The post County resident becomes VP at JAG appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>A classically trained musician from a family of musicians, Johnson is delighted to return to her performing arts roots as a part of the JAG team. “I have always been passionate about the power of the arts and music to encourage, inspire and build community connections,” she said. “I am thrilled to pair my advancement expertise with my deep love of the arts in this position.”
Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts in Music and History from Winthrop University and MBA, with an emphasis in arts administration from the University of Cincinnati. She is an 18-year resident of Columbus and past patron of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Kelly and her husband, Jack, live in southern Delaware ounty with their two cats, Lucy and Ella. Their daughters, Haylea and Natalie, live with their families in Lexington and Cleveland, respectively.
Her nearly 18-year career at The Ohio State University included more than seven years with the College of Arts and Sciences where she directed the overall strategy for a donor-centered stewardship program. She most recently held the position of Executive Director of Constituent Engagement and Annual Giving for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University, where she supported the creation of a comprehensive alumni engagement and donor relations program.
“Kelly brings a forward-thinking approach to fundraising and stewardship,” said Katy Coy, CEO of Jazz Arts Group. “She joins the organization at the perfect time as we turn the corner from our 50th anniversary into a bright future, made possible by the incredibly supportive Columbus community. I am looking forward to JAG friends and family getting to know her this spring.”
Jazz Arts Group is the home of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, led by bandleader Byron Stripling and performing five times each year in the historic Southern Theatre.
JAG is also a national jazz education leader, offering professional development for music educators, interactive musical performances for students, and playing opportunities for young people and lifelong learners alike. JAG partners across the United States to bring today’s very best jazz performing artists to Columbus, keeping a long and rich jazz legacy alive in the heart of the Midwest.
Information on upcoming performances, educational opportunities, and more can be found at jazzartsgroup.org.
This story was submitted by the Jazz Arts Group.
The post County resident becomes VP at JAG appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post OWU softball takes care of business at home appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>For the Gazette
The Ohio Wesleyan softball team, with nine wins already under its belt, added to its strong early-season resume by sweeping away 15-win Mount Union in a doubleheader showdown Thursday at Margaret Sagan Field in Delaware.
Senior southpaw Katie Chittum took the mound for the opener — a 4-3 Bishop (11-4-1) win. After tossing a scoreless first, the Purple Raiders (15-4) managed to get the bats going. Sophomore designated player Brooklyn Schlabach singled up the middle, followed by a double to center field at the hands of sophomore catcher Faith Kiko, which put Mount Union in the driver’s seat. A sacrifice bunt by freshman left fielder Kyndall Hahn drove in Schlabach, giving the Purple Raiders an early 1-0 advantage.
After that, a pitcher’s duel broke out. Mount Union lefty Kendyll Cahill cruised through the first four innings of work. The sophomore entered the contest with an eye-opening 7-1 record with a sub-1.00 ERA. She showcased her variety of pitches, shutting down the Battling Bishops’ lineup.
Cahill only allowed two baserunners through her first four innings. That number doubled in the fifth, though. Following a groundout by junior first baseman Sophie Leohner, senior shortstop Rylee Anspach showed great plate discipline, forcing a base-on-balls and, when senior right fielder Rylie Moore skyed a fly ball toward right field — a ball Mount Union right fielder Tori Sickafoose got a bad jump on and couldn’t track down — Anspach raced home to tie things up.
Following two runs scored by Mount Union in the top half of the sixth, the Battling Bishops showed no quit, responding with a run of their own.
Senior third baseman Alyssa Back and freshman center fielder Chameron Vanden Eynden got things started with back-to-back singles. After playing some small ball, senior second baseman Sophia Cegledy bounced a ball to shortstop, picking up an RBI as Back scored.
In the seventh, with OWU down 3-2, senior catcher Sara Bias ripped a double to right center. Pinch hitter and junior Mckenna Tuttle, who was hit by a pitch, was able to score from first on the play, tying the game and awarding the crowd some bonus ball.
Chittum got out of a jam in the top of the eighth before the Bishops completed the comeback in the bottom half.
Vanden Eynden managed to use her speed to reach base via a bunt single down the third-base line, moving Back, who was placed on second base to start the extra inning per NCAA ruling, to third. Junior Avery Panozzo then sealed the deal with a sacrifice fly to dead center, walking it off for the Bishops.
Chittum threw eight innings en route to the win, giving up seven hits and three earned runs while fanning four.
In the nightcap, Ohio Wesleyan took advantage of some costly errors by the Mount Union infield unit on the way to a 5-3 win.
Back led off the bottom of the third with a single to right field. Vanden Eynden laid down a sacrifice bunt to keep things moving and, as Panazzo worked a walk, Back stole third on a ball in the dirt.
With runners on second and third, Cegledy reached base via a fielder’s choice and Back scored when Mount Union third baseman Emily Denney made a throwing error.
Following another fielder’s choice RBI by Leohnar, Moore drew a bases-loaded walk to bump the lead to 2-0.
Leading 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Back and Van Eynden orchestrated another scoring opportunity for the Bishops.
With two runners on, Panazzo attempted to bunt them into scoring position. Her bunt popped up to Purple Raider third baseman Emily Denney, who made an impressive effort. Denney tested her luck when Vanden Eynden aimed to make it to second, though.
With no one covering the bag, Mount Union center fielder Faith Reicosky went to try and cover. Denney overthrew her as the ball rolled deep into the outfield, allowing Back and Vanden Eynden to score easily and make it a 5-1 game.
Mount Union plated two in the top of the fifth, but as darkness loomed, the Purple Raiders were running out of daylight. Sophomore pitcher Makenna Knisley shut down the Raiders’ lineup in the top half of the sixth and the game was called due to darkness.
Knisley got the win, her third of the spring. She tossed six innings, allowing seven hits, three earned runs and a pair of walks while striking out three.
Back went 4-for-7 between the two games, Vanden Eynden went 3-for-7 and Leohner went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the second game. Bias and Moore each picked up a hit and an RBI.
Next up, Ohio Wesleyan will take a trip up north as it takes on Adrian for another doubleheader Thursday in Michigan.
The post OWU softball takes care of business at home appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post DPHD awarded grants from state appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>Youth Suicide Grant: $40,000 for year one of planning, $70,000 for three years of implementation
The Health District was awarded funding from the Ohio Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Improvement and Wellness, Violence and Injury Prevention section for the Youth Suicide Prevention grant with the goal to reduce injuries and deaths of Ohio youth (ages 10-24) through comprehensive, multi-faceted, population and evidence-based programs that address the risk associated with these injuries and deaths.
Only certain local health departments across Ohio were asked to apply for funds from ODH due to their counties’ high burden for youth suicide. Delaware County was one of 21 counties eligible to apply for one of the six awards the state health department was projected to fund. The federal Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Grant supports the local initiatives and the Health District has been awarded $40,000 for year one planning, with an additional anticipated $70,000 for three additional years for implementation. The grant period for activities is March 1, 2024 – September 14, 2027.
The Health District will work with community partners, mainly Helpline of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc.’s Delaware County Suicide Prevention coalition to implement strategies to reduce injuries and deaths specific to the needs and infrastructure already in place across the county. Specific grant activities include:
• A focus on reducing access to lethal means among residents as risk and work specifically with gun shops and gun owners.
• A focus on providing suicide gatekeeper training, to high school and college students enrolled in health-related academic programs at area schools/institutions.
• A focus on teaching coping and problem-solving skills by implementing the evidence-based program Signs of Suicide for middle and high school students.
The implementation of these strategies is meant to enhance the work of the established community coalition to which the Health District has been a member for over 10 years. Grant dollars will also support Helpline’s funding streams to further their suicide prevention efforts across the county. For more information on suicides in Delaware County, please visit DelawareHealth.org/Data to access the 2019-2022 Delaware County Suicide Report.
Injury Prevention Grant: $110,000 each year for 5 years
The Ohio Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention section awarded the Health District the Falls Among Older Adults grant. The goal of this grant is to reduce unintentional fall injuries and injury-related fatalities for Ohioans aged 60 and above. Through this grant funding, the Health District will work with community partners and the Stepping Up to Prevent Falls coalition to reduce the number of falls and injuries among older adults in the county. The Health District will also work to enhance the Stepping Up to Prevent Falls coalition, integrate Medical Reserve Corps volunteers into a fall risk assessment implementation process, increase the access to and availability of evidence-based balance and mobility trainings throughout the county, and work with partners such as SourcePoint to streamline home modification programs to reduce falls in the home. For more information, visit the Stepping Up to Prevent Falls coalition Facebook page.
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Special Venue Grant: $21,056
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency awarded a special venue grant to the Health District’s Keep Delaware County Beautiful program, which will team up with Preservation Parks of Delaware County to use the funds to purchase 16 animal-proof recycling and trash units to be used within their park system. One recycling unit will be placed at every kiosk and two units will be placed at each shelter house at each open park within Preservation Parks.
In 2022, more than 740,000 people visited Preservation Parks of Delaware County. With so many visitors, it is expected that the units will double the amount of materials collected for recycling at the parks. Preservation Parks of Delaware County is committed to recycling and sustainability and is an active participant in the Keep Delaware County Beautiful Coalition activities.
For more information, visit DelawareHealth.org.
This story was submitted by the Delaware Public Health District.
The post DPHD awarded grants from state appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post OWU to present ‘Absolute Zero’ appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>Things are heating up for the CIA’s coolest agent, Sam Knight, when her quest to shut down a terrorist set on freezing the planet turns into a high-stakes confrontation with a former lover who has absolutely zero chill. Following international breadcrumbs, infiltrating armies of clones, and irritating INTERPOL is business as usual for the suave superspy. Cracking open her icy exterior to battle the inner demons left behind after her wife’s death? That’s not the kind of fight Knight signed up for.
The OWU Department of Performing Arts will present five performances of “Absolute Zero” at 7:30 p.m. April 11, 12, 13, 19, and 20 on the Main Stage of Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave., Delaware. The April 13 performance will be followed by a talkback with the musical’s writers and members of the cast and production team. Tickets are free but should be reserved in advance by visiting https://bit.ly/AZatOWU.
Lusie Cuskey, Ph.D., assistant professor of theatre, is the director and fight choreographer for “Absolute Zero,” and Jason Hiester, D.M.A., associate professor of music, is the music director. Mhairi Kerr is the intimacy choreographer. The show features a set design by Carrie Hurst, technical director for the OWU theatre program; costume design by Jaylene Jennings; and lighting design by Rowan Winterwood.
“Most of the stories of classic spies were about men, so (“Absolute Zero”) is really painting the world we want to see,” says lyricist and librettist Dorie Clark about the musical written for a cast of nine women, trans, and nonbinary performers. And composer Marie Incontrera adds, “We get to fill every role, from the heroes to the villains and everybody in between. People who aren’t often represented in theatre are completely centered.”
Nine Ohio Wesleyan students are performing in “Absolute Zero.” The students, their hometowns, and their roles are:
• Dyna Bresson of Columbus, Ohio, as Lauren.
• Emily Clausing of Portsmouth, Ohio, as ensemble and Lauren understudy.
• Katie Davis of Bryan, Ohio, as ensemble and Sam and Elsa understudy.
• Kaya Ferrell of Delaware, Ohio, as Edith.
• Emerson Freas of Oberlin, Ohio, as Elsa Von Braun.
• Morgan Gioffredo of Castalia, Ohio, as ensemble and Chief understudy.
• Callie Staley of Columbus, Ohio, as the Chief.
• Haleigh Stover of Marion, Ohio, as ensemble and Edith understudy.
• Maja Todorović of Chicago, Illinois, as Sam Knight.
Twenty-eight OWU students are taking on production jobs in “Absolute Zero.” These students, their hometowns, and their responsibilities are:
• Abigail Bennett of Caledonia, Ohio, as costume crew.
• Eliza Bergman of University Heights, Ohio, as costume crew and run crew.
• Brooke Black of Springfield, Ohio, as sound board operator and publicity crew.
• Willow Brown of Elyria, Ohio, as carpentry crew.
• Samara Clarke of Columbus, Ohio, as props crew.
• Abby Colbow of Mentor, Ohio, as assistant stage manager.
• Sam Conti of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as sound crew and run crew.
• Brielle Decarolis of Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, as stage manager.
• Tricia DiLalla of Avon, Ohio, as carpentry crew and run crew.
• Aidan Dondero of Novelty, Ohio, as light crew and carpentry crew.
• Johnathan Ellis of Dublin, Ohio, as props crew head.
• Adrian Enrique of Farmington, Connecticut, as light crew.
• Pedro Figueiredo of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, as publicity head.
• Ami Hartshorne of Columbus, Ohio, as light board operator and light crew.
• El Healey of Westlake, Ohio, as light crew head and run crew.
• Max Huntington of Newton, Massachusetts, as light crew.
• Korryn Karcher of Mount Cory, Ohio, as props crew.
• Madison Klinger of Wickliffe, Ohio, as costume crew.
• Nic Laurence of Medina, Ohio, as assistant director.
• August Lemert of Granville, Ohio, as costume crew head and assistant costume designer.
• Gen Maddox of Bridgeville, Delaware, as assistant stage manager.
• Jack Miller of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, as assistant music director.
• Milo Morton of Dover, Delaware, as costume crew.
• Michael Nimrick of Solon, Ohio, as sound crew head and carpentry crew.
• Kai Nordlund of Galloway, Ohio, as props crew.
• Melody Rapela of Danville, California, as costume crew.
• Owen Rehak of Gates Mills, Ohio, as light crew.
• Elizabeth Sumoza of Chicago, Illinois, as sound crew and run crew.
The production features genre-typical adult content; complete content disclosures are available via the ticketing website. For more information about the musical, OWU’s 2023-2024 performance schedule, or studying performing arts at Ohio Wesleyan, visit www.owu.edu/PerformingArts.
Submitted by Ohio Wesleyan University.
The post OWU to present ‘Absolute Zero’ appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post Alzheimer’s disease facts, figures issued appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The Facts and Figures report reveals that dementia caregivers and healthcare workers report difficulties in navigating dementia care within the U.S. healthcare system. Nearly half (46%) of healthcare workers say that their organizations do not have a clearly defined process for care coordination and clinical pathways for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementia.
In addition, 60% of healthcare workers surveyed for the Facts and Figures special report, “Mapping a Better Future for Dementia Care Navigation,” believe that the U.S. healthcare system is not effectively helping families navigate dementia care. New stats released in the report include:
The Impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia
• An estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia, including 236,200 in Ohio. Approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 have younger-onset dementia.
• The U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to grow to 82 million by 2050. By 2030, all American baby boomers (born 1946-64) will be 65 or older – putting them at greatest risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Mortality
• Between 2000 and 2021, the number of Alzheimer’s deaths in the U.S. more than doubled, increasing 141%, while those from the leading cause of death, heart disease, decreased 2.1%.
• 4,947 Ohioans died from Alzheimer’s in 2021 (the most recent year for state-by-state data). Ohio’s mortality rate of 42% is higher than the national mortality rate of 36%.
• Alzheimer’s dementia is the seventh-leading cause of death in Ohio.
The Costs of Alzheimer’s and caregiving
• This year, the cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia is projected to reach $360 billion — a $15 billion increase from a year ago. This does not include unpaid care provided by family caregivers.
• Last year in Ohio, there were 414,000 family caregivers, providing 624 million hours of unpaid care valued at $11.427 billion.
• The shortage of dementia care specialists is a barrier to timely and accurate diagnosis, and a lack of diagnosis means a delay in treatments, care delivery, and support.
• 55% of PCPs caring for people living with Alzheimer’s say there are not enough dementia care specialists in their communities. In Ohio, a 229.4% increase in this workforce will be needed to care for the state’s population by 2050.
Submitted by the Alzheimer’s Association.
The post Alzheimer’s disease facts, figures issued appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post Northwood to get sixth reading appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The ordinances, which will now head to a sixth reading at the next council meeting on April 22, include a preliminary development plan as well as a rezoning amendment request by Metro Development for the construction of a mixed-residential development including up to 1,168 dwelling units spread across three subareas on the approximately 231-acre site located on the northwest corner of the state Route 521 and Byxbe Parkway roundabout.
Subarea A would contain up to 360 apartment units on approximately 22.88 acres, while Subarea B would contain up to 357 single-family dwelling units on approximately 124.28 acres. Subarea C would contain up to 451 multi-family dwelling units on 83.38 acres.
The land is currently zoned A-1 (Agricultural District), and a conditional use permit is being proposed to place a planned mixed-use overlay district on the property as part of the rezoning to A-1 PMU (Agricultural District with a Planned Mixed Use Overlay District).
Metro would also extend Byxbe Parkway in two segments north from its current terminus at the existing roundabout to service subareas B and C.
During the fourth reading of the ordinances on March 11, which included a continuation of the public hearing for the proposal, residents of the immediate area surrounding the site continued to voice their displeasure with the plans and the city’s considerations. Among the issues discussed were the additional screening between the multi-family units and the Kensington Place neighborhood, the phasing of the development, and the traffic impact study that will still need to be completed before any final development plans are approved.
In response to those concerns, Metro has extended the 10-foot mound to cover the entirety of Subarea A. In a memorandum from Director of Public Works Bill Ferrigno and Planning and Community Development Director Sandra Pereira to the council, it was stated that “with over 180 feet of distance between any Kensington property line and the closest multi-family building (270 feet to the closest single-family home), the transition guideline is achieved.”
The memorandum added, “All proposed single-family lots are sized appropriately to be consistent with adjacent existing lots. Subarea A will more than likely be one single lot with a substantial enough distance from existing residential to not be considered adjacent. The spirit and intent of the guideline is being met.”
One possibility floated by Councilman Kevin Rider was flipping the site layout to move the apartment units to Subarea C on the northern portion of the site. Such a move would bring the ranch-style condominiums, to be constructed by Wilcox Communities, to Subarea A, which fronts the site.
Rider said switching the locations would create a “pure transition” from the existing single-family homes to the apartment units.
Speaking on that possibility, Metro Development Director of Development Joe Thomas said, “I guess the chronological order of these developments is that the apartments are in Subarea A for one reason and that’s existing sanitary and sewer (lines) in that particular area. The sewer that exists for the Wilcox development (plan) is not existing at this moment.”
Thomas added, “Also, the access for Subarea C is not existing at this moment. Most of Byxbe Parkway north of the existing roundabout has to be built for that access, so the apartments in Subarea A are really the catalyst for the economic engine to create Byxbe Parkway and then additional funding for the infrastructure of developing the actual sewer for that Subarea C.
“And the timing of Wilcox … they’re looking at not necessarily starting their development until roughly late 2026 and having units online in 2027, whereas we’re looking at developing roughly in January 2025 and look to have 264 apartments online in 2026 and completing in 2027.”
Asked about the timeframe for constructing the sewer lines and Byxbe Parkway extension, Thomas estimated it would take upwards of three years to complete those projects.
“I think it would blow up the whole site,” Wilcox managing partner Jonathan Wilcox said of flipping the subareas. “We would start over. We’ve been at this for about a year and this is the first time (this suggestion) has really come up. We’ve worked closely with city planning and the city engineer. It started with the comprehensive plan, and it guided us, so the idea of sort of blowing up our plan and all the preliminary stormwater reports, traffic reports, and preliminary engineering that we’ve done to comply with the code, at this point in the game, would be really tough.”
Wilcox noted that if that was the wish of the city, he would be “all ears.”
Reach Dillon Davis at 740-413-0904. Follow him on Twitter @DillonDavis56.
The post Northwood to get sixth reading appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post BV students selected for art exhibition appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The three students — Lauren Burbacher, Molly Jones and Dennis Parker — were selected out of 8,000 overall entries and the 1,300 that were selected to enter state judging. This is the 54th year for the exhibit, which aims to showcase “the educational and artistic advancement of our talented young people in the state of Ohio.”
Three hundred and twenty-six pieces were selected for the exhibition by state jurors with 24 of the 326 chosen to receive the Governor’s Award of Excellence.
Burbacher and Jones each had one artwork selected at the Cameo level to be displayed at the Ohio Department of Education building in downtown Columbus.
Parker received the highest award of having one piece of artwork chosen to receive the Governor’s Award of Excellence. Parker also had three other works chosen at the top 300 level, meaning they will all to be displayed at the James A. Rhodes Tower in Columbus.
The exhibition opens at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, across from the Ohio Statehouse, in April and the end of May. An awards ceremony is also held at the Riffe Capitol Theatre in the students’ honor on April 21.
More information about the exhibition can be found at www.govart.org.
Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903.
The post BV students selected for art exhibition appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post Johnson talks Buckeyes DL as spring practice continues appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>No single position benefitted from that collective decision more than the defensive line, which retained the services of its top two pass rushers in J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer along with interior defensive lineman Tyleik Williams. While defensive line coach Larry Johnson must still identify the depth pieces that will round out his rotation on the edge and in the interior, the Buckeyes figure to boast one of the nation’s best defensive lines when the season kicks off in August.
“The fact that those guys came back makes us stronger, no question,” Johnson said on Tuesday. “You’ve got experienced players who’ve played, and they’re coming back other than Mike Hall. They’ve been great, so I think there’s a chance for us to be really good. But it’s a long way away to determining that, but I like where we are in the sense that those guys make us better and also make the young players better.”
Those decisions didn’t come easily for three players who likely would have been high-round draft picks, but Johnson said the many conversations had between himself and the players ultimately solidified what was most important to them.
“There’s a culture and a brotherhood, those are all the reasons they came back,” Johnson said. “But we spent a lot of time talking, talking to the parents for them to make the right decision. And it still came down to them making the decision about what’s best for them, and they all felt the best thing was to come back and try to do it again.”
Johnson added, “I think it’s awesome. It speaks volumes of the kids and their families. It really speaks to what they believe in — the brotherhood and culture of this program — which is why they came back.”
As spring practice nears the halfway point ahead of next month’s spring game, Johnson said many of the reps are being given to the guys who will be counted upon to provide depth behind the known commodities. There appears to be no shortage of options at defensive tackle as Kayden McDonald, Hero Kanu, Will Smith Jr., and even second-year player Jason Moore are pushing for playing time.
McDonald and Kanu saw the field last season and hope to build on the flashes they showed in limited opportunities. Johnson said Smith, who was hurt most of last season, is now fully healthy and “practicing really well” this spring.
Despite his 6-foot-6, 305 lbs. frame, Moore’s inclusion in Johnson’s early list of candidates to get into the rotation may come as a surprise to many as he’s still finding his footing at Ohio State. However, at that size, Johnson called Moore the “ideal 3-tech” lineman in his system and a guy who’s made the biggest jump in his room this offseason.
“It’s just a matter of him having confidence and playing,” Johnson said of Moore. “Sometimes you get here and it’s bigger than you think it is, and it kind of takes you back. Now in the spring, we’re challenging, and every day’s been a good day for Jason Moore. That’s what we want to see.”
Perhaps another player who could contend for playing time this fall is Tywone Malone, who is also entering his second season at Ohio State after transferring from Ole Miss ahead of last season. Johnson said Malone came to Columbus with a bit of catching up to do but is beginning to settle in as a football player.
“He’s coming along real good,” Johnson said. “I think the thing with Tywone is he was behind football-wise because he’s been a baseball player all his life. And then he goes down to (Ole Miss) and plays baseball again. So he was behind football-wise when he got here, just technique-wise and playing the game. It’s taken him a year, but now we see the growth. Now we see the potential of what he can bring to the table, and that gives us more depth.”
Regardless of who ultimately cracks the rotation, Johnson was clear about what will be expected of them this season.
“They’ve got to be able to come in and play 25-35 plays a game and do it early in the season,” he said. “That’s the plan, and get those guys ready for the long haul … That’s why we’re getting them ready,” Johnson said. “They were taking a lot of (first-team) reps today. They were going against the ones because they gotta get better, and I think that’s the only way they get better, to go against the best.”
On the edge, Johnson mentioned junior Caden Curry, sophomore Kenyatta Jackson, and senior Mitchell Melton as the three guys expected to fill out the rotation. He added that the hope is one of the “young guys” can become a sixth player in that rotation by the time the season arrives.
None of those young guys have had more eyes on them this spring than true freshman Eddrick Houston, who enrolled in January after signing as a five-star recruit in December. Houston fielded offers from nearly every elite program in the country before choosing to be a Buckeye, and he has the talent to push for time early. For now, Johnson is simply happy to have Houston in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center after Houston nearly flipped his commitment to Alabama minutes before signing his Letter of Intent.
“It was interesting,” Johnson said of Houston’s recruitment. “It’s just one of those things that happens in the middle of recruiting. You think you’re to the end of it and it’s all done and then, all of a sudden, there’s a pause, there’s a quietness (with the player). He just went quiet; no one could talk to him. Finally, we got to reach him and talk to him.”
Johnson added, “I think he knew where his heart was, and the heart was always here. He’s always said that, that this is where he wants to be … Coming to that decision that late in the stage scared everybody. But he called, and I went down and got Coach (Ryan) Day and said, ‘You gotta take this phone call now, we gotta go. We have to get this guy.’ But he walked in, first day in the building, and said, ‘I love this place.’ That tells you his heart has been here the whole time.”
As rumors of Houston’s wavering commitment to Ohio State began to circulate days before National Signing Day, so too did the speculation that Johnson’s age and possible retirement were being used against him in an attempt to sway Houston’s decision.
Asked about the negative recruiting, something that’s been a reality for Johnson for several years now, he said the only way to combat those attempts is to be as straightforward with players as possible.
“All I can do is tell them the truth,” Johnson said. “That’s the biggest thing, looking them in the eye and telling them this is what I’m going to do. And that question was asked many times. Every year, it gets asked, and I’ve been very honest and truthful about that. When I make the decision about what I want to do, I’ll tell them. I’m not going to recruit a guy, bring him here, and then take off. That’s just not part of my DNA, that’s not my character.
“So I try my best to be honest with kids about what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it. And he asked me that. He said, ‘Coach, if you leave, I’m gone,’ and I reassured him I’m not going anywhere. That’s what’s important. It’s really believing in the principle of who you are as a coach. I’m not chasing money. I’m not chasing anything but greatness for my players knowing they have a chance to be special. That’s what’s important to me.”
Reach Dillon Davis at 740-413-0904. Follow him on Twitter @DillonDavis56.
The post Johnson talks Buckeyes DL as spring practice continues appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post County among nation’s healthiest appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps data for 2024 was released last week, and again Delaware is “top healthiest,” the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute said. The information was passed on to the Delaware Public Health District (DPHD).
The data no longer ranks counties by number but uses shades of color for counties with similar health. Delaware’s colors were the darkest, representing the “Healthiest in US… faring better than the average county in Ohio… and better than the average county in the nation.” Measurements are based on health outcomes and health factors. For more information, visit countyhealthrankings.org.
“These comparisons provide an exciting illustration of how Delaware County residents prioritize health, but also reflects conditions that we certainly can work on with our neighboring counties to allow everyone to be given similar opportunities and resources to live long and well,” DPHD Health Commissioner Garrett Guillozet said in a press release.
“The mission of the Delaware Public Health District is to promote, preserve and enhance the health of our community with a vision to be the dedicated leader in achieving the healthiest community to live, work, and grow,” the DPHD said on their website.
The healthiest announcement was made just prior to the annual meeting of the Delaware District Advisory Council (DAC) on March 21, the first in DPHD’s new digs at 470 S. Sandusky St. A majority of the county’s communities were present, either with their representative or an alternate, to provide a quorum to hold the meeting.
Among the items of business was to appoint a Board of Health member from the public to serve a new five-year term. After hearing from several qualified candidates and going into an executive session, the DAC voted for Lyndsey Parker as the newest Board of Health member.
There are nine Board of Health members, who meet on the last Tuesday of the month. There are two from the City of Delaware, one from Powell, one from Sunbury, and five from the remainder of the health district, one of whom must be a physician.
“The Delaware Public Health District Board of Health is the governing body for the district’s health department,” the DPHD said. “Responsibilities include establishing public health programs, appointing and employment of staff, financial management and rule-making authority.”
For more information, visit delawarehealth.org.
Assistant Editor Gary Budzak covers the eastern half of Delaware County and surrounding areas. He may be reached at gbudzak@aimmediamidwest.com.
The post County among nation’s healthiest appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The post Center making difference appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center, located on the OWU campus, also supports budding businesses by connecting them with Ohio Wesleyan student-interns to assist them with accounting, data analysis, event planning, graphic design, market research, volunteer coordination, website creation, and other needs. While they work, the students gain hands-on, real-world business experience to help them fulfill their own entrepreneurial ambitions.
“The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University exemplifies the forward-thinking and innovation that define the university and Delaware communities,” said OWU President Matt vandenBerg.
“The center is the first-of-its-kind liberal arts business accelerator and the first-of-its-kind city, county, and educational institute partnership,” vandenBerg said. “It has unlimited potential, and I am grateful to the City of Delaware and Delaware County for the partnership that created and continues to strengthen it.”
He added, “In April, we anticipate sharing a significant first step in expanding the work of the Entrepreneurial Center beyond the local campus and community and into the broader region.”
The Entrepreneurial Center was created with a five-year agreement that included a $50,000 annual investment from both the city and county. That collaboration was officially extended when vandenBerg, Delaware City Manager Tom Homan, and Delaware County Commissioner Gary Merrell signed a new three-year agreement during a special event at 1 p.m. March 14 at the center, 70 S. Sandusky St., Delaware.
The city and county again will support the center with annual investments of $50,000 and with a one-time investment of $25,000 each this year for administrative support. Both entities also have representatives on the center’s advisory board and access to office space in the entrepreneurial center to assist businesses as they mature and look to move to independent locations within the local community.
Homan said the entrepreneurial center fits into the city’s efforts to help businesses grow and flourish locally.
“The City of Delaware is fortunate to have a diverse and growing economic base,” Homan said. “Everything is possible here, and the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center is a tremendous resource to help community members turn ideas into action.”
Merrell concurred, adding: “Delaware County continues to grow as central Ohio attracts more and more technology-related and -affiliated businesses. This is a transformational time for the county and the region, and we are pleased that the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center is poised to capture the potential of this moment.”
Also during the March 14 event, vandenBerg introduced the entrepreneurial center’s new director, Phillip Smith, who joined the Ohio Wesleyan staff in January. Smith’s duties include creating and executing a business development strategic plan for the center; forming new partnerships with community leaders, entrepreneurial partners, and local high schools; and overseeing all of the center’s programming, including the creation of new resources available to anyone interested in developing their leadership skills and entrepreneurial ideas.
“I’m excited to be part of this dynamic community,” Smith said. “I look forward to collaborating further with the city and county to help current and future entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses utilizing resources available through the Delaware Entrepreneurial Center.
“Upcoming plans include taking our popular ‘Delaware Does’ events on the road to different communities as well as working to create collaborations with local high schools to encourage young entrepreneurs. We also want to increase our work with minority-owned businesses throughout Delaware County and create more trainings and resources available to everyone upon demand. There are exciting times ahead.”
Learn more about The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University, its unique city-county-university collaboration, and its opportunities for up-and-coming entrepreneurs at www.owu.edu/delaware-entrepreneurial-center.
The post Center making difference appeared first on Delaware Gazette.
]]>