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Saturday, September 18, 2021
Harrison News-Herald Area
MWCD fighting shoreline erosion at Charles Mill, Atwood, Seneca Lakes BY JD LONG jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
NEW PHILADELPHIA—The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Master Plan’s Phase II has been in full swing ever since completing Phase I — one of the group’s biggest projects. And Chief Engineer Boris Slogar reminded the board of the roughly $65 million involved in the second phase. He touched on the Tappan Lake Marina that continues to wind down, stating a “substantial” completion date later in September. The original deadline was intended for late June but was pushed back by two months, well into August. But that deadline was also not met, and now things are looking to be ready sometime this month. “And so our list is growing [and] things are moving smoothly,” Slogar said about the projects moving forward. Slogar also touched on the District’s dredging projects, stating it was close to wrapping up. He said they were working on obtaining more capacity under the current contract because some work is near private property. Additionally, the Conservancy District is moving forward with shoreline stabilization projects at Charles Mill, Atwood, and Seneca Lakes. Slogar said
the two projects at Charles Mill feature sizable stretches of shore — one being 1,800 feet and another for 550 feet. The two projects range from 2 to 10 feet in vertical length, with native grass plantings and fiber core logs being used in restoring shores and preventing erosion. Slogar said they had originally started with around 600 projects and have now eliminated around 115. “We targeted the worst of the worst coming out of the gate, but it just continues as you can imagine with 350 miles of shoreline, there’s always something that needs attention,” Slogar explained. “It’s been a very successful program.” When asked how the next project is determined, Slogar said safety issues dictate that order as they look at what might be threatened, such as a utility or a structure. But erosion, especially near a roadway, was their highest priority concern, adding that the shoreline was being lost due to sediment issues. “A factor that also impacts how we prioritize is, ‘Can we get to the project’? We have some locations that are remote, so it could cost us almost as much to build a road to get the project as it can to fix the project,” he told the board. “So, you know, that’s something that we take into consideration.”
Scio facing RV street parking conundrum BY JD LONG jim@harrisonnewsherald.com SCIO—At last Wednesday’s meeting, council member Andrew Turner explained that complaints had been received because of people staying in RVs during the recent street festival. It was also revealed that some people living in the RVs during the weeklong event were in charge of entertainment. However, an ordinance forbids individuals from doing this within village limits. One council suggestion was to wait and deal with the issue next year, but Turner hoped that ongoing talks would remedy the situation. Village solicitor Jack Felgenhauer also suggested that event organizers should “police such
matters” with RV parking. He — and others — questioned whether it was worth it, though, since it would only be for a four-day event. Felgenhauer added that nothing currently in the village’s ordinance would allow the towing of an RV — but they could cite people with an infraction. “So, whatever you would do wouldn’t actually stop it. Just give them a citation for doing it,” Felgenhauer explained. Council member Erin Thompson pointed out that the people would have to be notified before the village could start taking action. But for now, Felgenhauer said it would be good to notify organizers that some actions by their people have affected the event. “If you want to amend the ordinance for the street fair, that’s up to you,” he told the council.
1 in 4 Ohio drivers admit they’d fail a road test if they had to take it now Before working from home over the last year, most people used cars almost daily, practicing the important road safety rules and basic parking skills stored since first learning to drive. Although being in lockdown might have saved on gas costs, some drivers might’ve also found that their driving skills got a little rusty. GuntherKia.com surveyed 4,000 drivers across the country to find out how many think they’d pass a hypothetical road exam right now. After being out of practice throughout the pandemic, the survey discovered that almost a quarter of Ohioans (24%) admit they’d fail their driving test if they had to take it now.
When asked if they would be more likely to fail the practical or theory part of the driving test, almost 1 in 5 said it would be the practical side they’d flunk. Perhaps this is why 71% of respondents believe that drivers should need to retake their driving test after a certain age, especially considering 34% of drivers admit they’ve developed bad driving habits since getting their license. Additionally, 39% of drivers think it should be mandatory for all motorists to have a dashcam — possibly to monitor the poor road habits for safety reasons. And more than a third (37%) of drivers believe the minimum driving age should be increased.
Defendant rejects plea offer BY JD LONG jim@harrisonnewsherald.com CADIZ—Harrison County’s Common Pleas courtroom had several defendants not see their cases make it on record Tuesday, but one appeared via video conference to reject the state’s offer and settle his case. The 28-year-old Michael A. Moreland of Uhrichsville is facing two cases, one carrying over from last year. The 2020 case involves a possession charge of fentanyl, a fourth-degree felony. Moreland’s three 2021 charges include two for aggravated trafficking in drugs and one for aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony. The two trafficking charges are third- and fourth-degree felonies.
Harrison County prosecutor Lauren Knight offered Moreland 30 months of prison with the opportunity for judicial release short of the full sentence. But Moreland rejected that offer and chose to send his case to a jury trial. No date has been set, but it’s expected to take place sometime in November. One defendant who did not appear on the record was the 24-year-old Christian Bishop of Adena, who is facing several charges: failure to comply (F3), two tampering with evidence charges (both F3), and a misdemeanor charge of falsification. The other case involved 25-year-old Auston Ford of Canton, and he faces a third-degree felony vehicular assault charge. Neither case was able to advance beyond pretrial conferences.
Ohioans urged to protect against Medicare scams COLUMBUS—Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French urges Ohioans on Medicare to guard against scams seeking personal information when selecting 2022 coverage during the Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 open enrollment period. “Fraud is rampant this time of year. Scammers know people are overwhelmed evaluating the different Medicare plans,” French said. “I encourage Ohioans to learn how to best protect themselves and become more familiar with Medicare. As a consumer protection agency, we’re closely monitoring the marketplace with our partners to protect Ohioans.” Ohioans should be on alert for fake Medicare communications seeking personal information or money in exchange for any of the following: to help with enrollment, to schedule health services, to sign up for a Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare health plan cover-
age, and to provide a new Medicare card. Here are some tips from the Department of Insurance: Never give personal information, including Medicare, Social Security, bank account, and credit card numbers, to anyone who contacts you unsolicited by telephone, email, text, or in person, such as door-to-door sales. Medicare will never call you to sell anything, visit your home, or enroll you over the phone unless you called first. Medicare or Medicare health plans will only call and request personal information if you’re a plan member or you called and left a message. Only give certain personal information to your doctors, insurance companies acting on your behalf, or trusted people in the community officially working with Medicare, such as the department’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP).
Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition holding virtual meetings Community members interested in helping reduce the abuse of legal and illegal drugs in Harrison County, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will meet on the third Wednesday of each month, 2-3 p.m. The meetings are virtual. For more information, call 740-5826024.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Joe Biden and his cabinet ‘need to stand trial for giving aid and comfort to a national enemy’ The Lead Inspector General, Sean O’Donnell, presented a report to the United States Congress from April 1 to June 30, 2021 concerning Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. In the report, former President Trump made an agreement with the Taliban for a U.S. withdrawal along with other NATO powers from Afghanistan on May 1, with stipulations that if the terms were not followed, the agreement would not stand. The report’s executive summary states the Taliban were increasing attacks in all regions of Afghanistan (voiding the Taliban agreement), and all Americans, allies, Afghan interrupters, SIV (special immigrant visa) holders, and equipment were to be totally removed. On April 14, Biden said the U.S. forces would begin their final withdrawal on May 1 and plan to complete it by Sept. 11, 2021. From April 14 to Aug. 14, a span of four months, nothing was done concerning the evacuation of souls and military equipment. The sign of this gross incompetence came to a head for all the world to see on Aug. 28 when a suicide bomber attacked Kabul airport leaving 18 U.S. soldiers wounded and 60 Afghan and 13 U.S. soldiers dead: Johanny Pichardo (25), Nicole Gee (23), Darin Hoover (31), Hunter Lopez (22), Daegan Page (23), Humberto Sanchez (22), David Espinoza (20), Jared Schmitz (20), Rylee McCollum (20), Dylan Merola (20), Kareem Nikoui (20), Maxton Soviak (22), and Ryan Knauss (23). The American people have not received an honest count of people abandoned in Kabul after Aug. 30 by our government. For-
mer soldiers and organizations are fulfilling the mission to leave no one behind and have been receiving roadblocks on getting these people out from our government. It is apparent that there was no exit plan in place. After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the United States began the War on Terror. The war was raged against ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban — a span of 20 years. On Aug. 15, the city of Kabul was taken by the Taliban. On Aug. 16, the U.S. began transporting staff from the U.S. Embassy. Thousands rushed to leave the country as Taliban flags were flown in Kabul. Our government officials gave the Taliban a list of eligible evacuees. What kind of leadership gives the enemy a list of names? How evil are they? This all lies with Lloyd Austin, Department of Defense; Mark Milley, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Samantha Power, U.S. Agency for International Development; Antony Blinken, Department of State; Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor; Kamala Harris, Vice President; and Joe Biden, Commander-in-Chief. Many are calling for an apology or resignation. No, they all need to stand trial for giving aid and comfort to a national enemy in such a way that amounts to treason and dereliction of duty. The shameful failure to fulfill one’s obligations and the fraud — lying to the American people about the situation — continue to this day. No actions or business in Congress should be done until this matter is fully investigated. -MERICA PETRELLA OF STEUBENVILLE
Harrison County ‘a quiet powerhouse’ for oil and gas production Spread across 400 square miles of rural Appalachian foothills in the Seven Ranges of Ohio, Harrison County is a quiet powerhouse of oil and gas production in America. Sitting at the northeastern hub of the U.S. petrochemical industry, between the Utica and Marcellus shales, and within 600 miles of 60% of the continent’s manufacturing centers, it’s become the epicenter of U.S. shale production, allowing it to become one of Ohio’s top-performing local economies. According to a Cleveland State University analysis, the landscape for shale and renewable energy investments in Harrison County is ripe with opportunity, with spending on shale-related activities in Ohio reaching $86.4 billion in 2019. Add to those the significant land royalty payments to local residents, increased tax revenues ($11 million generated between 2010 and 2015), and improved transportation infrastructure ($31.4 million spent on building and improving 54.75 miles of roads), while maintaining Harrison County’s natural beauty, and you’ve got evidence that businesses should be looking to capitalize on the new global economy in Harrison County. “There’s this converging appeal to Harrison County,” begins Dana Saucier, vice president and head of economic development for JobsOhio. “It’s full of rolling
hills, lush forests, lots of outdoor activities, plus this amazing Muskingum Watershed area. It’s also been blessed with incredible geology thousands of feet below it that has allowed for an industry to flourish. A lot of folks look at the energy resilience in America, and really, 85% of that has come from our region. It just goes to show you how important a place like Harrison County is, not only to itself but to the state and country, as well.” The economic situation is even more favorable now than it was back in coal’s heyday, with Harrison County pivoting to accommodate an enormous influx of oil and gas enterprises since 2010. “The oil and gas industry has endowed the landowners and businesses of this region with incredible wealth,” says Saucier. “That wealth has ensured a reinvestment in the community and schools. We’ve retained the beauty of the county and its natural landscape while protecting the environment. It’s been an amazing opportunity to have both effectively merging in a symbiotic way.” The whole story was featured in Business View Magazine and interviewed Dana Saucier and Nick Homrighausen, executive director of the Harrison County Community Improvement Corporation. The rest of the article can be read on the Business View Magazine website.
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