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Local News

Monday, October 26, 2009

House readied for Parsons' homecoming
Rei Light Healing and Hypnosis
By CHANDRA NIKLEWSKI

for the courier

FOSTORIA -- Iraq War veteran Shane Parsons is another step closer to coming home and Hope for the Warriors is one step closer to giving him and his mother a home to come back to.

The Parsons family will be moving into a new home in Fostoria soon. Although the exact date is unknown, Cindy and Shane should be inside their own house for Thanksgiving.

At least, they'll have a place for guests to sit when they visit.

A truck carrying furniture made its way to the Parsons family home last week from Furniture Fair in North Carolina. The furniture was sold at cost and paid for by Hope for the Warriors with help from various donations.

"We have, for the last year and a half, been remodeling the Parsons' home," Robin Kelleher, president and chief executive officer for Hope for the Warriors, said.

Kelleher said she did not expect the delivery to capture the attention of so many people, but explained representatives of Hope for the Warriors traveled to Fostoria to speak to the media and organize volunteers.

Hope for the Warriors, a non-profit organization whose mission is "to enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty," according to the Web site for the group, became involved with Parsons' case because of the unique consequences of his extensive rehabilitation after he was severely injured in Baghdad in 2006.

Parsons, who was serving his second tour in the Iraq War, volunteered to go out on a mission on his day off when his Humvee was struck with a roadside bomb. Both of his legs were amputated above the knee and he suffered traumatic brain injury. His mother left their home in Fostoria to care for her only son.

While he was recovering at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, a leak in the Parsons' home caused black mold to spread. The damage was so extensive the house had to be condemned and subsequently demolished.

"This was an extreme case," Kelleher said.

When the word got out about Parson's situation, help came from all over the country. Turner Construction Company of New York City utilized the help of Lathrop Company, a contractor in Ohio of which Turner is the parent company.

Lathrop took care of the construction of a new house free of charge and Vocon Architecture, Cleveland, donated the design work. Endless Pool Company also took 50 percent off the cost of a rehabilitative pool for Shane and did not charge for delivery of the equipment.

The North Carolina furniture company is just one more in a long line of companies wanting to take part in the project to bring Shane home.

Cindy will come home first with Shane to follow. Kelleher said she is hoping volunteers can donate a few more things to making their homecoming special.

"Obviously, they've been gone a long time so there's no food in the house," Kelleher said.

Kelleher is asking for people to help stock cupboards and the freezer with products the Parsons family can use.

Leslie Hunt, project manager for Hope for the Warriors, was on hand when the furniture was loaded into the house.

Kelleher said being a part of this project has meant a lot to the organization.

"We love them. We absolutely adore the Parsons family and they have been incredibly grateful... And they've been a part of the whole process and approving the plans," Kelleher said.


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Kyle....It's another story
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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.