American Red Cross locations throughout the area are recruiting new volunteers to join the Disaster Action Team (DAT) and assist clients throughout our area. Natural disasters such as winter storms, floods, and home fires increase the organization’s need for trained and prepared volunteers. DAT volunteers are a vital piece of Red Cross response, providing compassion, care, and assistance families need in times of emergency. 

I promised to tell you more about the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas on a regular basis. Our last article gave an overview of what we do, now perhaps I’ll delve into the specifics of how criminal cases come to us. 

Unlike the Municipal or Juvenile Courts, police officers are not permitted to file their cases directly with this Court. Criminal cases come to this court either having been reviewed by the Municipal Court Judge in a Preliminary Hearing, or by being reviewed by the Grand Jury to determine if there is “probable cause” for someone to face charges. Probable cause means that a crime has probably been committed and the accused probably committed the crime. Only then can charges be filed in the Common Pleas Court. If the Municipal Court Judge finds there is probable cause, he then transfers the case to the Common Pleas Court. If the matter is heard by the Grand Jury and they find probable cause an “indictment” is given. The indictment is the document informing the accused that he or she has been accused of a crime and gives the general nature of the offense with which he or she has been charged.

The January meeting of Johnson’s Island Civil War Round Table will be held Sunday,Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. at T.J. Willie’s Restaurant in Tiffin. The Heritage Minstrels members Howard Schlegel, Barbara Bond, and John Bond will present the program, “Civil War Songs of the South”.  President Lincoln himself felt that “Dixie” was one of the best tunes he had ever heard. The meeting is free and open to all interested in the American Civil War. Members and guests may choose to chat and dine beginning at 5:15 p.m.

Dean’s List, The Ohio State University, Fall semester 2012:
Port Clinton: Katie Ashley

Each year the Leadership Ottawa County (LOC) class completes a project. The 2013 class is organizing The Welcome Doors of Ottawa County. These doors, modeled on the urban fairies project of Ann Arbor, MI, is designed to encourage travel and exploration throughout our region and encourage children of all ages to discover new points of interest and businesses in Ottawa County.