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BGSU might pull plug on emergency phones |
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Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN Sentinel County Editor
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Tuesday, 05 February 2013 10:41 |
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| Students are seen inside a bus stop near a blue emergency light on the Bowling Green State University main campus February 4, 2013 in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune) |
For years, the 50 blue light emergency phones have beamed like beacons across the Bowling Green State University campus. But it appears the big blue bulbs may be obsolete, since cell phones are standard accessories for college students.
"They were real popular in the 70s, 80s and 90s," said BGSU Police Chief Monica Moll. "Prior to cell phones, there was really no other way to get a hold of the police."
But times have changed. Last year between May and November, the blue emergency phones rang into the campus police between 600 and 700 times.
"Only three were for police service, and none of them were for emergencies," Moll said.
So Moll is studying the possibility of getting rid of the blue emergency phones.
The phones are located in parking lots and along sidewalks. They have dedicated landlines that automatically call the 911 dispatch.
Some of the false alarms came from pranks and drunken students who call then run, the chief said. "As you can imagine, that happens frequently."
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Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN, Sentinel County Editor
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Monday, 04 February 2013 09:59 |
Bowling Green State University may be replacing a third of its police force this year.
Due to changes in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, the campus police force will see three to eight of its officers retiring this year in order to not lose out on retirement benefits.
The department currently has 24 full-time officers, and plans were in place to add another this year, according to Chief Monica Moll.
Under normal circumstances, replacing up to eight officers would be a challenge. But filling the vacancies may be even tougher since the OPERS changes have many police officers throughout Ohio eying retirement.
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Last Updated on Monday, 04 February 2013 10:18 |
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I-75 widening to start soon |
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Written by JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN Sentinel County Editor
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Tuesday, 05 February 2013 10:27 |
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| A mile marker for I-75 southbound is seen near exit 193 for Fremont Pike in Perrysburg, Ohio as traffic passes along the highway on February 4, 2013. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune) |
The traffic bottleneck on Interstate 75 through Wood County may soon be uncorked.
Plans are progressing to widen I-75 from two to three lanes to relieve traffic congestion, according to Theresa Pollick, public information officer with the Ohio Department of Transportation District 2 Office in Bowling Green. The entire project is expected to cost approximately $151 million.
Traffic congestion on the two-lane interstate through Wood County has worsened recently due to a higher volume of freight truck traffic, Pollick said.
The project will be worked on in phases, with the northern most section going first.
This summer, ODOT will take bids for the widening of I-75 from Ohio 582, north of Bowling Green, to Ohio 199 in Perrysburg. Construction could begin in late summer or possibly next spring, according to Pollick. That section will cost an estimated $46 million.
Construction on the southern portion, from Route 582 to County Road 99 in Hancock County, is scheduled to be bid in 2015.
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Otsego excited to cash in on casino |
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Written by PETER KUEBECK, Sentinel Staff Writer
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Monday, 04 February 2013 09:57 |
TONTOGANY - The Otsego Local School District is excited - and hopeful - about casino revenues coming its way.
"We're expecting our first dispensation on Jan. 31," said district Treasurer Dawn Jacobs at Tuesday night's school board meeting. "It is just under $33,000 for this first payment, and I think that's a pretty positive amount when you consider the fact that the openings of the casinos were staggered. The latest one didn't open until Oct. 5 in Columbus. This is not a full year's operations."
In response to questions from board member Elizabeth Gorski, Jacobs noted that the revenues from the casinos will not reduce the monies coming to the district from the state general fund. Additionally, the casino monies, by law, are not earmarked for certain expenses, and thus can be used for any operational costs.
"Our hands aren't tied as to how we spend it," she said.
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Last Updated on Monday, 04 February 2013 10:08 |
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