Regional news

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Detour on SR 235 between I-75 and US 30

State Route 235 bridge maintenance between Township Road 27 and Township Road 28 will close the road on Monday, Aug. 5, for approximately five days.

The detour is I-75 to SR 696 to U.S. 30, back to SR 235 (see attached map).

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Allen Soil and Water Conservation District will hold its Annual Open House and Board of Supervisors Election from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6. This casual gathering will occur at the Allen SWCD office located at 1870 Slabtown Road in Lima. 

Hamburgers, brats and hot dogs will be served hot off the grill. Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet district staff and ask questions about our programming. 

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The Ohio Department of Development and Area Agency on Aging 3 are once again offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months.

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The Putnam County Health Department has received confirmation from the Ohio Department of Health that a bat from the county has tested positive for rabies. A resident from Union Township brought a bat to the health department for testing after an incident with their dog.

This is the first rabid bat to test positive in Putnam County since 2006. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals and can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.

According to Health Commissioner, Kim Rieman, "Bats provide many benefits such as pollination and pest control but are also a known source of rabies." Rieman added, "Residents should not fear spending time outside, but exercise caution around bats due to the risk of rabies." Pets should be kept nearby and monitored for any signs of illness.

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The State of Ohio has announced that two years after its debut, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a proven safety net for thousands of Ohioans each month who face emotional distress or thoughts of suicide.

Since its launch on July 16, 2022, the service has grown steadily. In that time, Ohio’s 19 call centers – the most of any state in the nation – have responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts, and chats: an average of more than 14,000 contacts each month.

Ohio 988’s average speed-to-answer rate is 25 seconds, compared to 36 seconds nationally, and since its launch, the average amount of calls rolling over to the national 988 network is just 2%, reflecting a workforce capacity that allows the vast majority of calls from Ohioans to be answered in-state, by individuals with knowledge of local resources that can make a difference in a crisis.

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Starting in 2024, the State of Ohio has expanded its sales tax holiday from a long weekend to ten full days: 12 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8.

Also, more purchases are eligible. In the past, the focus was on items families need for the start of school. Now, the sales tax holiday applies to “all tangible personal property that is $500 or less except watercraft or outboard motor required to be titled pursuant to Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code, a motor vehicle, an alcoholic beverage, tobacco, a vapor product, or an item that contains marijuana.”

As a result, businesses as well as families benefit from the holiday. The new guidelines should also benefit restaurants, which will not charge sales tax on dine-in meals during the 10-day period (except for alcohol).

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