Rep. Shane Wilkin Photo Courtesy of Ohio House of Representatives
State Representative Shane Wilkin, a Republican from Hillsboro, has expressed displeasure over the idea of giving away five separate one- million-dollar jackpots to Ohioans who have received a COVID-19 vaccination in an opt-in lottery that Governor Mike DeWine says was his idea.
Wilkin says staff on the Ohio Controlling Board were looking at ways that more than $5 million in funding could be revoked after it was approved in Controlling Board meetings to in 2020 and 2021 for “critical outreach to Ohio citizens,” “public awareness and media campaigns,” and “other non-testing response activities at Ohio Department of Health.”
In an interview with Columbus TV’s ABC6, Wikin said- “My gut reaction was, ‘you’ve got to be kidding me,'” Wilkin said of hearing the Vax-A-Million news last week. “Seriously: this is the best way we can do this?
“I simply disagree with this method of incentive for someone taking the vaccine,” he added.
A spokesman for Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management said Monday that the Vax-A-Million falls within those purposes and Governor Mike DeWine defended the Vax-A-Million idea during a Monday press conference.
“The CARES Act requires that the payments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund only be used to cover expenses that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency…were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved…and were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2021,” said spokesman Pete LuPiba. “The (Vax-A-Million) outreach campaign satisfies each of these three prongs.”
Both Ohio’s Attorney General and the Auditor of State have released statements to acknowledge that Vax-A-Million appears to be legal.
Ohio Department of Health director Stephanie McCloud defended the sweepstakes.
“It is legal to use the funds for what we’re using them for,” McCloud said. “We have to use this money; the idea behind this money is broadly interpreted in the statute to bring awareness, help encourage and facilitate uptake of the vaccine.”
McCloud said the money was not requested from the Ohio Controlling Board with the intent of later running a sweepstakes, but that “everything’s on the table at all points.”
“We knew we were going to find innovative ways to bring vaccine education and vaccine uptake to Ohioans,” she said.
Day 1 of the Southeast District Track & Field Meet at Nelsonville-York High School has Adena Girls and Southeastern Boys in first place in the team standings.
The Lady Warriors have 25 points, with Crooksville second at 21 points. Southeastern Boys have 31 points. Paint Valley stands at 27 points for second place.
The final day for the D-3 meet at N.Y. will be Saturday, May 22nd.
(COLUMBUS)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted provided the following updates on Ohio’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VAX-A-MILLION UPDATE
Governor DeWine announced today that the Ohio Vax-a-Million drawing will be an opt-in program. Starting tomorrow, Ohioans will be asked to register for the drawings by visiting OhioVaxaMillion.com or by calling the Ohio Department of Health at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
Detailed information about the drawings is available in this press release from the Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Lottery.
Ohio’s order reflects the CDC’s recommendation that everyone wear masks when in a healthcare setting, when traveling on public transportation (including airplanes), and when at a business or employer that chooses to require masks.
The CDC recommendations make clear that businesses will be able to choose for themselves whether they continue to require masks in their premises. If a business chooses to require masking for employees and customers, that is permitted under the CDC guidance and Ohio’s order. If a business chooses not to require masks and leave that choice to customers and employees, that is also permitted in the CDC guidance and Ohio’s order.
As advised by the CDC, Ohio’s order also continues to require masking in congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and in settings with large numbers of unvaccinated individuals, such as schools and daycare centers.
YOUTH VACCINATION FAQs
The Ohio Department of Health has created a new Frequently Asked Questions document to answer common questions from parents, guardians, and youth about COVID-19 vaccines.
The document shares information about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, parental consent, where children can be vaccinated, and more.
Just like adults, youth can be vaccinated at many locations across the state that are offering the Pfizer vaccine. This vaccine is available at Children’s Hospitals, as well as a number of regular hospitals, local health departments, retail pharmacies, community health centers, primary care physicians, and some pediatricians.
Parents who would like their child to be vaccinated at their pediatrician’s office are encouraged to call the office first and ask if they are administering the Pfizer vaccine. Pediatricians that are not yet registered to be vaccine providers are encouraged to sign up. Pediatricians and other potential vaccine providers can find more information at odh.ohio.gov.
RESOURCES FOR OHIO EMPLOYERS
As Ohio’s economy recovers, businesses continue to experience difficulty filling open positions. Lt. Governor Husted today outlined the process for employers to report work refusals on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) website. This includes jfs.ohio.gov, unemployment.ohio.gov, and OhioMeansJobs.com.
Because of the wide availability of both jobs and the vaccine in the state, ODJFS now has several buttons featured prominently on their websites for employers to report former employees who are receiving unemployment but have refused offers of suitable work.
Ohio law states that individuals are not entitled to unemployment benefits if they have resigned or have declined an offer of suitable work by filling out the “Eligibility Notice/Refusal to Return to Work Form.”
Employers reporting work refusals should be prepared to provide their name, email address, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), claimant name, claimant ID or the last four digits of the claimant’s Social Security number, and additional details about the specific situation.
ODJFS will then investigate and send both parties an appealable determination on whether the quit or work refusal was for good cause.
Ohio law states that individuals are not entitled to unemployment benefits if they have resigned or have declined an offer of suitable work without “good cause.”
Individuals can visit OhioMeansJobs.com or contact their local OhioMeansJobs center to find and apply for job openings, take skill and career interest assessments, create or improve their resume, or practice interviewing.
OhioMeansJobs.com currently lists more than 180,000 job openings, and nearly 95,000 of them pay more than $50,000 per year.
To find contact information for your nearest OhioMeansJobs center, visit OhioMeansJobs.comand select “FIND A JOB CENTER” at the bottom of the page or call 1-888-296-7541.
(CHILLICOTHE) – The Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce that it has awarded $20,000 in grant funding to thirteen organizations through its Promotional Assistance Program. This Program allows the Bureau to aid local attractions with their promotional efforts for their organizations and activities to raise awareness of Ross County and increase the potential for tourism.
The direction for funding this year was to provide GAP funding to organizations. By amending a stipulation that limited the Program to organizations or activities within their first five-years of existence, the Bureau was able to help support many long-term attractions as well as new events. The Bureau felt this amendment was necessary to assist as many organizations as possible to best ensure a successful 2021 tourism for Ross County.
“It was important to the Bureau to adjust the Program this year to allow for funding consideration of the permanent attractions that bring visitors to Ross County. We wanted to support the efforts of newer events, but also knew that our long-term partners suffered, and they needed the opportunity for assistance” shared Melody Young, Executive Director.
The Bureau would like to announce that the following organizations received funding through this Program: Mighty Children’s Museum, Southern Ohio Forest Rally, Buckeye Off Road Expo, The Scioto Society’s “Passion of Dracula”, the Chillicothe Restoration Foundation, The Buck Fifty, Chillicothe Halloween Festival, Ross County Genealogical Society, Feast of the Flowering Moon, Adena Mansion & Gardens, Chillicothe Trails, Chillicothe Paints, and Paxton Theatre.
Here’s the breakdown: $3,000: Adena Mansion & Gardens $2,200: Southern Ohio Forest Rally $2,000: Buckeye Off Road Expo; Chillicothe Restoration Foundation; Scioto Society $1,500: Chillicothe Halloween Festival; Feast of the Flowering Moon; Mighty Children’s Museum; Ross County Genealogical Society $1,000: Chillicothe Trails $800: Paxton Theatre $500: Chillicothe Paints; The Buck Fifty
“We are excited that tourism weathered the pandemic, and that we could continue this Program to help partners,” stated Young. “Together, with our partners and community, we are ready to safely welcome visitors back and the Bureau is dedicated to leading the way in recovery efforts for Ross County tourism.”
(MIDDLETOWN)—Governor DeWine was joined by Lt. Governor Husted, Representative Rick Carfagna, Ohio Development Services Agency Director Lydia Mihalik, and Ohio Department of Education Superintendent Paolo DeMaria at Amanda Elementary in Middletown, Ohio, to sign House Bill 2, Monday morning.
House Bill 2, sponsored by Representative Rick Carfagna and Representative Brian Stewart, creates the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program under the Ohio Development Services Agency to support the financing of broadband expansion projects in communities across the state.
Numerous statements of support for House Bill 2 can be found at governor.ohio.gov.
As area high school sports league seasons wrapped up, the Southern Ohio Conference saw Wheelersburg and Portsmouth Notre Dame both claiming two titles. The Pirates won team spring titles in softball and girls track. Notre Dame also won championships in those same sports in the SOC’s smaller division.
Youth & Women On Steel is scheduled for May 29th, sponsored by the Pickaway County Sportsmen, along with sponsorship from ODNR.
The Pickaway County Sportsmen promote fair, fun and safe participation in steel sports for youth and women, introducing individuals to the competitive sport. They say they are also committed to instilling the importance of safe responsible firearm handling.
The Challenge Event and fun event is easily understood by the novice and expert alike.
To learn more about and register for our upcoming Youth and Women on Steel event, visit at their website found on the following link: CLICK HERE
(Circleville) — The Ohio Department of Education has awarded Circleville High School English Teacher Danielle Stultz as one of five recipients of the 2021 TORCH Award, according to the Circleville City Schools blog “The Red And Black Report”.
The Teachers of Ohio Representing Character and Heart (TORCH) make the presentation each year, with the 2021 presentation to Mrs. Stultz being done via Zoom on Thursday.
From her district nomination form, Stultz’s application submitted to the state committee read as follows:
The Teachers of Ohio Representing Character and Heart (TORCH) recognition honors five extraordinary teachers annually by celebrating their efforts to model strong character and a heart for their students, colleagues and communities. TORCH recipients should demonstrate dedication to equity and personal commitments to their students.
On behalf of Circleville City, we proudly nominate 9th grade teacher and English Department lead Mrs. Danielle Stultz as our TORCH nominee. In the classroom, Stultz takes an interactive approach to literacy development as her lessons focus on empowering students to use the latest multimedia tools for visual and written storytelling, including video production, screenwriting, and virtual reality. Her use of Gradual Release instruction particularly sets her apart as students transition from being modeled-to, to THE model in their writing technique.
Above all else, Stultz’s dedication to building relationships with their kids in a pivotal transition year (9th grade coming from middle school) is an inspiration to her peers and high school hallway. She continuously invests in getting to know them during the school day and after through building relationships that start in the classroom and transition to real life experiences. From an inclusion standpoint, Mrs. Stultz’s commitment and resolve to help each student is met with students seeking her out for guidance. Students feel a gravitational pull to Mrs. Stultz as not only a teacher, coach, and advisor, but as a human being who cares about them and their successes and problems.
After the school bell rings, Stultz continues to be a catalyst for student academic advancement by way of developing their soft skills and authentic literacy skills as the district In the Know lead advisor, drone team advisor, freshman class advisor, and advisor of our new e-Sports initiative. Through these programs and initiatives, Stultz embeds technological innovation, problem-based learning (PBL), and 21st Century skills into her lessons with her students to foster engagement and systemic growth.
In the community, Stultz expands her classroom with real-world connections serving on our Alumni Association Board, on the Circleville Pumpkin Show announcer’s committee, and as president of the Circleville Education Association. Among her peers, she also leads annual Total Participation Technique (TPT) professional development seminars, has added a 9-12 ELA certification to her 4-9 certification to better aid the 9th grade transition year for students, and serves on the school’s climate committee implementing Focus3 curriculum to staff and students.
It is a culmination of these innovative curricular advances, community involvement, and leadership traits that leads Circleville City to nominate Mrs. Stultz for this prestigious honor. Her leadership and relentless pursuit of developing relationships with her students and peers has left indelible impressions on the academic trajectory of our high school, district, and the students.
Here is the link to the “Black An Red Report” blog, which also contain a video: CLICK HERE:
(CHILLICOTHE) — The Chillicothe VA Medical Center has announced it has expanded opportunities for Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system to access their care by telehealth through the launch of its Digital Divide Consult and continued partnerships with private-sector companies facilitated by the VA’s Secretary’s Center for Strategic Partnerships.
This effort is to ensure all Veterans, regardless of where they live, have convenient access to VA care and these initiatives do just that.
“During the pandemic, VA’s telehealth services have been of critical importance, enhancing options for Veterans in southeastern Ohio to connect with the high-quality care they deserve,” said David Sparks, Connected Care Business Manager. “VA’s Digital Divide Consult assists qualifying Veterans who do not have the internet or technology needed to access telehealth services from home by loaning them internet-connected devices or helping them apply for federal subsidies to meet their technology needs.”
Since January 2021, Chillicothe VA has conducted 8,774 video telehealth visits into Veterans’ homes. Nationally, VA regularly provides over 41,000 video telehealth visits into Veterans’ homes on a typical single business day, exceeding the number of visits VA previously offered over an entire month.
Visit VA Video Connect at the VA App Store (mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect) and VA Office of Connected Care (connectedcare.va.gov) for information about VA telehealth. Veterans interested in scheduling a telehealth visit, in need of assistance with technology and connectivity or interested in a Digital Divide Consult should talk to their VA health care provider or team.
To learn more about the Chilicothe VA’s virtual healthcare programs, contact the Tele-Health/Connected Care Program Office, at 740-773-1141, ext. 16318 or 17516.
