Local News

EMA director shares emergency tool to be used in case of disaster By BRANDON DRAKE Staff writer Wyandot County Emergency Management Agency Director Rodger Brodman on Thursday shared a new tool with the Board of Commissioners that residents can use if trapped in their homes due to a natural disaster. The double-sided disaster posted was created to allow residents to indicate whether they were either OK or in need of assistance during an event of a disaster such as a chemical, biological or nuclear attack, fire, earthquake or severe weather where telephones and power are out. "Several years ago at one of our (Local Emergency Planning Committee) meetings, we were talking about a tool that we might be able to give out to citizens in the county to identify if there is a problem inside the home after a disaster," Brodman said. "One of the things that we noted real quick is they need to be color-coated and at that time, we talked about it, and we thought green would be good and red would be good." Green indicates "OK" in bolded letters that can be seen from the roadway, while red has the letters "HELP" down the center of the 11-by-17-inch poster. The poster also contains useful information on what to do during a disaster, along with tips on preparing for a disaster and creating a disaster kit. Brodman said the posters originally were purchased with EMA funds, but there was not enough money to purchase enough posters for the entire county. While working on the fiscal year 2008 state homeland security grant application, Brodman found 25 percent of the grant has to go toward planning. He then contacted the state EMA grant coordinator and asked permission to purchase the disaster posters and he gave his support to the project. "I only had enough money left in planning to purchase enough posters to cover half the county this year," he said. "The rest of the posters for the rest of the county will come out of the (2009) state homeland security grant application." Brodman said he initially gave the posters to the Wyandot County Council on Aging and then provided them to Wyandot County Home Health and Angeline School and Industries. He added he is looking for other groups and organizations to work with to distribute the disaster posters to all homes in the county. "I thought it was an excellent, excellent idea," he said. Commissioner Mike Wheeler said the something like this would have come handy during an event he candidly remembers - the blizzard of 1978. (Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)

Carey PD investigating numerous break-ins By BRANDON DRAKE Staff writer CAREY - A $250 award is being offered by the Carey Police Department for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects connected with a rash of break-ins. Carey Police Chief Dan Walter said there have been eight break-ins that have involved detached garages and other out-buildings since Memorial Day weekend. "We hope that will loosen some tongues out there," Walter said of the award. Officers will be closely watching the village over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Walter said, as the break-ins typically have occurred after a holiday. "That’s our main concern this holiday with the amount of people being gone and away from home, having their festivities, is keeping our officers on the street. ... If you see a car in your neighborhood that’s not normally there, call us to help us help you, and that’s the theme for this weekend," he said. Items stolen include yard tools such as weed wackers and blowers and power tools. Walter also said a table saw was taken from one garage after a suspect disassembled it at the bottom so it would fit through the side door. Walter offered a few tips for residents who own detached garages and out-buildings, including having proper lighting outside of the building, good locks and placing a piece of wood or an object behind a window to prevent a person from entering. "There’s one instance that comes to mind that they didn’t get in because they had a deadbolt on a garage door," he said. "(It is) very unusual that you would see a deadbolt on a garage, but they attempted to get in and didn’t get it done because it causes to commotion to break into a building that has a deadbolt." Those with any information pertaining to these crimes should contact the Carey Police Department at 419-396-7678. (Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)

THURSDAY JULY 2, 2009

Submitted photo Suspect on tape The Upper Sandusky Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying the man pictured above who is a suspect in the Upper Sandusky Rite Aid break-in, which occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday. Upper Sandusky PD searching for suspect in Rite Aid break-in The Upper Sandusky Police Department is looking for a suspect in the Upper Sandusky Rite Aid Pharmacy break-in that occurred in the early morning hours Wednesday. An undisclosed amount of medication was taken. A suspect photograph has been obtained and the USPD is seeking assistance in identifying the person for questioning. The USPD said a white male subject entered the pharmacy. He was approximately 5 feet, 9 inches and 210 pounds. Police said the perpetrator was 20 to 30 years old and had thick, dark hair. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact detective Tyler Howell at the Upper Sandusky Police Department at 419-294-2324.

Submitted photo Jaws of Life called Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers look around the scene of a fatal accident that took the life of 20-year-old Mark Gillfillan, of Forest, at approximately 6:53 a.m. Wednesday. 20-year-old Forest man dies in semi-vehicle crash on Ohio 37 FINDLAY - The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the scene of a fatal accident involving a 20-year-old Forest resident on Wednesday morning on Ohio 37. Mark N. Gillfillan, of Forest, was pronouced dead at the scene of the accident. According to a report by the OSP, Gillfillan traveled left of center at approximately 6:53 a.m., causing Joseph W. Schnarre, of Wapakoneta, to steer to the left in the semitrailer he was driving. Gillfillan then steered back to the right, striking the semi head on. Gillfillan was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated with Jaws of Life. The Forest-Jackson and Delaware Township fire departments assisted at the scene, and Ohio 37 was closed for approximately four hours.