Telegraph-Forum from Bucyrus, Ohio • 2

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Telegraph-Forum Daily Digest Weather For more weather information, go to BucyrusTelegraphForum.com Local statistics for the 24- hour period ending at 10 p.m. were: High: 15 Low: 8 LOCAL FORECAST Today: Morning clouds, becoming partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20. Northwest winds around 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy.

Lows around 10. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid-30s.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid-20s. Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the lower 30s. Friday night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers.

Lows 15 to 20. Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s. Saturday night: Mostly cloudy. Cold with lows around 10.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s. Sunday night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Monday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow.

Highs in the lower 30s. CC grads honored for help on levy repeal campaign By Kimberly Gasuras Telegraph-Forum staff NORTH ROBINSON Brian Osborne is a graduate of Colonel Crawford High School and Ohio State University 1 with a communications major and a love for politics. "Jonathan and I both love being involved in politics, so when we heard about the Colonel Crawford levy repeal we knew what was at stake. We mulled over ideas on how we could help," Osborne said at the Colonel Crawford School District Board of Education meeting Monday evening. Osborne and fellow Colonel Crawford graduate, Jonathan Snyder, were recognized by the board and Superintendent Ted Bruner for their help on the campaign that saw the levy repeal voted down in November.

"Jonathan is a communications major from Columbus State. Brian and Jonathan brought us their expertise and made a tremendous difference in our campaign. How proud I am to have two Colonel Crawford graduates come back and help us and we wanted to thank them publicly," Bruner said. Bruner also read a letter from Gov. Ted Strickland designating January as Board of Education Recognition month.

"I appreciate the service the members of the board give to our school district. It's not an easy job. They have a lot of responsibility and weight on their shoulders," Bruner said. Treasurer Vickey Stump thinks the school's budget is right on target. "We are at 66 percent of our revenue and 45 percent of our expenditures which is on target for where we should be half-way through the school year," Stump said.

The board approved an updated version of the student handbook that includes respecting teachers and prohibiting the use of foul language. "I think we should require our coaches to follow the same rules we expect our students and teaching staff to follow," said board member Gary Koons. Bruner agrees. "Yes, they should follow the same rules but if there if a specific incident, it needs to be brought to my attention," Bruner said. The board approved a contract with Architectural Firm for the design of demolition of the Sulphur Springs School Building, at a cost of $7,034, and Whetstone Elementary School Building at a cost of $5,857.

"This money is credited back to us for use in the construction of the new high school building. For every dollar we spend, we are credited back $7 from the state," The board approved Feb. 16 Bruner said. and April 8 and 9 as make-up days because the school has used all calamity days issued by the state. The board also approved: Individuals to be representatives on the Drug Testing Task Force.

An agreement at a cost of $6,488.96 the trustees of Hope Church in Sulphur Springs that would remove the church from use of the school owned well. The employment of Bruner as superintendent of the district Aug. 1,2009, through July 31, 2010, at a salary of $65,000 per year with a continuation of present life insurance, vacation, sick and personal leave programs and a pick-up of Medicare and retirement. The next board meeting will be 7 p.m. Feb.

16 in the Hannah and William Crawford School Media Center. 419-563-9226 Telegraph-Forum rum Tom Brennan, publisher Carl Hunnell, managing editor Serving Bucyrus and Crawford County, Ohio Volume 86, No. 204 www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com Telegraph-Forum 113 W. Rensselaer P.O. Box 471, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 Telephone: (419) 562-3333 Fax: (419) 562-9162 Toll Free: 1-877-TF TODAY (838-6329) www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com CUSTOMER SERVICES Display Ads: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.

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UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES NUMBER USPS 536-960 Postmaster address changes to: Telegraph-Forum, P.O. Box 471, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 VISA Periodicals postage paid at Mansfield 44901-9998 Post Office, Cards Mansfield, Ohio MasterCard. The The Telegraph-Forum Associated is a Press member of DISCOVER NOVUS THE AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS Deaths Ralph Cobey GALION Ralph Cobey, age 99, passed away on Friday, Janvary 16, 2009 at his home, Pleasant Valley Farms, in Galion, Ohio. He was born in Sycamore, Ohio on August 15, 1909. Following graduation from Galion High School in 1927 he attended Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie-Mellon University) pursuing a mechanical engineering degree.

The Great Depression and family illness led to his return home in 1930 to join his father in the family manufacturing business, Perfection Steel Body Company, where his business, manufacturing and mechanical acumen were put to good use. These talents served him and his country well. In 1940, prior to WWII, he became a Dollar-a-Year Man appointed by President Roosevelt to serve in the Office of Production Management (0PM) in charge of Army Tank Production and Facilities. He entered active military service in 1942 and was a Captain in the US Army Air Force at discharge in 1945. He was recalled to active military service during the Korean War in 1951.

He was the President of the Perfection Steel Body Company (PerfectionCobey) 1945-1970. From 1970 until 1990 he was President of the Eagle Crusher Company and continued thereafter as Chairman of the Board. Ralph's interests beyond his strong commitment to his family and business include the Boy Scouts of America, agriculture, conservation, politics and philanthropy. He was also a tireless supporter of the Galion community and the State of Ohio. Ralph received his Eagle Scout badge in 1926 from Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, who was then visiting the United States and I 1992 he received the Baden-Powell World Fellowship Award presented by Sweden's King Gustav XVI.

He was also a recipient of the Boy Scout Distinguished Eagle (1986) and Silver Beaver Awards (1987). Local Boy Scout Troops continue to look forward to their yearly weekend campout at Pleasant Valley Farm as the highlight of the year's activities. Ralph was a founding member of the Ohio Expositions Commission. He was inducted into four of Ohio's Halls Of Fame, Ohio State Fair (1992), Agriculture (1999), Natural Resources (2001) and Senior citizens (2002). His interest in agriculture and conservation led to his strong friendship with like minded author Louis who developed Malabar Farm.

Following Bromfield's death in 1956, Ralph served as founder, chairman and manager of the Louis Bromfield Malabar Farm Foundation. He was instrumental in assuring that Malabar Farm was preserved and dedicated to perpetuating Bromfield's farming and conservation philosophies. These efforts culminated with Malabar Farm being gifted to the State of Ohio to become a state park and demonstration working farm. Ralph was a strong supporter of education recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award form Carnegie MelIon (1987) and an honorary Doctor of Science degree conferred by Findlay College (1958). He served on the Board of Overseers of the Jewish Theological Seminary (1956-1988).

He served as President of Friends of the Land International (1956-1960). Ralph was a 32nd Degree Mason and past president of the Galion Shrine honored in 2007 for his 75 years of membership. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Congregation Tifereth Israel since 1950 and was Chairman and Founder of the congregation's Minnie Cobey Memorial Library. He was also a member of Temple Israel. He was a longterm board member of the Galion Hospital Foundation and the Ohio MedCenter (Smith Clinic) Foundation.

Ralph enjoyed decades of public service in all forms be it his work for five Republican and Democratic Presidents serving on various taxation and industrial committees (1939-1966) or service as a mounted Deputy Sheriff for Morrow County (1974-1984). Ralph loved having family and friends at his home as much as the guests loved the gracious hospitality and the endless stories Ralph could relate about his childhood years, his near drowning at age six, and his fascinating encounters with Presidents and notables of the 20th century. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Minnie Cobey; two sisters, Esther Melton and Jeanette Weisman; and his brother, Herbert. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Hortense; daughters, Minnie Cobey Gallman and husband Dr. Philip Gallman; Susanne Cobey and husband Dr.

Barry Friedman; grandson, Daniel Cobey Friedman. The funeral service will be held at Congregation Tifereth Israel at 3p.m. on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009. The family asks that contributions be made to the Minnie Cobey Memorial Library, Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 or to the charity of choice in lieu of flowers. Virginia M.

Powers Karen C. BUCYRUS Virginia M. Powers, 82, Rigney 1104 South Walnut Bucyrus, went to be with he Lord early Sunday morning. She had been in failing health for the past several months. Born in rural Crawford County on April 18, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Nellie (Dunbar) Garvin.

She is also preceded in death by a sister, Esther M. Sherrer and a brother, Roy Garvin Jr. Virginia is survived by her husband of 63 years, Earl E. Powers whom she married November 17, 1945. Other survivors include two daughters, Erlene Rupe, Rita and husband Neil Brown all of Bucyrus; four grandchildren, Jesse Raifsnider, Tina Hyer fiancee Kelly Fulwider, Anthony (Darlene) VanHouten and 1 Melissa Civay.

Nine Great Grandchildren; a brotherin-law, James Sherrer of Washington, a sister-in-law, Helen Garvin of Sherwood, Ohio and her cat Rosie. She was a area resident her entire life and was a 1944 graduate of Bucyrus High School. Virginia was a homemaker and enjoyed geneology and crocheting. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 1 PM in the Munz-Pirnstill Funeral Home with Rich Hurles officiating. Calling hours will start two hours prior to the funeral at 11 AM.

Burial will be in Brokensword Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Crawford County Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent at www.munzpirnstill.com 100, formerly of Galion, died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at Country Club Retirement Center in Mt. Vernon. Arrangements are pending at the Mark A.

Schneider Funeral Home, Galion. Lucille Bersinger MT. VERNON Lucille Bersinger, Corrections Saturday's correction regarding the photo "Driver unhurt in accident near Ohio 98," published on the front page of Friday's Telegraph-Forum, should have said it was the parttime worker with the Bucyrus Township fire department who was misidentified in the photo. In addition, Tim Weisenauer was not the driver of the vehicle as the Area From page 1A "Man, it seems like a long time ago," Dougherty said of the unpaid work that consumed his summer and fall. The 26-year-old spent a weekend at Camp Obama in Chicago, learning along with other volunteers about canvassing, phone banks and dealing with the public.

By the first week in September, Dougherty was working out of Obama headquarters on Walnut Street in Mansfield. He was deployed to Bucyrus for the Crawford-Wyandot counties effort and for much of his tenure was at it 13 hours a day, seven days a week. The Democratic headquarters on South Sandusky Avenue opened at 9 a.m. and he was usually on the street and then back in the office until 10:30 p.m. "I think I knocked on a thousand doors," Dougherty said, calculating he stopped at 100 homes a day on some weekends.

His impressions of central Ohio? "It was definitely different there," Dougherty offered. "People were so into politics." He also found the locals to be pretty friendly. He had Thanksgiving dinner with campaign volunteer Judy Shroll and her family in rural Bucyrus. Dougherty didn't strike out with Republicans either. "The opposition would definitely engage me." Election night was exhausting, but came with a sense of powerlessness.

"I couldn't imagine losing," Dougherty said, explaining he almost felt bad for the people on the other side. "There's so much work that's put into He got some other good news during the campaign: He passed the bar and was sworn in as a newly-minted lawyer Thursday after the election. Obama From page 1A will be en route to a Texas retirement, and the moving vans will have departed with one family's belongings and arrived with the other's. There was one unscripted moment Monday, when Jill Biden blurted out while taping the Oprah Winfrey show that her husband had been offered a choice of vice president or secretary of state by Obama. "Shhh!" said the vice presidentelect, whose attempt to silence his wife sent the audience into laughter.

A few hours later, his office issued a statement that said: "To be clear, President elect Obama offered Vice President -elect Biden one job only to be his running Lights Sirens BUCYRUS POLICE MONDAY, JAN. 12 ACCIDENT Robert A. Dille, 60, 720 S. Walnut was traveling westbound on East Warren Street when the vehicle he was driving struck a parked vehicle owned by Terry L. Etzinger, 809 W.

Mary St. There was minor damage to both vehicles. No citations or injuries were reported. 3:26 p.m. WEDNESDAY ACCIDENT Carmela S.

Clark, 42, 113 W. Oakwood was traveling westbound on Plymouth Street when she attempted to turn southbound onto Lane Street. The vehicle she was driving began to slide on the snow-covered road, causing the vehicle to strike a northbound vehicle driven by Michael D. Banks, 45, 704 Sherman St. There was minor damage to both vehicles.

No citations or injuries were reported. 4:28 p.m. THURSDAY ACCIDENT A parked vehicle owned by Debra K. Gilliland, 1113 E. Warren was struck in the rear by an unknown vehicle, possibly a white four-door car, when it attempted to park behind Gilliland's vehicle on West Mansfield Street and slid on ice.

The unknown vehicle left the scene. There was minor damage to Gilliland's vehicle. No citations or injuries were reported. 2:15 a.m. FRIDAY ACCIDENTS Sherry L.

Frazier, 47, 552 Prospect was traveling a southbound in the 100 block of North Sandusky Avenue, approaching the intersection of Washington Square, when the vehicle she was driving began to slide on the ice covered road as she applied the brakes. The vehicle struck a stopped vehicle on Washington Square driven by Jamey G. Gregory, 37, 500 S. Sandusky Ave. There was minor damage to both vehicles.

citations or injuries were reported. 3:51 p.m. Jamie L. Shaffer, 29, 557 S. East was backing eastbound along the north curb on East Lucas Street when the vehicle she was driving struck an illegally parked vehicle owned by Veronica L.

White, 539 Prospect St. No citations or injuries were reported. 4:51 p.m. INCIDENTS A Edgewood Drive resident reported her vehicle damaged while parked in the Kroger parking lot, 210 E. Mary St.

12:38 p.m. A report of a domestic dispute in the Waterford Glen area was investigated. 12:48 p.m. report of a person trespassing in the 900 block of South East Street was investigated. 3:39 p.m.

Brittany K. Fraser, 21, 901 Prospect was issued a citation for expired tags on East Mansfield Street near Wayne Avenue. 3:55 p.m. A domestic dispute in the 1100 block of He would enlist for another political campaign if time and would circumstances allowed or at least like to knock on a few doors on a Sunday afternoon someday. "I really enjoyed it," Dougherty said.

Six hundred miles south, Willard is in Washington, D.C., to the culmination of his work. see He's been a volunteer for Howard Dean's run for the Democratic nomination and a paid staffer for both Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign and a Pennsylvania Last year he took two weeks of statehouse race. vacation to stump in South Carolina, where Obama won the Democratic primary. "I thought that would be fun." The 29-year-old moved on to Maryland, eventually and running submitted out of time off work his resume to the campaign.

Ohio was his top choice of campaign destination. "That's the game," Willard said of coming to the battleground state in July. "I believed (Obama) when he spoke. I believed that he was telling the truth." Willard never thought the race was a slam dunk. "I didn't think he had a chance," Willard said.

"I was cynical when I started." "It's a weird kind of process. You don't want to get on board because you don't want to get your heart broken." Wins in February made him grow more confident in the candidate. Willard admitted he didn't know what to expect when he came here. He began working 100-hour weeks with an estimated 150 volunteers. "I felt good all the way through about what we were doing," he said.

Right now, Willard is between jobs. Would he sign on for another campaign? "In a heartbeat," he said. 419-521-7240 mate. And the vice president -elect was thrilled to accept the offer." For the most part, the day went according to a script designed to emphasize the theme of community service. Obama issued a statement declaring, "King's was a life lived in loving service to others.

As we honor that legacy, it's not a day just to pause and reflect -it's a day to act." He began his day with a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where he visited 14 veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then his motorcade headed for the Sasha Bruce House, a facility for homeless teens, where he grabbed a paint roller and helped volunteers who were fixing up rooms. "We can't allow any idle hands," he said. "Everybody's got to be involved." BUCYRUS Karen C. Rigney, 61, of Bucyrus, died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at Bucyrus Community Hospital following a lengthy battle with cancer.

She was born October 29, 1947 in Columbus to the late Curtis and Florence (Valentine) Welch. On October 30, 1965 she married John L. Rigney, Sr. who survives. Karen had worked in heath care until her health no longer permitted her to do so.

In addition to her husband of 43 years, she is survived by five children, John L. Rigney, Jr. of Bucyrus, Annette (Fredrick) Cowgill of Bucyrus, Ron L. Rigney of Bellville, Dale A. Rigney of Bucyrus and Thomas K.

Rigney of Columbus; fourteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and six siblings. Karen is predeceased by four siblings. Calling hours for Karen will be held from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, January 21 at Wise Funeral Service, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday with Major Timothy Higgins officiating.

Burial will follow in Glendale Cemetery in Cardington. Memorial contributions may be written to the Wise Funeral Service to assist with her arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.wisefuneral.com. Patricia J. Cottrill GALION Patricia J.

Cottrill, 64, of Galion, died Saturday, January 17, 2009 at home. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Richardson-Davis Funeral Home. Thomas D. Roelle GALION Thomas D. Roelle, 88, of Galion, died Monday, January 19, 2009 at Galion Community Hospital Extended Care Unit.

Funeral arrangements are pending at RichardsonDavis Funeral Home. correction said. Incorrect information was provided to the Telegraph-Forum regarding which VFW Post donated $10,000 for the skatepark in Saturday's front page story, "Skatepark may be finished by winter's end, group says." It was VFW Post 1078 that gave the $10,000 donation. Wallace Avenue was investigated. 8:41 p.m.

Aaron Wilson, 40, 1507 E. Mansfield was issued a citation for operating a a a a a a a a a a vehicle under the influence when the vehicle he was driving was stopped by police on South Sandusky Avenue near Liberty Street. 2:39 a.m. SATURDAY ACCIDENT Lawrence L. Frasch, 85, 3222 Bruce Court, was drove off the marked path in Oakwood Cemetery, 835 Kaler causing the vehicle he was driving to get stuck in the snow and coming to rest on a tombstone.

There was minor damage to his vehicle that was pulled out of the snow by Oceola Garage. No citations or injuries were reported. 7:37 p.m. ARREST Lloyd M. Willis, 19, 821 Cleland was arrested on suspicion of theft after reportedly shoplifting tobacco products and beef jerky worth $26.65 at Circle 405 N.

Sandusky Ave. He was issued a court date and released. 1:48 a.m. INCIDENTS A Marion resident reported her purse stolen while at Club 144, 144 Washington Square. 2:35 a.m.

A Chatfield Street resident reported her purse stolen from her unlocked vehicle while in the 1500 block of North Sandusky Ave. 7:54 p.m. SUNDAY ARRESTS Pete A. Witner, 21, 3020 Arn Circle, was arrested in the 700 block of Tiffin Street on a Crawford County warrant. He was taken to the Crawford County Justice Center and held for court.

2:30 a.m. INCIDENTS Pete A. Witner, 21, 3020 Arm Circle Drive, was issued a citation for operating a vehicle under the influence and driving under suspension when the vehicle he was driving was stopped by police on Tiffin Street. 2:30 a.m. D.

Johnson, 80, 1521 Linwood Drive, was issued a citation for expired tags on Marion Road. 11:58 a.m. An employee of Holiday Inn Express, 1680 N. Sandusky reported two comforters, two throws and a blanket worth $205 stolen. 1:10 p.m.

Barbara A. Banks, 41, 1226 Wyandot Road, was issued a citation for not wearing a seat belt on South Lane Street near Woodlawn Avenue. 6:30 p.m. An employee of Geyer's Beverage Center, 1693 Marion Road, reported a window broken. The incident remains under investigation.

11:41 p.m. MONDAY INCIDENTS A Bucyrus Plaza resident reported the back door to her residence overnight Sunday. 12:25 a.m. A domestic dispute in the 600 block of Hopley Avenue was investigated. 12:34 a.m..