Post-meeting Release, January 23, 2025

Seneca County Coroner gives update at Jan. 23 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

Dr. Zachary West gave an update on his first few weeks as Seneca County’s new coroner during the Jan. 23 Seneca County Commissioners’ meeting. In his two and half weeks in office, Coroner West has made significant improvements to the office and engaged in proactive efforts to learn about the position and make connections across the state.

Coroner West thanked the commissioners for helping him establish a coroner’s office in the RTA building, and he thanked Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins for helping him repurpose supplies from the former Seneca County Regional Planning office to equip his office. Adkins, who attended the commissioners’ meeting, said the regional planning board was very generous.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with (Dr. West),” Auditor Adkins said.

Coroner West met with entities both locally and across the state to make connections and streamline procedures, including Tiffin and Fostoria police departments, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and Seneca County Emergency Management Agency. He spent a day visiting the Lucas County Coroner’s Office, and he worked with the Seneca County General Health District to obtain NARCAN kits for his staff, who could encounter situations where they are at risk of secondary opioid exposure.

Although he has just recently stepped into his role, Coroner West is already mindful of saving taxpayer money. He worked with the Ohio State Coroner’s Association to obtain state and federal grant funding for toxicology reimbursement. The reimbursements will be retroactive to 2024 toxicology expenses.

“Seneca County was one of six counties in the state that was not participating in the program,” he said.

Coroner West expressed gratitude to Seneca County Administrator Barb Patterson for her assistance throughout his transition to coroner.

“I want to give a sincere thank you to Barb Patterson, who has been very helpful and instrumental in helping me connect to and get a lot of things early on to get established,” he said.

Administrator Patterson then expressed gratitude to Coroner West for the work he has done and for his continual contact with the commissioners’ office.

“The communication has been wonderful,” she said. “I do truly appreciate that.”

The commissioners welcomed two more guests to the meeting, Green Springs Fire Department Chief Greg Lowe and Lieutenant Jack King, who talked about upcoming Agricultural Rescue Training which will focus on grain bin rescues. The training is provided by the Ohio Fire Academy and hosted by the Green Springs Fire Department. It will take place on March 22 at Ridgeview Farms, which is owned by Commissioner Bill and Janet Frankart.

The training is free and is available to Seneca County fire departments and EMS personnel and select Sandusky County fire departments. Training will take place inside the Frankarts’ heated barn, and lunch and refreshments will be provided. The training qualifies for state accredited continuing education credits.

King said the event not only provides educational training but networking opportunities as well. Local first responders will have the chance to visit in a nonemergency setting.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve worked with other county entities,” King said.

King expressed gratitude to Commissioner Frankart for the use of his barn, and he said the department has benefitted greatly from Lowe’s agricultural firefighting experience.

“Our department is very fortunate to have Greg as our chief,” he said.

Lowe said the training is vital for Seneca County first responders. He experienced firsthand the power of grain in a silo when he worked for a local co-op.

“I’ve been buried up to my waist, and you can’t get out of it,” he said. “Another reason we’re doing this is, if you drive around, you see bigger and bigger grain bins on farms.”

After the commissioners approved seven supplemental appropriations and passed three resolutions, the commissioners ended the meeting with a moment of silence for Fred Wolff, whose volunteerism in the community impacted thousands of people. Wolff was an announcer for the Sandusky County Fair and a 4-H volunteer for over 45 years. He was actively engaged in Attica Raceway and Fremont Speedway, where he was a racecar driver and sponsor. He also helped provide hunting opportunities for disabled hunters through the Izaak Walton League. His presence and impact in the community will be greatly missed.

“Fred has been a Seneca County guy for a long time,” Commissioner Frankart said. “In Seneca and Sandusky (counties), he did a lot with youth. Let’s have a moment of silence for all the dedication and years Fred had with kids.”