Jefferson Co. DD board sets special meeting

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities will meet in a special session at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The meeting will be held at the board’s administrative offices, 250 John Scott Highway, and will include discussion about the pending privatization of Shaffer Plaza.

AG’s Mobile Office sets several August stops

CHARLESTON — A representative of the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office will meet with northern West Virginia residents in August to discuss consumer-related issues and answer any potential questions.

Local stops will include 11 a.m. to noon Friday at the Brooke County Senior Center; and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 21 for the Hancock County Senior Picnic at Tomlinson Run State Park.

For information on additional requirements specific to any location, attendees are encouraged to contact Amy Nickerson at (304) 670-7541.

Smoke-free workplace investigations set

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County General Health District is partnering with the Ohio Department of Health to conduct smoke-free workplace investigations in Jefferson County.

Since the Ohio smoking ban was approved by voters in November 2006, many of Ohio’s local health departments have partnered with the ODOH to enforce the law. The JCGHD had assisted the ODOH for a short period of time when the law first went into effect in 2007, and this month rejoined the list of approved health departments.

By law, no smoking signs must be posted in public places and places of employment at all entrances and exits.

The Smoke Free Workplace Act includes exemptions for a variety of locations that meet specific requirements through the Ohio Department of Health: The exemption for retail tobacco stores to allow smoking indoors is not automatic and must be requested annually. Retail tobacco stores must be the only business located in a freestanding building and cannot be a department or section of another establishment within the building. If violations are validated, enforcement starts with a warning and results in fines for repeated offenses.

A formal complaint is necessary to prompt a smoking violation investigation by health officials. To report a smoking violation, contact the ODOH at (866) 559-6446 and the complaints will be forwarded to the JCGHD or call the JCGHD directly at (740) 283-8530. Violations may be submitted online at jchealth.com by selecting the environmental tab under rules and regulations for businesses.