More than 200 people attended this year's Shores & Islands Ohio annual meeting where the marketing organization shared its accomplishments and saluted its industry partners The event took place April 29th at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton and featured a dynamic presentation followed by a reception Shores & Islands Ohio President Larry Fletcher paid tribute to the late Dr a former lieutenant colonel and member of the Tuskegee Airmen who is honored in a special exhibit at the museum The Shores & Islands Ohio staff presented the organization’s main accomplishments for 2024 and marketing initiatives for 2025 through a multi-media presentation Fletcher highlighted new experiences available to visitors and residents in the area A key feature of the annual meeting was the presentation of the organization’s hospitality awards which recognize exceptional efforts in customer service and collaboration within the tourism industry The Extraordinary Destination Enhancement Award was presented to African Safari Wildlife Park for its outstanding contributions to the Shores & Islands Ohio region is the Midwest’s oldest drive-through safari park It attracts over 150,000 visitors each season from distances up to 200 miles currently housing more than 500 animals of over 40 species Recent improvements funded through the 2024 Destination Development Grant Program included better lighting updated signage and landscaping enhancements which stand for Superior Hospitality Recognition These awards allow Shores & Islands Ohio business partners to nominate individuals who exemplify the spirit of hospitality and commitment to service The 2025 SHORE Awards were awarded to Steven Schuster and Kippie Loughlin Schuster is the proprietor of Sandusky Bay Pancake House known for its local partnerships and community values He donates a portion of sales from specific menu items to local charities and has received over 3,000 five-star reviews online marketing & information technology coordinator with Erie Metroparks and president of Sandusky Bay Cycles — was also honored He promotes bike safety and community engagement through various initiatives including organizing bike rides and refurbishing bicycles for those in need PORT CLINTON — Magruder Hospital Auxiliary volunteers provided 10,460 hours of service to the hospital in 2024 They were honored during the auxiliary's annual meeting and volunteer recognition event April 25 The event featured a luncheon catered by Fulton Street Café where volunteers were recognized for their contributions Eighty volunteers supported hospital operations by greeting patients escorting them to procedures and staffing the gift shop as well as sewing repairs and creating seasonal patient tray items Forty-one volunteers were acknowledged for their cumulative service hours with Vanda Wahlers achieving the highest total at 4,500 hours The auxiliary presented a check for $15,000 to the hospital which will support employee recognition efforts $16,000 in scholarships will be awarded to high school students in Ottawa County pursuing health care careers The afternoon included a presentation by Pam and Brian Griebel about their year-long boating adventure on the Great Loop New auxiliary members and volunteers are always welcome. For more information about the auxiliary, contact Kim Palmer at 419-734-3131 ext. 3147 or kpalmer@magruderhospital.com. For volunteering inquiries, contact Kathy Gallogly at 419-734-3131 ext. 3256 or kgallogly@magruderhospital.com Apr 29, 2025 | Featured, Around Ottawa County | 0 comments Josh Nelson stands next to the Japanese Cherry Tree that was planted in honor of his K9 a crowd gathered at Adams Street Park to celebrate Arbor Day hosted by the City of Port Clinton Tree Commission and led by Tree Commission Chairman Larry Holman honored the city’s distinguished designation as a Tree City USA since 1989 and celebrated the beauty that trees bring to a town’s landscape Although this was the 36th year that Port Clinton has celebrated Arbor Day The event also honored the life of K-9 Spike who served Port Clinton along with his handler Spike died from complications of a tumor on Dec Members of Port Clinton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 79 joined with the City of Port Clinton and the Tree Commission to dedicate a newly planted Royal Burgundy Japanese Cherry Tree to Spike Members of the Port Clinton Police Department attended the April 25 Arbor Day Ceremony to honor late K9 Spike “Spike never ceased to amaze me in the things he did in his whole career,” Nelson said gave a memorial dedication speech in Spike’s honor he greatly impacted the community he served,” Woods said K9 Spike successfully made over 270 narcotic seizures 56 of those seizures being dangerous felony drugs.” Port Clinton Police K9 Officer Amy Pugh stands with Tree Commission Chairman Larry Holman and K9 Aldo Rose despite Spike’s “ability to sniff out crime and arrest bad guys,” he enjoyed public demonstrations and the attention of children Spike connected with over 5,000 children and their families during his long career which included the help of Boy Scout Troop 361 Six-year-old Adrian Metodiev is all smiles as he holds a gift certificate from Saucey Slices Pizzeria that he won on Arbor Day The community supported Port Clinton’s Arbor Day celebration The Japanese Cherry Tree and a Silver Linden Tree were donated by Port Clinton Elks Lodge #1718 and Saucey Slices Pizzeria donated gift cards for the Boy Scouts The Port Clinton Tree Commission includes Holman Apr 29, 2025 | , BY SHERI TRUSTY OTTAWA COUNTY - Two years ago local organizations collaborated to create Ottawa County Community Day Apr 29, 2025 | , BY SHERI TRUSTY DANBURY - On a recent spring day Karen Evans of Danbury Township was traveling back from Cincinnati with her boyfriend when her.. BY SHERI TRUSTY PORT CLINTON - A decade ago Tim Larcey stood in Port Clinton and decided it would be a good idea to organize a fishing tournament.. Lake Erie Marine Forecast ODNR Fishing Reports Powered by Webify Cloudy with more rounds of showers and possibly some downpours or a t-storm The crash happened in Port Clinton at a bridge near the intersection of Blue Mountain Road and Centre Turnpike (Route 61) - There was a chaotic crash and water rescue on Route 61 near Hamburg Friday The crash happened on a bridge near a work zone in Port Clinton Authorities tell us the incident started with a crash in the southbound lane of Route 61 a woman ended up jumping into the nearby Schuylkill River Emergency crews were able to pull her out safely 69 News is waiting to hear more from crews about the woman's condition Traffic was backed up for several hours due to the crash Authorities say a woman jumped off a bridge into the Schuylkill River in an attempt to flee the scene Email notifications are only sent once a day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Apr 1, 2025 | Featured, Around Ottawa County | 0 comments A long line of people wait in line to pay for their purchases at the ReStore grand opening on March 29 PORT CLINTON – When Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County Executive Director was preparing for the March 29 grand opening of the organization’s new ReStore in Port Clinton There were more than that waiting to get in the door when it opened at 10 a.m. and they continued to come throughout the day There were a bunch of people in the parking lot Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers for new and like-new merchandise Shoppers at the Port Clinton grand opening came to purchase appliances A customer holds a carpet while she shops at Port Clinton’s new ReStore and we have another storage unit full of furniture that we couldn’t fit in here Joe and Wendy Szczerbiak of Port Clinton stopped by the grand opening to see what the ReStore offers and walked out with a bike Wendy picked up a microwave splatter cover for her home and an embroidery kit for her aunt “I didn’t realize they would have such a variety,” she said Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County Executive Director was grateful for the tremendous community response to the ReStore’s grand opening on March 29 Among the ReStore’s variety of merchandise is new paint made from recycled paint giving locals the option to purchase eco-friendly paint and also recycle their own paint to keep it out of landfills Paint can be recycled at the ReStore for $2 a can “When you’re remodeling a home and have cabinets in good condition The ReStore offers donation pickup in Ottawa and Sandusky counties Heiks said a pickup schedule will be established soon A ReStore employee helps a customer choose a door ReStore shoppers have the opportunity to purchase new and like-new items at big savings while having the assurance of knowing their purchases help fund Habitat projects in Ottawa County “The money goes toward building houses and toward the home repair program we started this year,” Heiks said The Critical Home Repairs program helps meet home maintenance needs for seniors over 65 and locals with disabilities The new Port Clinton ReStore sells paint made from recycled paint Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County plans to build four homes in Oak Harbor this year and then will move on next year to a Port Clinton project that will eventually lead to the construction of 18 homes “Working with the Village of Oak Harbor has been wonderful,” Heiks said Heiks is grateful that Port Clinton has embraced the Habitat mission as well “This community is very supportive of us at Habitat Everyone came out today to support us,” she said BY SHERI TRUSTY PORT CLINTON - On April 25 OAK HARBOR — Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is hosting a series of May events to celebrate the spring bird migration coinciding with the Biggest Week in American Birding festival tram tours and special programs featuring authors and wildlife experts executive director of Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge said the refuge is an important stopover habitat for migratory birds "We are working hard to welcome visitors during spring migration and we are excited to share the magic of the refuge with everyone who comes to experience it," Arent said "Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing place to witness the incredible journey of migratory birds as they rest and refuel in the refuge’s critical stopover habitat Thanks to the tireless efforts of our refuge staff accessible and welcoming for all as we enter our busiest season of the year.” one of the last remaining pieces of the Great Black Swamp provides habitat for hundreds of species and offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature Here's a look at the events happening at the refuge this month: PORT CLINTON – Last year’s snowman was 35 feet tall bands and fun at the Burning Snowman Festival which returns to the beach at Port Clinton on Feb is excited for the positive vibes.“Last year was great so we’re expecting it to be even bigger this year,” Miller said We will keep you warm until you are ready to go out and watch him burn why not stand out on a beach in February in Ohio?”The snowman's wooden framework is already built fire dancers will perform on the beach.“Ohio Burn Unit She also wants to remind people that it’s a big party The organizers hope to beat the $40,000 donation from last year for the single-day event The event helps the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center Kids for Christmas and the Port Clinton Police and Fire departments.Officially but Miller is certain there were more than 5,000 attending.Miller recommends buying your discounted tickets soon Tickets at the door will cost $35.The festival is centered on the beach at Doc’s Beach House along with live music and DJS — and heated tents Lakeshore Drive runs between party venues.“Riverside Cantina is inside the Commodore Perry Inn which is across the street from Doc’s Beach House Then there is a tent in their parking lot that has entertainment but there’s also the tent at Doc's,” Miller said The party will also be spread throughout the town Gates open at noon for attendees 21 and older but Miller expects festivities across town until at least 1 a.m A free shuttle will run from 2-11 p.m.“The shuttles make a continuous loop around the various venues,” Miller said “We have lots of people who don’t even go to the festival because they just a have great day bar-hopping through town Not only do we want to make money for charity but we want to bring revenue to this town when it’s in dire need in February — anything we can do to keep people in town before summer.”The committee is looking for more volunteers Interested groups or individuals should go to the Burning Snowman Facebook page.rlapointe@gannett.com419-332-26 PORT CLINTON - They Wylie Walleye Foundation is releasing its plans for the 2025 Walleye Drop 31 in downtown Port Clinton on Madison Street which began with a large paper-mache walleye in 1995 (the second version of the fish) is now a 600-pound 20-foot-long walleye made of fiberglass and lit up with LEDs which drops from the sky on a crane near East Perry and Madison streets The drop is followed by a fireworks show in downtown Port Clinton Committee Member Kevin Roe said the event draws 5,000 to 10,000 people "It will literally fill downtown," he said The estimate does not include all the patrons at the local bars and restaurants in Port Clinton which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025-26 today includes more than a giant fish dropping from the sky the organization hosts the "Minnow Drop" for children at the Knights of Columbus on Perry Street snacks and a balloon drop in the Knights of Columbus' Denny Bergman Hall at 109 E Other activities on New Year's Eve will include "Touch A Truck" from 3 p.m where children and adults can put their hands on fire trucks and other big vehicles in the downtown area with DJ Hondo playing music through the night The Breakfast Club will be the headliner for the stage with five buses traveling from stop to stop between locations in Port Clinton along Ohio 163 all the way to Marblehead The foundation is also offering a VIP Experience in Berman Hall starting at 8 p.m for those wanting an inside experience at the Knights of Columbus within walking distance of the main event Tickets are $80 for one person and $150 for two ages 21 and over. There is also The Great Lake Getaway Raffle; first place wins a lodging and fishing package and second place wins a trip on the Jet Express and Put-in-Bay getaway. Visit https://walleyedrop.com for ticket information for all the latter activities PORT CLINTON - Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County has been going through a few changes working to open the Ottawa County ReStore and adding plans to build more homes in 2025 Habitat announced it hired a new community engagement director Winterfield already had a long history of working with the Ottawa County community as she served with the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce for 17 years The new community engagement director said she also had first-hand experience working with Habitat before she was hired by the organization "My first experience was I got a home with Habitat in 2009," she said She purchased her Habitat home in Rocky Ridge where she still lives "Around 2018 I became a volunteer with Habitat Habitat to add three more positionsWinterfield is part of the two-person Habitat staff but added the community engagement position last year when it rolled out its growth plans Winterfield's role is to work with volunteers But that is changing. The agency is in the process of adding three more employees while preparing to open the Ottawa County ReStore at 1600 E. Perry St. — with the store on the first floor and its office upstairs. The store will specialize in recycling home construction goods and home products. Visit ReStore for a complete list "We're thinking around the beginning of March," Winterfield said about opening the new shop Habitat is interviewing to fill the posts of store manager assistant manager and truck driver/warehouse associate volunteers are working to finish the trim and doors in the ReStore Habitat is accepting donations for the ReStore such as appliances The Ottawa County Habitat is following a step-by-step guide provided by the national organization for the ReStore and other Habitat groups are assisting them in their setup "Habitats are very supportive of each other," Winterfield said the organization has built one home a year plans call for them to build four homes in Oak Harbor the Habitat group is holding an Homeowner and Volunteer Application Day for those who think they may want a house of their own or work on a habitat home cannot have owned a home in the last three years and not had a bankruptcy or foreclosure in the last three years The person applying must have lived in Ottawa Erie or Sandusky counties for the past year The applicant must also fall into an annual gross income chart: one person with a minimum of $20,517 to maximum income of $54,712 Income level for a four-person household income is $29,310 to $78,160 For more information on the application process director@HabitatOttawaCounty.org or call 419-734-7074 Winterfield pointed out that Habitat has more on its plate. The annual charity golf outing Annual Charity Golf Outing is set for the Catawba Island Club on May 19 From critically acclaimed storytelling to powerful photography, our Port Clinton News Herald app available in the Apple or Google Play stores provides an easy way to access the news Ottawa County depends on and the eNewspaper wherever you are DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more fast-loading experience that makes it easy to view the stories photos and videos you're most interested in Our app ensures you stay informed with a customizable experience and the ability to get news alerts when news breaks in the community or on topics you care about most The app offers a comprehensive look at the stories that matter to you eNewspaper now available on the appIf you cherish the tactile feel of traditional newspapers but crave the convenience of digital access The digital replica of the daily newspaper, available on the Port Clinton News Herald's website can now also be accessed through our main news app News alerts Turn on alerts to receive breaking news weather updates and more in real-time through the app Alerts can be tailored to your interests and quiet times can be applied Visit the app’s settings to customize your alerts "My Topics" makes it even easier to follow the stories that matter most to you you will get a customized list of stories to read based on the topics you've selected Want alerts when we publish something new on those topics Just look for the "My Topics" button along the bottom menu bar or the "Add Topic" button at the top of articles to get started Further customize your app experience by saving your stories for later applying night mode or reading articles offline The Port Clinton News Herald app is free to download Subscriptions include unlimited access to content on our app Subscribers also get access to breaking news from the entire USA TODAY network through the local and national news module Learn more at portclintonnewsherald.com/subscriberguide John Lutheran Church will host its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on March 4 John’s youth ministry and supporting church youth attending camp This event is a tradition held each year on the day before Ash Wednesday For more information, call 419-734-5548 or visit stjohnlutheranpc.com This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/ PORT CLINTON - Port Clinton City Schools has been named the 2024 School District of the Year Presented by the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators the award recognizes the district's implementation of essential practices outlined in Ohio’s Leadership Development Framework This annual honor goes to an Ohio district that exemplifies effective leadership practices inherent in the Ohio Improvement Process collaborative inquiry utilizing data for decision-making and a commitment to success for all learners within the school system "This award reflects the dedication of our entire Port Clinton City School District staff and the collaborative spirit of our district which together fosters a remarkable learning environment," Superintendent of Schools Patrick Adkins said our staff creates a safe and supportive space that promotes growth and learning." Administrators regularly review student data Building-level meetings and individual conversations with staff facilitate discussions on overcoming obstacles The district integrates its Multi-Tiered Support System with the established Cullture Playbook BBO- Beliefs This approach recognizes that every staff member plays a crucial role in the learning process from bus drivers safely transporting children to food service personnel ensuring that each child is nourished to learn Numerous initiatives aimed at improving learning have emerged from the school district’s process including the Read Every Day program at Port Clinton High School and the Social Emotional Learning Symposium hosted by the district For more information about the School District of the Year Award and Port Clinton City School District’s BBO, visit www.pccsd.net PORT CLINTON - New Year's Eve and New Year's Day was rainy and blustery but that did not stop fans from attending the annual Walleye Drop Volunteers guided Wylie Walleye from hanging high on a crane to the ground as hundreds braved the wind and rain to bring in the new year at the 2025 Walleye Drop in downtown Port Clinton Cleveland's Breakfast Club performed during the 2025 Walleye Drop to keep spirits high One of the activities include Fred Grosser with Elegant Ice Creations in Broadview Heights creating an ice sculpture in downtown Port Clinton events included a Minnow Drop for youths where balloons fell on the children at the Knights of Columbus Hall The Port Clinton City School District recently presented two Flagship Awards for outstanding contributions to the district The awards are part of the district’s recognition program community members and staff who support its motto of “Proudly Charting a Course for Success.” the Port Clinton Board of Education awarded Flagship Awards in two categories — captain for staff and crew for the community — according to an announcement The Port Clinton Eagles 2295 received the Flagship Crew Award for their significant contributions to the district and local youth organizations which includes scholarships for Port Clinton High School seniors and support for various initiatives Their recent contributions include backing the PC Music Boosters and the Champions for Children program as well as sponsoring a PCHS student to play soccer in Spain this summer The Port Clinton City School District Maintenance Team received the Captain Award for their dedication to maintaining school facilities Ben Roberts and Director of Facilities and Grounds Aaron DiBucci have shown exceptional commitment particularly in responding to multiple water line breaks at Port Clinton Middle School Their quick actions ensured repairs were completed promptly The team exemplifies a willingness to go above and beyond to meet the district's needs The Port Clinton City School District emphasizes the importance of recognizing individuals who contribute to the growth of its students. For more information about the Flagship Awards and the district, visit pccsd.net Apr 8, 2025 | Featured, Around Ottawa County | 0 comments Members of Girl Scout Troops 1062 and 10711 spread mulch around a Sun Valley Red Maple Tree at last year’s Arbor Day Ceremony PORT CLINTON – The public is invited to help the City of Port Clinton celebrate Arbor Day at the Arbor Day Ceremony at Adams Street Park on Friday The event will be hosted by the City of Port Clinton Tree Commission Arbor Day is a nationally recognized holiday that was created to inspire people to plant This year will mark the 36th year that Port Clinton has been recognized as a Tree City USA a distinction given by the Arbor Day Foundation to cities that meet specific criteria the establishment of tree ordinances and the annual hosting of an Arbor Day celebration “It’s a rich tradition,” said Port Clinton Safety Service Director Tracy Colston “I have to give the Tree Commission a lot of credit The Port Clinton Tree Commission is comprised of Tree Commissioner Larry Holman Local residents are encouraged to attend the city’s annual Arbor Day celebration tradition “The Linden tree is supposed to represent unity in a community “A lot of county courthouses used to plant Linden trees on their grounds.” Holman has served on the Port Clinton Tree Commission for ten years he earned an associate degree in Urban Forestry giving him the knowledge to make an even greater impact Serving on the commission was a long-held part of his retirement plan “I always felt as if I would give something back to the city after I retired,” he said PORT CLINTON - Ottawa County Museum Curator Peggy Debien wants area families to know more about the heroes who lived in the community 110 years ago Debien was researching her own family history and discovered that Port Clinton had its own group of "heroes" who responded to a Fremont disaster in March 1913 she hoped to share the story of Isaac Floro and his band of heroes from Port Clinton who rescued people during the Fremont flood in late March 1913 "As the curator of the Ottawa County Museum I was aware of the flood and Floro’s actions but in researching a branch of my father’s family at the (Rutherford B I found familiar names of other Port Clintonites who traveled to Fremont with Floro," Debien said Ottawa County Museum has a list of local men from 1913"I found through 'Find a Grave' that one of those heroes was my great We did not realize the Ottawa County Museum had the names of all 30 members of the team printed in the booklet titled 'Historical Souvenir of the Fremont Flood: March 25-28 Debien reported that the 1913 flood may be considered the greatest natural disaster in the state Fremont was particularly hit hard and other neighboring communities responded to rescue people The flood followed several days of heavy rain and it caused problems statewide Waitt of the General Relief Committee to telephone Sandusky Port Clinton and Toledo for lifeboats and life-saving crews teams from the three cities had reached Fremont the Ballville Dam had collapsed and the Sandusky River raged through downtown and residential Fremont." Port Clinton man drowned during rescue efforts"Port Clinton’s Captain Isaac Floro and Captain Nick Tadson led a group of 30 men from Port Clinton to help the citizens of Fremont they reportedly rescued around 1,000 people before he lost his own life," Debien said capsized and he was thrown out into the swift river His body was eventually discovered lodged in the top branches of a tree." but he was among the three people who died in the flood "Captain Floro is revered in both Fremont and Port Clinton for his courageous efforts of those who traveled to Fremont in 1913 to aid in the disaster: Perry Wednesdays from Labor Day through Memorial Day Appointments to visit the museum may also be made by emailing ochm@cros.net Appalachian Trail hikers in Port Clinton faced a set of steep “There were actually stairs where there wasn't even dirt under them any longer It was just hanging out in the open air," said David Bailey trails chair for the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club An active railroad runs near the base of the stairs in Schuylkill County "Hikers were exposed to every train that was traveling on those two lines," Bailey said The club's volunteer members maintain 65 miles of the Appalachian Trail between Palmerton and Jonestown in Pennsylvania They thought about replacing the steps that lead into the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad's Port Clinton headquarters So they decided to dig out a switchback in the hillside of Kittatinny Mountain To do that, they had to work with the railroad which offered another safety suggestion — reroute the trail down an access road instead of its current route over all of the active lines in the yard "It's actually almost sort of like two projects," Bailey said and the switchback and trail change was ready by early December The change is insignificant as far as miles on the entirety of the Appalachian Trail hikers will still need to be on the lookout for train traffic but now avoid crossing paths with the 12 to 15 trains a day that run through the yard The railroad even put gravel over the one track heading to the base of the switchback Bailey said the change reduces the "possibility of unpleasant encounters." but coming down the steep steps has always been a challenge It weaves through small towns up the eastern side of the country Its iconic white rectangle blaze can be found on road signs and guardrails along with Alexis McAllister and Adaiah Bauer the club's public relations committee chair They had spikes on their hiking boots and trekking poles The snow crunched beneath their feet as they crossed a bridge near the confluence of the Little Schuylkill and the Schuylkill rivers which is a path that twists at sharp bends and turns in the opposite direction to help hikers get up a mountainside it helps slow down hikers with heavy backpacks Railroads were coincidentally the first to use switchbacks Volunteers from not just Blue Mountain but other trail clubs including the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club They smashed up rocks without heavy machinery "It’s volunteers that come in and they’ll do pick axe work and mattock work and clipping and sawyering trees and they actually make the path,” said McAllister McAllister helped scrape off the old paint "Then camouflaging it back over so it looks like a natural tree or pole," she said The Appalachian Trail is a national scenic trail maintained by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and by clubs made up of volunteers along its path The Blue Mountain Climbing Club predates the trail The A.T.’s first section opened in New York seven years later The AT runs 229 miles through Pennsylvania "I don't think I've ever seen a hiker not say thank you to somebody who's working on the trail Bailey said, for him, it’s an intellectual challenge to maintain the trail according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's standards "There's a real sense of accomplishment to maintaining your section of trail There's a real sense of service in maintaining the trail so that the public can access it," he said Through hikers — those who hike the trail in its entirety in one shot — get a lot of press "There are only about 3,000 of them a year as opposed to the best estimate is 3 million people a year that get onto the Appalachian Trail," he said McAllister is a Scouting America ScoutMaster and one of those rare through hikers "That's how I got involved in the trail," she said Her troop maintains a section of the trail "It's giving back to the next generation that they learn how to take care of the trail that it's something to leave behind for the next people keeping it in its scenic format allows everybody to enjoy it in the rustic .. which means finishing the trail section by section "Those maintainers coming out and just walking their sections and keeping the brush back and keeping the poison ivy back away from the trail and keeping the trees off the trail that have fallen down It is an invaluable service when you're a hiker," she said WVIA News wants 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If you have a story idea for one of our journalists, it's as simple as sending an e-mail. Reach out anytime at wvianews@wvia.org The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a three-vehicle crash with injuries that occurred at 5:51 p.m The crash took place on East Sixth Street just east of Adams Street was driving a 2009 Ford Taurus and was backing out of a private drive onto East Sixth Street Kobel backed into the path of two motorcycles that were heading westbound on East Sixth Street was operating a CFMOTO motorcycle and struck the side of the Koebel vehicle She was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash No additional information was available on her condition Tuesday A 17-year-old female from Lakeside-Marblehead was operating a 2009 Yamaha motorcycle and had to take evasive actions to avoid colliding with Appleman's and Koebel's vehicles The female lost control of her motorcycle and put it down on its side The highway patrol was assisted on the scene by the Port Clinton Police Department Mar 18, 2025 | Featured, Schools | 0 comments The Port Clinton Marching Band performs at OSU Orchestra teacher Adam Murray guides students through a practice PORT CLINTON – Port Clinton High School has invested money effort and heart into developing one of the premier music programs in Northwest Ohio Its students have the privilege of choosing from three music programs: band the school is inviting the community to invest in the school’s music heritage by attending The Encore Gala a Las Vegas-themed fundraiser hosted by the Port Clinton City Schools Music Boosters The Encore Gala will be held at the Catawba Island Club on Saturday Live music will be provided by award-winning entertainer Jordan Lawson “And I have a couple of surprises up my sleeve,” said Orchestra Director Adam Murray who is co-organizing the event with Caroline Gatsch and Erin Astley All of the profits from the gala help support students in the music program This year’s gala proceeds will fund travel scholarships for student musicians The music program hosts trips every two years “We try to make it unburdensome for families every student who applied for aid got at least something.” The trips are open to students in orchestra “We try to go places they’ve never been before and maybe will never go back to,” Murray said “A lot of the kids had never been to Disney.” The gala will empower the music boosters to help students join the next trip Port Clinton High School’s Touch of Class a cappella group and we sold every spot last year,” Murray said The boosters are also looking for donations of items for the raffle baskets and auctions “Nothing is too small it can’t help our kids – even a $5 gift card or a new stuffed animal We can throw it in there somewhere,” Murray said Tickets for the Encore Gala can be purchased online at https://forms.gle/WWJb71p4ch9Ddtuw6 or by contacting Adam Murray at Port Clinton High School Tickets cost $85 for a single and $150 for a couple VIP tables for eight cost $1,000 and include complimentary drink tickets and additional exclusive advertising through 2027 PORT CLINTON - African Safari Wildlife Park has again received the USA Today 10BEST Readers' Choice Award For tickets and more information on the Port Clinton park, visit African Safari Wildlife Park The top safari parks in the United States are: Voting for the 10BEST list ended on March 10 and winners were released Wednesday but only the drive-thru option will be open to customers The walk-thru tour will not be available until the weather gets warmer African Safari will also see the return of the Dinosaur Takeover roaring and life-size prehistoric creatures The opening date for that exhibit will be announced later the park offered two behind-the-scenes animal encounters — one with its two-toed sloth and another in the giraffe barn The giraffe encounter involves a 40-minute VIP experience in the new giraffe barn Visitors stand eye-to-eye in the giraffe tower and feed the animals lettuce The sloth-feeding encounter is a 20-minute experience with Cayenne Ticket prices for the Port Clinton safari park vary depending on the age of guests and the dates The Verona Quartet will perform in Port Clinton April 27 This concert — the finale of the Musical Arts Series — is set for 3:30 p.m They have received the 2020 Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America and have performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center The quartet consists of Jonathan Ong and Dorothy Ro on violin They will begin their concert with music by Duke Ellington The Verona Quartet is known for its strong interpretive skills and storytelling approach to music Their name pays homage to William Shakespeare reflecting their belief in the power of narrative in music They have gained recognition through awards at major competitions including Wigmore Hall and the Osaka International Chamber Music Competitions Tickets for the concert will be available at the door or online at musicalartsportclinton.com for $20 Students at all levels can attend for free The concert is sponsored by the Frederick Agency Inc Feb 11, 2025 | Around Ottawa County | 0 comments is sworn in as the new fire chief by Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider PORT CLINTON – Surrounded by family and friends Brian Gutman became the newest Chief of the Port Clinton Fire and Rescue Department in a swearing-in ceremony held at Port Clinton City Hall on Tuesday removing the “interim” tag was an easy decision that took far too long to occur “Interim Chief Gutman was placed in a very difficult position He faced many challenges over the past 20 months and has conducted himself in exemplary fashion I think it’s the absolute best outcome given what has transpired,” Snider said Gutman came to PCF&R from the Bowling Green Fire Department He was hired as EMS Captain in 2019 and tasked with organizing EMS service after the contracted ambulance company serving the region announced they were leaving the community Gutman was promoted to interim chief after Kent Johnson was placed on administrative leave Recent actions by the Port Clinton Civil Service Commission allowed the city administration to begin a search for the next PCFD chief “I couldn’t be happier for Brian and the Citizens of Port Clinton,” said Port Clinton Safety-Service Director Tracy Colston but circumstances forced his placement much earlier than anticipated but Brian’s knowledge of the fire service and his network of professional resources lit the path resulting in a much stronger and more professional overall department that will continue to serve the community at the highest level.” Gutman has a vision for the future of the PCFD but those that serve in the fire service understand the level of commitment to God “I know those that are with me in the department today hold those same values and my goal is to build on those core values as we turn the corner on the past and strive for the future of the PCFD.” Anyone in the community interested in fire/rescue service is encouraged to stop by the PCFD located at 1755 E Malakii Pinkelton needed a pin in order to accomplish a program first Port Clinton’s wrestling team made history with a Sandusky Bay Conference crown Perkins finished first overall from the SBC Lake Division Port Clinton edged Edison by half of one point to finish atop the SBC Bay Division “I knew it was going to be history,” Pinkelton said It was something I’ve never seen before – we fought all year – but SBC was different Coach (Dustin) Cornell told us all week we could win and we were able to do it as a whole team.” High school basketball boys Genoa basketball's Walt Plantz is in the record book, with plenty more opportunities ahead Elijah Ramsey (106 pounds) beat Perkins’ Marco Muratori 19-5 by major decision and Josh Cornell (126) fell 9-3 to Perkins’ Sawyer Smith in the finals Gavin Cornell (150) beat Bellevue’s Mitchell McMurray 8-0 by major decision to finish third Cole Bishop (113) was pinned and Briar Rohrer (157) fell 9-6 to finish fourth Jace Cornell (144) won by default to finish fifth and Caleb Spencer lost 16-1 to finish sixth Heavyweight Julian Curry earned a pin to finish seventh and Elliot Laird (132) was pinned to finish eighth “We came up just short the last two years,” Pinkelton said I know how bad they wanted it and I wanted them to experience it their final year Pinkelton beat Woodmore’s Michael Seeger in the final at 190 He drank a little water before winning his second match on an empty stomach He’s learned most every lesson at this point He won one of three matches at state last season “Going to Columbus and seeing the stadium was something I couldn’t have imagined "I want them to go down (again) and see me better than last year.” Pinkelton won the tourney at Marion Harding and was unbeaten in 10 matches at Vermilion Duals He earned a tech fall over the 15th ranked kid in the state as the team was second at Vermilion He beat the fourth ranked wrestler in Ohio at Maumee Bay “I believe I’m going to be on the podium,” he said That’s why Pinkelton practices with the team only three times per week The other two days are spent at Raw Talent Training in Cleveland on speed training for football they’re lenient with that and they know how much football means in my life,” he said Pinkelton wants to continue his career at running back He also plays defensive end for Port Clinton “My goal is to play Division I football,” he said “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do and I work hard for that goal That’s the goal – make Port Clinton known and make the podium.” “Port Clinton will be great for years to come,” he said The coaches work us hard and treat us with respect We created a close brotherhood; it’s more than wrestling.” Mar 4, 2025 | Featured, Around Ottawa County | 0 comments Pierogi & Polka Festival last Labor Day Weekend The Knights of Columbus will use the same batter to prepare fish for its Lenten Fish Fries PORT CLINTON – How is the Port Clinton council of the Knights of Columbus tied to Henry VIII It depends on which version of Catholicism/fish history you believe Catholic tradition (with a little “t” said Port Clinton Knights of Columbus member Steven Fillmore) says that Henry VIII banned fish eating in the 16th century as an act of rebellion against the Catholic Church when the pope refused to annul Henry’s longtime marriage to his wife heartlessly disregarding the economic damage it did to fishermen and their families reversed the decision in an effort to revive the economy Depending on the history student’s viewpoint Edward’s act could be interpreted as a compassionate policy or an ungodly and locals are glad it is because it means the Knights of Columbus all-you-can-eat Lenten Fish Fries beginning on March 7 The fish fries will be held every Friday in Lent and on Good Friday When Fillmore and Knights of Columbus Trustee Paul Messerly took over leadership of the fish fries last year they made a couple of changes that proved popular They added pierogies and green mixed salads to the dine-in menu “The salad and pierogies were a huge success,” Fillmore said The all-you-can-eat dine-in dinner costs $15 and includes hand-breaded fish The drive-through dinner costs $12 and substitutes macaroni and cheese for the pierogies Volunteer Tammy Rettig serves fish at the Perch The Port Clinton Knights of Columbus are popular for the fish and pierogi dinner served at the annual Perch Pierogi & Polka Festival held over Labor Day weekend The Lenten Fish Fries give guests a wintertime taste of 4-P “We use the same pierogies and the same batter as 4-P,” he said “The breading crew comes in on Friday morning The desserts that are served with the dine-in option are homemade “The wives of the Knights make most of the desserts cookies and cake pan desserts,” Fillmore said about 25 volunteers come together to make the fish fries a success and the Port Clinton Fish Company has been very helpful They help us buy the fish when the price is low and then store our fish in their freezer,” Fillmore said and the money is donated to local nonprofits like Bistro 163 over $17,000 was distributed to local organizations But the fish fries are more than just a fundraiser They are a community event where local residents can connect over a good meal It’s about coming together,” Fillmore said The Lenten Fish Fries are held every Friday in Lent and Good Friday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Denny Bergeman Hall located at 109 E. Perry St. in Port Clinton. For more information, visit www.kofc1750.org know the Ottawa County community better than anyone else as well as the important news and events for everyone to know For the Port Clinton News-Herald to serve the community best we are launching a new initiative to bring local announcements and events to the public We’re using technology to make it easier to publish community announcements that matter while freeing up our full-time reporters to focus on hard-hitting and impactful news coverage To get your announcements published online and in print, please email your announcements to pcnewsdesk@gannett.com or rlapointe@gannett.com a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool to draft polished articles from community announcements our reporter prepares neighborhood news and announcements we used to have only in the paper they’ll run online to make it easier for the public to share online That change will give you more access to relevant local news quicker It also means we can help local groups and businesses get word out about their events By giving specially trained journalists access to generative AI we are enhancing and improving community journalism This tool allows us to capture the vibrant life of Ottawa County in real-time and bring readers more stories Our commitment to the highest standards of integrity and transparency is unwavering and the Espresso tool operates under stringent human oversight at every stage an editor reviews the story before publication That ensures the accuracy and quality in the news Here are some examples of the type of content you can expect:  What this means for youYou can expect to see more Ottawa County content on our site and in our paper But more stories from the surrounding area will also appear informing you of important events and community news join us in this exciting journey to amplify local news by sending us your community announcements today Together, let’s celebrate what makes Ottawa County unique. Email your announcements to pcnewsdesk@gannett.com or rlapointe@gannett.com Wyatt Yarbrough demonstrated feathery touch to Josh Cornell put the ball where only Romney Turner could catch it (albeit with one hand twisted awkwardly along the sideline) and utilized multiple arm angles to complete slants Friday in a setback to Vermilion Yarbrough's receivers plucked most everything they could touch with a glove including a touchdown for Malakii Pinkelton (55 yards) for Port Clinton (2-5 0-2) in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division Josh Cornell rebounded from a drop with two touchdown receptions covering 84 and 56 yards High school golf Clyde's Josh Swartz broke three vertebrae. His journey back to the fairway wasn't easy often looked comfortable as the sophomore completed 15 of 26 passes for 357 yards in a 36-27 loss he looked like a first-year starter who switched from defense last season that's a tough position," Port Clinton coach Eric Leuthold said He's a young sophomore who continues to grow." although one to the end zone was meaningless with 15 seconds left He took an intentional grounding penalty trying to avoid pressure including one for a turnover on downs as Port Clinton tried to add to a run of 20 straight points trailing 29-27 in the fourth quarter including the highlight-reel worthy sideline version during the possession Yarbrough has 1,075 yards and 13 touchdowns he isn't necessarily entrenched as Port Clinton's starter who played a limited role against Vermilion because of a shoulder injury after making his only quarterback start this season and tossing a touchdown in a 9-6 setback to Huron in Week 6 He and Yarbrough have basically been engaged in a season-long quarterback competition Yarbrough's mentality is to try to win the week while doing what he's asked to do when he's asked to do it "I knew I was next man up," he said of the offseason "I was excited to be able to compete with Gabe he's a great quarterback and a great athlete and he pushes me to be the best I can be." Yarbrough played outside linebacker last season although Cornell said chemistry started to develop quickly at 7-on-7 camps "Making our reads was a struggle early," Yarbrough said Our coaches really help pick us up when we play Port Clinton football and bond We have a great program when we play Port Clinton football and play as a team." Mar 4, 2025 | Schools | 0 comments The Port Clinton Class of 2025 students who will graduate with Summa Cum Laude honors are PORT CLINTON – Port Clinton High School is pleased to announce the top students in the PCHS Class of 2025 These students will graduate on May 18 with Summa Cum Laude honors To earn the designation of Summa Cum Laude students must have a grade point average of 3.65 or higher and complete 11 or more honor point courses The top ten students in the Port Clinton Class of 2025 are Standing left to right are Brooklynn Starkey Class of 2025 students that have earned Summa Cum Laude honors are: Camiah Baker The Top Ten Students in the Class of 2025 that will represent PCHS at the Ottawa County Top Ten Banquet are: Camiah Baker Apr 29, 2025 | , opens the school’s doors to young artists for the 5 County.. Apr 22, 2025 | , BY SHERI TRUSTY PORT CLINTON - Port Clinton City Schools Orchestra Director walked into Kahlie Blohm’s fifth grade class Apr 22, 2025 | PORT CLINTON - The Portage Resale Center Youth Council Class of 2024-2025 recently completed their year by awarding $15,000 in Wish List Grants to.. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInPORT CLINTON Ohio (WTVG) - A former Fire Chief was convicted of misconduct against a firefighter Monday Former Port Clinton Fire Chief Kent Johnson entered a no contest plea to six charges: including alleged sexual harassment and assault firearm-related threats and other related issues The criminal charges were filed in July 2024 stemming from one former firefighter’s account of how she was allegedly treated by Johnson outlined in a separate civil lawsuit against Johnson and the city Huskey’s civil suit details an alleged pattern of harassment Her allegations against Johnson include inappropriate touching Additional allegations claim he transferred intimate photos of the victim from her phone to his own phone without her knowledge One text message showed an exchange where Johnson allegedly typed “Could you put a couple of good N95s in my mailbox If you want to carry them in your pants for a while The indictment shows some of the alleged crimes date back to 2019 though most were from September 2022 through May 2023 The full civil lawsuit is available in the document below Her attorney told 13 Action News earlier this year the situation has been difficult for Huskey as being a firefighter and EMT was her dream job The attorney said Huskey saw it as her duty to speak up to protect herself and protect others Lawsuit against Kent Johnson by 13abc on Scribd Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals Lawsuit against Kent Johnson by 13abc on Scribd