PAULDING – Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative has earned the distinction of being one of the lowest cost providers of electricity in Ohio.

A recent independent survey of rates from all types and sizes of utilities across the state showed Paulding-Putnam to have lowest rates among electric cooperatives, in addition to having a rate structure competitive with large investor-owned power companies.

This is quite an achievement for a member-owned and nonprofit electric co-op, serving in mainly rural areas where households per mile of line are fewer and commercial-industrial load less than in urban areas.

COLUMBUS – Free Fishing Days on May 4-5 offers Ohio residents the opportunity to fish in any of the state’s public waters without buying a fishing license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

“It is important to introduce kids to fishing at a young age, and these free educational opportunities are a great way to get kids acquainted with fishing,” said ODNR director James Zehringer. “We want to ensure that this pastime continues as an important family tradition for our children and grandchildren.”

Ohio’s Free Fishing Days are open to all Ohio residents and extends to all of Ohio’s public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. An estimated 1.3 million people fish each year in Ohio, and the ODNR Division of Wildlife stocked 24 million fish in 2012 alone.

Some different species of fish Ohioans might hook include steelhead trout, walleye, saugeye, crappie, yellow perch, bass, bluegill and catfish.

The Free Fishing Days weekend offers Ohioans of all ages the chance to experience the fun of fishing. Here are some helpful tips for taking a youngster out for Free Fishing Days.

• Keep the trip simple by considering a child’s age and skill level.

• Choose a pond, lake or stream where children will be able to easily catch a few fish.

• A spin-cast reel is usually easy for kids to use.

• Bring a camera, and keep the trip fun and short.

• Be patient – plan on spending time untangling lines, baiting hooks, landing fish and taking pictures.

Anglers 16 years and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters during the rest of the year. An Ohio resident fishing license costs only $19 per year.

Ohio residents born on or before Dec. 31, 1937, can obtain a free fishing license at any license vendor or online at wildohio.com. Residents age 66 and older who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1938, are eligible for a $10 senior fishing license. A one-day fishing license is available for $11, an amount that can later be applied toward the cost of an annual fishing license. Fishing licenses are available at participating agents and wildohio.com.

The sales of fishing licenses, along with the Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) program, continue to fund ODNR Division of Wildlife fish management operations. No state tax dollars are used for these activities. These are user-pay, user-benefit programs.

PAULDING – The fourth class of the Paulding High School Academic Hall of Fame Inductees will be inducted at the May 26 commencement of the PHS Class of 2013.

PAULDING – A two-vehicle crash early Wednesday has claimed the life of a Paulding woman.

Dead is Julie Miler, age 28.

According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at 1:28 a.m. April 24 on US 127 north of Road 162 in Crane Township, north of Paulding.

Miler, driving a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, was northbound on 127 and attempted to pass a northbound 1990 Cadillac Deville driven by Joshua Finfrock, 28, of Paulding. As Miler completed the pass and began to return to the northbound lane, her vehicle struck Finfrock’s car. As a result of the initial collision, both vehicles traveled off the east side of the roadway. Miler’s car struck a utility pole and overturned, coming to rest in a field. Finfrock’s car continued into the field before striking a tree.

Miler was ejected from her car. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Paulding County coroner.

Finfrock and his passenger, Joseph Vance, age 27, of Paulding, were not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Cecil Fire Department and Paulding Fire Department and EMS assisted at the scene.

For obituary information, click here.

PAULDING – To celebrate Earth Day, Lafarge North America’s Paulding cement plant in Paulding mounted a bat shelter in one of the plant’s several wildlife habitat areas.

OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW BUSINESS – Kelli Bradbury and her mother, Susie Arnold, will soon be opening K&S Tumblefit in Antwerp. They have scheduled an open house for 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 28 at Vancrest of Antwerp, site of their new business. Anyone interested in tumbling, gymnastics and fitness should make plans to attend the open house. For more information, call 419-506-0418 or 419-506-0427.