Daily Archives: January 25, 2022

News

Area Fire Departments Among Those To Receive MARCS Radio Grants

Presented By Classic Brands

(Columbus)— The State of Ohio has announced the recipients of the 2022 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems) grant, which totals $3.5 million awarded to 212 fire departments in 57 counties throughout Ohio. 

“We are dedicated to helping Ohio’s first responders by equipping them with state-of-the-art wireless digital communications,” Governor DeWine said. “This grant will help our first responders save lives and be more effective in responding to everyday operations and emergency situations across the state.”

MARCS Grant

The MARCS radio system allows first responders to seamlessly communicate, not only with each other, but with other agencies responding to an incident. MARCS radio system technology is advanced and the costs to acquire and operate can be significant. Priority funding goes to departments applying as part of a regional or county-wide effort, as well as departments that show they are prepared to immediately begin using the MARCS radios upon receiving the award. The MARCS Grant is available annually to fire departments with service areas of 25,000 residents or less and up to $50,000 per department is available through this grant. This funding cycle, the State Fire Marshal received more than $8.5 million in requests for the $3.5 million in total available funding.“

This is a highly-competitive selection process, so our emphasis has been on growing the MARCS program with the goal that one day every department in Ohio is on this communication system,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin S. Reardon. “Having first responders with these state-of-the-art radios improves emergency services for these counties, which increases the level of safety for the communities they protect.”The MARCS system provides statewide, secure, reliable public service wireless communication for first responders.

There are currently over 120,000 voice units and over 1,800 mobile data units on the MARCS system with over 2,800 local, state, and federal agencies statewide.

The complete list of the 212 fire departments in 57 Ohio counties receiving MARCS Grants funding (Including our area) is available on the State Fire Marshal website.

News

Zane Trace FFA Sausage Breakfast Set for February 4th

Presented By McDonald’s

Pictured Front (left to right): Lily Rose, Ashleigh Hupp, Ellie Doles, Sadie Swepston. Back: Braylee Burkitt, Christian Dill, Jurmiha Jones.

The 44th Annual Zane Trace FFA Sausage and Pancake Breakfast is schedule for February 4th, 2022 from 5am to 9am.

There’s a great deal of preparation that takes place for the breakfast. Litter Media’s Dan Ramey visited with some of the FFA members to discuss the process.

Watch Dan Ramey’s sit-down with the ZT FFA members in our Litter Media YouTube link below:

A minimum $5 donation allows you to dine-in or carryout at the Zane Trace Cafeteria.

The event is used as an educational experience as well as a fundraiser for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

News

Fresh Produce Drive-Thru Comes To Bainbridge

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

United Way of Ross County is promoting their next Drive-Thru Produce Market for Friday January 28th.

The event will be at 4988 State Route 50 in Bainbridge. The event will be 10am-11:30am with line up starting at 8:30am.

Want to know about the next Produce market dates Visit www.unitedwayross.org or call the United Way of Ross County Office at (740) 773-3280. Our office hours are Monday-Friday. 9am-5pm.

News

Pioneer Center Receives “Keeping Families Together” Grant

Presented By Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

(Ross County)- The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) has announced Pioneer Center will receive grant funding through the Keeping Families Together (KFT) Iniative through June 2023. The KFT Initiative aims to assist families with keeping their children in their homes and communities by making available funds to provide respite services and other supports for youth with complex behavioral health needs to enable them to remain in their homes. Many of these youth have a history that includes significant trauma and are at the greatest risk of being removed from their homes, entering juvenile justice or child welfare, and being retraumatized.

DODD awarded Pioneer Center the funding of over $60,000 based on the needs of the youth in the Ross County community. Respite services have been available on a limited basis; increasing the funding will further make this support available to more Ross County children and families in crisis. This grant will also fund the unmet need for parent training for families of multi-system youth and children with intensive behavioral health needs. Funding will also cover a unique service — young adult peer supporters who will work with Ross County youth and families. These peer supporters will be able to give their perspectives as ones who has lived through similar experiences.

The following Pioneer staff were integral to receiving this funding: Greg Williamson, Residential Services Director, Laura Martin, SSA Director, Pam Stewart, SSA Lead, Laurie Martin, Positive Supports Coordinator, Todd Tinker, FCFC Coordinator, and Missy Ramey, Family Connections Coordinator.

Pioneer Center continues to create meaningful services and partnerships for the individuals we serve and the families who support them.

Sports

Chillicothe’s Chris Gillespie Finds Success On The Dirt Track Circuit

Presented By Classic Brands

Chris Gillespie of Chillicothe is one of several area dirt bike riders that have made their names known on the national race circuits. Gillespie is a three-time champion on the AHRMA Race Circuit, winning back-to-back national titles in the Hagerty National Cross Country Series Champion Division for Vintage +50 Expert Champ.

(Photo: Chris Gillespie)

Chris was a guest on Litter Media LIVE- Special Edition Tuesday, January 25th, where Mike Smith talked about his career in dirt bike racing, the various divisions he races in and what lies ahead for his chances in 2022 to repeat as national champ.

For more about AHRMA Dirt Bike Racing, go to their website. CLICK HERE:

Watch our interview by clicking the picture below:

(Litter Media Live w/ Mike Smith and Chris Gillespie)

News

Ross 4-H Youth Donates Fair Check Money To Lima Company Memorial

Presented By Rathkamp Financial

A Ross County 4-H member has shown that he’s learned the lesson of giving unto others, with a donation of half his junior fair livestock check to The Eyes of Freedom: Lima Company Memorial.

Cole Barker of the Jefferson Livestock 4-H Club shows market hogs at the Ross County Fair as well as year-round at jackpot shows.

Cole met with Corporal Mike Strahl, who is the executive director of the Lima Company Memorial, who also served with and was wounded during one of the attacks where six of the company were lost.

Watch our Litter Media LIVE Special Edition interview Mike Smith and Cole Barker by clicking the photo below:

(Photo: L-R Cpl. Mike Strahl & Cole Barker- Courtesy of Ross County/OSU 4-H Extension)

The Lima Memorial is a traveling memorial dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the 23 Lima Company men, including 22 Marines and a Navy corpsman, who lost their lives in 2005 in Iraq from IEDs and enemy fire. The men are painted on eight canvases that stand 8.5 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The memorial has toured the country helping people remember and grieve since 2008. “The memorial is also carrying on the legacy of the Lima Company men that were lost, as well as all the men and women that we have lost in all conflicts.”

The Barker Family teaches giving to their children, which has also been seen in Cole’s sister, Avery, who will be donating some of her fair check to 4-H camp scholarships.