News from BG: October 27, 2021
Trick or Treat Night: October 31st

“Trick or Treat” night will be held on Sunday, October 31st from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in Bowling Green.

Those participating are strongly encouraged to follow social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions. Citizens handing out treats should indicate participation by turning on porch lights.

Those driving during the evening of October 31 are asked to drive slowly and with caution, being mindful of the large number of pedestrians that evening.
Fire Prevention Messages

October is Fire Prevention Month. Each edition of the eNews in October will feature a message from the Fire Division about this important topic. These messages will include information about common mistakes or issues.

Visit the Fire Division webpage for more information!
Fire Prevention Month
Week 4 Message - Open Burning
Having a recreational fire is fairly common and is allowed in the city. A recreational fire is an outdoor fire, burning materials other than rubbish, and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and a height of 2 feet or less. The key, by ordinance it must be used for cooking (think s'mores).

The minimum distance from a structure or combustible material shall be 15 feet if the fire is contained in an approved container. A Chiminea, metal ring, stone/brick, surrounds, outdoor fireplace or a metal container with a wire mesh screen are examples of approved containers.

Visit the Fire Division's webpage for more information!
HALLOWEEK

Join the Parks and Recreation team for a week of treats, no tricks!
October 27th:
Parent-Child Craft Activity: decorate Halloweeen cookies for free from 5-7pm at the Community Center
October 28th:
Drive thru Trick or Treat 6pm-8pm at Carter Park- A free family event where children can put on their Halloween costumes and drive through Carter Park receiving treats 
October 29th:
Walk on the Wild Side- Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt- Fun Halloween activities followed by a fun hike and scavenger hunt in the dark. FREE TO PARTICIPATE 
IN.) 4pm-8pm at Wintergarden
Spooks & Spokes Slow Roll Bike Ride: Oct. 30th

The City of Bowling Green’s Bike Safety Commission and the Wood County Library are partnering together to host a slow roll bike ride with a Halloween twist. The ride, titled Spooks & Spokes, will be held Saturday, October 30th at 2pm. Riders are encouraged to decorate their bikes and dress up in bike friendly costumes! This ride will begin and end at the Carter House, 307 N. Church St. Stops will feature local lore, stories, and some of Bowling Green’s most (allegedly) haunted locations...continue reading Spooks & Spokes Ride details

Party for the Parks
November 5th
The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Foundation will be hosting their annual fundraising event, Party for the Parks (formerly Wine & Cheese Social & Auction) on Friday, November 5 from 4-7 pm at the Veterans Building in City Park. The event will feature: catered food, wine, craft beer from the BG Breweries, musical entertainment on the Patio: BGHS Madrigals, Tom Gorman & Toraigh, a “Celebrating BG” silent auction, and raffles. Tickets are $70 each and can be purchased in advance by calling 419-354-6297 or at the door that evening. All proceeds support the Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department and their mission of “Enhancing quality of life through parks, programs and facilities”. For questions, more information or to purchase tickets, please call 419-354-6297 or email clwitt@bgohio.org.
Oak Grove Cemetery
Decorations Reminder

In preparation for the winter season, the Cemetery Maintenance Crew will be removing all decorations. The exception would be winter grave blankets that have previously been placed on graves. The Director of Public Works requests that all other decorations be removed from Oak Grove Cemetery prior to Monday, November 1, 2021.

It is suggested that anyone wishing to retain the wreaths or decorations, other than blankets, remove them prior to November 1, 2021.
Tree Photo Contest
Tree Commission Photo Contest - Entries Due October 31st

As the leaves begin to change, this is a great time to capture a few more photos for this year's Tree Commission Photo Contest. We are asking citizens to submit photos highlighting trees in all four seasons of the year: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Election Sign Placement Guidelines

The sign may not block any visibility or be located in the visibility triangle.
Signs are not permitted in the right-of-way unless a permit is first obtained from the Municipal Administrator (Ex: Garage Sale or Real Estate signs). Such permits are discretionary and limited to a day.

Questions may be directed to the Planning Department.
BGSU to construct new campus gateway, restoring traditional look to University
Preparations have begun for the construction of a new campus gateway, which will restore a traditional look and feel to the western edge of campus.

With construction set to begin in spring 2022, the new gateway will seamlessly connect the University and the City of Bowling Green at Thurstin Avenue and Court Street with open walkways and sprawling green space. Weather permitting, demolition of the 10-story building will take place over four weeks, starting Nov. 8. Crews will use a crane with a 30,000-pound wrecking ball to fracture the building's floors from top to bottom.

In coordination with the city, fencing has gone up around the building with pedestrian detours in place along Thurstin Avenue. Additionally, Lot 11 and Thurstin Avenue between Wooster Street and the Bowen-Thompson Student Union will be closed to traffic from Nov. 8-Jan. 6, 2022. Services provided by the nearby city fire station will not be affected by the closure.

Additional work, including debris removal, will continue through early January with various closures and detours in place. Work will pause during the University's final exam week, Dec. 13-17.

The final design and budget for construction of the new campus gateway are set to be finalized during the Board of Trustees meeting in December.
Local Data Show People Who Completed A Vaccine Series
Are Four Times Less Likely to Get COVID
(Released October 22, 2021)
A comparison of rates of COVID-19 since August 1, 2021, when Wood County began to experience an increase in cases due to the Delta variant, shows that people who have completed a vaccine series are overall four times less likely to get COVID than those who have not. In Wood County, about 64% of individuals 12 and older have completed a vaccine series and have accounted for approximately 30% of all COVID-19 cases since August 1. About 36% of the population has yet to complete a vaccine series, and this group has accounted for approximately 70% of cases during the same time period.

The difference in incidence rate varies age group. Over 89% of people 65 and older have completed a vaccine series, and this group is nearly seven times less likely to contract COVID than people who have not yet completed their vaccine series. Within this group, people who are 80 and older were only about three times less likely to contract COVID if they had completed a vaccine series, possibly a reflection of the benefit that boosters offer to this age group. “We began to look at this information in order to get a better understanding of how vaccinations are impacting transmission of COVID in our community. We are encouraged to see a significant benefit from vaccination, even as we continue to battle the Delta variant,” said Wood County Health Commissioner Benjamin Robison....continue reading WCHD News Release regarding COVID vaccines