News roundup for June 29

There will be ice cream on the square Thursday The Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities is hosting "Sundaes on Thursday," a free community ice cream social 6-8 p.m. Thursday on Medina Public Square. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Medina County Achievement Center, 4691 Windfall Road, Medina. All ages are invited to come to this event. Some of this year's featured attractions are the Windfall Industries Balloon Sculpture Team, a family photo booth, costumed characters, carnival games, crafts, contests and prizes. The event is made possible entirely through sponsors and private donations. It is designed to generate community awareness and promote inclusion of people with disabilities. Studies have shown that when individuals with disabilities are included in community activities, they develop the confidence they often need to achieve higher life goals. "We are looking forward to showing our community just how much their support means to individuals with disabilities," MCBDD Superintendent Stacey Maleckar said. "It is our chance to say 'thank you' to our community." John Charles Haney Foundation awarded $5,000 from 2022 Make More Happen awards Hertvik Insurance Group earned a 2022 Make More Happen Award, which recognizes its volunteerism with the John Charles Haney Foundation and demonstrates its commitment to making a positive impact across the community. The award includes an initial $5,000 donation with a chance to double the amount to $10,000 that will directly benefit the foundation. This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising mental health awareness and supporting students and educators by creating safe spaces in Northeast Ohio schools and spreading John Charles Haney's story. Starting Friday, supporters can vote to help the team reach its donation goal online at www.agentgiving.com/Hertvik-Insurance-Group. If the featured story receives at least 500 votes through shares to social media and comments on the story, the donation will be increased to $10,000. With a mission to create dedicated "John's Safe Place" rooms in local Northeast Ohio schools, the $10,000 donation will allow the foundation to create three new spaces including furniture, sensory-sensitive devices, headphones, art materials and decor. Funds will also be allocated toward providing Mental Health First Aid Sessions for schools to offer their teachers in-person suicide prevention training to help recognize risk factors and warning signs. Summer Crisis Program starts Friday The Ohio Department of Development and Community Action Wayne and Medina will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs starting Friday until Sept. 30. To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment with Community Action Wayne and Medina. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the automated appointment line at (330) 461-9333. Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment: Copies of their most recent energy bills A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members Proof of disability if applicable Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member's health, if there isn't a household member over the age of 60 Last year more than 675 families in Wayne and Medina Counties were assisted through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program. Eligible households can receive up to $500 if they are a customer of a regulated utility, or $800 if they are a customer of unregulated utilities such as electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The assistance is applied to their utility bill or to purchase an air conditioning unit or fan or pay for central air conditioning repairs. Ohioans must have a gross income at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $48,562.50. For more information about the features of the Summer Crisis Program and what is needed to apply, contact Community Action Wayne and Medina at (330) 264-8677 or (330) 723-2229. To be connected to your local Energy Assistance provider visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880. Local student graduates from Bismarck State College John Charek of Medina graduated from Bismarck State College with an Associate in Applied Science for electrical transmission system technology during the college's commencement May 13 at the Bismarck Event Center. Medina County resident graduates from Hamilton College Elliott Tirbaso of Medina received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College on May 22. Tirbaso, a biology major, completed a thesis titled "Understanding the role of p38MAPK in anoxic tolerant Trachemys scripta." Road closure of Bryenton Road extended Bryenton Road between Jones and Stone roads, approximately 1,100 feet north of Stone Road in Litchfield Township, will have an extended road closure. This closure is because of a bridge replacement and will open back up on Thursday.