Baseball, Sports
Paints Season Pushed Back To July 1st, 2020
April 29, 2020 Dan Ramey	Leave a comment
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Prospect League announced Wednesday a change in the 2020 schedule resulting in Opening Day moving from May 28 to July 1.
"The Paints are cautiously optimistic but very hopeful that we will play a revised Prospect League schedule at VA Memorial Stadium this summer," said Paints managing partner Bryan Wickline. "As a league, we targeted July 1 as Opening Day for the 2020 Season. With teams in five states and varied restrictions and extended stay-at-home orders, we look forward to the day we hear, "Play Ball!"
The Paints will be taking extra precautions to keep fans, players and staff safe.
"We will certainly abide by our local, state, federal government and health organizations guidelines once we are permitted to host games," Wickline added. "We will open VA Memorial Stadium as long as the safety and health of our fans, players, staff and umpires is met by the group-gathering guidelines and mandates."
Wickline continued, "As a country, this has been a challenge like no other! We look forward to the day when Paints games and VA Memorial stadium can be an outlet to safely gather and celebrate, entertain and cheer – for each other and for America's favorite pastime – like never before."
"Numerous American Legion and travel baseball organizations plan to host their games and tournaments this summer at VA Memorial Stadium as soon as they are permitted given Ohio's gradual reopening. We will host these events as we are able to follow the recommended guidelines when they are played," said Wickline.
The Paints downtown Gift Shop and Administrative office will reopen to regular business hours beginning Monday, May 18.
BaseballChillicothe PaintsProspect League
State Government, State News
PPE to Ohio, Graduations & Masks Take Center Stage
The much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) is on the way according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
During his daily news conference Wednesday, DeWine said the state has shipped 4.1 million pieces of PPE throughout the Buckeye State.
Local Emergency Management Agencies have the task of distributing the product, which reportedly includes 500,000 N95 masks.
The Governor also announced $16 million in grant funding has been made available to local authorities for use by law enforcement, courts and probation offices in the fight against coronavirus for the purpose of purchasing cleaning supplies, covering overtime hours and medical needs for inmates.
DeWine also addressed graduation ceremonies and celebrations. He's asked the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health to work together to advise the state's 612 school districts with planning their commencement ceremonies. Districts are urged to work with their local health departments to gain approval of their plans for graduations.
THE OHIO DEPT OF EDUCATION STATEMENT ON GRADUATIONS
DeWine then segued into graduation parties saying it's a "time to graduate, NOT the time to have a graduation party." While sympathizing with those associated with the Class of 2020, he then directed parents to www.coronavirus.ohio.gov for guidance for such celebrations. "Our guidelines are no more than 10 people."
Face covering were very much a topic of conversation following the Governor's recommendation regarding masks last Monday. Many were confused after face coverings were first mandated for all employees and customers inside of businesses.
After backing down on the mandate Tuesday, more clarification was addressed by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted Wednesday. "For Ohioans, when you are a customer in an Ohio business, you should wear a face covering." Said Husted. "But you are not required to wear a face covering." Husted explained the idea was not to protect the wearers, but to protect the public from an asymptomatic wearer labeling it as a courtesy to one another.
Husted did outline there are a few exceptions for which the requirement is waived, such as:
Workers prohibited by law or regulation from wearing a facial covering on the job
Wearing a face covering is against documented industry best practices
When it's not advisable for health purposes
When a face covering is in violation of a company's safety policies
When an employee is sitting alone in an enclosed work space
When it's not practical, i.e. in conditions of extreme heat
Should a business or employee believe they qualify for an exception, they have to be ready to provide written justification upon request.
As of 2pmET Wednesday, statewide total cases number 17,303 with 3,421 hospitalizations and 937 total deaths.
Cases by county in the Scioto Valley Region: Fairfield, 129; Fayette, 15; Highland, 11; Hocking, 16; Jackson, 4; Pickaway, 1,722; Pike, 3; Ross, 37; Scioto, 8 and Vinton, 5.
Local Prisons:
CCI: 5 inmates in isolation, 4 testing positive
RCI: None affected
PCI: 93 staff testing positive, 1 death, 28 recovered, 1,477 inmates testing positive, 19 confirmed deaths, 1 pending results and 67 recovered.
SEE THE DAILY ODRC REPORT HERE
COVID-19Governor Mike DeWineLt. Gov. Jon Husted
OHSAA State X-Country Meet Moves to Fortress Obetz
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association cross country state championships are moving to Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose sports complex with a 6,500-seat grandstand located in Obetz on the southeast side of Columbus, OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass announced Wednesday.
Fortress Obetz opened in 2017 on the former site of the Columbus Motor Speedway. The racing that will now take place there in early November represents one of the largest high school cross country events in the country, with more than 11,000 fans.
Of significance, much of the course will be visible from the 6,500-seat grandstands, which will lead to a greater experience for fans and participants.
"We can't wait for our student-athletes and Ohio's entire cross country community to experience the state championships at Fortress Obetz," said Snodgrass. "This facility is so impressive, from the course layout for the competitors to being more spectator friendly for the fans and we are thrilled to sign a five-year agreement. We would like to thank National Trail Raceway for hosting the state championships for the last nine years and doing an outstanding job as our host."
Fortress Obetz was built to host sporting events, concerts, festivals and more. It was the home of the Ohio Machine professional lacrosse team from 2017-19. The facility has five video boards, concessions, restrooms and a huge parking lot.
"The Village of Obetz is extremely proud and excited to partner with the OHSAA," said Steve Adams, National Director of Athletic Operations and Facilities Promotion. "We feel our Memorial Park and the Fortress is perfectly suited for the OHSAA Cross Country State Tournament. We have created a safe and challenging course for the runners and kept the spectator experience in mind as well."
The grandstand includes 1,100 flip-down seats, 2,000 bench-back seats and 3,400 bleacher seats.
Scioto Downs, located just south of Columbus, hosted the OHSAA cross country state championships from 1985 through 2010 before the facility added a casino. National Trail Raceway in Hebron, 20 miles east of Columbus, hosted the state championships from 2011 through 2019.
Cross CountryOHSAARunningX-Country
Special Report: Getting Ohio Back to Work
As the Governor rolled out his plan to reopen Ohio Monday, the state's health departments began rolling into education mode for the communities they serve.
Litter Media visited with Ross County Health District Administrator Ben Avery and Communications Director Kelly Dennis to learn how the new guidelines will be applied for Chillicothe-area businesses.
The main concern with getting back to work is knowing the coronavirus is still active and the potential for a spike in those contracting it.
Another concern is for the businesses closed during Ohio's Stay-At-Home Order who may not be prepared to adjust to the new guidelines (see images below).
Back To WorkCOVID-19
Ohio Election Coverage
Results for Ohio's Primary Election, which was extended to April 28th due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can be found online at the links below.
Please note, the results that will be posted on April 28th will be deemed UNOFFICIAL due to potentially late arriving mail.
The Secretary of State's Office says ballots that are postmarked by April 27th and arrive at the board of elections by May 8th will be counted as part of the official canvas.
Local Boards of Elections have been directed to have results they've receive posted by 10pmET April 28th.
OHIO Showing only statewide results
PICKAWAY COUNTY
VINTON COUNTY
ElectionsOhio Primary
Chillicothe Business Owner Addresses Ohio Task Force
Before Governor Mike DeWine released the plan to begin reopening Ohio's economy Monday afternoon, Steve Cooper, owner of Chillicothe Fireworks was one of several business owners to present their case for reopening Ohio Monday morning before the Ohio House 2020 Recovery Task Force.
Cooper's presentation, which lasted nearly three minutes, can be viewed 18 minutes and 35 seconds into the video conference made available via www.theohiochannel.org Monday evening.
Cooper told members of the Task Force Chillicothe Fireworks has completed a half million dollar expansion project and has received a shipment of inventory for their season, which he explained runs from mid-May to September.
Fortunately for retail businesses like Cooper's, DeWine's plan has targeted May 12th as the opening date. "When we expanded our retail showroom recently" said Cooper, " the extra space that we now have will further serve to enable distancing of customer and employees."
Cooper added he was "confident we can serve our customers safely and we can operate at least as safely as any essential business that has been open during the shutdown."
Chillicothe Fireworks, located just north of Chillicothe at 2068 Hospital Road, employees 25 workers seasonally.
Chillicothe FireworksSteve Cooper
Chillicothe's Frankie Whalen Featured on 10tv
After graduating from Chillicothe High School in 2015, Frankie Whalen and his triplet siblings Jack and Joey followed in their parents' footsteps into military service.
For Frankie, it was off to West Point and last November he proposed to Kerry Moore with the plan to get married this spring. But like many couples, the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed their plans.
Their story was featured in a story on 10TV News Monday night.
CLICK TO SEE THE REPORT BY 10TV'S BRYANT SOMERVILLE
Also featured in the story, The Postmark, Chillicothe's new venue for parties and receptions on South Paint Street. As The Postmark was preparing to open, the virus outbreak put a halt to much of Ohio. Last Sunday, the venue posted the following special on its Facebook Page:
Elopement Giveaway!
⬇️ELOPEMENT GIVEAWAY FOR A COUPLE!!⬇️We want to celebrate your LOVE story and support those couples who are struggling to see the light in 2020. We at The Postmark know that many of you or someone you know have had to give up their original wedding date…. so while big receptions might be on hold for a while, let us help you celebrate with your closest family & friends! ✨So what are we doing?? We're offering special elopement packages for those who want to get married now and celebrate later! We will be sharing more about the details of those packages soon…. but to kick it off we want to give ONE LUCKY COUPLE the day of their dreams with an all-inclusive 4-hr venue rental at The Postmark in Chillicothe, Ohio (including separate getting ready rooms), professional photos, rentals, and a dance floor! ✨Here are rules:💛First, leave a comment and tag your fiancée if you'd like to enter for yourself, or tag a loved one and encourage them to enter!💛 Once tagged, give The Postmark a follow! Bonus points for showing the other vendors tagged at the end of this post some love, too. 💖💛Last, share your love story and why you want to win this giveaway on your personal account (Facebook or Instagram) and tag @postmark.oh in your story and/or post. (If you have a private account, just send us a screenshot of your post/story.). Feel free to share this post on your page, too!We will be picking the winner on May 8th, and hosting the elopement ASAP.Thank you to:Goldenwood Visuals Taylor Alyssa Photography Kylie-Marie PhotographyEmmy's BridalConfetti Season Event DesignMy Beauty by LizzieRomance Blooms Studio H
Posted by The Postmark on Sunday, April 26, 2020
COVID-19Wedding
Getting Ohio Back To Work Safely; Statewide COVID-19 Cases Total 16,325
Governor Mike DeWine outlined his plan to slowly reopen Ohio's economy Monday during his daily news conference.
Ohio's Stay-At-Home Order expires at midnight the evening of May 1st, 2020.
DeWine opened his news conference applauding Ohioans collective efforts to help save lives and slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. "We are where we are … because of what you have done." The Governor reiterated the "virus is still here… it's still just as dangerous as it ever was."
DeWine emphasized the need to continue to wash hands, practice physical distancing, cleaning surfaces and wearing masks. "The tools we have had to slow it down, to break it from going from one to another…
these are things we're going to need to do as we open our economy. If we do it right, we can provide as much protection we can to our workers… everyone involved."
He then laid out the plan for health care to begin May 1st, all health procedures that can be done that do not require an overnight hospital stay. May 4th manufacturing, distribution and construction can resume but with strict guidelines and May 12th, retail businesses can reopen (See the link to requirements for reopening below).
SECTOR REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICES, RETAIL, MANUFACTURERS
"We need to see how this works" added DeWine. "(There's) a lot of moving parts… this is the beginning."
Meanwhile, as of 2pmET Monday, statewide total cases number 16,325 with 3,232 hospitalizations and 753 total deaths.
Cases by county in the Scioto Valley Region: Fairfield, 116; Fayette, 14; Highland, 10; Hocking, 16; Jackson, 4; Pickaway, 1,698; Pike, 3; Ross, 36; Scioto, 6 and Vinton, 3 (reported by the VCHD, but do not appear on the State's dashboard)
(Photo credit: The Ohio Channel)
While we've witnessed the tragedy coronavirus has brought to our world, it's uplifting to see those who are on their pathway to recovery.
A video from CBS News:
Now 88 Counties: Vinton County Reports First Cases of COVID-19
The Vinton County Health Department reported Saturday evening they've been notified of two confirmed cases for coronavirus in Vinton County residents. Both individuals were contacts of a positive out of county case.
In a news release, VCHD said they would be in contact with the individuals daily while they self-isolate.
The release also states "In order to protect the privacy of these individuals, additional demographic information relating to these cases will not be released."
Until Saturday evening, Vinton County was the only remaining county in Ohio with no reported cases of COVID-19.
As of 2pmET Saturday, statewide total cases number 15,587 with 3,115 hospitalizations and 711 total deaths.
Cases by county in the Scioto Valley Region: Fairfield, 110; Fayette, 13; Highland, 8; Hocking, 11; Jackson, 4; Pickaway, 1,662; Pike, 3; Ross, 35; Scioto, 6; Vinton, 2* (the number from the VCHD released at 7:30pmET) SEE THE STATE DASHBOARD HERE
From Saturday's Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections report, Chillicothe Correctional Institution now has five inmates in isolation with three inmates testing positive.
Pickaway Correctional Institution now has 81 staffers testing positive with 1,558 inmates in isolation and 1,563 testing positive and 10 confirmed related inmate deaths.
There are still no cases reported at the Ross Correctional Institution. SEE THE ODRC REPORT HERE