Briefs: First responder funding, Buy-Way Yard Sales, Wellness Wednesday, street closings

Gov. DeWine announces retention incentives for thousands of Ohio first responders

COLUMBUS — Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that thousands of first responders across Ohio will receive incentives from the state in recognition of their dedication to public safety and their ongoing commitment to public service.

More than 10,000 law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel from 309 agencies will receive a total of approximately $35 million in retention incentives as part of the Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience Program, which was created to address first responder burnout caused by understaffing and overall job stress.

Among the recipients are the following local first responders:

• Bellville Police Department - $20,019

• Bucyrus Fire Department - $68,000

• Springfield Township Fire Department - $82,279

• Crestline Police Department - $24,135

• Galion Police and Fire Departments - $151,884

In total, approximately $100 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding has been awarded to emergency response agencies through the Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience Program since its launch in 2022.

Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sales set for Aug. 10-12

The 19th annual Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sales will take place across the State of Ohio Aug. 10-12.

The historic Lincoln Highway was the first transcontinental road for automobile travel in the United States, dedicated in 1913 and extending from New York City’s Times Square to San Francisco’s Lincoln Park. Combined, various routes across Ohio comprise more than 400 miles today.

Past year’s yard sales have seen families, neighbors, and groups of all kinds selling their wares from their yards, porches, barns and garages, under tents and in open-air locations.

This novel idea began in 2005 and has spawned a variety of activities from Convoy, near the Indiana state line, to East Liverpool on the Ohio River across from West Virginia. A number of communities have group sales in public parks and other locations.

The primary route of the Lincoln Highway runs through Mansfield in Richland County. An alternate route also ran through Ontario and Mifflin.

Please visit historicbyway.com for sale locations and activities along Ohio’s Lincoln Highway.

Area Agency on Aging hosts second Wellness Wednesday

The Area Agency on Aging will host its second “Wellness Wednesday" from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at the Area Agency on Aging, 2131 Park Avenue West, door 300, in Ontario. Black Belt Pro Fitness will provide a martial arts mini lesson.

Wellness Wednesdays, held the second Wednesday of each month in collaboration with Third Street Family Health Services, are part of an initiative that combines the power of wellness with a particular focus on promoting vaccinations. Events and vaccinations are free. RSVPs are not required. COVID-19 Boosters will be available at this event. Anyone who receives the vaccine can take a $25 gift card home with them after they fill out a survey.

For more information, visit the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging's Facebook page or contact Taylor Smith at 567-247-6477 or tfnsmith@aaa5ohio.org.

Portion of two Mansfield streets closed

Woodland Road, from Overlook Road to Edgewood Road, and West Dickson Avenue, from Bowman Street to North Walnut Street, are closed for storm line repairs.

Both roads are expected to reopen by Thursday, Aug. 10.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio first responder grants, Buy-Way Yard Sales, Wellness Wednesdays