Trail volunteers needed for Wayne National Forest

PEDRO — The Wayne National Forest will begin a series of training sessions as early as February for volunteers interested in the Forest Trail Patrol program. This is a great opportunity for volunteers to partner with the Forest and to take an active role in providing better customer service to trail users.

The first session starts Saturday, Feb. 6 and will focus on first aid and CPR training. Subsequent trainings will include being a good host, radio communication, GPS/map reading, basic fire safety, plant identification, and ATV safety.

To be eligible to serve as a Trail Patrol Volunteer, you must be at least 18 years of age and possess a current valid state driver’s license, successfully complete all required training, own a good working all-terrain vehicle or off-highway motorcycle, have no outstanding warrants, DUI, drug, or other felony convictions, have demonstrated good work ethics and the ability to contact visitors in a courteous and positive manner.

Once volunteers have completed the series of required training, they’ll be ready to begin patrolling in June 2010.

The forest is enrolling volunteers for the training sessions now through Friday, Jan. 29. For more information about the program and to obtain a registration form, look under Quick Links on the Forest web site at www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne

You may also contact Marsha Wikle on the Ironton Ranger District at (740) 534-6500 or by e-mail at mwikle@fs.fed.us.

Pinning ceremony for nurses held at Shawnee State

PORTSMOUTH — A pinning ceremony for graduating nurses at Shawnee State University was held at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on Dec. 9 for the fall graduates.

The pin itself relates to customs from the 16th Century. It was a symbol of noblemen who served kings with distinction and later Florence Nightingale chose the Maltese cross for the badge worn by the graduates of her school of nursing. Today, each school has a unique pin that is symbolic of the program.

Nine students received their Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing: Mary Adkins, Amy Collier, Sonya Daniels, Leslie Deerfield, Jennifer Foit, Paul Foit, Phyllis Jodrey, Stephanie Moore and Angela Wellman.

The following 27 students received their Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing: Terra Adkins, Emily Campbell, Eric Carter, Crystal Culver, Jack L. Evans Jr., Ryan Fox, Tina Gullett, Drew M. Hatfield, Erika Isaacs, Danielle Johnson, Tina Lang, Luke Andrew Lester, Alicia Gail Lewis, David Taylor Newman, Gretchen Ngaruiya, Elisa Oreta, Miranda Phillips, Taryn Scott, Brandy Smith, Harold Patrick Stanley, Patricia Salmons Stapleton, Erin Stuart, Megan Wallace, Tella Wardlow, Bethany Janel Wheeler, Melissa Whitt and Marie Wilburn.

AG Cordray advises caution when

texting donations

COLUMBUS — The devastation in Haiti has put the power of online social networks on full display as consumers are being asked to Twitter information and text donations in support of earthquake relief efforts.

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray is encouraging consumers to ask questions and make sure they understand how they will be billed for donations made via cell phone before they give.

Typically, users are asked to donate a set dollar amount by texting a certain word to a five- or six-digit code on their cell phones.

Completing the transaction may require as many as four separate texts. The amount of the donation and any additional texting fees that apply will be added to the user’s cell phone bill.

“Some wireless carriers have indicated that text messaging rates will be waived for donations made for certain earthquake relief efforts,” said Attorney General Cordray. 

“Others are even willing to match some donations.  But consumers can’t know if this applies to them personally unless they ask questions before giving. Contact your cell phone provider for information about texting rates and contact the charity to find out how the money will be used.”

Cordray offers the following tips to avoid text message scams:

 Do not send a text message donation until you verify it’s going to a legitimate organization and understand exactly how much it will cost you.

Do not submit your cell phone number on Web sites that you do not trust.

 Call your cell phone service provider and request that text messages sent via the Internet be blocked on your phone.

Be vigilant about checking your cell phone bill for strange or unfamiliar charges.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office can take action against fraudulent charitable fundraising schemes. Call the Attorney General’s Office at (800) 282-0515 to report fraudulent or questionable fundraising efforts.

State of the State to air live on ONN

Columbus — ONN will bring Ohioans live coverage of Gov. Ted Strickland’s State of the State address at noon on Jan. 27.

ONN will begin full coverage at 11:50 a.m. in the news studio with Anchors Arica Robbins and Jessa Goddard.

ONN Anchor Mike Kallmeyer and Jim Heath, Statehouse Correspondent and moderator of ONN’s Capitol Square, will be live at the Statehouse with continuous coverage. ONN will present the address in its entirety, along with reaction and commentary immediately following.

ONN will also offer continued coverage on its website ONNTV.com.

The State of the State address will replay Wednesday evening at 10 p.m.

On Sunday, Jan. 31, Capitol Square will feature a political roundtable discussion focused on the State of the State address. The panel will offer a review and analysis of the Governor’s speech.