5/24/17 – 4:50 A.M.

A big donation means parents in Fostoria won’t have to pay for a summer recreation program for their kids. The Courier reports the summer rec program made the announcement on their Facebook page Monday. The organization didn’t give any other details about the donation.

Earlier this month Geary Family YMCA Director Eric Stinehelfer said the program was behind on donations. On May 3 it only had raised a little more than $6,200. It takes around $25,000 to run the program each year.

Registration for the program is still open. You can pick up forms at the YMCA.

MORE: The Courier

05/23/17 – 5:51 P.M.

An organization called GoRail came to Findlay to talk about using rail to transport freight from the Hancock County. GoRail’s Michael Gaynor (Gain-er) explained that you can save money and energy by using rail lines over airplanes and trucks.

But there is a downside to using rail. Gaynor told the commissioners that the federal government regulates railroads. A current bill could make it so that private rails are available to everyone. This would deter private rail lines from being built. Gaynor asked the commissioners to voice opposition to this bill. They said they would consider sending a letter against the bill but took no action today.

05/23/17 – 5:36 P.M.

The Hancock County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau updated the County Commissioners on 2016. Commissioner Mark Gazarek said that the CVB had a good year.

Mark Gazarek

The CVB’s revenue exceeded their expenses by over $47,000 in 2016.

They also shared plans of updating their online presence to get the county more views. Gazarek said that they are working to pop up in more searches.

Mark Gazarek

Gazarek said that this could help generate more income by bringing more people to the area.

5/23/17 – 12:05 P.M.

An aging sanitary sewer line is adding to the cost of the ongoing drainage project at the Hancock County Courthouse. The county commissioners approved a change order to the drainage contract Tuesday. It allows crews to replace the line on the north side of the facility.

The change adds a little more than $7,000 to the cost of the project. That brings the total price tag to more than $324,000.

05/23/17 – 11:37 P.M.

PALS is a monthly support group at Blanchard Valley Hospital for those grieving the loss of a loved one through suicide. Clinical Social Worker Specialist Nancy Stephani said that suicide has been on the rise.

Nancy Stephani

Stephani said that the group wants to help process the sudden loss in a healthy way. She added that grief from suicide is more difficult to process because people are less likely to talk about it. Stephani said PALS shows that you aren’t alone.

Nancy Stephani

The group meets the fourth Thursday of the Month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of the rose Building. It is free to attend.