Ohio Mixed Bag: National Fishing Expos roll into Ohio

Columbus — The National Fishing Expos roll into the Buckeye State in mid-February and early March.

The Columbus Fishing Expo kicks things off Feb. 9-11 at the Ohio Expo Center on the grounds of the Ohio State Fair.

The Cincinnati Fishing Show runs March 1-2 at the Sharonville Convention Center just outside of Cincinnati.

Hours for the Columbus show are Feb. 9 (Friday) from noon to 7 p.m., Feb. 10 (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Feb. 11 (Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.nationalfishingexpos.com.

Pollution Settlement Involves Maumee

Toledo, Ohio — Five companies have agreed to pay the federal government more than $7.2 million overall to resolve claims stemming from longstanding pollution in two adjacent creeks in the Maumee River watershed in northwestern Ohio.

The settlement with Ohio Refining Co., Chevron USA, Energy Transfer LLC, Pilkington North America and Chemtrade Logistics was announced recently by the U.S. Department of Justice. Officials said a federal judge must approve the deal before it takes effect.

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According to a complaint, the companies are liable for historic industrial discharges of oil or hazardous substances at the Duck and Otter Creeks site near Toledo. The site is just east of the Maumee River and encompasses the creeks, adjoining wetlands, floodplain areas, and uplands.

The two creeks flow into Maumee Bay in Lake Erie and provide key habitats for migratory birds and fish, and also support hunting and fishing activities for local residents, according to federal wildlife officials.

MWCD Approves $900,000 For Projects

New Philadelphia, Ohio — Members of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) board of directors recently approved more than $900,000 in grants to eight organizations for new projects that will help protect against flooding and improve water quality in the Muskingum Watershed.

“There is a tremendous need across our region for efforts that help defend against flooding and protect our water quality from pollution and soil erosion. The MWCD engages in a significant amount of that work but we can’t do it all, which is why we partner with other organizations in our region that share this mission.

Together we’re protecting people and property from flooding and preserving our region’s water quality,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director.

The grant program, Partners in Watershed Management (PWM), provides grants for projects throughout the 18 counties within the MWCD. Since its inception in 2009, the program has provided over $10.7 million in grant funding for 156 projects.

Smokey Bear Turns 80 In 2024

Washington, D.C. — Eighty years is a tremendous milestone – for anyone. Being the spokes-bear, if you will, of the longest-running and most successful advertising campaign in American history, Smokey Bear would agree. And so does the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Smokey’s actual 80th birthday is Aug. 9; however, starting in January, the USFS which has managed the image of Smokey Bear since the 1940s, launched a yearlong celebration.

After taking part in the Rose Bowl parade on Jan. 1, across the country all sorts of activities are being planned from guest appearances at local events. There will also be a social media campaign where the USFS is asking folks to sing Happy Birthday to Smokey with the hashtag #SingForSmokey. Some of the #SingForSmokey videos will be streamed across social media platforms in August.

The fun continues through 2024 with the Smokey Bear balloon appearing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the lighting of the U.S. Capital Christmas Tree. To keep up on national events surrounding Smokey’s 80th, follow USFS social media sites as well as the Ad Council’s Smokey Bear website www.smokeybear.com.

Body Of Duck Hunter Found On Guntersville

Scottsboro, Ala. — Authorities recovered the body of a 22-yearold man from an Alabama lake where he was last seen duck hunting over the weekend.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Brooks Hardie of Bremen, Georgia, was found dead in the waters of Lake Guntersville nearly two days after state and local authorities began searching for him.

The agency said Hardie was last seen alive Saturday morning, when his kayak overturned as he was duck hunting on the lake roughly 40 miles east of Huntsville.

Hardie graduated in May with an associate degree from Snead State Community College in Boaz, Alabama, where he played baseball, Al.com reported. His former coach, Casey Underwood, posted on Facebook that Hardie “wanted nothing more than to make the guys next him much better.”

Person Of Year Nominees Still Needed

Delaware, Ohio — It is that time of year again to nominate this year’s Ohio Outdoor News Person of the Year.

Nominations for the award, given over the past 15 years by the publication, will be accepted through the end of February.

Nominees should be someone who has made his or her mark in conservation circles, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or leading hunters, anglers, and trappers.

Email nominations to Ohio Outdoor News Editor Mike Moore at mmoore@outdoornews.com. The winner will be announced in a feature story in a spring issue of the publication.