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THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER S U N D A Y, J U L Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 5
Local EMA takes next steps following flood assessment CLINTON RANDALL
STAFF WRITER crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
DARKE COUNTY - Following an initial assessment of residential and commercial damage as a result of this week’s flash flooding, Darke County does not meet the state’s criteria for funding aid. Darke County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Mindy Saylor reported that only three cases fit into the ‘Major’ damage category. The Ohio EMA has four levels of damage assessment... Affected, Minor, Major and Destroyed. The state requires a minimum of 25 Major damage cases before financial aid could be approved for clean up and repairs. Following the flash flood Monday night into Tuesday, the Darke County EMA established a commu-
nity hotline for home and business owners to report damage. In addition to the three Major damage cases, Wednesday’s assessment recorded 42 Affected cases and 24 Minor ones. According to Saylor, the Darke County EMA handled roughly 100 reports from homeowners and businesses on Tuesday. With the reported six inches of rain that fell in a short period of time, flooding affected most of the county and led to multiple road closures. Emergency personnel were called to several scenes and even had to aid in evacuating some residents that were stranded inside their homes. Though FEMA only accepts damage of the first floor living area of a home or business, many homes had several feet of standing water in the basement. Without flood insurance of some kind, basement
flooding is not covered or accepted for financial assistance. “We encourage residents to help one another as much as possible,” Saylor told The Early Bird. “We are a small community that always seems to come together in times of need.” The Darke County EMA has called upon the assistance of the Red Cross and the Solid Waste District to help with clean up and repairs. In a press release from the local Red Cross chapter on Thursday, caseworkers are beginning work with individual families, helping them determine their immediate and long term recovery needs. American Red Cross meets many needs of those needing help, but the Red Cross also works with many partners especially when it comes to long-term recovery. The Red Cross is also
Log on to Facebook.com/bluebagnews to see more flood photos sent in from around Darke County. (Reader Submitted photo)
distributing flood-related clean-up kits from the location. Clean-up kits include a variety of cleaning supplies, including mops, a bucket, sponges, rubber gloves, squeegees, Clorox bleach, various disinfec-
tants and more. Additional kits are available at the Greenville office or you may call 548-1002. The Darke County Emergency Management Agency is still taking reports via their hotline at
937-316-8902. Please leave your name, address, best contact number and a brief description of the flood water damage. Visit the Ohio EMA office website at ema.ohio. gov
Domino’s could be opening this week RYAN BERRY
MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
Danielle Hesson is the 2015 Darke County Fair Queen; AJ Warner is the 2015 Darke County Fair King. Second Runners-up (left to right) are MacKenzie Dirmeyer and Thomas Schmitz; Third Runners-up are John Fischer and Alyssa Morgan; and First Runners-up are Bryant Fox and Rachel Osterloh.
Hesson, Warner chosen 2015 Darke County Fair Royal Couple BOB ROBINSON
ASSOCIATE EDITOR brobinson@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – Striving for greatness was 2015 Darke County Fair Queen Danielle Hesson’s goal during her reign in the coming year, while 2015 Fair King AJ Warner wanted to use the life lessons he learned through Junior Fair, especially about being a good sport, a good role model. Hesson appeared shocked as the tiara was placed on her head… she later confirmed it with “No, I can’t believe it.” The 16year-old Versailles High School student was sponsored by the Versailles FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Doug and Sherry Hesson. She was clear about her goal, however… “I want to make this fair the best fair possible,” she said. Warner quipped he felt comfortable on stage because he had taken an Edison Community College communications (public speaking) course. A few minutes later the 17-yearold Franklin Monroe stu-
dent responded seriously to the honor he’d been given… “There’s a lot more weight on my shoulders,” he said. Warner was sponsored by the Top Notch 4-H Club; he is the son of Pat and Shelly Warner. First Runners-up are 18-year-old Rachel Osterloh and 17-year-old Bryant Fox. Osterloh is a Bowling Green State University student from Versailles sponsored by the Livestock in General 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Luke and Sharon Osterloh. Fox attends Ansonia High School and is sponsored by Greenville Rangers 4-H Club. He is the son of Tom Fox and Spring Fox. Second Runners-up are 18-year-old MacKenzie Dirmeyer and 16-year-old Thomas Schmitz. Dirmeyer is a Wilmington College student from Fort Recovery. She was sponsored by Mississinawa Valley MVCTC FFA and is the daughter of David and Melissa Dirmeyer. Schmitz is a Mississinawa Valley High School student sponsored by the Junior Fair Board.
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He is the son of Don and Tina Schmitz. Third Runners-up are 17-year-old Alyssa Morgan and 17-year-old John Fischer. Morgan is a Versailles High School student sponsored by the Versailles FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Aaron and Stephanie Morgan. Fischer is an Ansonia High School student sponsored by the Ansonia FFA. He is the son of John and Amanda Fischer. The 2015 Darke County Fair King and Queen Pageant took place at the Lighthouse Christian Center July 14. Also competing in the pageant were Zak Peele (Joyful Jets 4-H Club), Brianna Ashmore (Kountry Kids 4-H Club), Megan Bergman (Grade A Kids 4-H Club), Lily George (Darke County Beef 4-H Club), Brenna Loxley (Swine Koolers 4-H Club), Kaelyn Marker (Darke County Jr. Fairboard), Morgan McKinney (Darke County Rabbit Raisers 4-H Club), Mariana Ramos (Fun Bunch 4-H Club) and Katerri Schmitmeyer (Darke County Holstein 4-H Club).
GREENVILLE – Could Domino’s open next week? Murphy Howe, an official with the franchise, is hoping that’s the case. The construction is winding up and the builders and the store officials are going through the final “punch list” to get everything ready for the building inspectors. Howe is hoping the final inspections will take place on Monday. If all goes well, the store will open sometime during the week. Ground was broken on the new restaurant in October, but dealing with multiple government agencies set them back. When everything was finally ready to go, winter set in. Howe pointed out the city would give its approval in one area, but inspectors from Darke County and building inspectors from Miami County would send them in a different direction.
Howe said the new Domino’s is nothing like the previous store in Greenville. Other than the name, the only similarities are they still offer pizza and bread sticks and they deliver. The new restaurant is considered an upscale Domino’s. They’ve included a pickup window and can seat as many as 65 persons in their dining area. The dining area has four televisions where patrons can watch sports or news. The menu has also expanded since Domino’s
was last in Greenville. In addition to an expanded pizza menu, the restaurant will also offer pasta, specialty chicken and sandwiches. Domino’s has hired approximately 30 persons to staff the new restaurant. Howe pointed out all are from Darke County and the majority live in Greenville. The franchise has invested over $1 million in Greenville with this new building. Howe said, “We think it was well worth it.”
Bradford man wins $75,000 in Ohio Lottery weekly game CLINTON RANDALL
STAFF WRITER crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
BRADFORD – A Bradford man is $75,000 richer after winning big on Ohio’s Cash Explosion game show. John Wyan, 46, won the opportunity to be a contestant on the weekly televised Ohio Lottery game after purchasing a $2 scratch-off ticket in April from Lavy’s Marathon in Gettysburg. Wyan was crowned
Champion of the July 4th episode where he won $60,000 and returned to defend his title on the July 11 show where he added $15,000 more to his winnings. “It was the best $2 I have ever spent,” Wyan told The Early Bird. “I can now cross this off my bucket list!” He says he is not sure of how he will spend the winnings, but is considering a “long road trip” as part of the plan. He also will continue to spend
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the $10 a week on lottery tickets as he normally does. Wyan is a graduate of Greenville High School and currently is employed at Norcold, Inc. in Gettysburg where he assures he will continue to work for a long time. “I am just so happy to have won,” Wyan added. “I guess I have always been pretty lucky!” Learn how you can become a contestant on Cash Explosion at cashexplosionshow.com.
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