Briefs: Marion airport grant, Aug. 8 voter guide, Lightening Safety Awareness Week

Sen. Brown announces more than $1.8 million for airport improvements in Central Ohio

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded five Airport Improvement Program grants totaling $1,866,266 to five airports in Central Ohio.

“Ohio airports are vital infrastructure supporting travel and commerce in our state,” Brown said. “These investments will enhance safety and operations at Central Ohio airports and improve travel for area residents and businesses.”

Funding from FAA includes $959,907 to the Marion Municipal Airport to reconstruct and rehabilitate aprons — the largest of the awards. Other Central Ohio airports receiving funding are: Morrow County Airport ($225,000) to install weather reporting equipment; John Glenn Columbus International Airport ($343,100) to develop an airport noise exposure maps and an accompanying airport noise compatibility program; Grimes Field Airport ($304,659) to rehabilitate a taxilane; and Perry County Airport ($53,600) to shift or reconfigure an existing taxiway.

Innovation Ohio announces the Ohio Voter Guide for Aug. 8 special election

COLUMBUS — The nonprofit Innovation Ohio has launched the Ohio Voter Guide, a comprehensive resource designed to empower voters for the upcoming Aug. 8 special election.

This tool, available at ohiovoterguide.org, gives voters the ability to learn about Ohio Issue #1, check and update their voter registration, provide early vote options, and allow Ohioans to sign up for election reminders. This initiative is part of Innovation Ohio’s ongoing commitment to foster informed and engaged citizenship in Ohio.

June 18-24 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA), National Weather Service (NWS), and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) are promoting June 18-24 as National Lightning Safety Awareness Week and encourage all Ohioans to know what to do before, during, and after a thunderstorm, and to practice severe weather safety and preparedness throughout the summer.

Lightning is one of the leading causes of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.

Ohioans are urged to remember “When thunder roars, go indoors!” This means you should stop outdoor activities and seek a safe, enclosed shelter immediately. This includes all water activities.

You can find more tips for keeping safe during storms at ready.ohio.gov.

Upcoming meeting:

● River Valley Local Board of Education, 5 p.m., June 28, River Valley High School Media Center, 4280 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Marion

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Municipal Airport gets FAA grant, voter guide, lightning safety