Topic: Fremont / Sandusky County Developments & News

[noozer]

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060319/NEWS17/603190308/-1/NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article published March 19, 2006
Fertile farmland yielding bumper crop of businesses
Strip near State Rt. 53 gets growing


By STEVE MURPHY
BLADE STAFF WRITER


FREMONT - At least once a week, Deb Caldwell visits the busy retail strip on State Rt. 53 in north Fremont.

"It's just convenient," the Green Creek Township resident said as she loaded groceries into her car outside the Aldi supermarket on a recent weekday morning. "All the stores are in one area. I go into Wal-Mart and the Dollar Tree, Lowe's when I need to, and Staples."..


Contact Steve Murphy at: smurphy@theblade.com or 419-724-6078.

[noozer]

And as we sprawl.... so shall we reap....

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060319/NEWS17/603190314/-1/NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article published March 19, 2006

Shop owners in Fremont remain up over downtown

By STEVE MURPHY
BLADE STAFF WRITER


FREMONT - In the last two years, downtown Fremont has lost its only department store, a furniture business, and a bank.

All moved to the State Rt. 53 corridor on the northern edge of town, a booming area of retail and commercial development.

Downtown's vacancy rate is up, but development officials and businesses are not singing the blues. They point to revitalization efforts and a vibrant mix of specialty shops, service providers, and entertainment venues...


Contact Steve Murphy at: smurphy@theblade.com or 419-724-6078.

[buildingcincinnati]

Mayor wants to annex land for housing development
Fremont News-Messenger, 4/5/06

Fremont City Council members are being asked to annex land for a housing development. 

"This type of development has been going to Ballville Township to our south," Mayor Terry Overmyer wrote in a memo to city council members asking them to approve the annexation on an emergency.  "This project is a great start in getting these type of condominium projects in our city limits."

The 32.74-acre plot would be zoned as residential property.  Details of the project were unavailable Tuesday night.

[buildingcincinnati]

Council OKs annexation of Ballville land
Fremont News-Messenger, 4/7/06

Fremont city council members opened the city's borders to 135 new homes in Ballville Township during Thursday night's meeting.  Acting on a request by developer Tom Kern, council members voted unanimously to annex the 32.74-acre grassy plot that will be accessed off Smith Road, across from the south driveway of Grace Community Church, which is at 900 Smith Road.
   
Kern said he expects to break ground on Meadow Creek Condominiums in May and have a model available to begin selling units as early as September.  Residents might be able to begin moving in around November or December.  The units start in the low $100,000 range, he said.  More expensive units will sell for around $150,000.

[buildingcincinnati]

Hospital plans 'moving along'
Fremont News-Messenger, 4/26/06

Memorial Hospital planned to turn the home once used by the Hayes Presidential Center's executive director into its Center for Sleep Disorders.  That was a proposition that turned out to be too expensive. 

Faced with what could have become a $500,000 bill, the hospital opted to move the center to what had been the inpatient mental health unit.  "Twenty-five thousand dollars or a half-a-million dollars?" CEO Al Gorman said. "This is a no brainer."

[buildingcincinnati]

Hampton Inn behind schedule
Fremont News-Messenger, 4/28/06

Construction continues at 540 Sandusky County Road 89, and every day it looks a little more like a Hampton Inn.

Ash Patel, whose family owns the area's newest hotel, said he's expecting a June or July opening.  "We are running behind our schedule," he said, referring to construction on the 82-room project that will include an indoor pool, fitness room, convenience store and guest laundry.

As his company prepares to roll open its doors, other hotels along the Ohio 53 corridor are making changes just in time for the tourist season.  The renovations, they say, aren't driven by the appearance of a new competitor.

[buildingcincinnati]

Homeless shelter wins state award
Fremont News-Messenger, 5/12/06

Sandusky County's homeless shelter, Liberty Center, Fremont, recently received a special award for the renovation of its new facility on East State Street from the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations. 

The award, a crystal statue, was accepted at a luncheon May 4 in the Atrium of the Capital Building in Columbus by Margaret Weisz, Fremont, director of Liberty Center; Tom Bennett, Clyde, president of the board of directors; and Becky Schofield, vice president of the board.

The award was for the new building project, a 4,800-square-foot building housing up to 26 homeless people.  Renovation was completed in 2005, said Weisz.  The Ohio Nonprofit Excellence Award recognizes creativity, execution, achievement and overall excellence of a specific project or program completed by an Ohio nonprofit organization in 2005.

[buildingcincinnati]

WETLANDS AREA RESTORED
Toledo Blade, 5/26/06

Park Ranger Tom Roy surveys new wetlands near Gibsonburg.  The Sandusky County Park District, in partnership with the North Coast Regional Council of Park Districts, has worked to restore the wetlands area of White Star Park, which was dedicated yesterday.

[buildingcincinnati]

Commissioners OK grant money for six county projects
Fremont News-Messenger, 6/12/06

The Sandusky County commissioners have approved $140,800 in grant money for six county projects.  The money comes through grants applied for by the county through WSOS Community Development Block grants.  The money can only be spent on certain types of projects and is generally used to help low-income families or to make facilities more handicap-accessible.

The largest allocation was $40,000 for the Sandusky County Community Work Program in which low-level, non-violent offenders at the Sandusky County Jail do various projects in exchange for resuced jail time.  Another $15,000 was awarded to WSOS's New Directions Summer and After School program.

Other projects include:
* $29,000 for handicap accessibility to curbs and sidewalks in the Village of Woodville.
* $8,900 for handicap accessibility at the Sandusky County Jail.
* $4,400 handicap accessibility for the Board of Elections building on Countryside Drive.
* $9,600 for handicap accessibilty at county parks.

[buildingcincinnati]

Bank donates parcel to village of Gibsonburg
Toledo Blade, 7/12/06

Fifth Third Bank, Northwestern Ohio, yesterday donated a parcel of land that it no longer needs to the village for its use.

The 50-by-150-foot piece of property was originally intended for employee parking for Home Banking Co., which was acquired by First National Bank of Toledo and later became part of Fifth Third.

Mayor Ed Herman said the land will be used for municipal parking but could be used later to house the local ambulance station.

[dfly]

More donations sought for county veterans memorial
Fremont News-Messenger, 7/21/06

Lee Swartz, chairman of the Sandusky County Veterans Memorial Fund, said about $18,000 has been raised in order to construct a monument honoring the county's armed forces.  At a meeting with the Sandusky County commissioners Thursday, Swartz said the total cost of the monument is expected to be between $60,000 to $65,000.

Most of the money is being collected from residents who purchase 4-inch-by-8-inch pavers that will rest in the base of the monument.  The pavers can be purchased for $100.  Residents will also be allowed to have a message etched into the paver.  The monument would be made of black granite, and the main tablet would feature a U.S. flag with a 30-inch bald eagle head on the front.

Atlas Industries adding 25 jobs with expansion
Fremont News-Messenger, 7/21/06

With the expansion of its Fremont plant, Atlas Industries announced Thursday morning it will add 25 jobs by the end of the year.  Maurice Clark, vice president of finance at Atlas, said the company will build an addition to the western side of its plant at 1750 E. State St., Fremont.

The expansion will help accommodate the company's plan to begin building large crankshafts for pumps used by the oil and gas industry.  The crankshafts will weigh up to five tons.  The expansion will be about 58,000 square feet and will provide a lunch room, lockers, a restroom and a stock room.

[David]

Sandusky County to get dispatch hub
Toledo Blade, 8/17/06

Sandusky County's former juvenile detention center, which was closed when the county opened a new site, is being renovated at a cost of $413,385 into a new dispatch and communications center for the sheriff's office.

Commissioners' clerk Mary Ann Reser said yesterday the conversion was expected to be done by the end of October.  The county commissioners on Tuesday awarded three contracts for construction, electrical work, and plumbing work.

The Sandusky County juvenile detention program moved into a new $3.8 million lockup in September, 2003.  The old center was a converted youth shelter from the 1950s.

[buildingcincinnati]

From Gannett, 8/26/06:

Candidate says no to mega-farms
By MATT SANCTIS
Staff writer

Democratic congressional candidate Darrell Opfer called for a temporary ban on industrial farms Tuesday in the midst of Sandusky County's biggest annual agricultural event.  At the Democratic tent at the fair, Opfer, a candidate for state representative for the 81st District, said the moratorium is needed to study the economic and environmental impact of the farms.  The operations have stirred debate across the county, stirring some area residents to create organizations to oppose the large farms.  Two farms, each planning more than 2,000 cows, are working to set up shop in the county.
   
Opfer argued Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOscan potentially cause damage to the environment by polluting groundwater and streams.  The large number of cows on such a farm creates so much liquid manure, he argued it may seep into cracks in the ground and eventually contaminate Lake Erie.  Citing Buckeye Egg as an example, Opfer argued the factory farms have a history of ignoring regulations in their permits.  "I am not saying industrial farms are not viable," Opfer said, "but I don't want to see industry farms supplant family farms."

MORE: http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060826/NEWS01/608260301/1002/rss01

[mrnyc]

Sandusky County OKs bids for addition
Toledo Blade, 9/11/06

Sandusky County commissioners have approved bids totaling $146,173 for construction of a 1,000-square-foot addition to the county's board of elections building.  The expansion is designed primarily to store voting machines.  The general contractor is Studer-Obringer Inc. of New Washington, Ohio, which intends to begin construction soon.

[buildingcincinnati]

Both from the 9/23/06 Fremont News-Messenger:

Memorial breaks ground on center
$6.8M project brings physical therapy facility
By MATT SANCTIS
Staff writer

Under a hazy gray sky Friday, hospital employees, politicians and community members gathered for an official ceremony marking the beginning of a new Fremont physical therapy center to improve treatment for area patients.  The facility, situated adjacent to Memorial Hospital, is bordered by Buckland and Cleveland avenues and Memorial Parkway.
   
Hospital officials, who have been planning the project for years, said the facility will help streamline care by bringing some departments together and providing additional office space.  However, its most significant benefits will be to patients, who will be taken care of at a facility that will include a therapy pool, gymnasium and four private rooms. It also will include a kitchen and bathroom that can be used to teach disabled patients how to get around when they are allowed to go home.

This $6.8 million project is one part of an expansion; this part has space for occupational and physical therapy, along with room for HealthLink, the hospital’s occupational health program that serves 12 counties at three sites.

Full story at http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/NEWS01/60923002/1002/rss01

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 12/6/06 Fremont News-Messenger:

Fremont Hampton Inn opens
By LESLIE BIXLER
Staff writer

After one year and seven months of delays, the Fremont Hampton Inn & Suites at 540 E. County Road 89 officially opened Monday.  The hotel is furnished with a modern-style decor and has plenty to offer its guests in its 55,000 square feet.  In the three-story hotel, there are 82 rooms, 25 of which are suites that include a pull-out sofa, wet bar and flat-screen TV.  Five rooms have whirlpool spas.  There are also five handicap-accessible rooms.  Each room includes a microwave, refrigerator, blow dryer and a coffee pot.

More at
http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060303/1002/rss01

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 11/30/06 Fremont News-Messenger:

Mega objections
Retired professor doubts big farms will create well-paying jobs
By MATT SANCTIS
Staff writer

More than 150 people were on hand Wednesday night to hear John Ikerd, a retired professor of agricultural economics, talk about his experiences with large farming operations.  The speech was part of a two-hour meeting organized by Sandusky County Citizens Protecting Our Resources, a group that is opposed to two proposed large-scale dairy farms that are expected to come to the area.  The speech focused largely on issues such as the economic and environmental impact of megafarms on a rural community.
   
Leo Peiffer of Madison Township said he lives just 3 miles from one of the proposed sites, both of which will hold as many as 2,000 cows.  He said he was attending the meeting to get more information on what has happened in other areas.  Among his chief concerns, he said, are health and pollution issues stemming from the large amounts of liquid manure that will be created, as well as how well the farms are regulated.  “It’s just a whole quality of life issue,” he said.

MORE: http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS01/61130001/1002/rss01

[ink]

Making some room
Fremont News-Messenger, 12/13/06

In two to three years, students in several Terra Community College programs will likely have a lot more room in which to operate.  Terra's board approved a renovation late last month to provide space for its Allied Health and Technologies program. The renovations would be made to Terra's Industrial Technologies Building, which houses the college's automotive and welding programs.
   

[KJP]

New-look Valley View has open house
Fremont News-Messenger, 12/15/06

Renovated Valley View Healthcare Center celebrated its first holiday season with its new look Thursday with an open house.  The $500,000 renovation to the facility on June Street took about six months, ending in April. The facility has new carpet, wallpaper and decor.  "People who stop in and who are familiar with the facility don't even recognize it," said Paula Bibler, director of nursing.

The largest upgrade is the improved quality of equipment, along with the walls that have been removed to create more space for lounge areas and dining rooms for residents within the three units.  In the facility, there is a rehab-to-home unit -- private suites for the residents who are coming from the hospital and need skilled care for a short amount of time until they can return home. Also included, is the long-term care unit and the memory care unit for Alzheimer's patients.

[buildingcincinnati]

ODOD press release, 12/4/06:

TAFT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES
State Assistance Will Help Create 1,255 Jobs for Ohioans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2006

AJM Packaging Corporation (AJM), located in Bellevue (Sandusky County), will receive a $200,000 Business Development (412) Grant for costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and equipment.  Originally constituted as a Detroit-based distributor of paper, plastic and related products, AJM is now one of the most innovative paper converters in the nation.  The proposed project includes an expansion and complete renovations to the existing building and the addition of machinery and equipment to manufacture paper plates, cups, bowls, bags and sacks.  Ohio is in competition with Michigan and New Jersey for this project, which is expected to create 150 jobs within three years of the project's initial operations.

The Business Development Account (412) is a grant program to assist companies and communities that are creating or retaining jobs in Ohio. The Roadwork Development Account (629) provides grant assistance to communities for highway and road projects related to job creation and retention. The 629 Program is funded with gas tax dollars and is restricted to public road projects only.

http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/releases/1681.asp

[buildingcincinnati]

Work on Ohio 53 set to finish on time
Fremont News-Messenger, 2/20/07

The Ohio 53 construction project is running on schedule and will be completed by the fall, according to Andrea Voogd, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation District 2 office in Bowling Green.  Currently, the project is in a winter shutdown mode, and crews are working on noncritical weather activities like setting beams on the railroad bridge, Voogd said last week.
 
Voogd said after the winter weather breaks, crews will be going strong and nearing completion.  The last phase of the project will include final concrete pours for bridges, a final course of pavement, setting guardrails, putting up signage, painting the road and installing traffic lights and signs, she said.  Fremont safety service director Ken Myers said he is pleased with the progress made so far.

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 3/27/07 Fremont News-Messenger:

Officials happy with proposal
By MATT SANCTIS
Staff writer

While the proposal is only in its earliest stages, most Sandusky County officials interviewed Monday said they are pleased something might finally be done to increase space and security in the courthouse.  Last week, the commissioners along with representatives from Poggemeyer Design Group of Bowling Green presented two proposals for additional office space to county elected officials.  Sandusky County Recorder Coleen Carmack said "It's nice to see it finally starting to move."  "It's been something (other county officials) have been talking about since I've been in office."

The suggested plan, known as "Scenario B," would include a two-story annex building in the courthouse square between the commissioners' office and the courthouse.  That plan would include a one-story atrium that would link all three buildings together and is estimated to cost about $2.9 million.  The other scenario that was presented Thursday would cost about $2.6 million.  Another $1 million would be added to renovate space already in the courthouse.  In that plan, two county-owned buildings in the 600 block of Court Street in Fremont would be demolished, and an annex building would be built in their place to hold noncourt offices such as the county recorder and treasurer.

More at http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/NEWS01/703270303/1002/rss01
 

[buildingcincinnati]

From the 3/23/07 Blade:

Sandusky County gets new plan for courthouse

FREMONT - There may soon be more room in the Sandusky County courthouse if the county commissioners decide to implement a plan to alleviate space constraints.  Poggemeyer Design Group, of Bowling Green, presented the commissioners with results from a space utilization survey yesterday and made several suggestions on what could be done to alleviate the space crunch at the courthouse.

Commissioners agreed to further study the option that involved constructing a new building directly west of the existing courthouse and east of the county commissioners' offices.  The building, with a $2.9 million price tag, would house all offices not directly affiliated with the courthouse, including the county auditor, treasurer, and recorder.  The new building also would include a one-story atrium in the front to connect with the courthouse and county commissioners' offices.

More at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070323/NEWS17/703230366/-1/RSS08

[buildingcincinnati]

Lakota Schools plan forums on new school
Toledo Blade, 5/3/07

Lakota Local Schools plan to hold two more public forums to hear what people think about a proposal to use state dollars to help build a school for prekindergarten through high school.  The 1,116-student district, which is in parts of Wood, Sandusky, and Seneca counties, could be on the ballot as soon as November to ask voters for the local share of the new school, which would be paid for in part by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.

[buildingcincinnati]

Link contains a photo.  From the 5/17/07 Fremont News-Messenger:

Megafarms discussed
Effect on economy, water quality among concerns raised
By LESLIE BIXLER
Staff writer

WOODVILLE -- About 75 people were in attendance Wednesday night at Woodmore Elementary School to hear guest speaker John Ikerd, retired professor of agricultural economics, talk about his years of experience in researching and dealing with concentrated animal feeding operations.

The two-hour meeting focused largely on residents taking control and responsibility at the local and state levels to make their voices heard by government officials on their profound concerns with mega-dairy farms.  The meeting was organized by the Sandusky County Citizens Protecting Our Resources, a group that is opposed to the two mega-dairy farms that may be coming to the area.

MORE: http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/NEWS01/705170302/1002/rss01

[buildingcincinnati]

Link contains another photo.  From the 6/6/07 Fremont News-Messenger:

PHOTO: A SIGN is posted at a residence just south of the land that has been sold for a proposed dairy farm.  Photos by Charlie Longton/News-Messenger

Farm moving forward
Large-scale dairy farm group buys 75 acres
By MATT SANCTIS
Staff writer

WOODVILLE TOWNSHIP -- One of two large-scale dairy farms may have taken another step toward completion after a recent sale involving roughly 75 acres of land just south of Woodville.

According to documents filed in the Sandusky County Auditor's Office on May 30, the New Ijsselstein Dairy Leasing LCC paid $462,500 for about 75 acres of land near Sandusky County Road 32 in Woodville Township. The land was purchased from Black Swamp Holdings, a company managed by Sandusky County Commissioner Dan Liskai.

Liskai did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday afternoon. Several members of Sandusky County Citizens Protecting Our Resources, a local group of residents opposed to the large dairy farms, requested the commissioners ask the county prosecutor's office whether the sale creates a conflict of interest due to Liskai's role as commissioner.

On the Net
Sandusky County Citizens Protecting Our Resources: http://www.sc-cpr.org

Vreba-Hoff Dairy Development: http://www.vrebahoff.com
 
MORE: http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/706060302/1002/rss01

[buildingcincinnati]

Spader Freight plans $3 million expansion in Clyde
Sandusky Register, 6/12/07

Spader Freight Services is moving up.  The company plans a $3 million expansion at its Clyde location that would secure the jobs of 81 full-time employees.  According to Clyde City Manager Dan Weaver, Spader Freight Services President David Spader has applied for a 15-year, 75 percent tax abatement for building a new warehouse.

Operating out of Tiffin, Spader has proposed constructing a third 115,000-square-foot building at its Elm Street property, an area that Spader said is a viable location for the business to expand and produce.  According to the company's Web site, company officials decided that the best route to handle overwhelming customer support and demand would be to add another distribution center to keep the company ahead of the game.

[buildingcincinnati]

Hayes Museum starts $1M restoration
Toledo Blade, 7/1/07

FREMONT -- Calling it the most significant project in its history, the Hayes Presidential Center has launched a $1 million restoration aimed at making key areas of the president's home look just as they did when Rutherford and Lucy Hayes lived there, right down to the upholstery on the chairs and the pictures on the walls.

Restoration experts were at the house last month to search for clues to original paint colors, wallpaper designs, furniture upholstery, and light fixtures.  In many cases, they were able to match what they found - or what they suspected - with photographs taken by a Hayes relative while the president was still living.

Gail Caskey Winkler, a Philadelphia-based design historian, said it's a huge help to have so many photographs of the home's interior, receipts, and contracts for nearly every purchase President Hayes made for the house, as well as a nearly complete collection of furnishings, pictures, and personal belongings of President Hayes and his wife.

[stickem]

At first I was just going to make a thread about the middle school probably being torn down (the building was built in 1891 and I always liked how it looked) but since there's a few other news stories that may be of interest to some people, and a lack of news for this area, I guess I'll just make an all encompassing thread for random stuff.

Fremont board ponders tax issue

Levy would replace aging middle school
By CHAUNCEY ALCORN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

FREMONT - Fremont City Schools officials are considering placing a levy on the November ballot to raise the money needed to build a replacement middle school.

The school board voted Monday to participate in the Ohio School Facilities Commission's Exceptional Needs Program, which ranks Fremont Middle School No. 1 on its list of Ohio school building in the most need of replacement.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS17/806260399

There's an image of it in the NW Ohio gallery of this site.



I guess some demolition can't be stopped when the foundation is slipping and it uses excessive energy.

[ink]

The building actually looks newer than 1891; I would have said 1910's/20's.

Demolition would be ashame with its location in front of the little park (with the crazy fountain) and adjacent to the courthouse.

[stickem]

The Ballville dam will be torn down, made way for a reservoir which will subsequently add 22 miles of spawning points for lake Erie white bass and walleye (probably getting rid of the masses of fisherman downtown for a few weeks a year :/), make the drinking water a bit cleaner (lots of nitrate problems when it overflows) and improve the water health of the river and therefore the Sandusky bay.

Fremont to spend millions fixing water, sewer system

By CHAUNCEY ALCORN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

FREMONT - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency yesterday approved design plans for construction in Fremont of an estimated $20 million reservoir, which the agency is requiring the city build to filter toxins from its Sandusky River drinking water supply.

On top of that, Mayor Terry Overmyer said, the Ohio EPA is making the city install unnecessary separate wastewater and stormwater systems, which will drive Fremont $70 million to $90 million in debt and put a burden on businesses that will deter new businesses.

Contact Chauncey Alcorn at:
calcorn@theblade.com
or 419-724-6168.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS17/807020427

[stickem]

The building actually looks newer than 1891; I would have said 1910's/20's.

Demolition would be ashame with its location in front of the little park (with the crazy fountain) and adjacent to the courthouse.

They would apparently rebuild the school on the same site thankfully.

edit: at least, I think I remember reading that somewhere. I can't trust my memory sometimes.

[stickem]

Another good article about the health benefits of removing the dam I just found.

Dam removal might bring walleye boom

Saturday, June 28, 2008
D'Arcy Egan
Plain Dealer Columnist

Fremont, Ohio- The Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River will mark its 100th birthday in 2011, and state officials hope to celebrate by removing the badly aging structure.

As soon as a new reservoir is tentatively completed in 2012 to provide drinking water for the city of Fremont, replacing a sediment-filled lake behind Ballville Dam, the Sandusky River dam will not be needed. It will take awhile for the river channels behind the dam to match the channel below the dam. When that happens, spawning walleye will be able to swim many miles upriver in spring - as walleye and sturgeon did a century ago - and enjoy vast stretches of prime spawning habitat.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1214641835125190.xml&coll=2

[oakiehigh]

Your seeing that sort of thing all over!    I do like the environmental effects that come from it!    Where is this new reservoir going?   Did I miss that?

[stickem]

Your seeing that sort of thing all over!    I do like the environmental effects that come from it!    Where is this new reservoir going?   Did I miss that?

The city owns some land southwest of town, so just outside of town. I'm not sure exactly where though.

[C-Dawg]

That school demolition thing is sad. Ohio has been on a demolition rampage lately in regards to school "reconstruction." The state prefers demolition over renovation, and they're not even giving renovation a fair argument. It's all part of the collective fetish for self-destruction that is rampant in Ohio.

[oakiehigh]

^Very True.       It is a shame to see that school go.   You know it's replacement will not have nearly as much character as that one.

[stickem]

That school demolition thing is sad. Ohio has been on a demolition rampage lately in regards to school "reconstruction." The state prefers demolition over renovation, and they're not even giving renovation a fair argument. It's all part of the collective fetish for self-destruction that is rampant in Ohio.

I agree that the school destruction is really sad. The district is getting 1/3 of the cost covered by the state though and, as mentioned, it uses excessive energy and has a slipping foundation.

[stickem]

I know this is Ottawa county but oh well, it's an interesting story and the Fremont paper reported on it.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/NEWS01/807160302/1002

Island House ready for reopening

PORT CLINTON -- After being closed for nearly three years, the historic city hotel that housed movie stars, famous athletes and politicians in its heyday is almost ready to open for guests, an official said.

The Island House Inn could take guests this weekend if it passes an Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office inspection conducted Tuesday afternoon for its occupancy permit, said Larry Freedman of Re/Max Lakeshore Realty. Officials had planned to open for the Fourth of July weekend but did not have the necessary permits, he said.

E-mail Kristina Smith Horn at mkhorn@gannett.com.

http://cmsimg.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BB&Date=20080716&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=807160302&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

(picture of it)

[oakiehigh]

^That's a beautiful thing!

[stickem]

Fremont to spend millions fixing water, sewer system
Photo


Zoom | Photo Reprints
By CHAUNCEY ALCORN
BLADE STAFF WRITER

FREMONT - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency yesterday approved design plans for construction in Fremont of an estimated $20 million reservoir, which the agency is requiring the city build to filter toxins from its Sandusky River drinking water supply.

On top of that, Mayor Terry Overmyer said, the Ohio EPA is making the city install unnecessary separate wastewater and stormwater systems, which will drive Fremont $70 million to $90 million in debt and put a burden on businesses that will deter new businesses.

Contact Chauncey Alcorn at:
calcorn@theblade.com
or 419-724-6168.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS17/807020427

I have heard this will put a pretty big strain on Heinz and the Fremont Sauerkraut company (both big users of the sewage system). I really hope something can be worked out, because if Heinz is gone then the town really has no hope considering it's size.

[stickem]

Actual news today!

City trying to clean up site of factory

FREMONT -- The city is taking a step to try and clean up an east side neighborhood that has been the site of a vacant factory for the past four years.
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City council members passed an ordinance Thursday night that allows Mayor Terry Overmyer to file an application for the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund. Obtaining the grant would allow the Clauss Cutlery property to be cleaned up. The site is located on Pine Street.

E-mail Leslie Bixler at lbixler@gannett.com

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080302/1002

Also, more interesting news today.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080303/1002 More chains, but at least this one is good and isn't on route 53 by the turnpike.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080304/1002 Extension of the bike trail, I think the long term plan is to connect this and run it from Cleveland, through Toledo to the far western parts of the state. I know there's already an existing trail around Norwalk and Lorain and Cleveland.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080301/1002 50 more jobs for the city.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS01/808080318/1002 Anything that educates people about alternative energy is good news.

[stickem]

Railroad deal could be boost to local business

FREMONT — A railroad transportation pact announced Monday could potentially save area businesses money and energize others.
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An agreement between the Lake Erie Business Park, Bob Sweeney Jr. and R. Good Logistics was announced during a Fremont Rotary Club meeting at the Fremont Country Club. The pact makes R. Good Logistics the rail operator at the Lake Erie Business Park, located just west of Port Clinton, and will service more than a 100-mile radius of Port Clinton. The agreement takes effect immediately.

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/NEWS01/80909004&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

[tcj1985]

Whirpool Corp. lays off 250 workers in Clyde

By SARAH WEBER | Friday, November 7, 2008 5:39 PM EST
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/11/07/front/966879.txt

CLYDE - "It happens."

"It's too bad."

These are the clipped words of Whirlpool Corp. workers discussing the layoff of 250 employees announced this week.

[stickem]

My buddy was actually layed off

[tcj1985]

Depth of Schulman cuts rocks Bellevue

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/12/11/front/1021414.txt
By CORY FROLIK | Thursday, December 11, 2008 11:03 AM EST

BELLEVUE - Workers at A. Schulman in Bellevue knew layoffs were coming.

A week or two ago, they were told by management to expect a big announcement Dec. 10. Everyone guessed correctly that the announcement would be about trimming the payroll.

What they didn't know was just how many employees would be fired.

Company officials confirmed Wednesday that 34 employees at the Bellevue plant -- 9 salaried and 25 hourly -- will be fired by April 2009.

[stickem]

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20081220/NEWS01/812200306/1002

FREMONT -- After residents voted for the new middle school in November, the district is now in the process of selling the current building--an option they were given by the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission.

E-mail Leslie Bixler at lbixler@gannett.com

[Columbo]

Hayes' home to close for final phase of $1.2M refurbishing

BY JENNIFER FEEHAN, BLADE STAFF WRITER
Published: 1/5/2012

FREMONT -- The last major part of a five-year, $1.2 million renovation of President Rutherford B. Hayes' home at Spiegel Grove is to be completed this winter.  Workers will hang specially made wallpaper in the three-story central staircase and the downstairs and upstairs hallways -- a project that will close the home to visitors from Jan. 24 to Feb. 29.

The project, begun in 2007, is being paid for with $500,000 in state capital dollars, a $400,000 grant from the National Park Service, and $300,000 in donations. 

Restoration experts used photographs, receipts, letters, diary entries, and newspaper accounts to determine the colors and styles of furnishings, wallpaper, and floor coverings that adorned the house in the latter 1800s.  Since restoration began, woodwork, doors, and hardwood floors have been refinished, furniture has been reupholstered, paintings have been cleaned and restored, and carpets and wallpaper have been created.

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/01/05/Hayes-home-to-close-for-final-phase-of-1-2M-refurbishing.html