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Bucyrus News Stories
For Thursday
June 27, 2002

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Crawford County Commissioner Named Chair Of Governor Re-Election Bid
Governor Bob Taft announced that he has appointed Barbara Blackford as the Crawford County Chairman for the 2002 Taft-Bradley re-election campaign, according to Anchor Broadcasting.

Blackford is a Crawford County Commissioner and in 1998 served as coordinator in Crawford County for Taft's successful election for governor.

Campaign county chairs look over and recruit volunteers, start grassroots activities, and represent the governor at different campaign events.

Slam-n-Jam Set To Take Center Court In Galion
With more than 10,000 visitors expected, organizers hope the Slam-n-Jam in Galion will give a big boost to the city's visibility.

The weekend event at Peco II Park on State Route 598 takes place on June 28-30 and will include the Gus Macker basketball tournament, three softball tournaments, four rock concerts, food, crafts, special displays, and more. The basketball tournament has 215 teams entered and former Ohio State Buckeye Clark Kellogg will be in Galion on Sunday from 3 pm to 5 pm to present trophies to the winners.

A San Francisco-type trolley will transport visitors in to uptown Galion. Businesses there will be offering special sales throughout the weekend, including a sidewalk sale on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Carriage rides will be offer 11am to 6 pm and a farmer's market will be on the square starting at noon.

Parking will be available near Peco II Park with a shuttle service provided. A parking pass is available for $5 and is good for the entire weekend. Free parking is available in the parking lot at Pamida where those who wish to ride to Peco Park can do so for a $1 fee.

Arson Suspected In Morrow County Barn Fires
Morrow County authorities are seeking a common thread among three suspected arsons set in abandoned barns. A story in the Columbus Dispatch says, two fires were set in barns along County Road 37, near Rt. 314, one on June 7 and the other June 14. The third fire was set on June 18 at a barn along County Road 57, near Rt. 314. All three sit near the road and all were started between 9:30 and 10 p.m., said Chief Harlan Barrick of the Johnsville Fire Department.

All the barns were vacant and no one was injured in any of the fires, Barrick said. "They were all pretty much burned down by the time we got there,'' he said. Fire departments from Iberia and Lexington also battled the blazes.

The fires likely are connected, Barrick said, but declined to elaborate. "We have some leads,'' the chief said. "People do stupid things.'' The Morrow County barn fires are unrelated, he said, to a series of barn arsons in nearby Delaware and Union counties. Click here to read more of this story from the Columbus Dispatch.

State Reverses, Will Make Payments To Schools
Governor Bob Taft said Wednesday, June 26, that schools, including some in Wyandot County, will receive all property tax relief payments that budget officials had considered delaying to ensure the state budget was balanced. However, Taft said the Office of Budget and Management still could decide to delay payments to local governments that do not operate on the same fiscal year, which ends Sunday.

A story in the AP says, Taft said delaying the payments even a few days could impose undue hardships on the school districts. Local school officials had said that the state told them it was withholding the payments so it could end the year on Sunday in the black, as required by law.

But school districts operate on the same fiscal year and the law also requires their budgets to be balanced at the end of it. On Tuesday, the Ohio Association of School Business Officials sent Taft a letter saying it was concerned that districts would have to borrow money to make sure their budgets were balanced if the state withheld the payments. Click here to read more of this story from the AP.

Two Ohio Congressmen "Shocked" By Pledge Of Allegiance Decision

On Wednesday, June 26, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and cannot be recited in schools and two Ohio congressmen expressed their disagreement.

U.S. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) issued the following statement in reaction: “This ruling on the Pledge is just beyond comprehension. I am shocked, saddened and exasperated by liberal efforts to eliminate any and all references to God in our country. I fought this fight with liberal interest groups as governor of Ohio when our motto “With God All Things Are Possible” was challenged. We eventually prevailed when the motto was ruled constitutional by the Sixth Circuit.”

U.S. Representative Michael G. Oxley (R-Findlay), who was the lead sponsor of a 2000 congressional resolution that expressed support for the Ohio state motto of "With God All Things Are Possible" when it was ruled unconstitutional, issued the following statement:

"This is an absurd decision. But it's something we have already been through in Ohio, when our state motto 'With God All Things Are Possible' was challenged and ultimately upheld. The Pledge of Allegiance is as much a part of America as our flag. To insinuate in any way that it's harmful or oppressive flies in the face of common sense." Click here to read more of this story on our sister site Marion Online.

North Robinson Fire Causes No Injuries
A house fire in North Robinson Tuesday, June 25, caused no injuries and was contained to attic.

According to the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, they received a call around 6:30 pm from a neighbor saying there was smoke coming from a residence on Western Avenue in North Robinson. According to Anchor Broadcasting, Whetstone Township fire department was paged. Later Bucyrus, Dallas, Holmes, and Liberty Township Fire Departments were also paged. Med-Corp Ambulance Service was also dispatched to the scene.

According to Mike Motter of the Whetstone Township fire department, the fire started in the attic and was electrical in nature. The fire, however, was contained to the attic. The house sustained moderate damage, estimated at about $20 thousand. The Red Cross was called to assist the five residents of the house.

Lightening Strike Sends Whirlpool Workers Home Early
Tuesday evening's little thunderstorm caused a major disruption at the Whirlpool plant in Marion.

Cathy Gerber, manager of communications at Whirlpool, stated that at approximately 7 pm on June 24, lightning struck the main substation of the plant. According to Anchor Broadcasting, power was completely lost to the entire plant. Because of the power loss second shift employees were sent home around 8 pm.

When the damage was assessed, it was determined that power would probably not be restored until 1 or 2 am. So management decided to cancel third shift production. Power was restored around midnight and there was no major damage. Production then resumed as normal Wednesday morning.

Bucyrus School Board Says Goodbye To Retirees
The Bucyrus City School Board met last night at Kearsley Education Center at 7:30 p.m.

Among subjects discussed by the board, commendations were given to Sarah Henize for her fourth place finish at the state meet and Jackie Fruth for volunteer work in helping two seniors pass the math portion of the ninth grade proficiency test.

According to Anchor Broadcasting, the board also recognized Norma Frost, Colette Hudson, Bonnie Ley, and Doug Tima for their dedication as they retire from the school district. After discussing staff positions and donations the board went into executive session to discuss personnel items before adjourning the meeting.

Crawford Park District Program Focuses On Early Inhabitants
Naturalist Brenda Gelinas from the Crawford Park District will be giving an interpretive history program focusing on Native Americans and Pioneers of Crawford County.

The event is scheduled for Friday, June 28, at 6 pm in the log cabin at Heise Park. Also, on Saturday Brenda will be giving a guided tour of scenic Lowe-Volk Park.

According to Anchor Broadcasting, the tour will be one and a half miles in length. It will start at the beginning of the Sandusky River and end at the new Nature Center, which is still under construction. The hike will include hills and steps and all those wishing to take part should meet at the bulletin board.

Bucyrus Church To Hold Freedom Celebration
On July 6th, the First Alliance Church on Hopley Avenue will be celebrating freedom at 6:30 pm on the church lawn.

There will be a great view of the fireworks, free food, a live reenactment, games, and fun, according to Anchor Broadcasting. The entire community is invited to take part in the celebration so don't miss out.

Mosquito Spraying Has Begun In Bucyrus
Spraying for mosquitoes began on Wednesday, June 19, in Bucyrus. Because of the need to only spray on evenings that are dry and with little breeze, a set schedule for spraying cannot be set.

Spraying will occur one or two evenings a week, depending on the weather.

Bucyrus officials are asking residents to check that they are not providing breeding grounds for the mosquitoes. Prime areas to look for are places where water can set, including old tires or plugged spouting.

Music at the Mural Presents "Rough Country"
The Country Rock group, Rough Country, will perform at the Music at the Mural on Thursday, June 27th from 7:30pm until 9pm. This is free and open to the public.

Bucyrus Public Library
On Thursday, June 27th, Tom Jordan will be at the Summer Reading Club at the Bucyrus Public Library at 2pm in the Community Room.

"Hello Dolly"
The Galion Community Theater will have the production of "Hello Dolly" on Friday, June 28th, Saturday, June 29th at 8pm and Sunday, June 30th at 2pm. To order your tickets or for more information, call 419-468-2662.

Annual Crawford County Pet Festival Scheduled
The annual Crawford County Humane Society Pet Festival will be held Saturday, June 29th at the society's shelter on State Route 98.

According to Anchor Broadcasting, a variety of events are scheduled from 11 am until 4 pm, including agility shows, pet contests, exhibits and raffles. A Paws Walk will be held from 9 am to 11 am and county veterinarians will be on hand for the rabies clinic.

The public is invited to attend with their pets.

Galion Historical Society To Hold Summer Social
The Galion Historical Society will hold a Summer Social at Brownella Cottage on June 29.

The focus will be on the Revolutionary and Civil War eras and will feature tours, exhibits, demonstrations, antique and yard sales. According to Anchor Broadcasting, re-enactments will also take place at the event scheduled for 11 am to 5 pm at 132 South Union Street in Galion.

Proceeds from the day will be used for the preservation of Brownella Cottage and Museum.

New Concert Series Beginning At Bucyrus Park
A new annual series will be starting this weekend at a Bucyrus park. According to Anchor Broadcasting, on Sunday, June 30, a summer-long series of concerts at Aumiller Park's bell tower will begin. The local contemporary Christian group New Creation will be the first group to perform in the series.

The concerts will be held every Sunday evening at 7 with the last concert on August 4th. Everyone is asked to bring their own chairs for the concerts.

The concerts are being sponsored by Anchor Broadcasting, Achtermann Insurance, Wise Funeral Service, Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, Martin Realty, First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus and Bucyrus Kiwanis Club.