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, May 14, 2020
freepressstandard.com
Tightening the belt Area schools Commissioners reduce expense Finances were again on the agenda when the Carroll County Board of Commissioners met on May 7. The commissioners have reduced their office expenses by $345,000, which exceeds the 10 percent reduction requested from all departments. Commissioner Jeff Ohler said the anticipated receipts report from the county auditor’s office, which he expected to receive on May 8, could help determine if further reductions will be necessary. Carroll County Health Department Director of Nursing Kelly Engelhart reported that there are 21 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in the county, including 18 who have recovered. She said, “Ages range from seven months to 98 years. Of the 21 cases, 29 percent have chronic lung disease, 90 percent have the symptom of a cough and 81 percent have a symptom of shortness of breath.” An outbreak in long-term care facilities has been kept under control, according to Engelhart. The health department has tested 38 residents and healthcare workers from three dif-
ferent long-term healthcare facilities, and have monitored 65 residents or healthcare workers. She said they are still monitoring 15 individuals. Engelhart said the health department is seeking volunteers to help in two ways: The first would be ‘disease detectives’, who would help identify and monitor patients who have tested positive for the virus. The second group would be ‘safety scouts’, who would work with local businesses to evaluate if their safety plans are in compliance with the governor’s orders. Once plans have been reviewed, they will be placed on the Health Department’s web page. Commissioners have worked with Judge Gary Willen and Clerk of Courts William Wohlwend regarding public access to the courthouse. The courthouse is open to the public 9 a.m. - noon on Monday and Friday, closed to the public on Tuesday, and open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Anyone 65 and older or with a weak immune system may enter the courthouse at 8 a.m. on any weekday other than Tuesday. In other business commissioners:
- LEARNED that the health department remains closed to the public except by appointment. - OPENED bids for the County Road 66 resurfacing projects. Bids are tabled until May 14. - LEARNED that law enforcement and fire departments may apply for grants for funding connected from COVID-19. - WILL ACCEPT Requests for Proposals until 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, for devices that will enable the treasurer’s office to accept credit cards for payments. - ADOPTED a resolution authorizing the transit service to file an application with the Ohio Department of Transportation for grant funds through the US DOT Federal Transit Administration. - APPROVED right-of-way permits for MCTV for boring to place fiber optic cable on Andora Road in Washington Township. - RECEIVED the dog pound report with 12 impounded, 7 adopted out, 6 redeemed, none destroyed and no citations issued for having no license or citations issued for running at large.
Malvern concerned about finances By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent
Fiscal officer Ashley Neading reported to Malvern Village Council at the May 4 meeting that tax revenues have decreased. Neading said that the village should expect to see a $15,000 decrease in tax collection this year. She also said that collections will come in slower because of the extended tax-filing deadline and gasoline tax income will be reduced because vehicle traffic has decreased. “We are down approximately $9,000 from the same time period as last year,” said Neading. An additional concern is a letter from the Carroll County Auditor’s office asking local governments to prepare for a 20% budget reduction. Neading reported that the Rural In-
come Tax Agency (RITA), which handles income tax collection for the village, has informed her that the village can begin imposing interest and fees for non-filers or for non-payment. With one exception, council members approved Barb Burgess’ motion to permit RITA to begin adding fees and interest. In other business council: - AGREED that portable restrooms are not needed at the park since no activities are scheduled. - LEARNED the park committee will not meet until further notice. - AGREED to join a Bureau of Workman’s Compensation group, which will save the village about $2,000. - SIGNED a renewal contract with AEP Energy for electric service for the village at a rate that will save the village about $6,800 over three years. - LEARNED that the village’s new truck has been released by Sarchione. - CANCELED village cleanup day for 2020.
- WILL open bids for the 2020 paving projects on May 18. - AGREED employees will remain on restricted hours through May 14. - WILL have Tim March repair the service garage roof at a cost not to exceed $3,500. - CANCELED Dancing on the Bridge for 2020. - QUESTIONED construction projects in town for which permits have not been issued. - MET in executive session to discuss the employment of a public employee. Following the eight-minute session, council agreed not to extend street department laborer Vincent Osborn’s contract beyond May 31. - WILL hire a part-time employee at $9 per hour, not to exceed 30 hours per week. - LEARNED there will be no concerts in the park this summer. - ANNOUNCED that village council will meet on June 1, which will be its only meeting of the month.
will hold a
This is The Free Press Standard’s annual Graduation issue! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all local and area schools have established special commencement and graduation events. Following is a list of schools within The FPS circulation, which have responded with information about their respective graduations. - Carrollton High School – A video of “individual” diploma presentations, photos and speeches will be broadcast on the school’s website and Facebook page Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m., the actual scheduled day for the 2020 graduation. A senior parade will be held Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m., starting from Ponderosa’s parking lot to Carrollton High School. - Conotton Valley High School – A drive-through will be held Sunday, May 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. where graduates may pick up their diplomas, a senior gift, pictures, and a copy of the graduation ceremony on a flash drive. An online link will be posted on the Conotton Valley website and Facebook page. - Malvern High School will hold an “individual” graduation and celebration from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31, when seniors may walk across the stage and receive their diploma. A senior parade through the village will begin at 6:30 p.m Sunday, May 31. A video of the virtual graduation will be posted on Facebook and the district website. - Minerva High School’s 134th annual commencement exercises by individual appointments will be held Thursday and Friday, May 21 and 22. - Sandy Valley High School’s 2020 graduation will be held on the original graduation date of May 17, when seniors may wear their caps and gowns and walk across the stage individually, receive their diploma and have their picture taken. - Edison High School’s commencement exercises will be taped over the course of two days and will preview Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m. on Edison Local’s YouTube Channel, embedded in the school’s website at edisonwildcats.org and via Facebook at Edison Local Schools. A virtual baccalaureate will be aired via Facebook live at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. - Carroll County Christian Academy’s commencement ceremony will be held May 16 at 1 p.m. for the two members of the 2020 senior class. - Carroll Hills School is planning a ceremony in the fall for the three students graduating in the class of 2020. - Southern Local High School’s commencement exercises will be filmed on May 16 and will be aired Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m. on Southern Local’s YouTube Channel and via Facebook at Southern Local Schools.
Area Schools Table of Contents
Carrollton - 13 CC Christian Academy - 13 Carroll Hills - 14 Conotton Valley - 14 Edison - 6
Malvern - 16 Minerva - 17 Sandy Valley - 18 Southern - 6
Fox Twp. VFD cancels tractor pull, homecoming The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly changed our lives and brought a great deal of uncertainty to the past couple of months and continues to cast uncertainty on the future. The Fox Township Volunteer Fire Department has weighed the options and come to the decision that it must cancel its Memorial Day Weekend Truck and Tractor Pull, which was scheduled for May 22-23, as well as its home-
coming, which was scheduled for June 25-27. Officials hope to be able to hold their Sept. 25-26 truck and tractor pull as planned, but a final decision will be made when they are closer to those dates, as things may change between
See FOX, PG. 9
COVID-19 by the Numbers
Malvern staff delivers signs to graduating seniors During the first week of May 4, Malvern High School staff delivered a Malvern Pride Class of 2020 yard sign to each of the 54 graduating seniors. Teachers, coaches and administrators visited homes to encourage students, life their spirits and to remind students the staff is here to support and celebrate them. Vanesssa Stanbro, one of the graduating seniors, is shown in the above photo kneeling by her sign. Students will display their senior yard signs throughout the month of May with pride.
more inside
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These statistics are as of presstime Tuesday, May 12. Ohio - 23,809 confirmed cases; 25,250 total; 4,539 hospitalized (1,232 ICU admissions); and 1,436 deaths. Median age is 50. Carroll County - 24 total cases; 20 confirmed cases in Augusta (1), Brown (2), Center (4), Harrison (5), Loudon (1), Monroe (1) and Rose (4) townships; 3 probable cases (l each in Center, Loudon and Rose townships); 6 hospitalized; and 2 death. Recovered: 18. Carroll County General Health District has reported its second death, an Augusta Township man who is between 60-69 years old. Of those cases, there were 4 that are 80 or older (1 hospitalized, 1 death); 2 that are 70-79; 4 that are 60-69 (4 hospital-
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ized, 1 death); 4 that are 50-59; 5 that are 40-49; 3 that are 30-39 (1 hospitalized); 1 that is 20-29 and 1 that is 0-19. Eleven are females and 13 are males. Columbiana County - 343 confirmed cases; 120 hospitalized; and 39 deaths. Jefferson County - 56 confirmed cases; 16 hospitalized; and 2 death. Harrison County - 7 confirmed cases; 2 hospitalized; and 0 deaths. Stark County - 515 confirmed cases; 117 hospitalized; and 68 deaths. Tuscarawas County - 223 confirmed cases; 24 hospitalized; and 1 deaths. It is now being recommended for residents to wear masks when they are out in the public or in stores. For more information about COVID-19, please see coronavirus.ohio. gov or carroll-lhd.org.
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