MOUNT VERNON – Ohio Eastern Star will officially present the Mount Vernon Police Department with what Police Chief Robert Morgan called a very generous donation for the K-9 program.
The award will be made on Aug. 10 at The Ohio Eastern Star Home at 1451 Gambier Rd.
Two days later, the senior living facility will host a 1K dog walk as a service dog fundraiser in downtown Mount Vernon in conjunction with the Music & Arts Festival, he said. The walk begins at 9 a.m., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m.
Register at ohoesservicedogs.org.
The next PAK United event will be metal detecting at Ariel Foundation Park on Aug. 10.
“We got a local group of folks that go out and do metal detecting so they’re going to help us with some equipment,” Morgan said. “We’re going to get the kids out there and the metal detecting with some we’ve never done before. Sounds like fun.”
Chief cautions motorists about kids, school buses
Morgan cautioned motorists to remember that school will start soon and they need to be very aware of school safety zones.
The Knox Career Center starts the school year on Aug. 16, with Mount Vernon City Schools back in session on Aug. 17, he said.
Police officers will enforce school safety zones and speed limits, Morgan said. When school is in session, the speed limits in those safety zones drops back down to 20 mph, he said.
“Watch out for kids that are walking to and from school crosswalks,” he said. “Just be aware that there’s going to be a ton more kids out about the mornings and afternoons.”
Morgan also advised motorists to be patient, as with more school buses on the roads they tend to get aggravated when it slows them down on their way to work.
House fire’s cause considered unintentional
A house fire on Madison Street on July 27 caused the Mount Vernon Fire Department to bring in the State Fire Marshal’s Office to help investigate the cause.
“Pretty much ruled unintentional there, but the cause and origin of the fire is still undetermined at this point in time,” Mount Vernon Fire Chief Chad Christopher told the Mount Vernon News.
The home was a total loss, and the people renting the home were displaced, he said.
Fire Department answers 560 calls
The Fire Department responded to 560 emergency calls from the city and all the townships it covers last month, Christopher said. Of those calls, 85% were for EMS and 15% were fire calls.
Improvements continue at the fire station, with the 12 overhead bay doors getting painted white.
“So they’re all nice and shiny, shiny white, so they’re looking good,” he said.
The Fire Department concluded its coverage for the Knox County Fair with only a few incidents reported and nothing major. Christopher said they were preparing for First Friday on Aug. 5.
On Saturday and Sunday, Knox motorists should be aware that participants in the Pelatonia Ride Weekend will have finish lines and start lines at Kenyon College in Gambier, so expect to see many bicyclists on the roads.
Christopher said they will come through the area on Saturday and depart on Sunday morning.
