Drug take-back day, other fall events scheduled

ThisWeek CW 09/24/2015

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/09/21/drug-take-back-day-other-fall-events-scheduled.html

Canal Winchester and Groveport will both host drug take-back events Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of the 10th annual National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Canal Winchester’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Diley Ridge Medical Center parking lot, 7911 Diley Road.

Groveport’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will also run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Groveport Police Department, 5690 Clyde Moore Drive.

These events are free and anonymous, and according to Groveport Police Chief Ralph Portier, “no questions asked.”

Only pills or patches can be accepted; no needle-based or liquid-based medications can be turned in.

“This will be a drive-through-type setting where all you need to do is drop any unwanted prescription drugs and continue on your way,” Canal Winchester Mayor Michael Ebert said. “We’d like to thank our partners and volunteers who help make this event possible, and to once again thank Diley Ridge Medical Center for allowing us to use their property as a drop-off location.”

Hydrant flushing

Canal Winchester has several other fall cleanup events planned over the next few weeks.

The city started flushing hydrants Monday, Sept. 21, and will continue that work through Oct. 16 to help clear sediment out of mainline pipes and verify that all the hydrants are operational.

The Division of Water urges residents to avoid using washing machines or dishwashers when hydrants are being flushed on their streets, and run cold water through the faucets for a few minutes if they notice any discoloration or sediment after the flushing.

Leaf pickups

Canal Winchester will start its annual leaf pickup Oct. 5 and continue through Dec. 4.

Leaf piles must be placed along the street and should contain leaves only because sticks, grass trimmings and other yard waste can damage the leaf-collection equipment.

Tire sweep

Finally, the city’s stormwater department will hold its eighth annual Tire Sweep and Creek Cleanup along Walnut Creek from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 17. City staff members will work with volunteers to remove tires from a stretch of Walnut Creek from Gender Road to Lithopolis Road, including the Walnut Woods Metro Park.

Those interested in helping should meet at the Metro Parks office at 6723 Lithopolis Road at 8 a.m. Parking is available at Winchester Trail Elementary School on Gender Road or Walnut Creek Park at the end of Parkview Drive; from there, volunteers can walk along the creek toward the Metro Parks office.

For additional information, about the event, call Metro Parks Manager Mindi McConnell at 614-836-2683 or Canal Winchester Urban Forester Dick Miller at 614-834-5110. Miller may also be contacted via email at dmiller@canalwinchesterohio.gov.