Regional news

COLUMBUS--The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has an opportunity for Ohio school districts or their partners to apply for funding to develop and implement projects that enable and encourage children to safely walk or bike to school.

ODOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is funded at $5 million annually, a one million dollar increase from last year. It provides funding for infrastructure improvements such as pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements, new or improved sidewalks, and bike racks.  It also helps fund non-infrastructure activities such as walk to school days, bike rodeos, public awareness campaigns, and educational programs.

“Ensuring that Ohio children get to school safely by walking and biking is just as important as ensuring safe travels in a school bus or car,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “The additional funding provided to this program will allow more communities and schools to make routes between home and school safe, convenient, and accessible.”

Eligible applicants include local governments, school districts, health districts, park districts, or key non-profit partners involved in advancing safe routes to school in your community. Please note, infrastructure projects can only be awarded to a city, village, county or township.

On Feb. 28 Bluffton High School will be giving the ACT college admissions exam to all Juniors. Therefore, students in 9th,10th, and 12th grades will have an online learning day and will not be at school.

With President Biden’s State of the Union Address quickly approaching, ONU students analyze the history of these addresses and discuss what Americans can expect from Biden on February 7.

ADA—In a new un-CAPP it! podcast, Ohio Northern students Kennedy Aikey, Caleb Clayton and Hailey Trimpey examine the State of the Union Address.

Open Enrollment 
The Bluffton Exempted Village School District is currently accepting applications from students interested in attending the school district through open enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year.

Students from any school district in Ohio may apply and enroll in Bluffton Schools tuition free.  Students are admitted on a full-time basis only.

Applications are approved annually on a first come, first served basis and approval is subject to grade level enrollment and educational programs.

LIMA--The Lima-Allen County Regional Planning Commission (LACRPC) is soliciting public review and comment on the FY 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and the FY 2024-2027 State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).  The TIP is an official listing of capital, highway, transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and bridge projects scheduled for construction with federal funds in Allen County over the next four-year period. Planning and engineering efforts are also identified.

Findlay--Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County, through its Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), is launching a new program that connects area residents with the technology and training necessary to function in today’s digital world.

“UNIFI provides a variety of customized services aimed at increasing digital connectivity and support to members of the community through more accessible, affordable, reliable, and adoptable technology,” explains Dustin Fuller, FOC manager. “We offer resources such as devices, data plans and training to  individuals and families that are otherwise unable to benefit from online resources.”

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