Up, down and all around town
Officer Vivian Feke was sworn in to the police department Jan. 27. Submitted photo
Hello Wadsworth.
About a week ago a Wadsworth student sent in a letter to the editor expressing concern about the number of people he has witnessed fail to stop when his school bus has been dropping off or picking up students.
I was really impressed.
All too often when we as adults see something that isn’t right we fail to speak up. We feel we can’t be bothered or assume someone else will handle the situation. I’m sure I have been guilty of this myself from time to time.
But this kid saw a dangerous situation and knew something had to be done. The law is clear on what motorists should do when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and there is a story outlining that law in this week’s edition of The Post.
I would urge all motorists to make themselves familiar with this law and to follow it. Failing to stop for a school bus not only puts the lives of students in danger it can also mean a pretty heavy fine as well as a license suspension.
I know many of us always find ourselves in a rush, but it would be far better to be a few minutes late to our destination than to be slapped with a fine or, even worse, be responsible for the injury or death of a child.
Also, in light of the recent death of Officer David Fahey from the Cleveland Police Department, the Wadsworth Police Department wants to remind motorists that it is the law in Ohio that if you see a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck or inspection vehicle with emergency lights on, you must change lanes if you are able to. If you aren’t able to you must slow down to a safe speed.
This law is clearly outlined in section 4511.213 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Now let’s take a look around town.
New police officer
A few weeks ago there was an article in The Post about the first all-female work shift in the history of the Wadsworth Police Department.
This shift took place Jan. 1 and was possible because the police department had five female police officers – more than many departments in surrounding areas.
Just recently the department added a sixth female police officer. Vivian Feke was sworn in Jan. 27 and began training at the police academy at Ohio State Patrol Jan. 30.
Congratulations Officer Feke, and welcome to the community.
School emergency guide
In response to suggestions that were made after various safety notifications sent over this school year, the Wadsworth School District has created a School Emergency Guide for Parents and Guardians. The purpose of the guide is to answer a number of questions that have been frequently asked.
Superintendent Andrew Hill said the document is designed to offer general guidance to parents and guardians while recognizing that all situations are unique.
Hill said he would like to thank Director of Facilities Joe Magnacca, School Resource Officer Adam Innocenti, Police Chief Randall Reinke and Safety Director Matt Hiscock for their work in creating this document.
The school emergency guide can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2jvXAH5.
The guide explains actions that parents and guardians should take, where to turn for information during an emergency and helpful guidelines to keep in mind when talking with children about school safety.
The document also outlines school emergency responses, giving a description of each and explaining when they are used. Emergency responses include lockdown, shelter in place and evacuation.
Community coalition
After hearing about frequent reports of individuals in the community needing assistance after drug overdoses or reading obituaries of people whose lives ended too soon due to drugs, many in the community have become concerned.
The Wadsworth Drug Free Community Coalition, which was formed in Wadsworth last year, is working hard to keep the conversation about the dangers of heroin and opiate abuse going.
I would encourage anyone who wants to educate themselves to check out the Wadsworth Community Coalition’s Facebook page. They have multiple posts with information on many subjects, such as talking to your children about drugs, recognizing the signs of an overdose and national and state statistics when it comes to drug abuse.
Scholarship foundation
The Scholarship Foundation of Wadsworth will celebrate its 30th year of awarding scholarships to Wadsworth High School seniors this year.
A total of 287 scholarships totaling more than $450,000 have been awarded over the years.
The foundation will host its annual fundraiser Casino Night Saturday, Feb. 25 at The Galaxy. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 and include a reverse raffle ticket and a chance to win a new car.
The event will include food, prizes, cash bar, silent auction and a Texas Hold’em tournament. Tickets and Texas Hold’em entry can be purchased at sfwadsworth.org or by calling 330-606-0699.
Seniors who wish to apply for a scholarship should visit sfwadsworth.org to fill out the application. The deadline to fill out the application is Feb. 28.
In 2016, the foundation gave out $32,500 in scholarships to 21 students.
Community choir
The Wadsworth Community Choir will begin its spring session Monday Feb. 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the choir room at Wadsworth Middle School.
The spring concert will be Sunday May 7 at 2 p.m. in O.J. Work Auditorium.
Auditions are not necessary to join the community choir – just a love of singing.
The choir is directed by Linda McNamara and accompanied by Brenda Adley.
Contact me
As always, I look forward to hearing from you and I’m always happy to put submissions from readers in this column. Feel free to e-mail me at edean@thepostnewspapers.com or call me at 330-620-1067 to fill me in on an event your organization hosted, an accomplishment by a special person in the city or anything else you think our readers might want to know about.
About a week ago a Wadsworth student sent in a letter to the editor expressing concern about the number of people he has witnessed fail to stop when his school bus has been dropping off or picking up students.
I was really impressed.
All too often when we as adults see something that isn’t right we fail to speak up. We feel we can’t be bothered or assume someone else will handle the situation. I’m sure I have been guilty of this myself from time to time.
But this kid saw a dangerous situation and knew something had to be done. The law is clear on what motorists should do when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and there is a story outlining that law in this week’s edition of The Post.
I would urge all motorists to make themselves familiar with this law and to follow it. Failing to stop for a school bus not only puts the lives of students in danger it can also mean a pretty heavy fine as well as a license suspension.
I know many of us always find ourselves in a rush, but it would be far better to be a few minutes late to our destination than to be slapped with a fine or, even worse, be responsible for the injury or death of a child.
Also, in light of the recent death of Officer David Fahey from the Cleveland Police Department, the Wadsworth Police Department wants to remind motorists that it is the law in Ohio that if you see a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck or inspection vehicle with emergency lights on, you must change lanes if you are able to. If you aren’t able to you must slow down to a safe speed.
This law is clearly outlined in section 4511.213 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Now let’s take a look around town.
New police officer
A few weeks ago there was an article in The Post about the first all-female work shift in the history of the Wadsworth Police Department.
This shift took place Jan. 1 and was possible because the police department had five female police officers – more than many departments in surrounding areas.
Just recently the department added a sixth female police officer. Vivian Feke was sworn in Jan. 27 and began training at the police academy at Ohio State Patrol Jan. 30.
Congratulations Officer Feke, and welcome to the community.
School emergency guide
In response to suggestions that were made after various safety notifications sent over this school year, the Wadsworth School District has created a School Emergency Guide for Parents and Guardians. The purpose of the guide is to answer a number of questions that have been frequently asked.
Superintendent Andrew Hill said the document is designed to offer general guidance to parents and guardians while recognizing that all situations are unique.
Hill said he would like to thank Director of Facilities Joe Magnacca, School Resource Officer Adam Innocenti, Police Chief Randall Reinke and Safety Director Matt Hiscock for their work in creating this document.
The school emergency guide can be viewed at http://bit.ly/2jvXAH5.
The guide explains actions that parents and guardians should take, where to turn for information during an emergency and helpful guidelines to keep in mind when talking with children about school safety.
The document also outlines school emergency responses, giving a description of each and explaining when they are used. Emergency responses include lockdown, shelter in place and evacuation.
Community coalition
After hearing about frequent reports of individuals in the community needing assistance after drug overdoses or reading obituaries of people whose lives ended too soon due to drugs, many in the community have become concerned.
The Wadsworth Drug Free Community Coalition, which was formed in Wadsworth last year, is working hard to keep the conversation about the dangers of heroin and opiate abuse going.
I would encourage anyone who wants to educate themselves to check out the Wadsworth Community Coalition’s Facebook page. They have multiple posts with information on many subjects, such as talking to your children about drugs, recognizing the signs of an overdose and national and state statistics when it comes to drug abuse.
Scholarship foundation
The Scholarship Foundation of Wadsworth will celebrate its 30th year of awarding scholarships to Wadsworth High School seniors this year.
A total of 287 scholarships totaling more than $450,000 have been awarded over the years.
The foundation will host its annual fundraiser Casino Night Saturday, Feb. 25 at The Galaxy. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 and include a reverse raffle ticket and a chance to win a new car.
The event will include food, prizes, cash bar, silent auction and a Texas Hold’em tournament. Tickets and Texas Hold’em entry can be purchased at sfwadsworth.org or by calling 330-606-0699.
Seniors who wish to apply for a scholarship should visit sfwadsworth.org to fill out the application. The deadline to fill out the application is Feb. 28.
In 2016, the foundation gave out $32,500 in scholarships to 21 students.
Community choir
The Wadsworth Community Choir will begin its spring session Monday Feb. 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the choir room at Wadsworth Middle School.
The spring concert will be Sunday May 7 at 2 p.m. in O.J. Work Auditorium.
Auditions are not necessary to join the community choir – just a love of singing.
The choir is directed by Linda McNamara and accompanied by Brenda Adley.
Contact me
As always, I look forward to hearing from you and I’m always happy to put submissions from readers in this column. Feel free to e-mail me at edean@thepostnewspapers.com or call me at 330-620-1067 to fill me in on an event your organization hosted, an accomplishment by a special person in the city or anything else you think our readers might want to know about.