Drivers in fatal crash identified

by Michael O'Brien

SHADE - The Ohio Highway Patrol has released the identities of the drivers involved in a fatal crash on Route 33 Wednesday morning.

Killed was Tommy R. Reuter, 74, of Pomeroy. According to the Highway Patrol, Reuter turned on to eastbound Route 33 from Rainbow Lake Road (CR89). Reuter's GMC Sierra pickup truck struck a tractor trailer driven by Gilbert Woods, 41, of Mansfield. Woods was driving westbound on Route 33. 

The impact pushed the tractor trailer off the south side of Route 33 where both vehicles burst into flames. Woods, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured. Not known is whether Reuter was wearing a seat belt. His body was transported to the Montgomery County Cornor's Office.

According to Highway Patrol Lt. George Harlow, the crash occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. closing both lanes of Route 33 for over 5 hours while crews from Ohio Department of Transportation, ODOT, worked to clear the wreckage.

Units from the Athens County Sheriff's Office, Meigs County Sheriff's Office, Athens Fire Department, Richland Area Volunteer Fire Department, Athens County Emergency Medical Services and the Athens County Cornor's Office responded to the scene.

Fatal crash closes Route 33

SHADE - Crews work to remove the wreckage from Route 33. 

by Michael O'Brien

SHADE - A Pomeroy man was killed in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 33 and Rainbow Lake Road. Route 33 remains closed in both directions as crews from Ohio Department of Transportation work to clear the wreckage.

According to Highway Patrol Lt. George Harlow, the crash occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. when a GMC pickup truck driven by a 75-year-old male pulled into the path of an eastbound tractor trailer. The driver of the pickup truck was killed while the driver of the tractor trailer received minor injuries. The identities of the drivers have not been released.  

More information will be posted as it becomes available. 

Arson Investigators seek assistance in solving Athens Walmart fire, reward offered

ATHENS - The Division of State Fire Marshal, working in conjunction with the Athens Police and Fire Departments, is seeking the public’s assistance in solving an arson case at the Walmart located at 929 E. State St. The fire occurred on Tuesday in the early morning hours.

The fire marshal has determined that the fire was intentionally set, causing significant damage to the building, which is now undergoing repairs and restoration. A Walmart employee was credited with preventing more extensive damage by utilizing a nearby fire extinguisher.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for information leading to the identification of the person or persons responsible for the fires.

“It is imperative that individuals come forward,” said State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers. “Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw something out of the ordinary at or around the time of the fire or who may have heard someone speaking about the fire with an unusual level of interest or knowledge.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau at 1-800-589-2728.

Battle of the Bulb: PUCO offers lighting tips during Energy Awareness Month

Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

COLUMBUS – Throughout the month of October, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and Ohio Development Services Agency are providing tips on reducing energy costs as well as information on energy assistance programs to increase awareness of energy efficiency during Energy Awareness Month.

During Energy Awareness Month, Ohioans are encouraged to review how they use energy in their homes and offices. Lighting accounts for about 15 percent of the average home’s electric bill. Incandescent light bulbs waste about 90 percent of the electricity used to power them, with only 10 percent of the energy going to produce light, and the rest burning off as heat.

The table below shows how using compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or light-emitting diodes (LED) bulbs can be more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs and save consumers money.

Cost Comparison of 75 Watt Light Bulbs

LED                         CFL                         INCANDESCENT

Watts                                          14                           19                                    75*

Lumens                                     1,100                     1,200                              1,055

Average Life (hours/years)**   25,000/22.8         10,000/9.1                       1,000/.91

Cost per Bulb                           $23.00                   $2.50                               $0.62

Annual Energy Cost***             $1.69                   $2.29                               $9.03

* As of January 1, 2013, 75 watt bulbs are no longer being manufactured

** Based on 3 hours/day usage

*** Based on 3 hours/day usage at $0.11/kwh

Other lighting tips: 

• Hold the base and not the glass to screw in the bulb.
• Read the packaging to see where each bulb should be used. Not all ENERGY STAR® qualified CFLs are designed to work in every socket.
• Use ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs where the light will be on for at least 15 minutes at a time. Frequently turning a CFL on and off shortens the bulb’s lifetime.
• Most photocells, motion sensors, and electronic timers are not designed to work with CFLs. Check with the manufacturer for compatibility.

There’s a small amount of mercury in every CFL (.4 mg to 4mg). By comparison, mercury thermometers contain about 500 mg of mercury. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use; if a CFL breaks in your home, follow the clean up recommendations of the US EPA, and properly dispose of them when broken or burned out.

Ohioans needing assistance in managing their energy costs can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to learn more about programs that are available. More information on energy conservation tips can also be found on the PUCO’s website, www.PUCO.ohio.gov or by calling 1-800-686-PUCO (7826).  

Ohio senator targets Medicaid growth in bill

Ohio senator targets Medicaid growth in bill

The legislation did not include an expansion of Medicaid under the federal health care law, which Gov. John Kasich has pushed for.