Weekend Wire 2.24.18
This is the WHIZ weekend wire… Covering headlines from the week past and featuring what will be happening locally during the week ahead.
Wet Winter Continues
It has been a busy week for the Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency, as they actively monitored the National Weather Service forecasts and measured local streams water levels.
After an already wet winter, the ground is saturated, streams are full and potentially heavy rains remain in the forecast.
Muskingum County EMA director Jeff Jadwin wants residents living in flood prone areas to be prepared and stay informed by visiting the EMA’s Facebook page, or signing up for the citizens alert 60 app. The Red Cross is prepared to open warming centers for people displaced by the flooding and the Ohio Department of Health has published safety tips online.
Local Authorities Crack-Down on Students Social Media Posts
Since the February 14, Parkland, Florida school shooting, efforts have been made nationwide to further address school safety. Muskingum County Prosecutor Mike Haddox, Sheriff Matt Lutz and Zanesville Police Chief Tony Coury held a press conference discussing recent juvenile arrests that involved threatening actions posted online.
Sheriff Lutz said, “There is no limit of how far we will go to pursue these matters. If you are putting stuff on Facebook, prepare to be a knock at your door because we will be coming to talk to you.”
U.S. Senator Visits Zanesville
U.S. Senator Rob Portman visited Zanesville this week to discuss how changes in the federal, small-business tax structure can benefit local businesses. Portman stressed, by lightening the financial burden on small businesses, the small business owners will be able to provide their employees with more pay.
U.S. Congressman Visits Zanesville
U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson recently held a roundtable discussion with local businesses to hear and discuss local concerns. Among the concerns were the opioid epidemic and school shootings.
Johnson linked the two concerns together in a roundabout way by labelling them as mental health issues.
“We’ve got to identify the individual and help them get the mental health treatment they need to stop them from doing those kinds of things,” Johnson said. “Everyone from the President, to local officials, to families need to work together to help people with addiction.”
Overdoses Are Becoming a Problem Locally
Local officials are on high alert after 19 people within the city limits have been treated for suspected overdoses since Sunday. Of the 19 overdoses, four have died and two remain on life support. Ten people have died from overdose since January 1.
The string of overdoses has stretched the Zanesville police and fire departments thin. Authorities say that 9-1-1 callers are abandoning the victims and leaving first responders to guess as to what substances have been taken and how much.
Muskingum Soil and Water to Host Wildlife Symposium
The Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District will be hosting a Wildlife Symposium Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the OUZ-Zane State Campus Center.
24 different speakers will discuss a wide variety of plant and wildlife topics during 30-minute sessions. It’s the perfect opportunity for hunting, fishing or gardening enthusiasts Education and Wildlife Specialist Nicole Hafer said.
Registration is now open and $20 will cover a light breakfast, lunch, and all conference materials. To register or find further details you can visit the Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District website or Facebook page.
Free Produce
West Muskingum Schools and the Mid-Ohio Food Bank will be offering free produce at the West Muskingum High School Saturday, March 3. The Mid-Ohio Food Bank provides families that fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level with free produce.
A single person household under $23,759 will qualify and for each additional person in the household you would add $8,230.
The event is held the first Saturday of each month. For additional details contact Conrad Wilkins at (740) 819-6159.
