https://history.meigslibrary.org/files/original/e6f2b09a30e55fb2df1f213a5fb224c2.pdf 172f7f4da41d15a4e29587239a1572a8 PDF Text Text That holiday spirit Winter reading program NEWS s 10 NEWS s 2 8 AM 2 PM 8 PM 10° 32° 34° Plenty of sun today. A little rain late tonight. High 43° / Low 34° Today’s weather forecast WEATHER s 5 C_ZZb[fehj�š�Fec[heo"�E^_e Breaking news at mydailysentinel.com Issue 5, Volume 76 Eastern holds organizational meeting Staff Report REEDSVILLE — The Eastern Local Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday to approve committees and authorizations. Brandon Buckley was elected as president of the board for the calendar year of 2022. Jessica Staley was elected as vice-president of the board for the calendar year of 2022. Andy Francis was elected as Legislative Liaison for the calendar year of 2022. Jessica Staley was elected as Student Achievement Liaison for the calendar year of 2022. The board approved to establish the following committees for the 2022 Calendar Year: Policy-Andy Francis and Jessica Staley; Building & Grounds-Brandon Buckley and Floyd Ridenour; PersonnelBrandon Buckley and Andy Francis; Public Relations-Floyd Ridenour and Jessica Staley. The board approved the bond for the treasurer, fixed to be the sum of $50,000 and the treasurer be authorized and directed to provide bond satisfactory to the Board of Education. Cost of the bond will be paid by the Board of Education. The board appointed a finance/audit committee to meet periodically with the board treasurer and superintendent to monitor the district’s financial status. Members of the board appointed for the committee are Brandon Buckley and Jessica Staley. The Eastern Local School District Board of Education approved the following standing authorizations: Advances for Tax Settlement: that the treasurer be authorized to secure advances from the auditor when funds are available and payable to the school district; Authorize the superintendent and treasurer to utilize the services of Bricker & Eckler Law Firm and other law firms as deemed appropriate to serve the district; Authorize the superintendent and/or his designee to approve faculty members to host college education students, to be a cooperating teacher for field experience students and professional internships and to be site coordinators for field experience Teacher compensation is calculated based on the actual amount received from the university less any expenses to the district for required benefit; Investment of Inactive Funds: that the treasurer be authorized to invest inactive funds at the most productive interest rates whenever inactive funds are available; Payment of Bills: that the treasurer be authorized to pay bills within the limits of appropriations resolution as bills are received, provided funds are available and to report monthly to the board of education those bills that were paid; Authorize the treasurer to revise appropriations at the fund level, as needed, and then submit the modifications and/or corrections to the board for approval at the next possible board meeting; District Credit Card: that the treasurer be authorized to establish a credit limit of $10,000 on the district credit card in accordance with Board Policy 6423; Appointment of Purchasing Agent: that the superintendent be designated as the purchasing agent for the district; To authorize the superintendent and treasurer to approve applications for local, state, and federal grants; To authorize the superintendent, on behalf of the board, to accept resignations which have been submitted by employees during times when the board is not in session, subject to ratification by the board; provided however, that upon Saturday, January 8, 2022 s $2 Meeting with the Guard Paul Vernon | AP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, right, and his wife Fran, center, talk with Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Barga on Thursday as they tour the Defense Supply Center Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, as members of the Ohio Army National Guard prepare to deploy to aid Ohio hospitals during the surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Ohio governor meets with staff deploying to hospitals COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Gov. Mike DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine on Thursday met with members of the Ohio National Guard deploying to hospitals as the coronavirus surge continues to put pressure on medical caregivers statewide. Just hours after the DeWines’ event at the Defense Supply Center Columbus, officials announced that hospitals in several counties in central, southern and southeastern Ohio were uniformly postponing elective surgeries requiring an overnight stay through Jan. 21. The state Health Department said a record 6,536 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus as of Thursday, filling more than one of every four beds statewide. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 10,435.57 new cases per day on Dec. 21 to 19,585.86 new cases per day on Jan. 4, accord- ing to data collected by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering. DeWine has ordered more than 2,000 Guard members into hospitals, some to help provide medical care but others to relieve staff by helping transfer patients, clean, and transport food. EHS students visit leadership conference Team attends Model United Nations Staff Report REEDSVILLE — Eastern High School’s Model United Nations team recently participated in the 2021-22 state-wide Ohio Leadership Conference in Columbus. The Eastern team, representing South Africa, presented their resolution to solve the problem of police brutality in South Africa according to the procedures of the to take on the roles of delegates and officers. The students research an actual problem in their chosen country then prepare a speech and a written resolution that could solve it. The students debate the merits of their resolution and defend their work in committee meetings and general assembly. Eastern MUN team Eastern High School | Courtesy members are Tanner CalPictured from left are (back row) Tanner Calhoun, Koen Sellers, houn, Koen Sellers, Seth Seth Collins, Grant Martin, (front row) Kyra Zuspan, Cami Jones, Collins, Grant Martin, and Rylee Barrett Kyra Zuspan, Cami Jones, and Rylee Barrett. The Model UN proUnited Nations, with over Submitted by Eastern gram is entirely student100 teams present from led and allows each team High School. across the state. See EASTERN | 12 2 deaths, 76 new COVID cases reported AIM Media Midwest Operating, LLC (USPS 145-966) Telephone: 740-992-2155 Publishes every Tuesday through Saturday. Subscription rate is $208 per year. Latest from Meigs, Gallia, Mason counties Prices are subject to change at any time. 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 Periodical postage paid at Pomeroy, OH POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Sentinel, 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631. All content © 2020 The Daily Sentinel, an edition of the Gallipolis Daily Tribune. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. By Kayla (Hawthorne) Dunham khawthorne@aimmediamidwest. com OHIO VALLEY — Since yesterday’s update, there were 2 COVID-19 associated deaths and 76 new cases reported in the Ohio Valley Publishing area on Friday. In Gallia County, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported 25 new COVID-19 cases. In Meigs County, ODH reported two additional deaths associated with COVID-19. These individuals were in the 20-29 and 70-79 age range, respectively. ODH also reported 16 new COVID-19 cases. In Mason County, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), reported 35 new cases of COVID-19. Here is a closer look at the local COVID-19 data: 20-29 —874 cases (9 new), 18 hospitalizations, 1 death 30-39 — 752 cases (4 new), 17 hospitalizations, Gallia County According to the 2 p.m. 1 death 40-49 — 796 cases (3 update from ODH on new), 33 hospitalizations, Friday, there have been 5 deaths 5,371 total cases (25 50-59 — 727 cases (1 new) in Gallia County new), 56 hospitalizations, since the beginning 12 deaths of the pandemic, 336 60-69 — 589 cases (1 hospitalizations (1 new) new), 55 hospitalizations and 85 deaths. Of the (1 new), 11 deaths 5,371 cases, 4,863 (12 70-79 — 380 cases, new) are presumed 88 hospitalizations, 20 recovered. Case data is as follows: deaths 0-19 — 1,020 cases (5 See COVID | 12 new), 10 hospitalizations �OBITUARIES/NEWS 2 Saturday, January 8, 2022 DEATH NOTICES Ohio Valley Publishing OBITUARY GRIMM BIDWELL — Ralph M. Grimm, Jr, 66, of Bidwell, Ohio, died on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Holzer Medical Center. There will be funeral service at 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the Crow-Hussell Funeral Home. Private burial will take place the following day. Visitation will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m., with masonic rights by the Morning Dawn Lodge #7, Gallipolis, Ohio, at 1:45 p.m., and military rights by the StewartJohnson VFW Post #9926, of Mason, W.Va. VICKY L. SALYERS will follow in Nettlecreek Vicky was a 1966 nie Marshall; nine grandURBANA — Vicky graduate of Graham High Cemetery, St Rt 560, children; Pvt 1st Class L. Salyers, age 73, of Urbana, Ohio 43078. School and worked for Zachary Vernon, Hillary Urbana, Ohio, passed Visitation for family Cardon Packaging in St E. Vernon, Nikk (Steve) away Thursday, January and friends will be held Paris. She was a memWilson, Tiffany Salyers, 6, 2022 in her home. on Wednesday, January ber of Urbana Friends Born on April 20, 1948 Aron Gallaway, Wesley 12, 2022 from 5 p.m to 7 Church. She enjoyed (Brandi) Marshall, Sid in Urbana, she was a pm in the funeral home. sewing, gardening, and daughter of the late Ches- and Breanna Marshall, Donations in Vicky’s antiques, the Red Hat Colt Salyers and numerter E. and Martha Jane name can be made to the Society and liked to bird ous great grandchildren, (Carpenter) Kite, Jr. MICHAEL Cancer Association of Zaylor, Hayden & Markus watch, especially humVicky (Kite) married POMEROY — Amy Michael, 52 of Pomeroy, died Champaign County, P.O. mingbirds. Rogan, Toby & Riley Clarence “Ed” Salyers Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the Marietta Memorial on April 5, 1980 and he Box 38125, Urbana Ohio Funeral services will Marshall, Felix PaulsHospital. 43078 or Ohio’s Hospice grove, Myles Wilson, and be held on Thursday, preceded her in death Funeral services will be held on Monday, January of Dayton, 324 WilmingOaklyn Zerkle. Her sister, January 13, 2022 at 11 December 8, 2021. 10, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Anderson McDaniel Funeral a.m. in the Atkins-Shively ton Ave, Dayton, Ohio Mindy (Kevin) Pullins She leaves behind her Home in Pomeroy. Visitation will be held two hours 45420. Funeral Home, 216 S. sons, Perry (Loretta) Ver- of Gallipolis, Ohio, also prior to the service. Condolences to the Springfield St, St. Paris, non, Scott (Bev) Vernon, survives. In addition to family may be sent to her parents and husband, Ohio with Pastor Jacob Tom (Robin) Salyers, VALENTINE Hayward and Pastor Fred www.shivelyfuneralRobert W. Salyers; daugh- her brother, Ricky Kite, BIDWELL — Ralph M. Grimm, Jr, 66, of Bidwell, Kensler presiding. Burial homes.com. preceded her in death. ters, Jeanie Salyers, JanOhio, died on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Holzer More OBITUARIES | 3 Medical Center. There will be funeral service at 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the Crow-Hussell Funeral Home. Private burial will take place the following day. Visitation will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m., with masonic rights by the Morning Dawn Lodge #7, Gallipolis, Ohio, at 1:45 p.m., and military rights by the StewartJohnson VFW Post #9926, of Mason, W.Va. that title or borrow the kets. Prize drawfor a chance to With the first major item from another library ings will be held win one of six snowfall of the winter on your behalf. It is the April 11. themed baskets months behind us, goal of the Library to In addition to containing items we are reminded not place books in the hands books and audioworth $85.00 or only of the beauty of a of readers, so we encourbooks borrowed more. Participants wondrous snowfall but age you to suggest titles from Bossard can use their also the frigid temperaof interest to you. Library, eBooks earned tickets to tures that accompany From the For more information and audiobooks enter in a drawing this snow. The staff of Bookshelf borrowed from on the library and its Bossard Library encour- for the themed Debbie programs and services, the Ohio Digital basket they hope ages you to participate Saunders Library and hoopla please call the library at to win. Basket in the Library’s annual digital are eligible 740-446-7323. Inquiries themes include Adult Winter Reading regarding the Adult Program, with this year’s Chocolate Makes Every- under the guidelines of Winter Reading Program the program. thing Better; Game On; theme, “Curl Up with a may be directed to Lynn The library is pleased Puzzle it Out; AdvenGood Book.” Pauley at extension 229. to offer the latest bestture Awaits; Pleasures Participating adults Office of Gov. Jim Justice | Courtesy The coming weeks sellers, classics, paperof Reading; and Next who read a total of 10 Pictured from left, Dr. Clay Marsh, Gov. Jim Justice and James may bring more snow backs, books on current Christmas. Registration books will receive their Hoyer at the governor’s press briefing on Thursday. and even colder temperaevents, as well as thoubegins January 10, with choice of a canvas tote sands of other books for tures. Be sure to visit the the program ending on or six-can cooler, each your reading pleasure. If Library to stock up on April 10. Patrons are featuring the Bossard all your favorite reading a book you wish to read Library logo, while sup- encouraged to visit the selections as you “curl up plies last. For each book Library the week of Janu- is not in the library collection, you may request with a good book” this ary 11 to register and read up to 25, particiJustice’s request comes view the grand prize bas- that the library purchase winter. pants will earn a ticket By John Raby Associated Press as West Virginia set a pandemic record for the CHARLESTON, W.Va. number of daily positive coronavirus cases. — West Virginia Gov. GALLIA, MEIGS COMMUNITY BRIEFS The 3,345 confirmed Jim Justice said Thursday cases reported Thurshe will ask the Centers day were 29% higher Gallia County Health Department, for Disease Control and 31, 2021 is completed and subEditor’s Note: Gallia Meigs 499 Jackson Pike. Prevention for permission than the previous mark mitted to the State Auditor. The Briefs will only list event inforof 2,585 cases set last to offer a fourth dose of report is available for viewing mation that is open to the public Friday. Daily positive COVID-19 vaccines to upon request by calling Kathy J. and will be printed on a spaceresidents 50 and older as records have been broRomine, Fiscal Officer, at 740-992available basis. well as to essential work- ken four times in the 2112. GALLIPOLIS — The Bossard past week, including ers. Memorial Library will be closed on three consecutive At a news conference, Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of days last week, accordJustice pointed to Israel, the Martin Luther King holiday. BIDWELL — Maxine Dyer will which last month became ing to the Department Normal hours of operation will be celebrating her 90th birthday one of the first countries of Health and Human resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. on Jan. 9. Cards may be sent to Resources’ virus dashto approve a fourth vac18, 2022 33325 Jesse Creek Road, Bidwell, SYRACUSE — Chair Yoga cine dose for people most board. OH 45614. Class resumes Monday, Jan. 10 at The number of people vulnerable to COVID-19 PATRIOT — Margaret Pope the Syracuse Community Center as it braced for a wave of hospitalized from the will be turning 103 on Jan. 14. from 11 a.m. to noon, call Joy virus is creeping up, too. infections fueled by the Cards may be sent to 2600 GerBentley at 740-992-2365 to sign MIDDLEPORT — The Meigs There were 758 COVIDomicron variant. man Hollow Rd. Patriot, OH up or to get more information. County Humane Society will be 19 hospitalizations on “We’ve got to do 45658. providing straw for pet bedding something,” Justice said. Wednesday, up from 557 during the months of November, on Christmas, health offi“Either we sit back and December, January, and Februjust let our people die and cials said. The record is ary. Vouchers may be picked up GALLIPOLIS — The Jan. 11 1,012 set on Sept. 24. we sit back and let our at the Humane Society Thrift Business Meeting of the Gallia The concern about hospitals be overrun, or County Family and Children First Shop, 253 North Second Street, we try. If the CDC comes hospitalizations are facilMiddleport for a fee of $2. For Council has been canceled. The BEDFORD TWP. — Bedford back and says no we can’t ity staffing numbers, more information call 740-992next Business Meeting is schedTownship 2021 annual Financial not available beds, said do this now, and then uled for March 8 at 10 a.m. at the 6064. Report for the year ending Dec. there’s enough governors James Hoyer, who leads the state’s coronavirus that go together, we’ll task force. About 1,700 sure go with them. And nurses declined to renew then we may get across GALLIA, MEIGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS their state licenses in the finish line that way.” About half of West Vir- 2020. Justice has said 68% of ginia’s population is fully hold the 2022 organizational and Editor’s Note: The Daily those who left the field vaccinated. regular monthly meeting at 5 p.m. Sentinel and Gallipolis Daily cited being “just plain “We have not seen the at the University of Rio Grande, Tribune appreciate your input POMEROY — Bedford Towntired“ and ”pushed to brunt of what omicron Wood Hall, Room 131. Call (740) to the community calendar. To ship Trustees regular monthly the very limit” from the will do,” said Dr. Clay 245-0593 for more details. make sure items can receive meeting, 7 p.m., Bedford town strains of the pandemic. Marsh, the state’s coroPOMEROY — The Meigs proper attention, all information hall. The state has adjusted navirus expert. “The County Board of Health meeting should be received by the newsGALLIPOLIS — DAV Dovel potency of those vaccines the number of active will take place at 5 p.m. in the paper at least five business days Myers Post #141 will meet at the are wearing off. We can’t cases based on U.S. Cenconference room of the Meigs prior to an event. All coming post home on Liberty Ave. at 5 ters for Disease Control afford to have our most County Health Department, events print on a space-available p.m. All members are urged to and Prevention guidevulnerable get sick from which is located at 112 E. Memobasis and in chronological attend. lines that now reflect an COVID-19. order. Events can be emailed to: GALLIPOLIS — AMVETS Post rial Drive in Pomeroy. active status length of ”This is a critical time GALLIPOLIS — VFW Post TDSnews@aimmediamidwest. #23 will meet after the DAV meetfive days instead of 10 for us. We hope we can com or GDTnews@aimmediing at 6 p.m., at the post home. All #4464 will host a family dinner days. get a rapid decision.” at the post home on 3rd Avenue amidwest.com. members are urged to attend. at 6 p.m. Members are urged to attend. Public welcome CONTACT US GALLIPOLIS — The Bossard 825 Third Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 Memorial Library Board of TrustRACINE — The regular 740-446-2342 ees will hold it’s annual organiPATRIOT — Greenfield Town- monthly meeting of the Board of All content © 2022 Gallipolis Daily Tribune and The Daily Sentinel zational meeting at 5 p.m. The Trustees of Sutton Township, 6 ship Board of Trustees, annual edition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be meeting will be held at the library. p.m., Racine Village Hall Council organizational meeting, 8 a.m., reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Immediately following the orgaGreenfield Township Community Chambers. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR nizational meeting, the board of SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Center, 5370 St Rt 233, 2021 REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT/ Matt Rodgers, Ext. 2095 GROUP PUBLISHER trustees will then hold it’s regular Community Center Board of annual financial report and the mrodgers@aimmediamidwest.com Lane Moon monthly meeting. Directors meets at 7 p.m. 2022 budget will be available for lmoon@aimmediamidwest.com CIRCULATION MANAGER TUPPERS PLAINS — Tuppers review at this time. Derrick Morrison, Ext. 2097 EDITOR Plains Regional Sewer District LANGSVILLE — Star Grange dmorrison@aimmediamidwest.com Beth Sergent, Ext. 2102 monthly meeting at the district and Star Junior Grange will be bsergent@aimmediamidwest.com meeting on with a potluck at 6:30 office at 7 p.m. RUTLAND — The Rutland SPORTS EDITOR RIO GRANDE — The Galliap.m. followed by a meeting at Township Trustees will hold their Bryan Walters, Ext. 2101 bwalters@aimmediamidwest.com 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to Vinton Educational Service CenJanuary meeting at 7:30 p.m. at ter (ESC) Governing Board will attend. the township garage. Curl up with a good book WVa wants to offer 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose Special Hours Card showers ‘Chair Yoga’ to resume Straw for pets Township report available Meeting canceled Monday, Jan. 10 Saturday, Jan. 8 Tuesday, Jan. 11 Thursday, Jan. 13 �OBITUARIES/NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, January 8, 2022 3 OBITUARY DAVID R. DEAL POINT PLEASANT — David R. Deal, 62, of Point Pleasant, W.Va., passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, January 5, 2022. He was born on January 13, 1959, in Huntington, W.Va., to the late Russell and Anna (Wallace) Deal. David was a 1977 graduate of Point Pleasant High School. He was the owner and director of Deal Funeral Home. David worked as a nurse at Pleasant Valley Hospital for 15 years. He graduated from Mortuary School in Cincinnati and opened the Deal Funeral Home in 1996. Being a funeral director was a lifelong dream for David. As a child, he would line up matchbox cars and pretend that it was a funeral procession. He truly enjoyed his work and interacting with families that he served. David grew up in the country on Millstone Road where he developed a love for gardening. He enjoyed growing vegetables and working in his flowers. He also enjoyed traveling with his son. David was active in the community and was a past president of the Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a former board member of the W.Va. Board of Funeral Service Examiners and a former member of W.Va. Funeral Directors Association. He was a member of the Minturn 19 Masonic Lodge, the Beni Kedem Shriners and the Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose 731. He helped young people further their education and gave scholarships to graduating seniors from Point Pleasant Junior/ Senior High, Hannan High and Wahama High Schools. Over the years he sponsored and supported various sports teams and youth organizations in the community. He also supported various projects at small country churches in the area. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his wife, Donna June (Sayre) Deal. He was also preceded in death by a special aunt and uncle, Abbie and Lloyd Neville. He is survived by a son, David Bradley Deal of Point Pleasant, W.Va.; brother and sister-in-law, Rick and Linda Hill of Gallipolis Ferry, W.Va.; a niece and her husband, Leigh Ann and Nathan McCallister of Culloden, W.Va.; and a great-nephew, Zane McCallister. He is also survived by many other family members. He will be missed by many including his fur baby, Rolex. A Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Deal Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, W.Va. with Pastor Joe Nott officiating. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, January 10, 2022, at Deal Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Kirkland Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Point Pleasant, W.Va. with Masonic Rites being conducted at the graveside. Deal Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to David Deal Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 518, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. More OBITUARIES | 2 Oscar winner Sidney Poitier dies By Hillel Italie AP National Writer NEW YORK — Sidney Poitier, the groundbreaking actor and enduring inspiration who transformed how Black people were portrayed on screen, became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for best lead performance and the first to be a top box-office draw, has died. He was 94. Poitier, winner of the best actor Oscar in 1964 for “Lilies of the Field,” died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles, according to Latrae Rahming, the director of communications for the Prime Minister of Bahamas. Few movie stars, Black or white, had such an influence both on and off the screen. Before Poitier, the son of Bahamian tomato farmers, no Black actor had a sustained career as a lead performer or could get a film produced based on his own star power. Before Poitier, few Black actors were permitted a break from the stereotypes of bug-eyed servants and grinning entertainers. Before Poitier, Hollywood filmmakers rarely even attempted to tell a Black person’s story. Messages honoring and mourning Poitier flooded social media, with Oscar winner Morgan Freeman calling him “my inspiration, my guiding light, my friend” and Oprah Winfrey praising him as a “Friend. Brother. Confidant. Wisdom teacher.” Former President Barack Obama cited his achievements and how he revealed “the power of movies to bring us closer together.” Poitier’s rise mirrored profound changes in the country in the 1950s and 1960s. As racial attitudes evolved during the civil rights era and segregation laws were challenged and fell, Poitier was the performer to whom a cautious industry turned for stories of progress. He was the escaped Black convict who befriends a racist white prisoner (Tony Curtis) in “The Defiant Ones.” He was the courtly office worker who falls in love with a blind white girl in “A Patch of Blue.” He was the handyman in “Lilies of the Field” who builds a church for a group of nuns. In one of the great roles of the stage and screen, he was the ambitious young father whose dreams clashed Edwin Reichert | AP file Sidney Poitier signs autographs before the opening of the 14th International Film Festival at the congress hall in West Berlin in 1964. Poitier, the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for best lead performance and the first to be a top box-office draw, died Thursday. He was 94. with those of other family members in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Debates about diversity in Hollywood inevitably turn to the story of Poitier. With his handsome, flawless face; intense stare and disciplined style, he was for years not just the most popular Black movie star, but the only one. “I made films when the only other Black on the lot was the shoeshine boy,” he recalled in a 1988 Newsweek interview. “I was kind of the lone guy in town.” Poitier peaked in 1967 with three of the year’s most notable movies: “To Sir, With Love,” in which he starred as a school teacher who wins over his unruly students at a London secondary school; “In the Heat of the Night,” as the determined police detective Virgil Tibbs; and in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” as the prominent doctor who wishes to marry a young white woman he only recently met, her parents played by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in their final film together. Theater owners named Poitier the No. 1 star of 1967, the first time a Black actor topped the list. In 2009 President Barack Obama, whose own steady bearing was sometimes compared to Poitier’s, awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, saying that the actor “not only entertained but enlightened... revealing the power of the silver screen to bring us closer together.” His appeal brought him burdens not unlike such other historical figures as Jackie Robinson and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He was subjected to bigotry from whites and accusations of compromise from the Black community. Poitier was held, and held himself, to standards well above his white peers. He refused to play cowards and took on characters, especially in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” of almost divine goodness. He developed a steady, but resolved and occasionally humorous persona crystallized in his most famous line — “They call me Mr. Tibbs!” — from “In the Heat of the Night.” “All those who see unworthiness when they look at me and are given thereby to denying me value — to you I say, ‘I’m not talking about being as good as you. I hereby declare myself better than you,’” he wrote in his memoir, “The Measure of a Man,” published in 2000. But even in his prime he was criticized for being out of touch. He was called an Uncle Tom and a “million-dollar shoeshine boy.” In 1967, The New York Times published Black playwright Clifford Mason’s essay, “Why Does White America Love Sidney Poitier So?” Mason dismissed Poitier’s films as “a schizophrenic flight from historical fact” and the actor as a pawn for the “white man’s sense of what’s wrong with the world.” Stardom didn’t shield Poitier from racism and condescension. He had a hard time finding housing in Los Angeles and was followed by the Ku Klux Klan when he visited Mississippi in 1964, not long after three civil rights workers had been murdered there. In interviews, journalists often ignored his work and asked him instead about race and current events. Poitier was not as engaged politically as his close friend and great contemporary Harry Belafonte, leading to occasional conflicts between them. But he was active in the 1963 March on Washington and other civil rights events, and as an actor defended himself and risked his career. He refused to sign loyalty oaths during the 1950s, when Hollywood was barring suspected Communists, and turned down roles he found offensive. “Almost all the job opportunities were reflective of the stereotypical perception of Blacks that had infected the whole consciousness of the country,” he recalled. “I came with an inability to do those things. It just wasn’t in me. I had chosen to use my work as a reflection of my values.” 2nd stay sought against Ohio law on aborted fetal remains By Julie Carr Smyth Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio abortion providers again sued Friday to block a state law requiring that fetal remains from surgical abortions be cremated or buried. Clinics, through their lawyers at ACLU of Ohio, asked the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court for a second stay, arguing the new law imposes a funeral ritual on every patient, regardless of religious or spiritual belief. The clinics continue to characterize the law as an unconstitutional hurdle to women’s legal right to an abortion. “Compliance with SB27 will have a devastating impact on the ability of patients to have autonomy over their own lives,” ACLU of Ohio legal director Freda Levenson said in a statement. A judge previously had stayed the law in April, on grounds a lack of state rules made compliance impossible. But those rules were finalized Dec. 30 and are now set to take effect Jan. 9. Under the terms of the court order, abortion providers would have until Feb. 8 to come into compliance. The measure replaces an earlier state law that required aborted fetuses to be disposed of “in a humane manner,” but did not define “humane.” Remains from what are known as surgical, or procedural, abortions fell under existing rules for handling infectious waste, meaning they could be disposed of with material from other medical procedures. Republican Gov. Ohio Mike DeWine signed the fetal tissue measure into law in December 2020. As state attorney general, he investigated allegations regarding Planned Parenthood’s treatment of fetal remains in 2015. His report found no evidence of the illegal disposal that was alleged, but it criticized the organization for disposing of fetal remains in landfills. Planned Parenthood called the finding “inflammatory.” Iris E. Harvey, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, one of the plaintiffs, said the the law is “based on misinformation and propaganda used to stigmatize abortion providers and the people we serve.” She said in a statement that allowing it to take effect would delay “vital and time-sensitive health care” until later in pregnancy for some and force others to to carry pregnancies to term against their will. Introducing Michelle Rankin, NP » Cardiology Holzer welcomes Michelle Rankin, NP, to the Cardiology team in Gallipolis! Michelle treats conditions including: ������� �������������� �� ��� ��� �������� �� �� ��������������� ���� ����� ���������� � ���� ����� ��Lightheadedness & ��������� She received her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Schedule an appointment! 1-855-4HOLZER (1-855-446-5937) OH-70268962 �NEWS 4 Saturday, January 8, 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing Supreme Court skeptical of Biden’s workplace vaccine rule By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared skeptical Friday of the Biden administration’s authority to impose a vaccineor-testing requirement on the nation’s large employers. The court also was hearing arguments on a separate vaccine mandate for most health care workers. The arguments in the two cases come at a time of spiking coronavirus cases because of the omicron variant, and the decision Friday by seven justices to wear masks for the first time while hearing arguments reflected the new phase of the pandemic. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a diabetic since childhood, didn’t even appear in the courtroom, choosing to remain in her office at the court and take part remotely. Two lawyers, representing Ohio and Louisiana, argued by telephone after recent positive COVID-19 tests, state officials said. But the COVID circumstances did not appear to outweigh the views of the court’s six conservatives that the administration overstepped its authority in its vaccine-or-testing requirement for businesses with at least 100 employees. “This is something the federal government has never done before,” Chief Justice John Roberts said, casting doubt on the administration’s argument that a halfcentury established law, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, confers such broad authority. Roberts and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett probably hold the key to the outcome in both cases, as they have been more receptive to state-level vaccine requirements than the other three conservative justices. Barrett and Kavanaugh also had tough questions for Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer. The court’s three liberal justices suggested support for the employer rule. Justice Elena Kagan said officials have shown “quite clearly that no other policy will prevent sickness and death to anywhere like the degree that this one will.” And Justice Stephen Breyer said he found it “unbelievable” that it could be in the “public interest” to put that rule on hold. He said that on Thursday there were some 750,000 new cases in the country and that hospitals are full. Beginning Monday, unvaccinated employees in big companies are supposed to wear masks at work, unless the court blocks enforcement. Testing requirements and potential fines for employers don’t kick in until February. Legal challenges to the policies from Republican-led states and business groups are in their early stages, but the outcome at the high court probably will determine the fate of vaccine requirements affecting more than 80 million people. “I think effectively what is at stake is whether these mandates are going to go into effect at all,” said Sean Marotta, a Washington lawyer whose clients include the American Hospital Association. The trade group is not involved in the Supreme Court cases. Administration lawyer Prelogar told the justices that COVID19 “is the deadliest pandemic in American history and it poses a unique workplace danger.” OSHA has estimated that its emergency regulation will save 6,500 lives and prevent 250,000 hospitalizations over six months. Nearly 207 million Americans, 62.3% of the population, are fully vaccinated, and more than a third of those have received a booster shot, including the nine justices. Andy Slavitt, a former adviser to the Biden administration on COVID-19, said the vaccine requirements are extremely effective for 15% to 20% of Americans “who don’t like to get a shot, but they will and don’t have any strenuous objection.” The high court is weighing in on administration vaccine policies for the first time, although the justices have turned away pleas to block state-level mandates. But a conservative majority concerned about federal overreach did bring an end to the federal moratorium on evictions put in place because of the pandemic. Both vaccine rules would exacerbate labor shortages and be costly to businesses, lawyer Scott Keller argued Friday on behalf of more than two dozen business groups. Without an immediate order from the court, “workers will quit right away,” Keller said. The second regulation at issue is a vaccine mandate that would apply to virtually all health care staff in the country. It covers health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding, potentially affecting 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. The rule has medical and religious exemptions. Decisions by federal appeals courts in New Orleans and St. Louis have blocked the mandate in about half the states. The administration has said it is taking steps to enforce it in the rest. Chris Rizer | Courtesy A snow storm blankets 1908 Main Street in downtown Point Pleasant. A 19th century winter ing the past ten As I’m writing days we have had this article on Ohio Thursday, we’re all Valley some extremely awaiting the arrival History cold weather. Conof this season’s first Chris Rizer siderable ice was formed… A sprinwinter storm. That kle of snow one day has me thinking last week.” – what were our winters December 14th: like 150 years ago? Luck“Navigation has been ily, our old friend Editor Tippett included plenty of suspended on both rivers, on account of the ice. weather-related snippets Arrangements have been in the Weekly Register. made for conveying the The winter of 1871mail by land… No small’72 was an average 19th century winter for Mason pox in town that we know of, but as it is towns near County. Unlike this season, which saw Christmas us, get your family physician to vaccinate every temperatures hover near member of your family… 70 degrees, the cold hit Mr. Darst is now supin early November and plying our citizens with stayed until March. DisCannel coal. No danger of ease was common, with freezing now.” diphtheria and smallpox December 21st: “The both making their rounds. Ohio River is still blockRivers froze and rose as aded with ice between if stuck on repeat, each this place and Parkerstime cutting off river burg. There may be a trade and communicabreak-up about next tions. And of course, June… Two barges loaded snow was a regular visitor, much to the delight of with coal arrived at our wharf Tuesday night. the town’s youth. This will be good news These bits and pieces to those who are out of from Tippett’s editorial fuel.” columns really tell the January 18th, 1872: story. “This vicinity was gladNovember 16th, 1871: “Now that the nights are dened by a sight of the beautiful snow on Tuesgrowing long and cold… day which fell to a depth We learn that the dread disease, diphtheria, is rag- of six or seven inches. ing to an alarming extent The young folks enjoyed among the children along it by snowballing each other… Owing to the the Kanawha River, and sudden changes in the in the lower end of this weather, we have had of county. Several deaths have occurred… Weather late, a good deal of sickness in town… The conprophets are predicting tractors are now deliverthat the present winter will be one of the coldest ing the mail, on both the Ohio and Kanawha river ever known.” routes, on time.” November 23rd: “Dur- “Navigation has been suspended on both rivers, on account of the ice. Arrangements have been made for conveying the mail by land… No smallpox in town that we know of, but as it is towns near us, get your family physician to vaccinate every member of your family… Mr. Darst is now supplying our citizens with Cannel coal. No danger of freezing now.” Weekly Register — December 14, 1871 January 25th: “The Ohio River is again full of ice, and navigation is about suspended.” February 8th: “The Kanawha River is still froze over at this point. It has afforded most excellent skating, and many citizens have taken advantage of it. Teams and cattle have been crossing it for several days… Last week, snow fell to a depth of over eight inches at this place… The ice crop is nearly harvested. Ice will be plenty and cheap next year.” February 15th: “The Kanawha River which has been frozen up for the past three weeks, took a notion to rise on Friday night last, and on Sunday the ice ran out. Several steamboats and a number of barges were harbored in the Kanawha. No damage was done to any of them… The rise in the Kanawha has probably opened the Ohio… With the opening of the rivers, business will assume a brighter aspect… A little boy of this city, whose father had warned him not to go on the ice, fell down while skating, and cut his tongue so badly that, when asked what was the matter, he could not tell a lie.” February 29th: “Bad colds are the order of the day. Everybody and his wife and children are complaining.” March 15th: “We had on Monday, March in all its various styles. It rained, blowed, snowed, and frizzed. Tuesday was a beautiful day… We would rather bet on four aces anytime than on March.” Fortunately, ever since the locks and dam were installed, we haven’t had to worry about the rivers freezing and shutting down commerce. Occasionally, we still get a snow storm or two, but nothing on the scale of what we used to see. But even 150 years later, March is still as unpredictable as ever. Chris Rizer is the president of the Mason County Historical & Preservation Society and director of Main Street Point Pleasant, reach him at masonchps@gmail.com. Arbery killers sentenced to life in prison No parole for father, son by a trial where the was granted a men’s defense was chance of parole that Arbery made but must first bad choices that led serve at least 30 to his death. years in prison. “This wasn’t a Walmsley said By Russ Bynum Associated Press case of mistaken Arbery left his Travis Gregory William identity or mistaken home for a jog McMichael McMichael ‘Roddie’ Bryan fact. They chose and ended up BRUNSWICK, Ga. to target my son — Three white men con- running for his because they didn’t want During the sentencing victed of murder for chas- life for five minutes as the him in their community. men chased him in pickup hearing, Arbery’s family ing and killing Ahmaud They chose to treat him had asked the judge to trucks until they finally Arbery were sentenced differently than other show no lenience. cornered him. to life in prison Friday, Arbery’s sister recalled people who frequently “Ahmaud Arbery was with a judge denying any his humor, describing him visited their community,” hunted down and shot, chance of parole for the father and son who armed and he was killed because as a positive thinker with Wanda Cooper-Jones a big personality. She told said. “And when they individuals here in the themselves and initiated the judge her brother had couldn’t sufficiently scare courtroom took the law the deadly pursuit of the dark skin “that glistened into their own hands,” 25-year-old Black man. or intimidate him, they in the sunlight,” thick, the judge said. killed him.” Murder carries a mancurly hair and an athletic Before sentencing, The judge’s sentences datory sentence of life build, factors that made Walmsley paused for a in prison under Georgia matched the recomminute of silence to help him a target for the men law unless prosecutors mendation of prosecutor who pursued him. give the scope of what Linda Dunikoski. She seek the death penalty, “These are the qualisaid all deserved that which they opted against those five minutes must have been like for Arbery. ties that made these men mandatory life sentence for Arbery’s fatal shoot“When I thought about assume that Ahmaud was for showing “no empathy ing. For Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley, this, I thought from a lot a dangerous criminal and for the trapped and terriof different angles. I kept chase them with guns fied Ahmaud Arbery.” the main decision was drawn. To me, those qualcoming back to the terwhether to grant Greg Contending the McMiities reflect a young man chaels still believed they ror that must have been and Travis McMichael in the mind of the young full of life and energy who didn’t do anything wrong, and their neighbor, Willooked like me and the man running through Dunikoski disclosed Friliam “Roddie” Bryan, an people I loved,” Jasmine Satilla Shores,” he said, eventual chance to earn day that Greg McMichael mentioning the neighbor- Arbery said. parole. gave cellphone video of Arbery’s mother said the shooting recorded by The judge ordered both hood outside the port she suffered a personal, city of Brunswick where Bryan to an attorney, who McMichaels to serve life intense loss made worse Arbery was killed. without parole. Bryan leaked it. �NEWS/WEATHER Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, January 8, 2022 5 Winter storm snarls travel, gives some schools day off By Mark Pratt noted that many children rely on in-school meals and that some working parents can’t stay home. BOSTON — A winter But there was a sense storm that had already of relief for some educablanketed parts of the tors. South in snow moved Michael Gow, a middle into the Northeast on Friday, snarling air travel, school social studies teacher in Medfield, crushing morning comMassachusetts, called mutes and giving hunFriday a “snowvid day” dreds of school districts and acknowledged it gave struggling to keep kids parents and teachers a in the classroom during reprieve from the daily a wave of new coronavidilemma of whether to rus cases an excuse to continue with in-person shut down for a one-day instruction as the panrespite. demic rages. Schools in Boston “This is a well deserved closed, and Providence, break for all of the teachRhode Island, public ers, staff, and students schools switched to dealing with the surge of distance learning, but omicron,” Gow tweeted. New York City kept the In central Pennsylvania, nation’s largest public Ericka Weathers, a Penn school system open. “Children need to be in State University educaschool. We don’t have any tion professor, scrambled more days to waste” after to finish a fellowship application while her two the many closures and kids were home from remote-learning days of the pandemic, said Mayor school because of the snow. She started workEric Adams, a Democrat ing around 5:15 a.m. to dealing with his first major storm after taking try to ensure she’d have enough time to finish by office Saturday. He also Associated Press Richard Drew | AP Snow covers a statue of composer and entertainer George M. Cohan, in New York’s Times Square on Friday. A winter storm that has already left areas of the South with more than 6 inches of snow moved into the northeast during the morning commute and prompted many school districts to close for the day. with staffing shortages caused by an increase in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. In the U.S., cancellations had eased a bit this week after peaking at more than 3,200 on Monday. By midday Friday, By midday on the East Coast, airlines had scrubbed more than 2,400 flights, with the largest numbers at airports in Boston and the New York City area, according to tracking service FlightAware. Airlines have struggled the deadline Friday evening. “I’ve been trying to juggle,” she said as her 7-year-old sledded on the hill outside and her 4-year-old didn’t want to go out. “Every five minutes, someone’s asking me a question.” some spots in New England including Danielson, Connecticut, Norwood, Massachusetts, and Burrillville, Rhode Island, had received well above a foot (30 centimeters) of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Drivers were urged to stay off the roads, but there were reports of crashes around the region. Plow driver Michael D’Andrea got a firsthand look at the mess on the roads. He saw plenty of vehicles spin out as the thick snow fell. “The first storm is always a bit more dangerous,” said D’Andrea, 34, of Norwood, Massachusetts. “No one has driven in this weather for like six months. People have to relearn how to drive in this. And it’s usually not a foot of snow the first one. This is almost a blizzard with how fast it came down. 2022 is off to a bang, but I suppose we were overdue.” In omicron outbreak, US governors lose appetite for mandates By Jeffrey Collins They largely are leaving it up to local officials to make the tough calls on decisions such as whether COLUMBIA, S.C. — Governors took sweeping to limit capacity in restaurants and theaters or actions during earlier keep schools open. surges of the COVID-19 South Carolina set a pandemic. Many closed schools and ordered busi- record for positive tests over the New Year’s weeknesses shut down. They end and COVID-19 hosissued mask mandates, vaccine requirements and pitalizations are up 67% even quarantines in some from the week before. places for people who had But Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, urged traveled to out-of-state everyone to carry on as if hot spots. everything’s fine. “If you Not this time, even as get real sick, there will be the exponential spread room in the hospitals,” he of the super-contagious promised this week. omicron variant shat“There’s no need ters COVID-19 infection records. While governors to panic. Be calm. Be happy,” McMaster said. are sending help to hospitals, they are displaying “We just had a great Christmas season. Busilittle appetite for wideness is booming.” spread public orders or McMaster has consisshutdowns. tently urged people to Even Democratic get vaccinated and in the governors who passed earliest days of the panstrict mandates early on demic, he directed K-12 are now relying more on persuasion than dictates. schools and colleges to Associated Press TODAY 8 AM WEATHER 2 PM 10° 32° 34° AccuWeather.com Asthma Index™ Temperature The AccuWeather.com Asthma Index combines the effects of current air quality, pollen counts, wind, temperature, dew point, barometric pressure, and changes from past weather conditions to provide a scale showing the overall probability and severity of an asthma attack. 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Fri. 0.36 Month to date/normal 2.38/0.70 Year to date/normal 2.38/0.70 (in inches) 4.4 5.8/1.1 5.8/4.5 Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset Sun. 7:47 a.m. 5:24 p.m. 12:14 p.m. 12:11 a.m. MOON PHASES First Jan 9 Full Last Jan 17 Jan 25 New Feb 1 SOLUNAR TABLE The solunar period indicates peak feeding times for fish and game. Major Today 4:31a Sun. 5:16a Mon. 5:58a Tue. 6:37a Wed. 7:17a Thu. 7:57a Fri. 8:40a Minor 10:42a 11:27a 12:08p 12:48p 1:06a 1:46a 2:27a Major 4:53p 5:37p 6:19p 6:59p 7:39p 8:21p 9:04p 0-2 Low; 3-4 Moderate; 5-6 High; 7-8 Very High; 9-10 Extreme WEATHER TRIVIA™ Q: What is the coldest it has even been in North America? SUN & MOON Today 7:47 a.m. 5:24 p.m. 11:50 a.m. none 1 Minor 11:04p 11:48p ------1:28p 2:09p 2:52p WEATHER HISTORY The temperature stayed below zero in New York City for an entire day only once--on Jan. 8, 1859. During the same cold snap, Toronto had its coldest January temperature ever with a low of 27 degrees below zero. A: -81.4 F At Snag, Yukon Territory, Canada. Feb. 3, 1947. Snowfall 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Fri. Month to date/normal Season to date/normal The AccuWeather.com Cold Index combines the effects of local weather with a number of demographic factors to provide a scale showing the overall probability of transmission and symptom severity of the common cold. AIR QUALITY 300 500 Primary pollutant: Particulates Air Quality Index: 0-50, Good; 51-100, Moderate; 101-150, Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200, Unhealthy; 201-300, Very unhealthy; 301-500, Hazardous. Source: Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services OHIO RIVER Levels in feet as of 7 a.m. Fri. Location Willow Island Marietta Parkersburg Belleville Racine Point Pleasant Gallipolis Huntington Ashland Lloyd Greenup Portsmouth Maysville Meldahl Dam Flood Stage 37 34 36 35 41 40 50 50 52 54 50 50 51 Level 12.59 20.08 23.95 13.12 13.08 26.20 19.31 31.41 37.12 12.36 32.30 38.20 36.70 Portsmouth 43/38 24-hr. Chg. +0.41 -1.80 -0.71 +0.24 +0.11 -0.87 +7.19 -5.54 -4.69 -2.66 -7.80 -4.60 -6.80 Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022 Belpre 42/31 Athens 41/34 St. Marys 42/32 Parkersburg 42/33 Coolville 41/31 Elizabeth 43/34 Spencer 43/34 Buffalo 43/35 Milton 44/36 St. Albans 45/36 Huntington 44/39 NATIONAL FORECAST 110s 100s Seattle 90s 43/34 80s 70s 60s 50s 40s 30s 20s San Francisco 10s 54/43 0s -0s -10s Los Angeles 63/46 T-storms Rain Showers Snow Flurries Ice Cold Front Warm Front Stationary Front 48° 36° Mostly cloudy Marietta 41/31 Murray City 40/34 Ironton 43/39 Ashland 43/38 Grayson 44/38 FRIDAY 47° 32° Partly sunny and not as cold Wilkesville 41/35 POMEROY Jackson 42/32 41/36 Ravenswood Rio Grande 43/32 42/35 Centerville POINT PLEASANT Ripley 40/38 GALLIPOLIS 43/34 44/35 43/34 South Shore Greenup 43/38 41/36 33 0 50 100 150 200 Lucasville 42/37 THURSDAY 43° 30° Mostly sunny and cold take aggressive measures has waned, and since the summer he has focused on voluntary mask wearing and vaccinations. “We don’t have the practical ability to really put on a statewide mask order at this point,” DeWine said in late December. “I don’t think it’s appropriate at this point. We have the vaccine. We have the tools.” Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, while listing his accomplishments during his first year in office Tuesday, said that through previous COVID19 surges there was little differences in case counts between states run by Republicans that tended to take fewer precautions and those run by Democrats, which generally took stronger actions. “Heavy-handed, onesize-fits-all mandates don’t work,” Gianforte said. Cloudy NATIONAL CITIES Logan 40/35 McArthur 41/34 Waverly 41/35 WEDNESDAY 29° 17° Periods of clouds and sunshine Adelphi 40/36 Chillicothe 40/35 TUESDAY 33° 14° Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. 2 AccuWeather.com Cold Index™ (in inches) Rain at times Plenty of sun today. A little rain late tonight. High 43° / Low 34° HEALTH TODAY Precipitation MONDAY 43° 19° Statistics through 3 p.m. Fri. 20°/16° 43°/27° 71° in 2008 -4° in 2014 SUNDAY Even governors who pushed the hardest for restrictions during earlier outbreaks have settled on appealing for people to take personal responsibility. Oregon removed its mask requirement from outdoor crowds in November and hasn’t reinstated it. Schools and businesses remain open, and Democratic Gov. Kate Brown has urged booster shots as the best way to combat the virus. “Our focus right now is on making sure our most vulnerable Oregonians have access to booster shots and ensuring we are ready to support our hospital systems,” the governor’s spokesman, Charles Boyle, said in an email. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, was one of the first to close schools in March 2020 as the virus began spreading rapidly through the U.S. But his desire to that are refusing to wear a mask are going to wear one anyway, and we don’t have the ability to enforce it,” Hogan said. “So we’re just strongly encouraging people to wear the damn mask.” New Jersey has had the second-largest U.S. caseload during this surge, after New York, and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy asked the legislature to renew his emergency powers so he can continue a mask mandate in schools. But renewed business shutdowns and near universal mask mandates appear to be off the table, and instead of issuing new executive orders, he’s urging people to follow public health recommendations. “Here is what we need everyone to really take to heart — the need to mask up, to get boosted, and to just practice common sense,” Murphy said. EXTENDED FORECAST 8 PM ALMANAC High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low move to distance learning. But students are back in classrooms across the state, and he continues to resist imposing any statewide business shutdowns. California is grappling with an astonishing spike in infections, and the state health department extended an indoor mask mandate to Feb. 15, but the state’s Democratic leaders included no mechanism to enforce it. “I think a lot of people will self-enforce and do the right thing,” Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters last month. The sentiment seems familiar to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. The Republican announced a 30-day state of emergency to fight the omicron variant surge, but it doesn’t include the same statewide mask mandate ordered earlier in the pandemic. “I’m not sure the people Clendenin 44/34 Charleston 44/35 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Winnipeg 13/-16 Montreal 12/10 Billings 30/11 Minneapolis 29/-1 Detroit 31/29 Toronto 28/26 New York 32/28 Chicago 32/25 Denver 42/17 Washington 34/26 Kansas City 41/25 Chihuahua 74/49 Sun. Hi/Lo/W 49/27/s 12/11/sn 60/41/t 46/33/r 42/29/r 30/22/pc 34/18/s 42/28/c 45/23/r 53/42/r 35/18/s 29/8/pc 43/17/r 40/18/c 41/17/r 57/37/c 37/20/pc 21/10/s 36/14/c 80/69/s 76/51/t 38/16/r 35/22/s 59/40/s 57/28/r 71/54/pc 46/20/r 79/70/sh 7/-11/s 53/27/r 77/57/t 40/28/c 45/21/pc 81/62/c 41/28/r 72/50/s 39/18/r 36/22/sn 56/44/r 54/36/r 37/19/c 39/22/s 57/46/pc 44/34/pc 43/31/r National for the 48 contiguous states High Low 85° in Key West, FL -38° in Wadena, MN Global Houston 76/68 Miami 78/72 Monterrey 79/56 Today Hi/Lo/W 56/32/pc 7/-4/c 51/39/s 33/28/s 34/23/s 30/11/pc 37/18/pc 29/20/s 44/35/s 45/31/s 36/15/pc 32/25/sn 42/38/pc 35/31/pc 38/35/s 63/50/sh 42/17/c 34/12/c 31/29/pc 79/66/pc 76/68/t 36/35/r 41/25/i 63/41/s 51/50/r 63/46/pc 45/43/pc 78/72/sh 29/-1/pc 49/43/c 69/64/c 32/28/s 58/33/c 77/62/s 32/23/s 67/49/s 35/31/s 26/14/s 43/27/s 39/26/s 40/34/sh 41/22/pc 54/43/c 43/34/c 34/26/s EXTREMES FRIDAY Atlanta 51/39 El Paso 68/42 City Albuquerque Anchorage Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Boise Boston Charleston, WV Charlotte Cheyenne Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Dallas Denver Des Moines Detroit Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Louisville Miami Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Portland, ME Raleigh Richmond St. Louis Salt Lake City San Francisco Seattle Washington, DC High Low 112° in Rabbit Flat, Australia -61° in Toko, Russia Weather(W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. �COMICS 6 Saturday, January 8, 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing Find the right senior living option for your mom or dad with our personalized process Alice 1 Connect with a local senior advisor 2 Review a tailored list of recommendations 3 Connect with us at 1-877-890-0424 Evaluate, tour and decide with confidence OH-70262222 Our service is free, as we’re paid by our participating communities and providers. BLONDIE By Dean Young and John Marshall BEETLE BAILEY By Mort, Greg and Brian Walker BABY BLUES PARDON MY PLANET By Vic Lee By Jerry Scott & Rick Kirkman CONCEPTIS SUDOKU by Dave Green %\�'DYH�*UHHQ � CRANKSHAFT � � � � � By Tom Batiuk & Dan Davis � � � � � � � � � � � ���� 'LIILFXOW\�/HYHO Today’s Solution ���� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � THE BRILLIANT MIND OF EDISON LEE � � � � � � � � � Written By Brian & Greg Walker; Drawn By Chance Browne By Bil and Jeff Keane �����&RQFHSWLV�3X]]OHV��'LVW��E\�.LQJ�)HDWXUHV�6\QGLFDWH��,QF� HI AND LOIS By Chris Browne � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �'LIILFXOW\�/HYHO THE FAMILY CIRCUS HAGAR THE HORRIBLE By John Hambrock Today’s answer ZITS RHYMES WITH ORANGE Hank Ketcham’s DENNIS THE MENACE By Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman By Hilary Price THE LOCKHORNS By Bunny Hoest & John Reiner � � � � � � � �����&RQFHSWLV�3X]]OHV��'LVW��E\�.LQJ�)HDWXUHV�6\QGLFDWH��,QF� � � �NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, January 8, 2022 7 Hospitalizations climb in kids too young for COVID shots By Lindsey Tanner and Mike Stobbe spreading furiously around the country, the AP Medical Writers hospitalization rate in these youngest kids has surged to more than 4 in Hospitalizations of 100,000 children, up from U.S. children under 5 2.5 per 100,000. with COVID-19 soared The rate among chilin recent weeks to their dren ages 5 to 17 is about highest level since the pandemic began, accord- 1 per 100,000, according to the CDC data, which ing to government data is drawn from over 250 released Friday on the only age group not yet eli- hospitals in 14 states. Overall, “pediatric hosgible for the vaccine. The worrisome trend in pitalizations are at their highest rate compared children too young to be to any prior point in the vaccinated underscores pandemic,” Walensky the need for older kids said. and adults to get their The overall hospitalizashots to help protect tion rate among children those around them, said and teens under 18 is Dr. Rochelle Walensky, still lower than that of director of the Centers any other age group. for Disease Control and And they account for less Prevention. than 5% of average new Since mid-December, daily hospital admissions, with the highly contaaccording to the CDC. gious omicron variant Courtesy of Emily Hojara via AP Emily Hojara and Eli Zilke of Sawyer, Mich., hold their their daughter, Flora, who was born early in the COVID-19 pandemic and turns 2 this spring. Hospitalizations of U.S. children under 5 — too young to be vaccinated against COVID-19 — have soared, so the family is being extra protective. As of Tuesday, the average number of under-18 patients admitted to the hospital per day with COVID-19 was 766, double the figure reported just two weeks ago. The trend among the very youngest kids is being driven by high hospitalization rates in five states: Georgia, Connecticut, Tennessee, California and Oregon, with the steepest increases in Georgia, the CDC said. At a briefing, Walensky said the numbers include children hospitalized because of COVID-19 and those admitted for other reasons but found to be infected. The CDC also said the surge could be partially attributable to how COVID-19 hospitalizations in this age group are defined: a positive virus test within 14 days of hospitalization for any reason. The severity of illness among children during the omicron wave seems lower than it was with the delta variant, said Seattle Children’s Hospital critical care chief Dr. John McGuire. “Most of the COVID+ kids in the hospital are actually not here for COVID-19 disease,” McGuire said in an email. “They are here for other issues but happen to have tested positive.” The nation’s top infectious-disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said earlier this week that omicron appears to cause lesssevere disease across the board, but that the sheer number of infections because of its extreme contagiousness will mean that many more children will get infected, and a certain share of them will wind up in the hospital. Fauci also said many children hospitalized with COVID-19 have other health conditions that make them more susceptible to complications from the virus. That includes obesity, diabetes and lung disease. US unemployment sinks to 3.9% as many more find jobs By Christopher Rugaber with November. Still, the data reported Friday by the Labor Department reflected WASHINGTON the state of the job mar— The nation’s unemket in early December ployment rate fell in — before the spike in December to a healthy 3.9% — a pandemic low COVID-19 infections began to disrupt the — even as employers added a modest 199,000 economy. Economists jobs, evidence that they have cautioned that job are struggling to fill jobs growth may slow in January and possibly with many Americans reluctant to return to the February because of omicron cases, which have workforce. forced millions of newly The drop in the jobinfected workers to stay less rate, from 4.2% home and quarantine. in November, indiThe economy is still cated that many more about 3.6 million jobs people found work last short of its pre-pandemic month. Indeed, despite level. the slight hiring gain For now, steady hiring reported by businesses, is being driven by strong 651,000 more workers said they were employed consumer demand that has remained resilient in December compared AP Economics Writer Hans Pennink | AP pool Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appears virtually for a court session in Albany City Court before Judge Holly Trexler, as she considers a prosecutor’s request to dismiss a fondling case against him Friday in Albany, N.Y. Trexler dismissed the only criminal charge filed against the former New York governor in connection with the sexual harassment allegations that drove him from office. Judge dismisses sole criminal charge against Andrew Cuomo By Marina Villeneuve and Michael Hill Wearing a black mask, he was briefly visible on the Associated Press videoconference as his lawyer Rita Glavin moved her camera to show him ALBANY, N.Y. — The only criminal charge filed in the room. “As the governor has over the sexual harasssaid, this simply did not ment allegations that happen,” she said in a drove former New York video statement after the Gov. Andrew Cuomo from office was dismissed hearing. “Today, reason and the Friday at prosecutors’ rule of law prevailed. Not request, clearing what politics, rhetoric or mob had been seen as the most serious legal threat mentality,” Glavin added. Assistant district attorto the Democrat. ney Jennifer McCanney The move had been told the court that prosexpected after Albany ecutors had “reviewed all County prosecutors said of the available evidence they couldn’t prove the case and wanted to drop and concluded we cannot successfully secure a conit, and Cuomo’s lawyers asked the court to agree. viction in this case.” Judge Holly Trexler Cuomo, who denied the allegation that he groped noted district attorneys’ “unfettered discretion” to an aide in the executive decide whether to prosmansion in 2020, didn’t ecute a case. speak during Friday’s “A court may not and short virtual hearing. should not interfere with discretion of a district attorney,” she said. He could still face lawsuits if his accusers choose to take him to court. Some, including Commisso, have indicated they plan to do so. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi bristled Friday that the former governor “will not pay one penny in attempts at civil extortion.” The local sheriff filed the misdemeanor complaint in October, two months after Cuomo resigned from office. Albany County District Attorney David Soares told Trexler this week that although the aide was credible, and some evidence supported her account, he believed he couldn’t win a conviction in court. By Andrew Welsh-Huggins after Ohio solicitor general Benjamin Flowers argued in the U.S. Supreme Court against COLUMBUS, Ohio — the Biden administraOhio Attorney General Dave Yost said Friday he tion’s authority to impose a vaccine-or-testhopes everyone receives ing requirement on the the coronavirus vaccine, but it should be a person’s nation’s large employers. choice, not the result of a The Supreme Court’s conservative majority government mandate. appeared skeptical of The Republican attorney general, who said he that authority. Flowers, who is fully is fully vaccinated and had the booster, also said vaccinated, argued remotely after testing people should base their decision on conversations positive for the coronawith doctors, not research virus Thursday. Flowers contracted the coronavion the internet. rus after Christmas and “It’s fair to ask questions; ask somebody who had a mild case, according to Yost’s office. knows,” Yost said. “Not The Occupational some guy who has a sister who works with a fel- Safety and Health Administration does not have low in the ER in Austin, the authority to impose a Texas.” mandate, Yost said. Yost spoke Friday Associated Press If someone elects not to receive the vaccine, “and they get sick or die, that is not my fault,” Yost said. “That is a consequence of their choice to fail to protect themselves, which is why I urge everybody to get the vaccine,” he said. “But the government doesn’t have the power to do any good thing.” The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Ohio has risen over the past two weeks from 11,033.57 new cases a day on Dec. 22 to 19,538.43 new cases a day on Wednesday, according to data collected by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering. OH-70265770 Ohio AG: Vaccines positive, but not via government rule despite chronic supply shortages. Consumer spending and business purchases of equipment are likely propelling the economy to a robust annual growth rate of roughly 7% in the final three months of 2021. Americans’ confidence in the economy rose slightly in December, according to the Conference Board, suggesting that spending was probably healthy for much of last month. Wages also rose sharply in December, with average hourly pay jumping 4.7% compared with a year ago. That pay increase is a sign that companies are competing fiercely to fill their open jobs. �S ports 8 Saturday, January 8, 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing Burrow, Mayfield sitting out finale By Tom Withers With Burrow nursing a sore right knee and the playoffs looming, Cincinnati is resting its young star quarterback on CLEVELAND — Joe BurSunday against the Browns, row’s sitting out this one to who are still trying to figure rest for the playoffs. Baker Mayfield’s skipping the season out what happened to a seafinale as well — for a very dif- son long gone sour. Just a week ago, it appeared ferent reason. To think what it might have the matchup would have playoff implications for both been: Burrow and the brash, teams. But when the Bengals baby Bengals vs. Mayfield, Myles Garrett and the Browns (10-6) stunned the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the AFC for an AFC North title. North, they essentially elimiInstead, it’s Brandon Allen vs. Case Keenum in a Cincin- nated the Browns (7-9), who were already going to need nati-Cleveland matchup that quickly went from bonkers to outside help after dropping three of four. blasé. Burrow insists he’s healthy The battle of Ohio’s backups, and a snapshot of where enough to play, and would have if necessary, but the Benthe two organizations stand. AP Sports Writer Jeff Dean | AP Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow celebrates after the Bengals defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 34-31 on Sunday in Cincinnati. Burrow and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will both be on the bench when the Bengals and Browns meet Sunday in Cleveland. gals have loftier goals in mind that earning a season split with the Browns, who drilled them 41-16 on Nov. 7. Cincinnati isn’t taking any chances and will bubble wrap Burrow. “Rest this week and get my body back to where it needs to be so I can get back to full strength running around the way I need to be Week 1 of the playoffs,” said Burrow, who finished his second regular season with 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and completed a league-best 70.4% of his passes. While the game appears meaningless, Bengals coach See FINALE | 9 Georgia, Alabama boosted by transfer portal pickups By John Zenor AP Sports Writer Georgia and Alabama have used the transfer portal to supplement their annual bounties of top recruits. Sure, virtually every college football team has utilized the portal to bolster rosters. But Alabama and Georgia did what they do, landing talented gems to help lead them to a national championship. The top-ranked Crimson Tide filled two big needs with deep threat wide receiver Jameson Williams from Ohio State and savvy middle linebacker Henry To’oTo’o from rival Tennessee. Georgia helped fill a gaping void in its secondary with former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick. The pick-ups have played significant roles in their teams’ road to the College Football Playoff championship game Monday night in Indianapolis. Other teams had much bigger transfer hauls, but also more spots to fill. Georgia and Alabama were choice destinations for a few top transfers who, like some NFL free agents, want to play for another contender. And were good enough to start for the powerhouse programs. “You know, it is similar to free agency but without the rules, to be honest with you,” said Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, a former Houston Texans head coach. “There are some rules in college, but the portal is an interesting deal.” And a gold mine for his offense, which had to replace Heisman Trophy-winning receiver DeVonta Smith and fellow NFL first-rounder Jaylen Waddle. Alabama’s offense would not be as potent without the All-American Williams, who had seven catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Bulldogs in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Said O’Brien, “Obviously he’s a huge part of our success.” See PORTAL | 9 OVP SPORTS SCHEDULE Saturday, Jan. 8 Boys Basketball Gallia Academy at Point Pleasant, 7 p.m. Hannan at South Gallia, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball Mothman Classic at PPHS, TBA Oak Hill at South Gallia, 1 p.m. Symmes Valley at Eastern, 1 p.m. Rock Hill at River Valley, 2:30 Waverly at Gallia Academy, 12:30 Wrestling RVHS, GAHS, EHS, Meigs at Nelsonville-York, 10 a.m. Point Pleasant at Bob Kearns INV, 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10 Girls Basketball Hannan at OVCS, 6 p.m. Coal Grove at Gallia Academy, 6:30 Oak Hill at River Valley, 7 p.m. Meigs at Eastern, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11 Boys Basketball Point Pleasant at Southern, 7 p.m. Rock Hill at Gallia Academy, 7 p.m. OVCS at Sugar Creek Christian, 7:30 Girls Basketball OVCS at Sugar Creek Christian, 6 p.m. St. Marys at Wahama, 7 p.m. Gene J. Puskar | AP Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates with outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield in the first half Monday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore. Playoff race, record-breaking wrinkles in Game 17 By Dave Campbell to a 14-team field. Several statistical milestones remain within reach, too, obviously That sweet 16-game boosted by the extra symmetry of the NFL, with each team’s schedule game but eligible for league record books just neatly divided into quarthe same. ters just like the action Here’s a closer look at on the field, has been the wrinkles of the extra brushed aside after 43 week as it fit with the seasons. 2021 season: The long-discussed 17th game has finally arrived, another weekend Marching in? of the made-for-television In a purely chronologiinventory that turned cal picture, New Orleans the league into an annual (8-8) looks like a benefi11-figure revenue genera- ciary of the 17th game tor. with a matchup against Deep into Sunday Atlanta (7-9). If the night, the playoff field Saints beat the Falcons will still be filling out and San Francisco (9-7) with a win-and-in game loses to Los Angeles (12between the Los Angeles 4) — the Rams can clinch Chargers and Las Vegas their division with a win Raiders. This is the same — the Saints will edge date, Jan. 9, on which the out the 49ers for the final Super Bowl was staged spot in the NFC. 45 years ago. On the other hand, the At the end of a second additional game on New straight virus-affected Orleans’ schedule was season, with COVID-19 actually at Tennessee, all but guaranteed to which currently holds make an appearance in the No. 1 seed in the the playoffs, the added AFC. The Titans won game could hardly be 23-21 on Nov. 14. The seen as strange anymore 49ers won their extra with so much abnormalinterconference matchup ity in the NFL these days. at Cincinnati on Dec. 12. As luck would have it, Philadelphia, which has 13 of the 16 games on the clinched a wild-card berth ledger will have a bearbut has the same record ing on the bracket, with as the 49ers, also won its league-leading Green Bay added game against the (13-3) the only club in New York Jets. either conference with a seed already locked in. Bills due The AFC has two spots New England (10-6) still open and five teams must beat Miami (8-8) alive. The NFC has two and have Buffalo (10-6) teams vying for one bid. lose to the Jets (4-12) to Good timing for that take back the AFC East third wild-card berth that title from the Bills. was tacked on just last Nobody in the league season in the expansion would ever sympathize AP Pro Football Writer with the Patriots and their six Super Bowl trophies in their past two decades, but the extra game on their schedule this year was a 35-29 loss to NFC East champion Dallas (11-5) on Oct. 17. The Bills? They beat Washington (6-10) on Sept. 26. Even though the Cowboys finished one game out of their division lead last season, they were the third-place team and thus matched up with the Patriots, who took third in 2020. Jumbled up There are 18 teams still mathematically in championship contention, the most entering the final week of regular-season games since 20 teams were alive in 2006. In the AFC, the Patriots can still can finish as the No. 1 seed, the No. 7 seed or almost all of them in between. While six of the eight division titles have been determined, the seeds are still largely unsettled. If the season was over now, as it was in the past, the Titans would be looking forward to their firstround bye with the extra week for star running back Derrick Henry to heal from his foot injury. If they lose to Houston, however, they could fall to the second, third or fourth seed. King Kupp The Rams’ Cooper Kupp leads the NFL in receptions (138) and receiving yards (1,829) and has a chance to set the single-season record in all three categories. He needs 12 receptions to beat Michael Thomas (2019) and 136 receiving yards to pass Calvin Johnson (2012). “It wouldn’t hold the same weight to me as it does for guys that have done that in a 16-game season,” Kupp said. Sack master Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt has 21 1/2 sacks, one behind Michael Strahan (2001) for the record in a statistic that became official in 1982. If Watt can get one or more sacks on Sunday, his accomplishment ought to look more impressive over time considering he’s only played in 14 games because of injury. Thousand island The century club for ball carriers doesn’t have as much clout these days. There are only five 1,000yard rushers this season, the fewest in a non-strike year since 1974. Even in the last three seasons of the 14-game schedule, there were eight, 12 and nine players, respectively, who hit that mark. Jonathan Taylor, Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Najee Harris and Dalvin Cook have reached 1,000 rushing yards, but injuries, COVID-19 and of course the continued proliferation of high-volume, high-octane passing attacks have collaborated this season more than ever to hold down the ground gainers. �SPORTS/CLASSIFIEDS Ohio Valley Publishing IN BRIEF Finale Huntley to start at QB for Ravens against Steelers From page 8 OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Lamar Jackson will miss a fourth consecutive game for the Baltimore Ravens to end the regular season. Baltimore ruled Jackson out for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh because of his ankle injury. That likely ends the star quarterback’s 2021 season. The winner of the Ravens-Steelers game can make the playoffs, but those chances are slim. Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced Friday that Tyler Huntley will start at quarterback. Jackson was hurt during a Dec. 12 loss at Cleveland. The Ravens have lost five straight games. Huntley accounted for four touchdowns in a 31-30 loss to Green Bay on Dec. 19. He then missed a loss at Cincinnati after going on the COVID-19 list. Huntley started again in a 20-19 loss last weekend to the Los Angeles Rams, but the Ravens did not score an offensive touchdown in that game. Cornerback Anthony Averett (ribs/chest) is also out for Baltimore, and linebacker Odafe Oweh (foot) is doubtful. Defensive end Isaiah Buggs (illness) and linebacker Buddy Johnson (foot) are out for the Steelers. Sponsor sues to remove name from Jaguars’ ‘clown game’ JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The title sponsor for Jacksonville’s season finale against Indianapolis is suing the Jaguars in hopes of having its name disassociated from the game during which disgruntled fans are planning to dress as clowns to protest team owner Shad Khan’s decision to retain general manager Trent Baalke. RoofClaim.com, a roofing company based in Georgia that does business in Florida, is seeking to avoid “its brand being emphasized as the primary sponsor of the clown game,” according to a complaint filed Thursday in circuit court in Jacksonville. The company is demanding a jury trial and seeking damages in excess of $30,000. It also wants temporary and permanent injunctive relief from the Jaguars using the RoofClaim brand. A Jaguars spokesman called the lawsuit “baseless and without merit,” said Friday that the team “will exhaustively protect our interests in this matter at every turn.” According to the sponsorship agreement attached to the lawsuit, the company signed a four-year deal in August that started at $600,000 annually and increased about $18,000 every year thereafter. (740) 446-2342 or fax to (740) 446-3008 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN ANNOUNCEMENTS Miscellaneous 0ROOHWW +DXOLQ -XQN 5HPRYDO DQG GXPS KDXOV FDOO ������������ Zac Taylor feels there’s plenty on the line. “It’s a regular-season divisional game. You got a chance to go 5-1 in the division. We played good football on the road this year,” he said. “We also lost to this team earlier in the year, and we haven’t forgotten about that. And so we want to finish the regular season on a good note.” Mayfield won’t get that chance. Battered and beaten down, Cleveland’s QB won’t play the final home game as he prepares to have surgery on his injured left shoulder Jan. 19. Mayfield has played with a torn labrum since getting hurt in Week 2, and he and the Browns decided it’s best for him to shut it down after he was sacked nine times in Monday night’s loss at Pittsburgh. It’s a disappointing end to a dreadful season the Browns and Mayfield, and it’s possible his run in Cleveland could be over. He’s signed through 2022, but Mayfield’s inconsistency coupled with the team’s reluctance to sign him to a long-term extension points to the Browns at least exploring other quarterback options in the offseason. “I feel for him,” said offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. “I really do appreciate his effort this season. The guy Portal America honors. Williams left the receiving logjam at Ohio State to play for a team From page 8 where he could get more The Tide have already opportunities. He said the Tide’s recruiting landed LSU cornerback pitch was “that I would Eli Ricks and Georgia be an excellent add-on to Tech running back the offense.” Jahmyr Gibbs to fortify “And as the season those positions next seawent on, we kind of all son. saw how I was used in After catching 15 passes for 266 yards and the offense and everythree touchdowns in two thing,” Williams said. “Complemented me, seasons with the Buckeyes, the speedy Williams complemented the other receivers. We all just emerged this season as came together and we a likely first-round NFL had a great offense this draft pick whenever he year.” turns pro. Kendrick fit right into Williams essentially the nation’s top defense quintupled those twoat Georgia. year numbers with 75 He arrived in Athens catches for 1,507 yards after earning first-team and 15 touchdowns to All-Atlantic Coast Conearn first-team AP All- (740) 992-2155 or fax to (740) 992-2157 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN MERCHANDISE Want To Buy Absolute Top Dollarsilver/gold coins, any 10k/14k/18k gold jewerly, dental gold, pre 1935 US currency, diamonds, MTS Coin Shop 151 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis. 446-2842 Saturday, January 8, 2022 9 was definitely in pain a lot of the time. I’ve been around some tough guys, but he’s up at the top of the list with the stuff he endured and went through this year.” “I know he wanted to be there for his teammates, but at some point, you have to make the decision that in this situation his health is most concerning to keep him healthy and get him right for the offseason for next year.” mer exhibition, Keenum insists players are motivated to finish strong. ference honors at Clemson and has started all 14 games for Georgia. The Bulldogs had lost four starters in the secondary and six other defensive backs. They also signed West Virginia’s Tykee Smith, a third-team AP AllAmerican in 2020 who only played in one game because of injuries. Kendrick, meanwhile, intercepted two passes in the Orange Bowl against Michigan to earn defensive MVP honors. Unlike Williams and To’oTo’o, off-the-field issues at Clemson left him looking for a new team. Kendrick missed three games last season and was dismissed after being arrested in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He was charged with unlawful possession of a gun and simple possession of marijuana. The charges were expunged from his record after Kendrick completed a pretrial intervention program. “If you follow football, everybody knows what happened in my situation,” Kendrick said. “Being thrown into the portal, nobody had to take a chance on me at all but they did. “And when I got here, I mean, I just fit in, just doing what I do. Just came in, put my head down and put in the work. They accepted me for who I was and not what happened in the past.” Covid-19 concerns After dodging COVID19 issues most of the season, the Bengals were hit hard this week with a rash of positive tests. The good news is that the NFL’s new protocols may prevent players form from missing the playoffs. A number of starters hit the COVID-19 reserve list, including running back Joe Mixon, Case closed center Trey Hopkins, With Mayfield out, backup Case Keenum will guard Quinton Spain, defensive end and sacks make his second start. leader Trey Hendrickson, The 33-year-old led the defensive tackles B.J. Hill Browns to a win over Denver in October while and Larry Ogunjobi and safety Vonn Bell. filling in for Mayfield. All could return after And although this matchfive days if they are up with Cincinnati has the look and feel of a sum- asymptomatic. (304) 675-1333 or fax to (304) 675-5234 XXX�NZEBJMZTFOUJOFM�DPN�t�HEUDMBTTJöFET!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN HEUMFHBMT!BJNNFEJBNJEXFTU�DPN ROGERS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING 8QFRQGLWLRQDO /LIHWLPH *XDUDQWHH (VWDEOLVKHG ���� %DVHPHQW :DOOV %UDFHG +XQGUHGV 2I /RFDO 5HIHUHQFHV /LFHQVHG� %RQGHG ,QVXUHG FREE ESTIMATES 24 Hours (740) 446-0870 www.rogersbasementwaterproofing.com REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) TO PROVIDE ARCHITECTURAL/ENGINEERING SERVICES For GALLIA COUNTY The Board of Gallia County Commissioners is requesting Statements of Qualifications for the provision of professional architectural/engineering (A/E) services necessary for rehabilitation/remodeling of the two buildings located on 652 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631. Qualified architects shall have until January 18, 2022 to submit their Statement of Qualifications (SoQ's) to the County Commissioners Office, marked Statement for Qualification, 18 Locust Street, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631. Submittal of statements received after this deadline will not be considered. Submittals shall comply with the standards set forth in the Request for Qualifications for Architectural Services (RFQ), available for download from the Gallia County website at www.gallianet.net The professional architectural services required are to assist with the rehabilitation/remodeling administration for existing County owned buildings, to include roof/ceiling/flooring repairs and some mold removal as well as updating/renovating office areas, meeting rooms, restrooms, and installation of workstations, and ensure follow ADA compliant rules. The property includes approximately 4,588 SF in the front building which includes a basement and 7,453 SF in the back building. A selection committee made up of County Officials will consider all submitted Statements of Qualifications to determine the most qualified firm to suit the needs of Gallia County on this project. The determination of the selection committee shall be final and not subject to appeal. The committee will negotiate an agreement with the firm determined to be most qualified. If an agreement cannot be reached, the committee will negotiate with the next most qualified firm. Should there be any questions please contact Kathy Campbell, CDJFS Business Administrator, at (740) 578-3365. �10 Saturday, January 8, 2022 NEWS Ohio Valley Publishing Annabelle Ward Village of Middleport | Courtesy photos Joe and April Custer Connie Dodson and David Dodson, Jr. Steve and Alie Hysell Middleport’s ‘Home for the Holidays’ award winners was formerly Mayor. They have lived on North Fourth Avenue for three years. Joe has had many careers throughout his life, but is a plasterer by trade. April is presently working at Grandview in Athens. April does the decorating with some Week One help from Joe. She loves Joe and April Custer Christmas and says she 163 N. Fourth Ave. Joe was born and raised would have a green and red fireworks display is in Middleport. April is she could. from Rutland where she OH-70262719 MIDDLEPORT — This year’s Home for the Holidays award winners in the Village of Middleport were recently recognized for their holiday spirit and decorations in the month of December. Week Two Annabelle Ward 703 Art Lewis St. Annabelle Ward was born and raised in Radcliff, which is in Vinton County. She has lived in Middleport since 1992. She has been a homemaker all of her life raising four daughters and one son. Annabelle says her son-in-law, Don Shultz, does all of her yard work and the holiday decorating too. She loves Christmas and her infectious smile will brighten your day. to Steve and he’s carrying on with it. Steve said Alie did all the work and she did a wonderful job. Alie is the last one living at home out of four and is in 8th grade at Meigs Local Schools. Steve works construction and was born and raised in Pomeroy. He moved to Middleport about six years ago. Week Three Steve and Alie Hysell 312 Pearl St. Steve and his youngest daughter Alie decorated their side lot with figures donated by their neighbor. It’s been a tradition in memory of the resident Week Four that resided there prior Connie Dodson and David Dodson, Jr. 10 Lynn St. Connie Dodson has lived on Lynn St. since around 1984, but has been a Middleport resident since 1970. She is originally from Dexter, Ohio. Connie is retired after 20 years at the License Bureau and eight years as a Victim’s Advocate at the Prosecutor’s Office. Her son David Jr. does all the holiday decorating. �Opinion Ohio Valley Publishing Saturday, January 8, 2022 11 THEIR VIEW Looking back, looking forward Several times last weekend we heard people discussing everything they hated about 2021 and what hopeful things they are anticipating about 2022. It appears that COVID-19 tops the list of things that everyone wants to have behind them. I certainly agree. Amazingly, after two years of infections, hospitalizations and death, there are still some simple-minded folks who think the entire virus is a hoax. Having been born in 1950, I have a vague recollection of the fears our parents had of the poliomyelitis virus (polio). During their lives they saw children and adults get infected. Many people exhibited minor symptoms and recovered within a few weeks. Others lost their ability to move their legs, their head, neck and diaphragm. Many died. Hospitals throughout the world were clamoring for equipment that could be used to ventilate the victims Randy of polio. At the time, the iron lung Riley Contributing was the most advanced technology available. Years earlier, a man named columnist Emerson, who liked to tinker and invent, patented a negative pressure ventilator known as the iron lung. When polio hit this nation, they couldn’t make iron lungs fast enough. It has been said that the respiratory therapy profession developed because of the polio epidemic and the immediate need to ventilate infected patients. Several years later, the use of iron lungs gave way to the use of anesthesia machines to ventilate people who were unable to breathe on their own. Throughout the 1960s, equipment was designed specifically for ventilating people who could not breath on their own. These early ventilators usually operated pneumatically (using gas pressure). As computer science advanced, so did the design and operation of mechanical ventilators. Today, they are almost completely operated by electronics and computer systems. A modern ventilator is a technological marvel. When a patient with COVID-19 gets to the point in their disease process that their lungs cannot support them, they are hooked up to a mechanical ventilator to keep them alive. Operating these systems is the responsibility of respiratory therapists. When I retired, nearly 20 years ago, I had been working with ventilators, and watching them evolve, for 30 years. One of the worst outcomes of any disease process is the need to place the patient on a mechanical ventilator. The goal of placing someone on a ventilator is getting them off the ventilator as quickly as possible and allowing them to live a normal life. That is the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always work. In the immediate future, we will continue to see many people with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation. We do not need to worry about polio anymore. I cannot remember the last time I heard of someone being diagnosed with a new case of the disease. That is because Dr. Jonas Salk developed an effective vaccine in 1952. By 1955, the polio vaccine was accepted by medical science as the cure for polio. Polio was cured by using a vaccine. Throughout history, thousands of people died of smallpox. The last outbreak of smallpox occurred in 1949. The world health organization has declared it to be eradicated. Smallpox was cured using a vaccine. I pray that COVID-19 will eventually be cured using a vaccine. With ongoing research (and God willing), medical researchers will identify a safe and completely effective vaccine for this horrid disease by the end of 2022. What else should we look for in 2022? I hope we see and end of vicious political wrangling. Whether Republican, Democrat or Independent, I hope we can focus on what is needed to help this country to stay strong and to stay great. We will never agree on everything, but we do not need to be hostile or violent in our disagreements. I pray there are no more violent demonstrations like we saw at the U.S. Capital on Jan. 6 2021. In a year, I pray that we can look back at 2022 and see a reduction in the number of wildfires that have recently destroyed huge portions of our Western states. I pray that hurricanes and deadly tornadoes are removed from our headlines and become rare. I pray that our shelves can be filled with the products we need, that gasoline and diesel fuel are available at a reasonable price, and that supply chain issues become something for economist and historians to ponder. Basically, I would love for 2022 to be boring. Randy Riley is a former mayor of Wilmington and former Clinton County (Ohio) commissioner. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. THEIR VIEW Come new year, thoughts of the end Thirty years ago, I turned 40 and handled it without a scintilla of trepidation. There was a big surprise party for me, organized by my wife at the time, one filled with food and libation and no shortage of gag gifts that foretold of the stereotypical range of elderly concerns like arthritis and increased visits to the bathroom. A decade later at 50, I also didn’t give much thought to the shortening of the road before me. I remember a baseball trip to Chicago to see the Cubbies at Wrigley with great pals. And, even 10 years ago at 60, I was still far too busy with work and maintaining strong relationships with those who mean the most to me to give much thought to my curtain coming down. However, last June when I turned 70 with another big party, this one organized by my terrific daughters, Shannon and Katie, I must admit that, while I still feel pretty darn good, I realize my life’s road is far shorter before than behind me. I suppose by that time I’d read enough obituaries of people my age and, in many instances, far younger that the stark realities of my mortality prompted me to give my daughters what will amount to my final gift, one not appreciated until after my last inhale and obituary I’ve ever exhale. read, I think, fell I busied myself short of capturing with formulating the true essence of my final wishes someone’s life, so and making sure I really didn’t even there was a record attempt that. of them as well as The push I needmy final tutorials John ed to complete this regarding how my distasteful business daughters can put Grindrod a wrap on their old Contributing for my daughters columnist was one provided man’s life. by a dear friend, Those final wishes included details on the Harry Johnson, who’s music and readings of the really never been too shy funeral mass in the same about giving people the church where I genuflect- benefit of his wisdom. ed as a child when I heard The more Harry told me Sister Joseph Andre press of his own preparation of his final exit, the more her clicker. I also wrote details on the way I want it made sense. After all, visitation handled and, of I always have to laugh whenever I hear somecourse, what to do with one say, “If something, the shell left behind that God forbid, should haponce housed my more pen to Mom and Dad essential elements. I made sure my last will …” because it’s really a “When,” not an “If.” was in order and wrote Of course, I had to down for my girls the location of my end-of-life force myself to do this since it’s so very difficult documents. I made lists to think of a world that of life insurance infordoesn’t, well, include me. mation and brokerage And, for those industriaccounts and such, as well as a list of which bills ous folks out there who have some strange notion are auto-pay, which are not, and other such prac- that there’s simply too much to do to give much tical information. thought to dying, I’d I also thought, since I’m the writer in the fami- advise reading the great ly, it was incumbent upon recluse poet Emily Dickme to write my own obit- inson’s “Because I could uary. What readers of the Not Stop for Death.” Of course, our time newspaper for which I’ve written for more than 20 here is determined by years will see will be rath- forces far greater than er short and to the point. ourselves and the jobs we feel compelled to comI left out almost all of what my dear friends and plete. If you know your Dickinson, you’ll recall family really know me the first eight lines of her to be. Pretty much any much-anthologized poem: “Because I could not stop for Death-/He kindly stopped for me-/The Carriage held but just ourselves and Immortality./We slowly drove-He knew no haste/And I had put away/My labor and my leisure too,/For his Civility.” For those of you who, like me, are filled with enough apprehension about thoughts of death (my long-standing joke is telling people whenever the conversation swings around to death that no one will ever die with less dignity than I), I will tell you that confronting, planning and articulating the details of your final exit to help those about whom you loved so dearly put a bow on your life makes this whole nasty dying business a bit easier to digest. As one of the group of writers who came of age during and shortly after World War I, Katherine Mansfiled, once said, “Whenever I prepare for a journey, I prepare as though for death. Should I never return, all is in order.” Well, for me, one who’s always enjoyed preparing for my travels, all is indeed in order. John Grindrod is a regular columnist for The Lima News, a division of AIM Media Midwest, a freelance writer and editor and the author of two books. Reach him at grinder@wcoil.com. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. TODAY IN HISTORY In 1867, the U.S. House of Today is Saturday, Jan. Representatives joined 8, the eighth day of 2022. the Senate in overridThere are 357 days left in ing President Andrew Johnson’s veto of the the year. District of Columbia Today’s highlight in history Suffrage Bill, giving Black men in the On Jan. 8, 1964, nation’s capital the right President Lyndon B. to vote. Johnson, in his State In 1918, President of the Union address, Woodrow Wilson outlined declared an “uncondihis Fourteen Points for tional war on poverty in lasting peace after World America.” War I. Mississippi became the first state to ratify On this date In 1815, the last major the 18th Amendment to engagement of the War of the Constitution, which established Prohibition. 1812 came to an end as In 1935, rock-and-roll U.S. forces defeated the legend Elvis Presley British in the Battle of New Orleans, not having was born in Tupelo, received word of the sign- Mississippi. In 1982, American ing of a peace treaty. Associated Press Telephone and Telegraph settled the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against it by agreeing to divest itself of the 22 Bell System companies. In 1998, Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, was sentenced in New York to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In 2011, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot and critically wounded when a gunman opened fire as the congresswoman met with constituents in Tucson; six people were killed, 12 others also injured. (Gunman Jared Lee Loughner (LAWF’- nur) was sentenced in Nov. 2012 to seven consecutive life sentences, plus 140 years.) In 2016, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the world’s most-wanted drug lord, was captured for a third time in a daring raid by Mexican marines, six months after walking through a tunnel to freedom from a maximum security prison. In 2020, Iran struck back at the United States for killing Iran’s top military commander, firing missiles at two Iraqi military bases housing American troops; more than 100 U.S. service members were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after the attack. �NEWS 12 Saturday, January 8, 2022 Daily Sentinel January is National Blood Donor Month January is National Blood Donor Month. It is a time to commend the lifesaving impact of blood and platelet donors. Blood donation is a voluntary process and perceived equivalent to volunteer work. You are providing your time (and blood) to help people in need. 53 years ago, a proclamation was signed by the president indicating January as National Blood donor month. This observance was intended to recognize the blood donors and to encourage additional people to become donors. The month of January is typically a period of critical blood shortages. People stop donating blood during the winter months for various reasons – the holidays, they get sick during cold and flu season or blood drives get cancelled due to weather conditions during the winter months. half a day supply On top of these available of type O normal issues, blood. This is far we are currently from the ideal fivedealing with a panday supply. Type O demic that is also is the most soughthindering blood after blood group donation. According to Meigs by hospitals. Due the American Red Health to type O negative being the univerCross, every two Matters sal blood type, it seconds, someone Jennifer can be given in within the U.S. Richmond emergency situarequires blood or tions. This type of platelets. Those scenario would be when needs do not diminish there is no time to find because of the season, a out the patient’s blood disaster, or because we type and immediate are in a pandemic. Curaction is required. rently, the U.S. is expeAdditionally, there is a riencing a severe blood critical need for platelets. shortage. The blood Platelets are the clotting supply has plunged to the lowest it has been in portion of blood. Accordsix years. Approximately ing to the American Red 29,000 units of red blood Cross, nearly half of all platelet donations are cells are needed every given to patients underday in the U.S. Nearly going cancer treatments. 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma Cancer is an illness all are needed daily, accord- too acquainted with millions of Americans and ing to the redcross.org. their families. According In the recent months, to the American Cancer there has been less than US, NATO COVID rule out halt to expansion, reject Russian demands of high-level talks over the next week aimed at Associated Press easing the tensions. “We’re prepared to respond forcefully to WASHINGTON further Russian aggres— The United States sion, but a diplomatic and NATO on Friday solution is still possible roundly rejected Rusand preferable if Russia sian demands that the chooses,” Blinken told alliance not admit new members amid growing reporters in Washington. He categorically concerns that Russia dismissed Russia’s claim may invade Ukraine, that NATO had pledged which aspires to join not to expand eastward the alliance. following the admission Secretary of State of several former Soviet Antony Blinken and satellites after the end NATO Secretary Genof the Cold War. eral Jens Stoltenberg “NATO never promsaid Russia would have no say over who should ised not to admit new members; it could not be allowed to join the bloc. And, they warned and would not,” Blinken said, accusing Putin Russia of a “forceful” response to any further of raising a strawman military intervention in argument to distract from Russian military Ukraine. moves along the UkraiTheir comments nian border. amounted to a com“They want to draw plete dismissal of a key us into a debate about part of Russian PresiNATO rather than focus dent Vladimir Putin’s on the matter at hand, demands for easing which is their aggrestensions with Ukraine. sion toward Ukraine. Putin wants NATO We won’t be diverted to halt membership from that issue,” Blinkplans for all countries, including Ukraine. The en said, Earlier in Brussels, former Soviet republic Stoltenberg made simiis unlikely to join the lar remarks as the allies alliance in the foreseeprepared for the flurry able future, but NATO of diplomatic contacts nations won’t rule it that will begin between out. the U.S. and Russia Blinken and Stoltenin Geneva on Monday berg spoke separately and move to a NATOfollowing an extraordinary virtual meeting of Russia Council meeting and a pan-European NATO foreign ministers. The meeting of the meeting with Russia on North Atlantic Council Wednesday and Thurswas the first in a series day. Eastern From page 1 ratification by the board such resignations shall be deemed effective as the date and time of the superintendent’s acceptance; To authorize the superintendent, during periods when the board is not in session, to make offers of employment directly to candidates for teaching, non-teaching, and temporary personnel positions on behalf of the Board, and to acknowledge acceptance of such offers on behalf of the board, subject to a subsequent vote of ratification by the board; provided however, that upon ratification by the Board, the employment shall be deemed effective as the date and time of the employee’s acceptance of the superintendent’s offer; Authorize the administration office staff to purchase consumable items such as certificates, plaques, flowers (or donation, as requested, in lieu of flowers), etc. These expenditures for board related matters are to be made from the Board Service Fund; Central Office expenditures from ever, a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. These numbers are staggering. The statistics simply show the vital need for immediate action from volunteers. Those who are eligible to donate are asked to do so now to help overcome and potentially defeat this deficiency. If all eligible individuals donated two or more times a year, blood shortages would be eliminated. Blood donation is safe. If you are a healthy adult, you can donate a pint of blood without endangering your health. To be eligible to donate, you need to be in good health, 17 years old (required age for Ohio and West Virginia), weigh a minimum 110lbs, and able to pass the physical and healthhistory assessments. Before your donation, make sure to get a good night sleep, eat a healthy meal before hand – avoid fatty foods, drink plenty of water, check to see if any medications you have recently taken could interfere with the donation (platelet donors cannot take aspirin for two days prior to donating) and wear comfortable clothing that gives access to your arm. For more information on frequently asked questions and what to expect before, during, and after donation, please visit RedCrossBlood.org. In closing, try to focus on the good you will be doing and the lives you will be saving by donating blood. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person – the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life.” the population). Total breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated — 321 (8 new); Total deaths among not fully vaccinated individuals — 59; Total breakthrough deaths among fully vaccinated individuals — 3. A total of 11,994 people in Mason County have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is 45.2 percent of the population, according to DHHR, with 9,710 fully vaccinated or 36.6 percent of the population. Mason County is currently red on the West Virginia County Alert System. There have been 23 confirmed cases of the Delta variant in Mason County. No confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in Mason County. COVID-19 Deaths among individuals not reported as fully vaccinated — 15,324; COVID-19 Deaths among fully vaccinated individuals — 729; COVID-19 Hospitalizations since Jan. 1, 2021 among individuals not reported as fully vaccinated — 50,828; COVID-19 Hospitalizations since Jan. 1, 2021 among individuals reported as fully vaccinated — 2,991. Meigs County According to the 2 p.m. update from ODH on Friday, there have been 3,421 total cases (16 new) in Meigs County since the beginning of the pandemic, 201 hospitalizations and 69 deaths (2 new). Of the 3,421 cases, 3,103 (8 new) are presumed recovered. Case data is as follows: 0-19 — 647 cases (5 new), 6 hospitalizations 20-29 — 478 cases (3 new), 5 hospitalizations, 1 new death 30-39 — 440 cases (2 new), 14 hospitalizations, 1 death 40-49 — 509 cases (3 new), 18 hospitalizations, 2 deaths 50-59 — 461 cases, 32 hospitalizations, 7 deaths 60-69 — 434 cases (2 new), 52 hospitalizations, 10 deaths 70-79 — 286 cases (1 new), 47 hospitalizations, 25 deaths (1 new) 80-plus — 166 cases, 27 hospitalizations, 22 deaths Vaccination rates in Meigs County are as follows, according to ODH: Vaccines started: 10,258 (44.78 percent of the population); Vaccines completed: 9,305 (40.61 percent of Mason County According to the 10 a.m. update on Friday from DHHR, there have been 4,548 cases (35 new) of COVID-19, in Mason County (4,224 confirmed cases, 324 probable cases) since the beginning of the pandemic and 73 deaths. DHHR reports there are currently 128 active cases and 4,347 recovered cases, in Mason County. Case data is as follows: 0-4 — 81 confirmed cases (4 new), 4 probable cases 5-11 — 210 confirmed cases, 19 probable cases (3 new) 12-15 — 239 confirmed cases (1 new), 24 probable cases 16-20 — 317 confirmed cases, 22 probable cases (1 new) 21-25 — 330 confirmed cases (3 new), 30 probable cases (2 new) 26-30 — 371 confirmed cases (2 new), 28 probable cases (4 new) 31-40 — 651 confirmed cases (5 new), 51 probable cases (3 new), 2 deaths 41-50 — 630 confirmed cases (3 new), 43 probable cases (1 new), 3 deaths 51-60 — 562 confirmed cases (3 new), 40 probable cases (1 new), 10 deaths 61-70 — 449 confirmed cases (1 new), 31 probable cases, 13 deaths 71+ — 386 confirmed cases (1 fewer), 32 probable cases, 45 deaths Additional county case data since vaccinations began Dec. 14, 2020: Total cases since start of vaccinations: 3,710; Total cases among individuals who were not reported as fully vaccinated — 3,389 (25 new); the Superintendent’s and Treasurer’s Supply Accounts. The Eastern Local Board of Education designated the third Thursday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., in the elementary library conference room as the date and time of its regular monthly meetings. However, the meeting date is subject to change. The board approved the minutes of the Dec. 15, 2021 regular meeting of the Eastern Local Board of Education. The board approved the financial reports for the month of December as submitted. The board approved Mike Taylor as a full time bus driver on a one year contract for the 2021-22 school year as per the OAPSE Collective Bargaining Agreement and Salary Schedule effective January 3, 2022, pending proper certification. The board accepted the resignation of Melissa Bable, Assistant Cheerleading Coach, effective January 3, 2022. The board approved hiring Jessica Anderson as a Homebound Student Tutor for the 2021-22 school year. The board approved From page 1 By Matthew Lee and Lorne Cook Society, more than 1.9 million people were expected to be diagnosed with cancer during 2021. Different types of cancers and cancer treatments prevent patients from producing their own platelets. Since blood cannot be artificially created and there’s no substitute, these patients rely upon blood donors for their very lives. Blood donations are used for those battling cancer, accident and burn victims, surgical and organ transplant patients, etc. One blood donation can potentially save up to three lives per the Mayo Clinic. Blood is perishable and unfortunately, cannot be stockpiled. As a result, red blood cells must be used within 42 days and platelets need to be used within five days. The redcross.org states the average red blood cell transfusion is approximately three units; how- 80-plus — 233 cases (2 new), 59 hospitalizations, 33 deaths Vaccination rates in Gallia County are as follows, according to ODH: Vaccines started: 13,611 (45.52 percent of the population); Vaccines completed: 12,425 (41.56 percent of the population). Ohio According to the 2 p.m. update on Friday from ODH, there have been 19,563 cases in the past 24 hours (21-day average of 15,355), 440 new hospitalizations (21day average of 332), 51 new ICU admissions (21day average of 31) and 398 new deaths in the previous 24 hours (21day average of 97) with 30,072 total reported deaths. (Editor’s Note: Deaths are reported two days per week) Vaccination rates in Ohio are as follows, according to ODH: Vaccines started: 7,042,279 (60.25 percent of the population); Vaccines completed: 6,473,766 (55.38 percent of the population). As of Jan. 5, ODH reports the following breakthrough information: Austin Carr as a certified substitutes for the 202122 school year, pending proper certification. The board approved the Eastern Local Board of Education confers emergency powers to the superintendent and treasurer allowing them to respond to changing conditions and the district’s needs rapidly and effectively. This resolution is in place until a declaration is made ending the current COVID-19 pandemic emergency. The board approved an agreement for dental claims management services with MEDBEN Jennifer Richmond is the Meigs County Health Department Human Resources Coordinator. West Virginia According to the 10 a.m. update on Friday from DHHR, there have been 351,688 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 4,134 reported since DHHR’s update last update. DHHR reports 36,374 “breakthrough” cases as of Friday with 455 total breakthrough deaths statewide (counts include cases after the start of COVID-19 vaccination/ Dec. 14, 2020). There have been a total of 5,421 deaths due to COVID19 since the start of the pandemic, with 29 since the last update. There are 13,980 currently active cases in the state, with a daily positivity rate of 18.07 and a cumulative positivity rate of 6.79 percent. Statewide, 1,113,099 West Virginia residents have received at least one dose of the COVID19 (62.1 percent of the population). A total of 51.5 percent of the population, 923,728 individuals have been fully vaccinated. © 2022 Ohio Valley Publishing, all rights reserved. Kayla (Hawthorne) Dunham is a staff writer for Ohio Valley Publishing, reach her at 304-6751333, ext. 1992. effective Oct. 1, 2021 at a rate of $5.50 per participant per month. The Eastern Local School District Board of Education approved the Substitute Teacher Resolution. The board set Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 5 p.m. for the date and time of the Special Meeting of the Eastern Local Board of Education for the purpose of interviewing board candidates and for appointing for the vacant seat. The board set Thursday, February 17, at 6:30 p.m. for the next regular meeting. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 01. January Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource January 8, 2022 deal grimm kite michael salyers valentine