News from BG: November 17, 2021
BG Police Division- Citizen Outreach Program (COP)
The Bowling Green Police Division recently hosted their first Citizen Outreach Program (COP) on October 28th and November 4th, 2021, to give community members a direct experience of what they do for the city. “The Citizen Outreach Program was developed as an effort to engage community members on a more personal level, create an opportunity for dialogue and build trust. It is part of a larger effort that began with the July 2020 racial equity resolution passed by City Council. This program, coupled with the Police Liaison to Communities of Color and engagement with citizen groups, is designed to build positive relationships and transparency,” said Chief Hetrick...Continue Reading COP

Officer Finger Explains K9 Unit
Citizens examine equipment
Citizens use firearms at BGPD Gun range
2021 Leaf Collection - Began November 15

Public Works began collecting leaves on November 15. Leaf collection is available for addresses that are eligible for refuse/recycling collection and is not connected to the regular refuse/recycling collection schedule.

A LEAF COLLECTION MAP has been posted to the City’s website allowing residents to follow crews as they move through the City:

If you choose to use this method, please follow LEAF COLLECTION GUIDELINES.

Questions may be directed to the Public Works Department by calling 419-354-6227.
Additional Options for Leaves
Love 'Em & Leave 'Em

The best thing you can do with your leaves is… Leave them on your property!

  • Shred them with a lawn mower and leave them in place on your lawn
  • Compost them in a pile or container (with or without shredding)
  • Shred them and use them as mulch on your borders and flowerbeds

Love ’Em and Leave ’Em "How to" Videos:
City Yard Waste Drop Off Site

Garden/Yard Waste/Grass/Leaves can be taken to the City Yard Waste drop-off site for those who are eligible to receive City refuse collection.

Open daily from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM.

The site is located behind the Public Works garage on Tarragon Drive (off of E. Poe Road). This site does NOT accept brush (anything with a bark covering).
Thanksgiving Refuse/Recycling Schedule

In observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, all non-24 hour City facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26.

As a result, the following collection schedule will occur for refuse and recycling next week:

Monday's route will be collected on Monday.

Tuesday's route will be collected on Tuesday.

Wednesday's route will be collected on Wednesday.

Thursday's route will also be collected on Wednesday.

Questions about this schedule may be directed to Public Works at 419-354-6227.

Never miss a "trash day" again! Download the Recycle Coach App to receive a custom calendar and reminder notifications for special collections.
Tree Commission
2021 Tree Photo Contest

Thank you to all who entered the Tree Commission's 4th annual photo contest! The finalists for each season have been selected. We are asking you to help us select the top photo in each category: Fall, Spring, Summer, & Winter.

We invite you to scroll through the photos in the Finalist Album on our Facebook page and "like" or "love" your favorite(s). Voting ends November 30, 2021. The photo with the most "likes" or "loves" in each category will receive a $25 gift card to North Branch Nursery and a print from Main Street Photo.
Seeking Nominations for
Drum Major for Peace

The Bowling Green Human Relations Commission is seeking nominations for the annual Martin Luther King Drum Major for Peace award. The nominee should exemplify the betterment of peaceful, just and equitable human relations in the BG community and to promote respect for diversity.

The Drum Major For Peace nomination form, along with past recipients, can be found online. Nominations are due no later than November 30th.
Holiday Happenings!
Tree Lighting November 19th

We welcome the community to join us in celebrating the annual community tree lighting. This event will take place in front of the Wood County District Public Library on Friday, November 19th with the prelude starting at 6:45 pm. This event will showcase appearances from Julie’s Dance Studio, Madrigals, the Mayor, and other special guests. Refreshments will be provided by Biggby Coffee and Kabob It.

Afterwards, everyone is invited to the Wood County Courthouse for “Carols at the Courthouse” at 7:30 pm, presented by the Madrigals, celebrating the Courthouse’s 125th anniversary in the grand stairway.
Holiday Parade November 20th

The BG Community Holiday Parade will be held on November 20th starting at 10am. The parade will once again be broadcast live on WTOL-11 with commentary. This year's theme is "Elves on Main".

If you would like to volunteer for the Parade you can sign up online

Community Talking Points
(Released November 10, 2021)
Key Messages: 

  • Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for children five to 11 years old.
  • Cases of COVID-19 have recently increased in Wood County to a current weekly rate of about 260 cases per 100,000 people.
  • Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for people six months old or older.
  • Single-dose boosters are approved for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines. Individuals may get any of the three vaccines—boosters don’t have to match the original series.

Additional Information:

The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for children five through 11 years old:

  • The CDC recommends that children in this age group be vaccinated against COVID-19. 
  • The vaccine is administered as a two-dose series, three weeks apart. The pediatric vaccine is a lower dose than that used for individuals 12 years of age and older. 
  • Children who are fully vaccinated are protected against serious illness and may continue to go to school and participate in other activities following exposure to someone with COVID at home.
  • Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are available at all Wood County Health Department vaccine clinics. Appointments are recommended.

Cases of COVID-19 have increased in Wood County over the past week after generally trending down since late September:

  • The current rate is approximately 260 weekly cases per 100,000 people, well above the level that is considered high transmission (100 weekly cases per 100,000 people).
  • Incidence of COVID for people who have not completed a vaccine series remains about four times higher than for people who have completed a vaccine series.
  • Measures to control the spread of COVID remain important—get vaccinated, limit gatherings and wear masks indoors in public places and outdoors in crowds.

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for people six months old or older:

  • Influenza and COVID have similar symptoms—getting a flu vaccine may reduce symptoms that could be confused with COVID. 
  • Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time.
  • Influenza can cause serious illness, hospitalization and death, particularly in older adults, very young children, pregnant women and people with certain chronic medical conditions. 

Single-dose boosters are approved for Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines:

  • Individuals may get any of the three vaccines—boosters don’t have to match the original series.
  • Pfizer and Moderna recipients are eligible for a booster 6 months after the second dose if they are: 
  • 65 or older
  • 18 or older and have an underlying medical condition or work/live in a high-risk setting.
  • Boosters are recommended for Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients 18 and older at least 2 months after the first vaccine. 
Free Rides for Vaccination & Booster Appointments
The City of Bowling Green is offering free B.G. Transit rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot locations and events. We recommend requests for rides be made at least 24 hours in advance of the time needed. Passengers must tell the call-taker the transport is for a COVID-19 vaccination or booster to receive the free fares to and from the location. Call-takers will verify the destination as eligible to provide free fare approval. It is preferred that your return trip be scheduled in the same call.

Call 419-354-6203 for additional information about the B.G. Transit. To schedule a ride, call 1-800-579-4299. For persons with speech and/or hearing impairments, contact us through the Ohio Relay Network at 1-877-750-9097 or 1-800-750-0750, respectively....