Checking COVID-19 numbers…
A record-setting day in Ohio…
The Ohio Department of Health reported more than 20-thousand new COVID cases…topping the previous record of nearly 16-thousand, set last week.
The new number reflects an increase of 700-percent since late June.
Huron County saw 114 new cases on Wednesday.
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Governor Mike DeWine has announced that he has ordered the mobilization of an additional 1,250 members of the Ohio National Guard to support hospitals across the state, bringing the total deployment to 2,300 members.
The mobilization comes on the same day the state set an all-time high for the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the pandemic, with over 5,300.
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State officials are recommending that local school boards implement mask mandates when students return to school next week.
Cleveland City Schools have taken that one step further…
They’re going ‘remote’, for at least the first week.
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Searching for an at-home COVID-19 testing kit?
They went like hotcakes on Wednesday in Bellevue at a free distribution event at the Rec Center, presented by Huron County Public Health.
Due to a high volume of traffic, the event was moved up an hour, with all kits handed out in just under an hour.
The first 600 cars received 6 kits each.
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A reminder that Vermilion City Hall remains closed due to a COVID outbreak…
Contact information can be found on the city’s website…
In Oberlin, access to city hall is restricted due to COVID concerns…
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Final preparations are underway for a free, drive-thru COVID Test Event in Lorain.
It’ll be presented tomorrow morning at Lorain County Health and Dentistry on Broadway from 7:30 until 11 am.
They have 500 RAPID Test kits.
Lorain Auxiliary Police will handle traffic control.
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Yesterday…in Lake County…officials had to shut down a COVID Test Event 3 hours early, because so many people showed up.
…some…as early as 5am for a clinic that opened 5 hours later…
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers who intend to celebrate the New Year’s holiday to plan ahead and designate a sober driver.
The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.
During last year’s New Year’s reporting period, there were 14 fatal crashes that killed 14 people.
Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in 10 fatal crashes, while speed played a role in 3 of the crashes.
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A Community Fitness Center is opening in New London this Saturday, New Year’s Day.
According to the Norwalk Reflector, it’s located on East Main Street, behind the Dollar General, in a renovated building that was previously used as the student athlete weight facility.
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Looking for a way to ring in the new year?
Here are a couple of options:
-Sandusky will shoot off fireworks at 6 pm and midnight on New Year’s Eve, taking place at Jackson Street Pier.
-In Port Clinton, the annual Walleye Drop is part of the Walleye Madness event on Madison Street, starting at 9 pm on New Year’s Eve.
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SPORTS
-In last night’s late college football bowl game, it was #16 Oklahoma over #14 Oregon, 47-32, in the Alamo Bowl.
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From the National Weather Service…
Today
A chance of rain and snow showers.
Cloudy, with a high near 42.
Tonight
Cloudy, with a low around 39.
Friday
A chance of showers, mainly in the afternoon.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.
Saturday – New Year’s Day
Showers.
High near 47.