News from BG: April 7, 2021

BOWLING GREEN ACHIEVES TREE CITY RECOGNITION FOR 41ST YEAR

The Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Bowling Green a 2020 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. The City also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and higher level of tree care. This is the 41st year Bowling Green has been recognized as a Tree City and the 27th time the City has received the Growth Award.

Bowling Green achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2.00 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. “If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Bowling Green is stepping up to do its part. As a result of your commitment to effective urban forest management, you are helping to provide a solution to these challenges.”

More information on the program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUS

More information on the City’s urban forestry program is available HERE

COLUMBIA GAS OF OHIO TO INTERMITTENLY CLOSE POE ROAD

BETWEEN MERCER ROAD AND DUNBRIDGE ROAD

Work to begin April 9 and extend roughly two weeks

Columbia Gas announced today that crews will intermittently close Poe Road between Mercer Road and Dunbridge Road over the next two weeks as a result of gas line work on I-75.

The closure is slated to begin Friday, April 9 at midnight and extend to noon on Saturday, April 10. It will then pick back up Saturday, April 10 at midnight and extend to noon on Sunday, April 11. Beginning Monday, April 12, crews will work from 7 AM – 5 PM each day until the project is complete.

The stretch of road will be fully open and accessible to traffic during non-work hours.

During work hours, a clearly marked detour will connect motorists to Mercer Road and Dunbridge Road via Wooster Street.

Columbia Gas thanks residents for their patience and understanding.

APRIL BRUSH COLLECTION

The window to schedule an April Brush Collection will be open from April 1 to April 12. Residents may GO ONLINE to register their address for this month’s collection!

Residents may also call 419-354-6227 to be added to the list of locations where crews will stop.

Collection is scheduled to begin on April 19. Those who do not register by April 12 will NOT be included on the collection route! The next brush collection will be held in May.

For collection guidelines, click HERE.

APPA

Excellence in Reliability

In addition to the recently announced RP3 Designation, the City of Bowling Green Electric Division has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2020. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities.

APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.

“Public power utilities have proven their commitment to serving their community by continuing to lead the nation in reliability,” said Alex Hofmann, APPA’s Vice President of Technical and Operations Services. “These utilities are the best of the best when it comes to keeping the lights on in their communities.”

Nationwide, the average public power customer...MORE

Stories in the Woods

April 10 - May 31

Bowling Green State University graduate students in Dr. Amilcar Challu’s environmental history seminar class developed a community-based history told along the hiking trails of the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve. Funded by a grant from Ohio Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, “Stories in the Woods” introduces the public to the fascinating environmental history of this local nature preserve.

From April 10-May 31, 2021, ten signs located along the green trail of the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve will narrate historical features of the park, from indigenous occupation, to farming, to the present preserve. QR codes on the signs connect visitors via their smartphones to the Stories in the Woods website, providing more information, primary sources and a short reflection. Community members of all ages are invited to visit the preserve for fresh air, captivating stories, and a rejuvenating walk in the woods...MORE

Income Tax

Due Date Extended - May 17

The City of Bowling Green tax filing due date has been extended to May 17, 2021 for 2020 tax returns. Withholding payment and reporting is not affected by this change and is still due in the time frames stated in the Ohio Revised Code and Bowling Green City Ordinances.

The Bowling Green Income Tax Division requires a copy of your Federal tax return (Form 1040) and all W-2s. If you are claiming Bowling Green withholding or a credit for taxes paid to another municipality, your W-2 needs to report this withholding.

Income tax filings may be turned in using the drop box located outside the building or mailed in. Staff will frequently check the drop box throughout the business day (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm).

Those who are planning to file income tax returns in person are strongly encouraged to do so well in advance of the deadline in order to avoid long lines.

Visit the Income Tax Division's webpage for more information!

PILOT RESIDENTIAL FOOD WASTE DROP OFF

ACCEPTED MATERIALS

To help reduce the amount of food waste being sent to landfills, the City of Bowling Green has launched a 6-month Pilot Residential Food Waste Drop Off. The Drop Off opened to Bowling Green residents on Friday, March 26, 2021. The City is working with GoZero to place 64-gallon containers behind the Public Works garage, near the public Yard Waste Drop Off, on Tarragon Drive.

The area is clearly marked with signs identifying where to drop off residential food waste and brochures are available listing the accepted materials and program guidelines....MORE

WEEKLY UPDATE

COVID-19 Vaccines:

Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines has expanded:
To review vaccine eligibility guidelines and updates, click HERE or call 419-823-9512.

All three vaccines that are currently available are safe and effective, and provide strong protection against serious COVID-19 illness.
Get more information from CDC.

Vaccine appointments are available now with several local providers.
Get contact information for vaccine providers, and what we know about how they schedule appointments, HERE
To hear a recorded message about Wood County’s vaccine campaign, call 419-823-9528.
Some local providers, like Wood County Health Department, Mercy Health and Wood County Hospital, make additional appointments available starting at noon on Fridays.

VACCINE INFORMATION

Visit our website