Weekend Wire 4.01.18p

This is the WHIZ Weekend Wire covering headlines from the week past and featuring what will be happening locally during the week ahead.

Former Deputy faces Eight Counts of Felony Child Porn

Muskingum County Prosecutor Mike Haddox said a former Sheriff’s Deputy is facing eight felony charges in connection with child pornography found in his home.

61-year-old Timothy Hartmeyer, who is the president of the Police Athletic League in Zanesville, is charged with two counts of fourth degree pandering obscenity, two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, of the second degree, and four counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance of the fifth degree.

Prosecutor Haddox says he expects more charges to be filed against Hartmeyer as the investigation develops.

Ohio Lawmakers Vote to Make Back to School Sales Tax Holiday a Permanent Event

Ohio lawmakers voted recently to make the August, Sales Tax Holiday an annual occurrence. The Back to School event encourages families to shop in state and assist Ohio’s retail businesses.

The bill now heads to the governor’s desk, where he is expected to sign into law. This year’s three-day event is set to begin August 3.

Muskingum County EMA Settlement

The director of the Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency met with the County Commissioners recently to discuss an outstanding balance.

The EMA’s office received an advance from the commissioners to help finish out the 2015/16 fiscal year. The money helped the EMA pay payroll and cover other expenses. Current director, Jeff Jadwin, said he was approached by the auditor’s office and advised to resolve the issue.

Options included allocating repayment in this year’s budget or asking the commissioners to forgive the debt. The commissioners opted to forgive the $10,000 advancement giving the EMA a clean slate. Jadwin doesn’t foresee any need to ask for an advancement from the commissioners to accommodate this year’s budget.

City Council Looking to Revitalize Downtown

Zanesville City Council has approved an ordinance that could allow existing and new restaurants in downtown to sell alcohol. The ordinance was recommended by Mayor Jeff Tilton, who believes any development, which brings people downtown, will help the community.

Muskingum County Health Officials Initiate New Opiate Response Team

Health officials across the country are searching for ways to battle the growing opioid epidemic and Muskingum County is no different.

Muskingum Behavioral Health CEO Steve Carrel said there have been 13 overdose deaths since January and seven overdose runs in the city last Friday alone. There were 20 deaths total last year and the county is on track to exceed that number this year.

The program will target anyone who is on the dispatch call list as an overdose.

Carrel said, “The knock on the door isn’t to bust anybody. You know, it’s not to get anybody in trouble. It’s not to lecture anybody. It’s simply your community cares about you and we want to see you get well.”

Interstate 70 Traffic Pattern Change

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced a traffic pattern change will occur on Interstate 70 at the U.S. 40 interchange (exit 152) around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Traffic in both directions will narrow to one lane and eastbound traffic will cross the median and use the westbound bridge.

All ramps will remain open during the eastbound bridge rebuild. The traffic pattern change is expected to last until mid-October.

Colony Square Mall to Host Health Fair

The Colony Square Mall will host a health fair this Friday and Saturday and marks a great opportunity for everyone to learn about health issues, and how to assist loved ones who may be facing them.

The event will offer blood pressure and hearing screenings, kids photo ID’s, a distracted driving simulator, health insurance provider representatives and the Zanesville Parkinson’s Group.