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, April 2, 2020
freepressstandard.com
We Are In This TOGETHER No School!!
Governor extends school closures through May 1 By DON RUTLEDGE FPS Staff Writer
FPS Photo / Georgette Huff
Guardsmen Hunter Nelson (left) and Jack Tricket (center) unload food at Carrollton’s Loaves & Fishes Friday under the direction of the food pantry’s director Gordon Warner.
National Guard delivers food to Loaves and Fishes pantry By GEORGETTE HUFF FPS Contributor
Guardsmen Hunter Nelson and Jack Tricket delivered 1.75 tons of food and supplies to Loaves & Fishes Food Bank on the morning of March 28. Nelson, a 2017 graduate of Carrollton High School, and Tricket, who is from the Youngstown area, serve with the 1-145 unit of the Ohio National Guard, based at the Akron-Canton airport. Loaves & Fishes director Gordon Warner explained they gratefully accepted the National Guard’s assistance, saving volunteers from making the drive to the Akron Canton Food Bank’s distribution center. The delivery included a variety of pantry staples such as soup, pasta and peanut butter, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Loaves & Fishes, which serves about 300 households per month, is “still open as always.” Warner explained they have developed a system to maintain the recommended six feet of “social distancing” between clients. While “numbers are down” as residents have been staying in, he said, “we have every
See FOOD, PG. 2
Area students will be “home schooled” a while longer. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday, March 30, the state has extended the school closings through May. “There is the real possibility that our schools could stay closed longer than this, but we want to give parents and teachers as much notice and flexibility as we can,” said DeWine. “Schools should continue to do what they’re doing now -- providing the best remote learning that they can, serving meals to students in new ways, and planning for what the rest of the year may look like.” As a result of the state ordere, The Free Press Standard contacted school superintendent’s within The FPS circulation area and asked them the following questions: Do you have any new plans and/or information for students and/or parents? What about the availability of school work assignments? If you have a current meals program, will it continue? Following are the responses by the respective school superintendents. Carrollton Exempted Village School District Carrollton Schools Supt. Dr. David Quattrochi said, “it is our intent to ensure all students are getting breakfast and lunch seven days a week.”
“I am proud of our teachers who are doing a great job of reaching out to students and making sure their work is being completed.” “I want to especially thank Barb Burns and the cafeteria staff for all of their hard work. They are amazing. We will continue to work through challenges this unfortunate virus is causing our country,” Quattrochi added. Brown Local School District Brown Local Schools new Superintendent Mark Scott said Brown Local Schools students started remote learning Monday, March 30. Students had at least two weeks of educational resources sent home from their teachers on the last days of school and will continue to be supported through those resources and various online platforms, including Google Classroom through May 1. Chromebooks are available for students who need one by contacting Principals Mrs. Hawk and Mr. Babiczuk. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the week of March 30 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting Monday, April 6. Please call or email ahead of time to arrange pickup of school resources, “ Scott said. He also advised meals will be provided to families every Monday and Tuesday at the main gymnasium doors from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families will receive five days of lunch and breakfast meals in one single pickup.
See SCHOOL, PG. 3
FPS Photo / Jordan Miller
Guardsmen Hunter Nelson, a 2017 CHS graduate, said “It’s good to be back,” as he and Jack Tricket unloaded food and supplies at Loaves & Fishes on Friday morning.
Commissioners are livestreaming meetings By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent
At the March 26 Carroll County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Bob Wirkner brought up responses from the public regarding the livestreaming of commissioners online and the change in courthouse hours. Wirkner said that many people are appreciative of having the commissioners’ board meetings available online but several had said they cannot always hear clearly what is being said. A new microphone was installed and in use at the March 30 meeting. Residents have also said that viewing the meeting while commissioner’s sign contracts and documents is “rather tedious”. Wirkner said those items on the agenda could be moved to the end of the meeting if it would help the meeting move along. Wirkner reported that there has been some confusion regarding the new
more inside
courthouse hours. The courthouse is open to the public on Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Although employees will still be working, the courthouse is closed to the public on Tuesday. The hours of 8-9 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday have been set aside for those people who are in the high risk category for the coronavirus. These individuals may come to the courthouse during other hours as well and are not restricted only to 8-9 a.m., according to Wirkner. On Thursday, commissioners considered the option of increasing the county’s current liability insurance limit of $6 million. After further discussion, Commissioner Jeff Ohler explained that he felt they were fine with the coverage at $6 million. He also felt that due to the public restrictions because of COVID-19, the sales tax income will be down. The board agreed to keep coverage at $6 million.
classified pg. 9
Regarding the coronavirus outbreak, Wirkner said that there is constant cleaning and disinfecting of the courthouse and all offices are being very careful with space limitations. As a way to protect the public and the county employees, residents are advised that they may call or email any government office for information or answers to questions. A public hearing for the purpose of opening bids for the county resurfacing project was postponed until Monday, April 6. Carroll County Engineer Brian Wise reported that there was an error on the spec form providing the feet and yards of materials that would be needed. Wise said he will check with the prosecutor’s office and if approved, he will send the changes to those who submitted bids and the company may or may not choose to change their bid before next Monday.
See MEETINGS, PG. 3
obits pg. 4
Submitted Photo
Members of the Fox Township and Carrollton fire departments rescued a Wattsville woman from her home following flooding March 20.
Firefighters rescue woman from flooded home An 89-year-old Wattsville woman was rescued by the Fox Twp. Volunteer Fire Department Friday morning, March 20, from her home at 49 Bergholz Rd. NE, Carrollton. According to Fox Twp. Fire Chief Fred Barnett, Margret Hinebaugh was rescued from flood waters caused by rain storms March 20. He said she is staying with an area family. That following Monday, March 23, Carroll County Emergency Management Agency Director Tom Cottis advised the Board of Commissioners that flood warnings were still in effect and drivers should use extreme caution. “Turn around, don’t drown,” said Cottis. “We had 2.8 inches of rain. There is flooding in Wattsville. We have been normal, but the Big Sandy is out of its banks,” continued Cottis. Cottis advised that rain was still in the forecast for the next several days, though heavy downpours were not expected. However, some roads in the county remained closed. Cottis reminded county residents to avoid driving through standing water.
opinion pg. 4
sports pg. 6