Monthly Archives: July 2020

Uncategorized

DeWine Orders Face Coverings in The 7 Level 3 Emergency Counties

1 Comment

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

Tuesday, in a a new effort to prevent the spread of COVI-19, Governor Mike DeWine issued an order for mandatory mask/face covering for Ohio’s seven counties which are listed as Level 3 the Ohio Public Health Advisory System grading system. 

The order goes into effect at 6pm Wednesday July 8th, 2020.

Those counties are Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Montgomery and Trumbull which include largely populated urban areas. Level 3 Emergency advises there’s a “Very high exposure and spread. Limit activities as much as possible.” Many mayors in these counties have already mandated face coverings in their cities, but DeWine says it expanding the order to the county borders of these affected areas will help slow the spread.

“If 75 to 80% of Ohioans will wear a mask, we’ll give this virus a big hit in the stomach… we’ll give it a good swat” said DeWine. “This is what’s required for Ohioans to stay safe… we’re working with local officials – we think this is going to help.”

Franklin County has had nearly 11,000 total cases and more than 1,100 hospitalizations. Just over 7,000 are presumed recovered while 431 have died. Between Cuyahoga (Cleveland) and Hamilton (Cincinnati), there have been 14,206 cases combined in addition to 583 deaths, 2,359 hospitalizations with just over 8,600 presumed recoveries.

DeWine also shared the statewide numbers, results are showing COVID-10 affecting younger demographics in recent weeks, impacting those under 29. The median age affected is 45 statewide.

DeWine met with the Health Commissioners for each of the seven Level three counties and reports many of the cases they’re seeing, many of the same surnames were regular occurrences giving the thought the affects are resulting from family gatherings. Other indicators were said to show the spread coming from workplaces and churches. 

The Ohio Public Health Advisory System Dashboard from www.coronavirus.ohio.gov

CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS:

Statewide as of 2pm ET Tuesday, July , 2020 (difference since Monday at 2pm ET): Ohio has 58,904 (+948) total COVID-19 cases with 41,438 (+635) presumed recoveries, 8,383 (+134) hospitalizations and 2,970 (+43) deaths due to the virus.

Cases by county in the Scioto Valley Region since the count began in March 2020: (difference from Monday)

FAIRFIELD, 585 (+13), 391 recoveries (+81), 64 Hospitalizations (+1), 16 (0) deaths.

FAYETTE, 46 (0), 45 recoveries (0), 6 Hospitalizations (0), 0 deaths.

HIGHLAND, 45 (0), 34 recoveries (0), 9 Hospitalizations (0), 1 (+1) deaths.

HOCKING, 78 (0), 65 recoveries (0), 16 Hospitalizations (0), 8 (0) deaths.

JACKSON, 24 (+1), 16 recoveries (0), 3 Hospitalizations (+1), 0 deaths.

PICKAWAY, 2,201 (+4), 2,095 recoveries (+4), 73 Hospitalizations (+1), 41 (0) deaths.

PIKE, 24 (+1), 15 recoveries (+2), 5 Hospitalizations (+1), 0 deaths.

ROSS, 130 (+3), 85 recoveries (+2), 26 Hospitalizations (0), 3 (0) deaths.

SCIOTO, 45 (+4), 21 recoveries (0), 6 Hospitalizations (0), 0 deaths.

VINTON, 22 (0), 20 recoveries (0), 6 Hospitalizations (0), 2 (0) deaths.

LOCAL PRISONS:  See all the ODRC numbers here 

Sports

Reds & Indians 60 Game Schedule Released

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

Major League Baseball released the 60 game schedules for teams for the modified 2020 season.

Ohio’s two clubs will face each other the first week of August, first in Cincinnati August 3rd and 4th then the two travel to Cleveland on August 5th and 6th for their annual four game interleague set.

The Reds open with the Detroit Tigers July 24th at Great American Ball Park for the first of a home stand which includes four games with the Chicago Cubs.

The Indians will open at Progressive Field with the Kansas City Royals July 24th followed by four games with the Chicago White Sox.

The MLB season was put in jeopardy by the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, following weeks of negotiations between ownership and the players union, the two agreed on the shortened schedule.

The regular season runs through September 27th.

SEE THE CINCINNATI REDS SCHEDULE

SEE THE CLEVELAND INDIANS SCHEDULE

Watch Litter Media’s interview with Manager David Bell during the 2020 Reds Caravan Tour stop in Chillicothe last January.
Sports

Bob Goldring Named OHSAA Interim Executive Director

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors President Dan Leffingwell has announced today that Bob Goldring has been named interim executive director, effective immediately. Goldring has served as the OHSAA senior director of operations and is completing his 25th year as a member of the staff.

Goldring is serving as interim executive director in place of Jerry Snodgrass, who assumed leadership duties in July 2018 when Dan Ross resigned after 14 years at the helm. Snodgrass is leaving after 12 total years with the OHSAA following a 31-year career in education as a teacher, coach and administrator. 

While leading the administrative functions until a permanent executive director is selected, Goldring will also work closely with state government leaders and school district administrators in developing a plan for return to play in the fall. The OHSAA will conduct a nationwide search beginning immediately to fill the executive director vacancy. 

“Through a collaborative effort, we look forward to Bob guiding us and, more importantly, the OHSAA providing guidance to our member schools on the anticipated re-start of interscholastic athletics this fall,” said Leffingwell, superintendent of the Noble Local Schools in Sarahsville. “He brings a solid understanding of the association’s responsibilities to serve member schools and administer sports. Bob is a proven relationship-builder who will reliably serve our member schools until the position is filled permanently.”

During the 2015-16 school year, Goldring was also the OHSAA acting executive director from mid-March to mid-June of 2016 when Ross was on medical leave. A graduate of Orrville High School, he holds two degrees from The Ohio State University. He joined the OHSAA in the fall of 1995 as director of information services, was promoted to assistant commissioner in June 2005 and served in that role until becoming senior director of operations in August 2008.

“I am honored by the confidence the Board has placed in me,” Goldring said. “We have a solid team of knowledgeable and dedicated professionals at the OHSAA who are committed to serving our member schools. My top priorities are to prepare for return to play this fall and successfully lead the team until a permanent executive director is hired.”

Sports

No Fans For The Memorial; Tournament Makes Announcement Monday

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

The Memorial will be played, without spectators. Tournament officials made the announcement Monday morning.

READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT

In the release, “We applaud the leadership, diligence and partnership it took from Jack Nicklaus, Dan Sullivan, the entire Memorial Tournament staff and State, County and City leadership to build a solid plan that would allow for limited fan attendance at next week’s event,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “But given the broader challenges communities are facing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we need to stay focused on the No. 1 priority for our Return to Golf — the health and safety of all involved.  While this was a difficult decision, it was one made collectively, and we are appreciative of the process undertaken to this point that will allow us to welcome on-site fans when the time is right.  In the meantime, we have no doubt that the Memorial Tournament will once again be an incredible championship and deliver the best competitive environment for our players and utmost entertainment to our fans around the world.”

In mid-June, Governor Mike DeWine approved a plan for the tournament to allow 20% capacity for spectators to attend The Memorial being played July 14-19, 2020.

Uncategorized

Jackson Co. Health Reports Local Restaurant Employee Case of COVID-19

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

The Jackson County Health Department reported Sunday one of the four new laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county is an employee at a local restaurant.

In the release made on the Health Department’s Facebook Page, the person is an employee for Dakota’s Roadhouse.

Stated in the release, “It was inevitable that a situation like this would occur within our county and there is a very high likelihood that a similar situation could happen at any public facing business within the county.”

Entering the weekend, Jackson County had a total of 19 cases of COVID-19, 11 recovered cases of 348 tested. The county is one of 53 in Ohio zoned as Level 1 per the Ohio Public Health Advisory rating introduced by Governor DeWine last Wednesday. Level 1 means “Active exposure and spread. Follow all current health orders.”

“Thankfully, this individual and the management of Dakota’s Roadhouse did everything that has been asked of them and acted swiftly and professionally” added the statement from the Health Department. “JCHD and Dakota’s Roadhouse management and employees worked in unison to review the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, Governor Mike DeWine’s office and local plans to make sure that all appropriate measures are set in place.”

Part of the plan includes a “deep clean and sanitize the building in order to keep it safe for their patrons and employees. Currently there are no other ill individuals associated with this event.”

https://www.facebook.com/jacksoncopublichealth/posts/1163954790624718

The Ohio Department of Health and JCHD remind citizens to wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, cover coughs and sneezes and dispose of tissues properly and to maintain a practice of physical distancing with a spacing of at least 6 feet.

Uncategorized

From the Litter Media Cameras: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse On July 5, 2020

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

https://www.facebook.com/LitterMedia/posts/561488891190513

A partial penumbra lunar eclipse was visible by most of North America the evening of July 4th with its peak of the eclipse at 12:29am on July 5, 2020.

Three of the photos above were taken with a Canon Rebel T6, 75-300mm lens with an ISO of 100 and 1/125, f11. The photo of the setting was taken with an iPhone 8.

If you missed the July penumbra lunar eclipse, the next is November 30 later this year.

Uncategorized

Flowers Along US 23

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has used wildflowers as pollinators along grassy areas throughout the state for years.

One such stretch is the former weigh station areas on US 23 near Ohio 159 north of Chillicothe in Ross County.

In a recent update of The Loop from ODOT’s media division, the pollinators not only help the environment, but also save taxpayers in mowing costs.

See more flowers on the Litter Media Facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/LitterMedia/posts/560684094604326
Uncategorized

Spargursville Road Repair Continues

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

A portion of Spargursville Road in Ross County received road slippage repair work this week.

The road has been a challenge for work crews and travelers since the slippage began in 2018.

Ross County Engineer, Charles Ortman confirmed with Litter Media in April, the road would expect to receive attention by mid summer 2020.

The remainder of the project will likely take more time as only one lane remains open. Workers attempted to repair the work in 2018, however the work was washed away in another heavy rainfall. It was one of 20 county roads impacted by slippage, forcing work to be delayed till now.

The portion of Spargursville Road near Storms Chapel before the week of June 29, 2020
The same stretch of roadway following the work the week of June 29, 2020.

Uncategorized

Getting Ohio Back to School; New Advisory Zones

Presented by Hometown-Motors, Inc.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivered on his promise made earlier in the week, to release information on the state guidelines for opening schools safely next month.

Holding up a 36 page handbook for schools assembled by school administrators and the Governor’s office, DeWine addressed the dynamics of demographical breakdowns the schools are facing.

SEE THE BACK TO SCHOOL HANDBOOK HERE

OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY SYSTEM:
The Governor then introduced territorial grading system rating the impact COVID-19 is making county-by-county across the state.

Most of Southeast Ohio was a Level 1 grade, deemed “Active exposure and spread. Follow all current health orders.” 53 counties are at Level 1.

Fairfield, Lawrence, Pickaway and Scioto join 24 other counties at Level 2 “Increased exposure and spread. Exercise high degree of caution. Follow all current health orders.”

Many urban areas at Level 3 grades “Very high exposure and spread. Limit activities as much as possible. Follow all current health orders.”

The highest is Level 4 “Severe exposure and spread. Only leave home for supplies and services. Follow all current health orders.” No county is at Level 4 at this time.

DeWine says the zoning system would be updated on Wednesday’s.