas, Impound Lot at 331 W. Columbus, City Street Department Lot, Watson Way from Detroit to Central Court, W. Patterson from Detroit to Elm and Canby from W. Auburn to W. Chillicothe.

Tuesday, October 27th-South St. Paris from W. Columbus to Niven, S. Troy Road from Plumvalley to Auburn, Woodview from Eastern to cul-de-sac and Eastern from Hayes to Columbus.

Wednesday, October 28th-Water from S. Detroit to R.R., Plumvalley from R.R. to Carter, South Detroit from Water to Carter, S. Park from Auburn to Colton, S. Stanley from Columbus to Chillicothe, Opera from Columbus to Chillicothe and Palmer from Main to N. Madriver.

Thursday, October 29th-Grove from west of Detroit to east of Henry, Charles from Euclid to Ohio, N. Troy from Florence to Myrtle, N. Troy from Garfield to W. Williams, W. Williams from Main to Detroit, W. Brown from Main to Elm, W. Chillicothe from Easton to Seymour, Williams from Park to Allison and E. Chillicothe from Madriver to Powers.

Friday, October 30th-N. Park from Williams to Blair, Sugarbush from Dakota to cul-de-sac and Dowell from Main to Jacobs Motors.

The Bellefontaine City Compost Lot at 331 West Columbus Avenue will be open through this weekend, but will close Monday, October 26th until paving is complete.

West Liberty-Salem beat Dayton Christian in three games during the second round of sectional play Thursday night.

The scores were 25-16, 25-15 and 25-16.

Paige Parker hit her 1,000th kill during the match.

Parker had 16 kills, 9 digs and 9 points.

Becka Peterson had 15 kills, 10 digs and 5 blocks.

Kayla Peterson had 33 assists and 7 digs.

Tyler Eckurd had 12 digs, 10 points and 2 aces.

West Liberty-Salem is now 22-1 overall.

Meantime, the Riverside Pirates varsity volleyball team defeated the Mississinawa Valley Blackhawks in their sectional semi-final match Thursday night.

Riverside won in three games as well; 25-22, 25-18, 25-16.

Amelia Carter had 11 kills and 11 digs.

Sarah Schindewolf had 4 aces and 10 digs.

Brooklyn Purtee had 9 kills and 13 digs.

Tory Thompson had 5 blocks and 26 assists.

Erica Snapp had 10 kills and 13 digs.

Abby Heaberlin had 3 aces and 5 digs.

The Pirates are now 21-3 overall.

They play in the sectional finals Saturday evening at 7:30 pm at Piqua High School.

Area high school students will have a new opportunity to gain leadership skills next summer at Urbana University.

Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club members got an overview of the Shelton Leadership Challenge during their weekly meeting Thursday.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Hugh Shelton developed the course for students to learn about integrity, honesty, passion, social responsibility and diversity.

Urbana University student Kirby Weaver has been through the program. Listen to Weaver's comments.

The Shelton Leadership Challenge will be held June 20-26th 2010 at Urbana University in Champaign County.

Applications for high school students will be available in January.

The University is looking for adult volunteers and sponsors to help carry out the program.

For more information call Nick Christian in Career Services at 937-484-1417 or email nchristian@urbana.edu.

Citizens of Logan County gathered at the Ohio- Hi-Point Career Center Thursday night for a town hall meeting regarding Issue 2, an agricultural issue dealing with animal welfare appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The meeting, sponsored by the Logan County Farm Bureau, featured speakers from the Ohio Farm Bureau as well as scientists from The Ohio State University and was aimed at providing attendees with information on Issue 2.

The modest, but vocal, crowd expressed their questions and concerns to those presenting which included Naomi Botheras, a Program Specialist at Ohio State and Beth Vanderkooi, the Director of State Policy at the Ohio Farm Bureau.

If passed, Issue 2 would create a Constitutional Amendment that creates a 13-person advisory board that would focus on creating universal animal living standards. The board would represent the interests of farm, animal, consumer and regulation industries.

Listen as Nate Smith talks with Vanderkooi about Issue 2.

Agriculture serves as the top-ranked industry in Ohio and many farmers are concerned that out-of-state activists groups, working to pass animal welfare legislation, will drive up the costs of producing livestock and poultry to prohibitive levels.

This concern comes on the heels of a slew animal welfare legislation that has been passed dating  back to 2002 when Florida became the first state to ban gestation crates for sows.

Most recently, the passing of proposition 2 in California, which was billed as “modest, common sense reform” forcing farmers to provide an environment for their livestock that enables them to stand up, turn around and be able to extend all their limbs fully.

That proposition passed by 63% and was the highest support ballot initiative in United States history.

Governor Ted Strickland (pictured with TRC President Rick Gildow) visited Logan County Wednesday afternoon.

The governor discussed the importance of education reform during a tour of Transportation Research Center near East Liberty.

Strickland has been meeting with business and school leaders across the state, seeking their support of his planned educational initiatives.

He believes there is a strong correlation between educational achievement and economic prosperity.

The governor wants to strengthen our public education system, and make sure college is affordable.

His education reforms call for every new teacher in the state to go through a four-year residency program after graduation from college.

Strickland said doctors go through a residency program because “they have lives in their hands”. He said this also applies to teachers.

Other than his parents, the governor said teachers were some of the most influential people in his life.

He also wants to make students more accountable.

Under his plan, every senior would be required to take the ACT to measure what they’ve learned.

The state would pay for the cost of the test.

Strickland said these education reforms will lead to Ohio creating and retaining jobs.

He said TRC is an example of a great Ohio business.

The governor was hosted by longtime TRC President Rick Gildow (pictured), who gave an overview of the 35-year-old company.

Strickland enjoyed some “hands on learning” during his visit.

Professional driver Roger Schroer and the governor rode an ‘09 Acura TL on TRC’s test track.

The car reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and Schroer went through a variety of moves to showcase the car’s handling and stability.

Strickland spoke with Bill Tipple about his visit to TRC and his education reform plan.

Listen to the complete interview.

The governor concluded his day with a visit to Battelle Institute in West Jefferson.

Earlier this week, Strickland toured Baumfolder Corporation in Sidney and discussed his education plan.

Logan County Sheriff Andy Smith (pictured) spoke to the county mayors Wednesday night at the Logan County Mayors Association quarterly meeting at Bellefontaine Regional Airport.

Sheriff Smith updated the mayors on the sheriff’s office’s financial situation, as they are being hit hard by the depleting economy.

Limited amounts of funding have deputies patrolling more often than investigating crimes, hitting the department’s investigation unit. “Detectives are forced to focus their attention on cases that they can resolve quickly. Those long term investigations sometimes get pushed to the bottom of the pile, and that makes it difficult to try to resolve the crimes that we want to try to work on for the public,” Sheriff Smith said.

The jail population is also slimming down, not because of a decrease in crime, but because of a lack of staff. The jail is currently lodging 55 inmates. Sheriff Smith talked about a program that the jail has been working on that begins on Thursday, where the sheriff’s office will be bulking up staff for the weekend, and bringing in 60 inmates. Although the jail is helping cut down some of the days, there are still plenty of inmates waiting for jail time. “We still have a back log of several hundred people and thousands of days of sentencings for people to serve.”

The sheriff also said that they are trying to develop programs to save money, like planting a vegetable garden for inmates. “We have a lot of property around our building and we anticipate that we can start a garden there, and provide vegetables for our inmates to eat.”

Speeding and traffic has also been a problem throughout the county, and due to the lack of staffing, the sheriff’s office is bringing in a speed trailer. Honda of America donated the parts, and Smith believes it will help drivers become more responsible.

With the budget straining at the sheriff’s office, Commissioner Dave Knight told the mayors that the state is cutting the general fund once again next year, this time by $1.4 million. Knight said that the county will not reduce the sheriff’s office’s funding anymore, but there will be significant cuts elsewhere in the general fund.

Listen to Sheriff Andy Smith talk to Ashleigh Klinger about the problems with investigations, how his office is creatively cutting back, and the new speed trailer donation.

The Logan County Mayors Association will meet again January 20th.

The Logan County Engineer’s Office reports that the Shelly Company will be resurfacing County Road 101 near Belle Center today and tomorrow.

The road will be under construction from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., but will remain open to emergency vehicles and local traffic only.

Today crews are working on 101 between County Road 51 and County Road 111/113.

On Friday, crews will resurface 101 between State Route 638 and County Road 49.

Drive carefully; there are unmarked no passing zones and drop-offs along the edge of the roadway.

Benjamin Logan High School students had a unique opportunity to participate in a live videoconference with one of the leading proponents of biomedical engineering technology.

The high school biology students participated in a special live videoconference series of biomedical and bioengineering programs with the Great Lakes Science Center on Wednesday. The program featured Dr. Dustin Tyler, an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Tyler’s presentation “How to Make a Super Hero” focused on “FES”, a bioengineering process that stimulates muscles in paralyzed patients allowing them to regain functions.

Students were able to gather information that would encourage them to consider biomedical engineering as a career choice. Students also learned how a biomedical engineer might determine if someone is a good candidate for FES therapy.

A popular Bellefontaine street will be closed the next few days for repair work.

City Engineer Tim Notestine reports that South Troy Road at the viaduct will be closed starting Thursday.

The detour will be in effect until Shelly Materials can complete the resurfacing, which is scheduled for next week.

The crowd inside the Holland Theatre went Louie la Vito loco Tuesday night as it was revealed that Louie Vito and partner Chelsie Hightower would, in fact, live to fight another week on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.

Louie’s performance Monday night was good enough to keep him out of the bottom three for the third time this season and the tense crowd inside the Holland was able to breathe a collective sigh of relief when Vito and Hightower were pronounced safe at approximately 9:40 p.m.

Aaron Carter found himself in the bottom two for the second consecutive week, but was able to again stave off elimination.

The same cannot be said, however, for Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin who, at the chagrin of the judges, was eliminated Tuesday evening, a night removed from earning a score of 22—the same number posted by Louie.

Coughlin’s elimination means that Michael Irvin, despite being the low-man on the leader board for the second straight week will be around next week as well.

An advancing Louie means the Holland’s restoration efforts will continue as well; the theatre will host another Vote for Louie party next week.

Listen as Dava Royer talks about the atmosphere inside the Holland, the camaraderie among those attending the events and some sound advice for Louie as he prepares for next week.

Admission to the Holland for the both Monday and Tuesday is only $5 and includes a free bag of popcorn and a raffle ticket which could win Mad River Mountain passes, Louie posters and more.

The party will reconvene next Monday for week six of competition. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at eight.

Seven defendants recently appeared before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor.

Rashad Brantley (pictured), 28, of Springfield, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of drugs.

Anthony Johnson, 24, of Bellefontaine, admitted to a community control violation and was sentenced to eight months in prison. His original charge was possession of drugs. 

Christopher Hoge, 20, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to ninety days in the Logan County Jail, placed on community control for five years, and ordered to pay a $500 fine, court costs, and attorney fees for breaking and entering and falsification.

Shawn KJ Clem, 26, of Bellefontaine, was sentenced to the West Central Community Based Correctional Facility, placed on community control for five years, and ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs for burglary.

Blake Stayman, 18, of Rushsylvania, was granted intervention in lieu of conviction after pleading guilty to breaking and entering. He must complete a substance abuse program through Consolidated Care and three years community control.

Jason Myers, 38, of Lima, pled guilty to failure to register and was placed on the prosecutor’s pretrial diversion program.

Mark Spurlock, 25, of Columbus, pled guilty to complicity to commit breaking and entering. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for November 23rd.

1 in 10 Americans has a family member with a developmental disability, and some parents got to learn about services for their children and adult children.

Gary Tonks, Executive Director of the ARC of Ohio, spoke to parents and professionals about education, Medicaid and Waivers Tuesday night.

In Ohio, 150,000 students are in special education, which is a major shift in the last three decades, according to Tonks. Before the right to equal access of services, children with disabilities couldn’t go to school.

Many parents voiced concern over Individual Education Programs (IEP) for disabled students. Tonks said, schools cannot use the lack of funding as an excuse not to educate special education children.

Tonks said parents “don’t quite understand the entire process” of getting an IEP for their child. He said older families have a tendency to put children in special schools. “We want to get the word out that their first choice should be the neighborhood school that their child would normally go to.”

Children and adults that are developmentally disabled are eligible for Medicaid, which can cover general health insurance for them and long term care. “It can provide the assistance a family needs for a residential provider once they are gone, and it can provide assistance in their home while they are still alive.”

These families also can opt for a Waiver, which can provide the same coverage as Medicaid but in a less costly manner, and away from a hospital or institution.

Parents didn’t just receive information from Tonks, but from each other as well. Tonks said that’s one reason why parents should come to these meetings. “People don’t know unless it’s shared by word of mouth.”

Listen to Gary Tonks talk after the meeting about improvements, IEPs, Medicaid, Waivers and why the parents should come to these types of meetings.

The Indian Lake School Board met in regular session last night.

A longtime community leader was recognized for establishing a scholarship fund.

Board members accepted a $50,000 donation from Donald and Barbara Spath for the Donald W. Spath and Barbara J. Spath Family Scholarship Fund.

The Middle School Student-Teacher-Parent Organization donated $7,461.83 to the Middle School Student Fund.

The board also approved a public auction for building contents from Lakeview and Huntsville Elementary Schools.

Doors, windows, casework, floors, chalkboards, lights, loose furnishings, and other miscellaneous equipment will be sold.

The auction will likely be held in November or December.

The board accepted the resignation of varsity baseball coach Brian Tidwell, who stepped down for personal reasons.

Tidwell led the Lakers program for the last six years.

Tidwell spoke with Bill Tipple about his decision to step down, his memories at Indian Lake, and his future plans in baseball.

Listen to the complete interview.

Finally, the board approved a one-year limited four-hour contract for bus driver Terressa Titus.

The board will meet again on Monday, November 16th at 6:30 p.m.

The temperature inside the Holland Theatre skyrocketed Monday night as Louie Vito and partner Chelsie Hightower wowed audiences and judges alike dancing the Argentine Tango on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

With his father Lou in attendance Louie turned in his best performance of the season, according to the judges, who gave him a score of 22—a six-point increase over last week’s two-step that garnered him a 16.

Unfortunately for Louie and Chelsie, however, impressive performances were commonplace on this night and the duo’s 22 was still near the bottom, besting only Michael Irvin’s 21.

Not only did Louie and Chelsie have to learn the difficult tango, the couple also performed in the first group dance of the season.

All remaining couples gathered on stage for Monday’s finale and danced the Hustle, which required each couple to add their own unique touch to the dance.

Donny Osmond was this week’s surprise, topping the leader board with a 29.

Monday’s show marked week five of DWTS, which is the halfway point of season nine and there’s a direct correlation between Louie’s success on the show and the success of the Holland Theatre’s restoration efforts.

Each passing week means more donations and revenue for the restoration project as well as some added recognition for the Holland Theatre.

Listen as Dava Royer talks about the public's response to the ongoing Vote for Louie parties.

Despite posting his highest score of the season Monday night, it is likely Louie will have to perform in a“dance-off” during Tuesday’s show.

The Holland Theatre will undoubtedly be rocking again tomorrow night as we learn the results. The party at the Holland begins at 7:30 p.m. with karaoke; the results show begins at nine.

The Benjamin Logan school board met in regular session Monday night, discussing a lot about the future.

Treasurer Robert Kuehnle presented his five-year forecast until fiscal year 2014. Kuehnle said one of the big factors that goes into the new funding formula in the state is enrollment. Benjamin Logan has a big population “bubble” in the high school, with numbers beginning to dwindle, as the grade level gets lower.

Kuehnle says that Benjamin Logan will be receiving the same amount of money from the state for then next four years. “We just need to be cognizant of where our funds will be coming from and keeping our expenditures in line.”

Listen to Kuehnle talk about how enrollment and the economy will affect Benjamin Logan Schools for the next five years. 

Several students and staff were recognized at the meeting. Benjamin Logan High School Principal Scott Albert presented the school’s Seniors of the Month. The seniors recognized for September were Kirsten Fultz and Steven Watson and for October were Larrilyn Yelton and Blake Rodenberger.

Mr. Albert also presented high school teacher Lois Stoll Monday night, in recognition for her Ohio Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences Award.

School Board President Bill Ramsey also was honored for receiving the Al Kettlewell Award for Outstanding School Board Leadership. He was nominated by Benjamin Logan Schools and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.

The board also voted to award World War II veteran, Dennis Earl Carpenter his high school diploma. “It’s an honor to honor those individuals that give us the freedom to be able to have education in the form that we have it. Any time we get that opportunity we definitely take that,” Ramsey said.

Listen to Ramsey’s comments on his award and granting Mr. Carpenter his diploma.

The board accepted resignations from Peggy Eastman and Michelle Current, as well as athletic resignations from Andrew Bistransin, Nancy Forsythe and Gretchen Powell.

Benjamin Logan Board of Education meets again on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds school children and motorists that National School Bus Safety Week is this week, with the theme “Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm.”

The theme reminds motorists that they are required to stop for school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. When buses are stopped motorists approaching from either direction must stop at least 10 feet from the bus, and pay attention to children crossing the roadways.

In 2008, there were eight crashes resulting in motorist fatalities and a total of 1,751 crashes involving school buses in Ohio.

Motorists are encouraged to watch for children walking to the school bus when backing out of their driveways.

For additional information on National School Bus Safety Week, visit the National Association for Pupil Transportation Web site at www.napt.org.

The Bellefontaine Police Department arrested an area man on multiple charges after disturbances at the Broken Spoke and Mary Rutan Hospital early Sunday.

Officers received a 911 call concerning a possible fight at the 511 Garfield Avenue bar just after midnight.

Curtis Conley, 30, of 124 Silver Drive, Kenton, was found lying on the ground.

His girlfriend, Krystle Mullett of Alger, was holding him in a seated position.

Conley was asked to leave the bar for “hustling” patrons.

When he tried to re-enter the bar, he was pushed to the ground and struck his head.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS transported Conley to Mary Rutan Hospital.

He reportedly spit at the paramedics and scratched a firefighter’s neck.

Once at the hospital, Conley threw a neck brace across the emergency room.

An officer tried to get Conley to calm down, but he struck the officer in the chest.

The officer and a nearby firefighter then handcuffed Conley to the hospital bed.

He was verbally abusive to the nurses and threatened the officer.

Conley was charged with aggravated menacing, assault on an officer, assault on emergency service personnel, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

He was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

No one was injured at the hospital.

The Holland Theatre is hosting another Vote for Louie Vito party tonight and tomorrow night.

The doors open this evening at 6:30, with karaoke starting at seven.

ABC’s Dancing With The Stars airs from 8-10 this evening.

Louie and partner Chelsie Hightower will be performing the Argentine Tango.

They’ve been practicing since last Wednesday.

After watching, please vote for Louie.

Here are some basics:

First, it’s FREE to vote.

Secondly, you can vote multiple times! Show your support for Louie as many times as they will let you.

It's easy to vote and there are two ways to do it.

Online (The easiest way): Go to http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars. There will be a VOTE link/button. Click on that. You just need an email address and it should let you vote numerous times. Use a different email address to vote even more times!

You may vote online until the next day! 

Phone: 1-800-VOTE4-06 (1-800-868-3406)

You can call from a cell or a hard line. IT DOES NOT COST MONEY. You can call multiple times. The lines open at 8 p.m. and will stay open a half-hour after the show ends.

Louie and Chelsie recommend calling as early as you can and as often as you can. If you wait until the end of the show, there is a good chance the lines will be busy.

For AT&T cell phones: text "vote" to the number 3406.

One of the 10 celebrities will be eliminated on Tuesday’s show, which airs from 9-10.

Bill Tipple spoke with Louie over the weekend.

Listen to the complete interview.

Also, Tipple talked with Chelsie about Week 5 and more.

Hear the entire interview.

This week’s “In Sync” featured Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott.

Hoddinott, who’s been our health commissioner since April 2000, is stressing wellness during the upcoming cold and flu season.

He says the health district office will be offering 30,000 free H1N1 vaccines over the next few weeks.

Hoddinott says H1N1 is a combination of avian flu, human flu, and swine flu.

Dr. Hoddinott defines H1N1

He said the disease is highly contagious, especially in certain groups.

The highest risk groups are pregnant women, children with special needs and neurological disorders, health care workers, children from 6 months to 14 years old, 14 year-olds to 24 year-olds, and chronically ill adults between 25 and 64.

Locally, vaccines will be administered on a priority basis.

After the highest risk groups are vaccinated, Hoddinott says there will be mass vaccinations for the general public. Most likely, these will be held in our local schools.

The health district will be hosting H1N1 clinics for high-risk groups on Wednesday and Thursday (October 21st and October 22nd) from noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Shots will be given to pregnant women and health care workers who provide direct patient care.

Pre-registration is required for these clinics. You can go to https://h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio.gov/ to register. You will need to bring a printed copy of the two-page registration form.

Hoddinott says following a few common steps can help prevent spreading H1N1.

He encourages us to wash our hands frequently, cover our cough, stay home if we’re sick, get plenty of exercise and rest, and eat properly.

Hoddinott says the health district is already out of the seasonal flu vaccine.

If you’re interested in a seasonal flu vaccine, contact your local physician.

Hoddinott also stresses wellness in general

The health district is located at 310 South Main Street, Bellefontaine.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30.

The health district phone number is 592-9040 or visit http://loganhealth.org.

“In Sync” airs Sunday mornings at 8:30 on 1390 WBLL and at 8:45 on 98.3 WPKO.

The Indian Lake School District will have a 90-minute delay (late arrival) on Wednesday for the purpose of staff in-service training.

Western Intermediate will host “Make a Difference Day” on Thursday, with an assembly presentation at 2:30.

Western has had two families who have lost everything to house fires. The school and students are trying to raise enough money to donate 100 smoke detectors to the Bellefontaine Fire Department.

If you wish to donate to this cause, money can be dropped off at Western, 1130 W. Sandusky, anytime during school hours.

Contact Shanel Henry, Sara Stahler, or Bonnie Marotti at Western Intermediate (592-5646) with any questions.

Grandparents Day at Riverside Elementary

During the school days of October 26-29 and November 2-3 Riverside will be welcoming grandparents to the school to eat lunch with their grandchild/grandchildren.

The lunch time schedule will be as follows:
October 26 - 5th & 6th Grade - 11:06am
October 27 - 4th Grade - 10:51am
October 28 - 3rd Grade - 10:41am
October 29 - 2nd Grade - 10:33am
November 2 - 1st Grade - 10:26am
November 3 – Kindergarten - 10:18am

For seating arrangements, please help by honoring the schedule as listed. Anyone having grandchildren in multiple grade levels or needing special considerations for lunch must call the elementary office at 585-5981 ext. 430 to make the necessary arrangements. Parking and registration will be at the north entrance near the playground. All grandparents must register and receive a visitor's pass before eating lunch.

The cost of an adult lunch is $3.00. To assist in the planning we ask that you submit the name of the grandparent(s), the name of the student(s), their teacher's name, and pre-pay for the adult lunches by Monday, October 19. Once payment is received, a lunch ticket(s) will be given to the teacher to be held at school for the day you will be eating with your grandchild/grandchildren.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss, for the week of October 19th through October 23rd:

Monday:

 

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

8:30 a.m. Garis Pugh re: ILWPC

9:00 a.m. Friendly Senior Center Board (CORE)

10:00 a.m. Bid opening for new J&FS building

11:00 a.m. Natalie Comer and Ed Wallace re: economic development update

11:30 a.m. Joy Blackburn re: schoolhouse in Lakeview

2:00 p.m. Grand Opening – Russells Point recycling center

3:30 p.m. Logan County Solid Waste Management District Policy Board meeting

Wednesday:

9:00 a.m. LCWPC – Construction meeting – Phase 1A

10:00 a.m. LCWPC – Construction meeting – Phase 1B

4:00 p.m. Honda – HTM – After-hours tour of HTM, sponsored by Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce

6:30 p.m. Logan County Mayors meeting - Airport

Thursday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

2:00 p.m. Mike Minnich, Jim Lange, and Mike Yoder re: services

Friday:

 

The Commission may also take up and act upon matters that have not yet been brought to the attention of the Commissioners or the Clerk/Administrator at the time of the preparation of this agenda.