Hundreds hope to dive into the record books - Saturday, July 18, 2009 | Courier Electronic Edition

Local News

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Hundreds hope to dive into the record books

By KENT CLEMENTS

STAFF WRITER

GILBOA -- A sea of scuba divers has poured into Gilboa Quarry and will attempt to set a world record this afternoon.

At about 2 p.m. today, divers from across the country will begin entering the 14-acre, 130-foot-deep quarry. They hope to set a mark for the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most scuba divers underwater at the same time, said Mike Williams, the quarry's owner and caretaker.

The current mark was set Feb. 25, 2007 in the Indian ocean when 958 divers entered the water together, Williams said Friday.

Between 700 and 800 divers were registered for the Gilboa event as of Friday night, some traveling from as far as Arizona, Williams said, and he expects them to keep coming.

Gilboa Quarry is located at 3763 Old State Route 224 in Putnam County, just off U.S. 224. To participate in the event, a person must be a certified diver who has been in the water at least once in the last 60 days, and must pay a registration fee of $50.

Most of the money from participating divers is being used to provide tents, other amenities and handle the logistics of the event, Williams said.

"The phone here hasn't gone five minutes without ringing," he said, "It's been crazy."

"It will be quite the party" tonight if the world record attempt succeeds, he said.

Williams said the safety of the divers is a primary concern.

In order to ensure the divers' well-being, each participant will be attached to a 25-foot-long rip cord that leads to the surface, and around 100 "lane shepherds" will be moving through the water keeping tabs on the divers, Williams said.

Spotters on platforms will be looking over the water with infrared goggles as well, he said.

The record dive attempt, which is part of a three-day event at the quarry, is not the only thing Williams has high hopes for.

"Being a farm-town area, we're going to try playing cow-chip bingo (in an adjoining pasture), which I've heard a lot about," he said.

More information can be found at www.divegilboa.com

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Steve wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":

unknown

That would be a personal responsibility choice. We all know what the winter situation is in NW Ohio and we all should be prepar...

2/9/2010 9:56:48 AM

J wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

Citizen........

Findlay is located in Hancock County..... Therefore, yes. If Hancock Co goes into a level 3 that includes Findlay....

2/9/2010 9:17:27 AM

Debbie wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

Level 3

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2/9/2010 9:04:12 AM

STEVE wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

LEVEL 3

Citizen, Is the City of Findlay in Hancock County? I believe the article ref all the cars stuck in the snow Barker specifically...

2/9/2010 8:55:52 AM

Interested Observer... wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":

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In case you've never looked into it, which you obviously haven't. You can buy a used 4WD for the same money as a lot of 2WD veh...

2/9/2010 8:51:30 AM

Yvonne Hendricks wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

Level 3 Snow Emergencies

Maybe if a Level 3 is called "before" the roads are impassable, those of us who's employers refuse to let us go before a level 3...

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llv wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":

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SERIOUSLY?

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unknown wrote in article "Blowing snow stalls traffic":

interested observer

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Ohio News

News Briefs D.C. trip delayed
A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

Housing Authority meeting postponed
Because of an expected winter storm this week, the Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority has canceled its regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday. It will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Family Center.

Fostoria library to close Monday
FOSTORIA -- Kaubisch Memorial Public Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day.

Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.

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Local News

Saturday, July 18, 2009

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