Mike Barreta, of Marysville, takes his dogs to the Marysville dog park for a brief visit this morning to “do their business.” Despite the frigid temperatures, Barreta said there are no suitable areas at his home to allow his pets to go to the bathroom. They were at the park for a total of about five minutes before leaving.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Will Channell)
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A local organization is pleased with the community support as they work to help the homeless.
“The out pouring of the community was absolutely amazing,” said Becky Bolt, director of administration and development for the Hope Center.
The Hope Center, 212 Chestnut St., Marysville, opened Tuesday as a warming center for those in the area looking for a warm place to stay.
Bolt said community members donated food, blankets, and time.
“It was so great to see how the community has come together,” Bolt said.
She said the center was occupied overnight, though there were not as many people as officials had expected.
“Maybe that is a good thing,” Bolt said, explaining that hopefully it means people had a place to go.
The center will be open all day today and through the night.
Bolt said the second night could see more people who are stuck it out in the cold Tuesday.
Donations can be made to the Hope Center or by calling the center at (937) 303-4209.
The Union County Family YMCA on Charles Lane will also be open as a warming center.
City Manager Terry Emery said there will be no Marysville trash collection today. He said collection is pushed back one day for the remainder of the week.
“We are not sure about tomorrow, but for now at least, we are on a one day delay,” he said.
He said the city crews have also adjusted their schedules.
“Obviously, when we reach these temperatures we limit our exposure outdoors,” Emery said. “Our crews will be doing a lot things in the interior. We are obviously hoping for no water main breaks.”
He said those breaks often occur once the temperature thaws.
Plain City Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said street crews in Plain City will not be working today or Thursday.
Health Department officials said emergency room visits increase when the weather gets snowy and icy. Officials said the increase is due to falls on ice, over exertion from shoveling and the toll extreme cold takes on older adults.
“Please use caution if you have to be outdoors,” officials wrote. “Know how to avoid, spot and treat hypothermia & frostbite.”
Officials from the Union County Humane Society are also asking residents to care for animals. Officials wrote that “anything (a heated barn, garage, or mud room etc.) out of the wind and elements is better than nothing.”
They added that a citizen may call local law enforcement if they believe someone has left an animal outside.
About 4 p.m. Tuesday, Marysville Schools Superintendent Diane Mankins announced that Marysville schools and all activities for today would be canceled, “due to extreme wind chill predictions.”
Businesses and other groups made similar announcements through the day Tuesday.
The United States Postal Service said Tuesday it will not deliver mail to Union County as well as other parts of the county on Wednesday due to the extreme cold brought on by the polar vortex.
“Due to this arctic outbreak and concerns for the safety of USPS employees, the Postal Service is suspending delivery Jan. 30,” according to a release from the United States Postal Service.
According to the release, the postal service will not deliver to Ohio zip codes that begin with 430-432, 441, 452 and 458 as well as parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois (including parts of Chicago), Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, western Pennsylvania, the Dakotas and Nebraska,
In addition to deliveries, pickups from businesses, residences and collection boxes are also suspended.
“We will provide additional information when it becomes available,” postal officials wrote.
Dayton Power and Light (DP&L) has increased staffing in preparation for this week’s frigid temperatures and high winds.
Additionally the company said it is “well-prepared to meet the increase in demand for electricity.”
As the temperatures continue to drop, below are some helpful safety tips to consider.
Always assume fallen or sagging electrical wires are live and dangerous. Report fallen lines online or call 877-4OUTAGE.
All supplemental sources of heat and portable generators must have proper ventilation, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Gas and wood-burning fireplaces both emit carbon monoxide. Make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in your home to detect the odorless gas. Use caution and practice fire safety.
Turn off all heat producing appliances, like the stove, if you experience an outage, in case you are not home when power is restored.
Take precautions with your pets, limit time outside with the frigid temperatures
Here are some additional tips that you can use to plan ahead:
Prepare a storm kit, with an emergency radio (battery powered or wind-up), water, non-perishable food, flashlights, and a first aid kit.