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Local News

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Economy down, Owens' enrollment up
Rei Light Healing and Hypnosis
By MICHELLE REITER

STAFF WRITER

Enrollment at Owens Community College's Findlay campus continues to grow, even as the economy continues to flounder.

Summer enrollment numbers rose from 1,587 last year to an all-time high of 1,619 this year, a 2 percent increase.

Angie McGinnis, director of enrollment services at the Findlay campus, said that is the highest number of students ever enrolled for summer courses.

"I think we're still getting the flow of people from businesses downsizing or closing," she said.

Findlay Industries may be closing, and Honeywell in Fostoria has laid off employees, which means more people may need to learn new skills to find employment.

Between the Toledo and Findlay campuses, a record 8,576 students enrolled for the summer at Owens, which beats the previous record of 7,533 students set during the summer of 2004.

Between the two campuses, enrollment has increased 19.3 percent this year for summer classes.

The economy is not the only reason for the increase, McGinnis said. More "transient" or "guest" students are also going to Owens, she said.

Guest students are those who may attend a four-year university during the regular school year, but go to Owens to pick up extra credit hours during summer break, which would then transfer to their four-year schools.

Owens is also offering more online classes, which are attracting more students because they can enroll in classes from wherever they are.

This summer, 3,871 students are taking e-Learning courses at both campuses, a jump from 3,238 last summer.

The school also anticipates an enrollment surge this fall.

McGinnis said as of Monday, 6,821 people have enrolled at Owens' Findlay campus for the fall semester, almost 1,000 more than the number enrolled for the fall semester at the same time last year. Full-time enrollment for both campuses is up 24 percent so far.

Ohio legislators have approved freezing tuition at community colleges for another two years, which means tuition at Owens will remain as it was in 2008 and 2009.

Reiter: 419-427-8497,

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  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
Holly wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
Snow Snow Snow!!!
“ Why should I be the one who gets a ticket when at my job I have to go in no matter the level? Sat when it was a level 3 I had to... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 3:52:55 PM
Mark wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
Snow, snow and more snow
“ We should all know by now, it's going to snow, but you know, people still want to go when we all know we better not go. ” Read More...
2/9/2010 2:47:48 PM
tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
Kyle....It's another story
“ This was definately a City of Findlay plow. Just wondering.... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 2:45:32 PM
A wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
Thank You!
“ I would like to thank all those involved in the city and county who are trying very hard to make the best of a bad storm. Yes,... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 2:36:10 PM
Understanding wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
snow
“ I don't think the woman who complained that "too much snow had been piled at the end of her street, blocking her view" was in th... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 2:28:17 PM
Kyle wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
To Tim
“ It's a very good possibility that a plow with it's blade up was not a City of Findlay plow. Many people have their own plows and... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 1:17:57 PM
HLB wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
That's really sad...
“ You know, people are rude enough most of the time in this city and this last storm when random folks pulled together and I saw t... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 12:32:18 PM
rob wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
pile of snow
“ I cannot believe someone would call up and complain that a pile of snnow was blocking their view. What is this world coming to.... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 11:38:49 AM
tim wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
put the blades down this time
“ Can someone please tell me why I see and saw several snowplows driving down streets that needed plowed with the blades up? ” Read More...
2/9/2010 10:39:25 AM
Jimbo wrote in article "Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories":
To Debbie..
“ I want to express that I understand where you are going with your post, but be practical. If a level 3 is called, that means no... ” Read More...
2/9/2010 10:35:28 AM
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Homebuilders
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.