Early Bird Newspaper 100619

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THE EARLY

BIRD NEWSPAPER

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER PAPER O OF THE GREAT DARKE COUNTY FAIR!

Online at earlybirdpaper.com

Weekend edition

Sunday, October 6, 2019 • $1

Domestic Violence Awareness month observed Susan Hartley | DarkeCountyMedia.com

County commissioners on Wednesday signed a proclamation in observance of National Domestic Violence Month. Front row, left to right, Matt Aultman, Mike Stegall and Mike Rhoades. Back row. Darke County Sheriff Sgt. Tony Royer, and representatives from the Darke County Shelter From Violence Shelter Katrina Angle, coordinator Annie Sonner, Paula Harman, and Traci Riley.

DARKE COUNTY – County commissioners on Wednesday signed a proclamation recognizing the month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness month. On hand in support of the proclamation were Sgt. Tony Royer from the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Annie Sonner, coordinator/victim advocate

from the Darke County Shelter From Violence Inc. and shelter representatives Katrina Angle, Paula Harman and Traci Riley. A portion of the proclamation states the crime of domestic violence “violates an individual’s privacy and dignity, security and humanity.” It goes on to identify the fact that “it is battered women themselves who have been in the forefront of efforts to bring peace and equality to the home.” According to literature avail-

able from Shelter From Violence, domestic violence can be identified as verbal and physical abuse, monitoring and controlling an individual’s actions, destruction of property, and sexual abuse. The Darke County shelter provides advocates as well as emergency assistance with housing. For more information, contact Shelter From Violence by calling 937-548-2020. The calls are answered 24 hours a day and are confidential.

Manure spill Road expansion will have to wait investigated ROSSBURG — A manure spill has reportedly contaminated a portion of the Stillwater River in this area, and work is being done to rectify that. Darke Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) District Administrator Jared Coppock said Wildlife Officer Jeff Wenning received an anonymous complaint and he then reported it late Monday morning to the DSWCD office. The incident reportedly originated at McFeeley-Petry and Cochran roads in Allen Township, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) are investigating and have been on the scene. According to spokesperson for ODNR, someone from its Division of Wildlife staff advised a fish kill occurred and their wildlife officers conducted a count, but indicated the numbers have not been tallied yet. The spill occurred in the North Fork of the Stillwater River, it was noted. “Approximately 650,000 gallons of liquid animal manure was applied to a field prior to a rain event on Sunday,” the ODNR report said. “It was a chemical of sorts. An unknown amount entered into the North Fork.” “It triggered us to go out and see what was going on,” Coppess said. “We traced it back to Cochran Road at a hog facility.” According to Coppess, a farmer had applied an acceptable rate of fertilizer in the dry ground and it came back in the fields “He should have broken up the ground before,” he said. “The farmer was going to work in the field and then we got some unexpected rain on Sunday.” “The impact is on the dead fish and animals,” said Elizabeth Farver, nutrient management technician at the Soil and Water Conservation office. “The Ohio EPA has been on the scene to document the complaint to do XYZ to stop this,” Coppess said. “They are getting the water out and aerating certain places and flushing out the fields.” The problem should not take long to solve. “It is currently under investigation and the suspect is cooperating,” said the ODNR spokesperson. Contact Staff Writer Linda Moody at lmoody@aimmediamidwest. com or at (937)569-4315 ext. 1749. Read more news, features and sports at DarkeCountyMedia.com.

GREENVILLE – Property owners along Wagner Avenue, north of Lowes, may need to wait another month before they will know if they will be paying for an expansion of the roadway. Greenville City Council had an opportunity to approve legislation on Tuesday, but two votes against giving the resolution a second and third reading caused the motion to fail. Council first learned of this project at their first meeting in June and held a special meeting with property owners at the end of June to discuss the details. It could be the first meeting in November before a vote on the actual Resolution of Necessity is considered for adoption by council. The Resolution of Necessity is needed in order to assess the cost to the property owners. Council requires six votes in the affirmative to “suspend the rules and give the resolution a second and third reading by title only,” which would clear the way for a vote on the resolution. With Councilperson Dori Howdieshell absent, the motion needed all six council members present to vote “yes.” Voting against

the motion were John Hensley and Clarence Godwin. Council will hear the second reading at its Oct. 15 meeting. The city’s administration has sought and received a zero interest loan over 30 years to complete the north Wagner Avenue expansion project. Property owners that abut the roadway would pay for the project along their frontage and the city would pay for its portion around the city’s property (retention pond at the corner of Wagner Avenue and Children’s HomeBradford Road). The city’s share is approximately 30 percent of the entire project cost estimated at $1.7 million. Property owners would pay the first 21 years of the loan and the city would pay the remaining nine years. Because this is a special assessment, property owners could not ask for a reduction. The administration believes the city is being proactive with this project to complete the road at one time, unlike the East Russ Road project where the road was expanded each time a business was built. There are still portions of the road that have not been completed because properties have not been improved. Once utilities are extended to the properties and the

Ryan Berry | DarkeCountyMedia.com

The proposed expansion would encompass everything north of the Dollar Tree on the east and Lowes on the west. A small portion of road between the gas station and the Dollar Tree will also need to be expanded.

roadway expansion is complete, the properties would be considered shovel-ready. Council also learned the reason for the need to invest $1.5 million into the wastewater treatment plant. They currently have four clarifiers that were installed between 1968 and 1971. Don Knife, wastewater superintendent, pointed out major repairs have already taken place on the clarifiers and sometimes the “seals weren’t right after they were rebuilt.” After 50 years in service, he believes it is time for them to be replaced in order to meet EPA requirements. The skimmers, scrapers, weirs

GREENVILLE – The Early Bird will once again be honoring veterans with a special edition on the weekend of Nov. 10. Pictures of veterans from any era and current members of the military are being accepted. The Early Bird will also accept sto-

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Contact Editor Ryan Berry at rberry@ aimmediamidwest.com or (937) 5690066. Read more news, features and sports at DarkeCountyMedia.com.

Early Bird honors vets Nov. 10 ries and memories from our veterans from their time in service. Photographs with the person’s name, branch of service and years served or stories/memories can be sent to The Early Bird, c/o Veterans, 100 Washington Ave., Greenville, Ohio 45331 or email rberry@aimmediamidwest.com

(please put Veteran in the subject line). For more information, call and ask for Ryan Berry, managing editor, (937) 569-0066. The deadline for entries is Oct. 23, 5 p.m. Past photographs are on file – call or email if you would like to have the information published in this year’s special section.

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and bridges were upgraded in 1987. They have also had their share of maintenance over the past 30 years. According to Safety Service Director Curt Garrison, the city estimated the cost at $2 million, but the engineer’s estimate came in at $1.5 million. He also noted the engineer’s estimate is generally conservative. The money for the project has been set aside in the wastewater reserve. The project is expected to be completed by December 2020.

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