Wood County

Dangerous and Vicious Dog Law Changes Affect County Dog Owners

May 18, 2012 -- Revised dangerous and vicious dog laws in Ohio become effective on May 22, creating new requirements and standards for dog owners in Ohio. The Wood County Dog Warden, Andrew Snyder, provides the following information to advise county residents of the changes.

Under this revised law if reasonable cause exists and a dog meets the applicable definition, the dog warden or law enforcement officer is required to designate a dog as a nuisance, dangerous, and/or vicious. All unprovoked dog bites will also result in the dog’s automatic designation as a dangerous or vicious dog. Read More

Courthouse Peregrine Falcons

The two Peregrine Falcon parents enjoyed the mild winter and never left the high perch of the Wood County Courthouse clock tower. Last week, the female falcon started to lay her eggs and currently she is taking care of three eggs. The following link will take you to a live feed of the falcon nest, Internet Explorer is required and you may be asked to confirm the installation of a small piece of software from ACTi. This ACTi software is required in order for Internet Explorer to successfully display the video. Please be patient when the page loads, depending on the number of viewers, it could take up to a minute. http://www.co.wood.oh.us/falconcam.htm

Commissioners Release Annual Report On-line

March 22, 2012 -- Today, the Board of County Commissioners released the on-line version of the 2011 Wood County Annual Report, which highlights the accomplishments of various County offices during the year. A printed version of the report will be mailed to households in the County. To request a printed copy please e-mail the Commissioners' Office or call 419.354.9100.

State of the County Address

March 22, 2012 -- Wood County Commissioners, James Carter, Tim Brown, and Joel Kuhlman presented the annual State of the County Address in the Courthouse Complex Atrium. The event was sponsored by the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Business Council. The annual address provided an opportunity for the public to hear the Commissioners’ perspectives on the important events that occurred in Wood County during 2011 and the goals for 2012. Slide Show from Presentation

Wood County Introduces Prescription Discount Card
to Help Alleviate High Costs

March 1, 2012 – Wood County today launched a new program to help county residents deal with the high cost of prescription medications. Through a partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), the free Prescription Discount Card program provides area residents with a card that offers an average of 24 percent savings off the retail price of prescription medications. -- MORE

JFS Implements New Call Center
1.855.ASK.DJFS

November 23, 2011 - Beginning December 1, the Wood County Job and Family Services will begin operation of a call center, under a new program known as Collabor8. The call center, 1-855-ASK-DJFS (1-855-275-3537) will allow customers to interview for benefits by phone following submission of a completed application.

Calls will be answered Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Customer Service Representatives will be available to assist with public assistance changes, case status, and answer general questions about benefits.

Applications may be submitted online, http://ODJFSBenefits.ohio.gov, at the local office located at 1928 East Gypsy Lane Road in Bowling Green or other participating county Departments of Job and Family Services.

Knox County is also implementing this new system on December 1, with Hancock, Sandusky, Morrow, Delaware, and Marion counties joining in January 2012.

Other inquires regarding the Department of Job and Family Services will still be directed to their local office at 419-352-7566.

Homeowner Assistance Available for Repair or Replacement of Failing Septic System

November 9, 2011 -- The Wood County Planning Commission is excited to announce FY10 CHIP grant funds are now available to assist two Wood County homeowners with costs associated with the repair or replacement of an existing, failing septic system. Funds are specifically earmarked for the repair or replacement of failing on-site septic systems. In order to qualify for funding, applicants must reside in a Wood County Township or Village, must own and live in the home, and must meet certain income requirements. A total of two projects will be undertaken, and funds will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. For more information or to request an application, please call toll-free, Poggemeyer Design Group CHIP Housing Assistance at 1-877-836-3206.

Wood County Auto Title Becomes Watercraft Agent

November 8, 2011 -- Cindy A. Hofner, Wood County Clerk of Courts, announced today that she has become a Watercraft Agent for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. She and the staff at the Wood County Title Office will be processing the watercraft registrations at the Wood County Title Office, located at 1616 E. Wooster St., Unit 16, in Bowling Green.

Cindy and her staff at the title office are taking on these additional responsibilities due to customer requests. In researching the possibilities of this undertaking she found that the Bowling Green and southern Wood County areas were not being adequately served in this area.

Whether you need to register your watercraft for the first time; renew the registration; or, transfer the time from a previous owner to yourself; the Wood County Title Office will be glad to assist you.

The hours of the Wood County Title Office are 8:30-4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and 9:00 to Noon on Saturday. The office can be reached at 419-354-9180.

Probate Court Establishes Volunteer Guardian Program

Judge David E. Woessner of the Wood County Probate Court is pleased to announce that a Probate Court Volunteer Guardian Program has been established. This program is expected to benefit a wide range of individuals in need of assistance through guardianship proceedings in the Wood County Probate Court.

The Volunteer Guardian Program will allow trained volunteers to serve in the capacity of guardians of the person for individuals who have been declared incompetent or who are unable to take proper care of themselves. The Volunteer Guardian Program will not deal with guardianships involving control or access to finances or other assets. Training will be provided with the assistance of local professionals and the volunteers will be provided with a thorough overview of the guardianship process. Local attorneys will assist in the completion of initial paperwork as necessary and assist with legal questions that might arise during the initial application process. Ongoing guidance and assistance will be available to the volunteer guardians throughout their service. The program will operate through the Wood County Probate Court and there are no additional operational costs required.

Commissioners Appoint Job and Family Services Administrator

September 29, 2011 -- David Wigent of Bryan has been selected by the Wood County Commissioners, James F. Carter, Tim W. Brown, and Alvin L. Perkins, to fill the Administrator vacancy at the Wood County Department of Job and Family Services effective October 10.

Wigent has served as the Assistant Administrator at the Agency since June 2005. He replaces Paulette Stephens who is retiring at the end of October.

Earlier this year, Wigent received the President’s Award from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Directors’ Association for his leadership with a collaborative project among seven Ohio counties. The purpose of this project is to improve customer service and improve efficiency through the use of technology and streamlined processes.

Prior to working at Wood County, he served as the assistant director of the Williams County Department of Aging.

Sheriff Issues Safe Driving Tips Regarding Fog
We are approaching the time of year that Wood County has heavy fog. This occurs mostly in autumn and spring.

Fog can be thought of as a cloud at ground level. It forms when the temperature drops to the dew point (the temperature at which air is saturated), and invisible water vapor in the air condenses to form suspended water droplets.

Mark Wasylyshyn, Wood County Sheriff, has the following safe driving tips regarding fog:

	Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.
	SLOW down! Most fog related fatalities are the result of a careless driver speeding on the highway.
	Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window and turn off your radio to hear better.
	To increase your vision, use windshield wipers and the defroster to minimize any condensation on the Windows.
	Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
	Be patient. Do not pass traffic.
	If foggy conditions become intense, pull over and stop driving. Of course, make sure the pull off spot is in a safe location. Whenever possible, avoid the highway shoulders. Pull into a driveway or parking lot.

Driving in heavy fog is like driving with a blindfold on. No matter how important the trip is, it is not worth gambling your life.

Commissioners Appoint New Staff Members Following Retirements

August 2, 2011 -- Following the retirements of two long-term staff members within their office, the Wood County Commissioners recently appointed two new staff members.

Commissioners Jim Carter, Tim Brown, and Alvin Perkins appointed Joseph Fawcett of Bowling Green as the new Assistant County Administrator. Fawcett's duties will include managing the County budget preparation process and monitoring appropriations, overseeing and supervising fiscal and clerical staff within the Commissioners' office, and working closely with the County Administrator to provide oversight of projects for Commissioners' related departments. Fawcett, a graduate of Bowling Green State University, is currently employed by the Bowling Green Municipal Court, and is a Captain in the United States Army, having served two tours of duty in Iraq. He will begin employment with Wood County on August 17.

In July, the Commissioners appointed Sandra Long of Risingsun as Clerk of the Board. Her job duties include recording the actions of the commissioners, maintaining the Commissioners' journal and preparing formal proceedings. She officially took over as Clerk of the Board on August 1.

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