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Local News

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Blanchard cleanup project extended
Primrose Retirement Community
Hancock County will be one of five area counties to share a $1.5 million grant to continue a flood debris cleanup program.

The National Emergency Grant, which was awarded to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, was announced recently by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

Besides clearing flood debris from the Blanchard River and its tributaries, the grant also is designed to hire and train the unemployed.

The new grant will extend the county's river cleanup project by about a year, said Judy Wauford, Hancock County Job and Family Services director.

The money will be shared with Allen, Hardin Putnam and Wyandot counties, according Brown's office.

Hancock County became eligible for the grant after it was declared a federal disaster area following the August 2007 flood.

The county initially received $1.3 million in 2008 for the program, which puts people to work clearing flood debris from the Blanchard River and its tributaries. About 24 people were hired with the initial grant.

Workers are hired through JOBSolutions and take six-month positions for $11.50 per hour. Workers receive training in first aid, CPR and use of chain saws.

They work for 10 hours Monday through Thursday, clearing remnants of the August 2007 flood, such as toys, sofas, refrigerators and scrap metal from the river.

During winter months, workers spend most of their time pulling wood debris from the banks of the river.

The grant, which requires no local matching funds, will pay the salaries of the employees, along with the equipment necessary to clean out the waterways.

Wauford said the cleanup work has been ongoing.
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1 Comment

still hoping wrote:
river/tributary clean up
“ I'm glad to learn that the clean-up continues. It seems that while one has to be in the right place at the right time, to actually see the work happening, we can trust that when weather permits, someone, somewhere is making an effort.

With as many unemployed people as we have, it would be nice if there could be more work crews so the improvement could be nmore noticable. But I realize that it must be hard work, with an element of danger involved, and not everyone who needs a job, would apply for it. Kudos to those who do. ”
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 10:31:57 AM
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Homeless Pets Hancock Co.
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.