Archive of 04-27-04

WASHINGTON COUNTY LAUNCHES PROJECT LIFESAVER

New Technology Assists in Locating Missing Persons

Joining the increasing number of search and rescue organizations in twenty states and three countries, the Buckeye Hills- Area Agency on Aging in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce an exciting new program Project Lifesaver.

Project Lifesaver is designed as a rapid response search and rescue service, using state of the art technologies and strategies to prevent or reduce the potential of harm to individuals suffering from Alzheimer's, Downs Syndrome, Autism, traumatic brain injuries, and cognitive impairments. These individuals may tend to wander away from their residences and become confused or lost.

Individuals who join Project Lifesaver are equipped with a small-personalized radio transmitter that is worn on a wristband. The transmitter emits a unique tracking signal every second, twenty-four hours a day. A select group of Sheriff Deputies has been trained in the use of the Project Lifesaver tracking equipment, which tracks this signal using a variety of directional antennas and receivers. These Deputies receive regular training specializing in the use, operation and maintenance of Project Lifesaver equipment so when they receive a report of a wandering individual, they can mobilize and locate the individual, an average of under 30 minutes.

In the past, the only option available to locate these individuals who have wandered away from safety, was to conduct an extensive and often lengthy search. These searches often involved hundreds of personnel from local law enforcement agencies, fire departments and rescue squads. These searches may take as little time as just a few hours, or up to several days or weeks. Joetta Lane Director of the Area Agency on Aging states, “ With the implementation of Project Lifesaver, we are able to be proactive rather than reactive. We can give caregivers a peace of mind and reassurance. We are able to save time, save manpower, save money and most of all--save lives.” The Area Agency on Aging will be identifying and accepting referrals for individuals and caregivers that may benefit from this program.

The Area Agency on Aging secured start up funding for the project through Older American’s Act Family Caregiver funding. The program will be sustained with the generosity of donations received from local citizens, civic groups, and businesses. With these donations, Project Lifesaver will be available to county residents at the lowest cost meeting the needs of the greatest number of qualified individuals.

To learn more on the role of the Sheriff’s Office in Project Lifesaver, contact the Project Coordinator Lt. Dean Ketelsen at (740) 374-7677. For further information on how to apply for participation in Project Lifesaver or to make a donation to support Project Lifesaver, contact the Area Agency on Aging at (800) 331-2644 or mail your donation to:

Project Lifesaver Fund
c/o Marietta Community Foundation
PO Box 77
Marietta, OH 45750

On 27 Apr 04 William C. Waite, age 74, 1250 Tabor Ridge Road, Stockport, reported sometime in the past month an unknown suspect(s) siphoned the gas from two of his vehicles and stole a starter off a combine, a cattle poker, various ratchets, sockets and wrenches. This case remains under investigation (490).

On 27 Apr 04 a sixteen year old Warren High School student reported an unknown suspect broke the driver’s side window of his truck while he attended class. This case remains under investigation (1291).

On 27 Apr 04 a sixteen year old Frontier High School student reported, for the past two days, a sixteen year old male student has pushed her into her locker and hit her in the back of the head. This case remains under investigation (296).

On 27 Apr 04 Terry Waterman, age 31, 785 Rummer Road, Marietta, reported between 25 and 27 Apr an unknown suspect(s) entered his home and stole a Playstation 2, four shotguns, two scopes and a water jug. This case remains under investigation (945).

On 27 Apr 04 Lt. Wilson initiated a traffic stop on State Route 7 in Newport after observing a vehicle travel with both tires outside the white fog line. The driver, Jennifer L. Grimes, age 30, 121 Wells Avenue admitted traveling outside the line and also consuming alcohol. Ms. Grimes submitted to field sobriety tests, on which she performed poorly, and therefore arrested for OVI and transported to the Washington County Jail.

On 27 Apr 04 a Fearing Township Trustee reported witnessing the accumulation of trash near mile marker 3.5 along Glendale Road. This case remains under investigation (695).

the Sheriff’s Office received the following warrants:

Joshua T. Bailey, age 19, 808 Barclay Road, Belpre, for contempt for failing to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines in the sum of $145.

William A. Boyd, age 36, 906 Hill Street, Belpre, for contempt for failing to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines in the sum of $195.

Jason W. Casto, age 21, 2104 Nash Street, Parkersburg, for contempt for failing to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines in the sum of $148.65.

James A. Johnson, age 23, 206 Curtis Boulevard, Marietta, for domestic violence, as charged by Deputy Sheriff Evans on 9 Apr 04.

Michael D. Korth, age 41, 333 Everson Road, Belpre, for violating the terms of his probation by failing to show proof of obtaining a valid operator’s license and for failing to appear to serve three days in jail on 26 Mar 04.

Andrew C. Mayle, age 30, Route 2 Box 372, Grafton, WV, for contempt for failing to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines in the sum of $71.

Darren E. Moore, age 24, PO Box 715, New Matamoras, for contempt for failing to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines in the sum of $465.

Christina Ramsey, age 30, 4400 Berkshire Drive Apt. 302, Warren, OH, for contempt for failing to appear at a court ordered hearing on unpaid fines in the sum of $260.

The following individuals were processed into the Washington County Jail:

Jennifer Lee Grimes, age 30, 121 Wells Avenue, Marietta, for .17 breath OVI, a misdemeanor. Grimes was arrested in Newport by Lt. Wilson of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and processed into the Washington County Jail on 27 Apr 04 at 3:05 am.

Joshua Aaron Kidd, age 23, 221 Sheldon Avenue, Marietta, for criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor. Kidd was arrested in Marietta by Patrolman Sury of the Marietta City Police Department and processed into the Washington County Jail on 27 Apr 04 at 3:40 am.

Yvonne Michelle Hicks, age 34, for a felony count of illegal processing of drug documents and misdemeanor counts of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Hicks was picked up at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville by Deputy Sheriff Underwood and processed into the Washington County Jail on 27 Apr 04 at 3:40 pm.

Yvonne Michelle Hicks, age 34, for a felony count of illegal processing of drug documents and misdemeanor counts of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Hicks was picked up at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville by Deputy Sheriff Underwood and processed into the Washington County Jail on 27 Apr 04 at 3:40 pm.

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