Today is Wednesday, May 7 | The 128th day of 2008
Daily Chief-Union/Aaron Korte
Looking at history
Rebecca Lautermilch studies one of the family trees hanging in the Union Middle School library while Joe Meeker (left) and George Kreachbaum have a conversation in the background. Seniors were invited to Union on Tuesday as the middle school students made them dessert and provided ample entertainment as part of an outreach project.
Seniors pampered by students
By AARON KORTE
Editor
When Rebecca Lautermilch decided to join some friends for a trip to Union Middle School, she was not expecting much to be made of the invitation.
So she was a bit surprised when she arrived and students came out to greet her and welcome her to the library, where eighth-grade work and family life students had made desserts. While seniors drank their coffee, they looked at the placemats made by the sixth-grade art students and the favors by the seventh-grade math students.
"I didn't know we'd have all this," Lautermilch said. "The kids have been so enthusiastic."
She said she really was impressed by the family tree projects the students did that detailed the lineage of their families.
"That's really something," Lautermilch said. "It helps them realize who some of their relatives are."
(Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Kirby may look at new parking law
By LONNIE McMILLAN
Sports editor
KIRBY — If a parking issue at the intersection of Main and South streets is not resolved soon, the Kirby Village Council may take steps toward a parking ordinance.
For a few months now, council has discussed how tenant parking at an apartment building on the northwest corner of that intersection creates a dangerous situation for drivers. Anyone approaching the stop sign on South Street must pull out halfway into the intersection to see beyond the parked vehicles.
Mayor Tim Stansbery said he has spoke to the landowner on a few occassions, but little action has been taken. It seems the tenants have begun pulling up further onto the sidewalk, Stansbery said, but that gives little relief to the problem and creates a new problem of blocking the sidewalk.
Parallel parking could be an option, but because of a post, it is unlikely both vehicles that normally park there would fit. Council also discussed the possibility that angled parking would resolve the problem. Another solution would be to have the tenants simply park elsewhere.
Safety has to take precedent over convenience, council member Doug Snyder said.
(Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Daily Chief-Union/Alissa Paolella
Life flight called
At least three people were hospitalized after a two-vehicle accident Tuesday at about noon at the intersection of Ohio 53 and CH 108 in Salem Township. Anthony M. Timm, Upper Sandusky, was taken to Wyandot Memorial Hospital and later life flighted to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo. Passenger Erica J. Cloud, no address given, was taken by life flight to the St. Vincent's, where they both were listed in fair condition this morning. The driver of the other car, Arlene Dillion, Upper Sandusky, was transported to a Columbus hospital, but no more information was available. Cloud's 1995 Honda Passport, which Timm was listed as driving, sustained severe damage and was towed. Dillion's 1995 Mercury Villager sustained disabling damage and also was towed. No more information was available this morning. The Wyandot County Sheriff's Office and Upper Sandusky Police Department responded to the scene after the crash was called in at about 11:38 a.m.
(Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
TUESDAY MAY 6, 2008
Submitted photo
Lil' tree huggers
Upper Sandusky Mayor Scott Washburn is pictured presenting a key to the city to Lynda Smith's fourth grade class at Union Elementary School after it helped inform the city of an infestation of bagworms. About 3,000 bagworms were collected, pictured in the clear container on the right.
Smith's fourth grade class honored for bagging pests
Upper Sandusky Mayor Scott Washburn recently joined acting parks manager Randy Moore and other city officials in honoring Lynda Smith's fourth grade class at Union Elementary School for a project they did on bagworms. Recent warmer winters in northern Ohio have brought the unwanted visitor from southern Ohio. Bagworms have teabag-sized nests and the caterpillars consume the leaves of trees, eventually killing it.
Each nest can bear up to 1,000 bagworms.Washburn told Upper Sandusky City Council on Monday night that Smith's fourth grade class recently completed a project on bagworms and he presented them with an award from the city for collecting more than 3,000 bagworms from trees in Upper Sandusky.
"I told them I appreciated them taking an interest in the city," Washburn said. "They were very educated on the topic."
Washburn reported the city is eligible for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance after March's snowstorm.
(Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Carey Streetscape project to move forward in August
By LONNIE McMILLAN
Sports editor
CAREY - Carey Mayor John Rymer said at Monday night's Carey Village Council meeting bids will be opened for the first phase of the Streetscape project Aug. 6.
Necessary paperwork has been filed, but Rymer said he does would not have a timeline on when work might start until he meets with Ohio Department of Transportation officials.
The village likely will be receiving some reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the costs of cleaning up from March's large snowstorm.
Rymer said he met Monday with FEMA officials, who said the village could receive the standard 75 percent reimbursement for costs such as labor and equipment.
Council passed a resolution to allow Rymer to apply for the reimbursements. He said a quick estimation yielded an estimate of $20,000 in costs associated with the storm, although a more detailed estimate will have to be submitted by May 24.
Work on the emergency services bulding has been halted temporarily, Carey Fire Chief Jay Gretzinger said, to allow for a problem with cement cracks to be fixed.
(Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
MONDAY MAY 5, 2008
Daily Chief-Union/Alissa Paolella
Experienced voyagers
Don and Linda Ham, rural Upper Sandusky, take a trip through their boat as they get ready for boating voyages with the start of spring. The Hams, members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, are reminding novice and experienced boaters alike to take precautionary measures before going out on the water.
Local residents spread the word about boating safety
By ALISSA PAOLELLA
Staff writer
With the start of spring comes various outdoor activities for area residents, and many people enjoy taking a trip to Lake Erie or other bodies of water for boating voyages.
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, including longtime members Don and Linda Ham, rural Upper Sandusky, is reminding boaters to use safety tips during their boating trips.
The Hams have been recognized for their volunteer work with the auxiliary many times since they began with the coast guard 19 years ago.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary said the best time for boating begins in May.
The auxiliary suggests all recreational boaters, regardless of the size of their boat, carry with them not only the federal and local mandated safety equipment, but also a VHF radio and an Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon, or EPIRB, which are not mandated.
The Hams said they both have been boating for as long as they can remember, getting involved with their families when they were children.
(Refer to page 1 of today's Daily Chief-Union)