Soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer injuries — both mental and physical — that can make their return difficult. In addition to surgeries, physical therapy and learning to cope with disabilities, the heroes often have trouble with the memories of fighting and the loneliness of being separated from their platoon, from others with similar experiences.
It’s with these warriors in mind that the Friends of American Heroes came to be.
According to its Web site, the group “is an organization whose goal is to honor American military wounded heroes and their families by assisting them with necessary expenses … to participate in a growing number of outdoor recreational opportunities.” Thanks to a television show featuring the group, this mission is now being carried out locally.
Shawn Culp, who saw the segment, did some research and put together the first area event.

The Portage River Lift bridge is closing for repairs. Vehicles won’t be able to travel over the structure from March 15-25; masted boats will be restricted from April 1-5.
The Ohio Department of Transportation will be replacing steel, working on girders and relocating pipes during the closure.
“This project is for the maintenance of the electrical system,” said Theresa Pollick, public information officer ODOT’S District II office.

Tourism officials, business owners and representatives from attractions across the region gathered in Portage Township Monday to look to the future.
The Ohio Tourism Town Hall Meeting,  hosted by Lake Erie Shores and Islands, focused on new funding for the state tourism department and programs to help businesses promote their destinations and services. Representatives came from as close as Marblehead and the islands and as far as Wooster to hear the new plans.

The Oak Harbor/Penta FFA Agriculture Sales Team placed 18th at the State Agriculture Sales Career Development Event on March 6 at Tolles Technical Center in Plain City, Ohio. The sales team consisted of Kyle Wendt, Johnathan Kitzler, Tyler Kitzler and Bret Braun.
The Career Development Event is composed of an objective test, sales demonstration and customer relations practicum. The test is designed to assess the team members’ understanding of the sales process and the role selling plays in marketing agriculture products. The sales demonstration assesses the team member’s ability to properly develop and sell an agricultural product to a customer and properly conclude the sales transaction.