3/24/17 – 5:23 A.M.

A branding initiative for Seneca County is getting financial support from the county. The Review-Times reports the commissioners voted to spend $3,500 on the effort.

Organizers say the initiative will give the county a distinctive image that can be easily identified by economic development officials and those looking to do business in the county. That could include a logo used on county stationary and signage.

The Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corporation and the city of Tiffin are also involved in the effort. They’ve contributed $20,000 to the project.

MORE: Review-Times

3/24/17 – 5:15 A.M.

A major waterline replacement project starts soon in Pandora. The Putnam County Sentinel reports crews will start on High Street on April 3, with work starting on Jefferson Street by April 14. Construction should wrap up in early July.

Pandora is getting a $175,000 grant and a zero-percent interest loan of $320,000 from the Ohio Public Works Commission to pay for the project.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

3/24/17 – 5:06 A.M.

A woman who attacked a retired Putnam County priest with a hammer will spend time in a mental health facility. The Lima News reports Judge Randall Basinger committed Frances Wilhelm to the Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital in Toledo during a Thursday hearing.

Wilhelm has a chance for reevaluation within 60 days. She could spend up to 11 years at the facility based on the charges she faced. Basinger found Wilhelm not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of attempted murder and felonious assault.

On September 5 Wilhelm attacked 84-year-old Herman Scherger of Cloverdale in his driveway. During her trial, Wilhelm said she believed Scherger had pounded holes in the door of her home, put kitty litter in her toilet, and slept in her bed.

MORE: Lima News

3/24/17 – 4:26 A.M.

Plans are being developed for an expansion of the Wood County Jail. The sheriff’s office says the booking area is in desperate need of more space, with overcrowded holding cells. The expansion would also help address the changing needs of inmates suffering from drug addiction and mental health issues. There’s no word yet on the project’s cost.

03/23/17 – 11:22 P.M.

The University of Findlay held a Women in Politics panel discussion featuring women candidates for public offices. Janet Garrett said that women only represent about 19% of the U.S. Congress. Mayor Lydia Mihalik said that she hopes that number will change.

Lydia Mihalik

The panel included several women running for office including Ashley Phillip who is running for state senate. She said that more women need to run for elected positions. Mihalik offered advice to women interested in running for a seat. She said they should have a deep discussion with themselves and go for it.

Lydia Mihalik

The panel also discussed the difference that men and women see in running for office. Many of the women in the panel said that women are often criticized for what they wear. They also shared stories of being told when to run based on when they will have children.

Though not all of the women were in the same political party, they all agreed that more women should run for elected positions at local, state, and national levels.

Also in attendance was Governor of Ohio candidate Connie Pillich, and Findlay City Council-at-Large candidates, Mary Harshfield, Barb Lockard, and Heidi Mercer.

03/23/17 – 2:41 P.M.

The Census Bureau released their population estimates from 2016 and Hancock County grew. The population in Hancock County grew by over 130 residents. This ranked the county 19th in population growth in the state from 2015 to 2016.

Wood county saw a growth of over 600 residents and Putnam county only grew by 18. Hardin, Seneca, and Allen counties dropped in population. Hardin County lost 158 residents, 226 left Seneca County, and Allen County lost over 460 residents.

03/23/17 – 1:58 P.M.

Sherrod Brown was on WFIN to talk about some of his projects at the capital. He said that one of his major battles is the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Sherrod Brown

Brown said he thinks it is immoral to remove the healthcare while politicians will be safe from losing theirs. He added that they get their health insurance through taxpayer money.

Brown also thinks that they should invest in equipment to detect fentanyl at the border. The opioid is detectable and comes through the border with Mexico.

Sherrod Brown

He said stopping people from coming in through the border won’t help.

Sherrod Brown

He said that he will continue to work for Ohioans and fight for the voters. You can find hear Brown’s full interview with Chris Oaks at goodmornings.net

3/23/17 – 12:24 P.M.

Several road resurfacing projects in Hancock County took another step forward Thursday. The county commissioners approved a $1.2 million contract with M&B Asphalt of Tiffin for this year’s projects. That will cover more than 19 miles of both county and township roadways.

Some of the higher traffic areas scheduled for resurfacing are County Road 140 near the landfill, County Road 53 near the CSX railroad tracks, and County Road 139 near the Wood County line.

You can see a complete list of roads slated for resurfacing on our website.

The commissioners also approved a more than $191,000 contract with Ward Construction in Leipsic for chip and seal work.

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3/23/17 – 11:49 A.M.

Findlay residents who live near Litter Landing and the Blanchard River are hoping the facility can do more to keep recyclables from ending up in the waterway…

Audio: Ron Monday

Findlay Councilman Ron Monday talked to the Hancock County Commissioners about the issue Thursday. He asked about the possibility of closing Litter Landing when there is high wind. Monday also asked about getting more of the recyclables under a roof so they don’t blow into the river.

County officials are evaluating the future of Litter Landing operations. Commissioner Brian Robertson said decisions about the facility could determine how they fix the blowing trash problem.

The commissioners took no action on the issue Tuesday.