The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says four people were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital after being injured in a four-vehicle crash a little east of Findlay.

The crash happened at the intersection of U.S. 224 and County Road 248 at 5:01 p.m. Thursday.

The sheriff’s office says Morgan Davidson, 20, of New York, was driving west on U.S. 224 in a Toyota Tacoma when she lost control and crossed the center line, hitting a Ford F-150 being driven by Brayden Elchert, 21, of Tiffin.

Two other vehicles were also involved in the crash, a Hyundai sedan being driven by Shyann Sanders, 26, with Dominic Dunn, 32, as a passenger, and a Tesla being driven by Yuan Shen, 28.

Davidson, Elchert, Sanders and Dunn were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

Shen was treated at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office upped the county to a Level 2 Road Alert late Thursday night.

Sheriff Heldman said winds were causing snow to drift on top of ice-covered county and township roads.

A Level 2 Road Alert means roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and/or flooding. Only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be on the roadways.

A Level 3 Road Alert means most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous/flooded. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited.

For all county road alerts in the region click here.

For the latest school closings and delays click here, for business closings and community cancelations click here, and for road alerts click here.

People are also urged to submit their business and community cancelation online here instead of calling.

UPDATE – The county has since been upped to a Level 2 Road Alert.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office placed the county on a Level 1 Road Alert on Thursday night due to blowing and drifting snow.

A Level 1 Road Alert means roadways are hazardous, drive with extreme caution.

A Level 2 Road Alert means roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and/or flooding. Only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be on the roadways.

A Level 3 Road Alert means most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous/flooded. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited.

For all county road alerts in the region click here.

For the latest school closings and delays click here, for business closings and community cancelations click here, and for road alerts click here.

People are also urged to submit their business and community cancelation online here instead of calling.

The Hancock Park District is inviting people to a ‘Valentine’s Day Hike and Scavenger Hunt’.

“Valentine’s Day is a good time to hike the trails in search of a hidden valentine,” the park district said.

“Nothing says ‘I love you’ to that special someone like a special message. Hearts with messages will be placed along the trail. When you find one that has just the right words for your sweetheart, pick it up and give it to your valentine.”

The hike and scavenger hunt will be held at Riverbend Recreation Area, Big Oaks Activity Area, Shelter #3 at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February, 14^th.

It is free and for ages 18 and up. Registration is not required.

Riverbend Recreation Area is located at 16618 Township Road 208, a little east of Findlay.

For complete information about upcoming programs and events, view the Programs & Activities Calendar at www.HancockParks.com or call the park office at 419-425-7275.

Jeff Winkle, former Director of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, has been appointed to the Board of the State Library of Ohio by the State Board of Education.

Winkle retired from the library in 2020 after 21 years of service including 11 years as Director. He also served as Director of the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library in Fostoria and the Tiffin-Seneca County Public Library. Winkle is the former owner and operator of Winkle’s Open Book, a local bookstore in Findlay.

 Winkle has served on many civic and professional boards, including Van Buren School Board, Hancock County Educational Service Center, Findlay Rotary, the former Literacy Coalition of Hancock County, and the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

He served the library community on the boards of the Ohio Library Council, Serving Every Ohioan Library Consortium, and the Northwest Ohio Regional Library System. Winkle was named Ohio Librarian of the Year by the Ohio Library Council in 2019.

 “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the State Library of Ohio Board. The State Library’s professional staff, effective services to libraries and grant assistance are major reasons why Ohio’s libraries continuously rank among the nation’s best.” Winkle said.

 The State Library of Ohio is a state agency that serves state government, all types of libraries and residents.  The vision of the State Library of Ohio is a Smarter Ohio where every Ohioan can access the necessary resources to be engaged citizens, excel at their jobs, participate in the workforce, and pursue their passions and interests.

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) has been named Chair of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for the 118^th Congress by E&C Committee Chair, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA05).

“I would like to thank Energy and Commerce Committee Chair, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for selecting me to lead the Communications and Technology Subcommittee,” Latta said.

“After serving as the Republican leader of this subcommittee for the past four years, I am prepared to steer the subcommittee in pursuit of policies that benefit our communities and keeps the United States at the forefront of innovation. I look forward to building on the advancements we have made in recent years, including increasing access to reliable internet via rural broadband, cracking down on illegal robocalls, and unleashing more spectrum for improved consumer connectivity. And while the subcommittee has made strides to increase accountability for online platforms, we are prepared to build upon these efforts to protect children from online predators and rein in Big Tech’s influence and censorship on platforms where American’s ideas and opinions are shared and heard. As chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I am prepared to work with Chair Rodgers, and members of the committee, to spur innovation, streamline federal regulations, grow our economy, and close the digital divide.”

“For 227 years, the Energy and Commerce Committee has led on solutions to keep the promise of America, where we have lifted more people out of poverty and led the world in raising people’s standard of living,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

“This Congress, Republicans will continue to honor the committee’s rich history to improve people’s lives and ensure America leads a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship. Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chair Bob Latta is an exceptionally qualified leader on our team and will help our committee deliver on the promises we made to the American people.”

Latta previously served as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for the 116^th and 117^th Congresses.

Congressman Latta represents Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District, which is comprised of all or part of 12 counties, including Hancock and Putnam Counties.

Police in Fostoria say a Findlay man was arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting.

The Fostoria Police Division says officers responded to the 400 block of West Tiffin Street on Wednesday afternoon on the report of a drive-by shooting and found numerous bullet holes in the residence along with several spent shell casings along the street.

No injuries were reported in the shooting.

Responding officers obtained a description of the suspect and the vehicle.

Officers located a vehicle and driver matching the description.

Police say the driver, Kcaleeb Gonzales, 25, of Findlay, was detained based off of items found during the traffic stop and the information from witnesses.

Police obtained a search warrant for his residence and say they located a gun and ammunition that was consistent with the spent shell casings at the scene.

Gonzales was charged with tampering with evidence and booked at the Seneca County Jail.

Further felony charges, including discharging a firearm into a habitation, are pending based on further investigation.

Children of Hancock County with a passion for literature have an opportunity to express their creative side in Findlay-Hancock County Public Library’s Tell-a-Tale Short Story Contest.

Beginning February 1, 2023, young scribes from kindergarten through 5th grade who live in Hancock County or attend a Hancock County School may submit an original story that is no more than 350 words in length.

Stories must be submitted to the library with a signed entry form before February 28, 2023. Illustrations and/or cover art is encouraged, but not required. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in each grade level at an awards ceremony in April.

The winning stories being published in the 2023 Tell-A-Tale book to be circulated at the library. Writers are free to use their imaginations and write about whatever they wish. Full contest rules, entry forms, writing exercises, and more are posted at findlaylibrary.org/content/tell-a-tale.

The library has partnered with University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum for the cover illustration portion of the contest. Any child submitting a story for Tell-A-Tale will automatically have the cover illustration of their story entered into the cover illustration contest. A group of volunteers from Mazza will judge the illustrations and rank the top three illustrations in each grade level.

All winning illustrations will be printed in the 2023 Tell-A-Tale book. All eligible illustrations must be submitted with a story to be judged.

To help contestants get started on their writing, the library is hosting a Young Writers Workshop on Thursday, February 9 at 6 p.m. in the Lindamood Room at the library. Attendees will learn how to write a story by playing fun writing games.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

For more information about the contest, please go to findlaylibrary.org/content/tell-a-tale, or contact the library at 419-422-1712.

The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County is reminding dog owners that time is running out to renew their dog licenses for 2023.

Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the last day to purchase your Hancock County dog license.

Dogs 3 months and older are required to have a dog license.

The cost is $20 per dog with a single 75-cent processing fee for a 1-year- dog license if purchased through the Hancock County Dog Warden, located at 4550 Fostoria Avenue in Findlay.

On February 1, 2023, the fee will double, making the cost $40 per dog with a single 75-cent processing fee.

The Hancock County dog licenses can also be purchased at the Hancock County Auditor’s Office at the Hancock County Courthouse or on their website.

(ONN) – Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona’s iconic scooter was stolen over the weekend, but police say they recovered it in another area of downtown on Tuesday night.

The scooter was parked outside of Francona’s apartment building on Friday night and was missing Saturday morning.

The scooter has become part of Francona’s legacy with the team as he’s been spotted by fans riding it home after games at Progressive Field.

The Guardians once featured a bobblehead with Francona riding his scooter as a game day giveaway.

The report of the theft came on the heels of Guards Fest, which brought players and fans together over the weekend.

Francona was among those who appeared at the event.

"Back in business!"

Thank you to the Cleveland Police Department for helping Skip find his hog. pic.twitter.com/CUKbSB4T00

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) January 25, 2023