Wayne National Forest trails closing for season

Nelsonville — The Wayne National Forest reminds the public that Saturday is the last day motorized trail riders, mountain bikers, and horseback riders can use its designated trails for the 2012 season. Trails will continue to be open to hikers.

Annually, the Wayne closes its trails to all-terrain vehicle (ATV), horse, and bicycle use from Dec. 16 to April 14, due to concerns winter months bring to southeastern Ohio. With the constant freezing and thawing that occurs during this time of year, the trails can be susceptible to damage (trail erosion, rutting, braiding, etc.) from repeated trail use.

The investment to trail maintenance made earlier in the year could be lost if trails were open for use during the winter period. Additionally, trail maintenance costs could significantly increase because they may have to be maintained more often.

The 241,000 acre Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio has over 300 miles of trails on the Forest for hiking, ATV riding, mountain biking, or horseback riding.

Wayne National Forest trail permits may be purchased by anyone wishing to give trail permits as a gift. Gift certificates may be purchased online, or at any Wayne NF office at the value of the trail permit they wish to give (Seasonal: $45, Three-Day: $24, or Daily: $12).

Gift certificates are valid for one year from the date of purchase. To purchase online, visit the forest website (www.fs.usda.gov/wayne) and click on Purchase Trail Permits Online in the right column under Quick Links.

For more information, visit Wayne National Forest Offices (Headquarters and Athens Unit), 740-753-0101, (Marietta Unit) 740-373-9055, or (Ironton Unit) 740-534-6500.

 

SOACDF offers educational grant

The Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation is once again offering the Educational Excellence Competitive Grant for school year 2013-2014.

The Educational Excellence grant is a one time award of up to $7,500 towards the cost of tuition, on campus housing, lab fees and books that can be billed through the college or university.

Producers who reside in the 22 counties the foundation serves with a current Farm Service Number on record with the Farm Service Agency as of July 1, 2011 and their financial dependents OR tobacco program eligible producers and their financial dependents are eligible to apply. Applicants must be enrolled full time as a sophomore, junior or senior in the 2013-2014 school year at an accredited institution and be seeking a bachelor degree. Students must also maintain 2.8 or higher g.p.a. to be eligible.

Applications and guidelines for the Educational Excellence Competitive Grant are now available at the SOACDF office, Farm Service Agencies, local Extension offices or online at www.soacdf.net. The application period is Jan. 1, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2013. Applications will not be accepted after this period. For questions, call 937-393-2700.

 

Southern Ohio Medical Center awarded an ‘A’ for outstanding patient safety

Southern Ohio Medical Center has once again been honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

Calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group’s nine-member Blue Ribbon Expert Panel, the Hospital Safety Score uses 26 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to produce a single score representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe frominfections, injuries, and medical and medication errors.

Through the collected data, U.S. hospitals are assigned an A, B, C, D, or F.

“To earn an ‘A’ for our Hospital Safety Score is quite an accomplishment and a true testament to the exceptionally safe environment we have created at SOMC,” Leeann L. Sammons, chief safety officer and vice president of SOMC Safety, Risk Management and Insurance, said. “It’s through the dedication of many employees that we are able to sustain this excellent safety culture and I’m grateful for all that has been done to help us provide the safest patient-care possible.”

The Leapfrog Group is a national organization using the collective leverage of large purchasers of healthcare to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality, and affordability of healthcare for Americans. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey allows purchasers to structure their contracts and purchasing to reward the highest performing hospitals.

“Hospitals like this that earn an ‘A’ have demonstrated their commitment to their patients and their community,” Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, said. “I congratulate SOMC for its safety excellence, and look forward to the day when all hospitals will match this standard.”

To see SOMC’s scores as they compare nationally and locally, or to find information on how you can protect yourself and your loved one during a hospital stay, visit the Hospital Safety Score website at www.hospitalsafetyscore.org.