The wet and warm weather recently has led to early encounters with ticks in yards and parks around the county. Ticks can carry diseases that can pose serious health risks to humans including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.

Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not jump, fly or fall out of trees. They wait on low growing plants for a host to pass by. When a person or animal brushes against the vegetation, the tick will cling to fur or clothing and crawl upward, looking for a place to attach and begin feeding. The risk of exposure to ticks and disease can be reduced by following these precautions:

Humans

• Avoid tick-infested areas such as tall grass and dense vegetation.

• Tuck your pants into sock tops or boots.

• Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to find crawling ticks.

• Use repellants and follow label instructions carefully.

• Check yourself, your children and pets frequently for ticks.

• Bathe or shower after exposure to tick habitat (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be crawling on you.

Dogs

• Dogs are also at risk for tick-borne diseases and they may carry infected ticks into the home. Infected dogs are not contagious to humans.

• Keep yard and outdoor play areas well mowed to discourage tick infestation.

• Treatments are available to control ticks on dogs. Consult your veterinarian and always follow label instructions.

For more information call the Licking County Health Department at (740) 349-6535 or visit www.lickingcohealth.org.

Contact Info: Robert Sealock, Environmental Health Directory (740) 349-6486, rsealock@lickingcohealth.org

Tell Grandparents about Travel Plans: Here’s Why

3/21/2012
Scammers have convinced Ohio grandparents to send hundreds of thousands of dollars out of the country through the “grandparent scam,” where scammers pose as a grandchild in trouble and call grandparents asking for money.

With many Ohioans taking spring vacations, the scam could be particularly believable this time of year.

For example, if grandparents know their college-aged grandson is on spring break, they might believe a scammer who calls and says the grandson is in trouble in Mexico and needs money immediately.

When grandparents answer the phone, scammers often say “Hi Grandma” or “Hi Grandpa,” tricking grandparents into thinking their grandchild really is calling.

Since 2011, dozens of Ohio consumers have reported losing money to the scam, with an average loss of about $5,700. The money typically is sent via wire transfer to a foreign country, such as Canada or the United Kingdom. In recent months, victims say they sent the money to Peru, Spain, or Mexico.

Protect Your Family
The more scammers know about their potential victims, the more believable the scam can be. To help protect yourself and your family members, follow these Do’s and Don’ts:
• Don’t post travel plans online. Scammers could use that information to know when to contact family members.
• Do call your family members to tell them exactly where you’re going and when.
• Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can disguise the number that appears on your caller ID using a practice called “spoofing.”
• Do warn your family members about scams. Tell them not to trust callers who ask for money sent via wire transfer.

When in doubt, grandparents should ask callers a question that only their real family members would know how to answer. They also can consider creating a code word that only family members know to use in an emergency.

Links:
• Attorney General DeWine Announces ‘Grandparent Scam’ Suspect Charged in Florida
• DeWine Announces Top Five Cyber Fraud Trends; Kicks off National Consumer Protection Week
• DeWine Reminds Families to Watch Out For Grandparent Phone Scams
• ‘Grandparent Scams’ Target Ohioans, Attorney General DeWine Warns

Tags: Consumer Advocate, consumers, scams, tips, consumer

The Village and Big “O” have set three large dumpster locations within Hebron for victims household items:

1. The American Legion on Water St.
2. Bowman Goodyear Tire on Burch St.
3. Canal Park on W. Cumberland

For the debris (corn stalks & branches) you can rack them to the curb and the Public Works will be around to pick them up. Please remember no trash just natural debris.

There is a relief fund set up at Park National Bank for anyone wanting to make monetary donations for the victims of the flood. For food and clothes donation contact the Jacksontown United Methodist Church Office: 740-323-4429- Jacksontown Outreach Center: 740-323-4430 or New Life/Hebron United Methodist Church.

When you return to a dwelling or business that has been flooded please do not turn on utilities such as gas, electric, etc. without inspecting your dwelling to prevent any damage, fire or other ingitions. If you are unsure call a plumber or an electrican.

Public Notice

The Hebron Village Finance Committee meeting has scheduled for:
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Immediately following the regularly scheduled Council Meeting

Mindy Kester
Interim Fiscal Officer

We have a facebook page! Check it out and comment.

Attend a free Kaplin College Admissions Series Event at the Hebron Library. Practice SAT test Saturday March 10 beginning at 9 am - 1 pm. Register at 1-800-527-8378 or online kaptest.com/college or for more information contact the Hebron Library at 740-928-3923.
The Hebron Library is located at 934 W. Main Street in the Hebron Municipal Complex.

Village of Hebron Division of Fire & EMS
From the Desk: Fire Prevention Office - FPO Brad Essick

The following information is being distributed to Central Ohio media.
Date of incident: February 29, 2012 at approximately 4:30 a.m.
Address: 3169 Ridgely Tract Road in Newark (Licking County)
Structure: Single family home
- The Division of State Fire Marshal has determined today’s fire in Hebron is the result of ARSON.
- Investigators were able to eliminate accidental causes and found evidence that the fire was intentionally set. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, specific details about how and where the fire was started will not be released at this time.
- A Blue Ribbon Arson Reward of up to $5,000 is being offered to anyone with information about the person or persons responsible for the fire. Anyone who saw something out of the ordinary at or around the time of the fire, or who has heard someone talking about the fire with an unusual level of interest or knowledge should contact investigators. Call 1-800-589-2728 with any information.
- No one was injured in the fire.
- The home was completely destroyed. It has been vacant for approximately a week.
- The investigation is being conducted by the Division of State Fire Marshal, the Licking County Fire Investigation Team, Hebron Fire Department and the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. The Hebron Fire Department received mutual aid from Heath and Licking Township.

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Hebron Planning and Zoning Board

March 5, 2012 6:00 PM
Municipal Complex
934 West Main Street
Hebron OH 43025

The Village of Hebron Council will hear input from local citizens and interested parties for the following zoning variance application:

Commodore Bank, located at 202 Commodore Court, is applying for a sign variance to be installed on the property. The sign will vary from the zoning ordinance with regards to flashing/running lights, pole sign and maximum display surface.

For more information contact Andie Myers, Community Development Coordinator at 928-0076.