Newcomerstown in the News: Village hires new police chief

NEWCOMERSTOWN - Village council hired a new chief of police on Nov. 7, elevating Newcomerstown Patrolman Opha Lawson to the position that will be vacated when Chief Gary Holland retires in January.

Lawson will start at $55,000 for the first year and move to $60,000 at the end of his first year.

The village is also seeking additional police officers for both full- and part-time positions, as well as part-time dispatchers. Newcomerstown police officers’ hourly range begins at $18.09 per hour, according to Mayor Pat Cadle. They get incremental raises at one, five, 10, 15 and 20 years, and possible additional raises within the yearly budget.

According to an article in The Times-Reporter, classes for law enforcement positions are available at Buckeye Career Center. Training covers 740 hours. Classes are held Monday through Friday, plus Saturday and Sunday for 10 weekends. Classes conclude in May.

Online applications for the Newcomerstown Police Department can be found on the Village of Newcomerstown website, www.newcomerstownoh.com.

Deer season

Students in the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District who want to take time off from school for deer season will need to fill out a form to be exempt from attending school.

Forms are available at the school offices and must be completed by Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Officials noted there is no school scheduled for Monday or Tuesday, Nov 28-29.

Leaf pickup

What may be the final leaf pickup of the season will take place the week of Nov. 28.

Village residents are reminded to rake leaves into the street about a foot from the curb on their assigned day and be sure there is no brush or trash in the leaf pile. Do not park cars in front of the pile. If leaves are on the curb strip, the leaf machine may not be able to reach all of the leaves.

Crews will start at 7 a.m. and will pass by once a day. For more information, leave a message at 740-498-8655 and the call will be returned as soon as possible.

The schedule will be:

Mondays: Section 1 − From River Street West to the corporation limit, south of the railroad tracks.

Tuesdays: Section 2 − From River Street East to the corporation limit, south of the railroad tracks.

Wednesdays: Section 3 − From Bridge Street east to Pilling Street, north of the railroad tracks. Includes Scott Addition.

Thursdays: Section 4 − From Bridge Street west to the corporation limit, north of railroad tracks.

Christmas Wonderland

The Historical Society will again present “Christmas Wonderland” for the holiday season.

The Olde Main Street Museum and Social Center, 213 W. Canal St., will be beautifully decorated with many Christmas trees, wreaths, swags, and table décor, all with a Christmas theme, and all available for a donation. Admission is free.

Many businesses and/or community groups will be participating, displaying their decorated Christmas tree with a variety of themes. Everyone who visits Christmas Wonderland will vote on their favorite entries, and the winner will be featured on the Historical Society’s Facebook page. All proceeds will go toward operation of the Newcomerstown museums.

Dates for Christmas Wonderland are: Nov. 18-19, 4-8 p.m.; Nov. 20, 2-6 p.m.; Nov. 25-26, 4-8 p.m.; and Nov. 27, 2-6 p.m.

Volunteer help will keep the museums operating, and officials said any help will be greatly appreciated.

For more information, call Marianne Dakin at 740-498-5636 or email newcomerstownmuseums@gmail.com for information on group visits.

Christmas Wonderland is made possible with grant assistance from the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 124 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia.

Donuts with Dudes

The Newcomerstown West Elementary will host a “Donuts with Dudes” event in early December, inviting fathers, grandfathers, uncles or another special adult to come and share breakfast with their student from 7:45-8:15 a.m. at the West School cafeteria. Flyers were sent home with students that would need to be returned by Nov. 25 to establish a count for the breakfasts.

The schedule will be: Pre-school, Rachelle Lefler’s class and second grade, Monday, Dec. 5; pre-school and third grade, Tuesday, Dec. 6; fourth grade, Wednesday, Dec. 7; fifth grade, Thursday, Dec. 8.

The cost will be $3 for adults.

The Santa Shop will be open at the school library during that time; allow extra time for shopping.

Library closing

The Newcomerstown Public Library will be closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-26, for Thanksgiving and will reopen on Monday, Nov. 28.

Senior citizens

The Newcomerstown Senior Center, Bridge Street, will have its annual membership meeting at noon on Dec. 12. Membership meetings are every three months for all members to attend. The meetings are to alert members to what has been happening with the Senior Center and to give administration ideas on what members want to happen.

To submit an item for “In The News,” email the information to rbooth7747@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Newcomerstown in the News: Village hires new police chief