C o n t i n u i n g To P r o u d l y S e r v e C a r r o l l C o u n t y S i n c e 1 8 3 1 $1.00
Thursday, January 9, 2020
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The Carroll County courthouse clock tower lights up in seasonal colors during the evening as workers continue to make repairs on the historic landmark. It was noted white lights will be used 95 percent of the time, but other colors will be used on holidays and special occasions.
Commissioners give update on courthouse clock tower By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent “Wait until it’s finished,” stated Commissioner Bob Wirkner at the Jan. 2 meeting, referring to the clock tower project at the courthouse. Repairs and renovations have been underway for several months. Workers recently removed all of the scaffolding that had surrounded the tower, with the exception of the main ladder used to reach the top. Wirkner said that just because you
don’t see the workers, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Wirkner said finish work is still being done inside the tower. The tower will not be completed for about six or eight weeks because they are waiting on the new glass panels that used to decorate the tower. Many years ago, a few broken glass panes were replaced with plywood. Wirkner said he can’t imagine why, except to think that funds must not have been available to make repairs or replacements. Eventually all the glass windows were painted over. Workers were surprised to discover that many of the original
glass panes are still there. Commissioner Jeff Ohler said it was their intention to be historically accurate with the tower renovations. But the new lighting that has been installed certainly wasn’t available in 1885 when the courthouse was built. White lights will be used 95 percent of the time, but they will have the option of lighting it up red, white and blue for July 4, or for other special occasions. In response to comments about the clock being slow and not showing the correct time in recent weeks, commissioners explained that they have to keep shutting off the electric for work
still being done on the clock house tower. When the project is completely done, the time will be correct and will stay that way, according to Wirkner. Commissioners asked that residents please be patient. It will be finished in a few more weeks. In other business commissioners: - ACCEPTED the December monthly report for the Golden Age Retreat with eight males and 32 females in residence. - FILED the Sheriff’s December report with 1,571 meals served and 165 washings done.
- WAS told by Sheriff Dale Williams that the county did have a fatality on SR 171 last week. - LEARNED Carroll County has joined with Columbiana, Harrison, Monroe, Morgan and Union counties in applying for a grant of $160,000. The funds will be divided among the six counties and used for Text to 9-1-1, a service that will enable 911 dispatch centers to receive text messages. - RECEIVED the dog pound report with two impounded, three adopted out, zero redeemed, none destroyed, two citations for having no license and no citations for running at large.
Area researchers to talk about Commissioners approve $34.7M county budget bigfoot at park event Jan. 18 Bigfoot is coming Saturday, Jan. 18, to Carrollton High School’s Performing Arts Center, 205 Scio Road, Carrollton. The event, hosted by the Carroll County Parks District and the Friends of Carroll County Parks, will feature four guest speakers who will talk about their experiences and adventures as they track and study bigfoot. Photos and audio recordings will also be shared. A $5 donation is appreciated. Raffles and a 50/50 will also take place. “The park district is pleased to expand this program into the new high school Performing Arts Center since the last event held by the park district had standing room only. This will be an awesome afternoon for those who know and love Bigfoot.” Stated Dale
Alexander, director of Carroll County Park District. Doors open at 3 p.m. The program is expected to continue until at least 6 p.m. From 3:15-4 p.m., David Wickham will talk about his bigfoot experiences and provide a demonstration on how
to cast a track. Jami and Jenny King will present “Bigfoot - a Different Perspective” from 4:15-5 p.m. Keynote speaker Amy Bue will present “Bigfooting, Audios and My Adventures” from 5:10-5:45 p.m. Bue is a Co-founder of Project Zoobook and member of the Olympic Project Bigfoot Research Team. She is the Head of Amy’s Bucket List Expeditions (ABLE) and a former investigator for the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. A reading teacher, writer, and editor from Ohio, Bue became interested in the search for Bigfoot after a possible sighting in Mahoning County in
See BIGFOOT, PG. 3
By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent
In a special meeting held Friday, Dec. 27, Carroll County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2020 budget for all county departments. “This is my favorite day of the year, when it’s done!” stated Commissioner Jeff Ohler referring to the annual budget. The total budget for 2020 is $34,745,105 with $10,572,812 allocated to the general fund and $24,173,292 for the non-general fund. In comparison to previous years, the 2020 budget is an increase of $5,045,641 over 2018 and an increase of $3,788,128 over 2019. Ohler said that there was an increase for 2020 for the county general fund due to an increase of the employee health insurance. He said there was not a huge increase in any one department. Funding for the county jail is up due to projected costs of over $700,000
for plumbing, lighting and windows, as well as the anticipated cost of about $250,000 to house prisoners elsewhere while work is being completed. The jail was built in 1975, and with the exception of a new roof no other renovations have been done. Many repairs have been made to the jail but in some instances replacement parts must be custom made because they are no longer available. Ohler advised that he expects the jail project to be bid out by the end of February. One other non-regular expense for 2020 will be the need to replace computers and software that will no longer have support or maintenance available at their expiration dates. Employees will receive a three percent raise in 2020, according to Commissioner Bob Wirkner. Wirkner also said that they anticipate about $400,000 to be received in ad valorem taxes from gas and oil wells.
See BUDGET, PG. 3
Carrollton man dies in SR 171 crash By GEORGETTE HUFF FPS Contributor Submitted Photo
Carrollton FFA Chapter awards 21 Greenhand FFA Degrees A total of 21 members of the Carrollton FFA Chapter received the Greenhand FFA Degree during a recent chapter meeting. Meribeth Pozderac, Ohio FFA vice president at-large, served as the guest speaker. The Greenhand Degree is the first degree members can receive. To receive the degree, members must recite the FFA Creed, pass the Greenhand Test and have a plan for their Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. Thirteen of the 21 new members are shown in the above
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with the current FFA chapter president and guest speaker. They are (front, from left) Brooke Fritz, Carrollton FFA President; Jason Brannon, Madilynn Baker, Maddie Burgett, Ellie Shafer, Makenzie Burgett, Madison Faulk and Kayla Mills; and (back) Grant Baker, Chase Boyer, Brandi Hafner, Kirsten Carpenter, Tea Rector, Nickolas Tuckosh, Spencer Fierstos and Meribeth Pozderac, Ohio FFA Vice President At-Large. Greenhands absent when the photo was taken include Jozee Eick, Ryan Hayes, Caden Mitchell, Gracie Phillips, Brody Wade, Emily Wayts and Austin Vint.
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One driver was killed and another was injured in an accident on state Route 171, between state Route 43 and state Route 9, north of Carrollton, at 6:22 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. The sheriff department’s accident report indicates that a westbound Cadillac Escalade driven by Duane A. Baughman, 57, of 2043 Waynesburg Road NW, Carrollton, went left of center and struck a Ford passenger van driven by Jonathan Lee Logan, 48, of 10474 Avon Road NE, Salineville, which was traveling east on route 171. Baughman was pronounced dead at the scene by Carroll County Coroner, Dr. Mandal Haas. Logan was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Canton. His condition was unknown as of Jan. 3. A pas-
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senger in Logan’s van was uninjured. The sheriff’s department, Carrollton Village Fire Department, EMT, Deluxe Body and McNinch Towing were on the scene Thursday evening. Sheriff Dale Williams said the incident remains under investigation and that accident reconstruction will be performed. The accident report noted that Baughman had been involved in an accident earlier the same day, in which a Jeep he was driving struck an unidentified object on Lemon Road, near Malvern. No information about this crash has been released. Brian Shuman, owner of Countryside Recycling, posted on Facebook he is collecting donations for Logan, who is expected to be out of work for several months because of his injuries. Non-perishable food, gas cards, or monetary donations will be accepted for Logan at Countryside Recycling, 1236 Lincoln Ave. N.W., Carrollton.
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