News from BG: January 20, 2021
City Offers Tips for Reducing Utility Bills During Colder Months

Colder temperatures can lead to an increase in your utility bill. Whether heating your home with electric or gas, your appliances will be working overtime to keep your residence warm when temperatures drop. To avoid “sticker shock” on next month’s utility bill, limit the use of space heaters when possible. Also, keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature and resist the urge to turn it up. Add a layer of clothing or an extra blanket instead. 
 
An energy audit can be a great way to identify areas in your home where insulation and other energy saving features can be applied. In the short term, you can seal air leaks, where you feel cold drafts, by installing DIY plastic insulation kits on windows and by placing draft stoppers along the base of doors. Please also consider...MORE
SNOW STREETS & SNOW EMERGENCIES
Snow streets are designated throughout Bowling Green and are marked with blue and white signs. Vehicles parked on a snow street must be removed within 2 hours after a Snow Emergency is declared. If a Snow Emergency is declared overnight, vehicles must be moved by 9AM. Snow Emergencies are typically called for when the City receives 2"+ of snow. Vehicles parked in violation violation of snow regulations are subject to towing at the owner's expense and/or a citation.....MORE

SNOW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

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LOCAL NEWS SOURCES
2021 Tree Commission Photo Contest

The City of Bowling Green Tree Commission has announced its 4th annual photo contest. The Commissioners want to raise awareness of Bowling Green’s Urban Forest that is found both on public and private property.

In 2021 we are asking citizens to submit photos highlighting trees in all four seasons of the year: winter, spring, summer, and fall.

The contest runs through October 31, 2021. In November the public will vote for the top photo in each category. The top photo will receive a $25 gift certificate from a local nursery or garden center. For more details and to submit a photo click HERE.
Winter Reminder
Clear Sidewalks

Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their premises within 24 Hours after the abatement of a storm during which snow and ice have accumulated....MORE

Tips:
Shovel early in the day. The sun will warm the surface and help melt new snow, preventing the need for deicers. Shovel often so snow does not become compacted and turn to ice. Shovel or plow your driveway and sidewalks before spreading deicer. Shovel before you drive a vehicle on the driveway to reduce packing snow.

Use deicers sparingly. Deicing products can have negative environmental impacts when melted snow and ice carry runoff into our ditches, streams, and rivers. Overuse of certain products, such as salts, can also damage driveways, sidewalks, vehicles, and vegetation and can be a hazard to pets. Check the label before applying. Many deicers will not work in extremely low temperatures. Use sand sparingly. Sand will not melt snow or ice, but will increase traction. Sweep up excess sand to avoid adding sediment to nearby waterways.

Visit the Clear Choices, Clean Water Website for more ways to protect our local waterways.
Curbside Recycling
Annual Reminder
 
Public Works employees continue to pick up your recyclables, with City trucks, on a weekly basis and recyclables continue to be collected mixed in your blue recycling container. 

Recyclables should be placed loose, NOT bagged, in your recycling container. 

When in doubt, throw it out! Garbage placed inside of your curbside recycling container has negative impacts on the recycling process.  Much of the sorting is done by hand, so employees must physically remove contaminated items, which can expose them to harmful materials. In some cases, garbage can contaminate the recyclables to the point that they become unrecyclable. Plastic bags, hoses, clothing and other like material can become tangled in machinery causing expensive downtime and repairs. Too many non-recyclable items may result in the City receiving fines and/or load rejections by the processor, jeopardizing the City’s recycling program.


Download the City’s free Recycle Coach App to access the “What Goes Where Tool?”, collection calendars, and more! Also available on the City’s website.

Do not have curbside service? Check out the Bowling Green Recycling Center, Inc.’s 24 Hour Drop Off or the Wood County Solid Waste Management District's Recycling Drop Offs
WEEKLY UPDATE
COVID-19 Vaccines:
  • COVID-19 vaccines continue to be a scarce resource across the United States, and it will take time to provide vaccines to everyone who wants to receive them.
  • We’re beginning to vaccinate people 80 or older during the start of Phase 1B this week. We will begin serving individuals 75+ and adults with certain medical conditions next Wed., 1/27. Anyone who is eligible may be vaccinated in Wood County, even if they live in another county.
  • For vaccines administered by Wood County Health Department, a mobile application and website called ArmorVax is being used for registration.
  • For more information on phases of vaccine distribution and how to schedule appointments, click HERE
  • This website will be updated regularly with vaccine provider availability as the Health Department is notified that a location has appointments available, or has no more available appointments.
  • Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone to schedule an appointment, you can call 419-352-8402 and choose option 1. In our initial launch, we are partnering with the Wood County Committee on Aging and 2-1-1, who are providing support for our vaccination scheduling.
  • Wood County Health Department has received additional COVID-19 vaccine doses and is partnering with Meijer to provide 450 additional appointments this week for people age 80 and older
  • Scheduling for these appointments will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 and the vaccines will be administered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22 at Meijer in Bowling Green. Click HERE and look for the scheduling link for Meijer
  • Wood County Health Department is continuing to serve people included in Phase 1A as Phase 1B distributions begin. If you believe you are in the 1A category, fill out the form found on the Health Department’s website (https://forms.gle/Lju4xWNgkTzYT2rX7). Do not schedule an appointment.

COVID-19 Testing:
  • Wood County Community Health Center is offering rapid curbside COVID-19 testing.
  • For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 419-354-9656.