http://66.213.69.5/files/original/58c67ceed0a4ca9fc603544f77063fb2.pdf 2e930de8231fa4124bc261e3adac7212 PDF Text Text STANDING WITH UKRAINE We at AIM Media stand with SUPPORT the Ukrainian people to support their freedom and UKRAINE sovereignty. www.aimmediacares.com Please visit AIMMediaCares.com/Ukraine or scan the QR code for links to organizations working to help the Ukrainian people in their time of need. What is lead poisoning? NEWS s 2 8 AM 2 PM 8 PM 57° 56° 49° Breezy today with a few showers. Rain and drizzle tonight. High 57° / Low 43° Today’s weather forecast WEATHER s 11 C_ZZb[fehj�š�Fec[heo"�E^_e Breaking news at mydailysentinel.com Issue 55, Volume 76 Support through sunflowers Saturday, March 19, 2022 s $2 3 deaths, 31 new COVID cases reported By Kayla (Hawthorne) Dunham khawthorne@aimmediamidwest. com Khrysta Svystovych | Courtesy photos Students held a “blue and yellow day,” wearing Ukraine’s national colors in support of their friend, Khrysta Svystovych. Ukrainian student supported while in Ohio By Brittany Hively another exchange student went all in with the new-to-them sport. “It was really fun to watch them,” Miller said. “It’s the one true American experience that we can offer our exchange students because they can do cross country and track, things like that in other places, but most countries don’t have cheerleading.Giving them their cheer uniforms, they literally jumped up and down. It was very sweet.” Svystovych was enjoying her experience in America, though she knew there were some Russian soldiers in Belarus, a county that boarders Russia and Ukraine. “But I talked to my parents after that and they said, ‘no everything is calm here. We are not worrying about anything,’” Svystovych said. “They said there was several fire[s] around our town, but they said probably Russians are firing the houses around. Just like proRussian people, but nothing like serious was happening.” bhively@aimmediamidwest.com CROWN CITY, Ohio — Coming to the United States of America was once just a dream for Khrysta Svystovych but thanks to a scholarship that dream soon became a reality, bringing her from Ukraine to America as an exchange student. “I got in America on ninth of September,” Svystovych said. “I won a scholarship for one year here. I just always wanted to come here.” One of Svystovych’s favorite things has been becoming a cheerleader, something that does not exist in her home country. “Gosh, I love that. That’s the best thing to see people[’s] emotion, rise people’s spirit,” Svystovych said. “That’s the best thing, I just love when people smile when you cheer for them and when people repeat after you and you’re like ‘wow.’” The cheer team is where Svystovych met Amber Miller, coach and building substitute. “I then realized how much cheerleaders really do spell,” Miller said. “Because I was having to teach the spelling words as if each letter was a word, so Khrysta Svystovych with her host mom, Dafney Davis, wearing a vyshynka — an An unexpected wake-up call embroidered shirt — in Ukraine’s colors. While Svystovych’s parents It was an easier comprehension they weren’t overthinking the spelling of it and just thought of for them.” Miller said Svystovych and it as more of a sentence to say. AIM Media Midwest Operating, LLC (USPS 145-966) Telephone: 740-992-2155 Publishes every Tuesday through Saturday. Subscription rate is $208 per year. Prices are subject to change at any time. 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 Periodical postage paid at Pomeroy, OH POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Sentinel, 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631. All content © 2020 The Daily Sentinel, an edition of the Gallipolis Daily Tribune. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. reassured her about things back at home, things quickly changed See SUPPORT | 12 Avian Influenza discovered in Ohio Staff Report COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in two bald eagles and a herring gull in northwest Ohio. The results were detected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. According to a press release from ODNR, the herring gull was confirmed HPAI positive in Erie County on Wednesday, March 9. The first bald eagle was confirmed HPAI positive on Friday, March 11 and the sec- ond on Tuesday, March 15. Both bald eagles came from Ottawa County. All three birds are deceased. Additional tests are pending. HPAI has been detected in several states in recent months. The Division of Wildlife is working closely with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other state and federal agencies to monitor HPAI. The virus does not present an immediate public health concern but avoid handling sick or dead birds as a precaution, according to ODNR. See INFLUENZA | 12 OHIO VALLEY — Since the publication of Monday’s update, there were three additional deaths, as well as 31 new COVID-19 cases, reported in the Ohio Valley Publishing area on Friday. Statistics reported on Friday, March 18: In Gallia County, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported 13 new COVID-19 cases. In Meigs County, ODH reported an additional death associated with COVID-19 of an individual in the 80-plus age group. ODH also reported seven new COVID-19 cases. In Mason County, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), reported two additional deaths associated with COVID-19 of individuals in the 71-plus age group. DHHR also reported 11 new cases of COVID-19. Here is a closer look at the local COVID-19 data: Gallia County According to the update from ODH on Thursday, there have been 7,462 total cases (13 new) in Gallia County since the beginning of the pandemic, 399 hospitalizations (2 new) and 121 deaths. Of the 7,462 cases, 7,193 (49 new) are presumed recovered. Case data is as follows: 0-19 — 1,492 cases (3 new), 12 hospitalizations 20-29 —1,200 cases, 22 hospitalizations, 2 deaths 30-39 — 1,090 cases, 20 hospitalizations, 1 death 40-49 — 1,090 cases (3 new), 36 hospitalizations (1 new), 8 deaths 50-59 — 988 cases (1 new), 65 hospitalizations, 13 deaths 60-69 — 802 cases (3 new), 72 hospitalizations, 22 deaths 70-79 — 493 cases (2 new), 101 hospitalizations (1 new), 31 deaths 80-plus — 307 cases (1 new), 71 hospitalizations, 41 deaths Vaccination rates in Gallia County are as follows, according to ODH: Vaccines started: 14,572 (48.74 percent of the population); Vaccines completed: 13,411 (44.85 percent of the population). Meigs County According to the update from ODH on Thursday, there have See COVID | 12 �OBITUARIES/NEWS 2 Saturday, March 19, 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing OBITUARIES RUTH FRANK RACINE — Ruth Frank, 90, of Racine, died Friday, March 18, 2022 at Overbrook Rehab Center in Middleport. Born February, 23, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Critten (Critt) and Lois Apgar Bradford. Ruth was the valedictorian of the 1950 class of Racine High School. She was employed in Middleport at Heiners Bakery, Imperial Electric and CAA as well as COAD in Athens. Ruth was the first woman deputy in the Meigs County Sheriff’s Department and attended and taught Sunday School at the Racine Methodist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Anna Frank Norman and Lois (Rick) Hawkins; six grandchildren, Corey, Tara, Jennifer, Victoria, Amy and Ashley; eleven great-grandchildren, Lily, Alexis, Sydney, Dakota, Kyla, Quentin, Isaiah, Koby, Mack, Decklin and Skyla. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Ray Frank; one sister, Mary Carson; one brother, C.C. Bradford and her step-mother Beaulah Bradford. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at the EwingSchwarzel Funeral Home in Pomeroy with James Holman officiating. Burial will be in the Letart Falls Cemetery in Letart. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Friends are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at ewingfuneralhome.net. DEATH NOTICE WATSON CROWN CITY — Johnny Paul Watson, 62, of Crown City, died Friday, March 18, 2022 at his residence. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday , March 21, 2022 at Hall Funeral Home & Crematory in Proctorville. Funeral services will be on Tuesday March 22, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery in Galia County. GALLIA, MEIGS COMMUNITY BRIEFS Editor’s Note: Gallia Meigs Briefs will only list event information that is open to the public and will be printed on a space-available basis. Lenten Fish Fry GALLIPOLIS — The Lenten Fish Fry menu returns to St. Louis Catholic Church, 85 State Street, Fridays in March. Serving is set for 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. March 25. Offering meal packages from $12 to $15, as well as a child’s menu for $6. Serving shrimp, fried and sauteed fish, side dishes, desserts, drinks. Kindergarten registration GALLIPOLIS — Registration will be held for children who will be five-years-old before Aug. 1, 2022. Bring birth certificate, shot records, social security, proof residency and registration packet. Remain in vehicle for staff to collect packet and documents. Remaining sign up at Rio Elementary 740-245-5333 — March 21-22. Call home school to register. Chicken BBQ MIDDLEPORT — The Middleport Fire Department will be hosting the first chicken BBQ of 2022 on March 26. Serving begins at 11 a.m. Call 740992-7368 for pre-orders. Storytime at the library MEIGS COUNTY — Story Time is held at each Meigs Library location weekly. Bring preschoolers for stories and crafts. Mondays at 1 p.m. at Racine Library; Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at Eastern Library; Wednesdays at 1 p.m. at Pomeroy Library; and Thursdays at 1 p.m. at Middleport Library. K, preschool registration RACINE — Registration for Kindergarten will be held on April 12-13 for children that will be 5 years old before Aug. 1, 2022. Registration for Preschool will be held on April 11-12 for children turning 4 years old by October 1, 2022. To make an appointment, call the office at 740-949-4222. Lincoln Day Dinner MIDDLEPORT — The annual Lincoln Day Dinner, by the Meigs County Republican Party, will be held Thursday, April 7 at The Blakeslee Center, behind the old high school, in Middleport. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by any republican party member or Bill Spaun at 740416-5995; Judy Sisson at 740-992-2076 or Sandy Iannarelli at 740-541-0735. MARY LOUISE (THOMAS) MAGGIED CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mary Louise (Thomas) Maggied, beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, known to the people who loved her most as “Putchie”, died on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at the age of 91. Mary was born in Middleport, Ohio February 24, 1931. She lived in Charleston, W.Va., with her late husband Zol Maggied for 67 years. Mary loved Charleston. She first lived on the Kanawha River where she enjoyed watching the tug boats. Mary then moved up the hollow to Lower Donnally. It was there that Mary loved to watch the birds, bear, and deer. She was an avid member of the community, and had many friends young and old. Mary worked at CMAC speech and hearing for nearly 30 years. She attempted to retire many times, and always changed her mind because she loved to work. She was extensively involved in her children’s activities as PTA president, homeroom mother, and Boy Scouts den mom. She taught her three sons how to throw a baseball, and once accidentally rode one of their dirt bikes up a tree. Mary’s door was always open. She welcomed her son’s friends and neighborhood kids with open arms. Mary had a hard working “make it happen” attitude, she never said a bad word about anyone. She hated cooking and loved ironing. She could change a tire, no problem. She claimed she could outrun a bear. She made an incredible tuna salad and an impressive oatmeal cookie. Mary loved birds, especially red cardinals. She had a collection of small glass birds she kept in her living room. She had an unforgettable laugh, and a spectacular eye-roll that her family has since coined “The classic Maggied eye-roll.” Mary took immense pride in her three sons, she loved them more than anything. If you ever had the chance to ask about her sons, she would tell you they were perfect. She had unconditional love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, too. Always kind, always patient, Mary was a doting Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Until her very last days, Mary kept the framed pictures of her family close to her heart. Above all, those who knew her, loved her dearly. Her legacy will surely live on through her family, left with decades of fond memories. The greatest source of joy in Mary’s life was undoubtedly her family. Preceded in death by her husband, Zol Maggied, of nearly 69 years; her mother, Stella (Donahue) Thomas; father, Sanford Thomas; brother, Harold Thomas and sister, Wanda (Thomas) Haskin. Mary is survived by her siblings David Thomas (Diane) and Laura “Polly” Hysell (Milford); her three sons, Jeffrey Maggied (Shannan), Steven Maggied (Laurie) and Brian Maggied (Toni); her adoring grandchildren Sarah, Laura, Michelle, Jason and Brent, as well as her great grandchildren Jack, Wolf, June, and River, forever influenced by the time they spent with her. In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that donations be made to; Hospice Care, 1606 Kanawha Blvd West, Charleston, WV 25387. What is lead poisoning? Was your home been built prior to 1978? If so, it may contain leadbased paint, which can cause lead poisoning. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but some states banned it even earlier. Lead paint is still present in millions of homes, sometimes under layers of newer paint. Lead is a heavy metal found in the Earth’s crust. It is a natural element that does not break down in the environment and is very hard to clean up. Lead exposure occurs in the home environment due to deteriorating paint, which is peeling, chipping, or chalking. Deteriorating paint chips can be ingested by small children, and create a dust which many children also come into contact with lead by hand-to-mouth exposure and inhalation. Childhood lead poisoning is 100% preventable. Some symptoms for children that have lead poisoning may include developmental that it will cause delay, learning problems. For difficulties, loss of instance, someappetite, weight times it’s better to loss, sluggishseal in rather than ness and fatigue, remove old lead abdominal pain, paint. For chilvomiting, constipation, hearing Meigs dren and adults with relatively loss and seizures. Health low lead levels, You can have your child’s blood tested Matters simply avoiding Daschle exposure to lead for high levels of Facemyer might be enough lead at your child’s to reduce blood primary care lead levels. There is also provider or local health heavy metal toxicity department. A blood medication which can be test is the only way to obtained at a health care determine if your child provider. This medicahas a high lead level – tion attaches itself to most children will not heavy metals in your show symptoms. Some bloodstream and takes symptoms adults may have from lead poisoning it out through urine or stool. may include high blood Other sources that may pressure, joint and muscle pain, difficulties with include lead can be from memory, having trouble water that is transported concentrating, headache, through lead soldered pipes. Glazes found on abdominal pain and some ceramics china and mood disorders. The first step in treat- porcelain can contain lead that can leach into ing lead poisoning is to food served or stored remove the source of in the pottery. Lead is the contamination. If sometimes found in you can’t remove lead from your environment, toys and other products produced abroad. Tiro, you might be able to an eye cosmetic from reduce the likelihood Nigeria, has been linked to lead poisoning. Kohl is another eye makeup that may contain lead. Lead poisoning has been linked to greta and azarcon, traditional Hispanic medicines, as well as some from India, China and other countries. Tamarind, an ingredient used in some candies made in Mexico, might contain lead. People who are exposed to lead and can bring it home on their clothes when they work in auto repair, mining, pipe fitting, battery manufacturing, painting, construction and certain other fields. If you think your home may contain lead and you want more information on lead poisoning you can visit the Ohio Department of Health website or CDC website for more information. You can also contact the Meigs County Health Department at 740-9926626 Monday-Friday (8 a.m. - 4 p.m). Daschle Facemyer, B.S., is Sanitarian in Training for the Meigs Health Department. GALLIA, MEIGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Editor’s Note: The Daily Sentinel and Gallipolis Daily Tribune appreciate your input to the community calendar. To make sure items can receive proper attention, all information should be received by the newspaper at least five business days prior to an event. All coming events print on a space-available basis and in chronological order. Events can be emailed to: TDSnews@ aimmediamidwest.com or GDTnews@aimmediamidwest.com. Card shower June Hudson will be celebrating her 99th birthday April 3. Cards may be sent to 444 Reese Letart Township Trustees, 5 p.m., Letart TownHollow Rd., Gallipolis, ship Building (49380 SR OH 45631. 124), cemetery fees will be discussed. GALLIPOLIS — The American Legion Lafayette Post #27, the Sons GALLIPOLIS — Jerry of the American Legion Lucas, NBA Hall of Fame Squadron #27 and the member and former Mid- Legion Auxiliary E-Board members will meet at dletown High School, 5p.m., at the post home Ohio State University on McCormick Road, all and New York Knicks E-Board members are star, will be speaking at 10:25 a.m., First Church urged to attend. GALLIPOLIS — The of God, 1723 State Route American Legion Lafay141. ette Post #27 will meet following the E-Board meeting at 6 p.m. at post home, all members are urged to attend, nomination of officers will take LETART TWP. — place. Regular meeting of the Sunday, March 20 Monday, March 21 Thursday, March 24 POMEROY — A Special meeting of the Meigs County Transportation Improvement District will be held at 8 a.m. at the Meigs County Highway Dept., 34110 Fairgrounds Road, purpose of this meeting to review FY23 Application Submittals for approval. POMEROY — The Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors will hold their regular monthly meeting at noon at the district office, 113 E. Memorial Drive, Suite D. CONTACT US 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 740-446-2342 All content © 2022 Gallipolis Daily Tribune and The Daily Sentinel edition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT/ GROUP PUBLISHER Lane Moon lmoon@aimmediamidwest.com EDITOR Beth Sergent, Ext. 2102 bsergent@aimmediamidwest.com SPORTS EDITOR Bryan Walters, Ext. 2101 bwalters@aimmediamidwest.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Matt Rodgers, Ext. 2095 mrodgers@aimmediamidwest.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Derrick Morrison, Ext. 2097 dmorrison@aimmediamidwest.com VW recalls over 246K SUVs for unexpected braking DETROIT (AP) — Volkswagen is recalling more than 246,000 SUVs in the U.S. and Canada because faulty wiring harnesses can make them brake unexpectedly, sometimes while in traffic. The recall comes three days after The Associated Press reported that 47 people had complained to U.S. safety regulators about the problem, some reporting nearly being rear-ended by other vehicles. Many reported that warning lights and alarms would go off, the driver’s side windows would roll down and the SUVs would suddenly brake while in traffic. Volkswagen says in documents posted Friday by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the recall covers certain Atlas SUVs from the 2019 through 2023 model years, as well as the 2020 through 2023 Atlas Cross Sport. The documents say the electrical contacts on a wiring harness in either of the front doors can corrode, interrupting electrical connections. The problem can cause the side air bags to deploy late in a crash, and the parking brake can come on unexpectedly. Volkswagen says in documents that the SUVs can brake at speeds below 1.8 miles per hour (3 kilometers per hour). �NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, March 19, 2022 3 American Rescue Plan saving Ohio businesses more than 200,000 One year ago, Ohio businesses President Biden keep staff on the signed into law the payroll. American Rescue The Shuttered Plan Act of 2021. Venue Operators And today, thanks Grant that we to the investments created with our we made in vacSen. Save Our Stages cines and in our Sherrod Act meant nearly economy, life is Brown 400 Ohio venues returning to norContributing received assistance mal. Small busiColumnist to get through the nesses have been COVID-19 crisis, able to stay open, and welcome Ohiorestaurants have ans back to seats again. reopened to customers The Restaurant Reviagain, and arts venues are talization Fund awarded thriving. grants to nearly three I know that Ohio’s thousand Ohio restausmall businesses – mom rants to weather the and pop stores, restauCOVID storm. I’ve also rants, and arts venues – have taken some of the signed on to legislation to replenish the Restaurant hardest hits in the past Relief Fund, to get help two years. to those businesses that That’s why I’ve been missed out on the first fighting so hard to make round. sure those small busiSaving these small businesses – which are the backbone of Ohio’s econo- nesses doesn’t just help my – get the support they each individual business or worker – supporting need. small, local businesses The Paycheck Protecmeans supporting the tion Program helped Ohio’s entire economy. Small businesses make up nearly all businesses in the state – and employ nearly half of all Ohioans. And we know how interconnected local economies are. People go to a local restaurant before a show, they grab a drink afterward, they spend more time out and about shopping – all things that wouldn’t be possible without Ohio’s vibrant economy made up of small businesses. The American Rescue Plan has helped us weather this pandemic, so that Americans no longer have to live in fear. Much of my focus over the next few months will be ensuring Ohio businesses and local economies continue to thrive and create goodpaying jobs. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is a U.S. Senator for Ohio. He can be reached at 1-800-896-6446. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. Ohio pauses preparations for May 3 primary amid map flap Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s top elections official is pausing certain preparations for the May 3 primary in the face of a court decision invalidating a third set of GOP-drawn maps of new legislative districts. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose coupled a directive issued to county election boards Thursday night with a two-page letter to fellow members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission explaining that counties are now “simply out of time” to complete the work necessary to hold elections for state representatives and state senators as scheduled. His order prohibits counties from altering or sending ballots until further notice and pauses reprogramming of voter registration and tabulating systems. It instructs boards to continue recruiting poll workers, advertising voter registration information and conducting other tasks unrelated to the maps. The secretary of state does not have the power to change Ohio’s primary election date. LaRose said that decision now must come from either the Legislature or “immediate action of a federal court.” U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley, who had paused a connected lawsuit by a group of GOP voters despite their pleas for speed, indicated Thursday that he would “take up this matter promptly.” Parties’ next round of briefs is due Friday. Meanwhile, a growing chorus of interest groups and politicians of both parties has begun calling on lawmakers to delay the primary — to June, or even August — in light of the latest ruling. LaRose blasted national Democrats and the Ohio Supreme Court for the predicament. He accused the Biden administration of intentionally delaying census results on which maps are built, deep-pocketed “out of state special interests” of a time-eating “There are other options, but the Supreme Court has only given 10 days to do this. And the idea that we’re going to be able to go out and hire somebody new and have them do this work — and do this work in 10 days — I think presents some very significant challenges.” — Mike DeWine, Ohio governor litigation strategy and the high court’s bipartisan majority of dawdling in its deliberations. “Regardless, we’ve never let up in the effort to make a complete May 3 primary election a success, and I’m confident we’re prepared to do that,” he wrote. The U.S. Census Bureau was supposed to deliver new population tallies to states last spring, kicking off the once-per-decade redrawing of political boundaries. The agency attributed a monthslong delay to difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic in conducting the head count, which mostly took place in 2020 — during the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. In its decision Wednesday night, the Supreme Court ruled the third set of legislative maps remains gerrymandered in favor of Republicans, in violation of the state Constitution. The court faulted two leading lawmakers on the Republican-dominated Redistricting Commission — Senate President Matt Huffman and House Speaker Bob Cupp — for allowing a secretive, partisan map-making process and gave the panel until March 28 to remedy the situation. Voting rights and Democratic groups behind lawsuits against the maps likewise have blamed Republican foot-dragging for pushing a process that was supposed to be done last fall well into the primary season. As has been standard following each successive court rebuke, a mad scramble ensued behind the scenes while official action was nil. As of Friday afternoon, the Ohio Redistricting Commission had neither issued a pub- lic statement, scheduled a meeting nor hinted at a timeline for addressing its latest court-imposed deadline. However, some House Republicans were considering drafting articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, according to a tweet by one lawmaker and an email sent to members of the Republican State Central Committee and shared with The Associated Press. USA Today Network Ohio first reported the push. O’Connor, 70, is a GOP moderate who has joined the court’s three Democrats in repeatedly invalidating Republican-drawn maps. A former lieutenant governor and state public safety director, she steps down Dec. 31 due to age limits. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, whose son sits alongside O’Connor on the high court, declined to join the fray against O’Connor when speaking to reporters Thursday. He said he is “taking the lead” to try to resolve the crisis. DeWine said he is urging fellow members of the commission to pass a resolution requiring the three top mapmakers — one for Senate Republicans, one for House Republicans and one working jointly for the Democratic caucuses — to get in a room and draw new, constitutionally compliant maps. “There are other options, but the Supreme Court has only given 10 days to do this,” he said. “And the idea that we’re going to be able to go out and hire somebody new and have them do this work — and do this work in 10 days — I think presents some very significant challenges.” OH-70276700 By Julie Carr Smyth JOIN THE CONVERSATION What’s your take on today’s news? Visit us on social media to share your thoughts. �Opinion 4 Saturday, March 19, 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing THEIR VIEW Why the newspaper still reports numbers The old adage says numbers never lie. According to plenty of internet comments over the past two years, they lied to you nearly daily. If you’re a regular reader of The Lima News, you may notice we’re not printing the daily coronavirus tallies from the Ohio Department of Health anymore. We’ve switched to printing them once a week, with the first weekly one on Saturday. The next will appear Friday (more on that later). First, I’d like to focus on why we ever started running those numbers in the first place. When COVID-19 first struck, most of the country was somewhere between confused and terrified of the new disease. We didn’t really understand it enough to know much about it. David Our country’s, state’s and community’s leaders told us we should be Trinko afraid of it. As a news organization, The Lima it’s our responsibility to share with News you whatever facts and figures we have, even when no one knows quite what to make of them. We shared numbers every day, of how many new cases, new deaths and newly labeled as recovered compared to the numbers we saw the day before. It helped offer a sense of how the virus spread in our area counties. In that particular story, though, they were just numbers. Yet daily, internet commenters accused us of exaggerating the risk or underplaying the risk, on a story that only showed a number. People never believe me when I say this, but I really don’t want to change your mind. I just want to give you facts that can help you make up your mind with the right data at your disposal. Sure, I have personal opinions about everything, but I try desperately to keep them to myself in doing my daily work. I don’t want them to influence the work we do at the newspaper. Since we started sharing those numbers, obviously a lot has changed. We now know the survival rate of the virus is extremely high. We know the death rate is very low. We know that the virus mutated, mostly to less-serious forms of itself. Most of all, now we know the numbers of new cases and numbers of deaths have slowed way down. We know we don’t have to be as scared as we once were. That’s why we made the decision to back down on what we printed in the limited space in our physical newspaper, updating readers once a week. We intended to keep updating the statistics on a daily basis, since there were still roughly 750 people per day looking at that series of numbers. Then, on Thursday, the state announced it would only release the updated numbers once per week. That changed our plans, of course, since we can’t share a daily update that doesn’t exist. That puts us where we are now. We’ll update those numbers once per week, on Fridays, since the Ohio Department of Health will update its numbers on Thursday afternoons. We’ll share the new numbers as quickly as we can and show you how they’ve changed compared to a week prior. Again, we’re perfectly happy to let you read those numbers and make up your own mind with them. Maybe you’ll decide they’re meaningless. Maybe you’ll make decisions based on them. Whatever the result, it’s our job to share them with you, and we’ll continue to do our job. David Trinko is editor of The Lima News. Reach him at 567-242-0467, by email at dtrinko@limanews.com or on Twitter @Lima_Trinko. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. TODAY IN HISTORY In 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt Today is Saturday, March 19, the 78th day ordered men between the ages of 45 and 64, of 2022. There are 287 inclusive, to register for days left in the year. non-military duty. In 1987, televangelist Today’s highlight in Jim Bakker resigned as history On March 19, 1945, chairman of his PTL ministry organization during World War II, amid a sex and money 724 people were killed scandal involving when a Japanese dive Jessica Hahn, a former bomber attacked the church secretary. carrier USS Franklin In 1991, Polish off Japan (the ship was President Lech Walesa saved). Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction arrived in Washington of German facilities that for his first state visit to the United States. could fall into Allied In 1995, after a hands in his so-called 21-month hiatus, “Nero Decree,” which was largely disregarded. Michael Jordan returned to professional basketball with his forOn this date mer team, the Chicago In 1859, the opera Bulls. “Faust” by Charles In 2003, President Gounod premiered in George W. Bush ordered Paris. In 1931, Nevada Gov. the start of war against Iraq. (Because of the Fred B. Balzar signed time difference, it was a measure legalizing early March 20 in Iraq.) casino gambling. Associated Press THEIR VIEW Clutter, at work and at my home While working as a quality inspector for MidAmerican Cleaning Contractors, I make my way through a wide swath of workspaces, both workers’ cubicles and perimeter offices. While some workspaces are uncomplicated, with only the bare necessities needed for a worker to earn his or her paycheck, there are other workspaces that are anything but uncomplicated. In those spaces, I’ll often see, among other personal effects, multiple photos, Bobbleheads and miniature figurines, model cars and other small toys. I’ll also often see lots of sports memorabilia, including golf clubs, baseball bats and even football helmets on shelving. Now, from a housekeeping standpoint, I always cringe a bit when I see horizontal surfaces cluttered with such items, since it makes dusting far more time consuming in addition to increasing the chances that, say, a Hummel or two may get knocked off a shelf. As for my own laborious efforts through the years, I’ve had desks and surrounding workspaces in several jobs with, of course, the most prominent being my classrooms in three different high schools. While I enjoyed my time immensely both at Perry and Allen East, the classroom where I spent the longest amount of letin board in the time was Room front right corner 16 in the original of the room by the St. Marys Memostorage closet that, rial High School, typical of a buildwhich was “my ing that opened office” for the last in 1923, required 27 years of my a skeleton key to teaching times. John As far as perGrindrod access, I regularly stapled a few of my sonal effects in Guest little girlies’ best any of my workcolumnist coloring efforts. spaces over the Shannon and Katie years, I’ve pretty often on Sundays would much passed on bringcolor, bringing their best ing anything to those work to me and saying, spaces that reminded “Daddy, these are for me of home. Now, there your classroom!” was one exception, and Now, how could any that was indeed in that Memorial classroom in a father refuse that? So, building that, sadly, after their efforts were placed its demolition in 2010, no in my work bag and longer blocks the view of then stapled to that bulBaughman Stadium from letin board each Monday morning. And, on days West South Street. when the world didn’t As scores of my forseem to be spinning my mer students can attest, way and I was either frusRoom 16 was definitely trated with myself for not a work environment, a being as effective an eduplace where much effort cator as I so very much was expected and much wanted to be or I wasn’t was expended, with few particularly pleased with exceptions, by pretty the current performance much everyone that of my troops, I would arrived each day. The room certainly often had look at those colorings the look of clutter, given to remind myself that, the yet-to-be-disseminat- no matter how I thought things were going, I’d ed Xeroxed lessons that were cross-stacked on the indeed persevere and bring home that bacon room’s perimeter. Howto the ones I promised to ever, it was work-related support. clutter, not the kind in Other than those bulthe workspaces I often letin-board times from so see while working these very long ago, I’ve never days. really been an at-work The one exception knickknack guy. I think I made regarding personal effects in my work it’s always been important for me to make sure world dates back to the there was a clean line early 1980s, during my of demarcation between halcyon days of young work and home. fatherhood. On my bul- As scores of my former students can attest, Room 16 was definitely a work environment, a place where much effort was expected and much was expended, with few exceptions, by pretty much everyone that arrived each day. Please don’t think that means I’m a minimalist at home and, somehow, am anti-knickknack. Trust me. If you’d see my domicile, especially the man cave down the steps where games are watched and a few long necks are put to good use and saw the amount of sportsrelated photos and other items that festoon the room, you’d know that surely isn’t the case. It’s just that I’ve always wanted to keep my work and leisure spaces, in a figuratively tonsorial sense, much like a mullet. The business in the front has always been my work, and that party going on in the back has always the place where, so many have said, where our hearts are. I suppose I never wanted to confuse the two worlds in which I lived. John Grindrod is a regular columnist for The Lima News, a freelance writer and editor and the author of two books. Reach him at grinder@wcoil.com. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. YOUR VIEW Reader remembers community member Dear Editor, Like many people, I was surprised and saddened by the loss of Henry Eblin. He was a very well-liked and well-known member of our community. Many people around the area knew him for his local trash pickup service, but I wanted to take some time to talk about some of the other aspects of Henry’s life. To say that Henry Eblin was a good man does not do him justice. I worked with him at Meigs Mine #1 out back of Rutland, and he was as hard a worker as anybody in the mine. But beyond that, he was always the nicest worker. In all of the years working around Henry, I never once saw him angry or heard a bad word from him about anybody else. If you knew Henry, he considered you as a friend. Another interesting part of Henry’s life was his ministry service. I must have heard him testify in various forms a million times. After he stopped working in the mines, Henry found an old Columbus city bus and turned it into a ministry on wheels. He would drive around the area to many local sites. After parking, he would spend hours holding services out of the back of the bus. I remember most notably under the old Pomeroy/ Mason bridge, always on Thursday nights. He would draw quite a crowd, but he always found time to talk to everybody afterwards and make them all feel special. Finally, I just want to say that Henry Eblin didn’t just talk it, he walked it. There is a difference, a big difference. I, like many other people around the area, am sad to see him go. He will be missed. If there was ever a better man than Henry Eblin, I never met him. Goodbye, my friend. Roger Allen Syracuse �COMICS Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, March 19, 2022 5 FREE DATE CHANGES $ $ 2,549 2,299 * FROM BEST OF HAWAII FOURISLAND TOUR $ $ 1,949 1,699 * CRIMSON CANYONS & MESAS NATIONAL PARKS TOUR 1,849 * 1,599 * Seattle • Vancouver • Ketchikan • Juneau • Skagway • Glacier Bay • Anchorage • Denali • and more — Visit Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park on the same incredible trip! 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The the imminent trade. Browns have their franThe Browns are paying chise quarterback, one a hefty price for Watson, with some extra heavy sending the Texans three baggage. first-round draft picks, a Watson decided to waive his no-trade clause third-rounder and one in the fifth for the 26-yearand the controversial old. QB accepted a trade to Watson posted a photo Cleveland after previously rejecting the team, a per- on Instagram of him son familiar with the deci- wearing a No. 4 Browns sion told The Associated jersey and wrote: “Cleveland, LETSSSS GOOOO!! Press on Friday. #DawgPound Ready To Watson, who didn’t play Work!” last season for Houston, Zach Bolinger | AP file had informed the Browns Watson will be joining a Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates a touchdown against the Indianapolis Cleveland team with plenon Thursday that he Colts on Dec. 20, 2020, in Indianapolis. Several teams are scrambling to find a quarterback. Some of ty of talent, but one that wasn’t coming. However, those, including Carolina, New Orleans and Cleveland, have been in discussions with Watson, who sat underachieved last season he had a change of heart out last season. AP Sports Writer MASON COUNTY ROUNDUP and has been in search of a franchise quarterback for years. The three-time Pro Bowler became a target of the Browns after a grand jury declined to indict him on sexual misconduct claims made by 22 women. Watson is still dealing with civil lawsuits from the women, massage therapists who accused him of assault and harassment. He’s also facing a likely suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. His arrival in Cleveland will likely be met with a backlash by some fans, See WATSON | 7 NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP Lady Falcons win season softball opener By Bryan Walters bwalters@aimmediamidwest.com SISTERSVILLE, W.Va. — Picking up right where they left off. The Wahama girls softball team began its reign as Class A champions in a fitting fashion Thursday night by claiming a 7-0 victory over host Tyler Consolidated in the Little Kanawha Conference opener for both programs. The visiting Lady Falcons (1-0, 1-0 LKC) — who have now won 28 consecutive softball games — received another pitching gem from junior starter Mikie Lieving, who allowed only two hits and no walks over seven frames while striking out 15. The Lady Silver Knights (0-1, 0-1) surrendered four walks and committed the game’s only error, which ultimately resulted in Wahama’s first score of the night. Emma Knapp started a scoreless third by reaching on an error, then stole second and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice that also allowed Bailee Bumgarner to move up second base after a previous walk. Lieving also managed to reach safely on the fielder’s choice, leaving the bases loaded with Amber Wolfe headed to the plate. Wolfe lifted a sacrifice fly to right that allowed everyone to advance 60 feet, with Knapp scoring for a 1-0 edge. Lauren Noble followed with a single that plated both Bumgarner and Lieving for a 3-0 cushion. Lieving tripled home Bumgarner in the fifth and later scored on a Wolfe sacrifice fly for a 5-0 advantage. Wolfe singled home Lieving with two away in the seventh, then Wolfe came around on a Noble double that wrapped up the 7-0 outcome. Lieving and Noble accounted for two hits apiece, while Wolfe and Knapp provided a safety apiece. Lieving led the guests with three runs scored and Bumgarner also crossed home plate twice. Wolfe and Noble each drove three runs, with Lieving also accounting for an RBI. Loudin and Dennis each had a single in the bottom of the seventh, but the pair was left stranded at the corners. Wall took the loss for TCHS after allowing six earned runs, six hits and four walks over seven innings while fanning eight. Hannan 10, Calvary 8 BUFFALO, W.Va. — The Lady Cats are off and running. Visiting Hannan overcame a trio of 2-run deficits and scored six of the game’s final eight runs on Thursday night to claim a 10-8 victory over host Calvary in a six-inning contest held at Buffalo High School. The Lady Cats (1-0) were down 2-0 after an inning, trailed 5-3 after three full frame and was down 6-4 at the end of four complete, but the guests rallied with four scores in the top half of the fifth to secure an 8-6 edge. HHS produced three hits and also benefited from an error in that pivotal fifth frame that ultimately put them ahead for good. Calvary answered with a run in both the fifth and sixth frames, but the Lady Cats also plated a pair of insurance runs in the top half of the sixth to lead 10-7 entering the home half of the sixth. See ROUNDUP | 7 Keith Srakocic | AP Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell (32) is greeted by teammate Eugene Brown III as he comes out of the game against Loyola Chicago late in the second half of a first-round NCAA tournament game Friday in Pittsburgh. Ohio State won 54-41 to advance to the second round. Liddell, Ohio State shut down Loyola Chicago Purdue, Auburn, Texas Tech win early games PITTSBURGH (AP) — No extended March stay for Loyola Chicago and Sister Jean this time. Not with Ohio State taking away every inch of open space. Not with E.J. Liddell creating a bit of his own with each pull-up jumper. Not with the seventh-seeded Buckeyes showing that when healthy, they can make every trip down the floor for their opponent a frustrating mess. E.J. Liddell scored 16 points, Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham added 14 and Ohio State shut down the 10thseeded Ramblers from start to finish, winning 54-41 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The Buckeyes (20-11) advanced to play either Villanova or Delaware on Sunday in the South Region while preventing another March run by the Ramblers (25-8), who shot 27% (15 of 56) from the floor. “We knew we were in for a rock fight, and that’s very much what it was,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said, calling it “the best defensive performance we’ve really had in a couple years.” Certainly, it’s the best the Ramblers have faced in a while. Loyola’s 41 points were a season low and the program’s fewest since scoring 39 against Indiana State in 2020. After hearing repeatedly about the Ramblers’ smothering defense, the Buckeyes provided some of their own. “We love that type of challenge, and we just have to respond,” said forward Kyle Young, who had nine points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes in his return from a concussion that cost him several games. “So it was just about who is going to play more physical and tougher with 50/50 balls and things like that.” Braden Norris the Ramblers with 14 points but star Lucas Williamson endured perhaps his worst game of the season. The winningest player in program history finished with four points on 1-of10 shooting and committed three turnovers as Loyola fell in the first round after reaching the Sweet 16 last season and the Final Four in 2018. “I mean, I’m disappointed in myself,” Williamson said. “I don’t feel like I played to the standard that I put myself at. But, yeah, I mean, like (coach) Drew (Valentine) said, kind of just at a loss for words. Kind of just stunned right now.” Sister Jean, Loyola’s 102-year-old chaplain, led the Ramblers in a pregame prayer and took in the school’s third NCAA appearance in five years from the mezzanine but could only watch as Loyola — listed as a slight favorite by FanDuel Sportsbook, a nod to the program’s rise — fumbled away an opportunity to further cement its status as an emerging mid-major power. Ohio State came in having lost four of five games, including a baffling setback to lowly Penn State in the Big Ten tournament last week. A year ago, Ohio State came in as a two seed only to get ambushed by 15th-seeded Oral Roberts in the opening round. Not this time. Liddell endured a rocky first half while getting hounded by Williamson but collected himself after the break, hitting a series of mid-range jumpers. The 6-foot-7 bruiser’s go-to move was using one of his shoulders to nudge a Rambler out of the way before rising up into the void. “We played with an edge tonight, played like the underdogs,” Liddell said. “We’ve got to keep playing like that because people have been counting us out big time. We’ve got to have that same mindset next game.” The Ramblers were in fact a popular pick to knock off the Buckeyes, but Ohio State’s size and relentlessness were too much. At one point, Valentine grew so animated his gum flew out of his mouth as he implored his team for more effort. The Ramblers’ effort wasn’t the issue. Execution, however, was another matter as Loyola ended its stint in the Missouri Valley Conference — the Jesuit school located along Lake Michigan is heading to the Atlantic 10 next fall — with a thud. It shows how far the Ramblers have come that a first-round exit is considered a disappointment. “I think the main thing that I want to focus on is the program’s in a lot better spot than it was when a lot of these guys got here five years ago,” Valentine said. “So I’m proud of our group, but obviously today we really struggled offensively, making shots, free throws. Thought we had too many turnovers. I thought defensively we were solid at times, but probably fought a little too much.” EAST REGION Purdue 78, Yale 56 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jaden Ivey raced his way to 22 points and Zach Edey controlled the action inside, helping Purdue overpower Yale. Ivey, one of the fastest players in college basketball, went 3 for 6 from 3-point range and 7 for 9 at the free-throw line in 27 minutes. The 7-foot-4 Edey made the most of his size advantage against See NCAA | 7 �SPORTS Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, March 19, 2022 7 Saint Peter’s quietly savors OT win over Kentucky By Karen Matthews watch party drew a big crowd, Kaylie Morris, a junior majoring in biolJERSEY CITY, N.J. — ogy, said. “It was a lot of people Everyone was buzzing and they were supportabout tiny Saint Peter’s ive, very supportive,” she University on Friday after its stunning NCAA said. “And it was loud.” The 150-year-old Jesuit Tournament upset of Kentucky, except maybe school isn’t generally Saint Peter’s University. known as a rabid basketball school — at least it Sure, students and wasn’t as the Peacocks staff were savoring the headed into their fourth No. 15 seed Peacocks’ 85-79 overtime win. But appearance in the tournament since the 2010-11 Fridays are typically quiet on the Jersey City, season. This was the Metro Atlantic Athletic New Jersey campus, and that was unchanged Conference champion’s first NCAA tournament even after the feat that win. destroyed untold num“A lot of people doubtbers of tournament brackets showing second- ed. I don’t think anybody believed that a little seeded Kentucky in the school in Jersey City winner’s box. would do so well,” John It wasn’t that way Johnson Jr., an assistant Thursday night, when a Associated Press professor of history, said. But Eduardo Pinto, a junior majoring in criminal justice, said he had so much confidence in Saint Peter’s that he bet a friend the team would score more than 80 points. “I always have faith in Saint Peter’s. I know a couple of them. They work hard and everything. I knew they were going to beat Kentucky.” The only Jesuit, Catholic university in New Jersey has about 3,000 students, roughly 2,100 of them undergraduates and most from New Jersey. Its 30-acre campus sits across the Hudson River from New York City. A few dozen students gathered for a pep rally later Friday ahead of Stefan Jeremiah | AP The St. Peter’s University Peacocks basketball team logo is displayed on the side of a St. Peter’s University campus building in Jersey City, N.J. Everyone was buzzing about tiny Saint Peter’s University Friday after its stunning NCAA tournament upset win of Kentucky except maybe Saint Peter’s University. Students and staff were savoring the No. 15 seed Peacocks’ 85-79 overtime win. But Fridays are typically quiet on the Jersey City campus, and that was unchanged even after the feat that destroyed untold numbers of tournament brackets showing second-seeded Kentucky in the winner’s box. Saturday’s second-round “This puts us on the matchup with the Murray map,” student Cliff AchoState Racers. kas said. “You know, IN BRIEF Freeman thrilled by Dodgers landing By Greg Beacham AP Sports Writer GLENDALE, Ariz. — Freddie Freeman admits he’s still baffled and hurt by the way his 15 years with the Atlanta Braves ended. The star slugger is also thrilled that the messy breakup allowed him to start the next chapter of his impressive career close to home with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Freeman joined the Dodgers on Friday for his first workout since agreeing to a $162 million, six-year contract to be a centerpiece of Los Angeles’ powerhouse roster. “Everyone has just welcomed me with open arms,” Freeman said from the balcony of the Dodgers’ spring training complex after hundreds of fans below cheered while he donned a white Dodgers jersey for the first time. “They know how much I care about winning and family,” Freeman added. “If I was going to leave a place I was for 15 years, coming home and being in this organization is probably the best thing that could have happened.” Freeman arrived at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch training complex in a suit and tie, but immediately got some good-natured ribbing from his more laid-back new teammates. Freeman is a Southern California native who probably should have known better, but he is eager to fit in back home. “It’s not really a suit organization, I guess,” Freeman said with a laugh. The 32-year-old slugger quickly changed into Dodger Blue for the first showcase of his famously consistent swing in the batting cages. The Dodgers paid top dollar to get Freeman after his impressive career with the Braves, including a 12-year run with the big-league club culminating in the 2020 NL MVP award and the 2021 World Series title. Freeman was the face of the Braves, but they turned their back on him, the slugger feels. “I didn’t think I was ever going to become a free agent, to be honest,” Freeman said. Although he got just Chiefs, Smith-Schuster agree to $10.75M deal two phone calls from the Atlanta front office during the offseason, he still figured he would be returning to the only team for which he had ever suited up — until Monday, when the Braves swung a dramatic trade with Oakland for Matt Olson, who got a $168 million contract a day later. Freeman was working out at home in Orange County when he heard about the Olson trade, which utterly blindsided him. “I had no idea that was going to happen, anything like that,” Freeman said. “When I got told, emotions were all over the place. I couldn’t really speak for a couple of hours, trying to figure out what was going on.” KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed with former Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on a $10.75 million deal for next season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract is pending a physical, which should be completed soon. Smith-Schuster wasted little time in announcing the move himself, tweeting to Chiefs fans: “Let’s Go!” The Chiefs have been searching for a highprofile wide receiver to take the pressure off Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce in the passing game. They tried several bargain options last season, including Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle, but nobody has been able to fill the role since Sammy Watkins left for Baltimore after the 2020 season. Pringle signed a $6 million deal with the Bears for next season on Thursday. Ex-GM says he was fired for reporting misconduct DALLAS (AP) — Former Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson sued the team Thursday, alleging that team owner Mark Cuban fired him in retaliation for reporting sexual misconduct by a team executive. In a court document filed in a Dallas County court, Nelson said his relationship with Cuban soured after he called for action against a team executive who is a close Cuban aide for sexually harassing a job applicant. Unbeknownst to Nelson, the lawsuit said, Cuban had reached a confidential settlement with the applicant. The deterioration of his relationship with Cuban, which Nelson said had previously been close, climaxed with his firing, the lawsuit alleged. When Nelson complained to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of illegal retaliation, Cuban offered him $52 million to drop the complaint and enter into a non-disclosure agreement, the lawsuit alleged. NCAA From page 6 the Ivy League champion Bulldogs, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes. No. 3 seed Purdue (287) won its NCAA opener for the fourth time in its last five tournaments. Next up is the winner of Virginia Tech-Texas in the second round on Sunday. Azar Swain scored 18 points on 8-for-19 shooting for Yale (19-12), which had won 11 of 13. MIDWEST REGION Auburn 80, Jacksonville State 61 GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Freshman Jabari Smith had 20 points and 14 rebounds as secondseeded Auburn pulled away from Jacksonville State late in the first half. Walker Kessler, Smith’s partner in the paint, finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks. The Tigers (28-5) won their 10th straight NCAA opener and will face either Southern California or Miami on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16. K.D. Johnson ended his Jersey City is oftentimes overlooked because of its proximity to New York City. But I think this is a great, great way to make noise for our city, for people to know who we are and what we’re about.” Morris, the Saint Peter’s biology major, said the university has a lot going for it besides basketball. “The classes are really small. It’s very personal. If you need help you’re not in a big class where the professor doesn’t even know you.” As for that Peacock mascot, the university’s website says that was the idea of the Rev. Robert Gannon, then dean, who chose it in 1930, symbolic of the resurrection in the Catholic tradition. Morry Gash | AP Purdue’s Jaden Ivey drives past Yale’s Matthue Cotton during the second half of a first-round NCAA tournament game Friday in Milwaukee. Purdue won 78-56. shooting slump — he was 0-for-14 in a Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinal loss to Texas A&M — and had 10 points and a couple of 3s during a 17-3 run that put the Tigers in control. Jalen Gibbs hit four 3s and led the Gamecocks (21-11) with 20 points. WEST REGION Texas Tech 97, Montana State 62 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 20 points and set a dominating tone in the opening minutes for Texas Tech, which overwhelmed Montana State with one of the best-shooting games in the first round since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Bryson Williams also scored 20 points for Texas Tech (26-9), which shot 66.7% (36 of 54) from the field, including making 12 of 20 3-pointers. At one point the Red Raiders were trending toward breaking Syra- Roundup cuse’s record of 67.9% (38 of 56) against Southern Illinois in 1995. They settled for a tie for fourth. Texas Tech, the No. 3 seed in the West Region, was too big, quick and talented for the Bobcats (27-8), who were making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996. The Red Raiders will play either No. 6 seed Alabama or 11th-seeded Notre Dame in the second round. Xavier Bishop led Montana State with 12 points. From page 6 The game was eventually called after six complete due to darkness. Hannan outhit the hosts by a 12-3 overall margin and committed only two of the five errors in the contest. Hannah Ramey and Macinzie Gibson paced the Lady Cats with three hits apiece, followed by Mackenzie Simmons with two safeties. Hope Bowers, Lily Finley, Isabelle Bryant and Braelyn Hall also had a hit each for the victors. Ramey was the winning pitcher of record for HHS after allowing three hits and 11 walks over six innings. Ruby, White and Stephenson had the lone hits for Calvary. © 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Bryan Walters can be reached at BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! 15% & 10 % OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE * + NATIO ER G 5% OFF OFF WE INSTALL YEAR-ROUND! LIFETIME WARRANTY 2 Promo Code: 285 D UA TO THE FIRST 50 CALLERS ONLY! ** SENIORS & MILITARY! FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 R GU 1 ’S E TT N but the Browns are comfortable with his character after doing their own investigation. ESPN first reported Watson’s decision. Watson will receive a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract, according to NFL Network. almost every possible avenue, signing veteran free agents and drafting college stars like Johnny Manziel and Mayfield, who was selected first overall in 2017. The Watson trade smacks of some desperation, considering his legal woes but it does give them an elite player capable of matching up with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and any of the other top QBs in the AFC. TH From page 6 intrigued by their talented roster, which includes star defensive end Myles Garrett and running back Nick Chubb. Cleveland’s pursuit of Watson must have been helped by the team signing free agent wide receiver Amari Cooper last week as well. Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam have spent the entirety of their tenure trying to find the right quarterback. The team had tried Subject to credit approval. Call for details. 1 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 1-844-980-4667 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST OH-70275839 Watson The Browns’ public pursuit of Watson angered incumbent starter Baker Mayfield, who requested a trade. Cleveland turned down Mayfield’s demand before learning Watson had agreed to waive his notrade clause and jump to the AFC North. Watson had also been courted by Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans. Cleveland seemed to have the longest odds to get him, but he was )RU�WKRVH�ZKR�TXDOLI\��2QH�FRXSRQ�SHU�KRXVHKROG��1R�REOLJDWLRQ�HVWLPDWH�YDOLG�IRU���\HDU��� 2΍�HU�YDOLG�DW�WLPH�RI�HVWLPDWH�RQO\��2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration#�3&������5HJLVWUDWLRQ��Ζ5��������5HJLVWUDWLRQ����9+����������5HJLVWUDWLRQ��3$��������6X΍�RON�+Ζ&��/LFHQVH�� 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114 �CLASSIFIEDS 8 Saturday, March 19, 2022 (740) 446-2342 or fax to (740) 446-3008 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN LEGALS (740) 992-2155 or fax to (740) 992-2157 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN EMPLOYMENT Legals 0RUJDQ 7:3 will be having a special meeting 03/23/2022@7pm to discuss Permanent Annual Appropriation Resolution and Fire Dept. Payment 3/19/22 Help Wanted General -2% 3267,1* The Gallia County Engineer, Brett A. Boothe, would like to announce that the Gallia County Highway Department is now seeking one qualified individual to fill an open job position. The position available is Operator 2. Applications and job description are available at the Gallia County Engineer's Office, 1167 State Route 160, Gallipolis, Ohio. Those interested should drop off the completed application with resume and references to the Engineer's Office by Friday, March 25th, 2022. (304) 675-1333 or fax to (304) 675-5234 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN MERCHANDISE Want To Buy Absolute Top Dollarsilver/gold coins, any 10k/14k/18k gold jewerly, dental gold, pre 1935 US currency, diamonds, MTS Coin Shop 151 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis. 446-2842 Check out our &ODVVLÀ�HGV online! 38%/,& 127,&( The Cash Basis Annual Financial Statement for the Village of the City of Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, for the year ended December 31, 2021 has been filed with the Auditor of State as of February 18, 2022. It is available for public inspection at the office of the City Auditor, 333 Third Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. A copy is also available for public inspection at the Bossard Memorial Library and on our Web Site @ www.cityofgallipolis.com under the City Auditor Department tab. 3/4/22,3/19/22 PROBATE COURT OF MEIGS COUNTY, OHIO ROGERS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING L. SCOTT POWELL, JUDGE CASE NO. 20226010 8QFRQGLWLRQDO /LIHWLPH *XDUDQWHH (VWDEOLVKHG ���� IN RE: Matthew Allen Salser %DVHPHQW :DOOV %UDFHG +XQGUHGV 2I /RFDO 5HIHUHQFHV /LFHQVHG� %RQGHG ,QVXUHG NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE OF NAME (R.C. 2717.01) Applicant hereby gives notice to all interested persons and to Matthew Salser, whose last known address is 15802 OH-104, Chillicothe, OH 45601, that the applicant has filed an Application for Change of Name in the Probate Court of Meigs County, Ohio requesting the change of name of Matthew Allen Salser to Matthew Allen Reitmire. Ohio Valley Publishing FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL DERRICK MORRISON AT dmorrison@aimmediamidwest.com 740-578-4835 or call 304-674-9208 825 3rd Ave Gallipolis, OH 45631 FREE ESTIMATES 24 Hours (740) 446-0870 www.rogersbasementwaterproofing.com The hearing on the application will be held on the 18th day of April at 9:30 o’clock AM in the Probate Court of Meigs County, Ohio, located at 112 East Memorial Drive, Pomeroy, Ohio 45769. 3/18/22 Notice to Bidders for Lawn Care and Landscaping Services The Southern Local School District is soliciting bid proposals from qualified lawn care and landscape maintenance contractors to provide contract lawn care and landscape maintenance in specified locations with the school district for the period from April 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022. Bids must be in accordance with the Request for Proposal available from the Southern Local School District. The Request for Proposal may be obtained from the school district at 106 Broadway, Suite 1, Racine, Ohio 45771 or through the school district website at https://www.southernlocalmeigs.org under Departments-Treasurer-Forms-then under Legal Notice: Request for Bids-Lawn Care and Landscape Contractors. Sealed bid proposals in response to this request for bids must be submitted to the 825 3rd Ave. Gallipolis, OH has a Part-Time Position Mail Clerk-Dock Worker Call or email Derrick Morrison 304-674-9208 or dmorrison@aimmediamidwest.com OH-70272850 Treasurer’s Office, Attn: Christi Hendrix Box 147, Racine, Ohio 45771 OH-70276695 No later than 2:00 p.m. local time on March 25, 2022 at which time they will be opened. Proposals received after the established closing time and date for receipt will not be considered. Oral, electronic, telephonic or telegraphic proposals are INVALID and will not receive consideration. The Southern Local School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, waive any informalities or irregularities in any bid received and to conduct such investigation as necessary to determine the responsibility of any bidder. 3/15/22,3/19/22 Media Sales Representative Wanted! Do you crave a fast-paced and exciting work environment? NEWS REPORTER JOIN OUR DYNAMIC ADVERTISING TEAM Entry level position for full-time news reporter at Ohio Valley Publishing, which includes Gallipolis Daily Tribune, The Daily Sentinel and Point Pleasant Register. Team player wanted for our award winning, Associated Pressaffiliated newsrooms. Write the stories of OVP's communities in this fastpaced, self-starting environment. Responsible for print and digital sales for Gallipolis Daily Tribune & the Point Pleasant Register. We are looking for people with a passion for sales success and customer service to join our dynamic team; �������������� � �� �������� �� ������������ � ����������������� ������� Background in Journalism, English, Communications or Public Relations preferred though a degree is not required. Must have work previously published either in newspapers or other legitimate news source. Photography skills a plus. Connection to our local communities and ability to become a part of them, a must. Benefits package offered. OH-70277641 mrodgers@aimmediamidwest.com Matt Rodgers, Advertising Director Gallipolis Daily Tribune 825 Third Ave Gallipolis, OH 45631 Equal Opportunity Employer OH-70277635 Send resume, cover letter, relevant news clips to Editor Beth Sergent at bsergent@aimmediamidwest.com however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. This job can be rewarding for those willing to give it a full-time commitment. Serious inquiries only. Send resume and cover letter to: No phone calls please �Along the River Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, March 19, 2022 9 Exploring the Mountain State State park upgrades, new vacation guide collection Staff Report ANSTED, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice hosted an event this week at Hawks Nest State Park to announce that West Virginia is “once again blazing new trails in the tourism industry with an all-new Vacation Guide unlike any ever seen before, to unveil a new State Highway Map for 2022, and to ceremonially cut the ribbon on over $7 million in improvements to the park lodge and museum,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. “We’re truly on our way. Everyone in the outside world wants a piece of West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “Today’s announcements are just testimony to all the goodness that’s going on all around us.” First, the Governor was joined by state Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby to unveil West Virginia’s groundbreaking 2022 Vacation Guide. Instead of the traditional singlecopy guide, West Virginia is releasing an exclusive four-part vacation guide collection. West Virginia the first state in the country to adopt a multi-part vacation guide format. “We are so excited about these new vacation guides,” Secretary Ruby said. “The Governor has really pushed us each year to innovate with our vacation guides. About 10 years ago, the vacation guide just looked like a phonebook. The state wasn’t making an investment. And I’ll never forget, one of the first things the Governor said was, ‘We’ve got to do better than this.’ “Two years ago we did a flipbook. Last year, we did the 50th anniversary of “Country Roads” special edition. And this year, we’re thrilled to become the first state in the country to release a collection of guides instead of just one.” “I love when West Virginia leads the way for the nation,” Gov. Justice said. “This is just another example of how we think big and outside-the-box.” The four guides each highlight different aspects of what makes West Virginia one of the country’s premier vacation and travel destinations. Titles include Outdoor Recreation, Natural Wonders, Mountain Culture, and, finally, a special guide devoted to America’s newest national park; New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. The Governor reportedly continues to be intimately involved in the vacation guide process, hand-selecting cover photography for each of these guides highlighting West Virginia’s sought-after seasons and activities. According to the news Photos by Office of Gov. Jim Justice | Courtesy Gov. Jim Justice held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby, as well as WVDNR Director Brett McMillion, to celebrate major upgrades at Hawks Nest State Park – including $5 million in improvements to the Hawks Nest lodge and more than $2 million in improvements to the Hawks Nest museum. A view of renovations at Hawk’s Nest State Park. The iconic view from Hawk’s Nest State Park. Gov. Jim Justice and Babydog with the state’s new vacation guide. “I love when West Virginia leads the way for the nation. This is just another example of how we think big and outside-the-box.” state parks and forests, alongside important traveler information, must-see stops, and scenic country roads to travel throughout West Virginia. “This is also something the Governor pushed us on,” Secretary Ruby said. “He wanted this to be a keepsake – a collector piece – and, along with our friends from the West Virginia Division of Highways, we came up with an absolutely stunning map.” Finally Wednesday, the Governor held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting with Secretary Ruby, as well as WVDNR Director Brett McMillion, to celebrate major upgrades at Hawks Nest State Park – including $5 million in improvements to the Hawks Nest lodge and more than $2 million in improvements to the Hawks Nest museum. “This facility had sat idly by for many, many years. It was very deserving of attention, and our Governor answered,” McMillion said. “What a showpiece we have here now. These restorations will serve West Virginians for years and years.” Upgrades include new landscaping, a new outdoor pool with a splash pad, a brand new lobby, single day, they want small mountain towns, and they absolutely love West Virginia.” “We are the best in West Virginia,” Gov. Justice concluded. “We have family values, we’re faithbased, we’re low-crime, we’re craftsmen, we’re located within a rock’s throw of two-thirds of the population of this country, we abound in natural resources, we have beauty beyond belief. All West Virginians should be proud to call our state home, and everyone else should be tripping over themselves to come visit as fast as they can.” Gov. Justice also recently announced the completion of $9.5 million in upgrades at Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley Resort state parks, and announced that the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System sold nearly 95,000 trail permits in 2021, which represents the highest number of annual permits ever sold in a single year and the system’s 21st consecutive year of growth in ridership. Information provided by the office of Gov. Jim Justice. release: “The Natural Wonders guide showcases stunning scenery readily on display – from rushing waterfalls to mountain vistas, lush forests, caves, and starry skies. While the Outdoor Recreation guide focuses on the vast amount of outdoor activities and public lands found across the Mountain State. “The Mountain Culture piece creates a sense of place and highlights the authentic flavors, art, and heritage found in the Mountain State. To round out the series, the collection features a guide to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, detailing the park’s history, recreational opportunities and surrounding mountain towns.” Each of the vacation guides feature QR codes that expand on the published articles and provide online access to exclusive content and trip inspiration from hundreds of tourism businesses across the state. Also during Wednesday’s event, Gov. Justice and Secretary Ruby gave travelers a sneak peek of the all-new 2022 Highway Map. The new map features all of West Virginia’s — Jim Justice, West Virginia governor Babydog was given a gift a Hawk’s Nest State Park this week during a visit. front desk area, and public restrooms. Lodge rooms have been renovated with new furnishings, ADA accessibility has been expanded, and more. These upgrades represent just a small portion of the $151 million-worth of improvement projects that have been completed or started at every state park and forest in West Virginia since Gov. Justice took office, according to the news release. “Governor Justice’s commitment to our entire park system is giving us the ability to create great memories for people for generations to come – and that’s not limited to Hawks Nest. Right next door at Babcock State Park, we’ve invested $1.8 million in the cabins and infrastructure,” McMillion said. “I also can’t thank the Department of Tourism enough for the work that they’re doing in connection with us at the DNR. The things that we’re all doing together are unbelievable.” “All we ever needed in this state was a coach – someone who believed enough to put a stake in the sand and commit real dollars to show the outside world how good we really are. From there, the people come in floods, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Gov. Justice said. “We’ve invested and, all of a sudden, you turn around and there’s money upon money coming our way. All of a sudden, this state is now known far and wide as the diamond in the rough that everyone missed.” “I want to thank the Governor for his continuing support,” Secretary Ruby said. “He is always pushing our team to go further, go better, and to be innovative. The results have been unbelievable. Statewide, we’re seeing everything that the Governor told us would happen is coming true. People are falling in love with the great outdoors more and more every �NEWS 10 Saturday, March 19, 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing American gunmakers help Ukrainians fight back By Joshua Goodman Associated Press MIAMI — Adrian Kellgren’s family-owned gun company in Florida was left holding a $200,000 shipment of semi-automatic rifles after a longtime customer in Ukraine suddenly went silent during Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country. Fearing the worst, Kellgren and his company KelTec decided to put those stranded 400 guns to use, sending them to Ukraine’s nascent resistance movement to help civilians fight back against a Russian military that has been repeatedly shelling their apartment buildings, schools, hospitals and hiding places. “The American people want to do something,” said Kellgren, a former U.S. Navy pilot. “We enjoy our freedoms, we cherish those things. And when we see a group of people out there getting hammered like this, it’s heartbreaking.” Cocoa-based KelTec’s donation is a high-profile example of Americans collecting guns, ammuni- Phelan M. Ebenhack | AP Adrian Kellgren, director of industrial production of KelTec, holds a 9mm SUB2000 rifle similar to ones being shipped to Ukraine, at their manufacturing facility on Thursday in Cocoa, Fla. Kellgren’s family-owned gun company was left holding a $200,000 shipment of semi-automatic rifles after a longtime customer in Odessa went silent during Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, so the company decided sending the guns to Ukraine’s nascent resistance movement. Kellgren, who has dealt with such red tape for years, managed to connect through a Ukrainian neighbor with a diplomat in the Ukrainian Embassy who helped him secure a federal arms export license in just four days. That process can often take months. This week, as Congress debated whether to send tion, body armor, helmets and other tactical gear in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s promise to arm his citizens. But many similar grassroots efforts have been snarled by inexperience with the complex web of regulations governing the international shipment of such equipment. more advanced weapons and defense systems to Ukraine, workers at KelTec’s warehouse forklifted four plasticwrapped pallets containing their 9 mm foldable rifles for delivery to an undisclosed NATO-run facility. From there, the shipment’s new recipient, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, will be respon- sible for smuggling the weapons into the war zone. “That’s when the real derring-do and heroism begins,” Kellgren said. From California to New York, elected officials, sheriff’s departments and nonprofits say they have also collected thousands of sets of body armor and millions of rounds of ammunition for Ukraine. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis kicked off a campaign last week to ask police and sheriff’s departments to donate surplus ballistic helmets and other equipment. “We know that it can urgently be used to help stop Putin and save Ukraine,” he said. But hazards abound: One New York City nonprofit leading an effort to collect tactical gear had 400 bulletproof vests stolen before they could be dispatched. Many of the organizers have no clue how to navigate international arms export rules, which sometimes require approvals from the Departments of State, Commerce and Defense to ship even non-lethal tactical gear. Organizers of one such drive in New York are piggybacking on KelTec’s license to export 60 long guns they recently collected. “I’m hoping that this movement spreads through the whole United States and every gun store and every gun manufacturer in the U.S. accepts these donations,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at a news conference Friday. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group for firearms manufacturers, distributed step-by-step instructions this week to its more than 8,000 members on how to apply for an expedited export license. They also provided a list of specific sniper rifles, pistols and ammo requested by Ukraine’s Embassy in Washington. KelTec hopes to arrange more shipments in the future. Its license allows the export of up to 10,000 weapons and the company has offered the Ukrainians their own production line and weekly shipments. Russian oil sale to India complicates Biden’s efforts By Chris Megerian and Ashok Sharma Biden’s efforts to isolate Russia’s economy with Associated Press sanctions. The increased flow of oil could further strain WASHINGTON — the relationship between President Joe Biden’s Washington and New campaign to unite the Delhi, which has already globe against the Russian invasion of Ukraine been tested by India’s recent procurement of is being challenged not only by adversaries such advanced Russian air as China but also by the defense systems. The White House world’s most populous is still considering democracy, India. An Indian government whether to enact sanctions on India for that official said Friday that the country will increase purchase. The issue is being looked at with a its imports of Russian “different spin” followoil, allowing it to boost ing Russia’s invasion of energy supplies at a discount as its economy Ukraine, according to a U.S. official familiar struggles to recover with the Biden adminfrom the coronavirus istration’s deliberations. pandemic. The official, who was not authorized The official spoke on the condition of anonymto talk to reporters and ity to discuss internal spoke on the condition decision-making. of anonymity, said the The oil deal is a latest purchase was 3 reminder of how the war million barrels. in Ukraine has created a Although India isn’t complicated geopolitical alone in buying Rusbalancing act for Biden. sian energy — several Even as he tries to rally European allies such countries to oppose Rusas Germany have consia’s invasion, he also tinued to do so — the sees India as a critical decision conflicts with partner for countering China’s rising influence in Asia. Russia has long been a point of friction in U.S.India relations, but the White House believes the two democracies have more that’s in common than that divides them. India is a member of the Quad, an international partnership that also includes the U.S., Australia and Japan, and the leaders of all four nations are slated to meet this year in Tokyo. Although Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a checkered record on human rights, he was invited to participate in Biden’s virtual summit on democracy in December. During the summit, Biden described the struggle between democracy and autocracy as the “defining challenge of our time.” Modi said that India “stands ready to join fellow democracies in this noble endeavor.” ARE YOU TURNING 65 OR NEW TO MEDICARE? When you need to choose a Medicare plan, Humana can help Find a plan that fits your goals and your life It’s time to choose a 2022 Medicare plan, and I’m here to help you understand your options. A Humana Medicare Advantage plan gives you everything you get with Original Medicare, and may include additional benefits and services to meet your needs. Humana offers plans with the coverage you might want at a cost that may work for your budget. Call a licensed Humana sales agent Kimberly "Kim" Thompson 740-612-7521 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. kthompson17@humana.com A more human way to healthcare™ OH-70275127 Mikhail Klimentyev | Sputnik, Kremlin pool photo via AP Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to deliver his speech at the concert marking the eighth anniversary of the referendum on the state status of Crimea and Sevastopol and its reunification with Russia in Moscow, Russia, on Friday. Putin appears at big rally as troops press attack in Ukraine By Cara Anna which was seized from Ukraine — was surrounded by suspicions it was a Kremlin-manufacVladimir Putin appeared at a huge flag- tured display of patriowaving rally at a packed tism. Several Telegram Moscow stadium Friday channels critical of the and lavished praise on Kremlin reported that his troops fighting in students and employees Ukraine, three weeks of state institutions in a into the invasion that number of regions were has led to heavier-thanexpected Russian losses ordered by their superiors to attend rallies on the battlefield and and concerts marking increasingly authoritarthe anniversary. Those ian rule at home. Meanwhile, the leader reports could not be independently verified. of Russia’s delegation Moscow police said in diplomatic talks with more than 200,000 peoUkraine said the sides have narrowed their dif- ple were in and around ferences. The Ukrainian the Luzhniki stadium. The event included patriside said its position otic songs, including a remained unchanged. performance of “Made in The Moscow rally the U.S.S.R.,” with the came as Russian troops opening lines “Ukraine continued to rain lethal and Crimea, Belarus fire on Ukrainian cities, and Moldova, it’s all my including the capital, country.” Kyiv, and pounded an Seeking to portray aircraft repair installathe war as just, Putin tion on the outskirts of Lviv, close to the Polish paraphrased the Bible to say of Russia’s troops: border. “Shoulder to shoulder, “There is no greater love than giving up they help and support each other,” the Russian one’s soul for one’s friends.” president said of the Taking to the stage Kremlin’s forces in a rare public appearance since where a sign read “For a the start of the war. “We world without Nazism,” he railed against his have not had unity like foes in Ukraine as “neothis for a long time,” he added to cheers from the Nazis” and continued to insist his actions were crowd. necessary to prevent The invasion has “genocide” — a claim touched off a burst of flatly denied by leaders antiwar protests inside around the globe. Russia, and the rally — Video feeds of the held to mark the eighth anniversary of Moscow’s event cut out a times but showed a loudly annexation of Crimea, Associated Press cheering crowd that broke into chants of “Russia!” Putin’s appearance marked a change from his relative isolation of recent weeks, when he has been shown meeting with world leaders and his staff either at extraordinarily long tables or via videoconference. In the wake of the invasion, the Kremlin has clamped down harder on dissent and the flow of information, arresting thousands of antiwar protesters, banning sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and instituting tough prison sentences for what is deemed to be false reporting on the war, which Moscow refers to as a “special military operation.” The OVD-Info rights group that monitors political arrests reported that at least seven independent journalists had been detained ahead of or while covering the anniversary events in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Standing on stage in a white turtleneck and a blue down jacket, Putin spoke for about five minutes. Some people, including presenters at the event, wore T-shirts or jackets with a “Z” — a symbol seen on Russian tanks and other military vehicles in Ukraine and embraced by supporters of the war. �NEWS/WEATHER Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, March 19, 2022 11 Endorsement elusive for Pro-Trump Ohio candidates By Jill Colvin America First Candidate” in the race. The candidates’ past MANSFIELD, Ohio — criticisms of Trump Ohio’s crowded Republi- have also dominated the can Senate race has been millions of dollars in negative advertising that all about one man: Donhas flooded the state’s ald Trump. But with less than two airwaves. But Trump has months until the state’s remained on the sideMay 3 primary to suclines, unable to settle ceed retiring Sen. Rob on a pick, even as some Portman, some of the current and former aides leading candidates have — a long list of whom accepted that, despite their best efforts, the for- are working for competing candidates — have mer president’s coveted tried to nudge him their endorsement may never way. Unless a clear frontcome. runner emerges, allies “I’ve made my pitch say Trump may choose to to the president. I consit out the race entirely, tinue to make my pitch to the president. But we may endorse more than one candidate or may also have to make our pitch to voters because I wait to weigh in until the think there’s a chance he last minute, when many stays out of it,” said J.D. voters will have already made up their minds. Vance, one of the candiAdding to the uncerdates eagerly courting tainty: the possibility the Trump. Perhaps no race in the election may be delayed after the Ohio Supreme nation better represents the transformation of the Court this week again rejected proposed legislaRepublican Party over tive maps. the last six years than “Ohio is a critical the one in Ohio. The state that voted twice for race. President Trump former President Barack is watching it closely and will decide at the Obama and elected a right time,” said Trump long succession of modspokesperson Taylor erate Republicans, from former Gov. John Kasich Budowich. That’s left the candito the establishmentdates trying other tactics. minded Portman, has “You know, in this swung decisively right. campaign, everybody’s And the leading candisaying they’re all the dates in the race have Trumpiest candidates,” been working to outMike Gibbons, one of Trump one another as they try to woo both him the race’s front-runners, said at a campaign event and his voters. last week. “I don’t have Vance notes at his to prove my Trump town hall events that credentials. And it’s not he speaks with Trump about Trump. It’s about regularly. Former state Treasurer Josh Mandel is America First and the ideas and the things that running with the slogan “pro-GOD, pro-GUN, pro- he accomplished.” Nonetheless, the TRUMP.” And former wealthy investment Ohio GOP chair Jane banker who is running as Timken’s website opens with an ad titled “Incred- “a pro-Trump businessible Leader” that features man” ticked through his Trump bona fides, telling footage of Trump praishis audience at the Stark ing her at his rallies and Country GOP headquarby tweet. At his last ters that he’d served as event in the state, her Trump’s state finance cocampaign hired a plane to pull a banner that read chair in 2016, launched “Ohio is Trump Country” a Trump-aligned super PAC and even served as a and distributed a flyer pro-Trump commentator that called her “The on Norwegian TV. Only True Pro-Trump, Associated Press TODAY 8 AM WEATHER 2 PM 57° 56° Temperature The AccuWeather.com Asthma Index combines the effects of current air quality, pollen counts, wind, temperature, dew point, barometric pressure, and changes from past weather conditions to provide a scale showing the overall probability and severity of an asthma attack. Snowfall (in inches) POLLEN & MOLD Low Moderate High Primary: juniper, elm, maple Mold: 170 SUN & MOON Primary: cladosporium, other Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset Low Sun. 7:32 a.m. 7:40 p.m. 10:34 p.m. 8:56 a.m. MOON PHASES Last Mar 25 New Apr 1 First Apr 9 Full Apr 16 SOLUNAR TABLE The solunar period indicates peak feeding times for fish and game. Major Today 1:00a Sun. 1:51a Mon. 2:45a Tue. 3:44a Wed. 4:45a Thu. 5:48a Fri. 6:50a Minor 7:12a 8:03a 8:58a 9:57a 11:00a 12:03p 12:41a Major 1:23p 2:15p 3:11p 4:11p 5:14p 6:18p 7:20p Minor 7:35p 8:27p 9:24p 10:25p 11:29p ---1:05p WEATHER HISTORY A heavy, wet snowstorm began in the mid-Atlantic region on March 19, 1958. By the time it ended, over 18 inches of snow had accumulated from northern Virginia to Massachusetts. TAX SERVICE Individual - Business Gary Jarvis CPA Inc. WEDNESDAY 61° 54° Mostly sunny Moderate High Adelphi 56/40 Cloudy AIR QUALITY 300 500 Primary pollutant: Ozone Air Quality Index: 0-50, Good; 51-100, Moderate; 101-150, Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200, Unhealthy; 201-300, Very unhealthy; 301-500, Hazardous. Source: Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services OHIO RIVER Levels in feet as of 7 a.m. Fri. Location Willow Island Marietta Parkersburg Belleville Racine Point Pleasant Gallipolis Huntington Ashland Lloyd Greenup Portsmouth Maysville Meldahl Dam Level 12.65 19.71 23.44 12.76 12.78 26.52 11.99 30.01 36.43 12.75 27.74 35.94 29.10 24-hr. Chg. +0.11 -1.05 -0.65 -0.01 +0.21 -0.98 -0.54 -0.95 -0.73 +0.02 -2.06 -0.36 -1.30 Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022 62° 39° Mostly cloudy, heavy showers; warmer Cooler; chance of a little a.m. rain Belpre 58/42 Athens 57/41 St. Marys 60/41 Parkersburg 60/40 Coolville 58/41 Milton 58/43 St. Albans 59/43 Huntington 57/42 NATIONAL FORECAST 110s Seattle 100s 49/38 90s 80s 70s 60s 50s 40s San 30s Francisco 57/46 20s 10s 0s -0s -10s T-storms Los Angeles Rain 69/53 Showers Snow Flurries Ice Cold Front Warm Front Stationary Front Elizabeth 60/42 Spencer 59/42 Buffalo 57/43 Ironton 57/43 Ashland 57/43 Grayson 56/43 FRIDAY 55° 32° Cloudy and cooler NATIONAL CITIES Marietta 59/41 Wilkesville 56/41 POMEROY Jackson 57/42 56/41 Ravenswood Rio Grande 58/42 56/42 Centerville POINT PLEASANT Ripley 54/39 GALLIPOLIS 57/43 59/43 56/42 South Shore Greenup 57/43 55/42 64 Flood Stage 37 34 36 35 41 40 50 50 52 54 50 50 51 Portsmouth 56/43 THURSDAY 74° 50° Murray City 56/40 McArthur 55/40 Lucasville 56/42 Source: Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services 0 50 100 150 200 Chillicothe 56/40 Very High Very High Logan 56/40 126 Second Ave. Gallipolis, OH OH-70268885 TUESDAY 69° 44° Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Waverly 55/41 Pollen: 1199 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Fri. 0.0 Month to date/normal 4.0/3.2 Season to date/normal 21.7/18.4 Today 7:34 a.m. 7:39 p.m. 9:24 p.m. 8:29 a.m. MONDAY Clouds and sunshine 2 0-2 Low; 3-4 Moderate; 5-6 High; 7-8 Very High; 9-10 Extreme 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Fri. 0.00 Month to date/normal 2.93/2.49 Year to date/normal 13.65/8.96 SUNDAY 49° AccuWeather.com Asthma Index™ (in inches) EXTENDED FORECAST riding on other people’s coattails. And I really feel that there’s a lot of them out there riding on his coattails,” she said. Star Clark, 75, an Elyria resident who plans to vote for Mandel, said she she doesn’t care about Trump’s endorsement — as long as the person seeking her vote supports the former president. “If they go against Donald Trump, it’s to their detriment,” she said. “They need to stick with him if they want to go on and to be something. I love Donald Trump.” While the former president’s endorsement is coveted by candidates across the country, it remains unclear how valuable it will be in this year’s races. Trump crowed last week after the first 2022 midterm election contests that “All 33 Trump- Breezy today with a few showers. Rain and drizzle tonight. High 57° / Low 43° HEALTH TODAY Precipitation that embodies the Trump America First spirit and agenda like I do.” Timken spokesperson Mandi Merritt, meanwhile, said Timken “of course would be honored” to receive Trump’s backing. “But every day, Jane is focused on earning the endorsement and support of the voters of Ohio,” she said. The final major GOP candidate in the race, state Sen. Matt Dolan, whose family owns the Cleveland Guardians, has not aligned himself with Trump, seeking an alternate lane. For now, the race remains fluid. A recent Fox News poll found that about a quarter of Republican primary voters in the state say they are undecided. And even majorities of Gibbons, Mandel and Vance supporters said they may well change their minds. And voters here said in interviews that a Trump endorsement might not matter. Dorine Garbash, 57, a lifelong Republican who lives in Uniontown, said she’s turned off by candidates who constantly talk up their ties to Trump, whom she voted for twice. “I don’t like people 60° 36° Statistics through 3 p.m. Fri. 70°/46° 57°/37° 85° in 1908 13° in 1941 Gibbons, who told The Associated Press last week that he had never courted Trump’s endorsement, met with the former president Tuesday, according to two people familiar with the sitdown who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting. “You know I never have,” Gibbons told the AP. “I mean, (Trump) knows who I am. That’s it. He doesn’t know a lot about me. But I think he knows I never criticized him or was an antiTrumper.” He also said he understood Trump’s reluctance: “He doesn’t want to be embarrassed and pick the wrong person.” Mandel, the far-right candidate who has been using Trump’s playbook of attention-by-controversy, had no qualms about acknowledging his efforts. “I completely respect the president’s decisionmaking process on the endorsement. I’m doing everything I can to earn his support. And I’m confident I’m going to earn it,” he told the AP, noting that he was the first statewide official in Ohio to support Trump in 2016. “There’s no candidate in this race 8 PM ALMANAC High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low Jill Colvin | AP Ohio Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance laughs while speaking with Spencer Johnson at a campaign event in East Canton, Ohio, on March 9. With less than two months until the state’s May 3 primary to succeed retiring Sen. Rob Portman, some of the leading candidates have accepted that, despite their best efforts, the coveted endorsement by former President Donald Trump may never come. Endorsed candidates won last night in Texas, or are substantially leading.” But many of the candidates he endorsed there were running uncontested or had limited opposition. And Attorney General Ken Paxton, a strong Trump ally, was forced into a runoff against Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. Meanwhile in Alabama, Trump’s Senate candidate, Rep. Mo Brooks, has been struggling so badly that Trump told the Washington Examiner this week that he may pull his endorsement. His surprise pick in North Carolina’s Senate race, Rep. Ted Budd, is locked in a competitive primary. And in Georgia’s governor race, former Sen. David Perdue, whom Trump lobbied to run, has been badly outraised by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. In addition to Ohio, Trump has yet to endorse in several other highprofile Senate races where his support has been courted. After being burned when his original pick for Pennsylvania’s open Senate seat dropped out amid allegations of abuse by his ex-wife, Trump has yet to weigh in again in that race or in primaries in Missouri and Arizona. Rep. Tim Ryan, the leading Democrat in the Ohio Senate contest, sees an opportunity as the Republicans in the race jockey to be the Trumpiest of the bunch. “I think a lot of Republicans are afraid of what the Republican primary’s turned into,” he told the AP. “It’s one of those ‘I didn’t leave them, they left me’ kind of things.” Clendenin 62/42 Charleston 61/42 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Winnipeg 35/23 Billings 61/42 Toronto 54/36 Minneapolis 53/31 Chicago 44/35 Montreal 47/41 Detroit 54/34 New York 64/52 Washington 79/51 Denver 57/37 Kansas City 64/40 Chihuahua 76/43 Monterrey 77/53 Today Sun. Hi/Lo/W 65/42/pc 40/23/c 65/44/pc 60/51/t 78/49/t 61/42/pc 60/32/c 51/49/r 61/42/c 77/45/pc 54/32/pc 44/35/r 52/40/sh 58/39/r 56/40/r 76/52/s 57/37/pc 57/36/s 54/34/r 84/69/pc 75/46/s 47/36/r 64/40/s 77/55/pc 68/43/s 69/53/pc 52/40/sh 85/73/t 53/31/pc 55/38/pc 68/51/s 64/52/t 71/46/s 88/67/t 72/50/t 85/59/pc 62/40/r 43/41/r 80/50/t 82/50/t 56/39/r 66/43/pc 57/46/sh 49/38/r 79/51/t Hi/Lo/W 69/37/c 37/21/pc 68/45/s 58/44/pc 59/41/pc 44/32/c 50/30/pc 59/42/pc 59/39/c 67/39/s 59/25/c 60/43/s 61/43/s 55/39/c 59/41/pc 77/55/s 65/30/c 67/53/pc 58/37/pc 84/67/pc 76/58/s 63/42/s 75/54/pc 68/50/pc 74/46/s 74/51/s 64/43/s 84/70/t 58/43/pc 65/42/s 70/57/s 61/44/pc 74/48/pc 79/57/pc 60/44/pc 74/52/pc 54/39/sn 54/36/r 68/43/pc 64/40/c 73/52/pc 44/30/sh 63/47/s 49/41/r 61/45/pc EXTREMES FRIDAY Atlanta 65/44 El Paso 74/48 City Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charleston, WV Charlotte Cheyenne Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Miami Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland, ME Raleigh Richmond St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Seattle Washington, DC National for the 48 contiguous states High Low 93° in Plant City, FL -4° in Walden, CO Global Houston 75/46 High Low Miami 85/73 110° in Onslow, Australia -43° in Verkhoyansk, Russia Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. �NEWS 12 Saturday, March 19, 2022 Copy of Marvel Comics #1 fetches $2.4 million NEW YORK (AP) — A particularly prized copy of the first-ever Marvel comic book fetched more than $2.4 million in an online auction, the auctioneer said Friday. Known as the Marvel Comics #1 “pay copy,” it’s “arguably one of the top three comic books in the world of comics collecting,” said Vincent Zurzolo, chief operating officer of ComicConnect. The New York-based auctioneer sold the book Thursday night for a bit under $2,427,800. The buyer’s name has not been disclosed. He is “an extremely passionate comic book collector and investor” who also collects other items, Zurzolo said. Published in 1939, Marvel Comics #1 introduced characters including Sub-Mariner and the original Human Torch, a precursor of the character of the same name that was later a member of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. The book launched what became the Marvel universe of comics, movies, TV shows and video games. The very well-preserved “pay copy” is especially sought-after because it bears the publisher’s handwritten notes recording how much the multiple writers and artists were paid. For example, Frank R. Paul earned $25 for drawing the cover of a book now worth nearly 100,000 times as much. HPAI occurs naturally in bird populations and is monitored closely by the U.S. Geological From page 1 Survey. Native Ohio birds such as shoreAll Ohioans can birds, raptors, and report sick or dead wild birds suspected of waterfowl are vulnerHPAI at 800-WILDLIFE able to HPAI. Domestic chickens and turkeys (945-3543) or wildoare also vulnerable hio.gov. The following to HPAI. The virus is bird species should be transmitted from bird reported: Any raptor, to bird through feeding such as a bald eagle; and interactions. More Multiple waterfowl, such as geese or ducks; information about Any other large congre- HPAI is available at aphis.usda.gov. gation of sick or dead Information provided birds. by ODNR. The release stated Influenza Support From page 1 as Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored the requests calling for peace from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. There were soon reports of Putin calling for attacks in the capital, Kyiv, and other cities across Ukraine. “I just woke up one morning and my host mom, she always calls to check if I’m awake, and she called me and she was like, ‘did you talk to your parents this day?’ I was like, ‘no, I just woke up,’” Svystovych said. “‘Did you know what’s happening in Ukraine?’ I was like ‘no, what’s happening there?’ She was like, ‘they’re bombing Ukraine around.’ And I was like what? I didn’t believe it.” Svystovych said she immediately called and talked to her sister. “She say, ‘yes, they are bombing, but we’re not scared because we were ready for that, like our government was prepared. The war was going to happen, We all knew that something was going to happen,’” Svystovych recalled. “But it just was a shock that it happened, like immediately in the morning.” Svystovych’s parents had jobs in Poland and her sister said they had just left to go back for work before the war started. “They didn’t know that war will start or something, they just went to job, to work,” Svystovych said. “And the first thing they knew in the morning is that the war started right after they left.” Svystovych has five siblings — four brothers and one sister — who were still in Ukraine. “I was really worried about them. I was really afraid for them,” Svystovych said. “They [siblings] were in Ukraine, I guess for two weeks and then three of them went for parents to [go] to Poland. So, three of them, like the youngest one [is] with my parents in Poland.” Svystovych is from the Lviv region, just 43 miles from the Poland border. At the time of Svystovych’s interview with Ohio Valley Publishing, Lviv had not yet been attacked. Two of Svystovych’s brothers were still in Ukraine, preparing for what was to come. “One of them will be mobilized soon if the Russians [are] going to attack my region,” Svystovych said. “My oldest one, he is a priest and they offered him to go to Italy because his college was moved to Italy. But he refused and he say he going to stay. He wants to stay and fight because you know, it’s our land, what’s important for us.” While Lviv had not been attacked yet, areas all around the region had been bombed. “The first day I called my sister, she said, ‘oh, people are panicking,’” Svystovych said. “People are moving from towns, people are packing suitcases, the shops very full. She couldn’t get in line to get like bread, because we usually buy bread everyday.” Svystovych said guns are illegal in Ukraine, so to protect themselves citizens were using Molotov cocktails and what she said was called a “blockbust” — a type of weapon where “they put in the stuff… make shoot from that [opposite] side.” “They’re doing this, and then when school started, like for distance education, they were talking about war and they were talking how to pack bags,” Svystovych said. “So for my sister, it was to pack their bags and be ready to run to forest because we don’t have bomb shelters in our town. And for us, it was the safest place.” Svystovych’s best friend is in another city, one her brother was eventually in, and they told her there were sirens everywhere and at one point they COVID From page 1 been 4,592 total cases (7 new) in Meigs County since the beginning of the pandemic, 230 hospitalizations and 85 deaths (1 new). Of the 4,592 cases, 4,435 (30 new) are presumed recovered. Case data is as follows: 0-19 — 896 cases (1 new), 10 hospitalizations 20-29 — 655 cases, 5 hospitalizations, 1 death 30-39 — 603 cases (4 new), 15 hospitalizations, 1 death 40-49 — 672 cases, 18 hospitalizations, 2 deaths 50-59 — 649 cases (1 new), 37 hospitalizations, 10 deaths 60-69 — 548 cases, 57 hospitalizations, 13 deaths 70-79 — 356 cases (1 new), 53 hospitalizations, 30 deaths 80-plus — 213 cases, 35 hospitalizations, 27 deaths (1 new) Vaccination rates in Meigs County are as follows, according to ODH: Vaccines started: 11,374 (49.64 percent of the population); Vaccines completed: 10,415 (45.46 percent of the population). Mason County According to the 10 a.m. update on Friday from DHHR, there have been 6,625 cases (11 new) of COVID19, in Mason County (6,144 confirmed cases, 481probable cases) since Daily Sentinel the beginning of the pandemic and 91 deaths (2 new). DHHR reports there are currently 24 active cases and 6,510 recovered cases in Mason County. (Editor’s note: Case data includes both confirmed and probable cases.) Case data is as follows: 0-4 — 146 cases 5-11 — 319 cases 12-15 — 333 cases 16-20 — 472 cases 21-25 — 538 cases 26-30 — 607 cases 31-40 — 1,101 cases (2 new), 2 deaths 41-50 — 1,021 cases (3 new), 3 deaths 51-60 — 855 cases (1 new), 12 deaths 61-70 — 646 cases (3 new), 16 deaths 71+ — 587 cases (2 new), 58 deaths (2 new) Additional county case data since vaccinations began Dec. 14, 2020: Total cases since start of vaccinations: 5,721 (9 new); Total cases among individuals who were not reported as fully vaccinated — 4,804 (11 new); Total breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated — 917 (3 new); Total deaths among not fully vaccinated individuals — 72; Total breakthrough deaths among fully vaccinated individuals — 8 (2 new). A total of 12,080 people in Mason County have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is 45.6 percent of the population, according Khrysta Svystovych | Courtesy Khrysta Svystovych with her host parents, Mike and Dafney Davis. had to hide as they were bombing that city. She said her brother tried to go to college and was sent home, so he found a ride from a random person who drove him back home, which was four hours away. Svystovych said her brother was supposed to have surgery — the type is unknown as Svystovych’s family does not want her to worry — that day, but due to full hospitals it had to be cancelled. save them [if] something happens.” Svystovych said everyday her family hears of more deaths. She said it is hard to believe that this is happening. “Like the city I was in, they don’t look the same anymore,” Svystovych said. “I left one Ukraine and I’m going to go back to a completely different country and it’s awful to see that. I just can’t realize that it’s actually happening in my country.” It is unknown where Svystovych will go at the A different home end of the school year. Svystovych talked to She said she can go to her parents on Sunday, another country with relaMarch 13. She said her mother is extremely emo- tives, to Poland with her family or somewhere else. tional and empathetic to While her parents want all that is going on and she is anxious about Svys- her to stay where she is to be safe, she said she tovych’s brothers being in Ukraine still, by them- still does not know. selves. Svystovych said she Sunflower support wanted her family to go When the war broke to the safest place, but out, students at South her dad refuses. Gallia High School were “My dad is worried. affected differently with He wanted to go back one of their own worryto Ukraine to fight, he’s ing about her family. fighting right now,” Svys“It was the first time I tovych said. “He said he think it’s really affected don’t want to be far right kids at this level,” Miller from Ukraine, they are said. “They realize it’s not in Poland right now, but just something they’re they’re closer to Ukraine. seeing on TV. They have So, I said just go further someone in their school, but he said he want to be that it’s actually affecting.” close to Ukraine. There Miller said the next are my grandparents, so day she thought maybe he could go back and just they could find a way to to DHHR, with 10,227 fully vaccinated or 38.6 percent of the population. Mason County is currently green on the West Virginia County Alert System. There have been 28 confirmed cases of the Delta variant in Mason County. There are six confirmed cases of the Omicron variant reported in Mason County. Ohio According to the update on Thursday from ODH, there have been 3,605 cases in the past seven days (21-day average of 5,446), 309 new hospitalizations (21-day average of 441), 50 new ICU admissions (21-day average of 53) and 396 new deaths in the previous 24 hours (21-day average of 447) with 37,608 total reported deaths. (Editor’s Note: ODH now updates COVID-19 data once per week.) Vaccination rates in Ohio are as follows, according to ODH: Vaccines started: 7,266,570 (62.17 percent of the population); Vaccines completed: 6,728,787 (57.56 percent of the population). As of March 9, ODH reports the following breakthrough information: COVID-19 Deaths among individuals not reported as fully vaccinated — 22,807; COVID-19 Deaths among fully vaccinated individuals — 1,180; support Svystovych. She said it was hard for them to do much being in the United States, especially children, but there had to be something. “I had the idea of doing something with the sunflower,” Miller said. “The sunflower is the Ukraine’s national flower and it kind of started becoming an image of rebellion in Ukraine for the war, but for the rest of the world, it kind of became a symbol of solidarity.” It was just days after the war started when Miller approached the school’s Pep Club about the idea. Miller said they were all for the idea. Students used their intervention period to cut sunflowers, she said. “I’ve never seen children cut flowers so fast in their lives,” Miller said. More than 100 sunflowers were cut out and hung all over the school to surprise Svystovych. The students also found a Helen Keller quote relating to sunflowers to put on a banner and hang up with “Pray for Ukraine.” Miller said the situation has opened a lot of valuable conversations and good questions with the students around the school. Miller said Svystovych had no idea about the project, but Miller stands at the entrance of the school each morning and witnessed her reaction. “She walked in and she looked at me and she said, ‘I love the sunflowers, I know they’re for me.’ So I was like ‘she gets it,’” Miller said. “And I was hoping she’d understand that they were for her. She really enjoyed getting to see them.” “Oh, that was the warmest thing in my heart,” Svystovych said. “I almost cry, because it’s so nice. I mean, to have the part of Ukraine here and see the people actually care. I didn’t expect this kind of things. And it’s made me much happier. Much calmer. And I know that people here care. It’s amazing to know that people actually care.” COVID-19 Hospitalizations since Jan. 1, 2021 among individuals not reported as fully vaccinated — 65,045; COVID-19 Hospitalizations since Jan. 1, 2021 among individuals reported as fully vaccinated — 4,410. West Virginia According to the 10 a.m. update on Friday from DHHR, there have been 496,409 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 227 reported since DHHR’s update last update. DHHR reports 82,890 “breakthrough” cases as of Friday with 757 total breakthrough deaths statewide (counts include cases after the start of COVID-19 vaccination/ Dec. 14, 2020). There have been a total of 6,646 deaths due to COVID19 since the start of the pandemic, with 11 since the last update. There are 795 currently active cases in the state, with a daily positivity rate of 1.89 and a cumulative positivity rate of 8.30 percent. Statewide, 1,118,539 West Virginia residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 (62.4 percent of the population). A total of 53.9 percent of the population, 966,222 individuals have been fully vaccinated. © 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Kayla (Hawthorne) Dunham is a staff writer for Ohio Valley Publishing, reach her at 304-675-1333, ext. 1992. Svystovych said the school also did a blue and yellow day, donning her native country’s colors in support. She said her host family has been beyond supportive of her and the situation. “They helped me a lot, from the first day they were really, really supporting me,” Svystovych said. “She’s [host mom] asking about my parents, every time they say they are ready to help whenever, if my parents wants to come here.” Svystovych said her host mom welcomed her famliy and is making arrangements and collecting things to aid Ukrainian refugees. “They’re doing a lot. I’m really grateful,” Svystovych said. To lend a hand Svystovych said she thinks the best way for people to help is to donate to Ukraine’s national bank donation site. “It’s the best way because right now our economics is going down,” Svystovych said. “Need to pay for our military and this money can also help refugees.” Even if someone is unable to donate money, Svystovych said anything helps, whether it is helping someone directly from Ukraine, donating something, etc. “I just learned that my nation is, I will never expect my nation to be that strong, I mean that united right now,” Svystovych said. “We are inspired. But we are not scared.” It has been almost a month and the sunflowers still adorn the walls of South Gallia High School and the students are still as supportive as ever of their friend and classmate, something that has made a lasting impact on Svystovych. © 2022, Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Brittany Hively is a staff writer for Ohio Valley Publishing. Follow her on Twitter @britthively; reach her at (740) 446-2342 ext 2555. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 03. March Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource March 19, 2022 bradford frank maggied thomas watson