Goes into effect now
Washington Court House join other communities across Ohio to ban texting while driving after legislation passed 7-0 on Wednesday night. It goes in effect locally today January 10th, 2013.
Ordinance 22-2012 reads: This ordinance prohibits driving a vehicle while writing, sending or reading a text based communications on a hand held device. The ordinance states that failure to obey this can be considered as a primary traffic violation by law enforcement officials.
The ordinance continues that a person under the age of 18 is prohibit from using in any manner an electronic wireless communication device while driving & that driver education courses include instruction in the dangers of texting while driving.
The ordinance mirrors a statewide law that has the same stipulations that was enacted back in August 2012.
In other action an ordinance to rezone property at 224 North North Street from a CF (Community Facility) to R-1C (Urban Neighborhood Single Family Residential District) was approved.
Also Steve Jennings, City Council Chairman presented a proclamation to Ed Helt of the Paul H. Hughey American Legion Post 25 that declares that Sunday February 3rd to be observed as "Four Chaplains Sunday".
The day will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the remarkable story of four chaplains of different faiths aboard the USS Dorchester who gave up their life jackets to four soldiers that would save their lives.
The four chaplains later died as the ship that was torpedoed sunk.
Local ceremonies will be held at the First Presbyterian Church located at West Market & North Hinde Street during the February 3rd 10:15am service.
