Press Release written and provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken today announced an investment of $22.4 million in loans and grants to four Ohio recipients that are intended to improve Ohio’s rural electric, water, and solid waste management infrastructure. “Ohio Rural Development is committed to increasing investments in Ohio’s rural communities to ensure that they continue to have access to essential services like clean water and reliable, affordable power,” said McCracken. “These investments today underscore USDA’s commitment to ensuring our rural communities have the resources they need to be competitive, sustain economic growth, and improve the quality of life for their residents.”

October 1, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry is urging Ohioans to follow the state’s outdoor burning regulations and to take precautions if they plan to burn debris this fall. Ohio law dictates that most outdoor burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during October and November.

Area fire departments have been battling a fire all night at a scrap metal recycling center in Auglaize County. Cridersville Fire Department was called out to B and G Auto Recycling just after 11 p.m. Thursday night. The fire was at the rear of the facility, where there were old buses and plastics located. The fire was seen from above the trees. Thirteen departments from Auglaize, Allen, and Shelby counties responded with tankers and manpower. Wapakoneta and Shawnee Township had aerial trucks hit the fire from above.

The City of Lima is getting state dollars to make improvements to the city's water infrastructure. The money comes from the state's "Ohio BUILDS" program. "BUILDS" stands for broadband, utilities, and infrastructure for local development success. Lima is receiving 1.6 million dollars from a water and wastewater infrastructure grant. It will go towards equipment upgrades and replacements to minimize the chance of sewer overflows and contamination of the local watershed in the event of a power loss. They will renovate 5-river gate structures and install a new generator at each.

As the current trash removal contract nears expiration at the end of November, Lima City Council will have to look for a new contract. The utilities committee met to discuss the next trash collection contract. There were two bids: one from Waste Management for $19 more a month than the current rate and Rumpke, for $5 more per month than the current rate.