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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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News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.