About 100 local business and community leaders gathered at the Indian Lake Moose Family Center Saturday night for the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

New chamber president Rick Fuller was the emcee.

Outgoing president Glenn Honeycutt was praised for his service over the last year.

Outgoing board members Monica Reed, Dave Helgeson, Jeremy Hankins, and Honeycutt were also recognized.

Along with Fuller, several officers were sworn in.

Teasha Shoffstall will serve as vice president, Curt Peterson will serve as treasurer, and Teri Frymyer will continue to serve as secretary.

Executive Director Pam Miller recapped many successful chamber events this year, including the legislative luncheon, the steak fry, the 4th of July fireworks, the Danger Brothers concert, Rally at the Peak, Putt Around the Lake, and the Ring of Fire Labor Day weekend.

Miller said advertising in a ten county region has helped attract more tourists from Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

The chamber’s revenue continues to grow. It has increased from $51,000 in 2002 to $136,000 this year.

The evening concluded with two special awards.

Longtime Indian Lake area resident Linda Hollanshead was named the “Volunteer of the Year”.

Miller said Hollanshead was a vital helping hand at the chamber office over the last year.

Listen to Hollanshead’s reaction to being named “Volunteer of the Year.”

Finally, the Indian Lake “Citizen of the Year” was presented to former chamber president Frank Dietz (pictured with Hollanshead).

Dietz opened an Edward Jones office in Lakeview in 2003.

He has been very involved in the Indian Lake community the last five years.

Dietz was the chamber president in ‘06. He helped orchestrate the first-ever Danger Brothers show at Indian Lake and played a key role in the first fish fry fundraiser.

He was also a chamber representative to the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce.

He is currently president of the Indian Lake Watershed.

Dietz, who was joined by family, was given a standing ovation.

Listen to Dietz’s reaction to the “Citizen of the Year” award.

If you’re interested in joining the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, contact Miller at 843-5392.

Listen to Executive Director Pam Miller’s comments after the meeting.

Andy Vance and Lindsay Hill (pictured) of rural DeGraff are the winners of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2009 Excellence in Agriculture Award.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes successful people age 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupations are not farming or owning an agricultural business.

The award is based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Farm Bureau and other community organizations. It was presented during the Ohio Farm Bureau’s 91st annual meeting, held in Cincinnati earlier this week.

Vance and Hill own and operate ABN Radio, Ohio’s oldest and most widely listened to agricultural radio news network. Their daily broadcasts report agricultural news and information from a local, statewide, and national perspective. They are frequent public speakers to farm and nonfarm audiences and are highly active in social media. They also own a registered Shorthorn beef cattle herd. Hill currently serves as Vice-President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.

Andy and Lindsay receive an expense paid trip to the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in Seattle in January to represent Ohio in the national competition. They also receive a $1,000 technology package from OFBF, a John Deere Gator sponsored by Farm Credit Services of Mid America, and $500 cash from Dodge Trucks. They also receive a commemorative chime clock from OFBF.

You can hear ABN Radio each weekday at 6:45 a.m., 12:14 p.m., and 6:20 p.m. on 1390 WBLL.

The Logan County Health District will host a free H1N1 shot clinic at Indian Lake Middle School on Sunday from 2-5 p.m.

Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott (pictured) says the vaccinations will be given to 25 to 64 year-olds with chronic illness, pregnant women, health care workers, caregivers of infants under age 6 months, and those ages 6 months through 24 years.

A second dose will be offered to those ages 6 months through 9 years. Remember, 21 days is required between the first and second dose.

Preregistration is required for this clinic.

You can pre-register at https://h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio.gov/

You should bring the completed two-page registration form to the clinic.

Public computers are available at your local library.

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.

If you have questions, contact the health district at 592-9040, extension 144.

The Springfield Post of the State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a one-vehicle fatality that occurred Friday morning at 6:30 on Urbana Road south of County Line Road in northern Clark County (near Navistar).

A 1995 Ford F-150 driven by Charles Bowen Jr., 38, of 543 Maple Tree Lane, Urbana, was traveling southbound on Urbana Rd. Bowen’s pickup truck traveled off the right side of the roadway striking several trees and a concrete embankment.

The vehicle’s airbag deployed, and Bowen was not wearing his seatbelt.

Moorefield Township EMS and Careflight responded to the scene. Bowen was pronounced dead by the Clark County Coroner’s office at the crash scene; the cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

The Russells Point Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office made two drug-related arrests earlier this week.

After a month long investigation, Steve Daniels (pictured), 48, and Christine Adkins (pictured), 24, of 157 Orchard Island Road, Russells Point, were arrested at their home Wednesday evening around six o’clock.

Daniels and Adkins were each charged with one count of aggravated trafficking in drugs.

The drug transactions were commonly made in front juveniles, which makes it a fourth-degree felony.

Marijuana and money were seized from their residence.

Both of them were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The rash of accidents at the intersection of County Road 1 and Gunntown Road continues.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle injury crash Thursday morning around 9:30.

Troopers report that Lisa Wallace, 46, of 6913 County Road 28, Zanesfield, was driving a 2000 Buick Century eastbound on Gunntown when she pulled into the path of Jeremy Ayers, 36, of Wapakoneta, who was operating an ‘06 Ford Econonline Stanley Steemer van northbound on 1.

Both drivers, who were wearing their seat belts, suffered minor injuries.

Bellefontaine Fire and EMS transported Wallace to Mary Rutan Hospital.

Ayers was taken to Mary Rutan Hospital by private vehicle.

Wallace was cited for failure to yield from a stop sign.

Both vehicles were heavily damaged.

West Liberty EMS also responded.

The Village of DeGraff officially kicked off the Holiday Season Thursday evening when it held its Annual Holiday Festival.
Thursday’s festivities included a parade through downtown featuring Santa himself, horse and hayrides and entertainment from the Riverside marching band and members of the school choir.
Arts and crafts featured homemade wreaths, scarves and chocolates available for purchase. Proceeds from the various items went directly to local charities like Relay for Life. After the parade, Santa made his way inside the Fire Dept. where dozens of children flocked to sit on Saint Nick’s lap and get their picture taken.
Caroling rang through the festival as choir and church members performed various Christmas songs for dozens of onlookers.
Vic’s Country Kitchen hosted a food stand were festival goers could purchase hot chocolate and sandwiches.
The Holiday Festival has been a staple in DeGraff for many years, however, it was not until the last few years that the event was held during the week. According to Mayor Gary Comer, the change in time was in an effort to attract the highest number of people possible.
“We didn’t always have a very good turnout on the weekend,” Comer said. 
The plan worked.
Sue Walls, a village councilwoman and member of council’s fair committee that helps plan and organize many different community events, estimates approximately 500 people flooded the streets of DeGraff for the Holiday Festival, 200 of which were children receiving bags of candy from Santa and his helpers.
Listen as Comer discusses the importance of the Holiday Festival.
Listen as members of Riverside’s choir entertained onlookers during the festival.

The Humane Society Serving Logan County will be closed for the next two weeks after a bacterial disease recently killed five dogs at the shelter.

The dogs died from streptococcus, a form of strep that can cause hemorrhagic pneumonia in dogs.

The Humane Society is treating all of its 175 dogs and cats with antibiotics.

Cats are only carriers and cannot become sick from the disease.

Executive Director Lori Plummer said the first death happened last week.

Four days later, another dog died.

Both dogs were sent to the Ohio Department of Agriculture for necropsies.

Since the disease was first documented in an animal shelter in 2007, only a handful of outbreaks have been confirmed at shelters around the country.

Because the Humane Society is an open intake shelter, they are in the process of contacting surrounding animal shelters to see if they can take in dogs and cats from the public during the quarantine. They are also looking for donations so they can open a temporary offsite facility to accept dogs and cats without risking their exposure to the other dogs in the shelter.

“Our resources are pretty strained, so we are begging for donations right now,” said Plummer.

Donation may be sent to:
The Humane Society Serving Logan County
2521 US 68 North
Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311

Plummer recapped the week during Friday’s Gimme Shelter program on Wilkinson in the Morning on 98.3 WPKO.

Listen to Chad Wilkinson's complete interview with Plummer.

The Humane Society will reopen on Wednesday, December 16th.

Longtime Zanesfield resident Ron Ricketts (pictured) has been named this month’s Community Hero.

WPKO and Kevin F. Jennings Funeral Home select a recipient each month.

Ricketts was nominated by his daughter, Beth Lantz of Bellefontaine.

Ron, who retired from Navistar/International after 30 plus years, was nominated for his countless hours of service around Logan County.

Ricketts is a member and Trustee of the Zanesfield United Methodist Church. He is also an active member of the East Liberty Masonic Lodge.

Along with caring for his widowed mother, Ron is the co-owner of Me & Company.

He is at the salon every morning, cleaning and maintaining the facility for his wife (Dee).

Ricketts helps the Jefferson Township Trustees almost daily. He helps prepare graves for funeral services, cuts trees near the roadside, and whatever else needs to be done.

He is also a member of the Zanesfield Chamber of Commerce.

Ricketts helps maintain the parks in Zanesfield. He opens the cabin at Helen Wonder’s Blue Park and builds a fire in the fireplace for school groups touring.

Even though his three children are grown, Ron is always there for whatever they may need.

Ron was presented his award while appearing on Wilkinson in the Morning Thursday. He was joined by his daughter, Beth (pictured).

Listen to the complete interview with Chad Wilkinson and Ricketts.

If there is a Community Hero you would like to nominate, go to http://www.peakofohio.com/heroes/

We salute Ron Ricketts for making Logan County a better place to live!!!

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol reports that a local teen driver suffered minor injuries in a rollover wreck near East Liberty Wednesday afternoon around 12:10.

Meghan Deckling, 17, of 9160 County Road 153, East Liberty, lost control and crashed at the intersection of County Road 144 and County Road 144A.

Troopers report that Deckling was driving a ‘95 Chevy Blazer southbound on 144 and failed to negotiate a left turn onto 144A. Her vehicle went off the right side of the roadway and overturned.

She was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital by Perry Township EMS.

Deckling was cited for failure to control. Her SUV suffered moderate damage.

The Mad River Mountain Staff will begin making snow for the 2009-10 season Thursday, December 3 at 11:00 p.m.

The Resort utilizes Ohio's largest snowmaking system, consisting of 133 snowmaking machines capable of pumping upwards of 420,000 gallons of water per hour.

The snowmaking process will be operating at its full capacity the evening of Friday, December 4.

The event gets snow sports enthusiasts as well as the general public excited about the upcoming winter season.

This weekend is a busy one for the Bellefontaine High School music department. The BHS Pep Band will have their first performance at the High School boy’s home basketball game on Friday night. On Saturday, the Marching Band will appear in the annual Christmas Parade which begins at noon. Also on Saturday, Bellefontaine’s Jazz Band will perform at the Orr Mansion at 1:30.

The BHS Pep Band is made up of any student in the school band who wishes to participate. Students can come to any or all of the boy’s home basketball games and get in for free when they play with the Pep Band. The informal group plays many crowd favorites including The Hey Song, My Sharona, and Wipe Out.

Marching Band still has work to do even after finishing their state performance and attending the football playoff games. Every year the Marching Band marches in the Christmas Parade in downtown Bellefontaine. The Band rehearses a short Christmas tune to play as they march.

Listen to marching band member Michael Bull talk about what the band is doing during the winter.

Jazz Band, directed by Jeremy Karg, has more members than usual with a record of 33 this year. They rehearse during the school day and have many performances throughout the year. The Jazz Band has their annual Christmas themed performance at the Orr Mansion on Saturday and they have been working hard to prepare for it.

Listen to Jazz Band Director Jeremy Karg talk about upcoming events and performances.

Students at BHS who are involved in the music department find much enjoyment in the many activities that they participate in. Also, many students have begun practicing for the upcoming Solo and Ensemble contest in February.

Listen to student Kyle Thomas talk about all the music programs that he participates in.

Bellefontaine First Church of God will be holding its first ever Holiday Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The event will feature a live auction, silent auction and cash and carry for donated items, as well as a lunch served by the church’s youth group.

Proceeds for the Extravaganza will be going towards the church’s missions, and the youth group’s lunch proceeds will go to the Youth Ministry.

Auctioneer Richard Campbell, who is donating his services for the event, will auction off several different items. Many community members and businesses donated items, including crafts, baked goods, and packages from businesses.

Noah’s Ark Day Care will be selling craft supplies and PartyLite and Tupperware will also have tables at the event. First Church of God Pastor CJ Plogger will also be donating four Sunday services, where the winning bidder picks the topic of each service.

Event coordinator Trina Kopus said it reflects well on the people who donated. “I think it says a lot about the community, that even in tough times, they still care enough to give to something as important as missions, so that others may come to find Christ.”

Listen to Kopus talk about the event, items that were donated and her comments on what the donations say about the community members and businesses.

The church will be taking donations up until 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before the Extravaganza.

A semi rollover crash near Huntsville detoured traffic for several hours today.

The Marysville Post of the State Highway Patrol reports that Immanuel Brinkerhoff, 22, of Mansfield, was driving a semi westbound on Route 33 near the Route 117 overpass when he fell asleep, struck the guardrail, and overturned around 2:40 this morning.

The accident caused westbound traffic on 33 to use 117 through Huntsville, then 274 West to Route 33 West.

Brinkerhoff was not injured. He was hauling several tons of paper.

Officials spent much of the morning cleaning up about 43,000 pounds of paper.

Logan County Solid Waste District Coordinator Alan Hale says all of the paper will be recycled.

The semi suffered heavy damage.

The accident remains under investigation and charges are pending.

Ohio hunters had near ideal weather for the opening day of deer-gun season. Hunters took 33,607 white-tailed deer on Monday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, December 6th, and then reopens for two days on Saturday and Sunday, December 19th-20th.

The preliminary figures from deer check stations throughout the state show a slight increase of 1.7 percent from last year's opening day total of 33,034.

Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer checked on Monday included Tuscarawas-1,763, Harrison-1,374, Coshocton-1,353, Guernsey-1,284, Licking-1,182, Holmes-1,165, Washington-1,010, Athens-925, Ashtabula-836, and Muskingum-799.

Combining the results of Monday's harvest with those from the early muzzleloader season, the first six weeks of archery season and the recent youth deer-gun season, a preliminary total of 97,371 deer have been killed so far this deer hunting season. That number compares to 95,074 harvested last year at this time. In all, hunters took a total of 252,017 deer during all of last year's hunting seasons.

Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-gun season. Ohio's deer population was estimated to be 650,000 prior to the start of the fall hunting seasons.

The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.

Division of Wildlife Chief Dave Graham challenges all deer hunters to make this year special for Ohio’s hungry by labeling Saturday, December 5, as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) Day. Last year, hunters showed they cared by donating nearly 220,000 meals to Ohioans in need.

Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org.

Hunters who wish to share their success can submit a photo of themselves and the deer they killed this year for publication on the Division of Wildlife's Web page.

A detailed listing of deer-hunting rules is contained in the 2009-2010 Ohio Hunting Regulations, available wherever licenses are sold, and online at wildohio.com.

The 2009-2010 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper.  Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE NUMBER OF DEER CHECKED AND TAGGED BY HUNTERS DURING THE FIRST DAY OF DEER-GUN HUNTING SEASON.  THE NUMBER TAKEN DURING THE 2008 SEASON IS MARKED IN ( ): 2009 (2008)

Adams –481 (377); Allen –118 (130); Ashland –619 (577); Ashtabula –836 (1,089); Athens –925 (828); Auglaize –80 (102); Belmont –640 (612); Brown –240 (336); Butler –89 (55); Carroll –691 (625); Champaign –232 (193); Clark –87 (67); Clermont –297 (236); Clinton –186 (109); Columbiana –628 (722); Coshocton –1,353(1,307); Crawford –288 (265); Cuyahoga –25 (32); Darke –55(50); Defiance –293 (323); Delaware –179 (188); Erie –112 (82); Fairfield –609 (452); Fayette –74 (50); Franklin –68 (81); Fulton –123 (150); Gallia –455 (501); Geauga –188 (326); Greene –63 (54); Guernsey –1,284 (1,202); Hamilton –72 (40); Hancock –153 (83); Hardin –169 (133); Harrison –1,374 (1,286); Henry –88 (108); Highland –543 (409); Hocking –793 (683); Holmes –1,165 (1,088); Huron –367 (288); Jackson –776 (648); Jefferson –767 (771); Knox –761  (954); Lake –63 (113); Lawrence –320 (343); Licking –1,182 (1,134); Logan –255 (169); Lorain –210 (165); Lucas –76 (75); Madison –42 (53); Mahoning –238 (198); Marion –96 (74); Medina –146 (158); Meigs –569 (702); Mercer –79 (63); Miami –35 (38); Monroe –670 (672); Montgomery –37 (27); Morgan –579 (556); Morrow –260 (308); Muskingum –799 (670); Noble –745 (645); Ottawa –12 (9); Paulding –140 (139); Perry –631 (580); Pickaway –188 (161); Pike –300 (261); Portage –122 (164); Preble –39 (43); Putnam –196 (157); Richland –404 (364); Ross –638 (597); Sandusky –67 (54); Scioto –249 (380); Seneca –255 (242); Shelby –141 (123); Stark –487 (440); Summit –62 (79); Trumbull –572  (657); Tuscarawas –1,763 (1,821); Union –125 (125); Van Wert –55 (74); Vinton –548 (497); Warren –117 (102); Washington –1,010 (1,456); Wayne –220 (186); Williams –253 (264); Wood –99 (108); Wyandot –167 (176);  TOTAL: 33,607 (33,034)

One defendant was sentenced and two pled guilty before Logan County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark O’Connor earlier this week.

Brandon Risner (pictured), 19, of Rushsylvania, was sentenced to twelve months in the Logan County Jail for two counts of theft. He was also ordered to pay a $250 fine, attorney fees, restitution, and court costs.

The Russells Point Police Department arrested Risner on September 16th. He was charged with six felony counts of breaking and entering.

Officers responded to over ten vehicle break-ins and three business break-ins during August and September.

Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco and the Indian Head Road House were both victimized in late August. The Indian Lake Roller Arena was broken into on September 9th. All three businesses reported damages and/or losses of over $1,000.

During the same time period, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office responded to several break-ins and attempted break-ins in the Belle Center area. The Presbyterian Church, the Roundtable Restaurant, the Village of Belle Center Municipal Building, and the K&K Dairy Isle were all businesses who reported damages or losses.

Paul Queen, 40, of Washington Court House, pled guilty to non-support of dependents and was placed on the prosecutor’s pretrial diversion program.

Stephanie McClain, 27, of Russells Point, pled guilty to sexual imposition. A presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing is scheduled for January 4th, 2010.

The DeGraff Village Council prepared to close out the year when it held its second-to-last meeting of 2009 Tuesday night.

Council finalized a previously tabled issue when it voted unanimously to allow Mayor Gary Comer and Fiscal Officer Linda Harford to enter into contract with Riverside Emergency Medical Services. The contract is a two-year deal and will provide for the village all the same services it did previously. The only difference in the new contract is a 10% increase in cost; previously the village paid $4300 and under the terms of the new deal it will pay $4730.

Additional action taken by the board Tuesday night saw council pass for first reading only a new curfew policy for minors. After researching curfew laws of other local cities and villages the council voted, at least initially, to make it illegal for all minors under 18 to be off city property by midnight.

During the meeting Comer also expressed concern over the amount of back taxes still owed to local cities and villages. Comer acknowledged DeGraff is not anywhere near in a trouble financially, but added the village could certainly use that revenue to fund projects that it currently cannot.

Plans were finalized during council’s last meeting and reiterated Tuesday—after nearly two years of malfunction the stoplight at the intersection of SR 235 (Miami Street) and Main Street will be replaced. Comer received notification last month from Logan County Engineer Scott Coleman that the village’s application to the Ohio Project Works Commission has been approved for funding.

According to Comer, the stoplight should be up and running by next fall.

Listen as Comer discusses the need to collect back taxes and the village’s new stoplight.

It was also announced Tuesday that leaf removal around the village has been completed.

The council will meet again Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

Trees, wreaths and quilts decorated Heartland of Bellefontaine Tuesday night for the 8th annual Christmas Tree Auction.

Proceeds go to Project Child and Heartland’s resident activity fund. There were 33 trees of all different themes, including several Ohio State trees and a Dancing with the Stars tree.

But the one tree getting the most attention for the night was the Military Tree  (pictured, right), decorated  by 14-year-old Beth Warrick and 15-year-old Julia Hunt. The tree featuring decorations for all branches of the military raised an auction record of $1,200.

Warrick and Hunt were inspired by Julia’s brother Nolan, who was recently started basic training for the Marines at Parris Island. The two have been decorating trees for the auction for the past five years.

The tree sold to Charles Jackson for $750 and $450 in donations were given by Lori Sidders, Molly Place, Michelle Jones, and Esther Baker. Freedom Alliance will pay for Jackson to send the tree to local soldier Colin Robison, who is currently stationed in Iraq.

All trees were donated and the event’s proceeds totaled more than $4,000.

Listen to Heartland Marketing Director Kandie Horton talk about the event, how wreaths and quilts came into the tree auction, and the generosity of community members for the event.

The Bellefontaine Police Department responded to a two-vehicle minor injury crash at 920 North Troy Road Monday afternoon around four o’clock.

Officers report that April Yelton, 25, was exiting her driveway in an ‘04 Dodge Stratus and Jeremiah Hinkle, 27, of 817 Heritage Court, Apt. 64, Bellefontaine, was driving a ‘97 Isuzu Trooper northbound on Troy Road.

The two vehicles collided at the end of the driveway.

No one was cited because authorities could not determine which driver caused the wreck.

Nathan Hinkle, 25, of 365 Belle Meadows Drive, Bellefontaine, was riding in the Isuzu.

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

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office arrested a local man for striking his partner with a baseball bat early Monday.

Deputies charged Tyler Robinson (pictured), 21, of 222 Marshall Street, Russells Point, with felonious assault after he struck Roger West, 30, of 9635 Orchard Drive, Lakeview, around three o’clock Monday morning.

West said he was struck in the head while sleeping at Robinson’s home.

West then drove to Mary Rutan Hospital, where he was treated and released.

He then went to the sheriff’s office and reported the incident.

Deputies responded to Robinson’s residence and seized the baseball bat.

Robinson said he was drunk when he struck West. He did not give any other reason for the incident.

Robinson was then lodged in the Logan County Jail.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reminds parents and health care providers that children younger than 10 should receive two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in order to achieve optimal protection against pandemic flu.

While Ohioans 10 and older need only one dose to be protected, research has shown that two doses of vaccine are required to provide immunity for children 6 months to 9 years.

Children are particularly at risk for H1N1 because of limited previous exposure to the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the two doses of H1N1 vaccine be separated by 28 days to be effective. Caregivers of children younger than 10 are encouraged to keep the dates between doses in mind in order to provide their loved ones with full protection.

“Please fully protect your youngsters by ensuring they receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine,” said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. “More than 2 million doses have been distributed in Ohio, so check with your doctor or local health department regarding availability.”

In addition to being vaccinated, Ohioans can help stop the spread of illness by washing hands thoroughly and often; covering mouths when sneezing or coughing; and staying home from work or school if sick.

“Common sense is your best defense,” Jackson added.

Jackson also reminds Ohioans that children younger than 6 months cannot receive influenza vaccine, which is why caregivers and those who live with children younger than 6 months are among those high-priority individuals for receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

For more information, 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 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Logan County Health District will host a free H1N1 shot clinic at Indian Lake Middle School on Sunday from 2-5 p.m.

The vaccinations will be given to 25 to 64 year-olds with chronic illness, pregnant women, health care workers, caregivers of infants under age 6 months, and those ages 6 months through 24 years.

A second dose will be offered to those ages 6 months through 9 years.

Preregistration is required for this clinic.

You can pre-register at https://h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio.gov/

You should bring the completed two-page registration form to the clinic.

The Monroe Twp. Trustees sought some outside wisdom and advice Monday night when the group met in regular session.

During its meeting earlier this month, the trustees discussed the logistics of creating a Comprehensive Land Use Plan to better serve the residents of Monroe Twp.

Township trustees were contacted by the Logan-Union-Champaign (LUC) Regional Planning Office in an attempt to gauge the township’s interest in the plan, which is currently being considered by three other local townships: Zane, Perry and Jefferson.

A Comprehensive Land Use Plan merges technical information developed by the LUC with the knowledge, understanding and perceptions of the generable public. In short, the plan would serve as a comprehensive guide for public and private decision making assisting in community efforts to achieve a desired future; the plan looks at current and projected demographics, existing conditions, desired future conditions and a plan to achieve those goals.

Members of the Zoning Appeals Board and the Zoning Commission were in attendance Monday to voice their opinions on the issue in an effort to help the trustees come to a consensus.

All told, the implementation of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan would cost approximately $15,000, $5000 of which would be paid by the LUC.

The dilemma, of course, for the trustees was whether or not creating such a comprehensive plan would justify spending the money to fund the project.

After much discussion amongst the trustees and zoning boards it was the overwhelming opinion that such a plan was not worth the somewhat hefty price tag. However, the trustees would not rule out the possibility of revisiting the issue a few years down the road.

Listen as Trustees President Don Bradley discusses the Land Use Plan.

The Monroe Twp. Trustees meet on the second and final Monday of every month.

A local man was arrested on sex-related charges over the weekend.

Detectives from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office charged Rusty Treen (pictured), 20, of 400 Lincoln Boulevard, Apt. 30, Russells Point, with three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor on Friday.

Each charge is a fourth-degree felony.

Detectives started their investigation after the 15-year-old female victim came forward to authorities earlier in November.

The Russells Point Police Department assisted the sheriff’s office.

Treen was lodged in the Logan County Jail.

An alert resident on Seminole Road (near Bellefontaine Middle School) helped the Bellefontaine Police Department arrest two local teens for a recent rash of car break-ins.

The resident spotted a prowler around six o’clock Saturday morning and contacted police.

About ninety minutes later, officers charged Joshua Huffman (pictured, left), 18, of 1000 Rush Avenue, Bellefontaine, with OVI and theft.

Cody Ramey (pictured, below), 18, of 1000 Rush Avenue, Bellefontaine, was charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

Both of them were lodged in the Logan County Jail.

Several cars were broken into between late Friday and early Saturday.

Ohio’s deer gun season kicked off this morning.

About 420,000 hunters are expected to be in the field through Sunday.

State wildlife officials say there are approximately 650,000 deer in our state.

Deer hunting hours are half an hour before sunrise to sunset.

State Wildlife Officer Adam Smith (pictured) says everyone in the field should wear hunter orange.

Listen to Smith discuss hunting rules for deer gun season.

There are three deer check-in stations in the county, including the Bellefontaine Fire Department, Rushsylvania One Stop, and Lakeview Hardware.

The fire department will accept deer daily from 8-8.

The Rushsylvania One Stop will tag deer Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lakeview Hardware will accept deer Monday through Saturday from 8-8 and Sunday from 10-4.

An additional deer gun weekend will run December 19th-20th.

Muzzleloader season will be January 9th-12th.

If you questions for Smith, he can be reached at 614-644-3929 ext. 1208.

You can find more hunting information at www.wildohio.com.

Kim Collum (pictured), Executive Director of Lutheran Community Services, was the guest on Sunday’s “In Sync”. Collum has worked at the community service organization for 10 years.

Lutheran Community Services oversees five other entities, including the Lutheran Thrift Store, the Food Pantry, Our Daily Bread, Rachel’s House, and Loving Hands.

Tim Crusey manages the thrift store and food pantry, Glenna Theis oversees Our Daily Bread, Andrea Leonard is the manager of Rachel’s House, and Sierra Frost leads Loving Hands.

Lutheran Community Services is now accepting donations for its Christmas Food & Toy Basket program. Because of the economic downturn, the need for donations is even greater this year. Toys and non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the 223 Oakland Square location through December 14th.

Families with an income 200 percent below the poverty level qualify for the annual program.

Many of these poor families have “doubled up”, where the grandparents, mom and dad, and the kids live in the same house.

The food basket includes turkey, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, soup, eggs, fruits and vegetables, and cereal.

The toy baskets have items that kids have requested. Examples would be skateboards, fishing poles, and Dora the Explorer.

Collum gives a testimonial to how the food and toy basket program impacts lives.

The Benjamin Logan Builders Club, Kemba, the Logan County District Library, and local Boy Scouts have already contributed to the cause.

This year’s basket distribution will begin Tuesday, December 15th.

For questions or more information, contact Lutheran Community Services at 592-9914.

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

The Logan County Engineer’s Office announces that crews will begin the replacement of the bridge located on County Road 142 in Perry Township between Township Road 141 and County Road 2, just north of Township Road 141.

Work will begin Monday and will continue through Tuesday, January 12th, weather permitting.

The roadway will be closed during this time.

The Weekly Agenda for Commissioners Core, Knight, and Bayliss, for the week of November 30th through December 4th:

Monday:

 

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

10:00 a.m. Pam Miller, Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce and new president Rick Fuller re: updates

1:30 p.m. Meeting regarding bed tax

6:30 p.m. OSU Extension Advisory Committee meeting – Grange Building

7:30 p.m. Logan County Fire Meeting – Belle Center

Wednesday:

 

Thursday:

7:30 a.m. Elected Official Breakfast – Homecoming Restaurant

8:30 a.m. COMMISSION IN SESSION

10:00 a.m. Logan Acres Board meeting – Commissioner’s Office

12:00 p.m. Community Corrections Meeting – City Council Chambers (KNIGHT)

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.