Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:43AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.
Pollutants across the state are expected to range from the 'Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups' category in the southwest part of the state to the 'Unhealthy' category in the rest of the state. Hourly concentrations at times may reach the 'Very Unhealthy' to 'Hazardous' categories.
It is recommended, when possible, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.
For additional information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website at epa.ohio.gov.
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Monday, September 25th, 2006
Photo by Laura Walker/The Daily Standard

On Sunday afternoon, at Niekamp's Farm and Flea Market, John Pruden does step three of apple pressing. First apples are loaded and chopped; then they drop to this level where John and his wife, Helen, smooth them into even layers. Once 25 or more bushels are layered the over 100-year-old press is ready to produce cider. The press will be in action on the weekends and cider is available throughout the week.

Related online story:
ST. HENRY - In one squish, the Pruden family's 100-plus-year-old apple press produces 135 gallons of cider.
The old, wooden press is layered with up to 50 bushels of apples at one time. If running non-stop all day, it can make 7,500 gallons of cider. [More]
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