Welcome to R News and Views, which our Continuity Director, Amy Smith, noted is a radio blog. I am not a blogger, just a guy on the radio sharing some of my thoughts, observations and comments on news and events that go on here in the Tuscarawas Valley. However, I have been surprised at the number of emails you have sent with your thoughts, comments or compliments on what we have talked about here on the program. As I have said before, we appreciate hearing from you, but more importantly we appreciate you listening to the Voice of the Valley, WJER Radio.

I am not certain about this, but I believe this past Sunday was the first time that we activated the AMBER ALERT here in Tuscarawas County. I want to comment about this because I got involved with this alert, and I want all of you to know how important this plan is to recovering abducted and endangered children.

Last Sunday night around 9:42pm, the AMBER ALERT was activated by the Tuscarawas Sheriff's office for two sisters ages 7 and 8 that did not arrive at the destination they were supposed to by a designated time. The father of the girls started tracking down their whereabouts. When the situation became more in question, the father notified authorities, and an AMBER ALERT was issued. When such an Alert is issued, we all need to help and pay attention to the details of the Alert. One of the keys is for authorities to have accurate descriptions, like a vehicle description, the year, color, make, model and a license tag number. Also, an accurate description of the victim and of the person they were last seen with. Hair color, race, sex, age, height, weight, color of eyes, and what they were wearing. Also, the exact location of where they were last seen, and in which direction they were heading. Information like this is critical and could save a child's life. The AMBER ALERT Plan is designed to provide a rapid response to the most serious child abduction cases. The ALERT does work, but only when a community works together to recover the abducted child quickly and safely. The AMBER Plan was created out of a tragedy, and in the case of these two area girls, the AMBER ALERT contributed to averting a potential tragedy.

Speaking of avoiding tragedy, I would like to remind you that riding a bicycle or walking can be hazardous. I am certain that many of you can relate to this…I was driving down one of our neighborhood streets when out of an alley flew a young man on a bicycle. Completely oblivious to oncoming traffic, he didn't stop and look both ways before crossing out into the traffic. Fortunately for him, motorists were going slow and were able to react to this reckless young bicyclist. Parents, you need to impart the rules of the road to these two-wheelers. 53 percent of children 16 years and under who are killed bicycling lose their lives on minor roads (connecting roads and neighborhood streets) compared to 46 percent of fatal accidents on higher volume major roads. What is sad is this same young man will get a driver’s license and probably drive a car the same way he rode his bicycle. My good friend Debbie Crank, Health Educator from the Tuscarawas County Health Department, was on Conversation Corner this past week and talked about the need for young bicyclists to obey the rules of the road and to exercise extreme caution, including wearing a bicycle helmet. As for those of us who chose to walk, we need to pay attention as well. Always cross the street at the corner or at the crosswalk, and obey traffic signals. Walk on the sidewalk, and if there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the street facing oncoming traffic. Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, this nice weather brings people out, but we need to vigilant and obey the rules of riding a bike or walking.

I had a good time last Saturday at the Geib Pet Parade. A lot of pets showed up with their owners in tow and seemed to enjoy the social interaction the event provided. While there I ran into Shirley Varsan of the Tuscarawas Valley Kennel Club, and she reminded me that the 6th Annual "Strut Your Mutt" at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds is coming up on Saturday, July 19th. So for all the doggies listening, make sure your owners mark that date on the calendar and come out for a fun day of activities for both you and your owners. Registration will start at 8:30 that morning. Stay tuned to WJER for more on "Strut Your Mutt," or keep an eye on our website for more details.

Quickly one final note, the Ohio Historical Society will hold a public meeting at the Schoenbrunn Moravian Church in New Phila to discuss the future management of Schoenbrunn Village, which is currently operated by the Ohio Historical Society. The Society operates 59 sites around Ohio, but it sounds like they might be considering optional ways to operate this site. If you have any interest in sharing your thoughts on the future of this historic site, make sure you attend this meeting. It will start at 6:30pm on Wednesday, June 25th at the Moravian Church, 2200 East High Avenue in New Philadelphia.