MOUNT VERNON — In the past month, organizations contributed $6,500 to the Mount Vernon Police Department’s K-9 program.
“We got a $4,000 donation from the Ohio Eastern Star Service Dog Association,” Police Chief Robert Morgan said. “They gave us a donation last year that we’re very grateful for, and it really helped out with the purchase of the new K-9 Boss.”
The local Mount Vernon Elks Club donated $2,500 to the K-9 program.
“We don’t have any hard-and-fast places where we’re going to spend it, but eventually we’re going to have to replace other dogs down the road,” Morgan said.
Mike Pryjda of Specialty Outdoor Tree Services donated $1,000 to the PAK United program to help with the police and fire softball game.
Other activities
The department continues to work on the double homicide that occurred on Aug. 14. Cameron Ray Moore was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the incident.
“We’ve been asked several times if we’re going to name the victims in this,” Morgan said. “Per Marsy’s Law, we are not allowed to do so until the family gives us consent. At this time, the family has not given consent to release the victims’ names.
“Eventually I’m sure they will come out in the court proceedings, but right now, we’re following Marsy’s Law and the rules for that, and we’re respecting the family’s wishes on that.”
Morgan reminded drivers to use caution now that school has started because many more kids are walking and riding bikes to and from school. He also asked drivers to be mindful of school zones.
“Our officers are working traffic in the school zones and trying to keep the kiddos safe,” Morgan said. “That’s a priority for us every year about this time.”
PAK United events include this week’s First Friday. The department will have its PAK United booth and, in conjunction with the fire department, will feature touch-a-truck.
The department had 1,230 calls in August that include:
•90 disturbances
•About 59 domestic violence calls, a little higher than the normal
•80+ complaint calls
•200 traffic stops
•43 arrest warrants
•About 90 car crashes
Mount Vernon Fire Department
Fire Chief Chad Christopher said the department responded to 542 emergency calls in August for a year-to-date total of 4,115.
“We just got a [state] EMS equipment grant for $4,000,” Christopher said. “We can use that for training as well.”
The department installed a new PA system designed to reduce the sudden heart rate acceleration when the tones sound.
“We can put different tones in there to wake people up at night so we’re not startled so much right off the get-go,” Christopher explained. “There are also red lights in the bedrooms that will come on prior to those tones coming on, so it helps with that heart rate issue for firemen.
“And then throughout the building, there are also red lights that kind of help initiate that call coming in,” he added.
The department filled three openings that came about through promotion and retirements. Peyton Lester started on Tuesday, Macie Bates starts Wednesday, and Nathan Burghart starts Sept. 17.
“All three of them came from our part-time program, so our part-time program is really showing that it has been beneficial when it comes to hiring full-time employees,” the chief said.
Other activities
•The department promoted Nate Hines to EMS training coordinator lieutenant, a 40-hour position. He will begin that position on Sept. 16.
•Firefighters started their fall annual physical fitness assessment on Tuesday.
•Hydrant flushing in the southern part of the city started on Tuesday.
Hydrant flushing
Hydrant flushing started on Tuesday. Chief Christopher asked residents to refrain from doing laundry between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
He cautioned that water might be murky and a little cloudy as water pressure comes back.
“But if you go into your bathroom and open up your water, that’ll flush right out,” he said. “It is an important thing that we have to do every year and that will run through the end of this month.”
The PDF below shows the dates crews will work in each grid and the area each grid covers.
Administration
Mayor Matt Starr said the administration is developing a transition plan to replace City Auditor Terry Scott, who will retire on Sept. 6.
Starr anticipates naming an interim auditor by the end of the week. \Members of the Knox County Republican Central Committee who live within the city limits will ultimately appoint someone to fill Scott’s term through 2025.
