Archive - Nov 2011 - News Article
November 15th
No major problems have been reported to local officials due to the storm that passed through the area Monday afternoon and night, Auglaize County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Troy Anderson says.
Wind gusts approached approximately 35 miles an hour during the storm that passed through at approximately 5:30 p.m. A tornado watch was in effect for the county until 8 p.m.
“There was some localized flooding and some power outages in the St. Marys area,” Anderson said. “For the most part we got through it pretty good.”
November 14th
Approximately 25 children gathered Saturday morning into the Wapakoneta Elementary School cafeteria to construct with Legos any type of structure they wanted.
Appropriately, the overall winning entry was a bridge designed by Jacob Schreiner as the competition is designed to introduce and build a bridge between children and the construction industry. The competition was organized by members of the Lima Ohio Area Chapter 374 of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
Families in need of assistance this holiday season are being asked to submit their information as soon as possible to the local “Shop with a Cop” program.
“We try to find those who are in most need and work with the other organizations so as not to duplicate services but to help as many as we can,” said Jerry Sawmiller, who serves as chair for the annual holiday assistance program.
Sawmiller is a detective sergeant with the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.
A Wapakoneta Elementary School student is a typical third-grader — she loves to read, draw and play.
But Mayra Aguirre can do one thing that is atypical — she is bilingual. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
“My mom and dad know Spanish and lived in Mexico, but I grew up here,” Mayra said. “I grew up my whole life here so I know English. My mom does not know a lot of English but she is learning more and more.”
November 11th
A local high school senior is near to earning his Eagle Scout rank after 12 years of being a member of the local Boy Scouts.
Wapakoneta High School senior David Digiovanni recently completed his Eagle Scout project and his work recognized during a dedication ceremony held this past weekend.
The seventeen-year-old Troop 4 member spent the last year constructing a pet park in Buckland for his project while building stronger friendships with his fellow Boy Scouts.
Favorable prices allowed more miles to be added to road pavement markings this year, which should lead to safer roads and expected cost savings next year, a county official says.
Auglaize County Engineer Doug Reinhart, with the approval of the Auglaize County commissioners, amended the contract with Dura Mark to add 20 miles of center and edge lining to county roads. The amendment included an additional $6,000 in costs, funded through 2011 Motor Vehicle Gas Tax funds.
A wholesale power supplier and services provider recently honored Wapakoneta administrators and city Electric Department employees for their work during the past year.
Wapakoneta Mayor Rodney Metz shared American Municipal Power Inc.’s enthusiasm for city employees work on replacing lines throughout the system and installing new substations.
These men and women have served their country, but they often find it difficult to find work in the country they defended.
Staring at a 22 percent unemployment rate for veterans between the ages of 18 and 24, Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown called for swift passage Thursday of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. The provision would be a component of the American Jobs Act passed by Congress with a Senate vote Thursday.
By CARLA MEYER
Staff Writer
Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the wars from Afghanistan and Iraq walked under the red, white and blue American flags they vowed to protect and the people who call America home.
The veterans of war and peace time paraded down the hallway into the gymnasium to be honored by Wapakoneta Middle School students during their annual Veterans Day ceremony.
A second generation physician serving Wapakoneta struggled to find the words to describe the way he felt when he and his wife, also a physician, received the honor as the top citizens of the year.
“I was really surprised,” the man said. “It certainly wasn’t anything that was expected.”
These were Dr. George Herman’s first words when asked about the award at the conclusion the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Annual Meeting & Community Banquet Awards at the Grandview Plaza.
Dr Herman and his wife, Dr. Parmie Herman, were named 2011 Citizens of the Year during the banquet.
