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Local News

Monday, November 16, 2009

Businesses say heating bills may be lower this winter
Big Game HQ Feature
By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

Home heating bills are likely to be lower this coming winter for many residents.

Of course, there is no guarantee everyone will pay less than they did last winter for natural gas, propane or heating oil. All are commodities, subject to the whims of their markets, sellers of all three fuels said.

But the signs are good that people will get a break.

Columbia Gas of Ohio's rate for natural gas in December is 49 cents per hundred cubic feet, or 59 percent less than a year earlier, said Chris Kozak, communications and community relations manager for Columbia Gas.

That could change at any time for those on a variable rate plan. But some people already have contracted with suppliers for a lower fixed rate for this winter.

Propane prices are 30 to 35 percent lower than a year ago, said Tom Green, manager of Cherry's Propane Service, Ottawa.

Heating oil prices, at $2.59 per gallon Friday, have sunk nearly 30 percent from September 2008, said Steve Rodman, petroleum department manager for Blanchard Valley Farmers Cooperative.

The reason: "Supply far outweighs demand right now," Rodman said.

Supply also exceeds demand for natural gas.

Temperatures were milder last summer, so electric utilities did not have to use natural gas in electricity production to keep up with heavy use of air conditioners, said Marty Berkowitz, public information spokesman for the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Columbus.

A milder hurricane season helped as well, because 90 percent of the natural gas used in Ohio comes from the Gulf of Mexico, Kozak said.

With the economy still slow, industries are using less natural gas so the supply is plentiful. That helps keeps the price down, he said.

"It's kind of the silver lining of the current economic environment," Kozak said.

Propane's price is lower despite a run on the fuel this fall, Green said. Farmers have used three times as much propane this season to dry corn as compared with recent years, he said.

Firewood prices are comparable with last year, said James Berger of J&B Firewood in Ottawa.

Sellers in Hancock and neighboring counties are selling firewood for $130 to $150 per cord. A cord measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet, or 2,200 pounds, he said.

Berger said firewood's price will rise by early January. He predicted it will reach $180 to $200 per cord this winter and then decline in mid- to late March.

"If you do not buy at the beginning of the season or the end of the season, you are going to pay more," he said.

Wilin: 419-427-8413,

Send an e-mail to Lou Wilin


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Little Rock Nine

LITTLE ROCK NINE: Jefferson Thomas, who was among nine black students initially barred by the Arkansas governor from attending Little Rock Central High School in 1957, spoke to Findlay students as part of Black History Month. The crisis was a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights.


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A Findlay man who was injured in an ATV accident Friday afternoon has been treated and released from the hospital.

Jason Walters, 33, of Findlay, was taken by Hanco EMS to Blanchard Valley Hospital following the accident. According to the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Walters was riding an all-terrain vehicle west of Findlay along Ohio 12, east of Hancock County 88. He hit a stone driveway embankment and was thrown from the vehicle.

Civl rights leader to speak at ONU
ADA -- The Ohio Northern University Office of Multicultural Development presents guest lecturer and American civil rights leader Jefferson Thomas at 7 p.m. Thursday in the McIntosh Ballroom.

This event is free.

During the 1957-58 school year, Thomas was one of nine African-American students, nicknamed "the Little Rock Nine" who participated in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. The event is considered by many to be among the most significant catalysts in the civil rights movement.

Careers in Music Day scheduled
BLUFFTON -- Bluffton University will host a Careers in Music Day for high school students from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 for students interested in Bluffton's music program.

High School students will sit in on classes, take a short complimentary private lesson, visit with music faculty and participate in a music ensemble rehearsal. All events are held on the Bluffton University campus. Registration is required by Feb. 12.

Students will have the chance to audition for a music scholarship. In order to register or obtain more information, visit www.bluffton.edu/mus/performday, email Lucia Unrau at unraul@bluffton.edu or call the music department office at 419-358-3347.

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Tickets are on sale now: $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and non-ONU students and $9 for children.

The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA and Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets are also available online at www.freedcenter.com.