Thunderstorms could not stop Saturday’s 15th Annual Autism Walk held at Milbrook Park in New Boston. Autism Project of Southern Ohio President Mike Bell explained that when he first arrived Saturday morning, storms had blown through the night and pretty much destroyed everything. However, a determined group of volunteers made sure guests would have never known there was an issue, saving the day and saving what turned into a busy event.

“Today has been fantastic. It started out a little slow because of the weather,” Bell stated. “It turned out to be a beautiful day. Many people came out and supported the Autism Project.”

Proclamation by New Boston Mayor William Williams, Jr. proclaiming April 29 as Autism Day in New Boston presented to Mike Bell, President of Autism Project of Southern Ohio, Kim Copas, Vice-President, and New Boston Councilman Mike Payton who is the President of the Governing Board for the Autism Project of Southern Ohio. The presentation was made at the annual Autism Walk held April 29 at Millbrook Park in New Boston.

Bell explained that throughout the day, somewhere between 500-700 joined in for the festivities.

Activities included a poker walk, live music, inflatables, auctions, games, Autism information and a variety of vendors.

“It has grown,” Bell confirmed, saying that each year people seem to really enjoy the auction, but this year more people got involved.

All money raised from the event goes back into the community by providing services to autistic individuals and their families. Though the total is still be tallied, the Autism Project had $1,000 donations from Aarons, of New Boston and the Ernie West AMVETS Post 95/Post 95 Ladies Auxiliary, of Greenup, Kentucky.

Such funding will help the Autism Project be able to offer additional services to the Autistic community by allowing them to expand upon their current operations.

“Our goal before the end of the year is to open an autism service center here in Scioto County,” Bell commented. “We want to get a building, we want to be able to join in with the Adult Autism Cooperative Organization and we want to supply services such as job training, life skills — maybe they need to learn how to do their laundry. We want to have a garden, where they grow their own stuff and take it to the Farmers Market and the learn the trade of making money. The main objective at the end is being able to help them become more self-sufficient.”

A crowd gathers, despite a little mud, for the annual Autism auction, held Saturday in connection with the 15th Annual Walk for Autism.

Bell explained that people with Autism have difficulties with social skills. As a result, the Autism Project focuses on taking these individuals out to the movies or to community events where they can become engaged in community activities, develop a unity with their community and work on those social skills. Additionally, the Autism Project brings in guest speakers that help education parents, families and even schools. They assist individuals with autism by doing things such as going in front of the Social Security Administration with them, putting funding into developmentally handicap classrooms in local schools and providing college scholarships. Last year, the Autism Project gave out seven college scholarships for $700 each.

Reach Nikki Blankenship at 740-353-3101 ext. 1930.

Long-time law enforcement officer Steve Goins is now officially the Chief of Police for the Village of New Boston, replacing Darrold Clark who recently retired. Wednesday at the stroke of noon, Goins was sworn in by New Boston Mayor William “Junior” Williams at the New Boston Community Building.

Steve Goins (left) is sworn in as New Boston Chief of Police by New Boston Mayor Junior Williams

“Over 20 years with the school board and Council, he has always been accessible and helpful – I know he has helped Darrold in the past – he has just been a true leader,” Williams said. “He has gotten us going with our body cameras in place. We just got certified by the State of Ohio. He was instrumental in all those things. He is technologically advanced.”

Clark was on hand for support and told the Daily Times retirement is working well for him.

“I feel good not getting up in the morning, but I miss everybody especially when I need something done. There’s nobody around but me,” Clark said.

Clark was complimentary of his former captain.

“He’s a fine man,” Clark said.”That sort of explains it. He’s one of the greatest. I’m proud of him.”

Goins, who has been in law enforcement for 34 years, over 30 with the New Boston Police Department, was reflective of the occasion.

“It’s a good day,” Goins said. “When you’re hired in law enforcement you always look as a career to eventually reaching the top spot which is the Chief of Police. It has been a long time coming. I’m very appreciative of the Council, the mayor, they have always been good to me. They have always been good to the police department. I’ve always had the support of the officers in the police department, people I work with in the community.”

Goins said it is likely someone on the force will be promoted to fill his position as captain.

“The mayor and I will talk about that,” Goins said. “So there will probably be some promotions from within.”

With the current drug problem in Scioto County, Goins said he will hit the ground running.

“It’s a countywide problem, not just here in New Boston,” Goins said. “We have always worked together with other departments. We still will, but it is something that we have to tackle as a law enforcement community.”

Those in attendance, including former chiefs Clark and Gary Stone, enjoyed cake and ice cream and took the time to shake Goins’ hand.

“I think the people of New Boston are very lucky to have him as a police chief,” Williams said.

Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewisPDT.