Briefs: Meetings planned following new cases of chronic wasting disease in area deer

Marion Star

Additional CWD-positive deer confirmed in Marion, Wyandot counties

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has confirmed nine additional wild white-tailed deer tested positive for chronic wasting Disease (CWD) in northern Marion and southern Wyandot counties. Five were bucks, and four were does. Testing was performed on hunter-harvested deer during the 2021-22 season, as well as through a planned operation in February and March to obtain additional samples.

A white-tailed deer shows signs of emaciation, a common symptom of chronic wasting disease, which is always fatal to deer and related species.

Since the fall of 2020, 11 wild deer have tested positive for CWD, all in Wyandot and Marion counties. Nine were confirmed in Wyandot County, and two were confirmed in Marion County. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.

To increase sampling for CWD, a disease surveillance area has been expanded to include all townships in Wyandot, Marion and Hardin counties. Special regulations and hunting opportunities are in effect in the DSA. Find more information, including a map of known locations, at ohiodnr.gov/cwd.

Hunters and other interested individuals are invited to attend in-person open houses to hear more about the Division of Wildlife’s sampling efforts. An open house will be held at the following locations:

May 17 at 6:30 p.m., Wyandot County Fairgrounds, dining hall, 10171 OH 53, Upper Sandusky
May 19 at 6:30 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office, second floor – Harding Room, 100 Executive Drive, Marion

More information about this disease is available at cwd-info.org.

Arbet Staffing celebrates grand reopening

The Chamber of Commerce celebrated Arbet Staffing's new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 3.

The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, family, friends and guests of Arbet Staffing and Recruiting on May 3 held a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand reopening of their new location. Arbet Staffing and Recruiting is now located at 482 Kensington Place, the former home of Goldrush Jewelers.

Arbet Staffing has been the only locally owned and operated staffing agency in Marion for several years. The owner Frank Millard, along with his wife Shannen, are Marion natives. The company assists both businesses with staffing needs or individuals seeking employment.

For more information call 740-751-6350 or visit arbetstaffing.com.

Upcoming meeting:

• River Valley Local Schools Board of Education Finance Committee, 5:30 p.m., Thursday, high school library, 4280 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Caledonia