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Ada's February and March events calling you

There's lots to do here over the next 60 days

The Ada Icon has the rest of winter and early spring planned for you.

It’s all in the four-page attached Hometown Happenings calendar of events revealing what’s happening here in February and March.

The only catch is that this is a leap year and it appears that nothing is planned on Feb. 29, which must mean Icon viewers get the day off.

February begins with a Day of Dance 2020 at ONU with a performance at The Freed Center. 

And, later on, there’s Valentine’s Day, spring picture day at the school, an Ada HS drama production, several programs on the night skies at the ONU observatory and music by the fireside at The Inn to keep you warm.

Red Cross responds to house fire in Alger

The American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter responded to a fire on North Front Street in Alger early Wednesday morning, Jan. 29. 

The Red Cross provided assistance for the immediate needs of two adults and four children living in the home, such as temporary lodging, food and clothing.  

Volunteer responders also provided the family with comfort kits of personal hygiene items, blankets and stuffed animals for the children.

 “We’re deeply saddened for those who were impacted by this fire,” said Todd James, Executive Director, North Central Ohio Chapter.

Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Scholarship Program accepting applications

Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center announces the 2020 Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Scholarship Program is now accepting applications.

The program for high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2020, allocates $1,500 scholarships to students from our community and region who are interested in pursuing careers as medical professionals.

Students in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Hancock, Logan, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Shelby and Van Wert counties may apply. Applications can be found at more than 70 high schools and career centers around the 10 county districts.

Lincoln Street Phase 3 upgrade bids lower than estimated

Upgrade includes asphalt pavement, curbing, sidewalks storm sewer, water main, traffic control signs and pavement markings

Project map, bid results and photos at bottom of story - 
Bid results for Ada’s Lincoln Street Phase 3 project slated for 2020 came in lower than expected, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

An original engineer’s estimate was $2.5 million. An ODOT estimate was $2.4 million. Nine bids on the project ranged from $2.1 to $2.9 million. Those bids were opened on Jan. 23. The bidding results are at the bottom of this story.

The project has not yet been awarded, but the apparent low bidder is Beaverdam Contracting, Inc. of Bluffton, with a bid  of $2,172,000.

2-hour early release for Ada students Tuesday

Ada schools remind parents and students of a scheduled two-hour early release on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

"EdChoice voucher program undermines public education"

Letter from six Hardin County school superintendents explains their position

Superintendents for Ada, Upper Scioto Valley, Kenton, Hardin Northern, Ridgemont and Midwest Regional ESC last week posted a letter to citizens of Hardin County stating that Ohio’s growing EdChoice voucher program threatens to undermined the system of public education in Ohio.

Stating several facts about taxes and the voucher program, the letter states:

“Vouchers cost $4,650 for K-8 students and $6,000 each year for high school students, taking money from the public schools to pay for private and parochial tuition.

“A student can keep the voucher throughout their career, costing taxpayers nearly $66,000 per pupil to pay for a private education.

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