Madison Messenger - January 19th, 2020

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PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - January 19, 2020 opinions www.madisonmessengernews.com It’s not too late to get a flu shot for this season Flu season is in full swing. Ohio is now listed as having widespread flu activity, according to the Health & Human Services Regional Surveillance Data. The state is reporting influenza illnesses in 3.41 percent of the population, well above Ohio’s 1.9 percent baseline. In the final two weeks of 2019, central Ohio reported that the number of flu hospitalizations more than tripled compared to the same time for your health frame in 2018. Emergency room visits for influenza-like illnesses are 16 percent greater than they were last year. Madison County Public Health (MCPH) wants to help prevent you from becoming a flu statistic this year. MCPH reminds us that everyone older than six months of age should receive a flu shot. If you haven’t received your flu shot yet this season, no worries. MCPH is still providing flu shots to residents, including high dose for those older than 65. A later season flu shot will provide protection through the spring. Last year, the flu season was much longer, so getting a flu shot at this time is still beneficial. There are a few ways that everyone can protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs beyond the flu shot. Be sure to cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow, not hands. Everyone, sick or healthy, should also wash their hands often. Symptoms of seasonal flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The common cold is different and does not normally have fever or severe illness associated with it. Flu-like illnesses are spread by coughs, sneezes, talking, and touching germy objects. The flu attacks the very young, the very old, pregnant, sick, and healthy. Flu shows no mercy and can even lead to death. If you are sick, stay home! During your illness, stay away from those who may become ill easily or who are at high risk for complications from flu. By leaving the house, you put all others at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying home for 24 hours after fever is gone without using fever-reducing medication. The majority of flu illnesses can be treated at home. However, if symptoms become more severe, you are pregnant, or you have an underlying chronic medical condition, seek medical attention immediately. To help recover from the flu, make sure you get plenty of rest. It is also important to drink clear fluids such as water, broth Susan Young (right), director of nursing at Madison County Public Health, administers a flu shot to Jenn Coleman, executive director of Madison County Family & Children First. or sports drinks. There are also electrolyte enhanced drinks made for infants to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye Syndrome. For children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: • fast breathing or trouble breathing; • bluish or gray skin color; • not drinking enough fluids (urine will be dark yellow; not having to urinate as often); • severe or persistent vomiting; • not waking up or not interacting; • being so irritable that the child does not want to be held; • flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough. For adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; • pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; • sudden dizziness; • confusion; • severe or persistent vomiting; • flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough. Again, it is not too late to receive your flu shot. Call MCPH at (740) 852-3065 to find the most convenient time to stop in. MCPH offers drive-up service and home visits for flu shots at no additional cost to help with those who have mobility issues or are homebound. Keep your New Year’s resolution to stay healthy in 2020 by protecting yourself from the flu. If you have questions about the flu or flu shots, contact Madison County Public Health at info@madisonpublichealth.org or (740) 852-3065. Antoinette Yuhas is a registered nurse with Madison County Public Health. Clarification In the Jan. 12 edition of the Madison Messenger, an article listed the candidates certified for the March primary election in Madison County. The following is the correct spelling for one of the candidates running for county treasurer: Stacey McKenzie. The other candidate for the same race is Ashley Cooper. madison Messenger Published every Sunday Distribution: 14,849 Philip F. Daubel ................................................................Publisher Jim Durban ............................................................Office Manager Grant Zerkle ...................................................Advertising Manager Kristy Zurbrick ........................................................Madison Editor Becky Barker..........................................................Office Assistant Brittany Zerkle .....................................................Graphic Designer 78 S. Main St., London, Ohio 43140 (740) 852-0809 • madison@columbusmessenger.com www.madisonmessengernews.com Newspaper Subscription Rates The subscription rate for those living outside the circulation area is $78 per year. Columbus Messenger Co. reserves the right to edit, reject or cancel any advertisement or editorial copy at any time. The company is not responsible for checking accuracy of items submitted for publication. Errors in advertising copy must be called to the attention of the company after first insertion and prior to a second insertion of the same advertising copy. So smart Y S C H O L A R R E T S A M Y E K S T D E S S E N I F R O T W I U A N K U D E E R G E D T M L I U Z A O G D F E H V E I E L N G U U I U T S R S E T W R F E H O L C L A U C I L F B I U G T L A O M L O K K C I J T L P E T R C Q E I G O S G T O G T E C E E D N N R O A D H R N D S H A R P T E A B V Q G I I R C C Y P E E G D O A U I O W E A J I Y A D N U P N I R U O N T H G I R B I A E T C V S N F F O W O H S L T E W K F Y K G U I T R A I N E D V Z I Messenger Word Search BOOKISH BRIGHT BRILLIANT CAPABLE CANNY CLEVER DEEP DEGREED EDUCATED FINESSED GENIUS GIFTED GRADUATE INGENIOUS INTELLIGENT KNOWING Solution on page 6 Created by Sue Bender LETTERED MASTER MERITORIOUS NERD PRECOCIOUS QUICK RIGHT SAVANT SCHOLAR SHARP SHOWOFF SKILLFUL TALENTED TAUGHT TRAINED WITTY
www.madisonmessengernews.com January 19, 2020 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 5 County may see increased natural gas capacity By Kristy Zurbrick Madison Editor Increased natural gas capacity could be coming to Madison, Logan and Union counties. For the past couple of years, the Ohio Gas Access Partnership, a coalition representing the three counties and many of the municipalities within them, has been engaging with Columbia Gas to find a way to increase natural gas capacity to support industrial, commercial and residential development. At the Jan. 14 Madison County commissioners meeting, Rob Slane, county administrator, said Columbia Gas recently presented a solution. The gas company is in the permitting process now with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. If plans are approved, construction would follow, Slane said. Because members of the coalition are under a non-disclosure agreement with Columbia Gas, Slane said he could not share details at this time about the project. The Madison County commissioners are in support of the solution, he said. “We believe it’s a good fix,” said Commissioner Mark Forrest. In other business, with input from county Auditor Jennifer Hunter, the commissioners buttoned up details on the county’s new budget stabilization fund, approved at their Jan. 7 meeting. The commissioners voted to transfer $2.5 million in the general fund to a stabilization fund. The money is earmarked in part to help with expenses in the event of a downturn in the economy, such as the county experienced in 2006 and 2008. “It’s really a safeguard,” Slane said. “We’re being proactive as opposed to reactive.” The approved uses for the fund, which is allowable under the Ohio Revised Code, are as follows: • to stabilize county budgets against cyclical changes in revenues and expenditures; • to provide for the payment of claims, assessments and deductibles under the county insurance program, medical insurance program, and workers’ compensation plan; • to provide for the payment of accumulated sick leave and vacation leave, and for payments in lieu of taking compensatory time off, upon the termination of employment or the retirement of officers and employees of the county; • to provide for payment of salaries during any fiscal year when the number of pay periods exceeds the usual and customary number of pay periods; and • to acquire, construct or improve fixed assets. The $2.5 million represents two months of estimated expenses for the county. Slane said the commissioners can choose to add money to the fund in the future. Also on Jan. 14, the commissioners discussed options for fixing the leaky roof at the Jones Building, a county-owned property at 13 N. Oak St. in London that houses the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, county auto title office and county deputy registrar. So far, the options range from a $30,000 repair to a complete replacement for over $125,000. The commissioners asked Slane to look at additional options. Renae Zabloudil, county clerk of courts, offered $100,000 toward the roof project, saying, “I want it done right.” Zabloudil oversees the auto title and registrar department. The $100,000 would come from certificate of title administration fees. Zabloudil said she has about $700,000 in the fund. She likes to keep two years’ worth of expenses for her office’s operation in the fund, which amounts to a total of $500,000. That leaves $200,000 for other expenses related to her department. Commissioner Tony Xenikis thanked Zabloudil for earmarking the funds but noted that even with those funds, the commissioners will be fiscally responsible with their choice for the roof’s fix. Messenger photo by Theresa Hennis Billiards Parlor cuts ribbon Scott Bennett, proprietor of Big Money Billiards Parlor, cuts the ribbon at the Jan. 9 grand opening of his business located at 118 W. High St., London. London Mayor Pat Closser, London city council members, Madison County Chamber of Commerce members, friends and well-wishers were on hand to show their support. The parlor hosts large events such as pro world artistic (trick shot) pool championship tournaments, women’s pool tournaments and more. The parlor has six 7-foot and two 9-foot Diamond pool tables, dart boards, and a jukebox. Bennett sells pool equipment, and a professional instructor is available for anyone who wants to learn how to play pool or improve their game. Wednesdays are Ladies’ Night. For more information on hours of operation or upcoming events, call (740) 956-1224.
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Madison Messenger - January 19th, 2020

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