During the September 19, 2018, Commissioners Meeting, Ms. Mallory Babika, Program Manager of the Forbes House and Ms.Paige Wilson, were presented with a proclamation proclaiming October 2018 Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Lake County, Ohio, and urges the citizens of Lake County to raise their awareness and watch for signs of potential issues of the members of our community, remember the lives lost due to domestic violence, and give hope to those still living with abuse.

Please click here to view the proclamation in its entirety.

Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System to be Conducted on September 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on September 20, 2018 (primary date) or October 3, 2018 (secondary date). The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 PM EDT and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed.

This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in September 2011, 2016 and 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.

 The EAS test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and is made available to EAS participants including radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”

 The WEA test message will read “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

 The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. It allows customers whose wireless provider participates in WEA and who own a WEA compatible wireless phone to receive geo-targeted alerts of imminent threats to safety in their area through unique tones and vibration. The national WEA test will use the same special tone and vibration.

 The WEA test will be sent through IPAWS, as part of the nation’s modern alert and warning infrastructure that automatically authenticates alerts. Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, cell phones that are switched on and within range of an active cell tower should be capable of receiving the test message. Cell phones should receive the message once.

 Significant coordination has been conducted with EAS Participants, wireless providers, and emergency managers in preparation for this EAS-WEA national test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems is also a way to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure required for the distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are needed.

Receiving preparedness tips and timely information about weather conditions or other emergency events can make all the difference in knowing when to take action to be safe. FEMA and our partners are working to ensure alerts and warnings are received quickly through several different technologies, no matter whether an individual is at home, at school, at work, or out in the community. The FEMA App, which can be downloaded on both Android and Apple devices, is one way to ensure receiving both preparedness tips and weather alerts of your choice. Download the FEMA App today at https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

More information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System and Wireless Emergency Alerts is available at www.ready.gov/alerts.

Lake County, Ohio residents wil soon begin to see much-needed improvements to roads under the jurisdiction of the Lake County Engineer. The Board approved an accelerated two and a half year road improvement program. To facilitate this aggressive program, the Board will consider bond financing strategies with existing revenues and a new $5 motor vehicle license fee. 

Please click here to read the full news release.

We congratulate the 2018 Broadmoor School graduates Thomas Grilly and Gabrielle Layton. The ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. 

During the May 17, 2018 Commissioners Meeting the Board accepted an Above & Beyond Award from United Way of Lake County on behalf of all the citizens, businesses and organizations in Lake County because they all went above and beyone during this year's Feed Lake County Campaign. This year the campaign brought in 75,277 lbs of food and $40,000. This will provide 220,000 meals for residents in need. Jodi Matsko and Jean Sency from United Way of Lake County presented the award to the Commissioners.

Out of over 350 students from 17 schools in Lake County, the Board of Lake County Commissioners presented the awards for this year's Clean & Green Poster Contest Winners during the April 26, 2018 Commissioners Meeting. Congratulations!

The High School and Overall Winner is Leah Stone from North High School in Eastlake.

The Elementary School Division Winner is Jade Omerza-Wells from Grant Elementary School in Willoughby.

The Middle School Division Winner is Gianna Cesari from Ridge Middle School in Mentor.

Here is the overall winning logo!

The Lake County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 2018 Foster Parent Recognition Month in Lake County. There are 46 foster parents who have opened their hearts and their homes to children going through a very difficult time in their lives. Citizens are encouraged to demonstrate their respect and gratitude for foster parents who unselfishly share their lives and provide safe and loving homes for Lake Coiunty's children. A resolution was presented to Gene Tetrick, Supervisor of Lake County Job & Family Services Foster Care and Adoption Team.

Please click here to view the resolution.

During the month of May, Lake County recognizes 58,000 senior residents who contribute so richly to our community and celebrates the many ways in which these older adults make a difference in our County. Mr. Joseph Tomsick, Chief Executive Director of the Lake County Council on Aging, and Ms. Chris Yano, Fairport Harbor Senior Center Director, were presented with a resolution Proclaming May 2018 Older Americans Month in Lake County, Ohio.

Please click here to read the resolution.

During the April 26, 2018, Commissioners Meeting, Project Hope for the Homeless was celebrated on their 25th Anniversary. Project Hope Executive Director Judy Burr was presented with a certificate of appreication for their service to the community.  Project Hope for the Homeless was born and has grown from a temporary, seasonal shelter to a year-round program in a permanent, expanded location offering comprehensive programs that have made a tremendous impact to the lives of members in our community. Project Hope for the Homeless not only provides emergency shelter, but also care and guidance to individuals and families seeking independence, and they continue to expand in order to meet the County’s changing needs.

Please click here to view the certificate.