New manager excited about helping revive county fair

Skin cancer treatment approved by FDA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adult patients with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Erivedge, reviewed under the agency’s priority review program, is the first FDA-approved drug for metastatic basal cell carcinoma. Erivedge was reviewed under the FDA’s priority review program that provides for an expedited six-month review of drugs that may offer major advances in treatment. The drug is being approved ahead of the March 8, 2012 prescription user fee goal date.

Basal cell carcinoma is generally a slow growing and painless form of skin cancer that starts in the top layer of the skin (epidermis). The cancer develops on areas of skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation.

Erivedge is a pill taken once a day and works by inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway, a pathway that is active in most basal cell cancers and only a few normal tissues, such as hair follicles.

“Our understanding of molecular pathways involved in cancer, such as the Hedgehog pathway, has enabled the development of targeted drugs for specific diseases,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “This approach is becoming more common and will potentially allow cancer drugs to be developed more quickly. This is important for patients who will have access to more effective therapies with potentially fewer side effects.”

The safety and effectiveness of Erivedge was evaluated in a single, multi-center clinical study in 96 patients with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma. The clinical study’s primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) or the percentage of patients who experienced complete and partial shrinkage or disappearance of the cancerous lesions after treatment. Of the patients with metastatic disease receiving Erivedge, 30 percent experienced a partial response and 43 percent of patients with locally advanced disease experienced a complete or partial response.

The most common side effects observed in patients treated with Erivedge were muscle spasms, hair loss, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, distorted sense of taste, decreased appetite, constipation, vomiting, and loss of taste function in the tongue.

Erivedge is being approved with a BOXED WARNING alerting patients and health care professionals of the potential risk of death or severe birth effects to a fetus (unborn baby). Pregnancy status must be verified prior to the start of Erivedge treatment. Male and female patients should be warned about these risks and the need for birth control. 
 
Erivedge is marketed by South San Francisco based-Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

For more information:

• FDA Voice Blog: Skin Deep: New Skin Cancer Therapies Offer Progress for Patients
• FDA: Office of Hematology and Oncology Products
• FDA: Approved Drugs: Questions and Answers

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

State legislators seek river flooding input

Van Wert independent/contributor content

FINDLAY — State Representatives Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) and Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon), along with State Senator Cliff Hite (R-Findlay), held a press conference Monday at Bindel’s Appliance (Main St., Findlay) to discuss flooding of the Blanchard River and announce a Constituents’ Call to Action in order for residents to offer feedback on what should be done to correct the problem.

Bindel’s Appliance is one of the many businesses throughout Hancock and Putnam counties that has been affected by the flooding of the river. The lawmakers are asking for business owners and residents along the river to participate in the Call to Action by taking a brief online survey at http://tinyurl.com/78m4czd by February 20. The survey has also been mailed to nearly 1,200 residents in both counties who live along or near the Blanchard.

“This is both an engineering issue and a funding issue,” Representative Sprague said. “After we receive strong feedback and have meetings with various officials, we are going to come back and let the community know how things are going.”

Representative Wachtmann highlighted the work that has already taken place in making state officials aware of the issue.

“It is critical as we move forward to continue the great relationship among people from both Putnam and Hancock counties,” Representative Wachtmann said. “While there is concern about what a community project is as we choose our budgeting priorities, this is a project that is truly a multi-county need.”

In 2007, the State of Ohio authorized a total of $9 million over six years to assist with flood mitigation. To date, only $3 million of that money has been officially distributed.

“There has been a lot of work done for flood mitigation in the watershed,” Senator Hite said. “Because of the private-public partnership, I believe we can achieve our goals of obtaining better flood mitigation in the area.”

The legislators ask that residents contact their offices regarding any questions on the process of filling out the Call to Action survey. They were joined at the press conference by officials from Putnam and Hancock counties, as well as officials from Ottawa and Findlay.

VWCS schedule kindergarten registration

Van Wert independent/VWCS information

The registration of kindergarten children attending Van Wert City Schools for the 2012-2013 school year will be held February 27 to March 2, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.  Registration will take place in the superintendent’s office, located in the S.F. Goedde Building, 205 W. Crawford St. in Van Wert. Enter through the main entrance doors on Crawford Street.

Parents/guardians may begin pre-registration starting Monday, February 13, by logging on to www.vanwertcougars.net. Just click on the link “kindergarten registration”, complete the necessary forms, and drop them off beginning Monday, February 27, at the Goedde Building.

Those who want their children to attend kindergarten at Van Wert City Schools, but live outside the district, should plan to register at the Goedde Building.  Open enrollment space can be limited.  Open enrollment forms are available on the VWCS website or can be obtained in the superintendent’s office.

To attend kindergarten a child must have attained the age of 5 by August 1. No student shall be admitted to first grade that has not successfully completed kindergarten. Kindergarten students will attend school all day, every day.

At the time of registration it will be necessary for parents/guardians to present an official birth certificate from the Department of Vital Statistics at the health department in the county in which the child was born.  The hospital complimentary birth certificate will not be accepted.  The vital statistics department may require a small fee for providing the copy.

Along with the official birth certificate, it will also be necessary to present the child’s immunization record, social security card, and, in the case of divorced parents, a copy of the child custody order.

Thompson farm leopard fatally injured

Ohio Department of Agriculture information

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Monday announced that a male spotted leopard from the Thompson farm in Zanesville was euthanized on Sunday afternoon after sustaining an injury. The animal was in quarantine at the Zoo’s Animal Health Center under orders from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

At about 11 a.m. on January 29, a Columbus Zoo keeper was moving the leopard between enclosures to conduct routine feeding and cleaning procedures.  The leopard moved through the opening but then unexpectedly darted back as the door was being lowered, striking it on the neck.

Responding immediately, a Zoo veterinarian found the cat to be unresponsive and began chest compressions to get its heart beating.  Upon examination it was determined that the animal had suffered an irreversible spinal cord injury, was unable to breathe on its own, and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey, who had responded and was on-site to observe the animal, made the decision to euthanize the leopard.

Radiographs from before and after the animal’s death indicated the leopard had congenitally defective malformed vertebrae in the neck, which weakened its cervical spine and could have compounded the severity of the injury.  The leopard also had old injuries that had not healed properly including broken bones in its back and tail.

The leopard’s body was taken to the Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture where a gross necropsy (animal autopsy) was performed this morning.  Full necropsy results will likely not be available for 4-6 weeks.

The leopard was one of six animals transported to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium after Terry Thompson released 56 animals from his Zanesville property on October 18, 2011. The zoo continues to care for one other spotted leopard, one black leopard, two Celebes macaques, and one brown bear.

APL has pets available for adoption

The Animal Protective League has the following pets available for adoption:

Cats

• Pepper, a 7-year-old female cat; black and white, fixed, declawed.
• A 1-year-old male black cat.

Kittens

• Penny, a 6-month-old female; gray and white.
• Male and female, 11 weeks old, black.
• Male and female, 3 months old, black and white, tiger stripe.
• Male and female, 3 months old, gray, white face.

Dogs

• Fat Boy and Missy, 3-year-old male and female Husky-German shepherd mix; one brown and one blue eye.
• Butterball, a 2-year-old male Jack Russell terrier; black and tan.
• Spook, a 4-year-old male Pomeranian-Jack Russell terrier mix; shots, white.
• Duke, an 11-year-old male rat terrier-Shih Tzu mix; fixed, shots, tan and white.

Pupples

• None at this time.

For more information on these pets and for those in need of finding a home for a pet, contact The Animal Protective League from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 419.749.2976. Those looking for a pet not listed can also call to be put on a waiting list in case something becomes available. Donations or correspondence can be sent to P.O. Box 321, Van Wert, OH 45891.

Peony Queen candidates

Seven of the eight candidates for this year’s Peony Festival Pageant were on hand Sunday afternoon for the Peony Festival Committee’s first meeting with candidates and their parents. Those candidates who participated include (front row, from the left) Ashley Goeltzenleuchter of Wayne Trace, Rachel Gent of Crestview and Elizabeth Thompson of Delphos Jefferson; (back row) Rebecca Adam of Lincolnview, Jena Gasser of Paulding, Rachel Miller of Parkway and Alex Burchfield of Van Wert. Kathryn Kuchefski of Spencerville was unable to attend the meeting. The 2012 Peony Pageant will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 30, at the Marsh Foundation Auditorium. Pageant Director Kylie Mills said tickets for the pageant will go on sale Thursday, March 1, at Derry Drugs on Westwood Drive in Van Wert. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

Oechsle honored

Retiring Van Wert County Fair Manager Paul Oechsle (second from left) some of those who came out Sunday for a reception honoring his service to the Van Wert County Fair. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

2 seriously injured in Ohio 116 accident

Van Wert independent/OSHP information

Three people were hurt and two remain hospitalized following a two-vehicle accident that occurred Saturday evening at the intersection of Ringwald Road and Ohio 116.

Eileen Manken, 56, of Van Wert was listed in critical condition and Morgan K. Pugh, 17, of Venedocia, was said to be in “serious” condition Sunday afternoon by officials of Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. Both were life-flighted to the Fort Wayne hospital following the accident, which occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday.

According to troopers of the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Manken was driving east on Ohio 116 when a vehicle operated by Pugh, which was southbound on Ringwald Road, failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection with Route 116, drove into the path of the Manken vehicle and was struck on the right side. Both vehicles then veered off the southeast corner of the intersection, struck several signs and rolled over several times before coming to rest in a field.

Manken was trapped in her vehicle and later extricated by firefighters from the Van Wert and Middle Point fire departments. She was flown from the scene by Samaritan Life Flight to Parkview. A passenger in her vehicle, Charles Johnson of Van Wert, was also taken to Parkview Hospital, but was treated and released.

Pugh was first taken by Advanced Life Support squad to Van Wert County Hospital and was later flown to Parkview by Samaritan helicopter.

Troopers were also assisted at the scene by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and Lima Patrol post. The accident remains under investigation.

VW fair gets award

Ohio Department of Agriculture Interim Director Tony M. Forshey, DVM, presented a certificate of recognition to the Van Wert County Agricultural Society for the completion of an outstanding 2011 fair season. Brad Taylor, Fair Board vice president, accepted the certificate on behalf of the board. The presentation was made during the annual meeting of Ohio’s 94 agricultural societies at the Ohio Fair Managers Association convention. Fair board delegates from Ohio’s county and independent fairs, as well as the Ohio State Fair, participated in the convention, held in Columbus. (photo submitted)

Township recycling sked for Feb. listed

The Van Wert Solid Waste Management District has announced the township recycling schedule for the month of February. The recycling schedule will not be altered for the Presidents Day holiday.

The hours for the township drop-off service are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Residents and businesses can also deliver clean recyclable materials to the recycling drive-through located at the Van Wert Recycling Center on North Washington Street in Van Wert (just north of the U.S. 30 interchange).

The drive-through is normally open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on the first and third Saturdays of each month, from 8 a.m.-noon.

Area residents should also use the drive-through facility recycling drop-off for large quantities of recyclables.

For more information on Van Wert County recycling programs, contact the Van Wert Solid Waste Management District at 419.238.7767 or visit the Solid Waste Management District’s website at www.recyclevw.org.