Dog licenses
KNOX COUNTY – 2021 dog licenses went on sale Tuesday, Dec. 1, and renewal notices have been mailed. You must renew your dog license(s) on or before Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. The cost of the dog license is $16.00 per dog or a three-year tag for $48.00 or a permanent tag for $160.00 (three-year and permanent tags are non-refundable), and all three licenses can be purchased at the Knox County Auditor's Office located at 117 E. High St., Suite 120, Mount Vernon, OH 43050; Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or online at www.doglicenses.us (with an additional $2.25 processing fee per dog). The Knox County Dog Shelter will be selling only annual tags Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday). For any questions, please call the auditor's office at 740-393-6805.
Due to COVID-19, the Knox County Auditor's Office highly recommends mailing in your payment and application.
Valley View Farm achieves accreditation to bring professional equine certification programs to Knox County and the surrounding area
In November 2020, Valley View Farm partnered with the Academy of Equine Practitioners and Professionals (AEPP) to bring several professional certification programs to the area for those seeking a career in the equine industry. After undergoing a rigorous assessment, the AEPP determined that Valley View Farm’s Career Pathways Program met the educational and quality standards necessary to achieve accreditation. This allows Valley View, a nonprofit organization located in Bellville, to offer professional certifications in Equine Massage Therapy, Riding Instruction and Equine Business Management.
As the need for quality technical programs continues to rise, the equine industry is following suit.
“It became apparent that these programs would fill a void in professional training for equine professionals in our area, including those looking to enter the industry immediately following their high school graduation,” Sarah Auchard, director of Valley View Farm, said. “The equine industry, like many other technical fields, has shown a significant growth over the past five years. This is especially true in and around Knox County, a highly agricultural community housing nearly 20% of Ohio’s horse population, where approximately 70% of the population does not obtain a college degree.”
The AEPP and Valley View Farm’s Career Pathways Program take a multi-faceted approach to training students for their chosen career. In addition to equine courses relating to their specialty, students will take business classes to prepare them for their career.
“Sadly, countless students complete certification programs and even college-level programs with little success in their careers because they are ill-prepared for the rigors of owning and operating their own business,” Auchard stated. “It is essential that all students understand business principles and practices, given that 85% of all equine professionals are self-employed. This gives students a deeper understanding of what it takes to successfully operate a business in this highly competitive industry, while raising the standard of services provided to their clients.”
Currently, students can obtain professional certification in Equine Massage Therapy, Riding Instruction and Equine Business Management. The organization has plans to add Farriery, Horse Training, Equine Nutrition and Equine Dentistry certifications to their course offerings in the near future. Flexible class scheduling with day and evening options are open to adults and high school juniors and seniors, generally through the Credit Flex program offered at most schools.
Valley View Farm is currently enrolling students for Winter Quarter beginning Jan. 4, 2021. They will be hosting a virtual open house on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10-11 a.m. and another on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 6-7 p.m. For more information, visit www.myvalleyviewfarm.com or contact Sarah Auchard at 419-564-1205.
Heating assistance available
The Ohio Development Services Agency wants to remind Ohioans that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans who are at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills.
Applied directly to the customer’s utility or bulk fuel bill, the benefit can help manage heating costs. Ohioans can visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov to apply online, download a copy of the application, or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider (EAP). When applying, individuals need to have copies of the following documents:
- Most recent utility bills.
- A list of all household members (including birth dates and Social Security numbers).
- Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members (12 months for certain income types).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
- Proof of disability (if applicable).
This is not an emergency program. Low-income households that have been disconnected (or have a pending disconnection notice), need to establish new service, pay to transfer service, have 25% (or less) of bulk fuel supply remaining or have a household member who was diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020; may also be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, which starts on Nov. 1, 2020. If you need immediate assistance with your energy bills, please contact your local EAP. A list of providers can be found at www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.
Applications for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program must be received by March 31, 2021. For more information on HEAP, call the Area Agency on Aging at 419-524-4144, visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880. Hearing-impaired customers can dial 711 for assistance.
Ashland Eagle Riders in conjunction with the Fraternal Order of Eagles makes gift to support Hospice of North Central Ohio
ASHLAND – Hospice of North Central Ohio’s Tina Marie Heibert and Ralph Tomassi met with Steve Bates, president of Ashland Eagle Riders, to accept a check in the amount of $4,800 from both the Ashland Eagle Riders and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2178 in Ashland. This is the tenth consecutive year that the Eagles Club has held annual events to raise funds in support of HNCO. Typically, the Eagles make their gift at HNCO’s annual Community Corn Roast, which was cancelled this year due to COVID-19. Next year's event is set for Aug. 21, 2021.
This year’s gift will help support HNCO bereavement programs such as Camp Hope children’s bereavement camp and a multitude of grief support programs and services provided free-of-charge to anyone in the Ashland area.
“We are people helping people,” Bates said on the behalf of the Eagles organization. “We were able to raise $2,800 through some of our group’s usual fundraisers, and the rest came through a grant from the Ohio State Eagles Charity Fund.”
“It’s a real source of encouragement to our caregivers, chaplains and social workers to know that local organizations like the Ashland Eagles Club continue to focus their efforts on raising funds in support of local nonprofits like HNCO during these challenging times,” Ralph Tomassi, HNCO Chief Development Officer/senior administrator said.
