River Valley Investigation Featured in Popular Magazine

The ongoing investigation into contamination at the River Valley High School/ Middle School campus is being featured in the August issue of Family Circle magazine.  The 6-page special report entitled, "A Town Divided: How a Cancer Threat Is Tearing a Community Apart" outlines the investigation, including how it began and the testing that has been done. 

The article also features statements from a variety of local sources, including River Valley graduates, family members, investigators, school board members, and parents of students currently attending the schools. 

The August issue of Family Circle is currently available at local news stands.

Silver Line, East Lawn to Be Addressed by Council
Marion City Council is meeting Monday to address several items of old business, as well as some new business. Council will also hear the 3rd reading on an ordinance that would authorize and direct Mayor Kellogg to execute the necessary documents to facilitate Silver Line Building Products' request for a tax abatement at the Airport Industrial Park.  The 2nd reading of a resolution that opposes action recently taken by the County Commissioners related to the closing of East Lawn Manor.  The resolution requests that the Commissioners reconsider and present the issue to county residents during the upcoming November elections.

Council will be hearing the 3rd reading on an ordinance that would change the existing subdivision regulations for the city, repealing all previous regulations conflicting with the changes.  Furthermore, the second reading of an ordinance that would amend the city's zoning map by rezoning nearly 14 acres of property known as the Hensel/Zachman subdivision will be heard.  Both pieces of legislation are pending public hearings.

For full agenda, click here.

MTC Offers Additional ACT Test Date Tuesday
Considering college? Many colleges and universities, like Marion Technical College (MTC), require American College Test (or ACT) scores for appropriate placement in individual courses and programs. At MTC, degree programs such as Human and Social Services, Medical Laboratory Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Nursing (R.N.) require ACT scores as a criterion for admission. 

For individuals still interested in meeting MTC's Fall Quarter 2001 start date (September 19), one last test date is available, Tuesday, July 24, at 8 a.m., in the Marion Campus Library/Classroom Building. These tests are scored locally, with results available in approximately one week. 

The cost is $18.50, due at the time of check-in on the day of the test. For more information on ACT testing dates and procedures, contact the MTC Office of Admission at 740 389-4636, or e-mail us at enroll@mtc.tec.oh.us.

Program to Teach Teens to Stay Fit
Breakthrough Fitness will be presenting Fit 4 Teens, an educational program teaching teenagers about weight training, physical fitness, body shaping, and more. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays at the Marion Recreation Center starting on July 24 and ending on August 7. Classes will be held from 1-2:30pm for teens aged 13-15 and classes for teens aged 16-19 will be from 3-4:30pm. The cost of the program is $40.00. To reserve your space or for more information call (740) 361-1211. Deadline for registration in Tuesday, July 24. Walk-ins are accepted and payment will be taken on-site.

Instruction will be given by Dean Paxton, Teen Fitness Director, I.F.P.A Certified Fitness Trainer, United States Marine (R), and Amateur Body Builder; Marc Snyder, A.F.F.A Certified Fitness Trainer, and Personal Nutrition Advisor.

Marion Community Foundation Accepting Grant Requests
The Marion Community Foundation (MCF), a community foundation dedicated to maximizing individual donations for the purpose of funding local grants, scholarships and endowments, recently announced it is accepting grant proposals in the area of health needs.

According to Ted M. McKinniss, chairman of MCF's Grants Committee, organizations interested in applying must have a 501(c)(3) designation or its equivalent. He said that in order to be eligible for funding, proposed projects must meet a health-related need and the project must benefit residents of Marion County. Deadline for submission of proposals is 4 p.m. July 27. 

For more information, click here.

Cold Front Expected to Cool Things Down
The National Weather Service says hot, hazy conditions will last for a few more days.  It will be warm and muggy Monday night with lows around 70. 

A cold front will push into the state Tuesday. This will bring scattered thunderstorms, with some relief from the heat and humidity by Wednesday and Thursday. Highs Tuesday will be around 90. Temperatures will cool to the low to mid 80s by Wednesday and Thursday.

CPR Training for Healthcare Providers 
Marion General Hospital is holding a CPR training class on July 23, 2001 from 8am to 3pm. This class, designed for nursing students, EMS personnel, therapists and other healthcare providers, includes adult, child, infant, two-man and AED. The fee is $45. Call 383-8484 to register.

Downtown Marion Advisory Meeting
At 8am on July 24, 2001 the Downtown Marion Advisory Board will be meeting.

Blue Goose to Amish Country
The Marion Senior Center's Blue Goose bus will go to the heart of Ohio Amish country in Huntsville, on July 24.  Lunch will be at Hershberger's Amish Home. There will be a stop at Colbetz's Fabric and Craft Store.  Trip is $14 per person.  Contact the Marion Senior Center for more information.

Road Closings & Delays
Bridge Closing
On Monday, July 16, 2001 a bridge on Wildcat Pike Road will be closed. the bridge between Ohio 37 and Dry Lane Road is being resurfaced. A date has not been set for when the bridge will be re-opened.

Street Closing
Indiana Avenue from Reed Avenue to Forest Lawn Boulevard will be closed to through traffic beginning Thursday, July 12 at 7am through Friday, July 27 at 5pm. The intersection of Reed Avenue and Indiana Avenue will be closed to all traffic beginning Thursday, July 12 at 7am through Friday, July 27, 2001 at 5pm.

Elite Excavating Co., Inc., of Mansfield, Ohio will be replacing the sanitary and storm sewers.

LaRue-Green Camp Road, between Guthery Road and Ohio 37, will be closed Monday, July 23, 2001 for 4 months for the replacement of the bridge over Rush Creek. Wildcat Pike, which was closed for the re-decking of a bridge, has now been reopened.

US 23 between State Route 4 and State Route 231 is closed down to one lane in each direction while the bridge deck over the Little Scioto River is replaced.  The project is expected to be completed by 5p.m. October 31.

US 23 Resurfacing
A project to resurface US 23 in Delaware and Marion Counties will begin July 9.  The project will run from from the Delaware State Park entrance to Ohio 98 at Waldo.  During the resurfacing there will be one lane of traffic in each direction between 7am and 7pm.