In the News: Newcomerstown joining mosquito battle
NEWCOMERSTOWN — Village council members have approved participation in the Tuscarawas County Mosquito Control Program for 2022.
According to the Tuscarawas County Health Department, the objective of the Mosquito Control Program is to attain an efficient and effective mosquito control operation that will provide the best results possible and be consistent with all ecological aspects and the best interests of Tuscarawas County. The Program utilizes strategies for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases that pose a threat to public health.
The Tuscarawas County Health Department said its immediate priority is to prepare for, and take preventive measures, to reduce the potential of the West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. The Program emphasizes a coordinated Integrated Pest Management approach to minimize the public health threat from mosquito-borne diseases, by utilizing proven sound mosquito control techniques recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. IPM utilizes a variety of control techniques and evaluation procedures that includes public education; personal responsibility; source reduction; surveillance and monitoring; and chemical control.
Under terms of the program, the Health Department will:
• Conduct trapping of mosquitoes in public locations in this jurisdiction during the months of May-September 2022.
• Conduct surveillance of mosquitoes collected in this jurisdiction through partnership with The Ohio Department of Health. Public notifications will be made by the Department when a pool of mosquitoes tests positive for West Nile Virus.
• Will use EPA approved larvicide to eliminate immature mosquito populations in this jurisdiction during the months of May-September 2022.
• The Department will use chemical control measures in accordance with the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health’s recommended thresholds based on the analysis of either larval or adult mosquito surveillance, or other available field data.
For more information, visit www.tchdnow.org or call 330-343-5550.
Brush clean-up
Brush clean-up dates in Newcomerstown are May 20-23, June 17-20 and July 15-18. Bins will be placed at the Newcomerstown Emergency Rescue Squad grounds onCollege Street.
The bins will accept grass clippings, trimmed brush like from hedges or small fallen branches. No trees, limbs, or whole bushes with their root ball because there is not space for them.
Blood testing
The Rotary Club is bringing back the Spring Community Blood Screening.
The Rotary Club will be using clinic staff and scheduling calendar software from Medi-Wise Pharmacy to assist in pre-registration. Payments will be made at the event May 21.
To pre-register, visit https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php; select a desired time (pick the next available time if full and show up when possible). Complete the additional information fields to make the visit go faster. Or, call Medi-Wise Pharmacy by pressing 6 when calling in at 740-498-6337.
ARTSNCT events
Upcoming free events at ARTSNCT, S. College Street, Newcomerstown, include:
• May 21, noon, Dover High School Steel Drum Band and Jazz Band, outside the Olde Main Street Museum.
• June 11, ARTSNCT Cruise-In, live entertainment by the Chestnut Hill Bluegrass Band.
• June 25, noon, ARTSNCT presents the Dominic Greco Band at the Cy Young Days Festival.
For more information, call 740-575-5710.
School news
Seventh grade students at Newcomerstown Middle School recently traveled to the Wilderness Center in Wilmot for a day of outdoor fun and learning.
Staff members reported, “During the pond study class, students caught and sorted creatures that they scooped out of the pond. Creatures were sorted according to their ability to live in the water depending on how clean or polluted it was. By counting the types of animals, the health of the pond can be determined.
“The program at the planetarium showed students the solar system and how the seasons on earth happen. Students also learned about constellations and planets that can be seen with the naked eye. Groups also went on a one mile hike and learned to identify common plants, some edible, some not.”
For more information about The Wilderness Center, visit their website at https://wildernesscenter.org.
Paul Thompson of Newcomerstown High School was awarded the “Overcoming Obstacles Award” recently. The Overcoming Obstacles Awards started in 2015 and are presented to honor one student from each school district in Tuscarawas County for their dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles to achieve success in school.
Paul spends half of his day working on academics and then spends the other part of his day working with Matt Swigert and Tom Mason on the school grounds, and with Rick Casteel and Ivan Hickenbottom in the bus garage. He also spends time working with the school maintenance staff.
School officials noted that “He takes great pride in the work that he does to help our school and school district. Paul has really started to flourish as a student and person over the course of the last year."
Students of the Month
Sixth Grade: Rayden Stockton. His nomination comments included: “Rayden is always working hard to complete his assignments on time. He is eager to help his peers when he finishes his work early. Rayden has a smile on his face and is eager to learn every day.” He is the son of Stephanie Dodd and Randell Stockton. His hobbies include playing basketball and riding his bike. Rayden’s favorite class is science because he likes astronomy. If he were principal, Rayden would give everyone McDonald’s for lunch. The best piece of advice he ever received was from Mrs. Cline who said, “Practice makes perfect.” Rayden’s greatest achievement is getting all A’s in school for two years straight. In the future, he hopes to become an astronaut.
Fifth Grade: Peyton Mills. Her nomination comments included: “This student doesn't follow the crowd. You can almost guarantee daily that there will be a vibrant smile on this student's face. She is one of our happiest and enthusiastic fifth graders. She sees the positive in situations even when others tend to grumble and complain. When other students don't participate in dress up days or fun activities, she does and always shines bright with her creative side. She is confident, independent and very artistic. She is also fully aware of other students' needs and includes others with her enthusiasm. This student has diligence and perseveres through school work challenges.”
Fourth Grade: Xavier Watson. Nomination comments included: “When the fourth grade team thinks of this fourth grader, they instantly think of joy, the biggest smile, and a ball of energy. This school year, this young man has become mature in many of the choices he is making. He works very hard in his classes to do his very best. He asks questions when he doesn’t understand. He is passionate and competitive, but he also has a heart of gold for others and strives for others to be successful too. He wants everyone to be happy.”
Third Grade: Ashtyn Patterson. Nomination comments included: “Ashtyn is an excellent example of a leader. This student greets us every day with a smile to brighten our room. When working with others, she is kind, courteous, and is always willing to help other students be successful. She is humble. You never hear her bragging about herself or her accomplishments, yet she is happy when others succeed. She is organized, completes her work on time, and focuses on accuracy.”
Second Grade: Addilynn Fox. Comments included: “Addi always comes to school prepared to learn. She is very self-driven. She is already working on multiplication fluency facts and brings her own two digit multiplication problems to check. She has also challenged herself to get the most AR points she possibly could all year.”
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This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: In the News: Newcomerstown joining mosquito battle
