05/18/17 – 4:13 P.M.

There are loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for aspiring homeowners. The Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program is available to eligible low-income rural residents who wish to buy or build a home. The agency offers the 100% financing with a 33-year term and a fixed 3.25% interest rate.

The home must be modest and the purchase price cannot exceed Hancock COunty’s loan limit of $185,000. To learn more about the loan or homeownership call 419-422-0242 or visit rd.usda.gov

05/18/17 – 3:23 P.M.

Four people are being honored this weekend during the 30th Annual Armed Forces Day celebration. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Arlt is the Hancock County “Military Person of the Year”. Frederick Makrancy of the Army, Warren Bean, Jr. of the Marines, and Thomas Wells of the Navy are being recognized as the Veterans of the Year”.

The Findlay Military Association is hosting the event at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. It will run 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 6 to 17-years-old. The veteran recognition will be Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

05/18/17 – 2:42 P.M.

A group of people from Scotland are visiting the area as guests of the Rotary Club. Julie McIntosh organized the visit and said that the group has one rotary leader and has an effort to build ties to the area.

Julie McIntosh

She added that they hope the experience inspires them to become future rotary members.

One of the team members is a firefighter and spent some time with the Findlay Fire Department. Findlay Fire Chief Josh Eberle said that the firefighter asked about EMS calls.

Josh Eberle

Eberle explained that Scotland has their fire department and EMS as two separate entities.

5/18/17 – 7:26 A.M.

The Arcadia school district is updating lighting in its school building. The Courier reports the school board approved a contract for more than $38,000 with Shiffler Lighting Solutions this week. The company will install energy efficient LED light fixtures for the district.

MORE: The Courier

5/18/17 – 7:14 A.M.

A Findlay legislator wants to regulate fantasy sports in Ohio. State Senator Cliff Hite introduced legislation Wednesday he says will protect the rights of fantasy sports players. Hite says the bill puts protections in place to ensure safety and transparency for customers.

The proposal updates state laws in an effort to clarify the legality of fantasy sports and e-sports.

Hite said he wants to, “protect continued enjoyment of these games. At the same time, we must create thoughtful standards for the industry to protect consumers and ensure transparency.”

5/18/17 – 6:48 A.M.

An annual summertime event in Findlay is getting a makeover. The Arts Partnership says “Street Feast” will take the place of the Rib-Off on Broadway this August. A release from the partnership says the event will feature food from all over the region as well as the rest of the state.

Marketing Director Zach Huber says people were telling the Arts Partnership they wanted a wider selection of food at the Rib-Off. He added the variety of food vendors will set the event apart from a growing number of rib contests in northwest Ohio.

The Arts Partnership is still accepting food vendors for the event.

The organization has named Joshua Melton as the headline act for the event.

5/18/17 – 5:37 A.M.

A Hancock County man is facing a rape charge. The Courier reports the grand jury indicted 36-year-old Jonathan Lamb on one count of rape this week. The charge stems from an alleged February incident in Bluffton. The charge also carries a specification because the alleged victim is 4-years-old.

County Prosecutor Phil Riegle says the specification could mean a life sentence for Lamb if a jury convicts him.

MORE: The Courier

5/18/17 – 5:19 A.M.

A former Findlay Police Officer fired for violating the department’s sexual harassment policy could potentially get his job back. The Courier reports the Ohio Supreme Court ruled 6-1 to reinstate an arbitrator’s finding that the police department should have suspended Dave Hill for his actions in 2012. At issue is whether the police department properly followed disciplinary guidelines. The Supreme Court ruling means the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court must take up the matter again.

The court overturned an arbitrator’s ruling that former Police Chief Greg Horne should have suspended Hill instead of firing him. The incident came on the heels of another incident where Hill used a Taser on a fellow officer’s son for a social media video and another where he put a gun in his mouth while referring to another officer’s mental health.

Hill appealed his firing. An arbitrator ruled evidence showed Hill didn’t violate the department’s sexual harassment policy. Findlay appealed the ruling, and the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court vacated the arbitrator’s ruling. A dissenting judge in the case said the arbitrator had full authority to make a ruling, setting the stage for the appeal to the Supreme Court.

MORE: The Courier