Local News Briefs: Homecoming, arts funding, sidewalk installation, recent wrecks

West Lafayette Homecoming scheduled

WEST LAFAYETTE − The 75th annual West Lafayette Homecoming will be July 27 to 29 with events in and around Burt Park. The theme is Christmas in July. There will be amusement rides, games, food and more throughout the three days.

The queen's contest is at 6 p.m. Thursday with the parade at 7 p.m. Friday. Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Also on Friday will be a corn roast by FFA Alumni at 6 p.m., the mayor's welcome at 8 p.m., The Doston Brothers playing from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. and merchandise drawings following.

Also on Saturday will be a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m., Mega Music DJ Service from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5K walk and run at 8:30 a.m., AMA RC fun fly show from 9 to 11 a.m., Miss Jody's Dance will perform at 9 a.m., vendor stands will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., story time with the West Lafayette Branch Library is at 10:30 a.m., pet parade at 11 a.m., K-9 rescue show at 2 p.m., golf ball drop at 3:30 p.m., chicken dinner for $12 at 4 p.m., Get Fit Nutrition workouts at 4 p.m., New Towne Cloggers at 5 p.m., Nite Train Band plays 6:45 to 9:45 p.m. and merchandise drawings close at 10:30 p.m.

Democrats to hold dinner

COSHOCTON − The Coshocton County Democrats will have its annual Bahama Mama Cookout Aug. 17 at the Coshocton Moose Lodge, 120 Main St. Social time is 6 p.m. with meal at 6:30 p.m.

Guest speakers are to be announced. The menu includes Bahama Mama sausages, brats, hamburgers and side dishes. Beverages can be purchased at the bar.

Cost is $20 at the door with children 12 and under free. Proceeds will go to local candidates. For reservations and more information, contact Breanne Smith at 740-202-0675 or coshdemchair@gmail.com. Donations can also be sent to Virginia Bowman, 1325 Arrowhead Drive, Coshocton, OH 43812.

West Lafayette pair injured on motorcycle

WEST LAFAYETTE − The Coshocton County Sheriff's Office reported a crash involving a motorcycle and automobile at 4:11 p.m. Wednesday on Ohio 93 at White Eyes Township Road 90.

Authorities said Charles L. Smith, 40, of West Lafayette, was traveling north on a motorcycle when a vehicle driven by Carol Morgan, 75, of Cambridge, failed to yield from a stop sign. This caused the motorcycle to strike the rear of the vehicle. Smith and his passenger, Tracy Wires, 44, of West Lafayette, were thrown from the motorcycle, which continued off the right side of the road. Charles Morgan, 74, of Cambridge, was a passenger in the vehicle.

Smith was transported to Genesis Coshocton Medical Center with unknown injuries. Wires was transported to Coshocton Regional Medical Center and then taken by MedFlight to Akron City Hospital with unknown injuries. The Morgans were not injured. Assisting were Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services, West Lafayette Fire Department and Prince's Wrecker Service.

Two-vehicle wreck on Bridge Street

COSHOCTON − The Coshocton County Sheriff's Office reported a two-vehicle crash at 11:47 a.m. Thursday on Bridge Street, near North Second Street.

Authorities said Brenda Stowers, 61, of Newcomerstown, was traveling east when she struck a vehicle in front of her operated by Henry Parks, 61, of Fresno. Parks was not injured. Stowers was transported to Genesis Coshocton Medical Center for complaint type injuries. Assisting were Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services, Coshocton Fire Department and Prince's Wrecker Service.

River View Park social and barbecue

WARSAW − The 57th annual River View Community Park social and chicken barbecue will be Aug. 4 to 6 at the park in Warsaw.

That Friday will be bingo at the large shelter from 6 to 9 p.m. A community pool party for $5 is from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the pool.

The chicken barbecue starts at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The Swift Shifters Cruise-In car show will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Walhonding Rube Band will play from 1 to 2 p.m., the $57 coin toss into the pool with kids diving for money is at 2 p.m., the children's watermelon eating contest is 2:30 p.m., and the Beaver Run Duck Run is 3 p.m. People can purchase rubber ducks throughout the day. Race winner and 50/50 winner will be announced after the race.

Letter deadline for special election set

COSHOCTON − The Coshocton Tribune will accept letters related to Issue 1 on the special election ballot for Aug. 8 until end of day July 30.

Letters must be from a local resident and include the person's full name and municipality of residence. A phone number must be included for purposes of verification; unverified letters will not be published. Letters won't run unless writers confirms they did write the letter and wish to have it published.

Limit is 350 words. Email letters in a copy and past format to ctnews@coshoctontribune.com.

Local arts programs receive funding

COLUMBUS − The Ohio Arts Council has approved 907 grants of more than $21.8 million to support artists, arts and cultural organizations, students, educators and public arts programming. It's the largest amount of awarded funding in OAC history.

The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum received $12,311 and the Pomerene Center for the Arts got $6,000 in sustainability grants. Rogue Elephants Productions received $4,035 and River View High School got $4,188 in ArtSTART grants. Warsaw Elementary got $31,500 and Conesville Elementary received $7,350 in TeachArtsOhio grants. The Newcomerstown Historical Society received an ArtsNEXT grant for $14,841.

West Lafayette gets money for sidewalks

COLUMBUS − The Ohio Department of Transportation recently announced more than $9.8 million in funding from the Safe Routes to School program going to 25 counties to improve safety for students walking and biking to and from school.

The Village of West Lafayette and Ridgewood Local Schools will get $290,000 to complete the non-construction phases of sidewalk installation along Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets and portions of West Union and South Oak streets and South Plainfield Road. The total project, when combined with a Transportation Alternatives Program application, would construct 12,850 linear feet of new sidewalks.

Ohio Farm Bureau awards funding

COLUMBUS − The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has recently awarded grant to fun efforts in agriculture related programming created to enhance agricultural literacy efforts while creating pathways for young people to learn about the variety and viability of careers in agriculture. The new Workforce Development and Ag Literacy grants are designed exclusively for county farm bureaus.

The Holmes County Farm Bureau in partnership with the Ohio State University Extension Office of Holmes County will receive funding for a life skills camp and career fair. The purpose is for youth to learn essential skills to live independently, while also connecting them with employers in the county. The camp will be intended for participants ages 16 to 21 and will feature careers in all facets of agriculture.

Water and wastewater payment assistance available

COSHOCTON − The Ohio Department of Development and Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission are offering water and wastewater assistance to income eligible residents via the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.

One must provide copies of their most recent water or wastewater bills, list of household members with proof of income, proof of citizenship, proof of disability if applicable and other documentation as needed. For more information, call 740-622-9801.

Bechtol graduates leadership academy

COLUMBUS − Richard Becthol of Becthol Law in Coshocton recently graduated from the Ohio State Bar Association's 2023 Leadership Academy. It's designed to nurture and prepare lawyers for effective leadership in the association, the legal profession and their communities.

The interactive training program takes place across a five-month period in six sessions during which participants interact with a diverse group of seasoned attorneys and other professionals, learning about topics such as civility, ethics and professionalism.

Bechtol's practice focuses on elder law, estate planning, probate and trust administration, veterans benefits and other general practice areas. He earned his undergraduate degree from Shawnee State University and his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.

Warsaw water project gets funding

COLUMBUS − The Ohio Department of Development has announced $135 million to support 90 critical water infrastructure projects in 64 counties as part of the fifth round of Ohio Broadband, Utilities and Infrastructure for Local Development Success (BUILDS) water infrastructure program.

The City of Coshocton will receive a $5 million for a waterline extension project in the Village of Warsaw. Project activities will include the construction of approximately 44,000 linear feet of waterline along U.S. Route 36 from Coshocton to Warsaw, a new water storage tank to serve the junior and senior high schools, the replacement of all service laterals and water meters in the village.

The village has identified at least 70 service laterals in Warsaw made of lead, which contaminates drinking water. Meters need replaced to conform with the Coshocton water system and to be able to read remotely. The project will benefit 1,910 people.

The Village of Warsaw will receive a $36,000 grant to rebuild the aeration system for a lagoon installed in 1978 for its wastewater plant. The system has reached the end of its useful life and needs replaced. The lagoon has been taken out of service and drained for accumulated sludge removal and aeration system replacement. This project would replace all the 3-inch manifold piping and aeration tubing and all necessary fittings and support hardware. The project will benefit 850 people.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Briefs: Homecoming, arts funding, sidewalk installation, recent wrecks