Back to School Safety Tips from BG Police Division

As Bowling Green school children begin the 2024-25 school year, the Bowling Green Police Division asks that families and motorists make back-to-school safety a priority to ensure a safe and successful start to the new school year.

Safety Tips for Families:

Before the first day of school, parents should talk to their students about safety and make sure to follow these tips:

• Students should know their home address and phone number as well as a parent’s cell phone number. Help your child practice it so they have it memorized before school begins. 
• There is safety in numbers. Be sure children use the buddy system and always walk to and from school with a friend or stay with a group at the bus stop.  
• When walking or biking to school, students should stay within the crosswalks and obey all traffic signals and signs. 
• If children ride their bikes to school, make sure they wear a helmet and reflective clothing and practice safe riding and rules of the road.  
• Before the first day of school, walk to and from school with your child. If your student will be riding the bus, visit the bus stop with your children and be sure they know their bus numbers. 
• Teach children the safety rule, “Say NO, GO and TELL.” If anyone approaches your child, offers them a ride, asks for directions or makes them feel uncomfortable, instruct them to say “NO,” get away from the situation (GO), and TELL a trusted adult. Be sure to discuss with your child who trusted adults may be: teachers, parents, a friend’s parents, neighbors, police officers, firefighters, relatives, etc. 
• Make sure children understand never to leave school with anyone they haven’t been instructed to leave with by you. If someone comes up to them and tells them that there is an emergency and they want your child to go with them, be sure they know to “check first” with you or another trusted adult (school personnel) before doing so....Continue Reading Safety Tips

Soaring Eagle Runs Half Marathon and 5k

The Boy Scouts annual half marathon and 5k run will take place (rain or shine) in Bowling Green on August 24. The run will begin at 7:30 am from the Wood County Fairgrounds. It is anticipated that there will be nearly 600 participants. The route will be as follows:

• West on Poe Rd
• North on Haskins Rd
• East on W. Newton Rd.
• South on Fairview Ave.
• East on Poe Rd.
• South on Main St.
• West on Sand Ridge Rd to the Slippery Elm Trail
• Exit the Slippery Elm Trail onto W. Gypsy Lane Rd.
• West onto Sand Ridge Rd.
• North on Wintergarden Rd.
• West on Pine Valley Dr. through the Stone Ridge subdivision exiting onto Mitchell Rd.
• North on Mitchell Rd.
• East on Conneaut Ave.
• North on Fairview Ave.
• West on Poe Rd.
• North on Village Dr. through the Village subdivision exiting into the Fairgrounds

While runners are present on each road, traffic will be affected and traffic patterns may be altered.

BGSU Students Partner with American Red Cross

As part of Bowling Green State University’s Students’ Day of Service, students are partnering with the American Red Cross to encourage fire safety. On Saturday, August 24^th, the students will be canvassing Bowling Green neighborhoods, delivering door hangers containing information on fire safety and encouraging residents to call to request free smoke alarms and installation. 

The ”Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.” effort has been ongoing in Bowling Green for several years, and this month’s event will be focused on the neighborhood nearest E. Wooster St., Scott Hamilton Ave., Troup Ave., and State St.

While not all residents will receive a door hanger, all residents, in need of a smoke alarm, are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio at 419-380-1130 to schedule a free installation. 

Sound the Alarm. Save a Life and Home Fire Campaigns

Bikers and Brewers Slow Roll: August 25th 

The Bicycle Safety Commission continues the series of community bike rides this month. August’s slow roll, titled Bikers and Brewers, will meet on Sunday, August 25th, at 2:00 PM. Participants should meet at Arlyn’s, located at 520 Hankey Ave. This leisurely ride will include stops at all of BG's local breweries: Arlyn’s, Brewing Green, and Juniper. Meet the owners/brewers and learn more about their craft. Upon completion of the ride, all riders are invited to stick around for comradery.  

Rides are free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. Each rider is required to wear a properly-fitted helmet and ride a correctly-sized bicycle in safe, working mechanical order. It is highly recommended that young riders, who are still learning to ride, participate via a tow behind trailer or child bike seat. These rides are meant to be more recreational in nature and will travel at a speed comfortable for all riders. 

While designed for fun and exploration, monthly rides will also stress the importance of safe riding practices and responsibilities of riders while navigating city streets. Multiple trained leaders will facilitate the ride to ensure that all riders complete the route, including providing assistance for mechanical or personal issues that may arise. 

City of Bowling Green | 419-354-6204 | 305 N. Main St. | www.bgohio.org