News from BG: May 19, 2021
BG MASK MANDATE LIFTED

The Bowling Green City Council, at its May 17 meeting, lifted the City law requiring that masks be worn in Bowling Green. The Council reverted to the STATE GUIDANCE on the matter.

Ohio's order reflects the CDC's recommendation that everyone wear masks when in a healthcare setting, when traveling on public transportation (including BG Transit and airplanes), and when at a business or employer that chooses to require masks. 

The CDC recommendations make clear that businesses will be able to choose for themselves whether they continue to require masks in their premises. If a business chooses to require masking for employees and customers, that is permitted under the CDC guidance and Ohio's order. If a business chooses not to require masks and leave that choice to customers and employees, that is also permitted in the CDC guidance and Ohio's order.

As advised by the CDC, Ohio's order also continues to require masking in congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and in settings with large numbers of unvaccinated individuals, such as schools and daycare centers. 

Masks will continue to be encouraged in all City Buildings.
5th GRADE CAMP DAY

After a year of remote learning, Kenwood 5th graders were able to participate in a field trip. Wanting to provide a version of the 5th Grade Camp experience lost to COVID this past fall, teachers reached out to the Bowling Green Parks & Rec Department to explore options. Kenwood students were the first to experience 5th Grade “Day” Camp, spending the day at City Park. While not the full experience of a weeklong camp, students spent the day rotating through sessions led by Parks and Recreation staff members, Cinda, Ivan, and Eric. Crim and Conneaut classes will have similar experiences at later dates.

“This past school year has been a challenge for our students, teachers, administrators, and community. I’m happy that we were able to play a small role in supporting some of our youngest community members by providing them this learning opportunity. It’s so important that we continue to support our schools in any way that we can,” Mayor Mike Aspacher. 

5th Grade “Day” Camp is the most recent example of partnerships between the City and Bowling Green Schools. At the return of in person learning, the City converted a small section of City Park to allow for smoother traffic flow at Conneaut Elementary during drop off and pick up. Parks and Rec also provided the use and set up of a large inflatable screen for the school’s socially distanced movie night held on the football field. Currently, Parks & Rec Director, Kristin Otley, is coordinating with the High School and Middle School Choirs to provide the use of Needle Hall Stage as the location of their spring concert. 

“We are happy to be able to help the schools, especially in ways that can help our kids get back into some of the activities that they’ve missed out on. Just as the parks were essential to the community during the early days of the pandemic, they continue to be an essential part of the community’s recovery,” Kristin Otley.  
Wildlife in our Yards
No Risk It, No Biscuit
What Animal Am I?
Golf Bag Mix Up
Oh Deer
Basketball Shootouts

MAYOR ASPACHER TO DECLARE BOWLING GREEN A PURPLE HEART CITY
 
On May 26, 2021 at 6:00 pm at the Veterans Memorial in City Park, Mayor Aspacher will issue a proclamation declaring Bowling Green as a Purple Heart City. This declaration recognizes the extraordinary sacrifice those who have received the Purple Heart have made for our country. Feel free to bring a chair and join the Mayor in recognizing these deserving veterans during this short ceremony! The proclamation will be read inside the Veterans Building if it is raining.
 
The Purple Heart originates from the American Revolution, first being awarded to veterans who served more than three years “with bravery, fidelity and good conduct” by General George Washington as a badge of merit. Since that time, the Purple Heart has been awarded to servicemen and women for wounds received while in action against enemy combatants. It is estimated that 1.7 million veterans have been awarded the Purple Heart since World War I.
 
The public is welcome to attend.
Put a Lid on It!
Free Kids Bike Helmets

To help prevent injuries and save lives, the Bowling Green Bike Safety Commission is joining the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) in a statewide effort to remind children to “Put a Lid on It! Protect Before You Pedal”. Bicycle helmets will be going to children across Ohio this summer thanks to a continued partnership between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio AAP.

Bowling Green was one of several local communities to receive youth bike helmets for distribution. Helmets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Those in need of a youth helmet may pick one up at the Bowling Green Community Center during regular operating hours. Sizes and quantities are limited.

To learn more, click HERE
Virtual Ride of Silence
May 19, 2021

On Wednesday, May 19th, cyclists across Ohio will again take to the road, joining globally in the 2021 Ride of Silence (RofS), a silent procession to honor and celebrate the lives of family and friends injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Like last year, due to the impacts of COVID-19, this year’s event will be a virtual/remote event.

The program will be live-streamed at 6:45 PM to remember those injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Participants are asked to ride alone or with family on a route of their choosing, with a start time of ~7:00 PM. Riders are encouraged to take photos and use the hashtag #RideofSilence2021 when posting on social media. Posting to the Ride of Silence Facebook page is also encouraged.

7:00 PM — Start your solo or family Ride of Silence ride

Read full release HERE
Bike to Work/School Day
May 21

Friday, May 21 has been designated as the official Bike to Work or School Day in the City of Bowling Green. 
 
The Bowling Green Bicycle Safety Commission encourages citizens to participate by riding their bicycles to work or school and wearing a helmet.
 
For questions or more information, contact the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department at 419-354-6225.
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WEEKLY UPDATE
Ohio has updated its health orders to reflect CDC’s new guidance that people who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks in most situations. People who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks and maintain distance from others.

  • A person is considered fully vaccinated two full weeks after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
  • Ohio’s orders continue to require everyone to wear masks in a health-care setting, when they are traveling on public transportation including airplanes, and when they are in a business or other location that chooses to require masks.

Gov. DeWine announced that most pandemic health orders will end June 2.

  • The timeline will allow any Ohioan who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine to obtain one to protect themselves and others before the lifting of coronavirus mitigation protocols.
  • Measures being removed will include facial covering protocols, social distancing guidelines, and capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events.
  • Many of these behaviors, when no longer mandated, will remain best practices for preventing the spread of disease.
  • Changes to Ohio’s health orders will not apply to jails, prison facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or adult day services centers for elderly adults.

Adolescents ages 12-15 are now eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.

  • This allows younger people to be protected from COVID-19 and further prevents the spread of this disease in our community.
  • Anyone under age 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to be vaccinated.

Upcoming clinics with both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available include:

  • Tuesday, May 18
  • Risingsun Community Park (550 Salem St.), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Wood County Health Department, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 19
  • City of Rossford Annex (229 Eagle Point Road), 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • BG Farmers Market (100 Clough St.), 3:30-7 p.m.
  • Wood County Health Department, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 20
  • Weston Public Library (13154 Main St.), 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Penta Career Center (9301 Buck Road), 4-8 p.m.
  • Perrysburg Farmers Market (Louisiana Avenue), 3-8 p.m.
  • Brown Bag Food Project* (530 Sand Ridge Road, BG), 5-8 p.m.*Park in front of the building or in the small lot to the west.
  • Friday, May 21
  • Wood County Health Department & La Conexión (1840 E. Gypsy Lane Road, BG), 1-8 p.m.
  • Ohio Operating Engineers Training Center (9435 Cygnet Road) 12-4 p.m.

Through the Vaccine On Demand program, Wood County residents can schedule COVID-19 vaccines at any location in Wood County for up to 6 people.

  • Schedule appointments using the ArmorVax app, at www.ArmorVax.com (look for “Vaccine On Demand” as the location in ArmorVax) or by calling 419-823-9512.
  • After you schedule your Vaccine On Demand appointment, our team will contact you to confirm the appointment.