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Local News

Friday, November 20, 2009

Absentee rate not soaring at schools
By DENISE GRANT

Staff Writer

Most school districts continue to report only slight jumps in absenteeism this fall, a good indication that prevention works in combating swine flu, said Findlay Deputy Health Commissioner Barb Wilhelm.

Asked if the worst of the H1N1 threat has passed, Wilhelm was hesitant to answer.

"We certainly are seeing no significant trends," Wilhelm said. "I do think we have a lot of things going for us. I'm seeing more people washing hands and covering coughs than I ever have, so people are practicing good hygiene."

So far, Findlay and Hancock County health departments have hosted three major vaccination clinics and several smaller clinics.

"Obviously, the more we vaccinate, the better protected the community will be," she said. "We have had no deaths (attributed to H1N1), although I know we have had some hospitalizations. People have been ill."

Kathleen Crates, director of student services for Findlay City Schools, said absences are dropping. She believes the district may have hit its peak with H1N1 on Nov. 9, when absences hit a high of 497, or 8 percent of the student population of about 6,098 students. The numbers have been dropping since then.

Crates said teachers have done a good job teaching students to cover their coughs and wash their hands.

"I think this made a difference," she said. "And we have been cleaning and cleaning and cleaning."

McComb Superintendent Michael Lamb said his district is averaging an absentee rate of about 6 to 7 percent.

"My principals tell me that this is consistent with what we have had in the past, when the cold and flu season hits us. So, we're actually not up from previous years," Lamb said.

While some schools are no longer asking for a doctor's note to excuse an absence during the flu outbreak, Lamb said he is asking principals to use "some good, old-fashioned common sense."

"One of the many advantages of being a small school is that we know the children (and parents) well, and no one is attempting to take advantage of this situation by skipping school," said Lamb.

"There are too many exciting and neat things going on here at McComb. And again, that's the problem. Youngsters who are feverish are coming to school and the principals have to send them home, which is a good problem to have."

Health officials recommend that children be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Arlington Schools saw a slight spike in absences last week.

"We are not necessarily seeing confirmed H1N1 cases," said Superintendent Kevin Haught. "I think parents are being a little more cautious sending children to school who may still be ill."

Haught said the school is continuing to sanitize classrooms, drinking fountains, restrooms and bus seats.

"These efforts are helping to keep the spread of germs to a minimum ...," said Haught. "I realize that this flu season will be a challenge for all of us, parents, students, staff and the medical community."

Grant: 419-427-8412,

Send an e-mail to Denise Grant


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This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.