6/14/17 – 6:46 A.M.

The president of Bluffton University plans to retire next year. On Tuesday, James Harder announced his plans to step down at the end of next June. Harder is the university’s ninth president and has served in the role since 2006.

Harder said, “I am grateful for the wonderful support of the board of trustees, the Bluffton faculty and staff, and the many generous supporters of the university as together we have carried out our work to extend Bluffton’s enduring educational mission.”

Cheryl Hacker is the incoming vice chair of Bluffton University’s Board of Trustees and will lead the search for the school’s next president.

6/14/17 – 5:31 A.M.

Seneca County officials aren’t joining other counties in supporting new railroad regulations. The Review-Times reports the Seneca County Commissioners decided not to sign a letter of support for the regulations during their Tuesday meeting. All three commissioners said they wanted to learn more about the issue before moving forward.

Commissioner Shayne Thomas said they hear complaints about trains blocking road crossings. He added they also know there are county residents who work for the railroads, so he could see both sides of the issue.

All three commissioners agreed to study the issue further.

MORE: Review-Times

6/14/17 – 5:23 A.M.

A Findlay-based grocery store chain is growing. The Associated Press reports Fresh Encounter’s parent company Generative Growth LLC is buying 15 Marsh Supermarket locations. Fresh Encounter is the parent company of Great Scot, Community Markets, and Sack n’ Save grocery stores.

The new locations include 11 Indiana stores and four in Ohio. Generative Growth is paying around $8 million for the properties.

Marsh Supermarkets had declared bankruptcy and closed 19 stores in May.

6/14/17 – 5:02 A.M.

A Findlay teenager is facing a felonious assault charge in connection with a shooting incident. The Courier reports 17-year-old Korben Everhardt allegedly shot another juvenile with a hand gun on November 20.

Prosecutors moved the case from the Hancock County Juvenile Court to the Hancock County Common Pleas Court due to the severity of the charge.

MORE: The Courier

6/14/17 – 4:53 A.M.

A Michigan man is facing a rape charge in Hancock County. The Courier reports the grand jury handed up an indictment against 38-year-old Johnny Randazzo of St. Clair Shores this week. The incident allegedly happened on March 7.

Hancock County Prosecutor Phil Riegle tells the newspaper that Randazzo and the victim knew each other. Riegle added they were not in a relationship at the time of the sexual assault.

MORE: The Courier

6/14/17 – 4:38 A.M.

Autopsy results are pending on a Kent State University football player who died after practice. University officials say 19-year-old Tyler Heintz died yesterday morning. Heintz was an incoming freshman offensive lineman from Kenton.

The Kenton football Twitter account confirmed Heintz’s death, saying the news, “shocked a bewildered” the staff and players.

06/13/17 – 1:16 P.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners received a visit from representatives of many local businesses today. They spoke about their frustration with the direction and speed flood mitigation has taken. Commissioner Mark Gazarek said that they are working with low funds while the county operations continue to grow.

Mark Gazarek

Currently, a quarter percent of the sales tax funds is dedicated to flood mitigation. The representatives said that they will support any sales tax plans that continue to include this percentage or more. Gazarek said that they are looking to see how much sales tax they are going to need for operations.

Mark Gazarek

He added that the commissioners don’t plan on removing funds from flood mitigation but it won’t be on the ballot.

Mark Gazarek

Instead, they will have to ask for money to go into the general fund. From there they can pass a resolution that dedicates a percentage of the money to flood mitigation.