Monthly Archives: June 2017

Letter From Business Leaders And Elected Officials Supports Continuing Quarter Percent Sales Tax

6/8/17 – 10:48 A.M.

Members of the Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Advisory Board have come out in support of extending a quarter percent sales tax for flood mitigation efforts. A letter delivered to the Hancock County Commissioners says the group “strongly” supports continuing the sales tax. The board also opposes any sales tax plan that doesn’t include “an explicit allocation for flood mitigation.”

The letter also says that it is important the board show “an absolute commitment to resolving our flooding issues.” The board says it believes that for the first time in a century there is a plan to “end flooding in our community.”

It goes on to say if the sales tax isn’t continued it hurts “our ability to advance a long term and permanent flooding solution.”

The board has asked to address the Commissioners during their June 13 meeting. Those signing the letter include:

Chuck Bills – Ohio Logistics
Matt Black – The Trust Company
Tim Federici – National Lima and Stone
Mark Gazarek – Hancock County Commissioners
Glenn Jost – Ball Metal
Jereme Kent – One Energy
Richard Kirk – ACI Construction
Dale Laws – Whirlpool Corporation
Lydia Mihalik – Findlay Mayor
JJ Preston – First Federal Bank
Paul Smith – Marathon Petroleum
Dennis Hellmann – Findlay City Council

Findlay Residents Facing Drug Charges

6/8/17 – 5:41 A.M.

The Hancock County grand jury handed up drug indictments against two Findlay residents Wednesday. Authorities have charged 31-year-old John Miles with trafficking LSD. In a separate case, 27-year-old Haley Walker-Main faces an aggravated drug trafficking charge.

Investigators say Walker-Main sold oxycodone with 100 feet of a juvenile last June. Miles allegedly sold LSD within 1,000 feet of Findlay High School last October.

Findlay Man Sentenced For Inducing Panic

6/8/17 – 5:29 A.M.

A Findlay man who once faced charges that he made a terror threat will spend time in jail on a lesser charge. The Courier reports Judge Reginald Routson sentenced 26-year-old Andre White to 30 days in jail during a Wednesday hearing. White pleaded guilty to an inducing panic charge earlier this year.

On January 4 White used a co-worker’s Facebook page to make a post about a suicide bombing. The post got the attention of the FBI and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, who both investigated the case.

Judge Routson said, “I believe this was intended as a joke, but it certainly wasn’t taken as a joke.”

MORE: The Courier

Local Farmers Endure Rough Planting Season

6/8/17 – 5:20 A.M.

It wasn’t a great planting season for area farmers. The Courier reports farmers finished planting most of Hancock County’s soybean crop last week, and they had 80 percent of the corn crop in the ground at the end of April. However, it wasn’t easy.

Ohio State University Extension educator Ed Lentz tells the newspaper the cool and wet conditions in May made it difficult for people to get into their fields. He added that even if farmers planted before it got wet, the hard rain showers and cool temperatures hardened the soil, making it hard for the crops to sprout.

Replanting is an option for farmers, but it has risks. Late planted corn is more susceptible to summer drought and early fall frosts.

MORE: The Courier

Mihalik In D.C. For Infrastructure Summit

6/8/17 – 5:08 A.M.

Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik is in Washington D.C. today for a summit on the nation’s infrastructure. The Courier reports 38 mayors and other officials from around the nation are attending the events. The group will have a working lunch with Vice President Mike Pence, group sessions, and a meeting with President Trump.

Trump’s proposed budget includes $200 billion to rebuild infrastructure. According to Trump’s plan, rural America would receive grants to rebuild bridges, roads, and waterways. Mihalik tells the newspaper she’s not sure if that means Blanchard River flood mitigation plans are on the agenda. She added she expects discussion on policy, procedure, and rules that cities run into during infrastructure projects.

MORE: The Courier

Now That Summer Is In Full Blast, Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen

06/07/17 – 1:41 P.M.

Summer is finally here and the weather is nice but that means the sun is more powerful. Nurse practitioner Kristin Martin from Blanchard Valley Health Systems says you shouldn’t forget sunscreen.

Kristin Martin

Martin added that some sunscreens are better others.

Kristin Martin

She said both rays can cause skin damage but some sunscreens don’t protect against both. Your Sunscreen should be SPF 15 or higher and you should reapply every two hours.

United Way Of Hancock County Looking For Volunteers

06/07/17 – 1:04 P.M.

The United Way of Hancock County is getting volunteers to prepare for this year’s fundraising campaign. Michael Momany said the volunteers will talk to businesses and gather information.

Michael Momany

Volunteers will deliver packets to all the businesses in Hancock County and take a head count of employees. Momany said that the work will start after Labor day so people can enjoy most of their Summer.

To learn more or to volunteer you can visit liveunitedhancockcounty.org

UPDATE: Police Found Wolfies Robbery Suspect

06/06/17 – 7:01 P.M.
UPDATE – 11:18 A.M.

Police found the man that stole money from a donation jar at Wolfies Roasted Nuts and Deli yesterday. An update on their Facebook page says that the man confessed when officers confronted him at his home. He went to the hospital for treatment of injuries he got during the incident. The post adds that charges against him are on their way.

Employees spotted the man stealing from a donation jar for a juvenile cancer patient around 11:30 a.m. They tried to stop the man but he took the jar and rode away on a bicycle. Several customers and employees chased after the man and managed to knock him off the bike. He pulled a knife on the group and scooped some of the money before running off again.

Fostoria Councilman Disputes Recovery Plan Numbers

6/7/17 – 6:59 A.M.

A Fostoria city councilman disputes projections in the city’s fiscal recovery plan. The Courier reports Mathew Davoli told council members that the state budget office numbers rely too much on increases in income tax revenue.

Projections in the five-year plan show Fostoria having a three-month carryover balance of $1.9 million by the end of 2021. Davoli says the city needs to see income tax revenue of more than $1 million through 2021 to meet that number. He called that an “unjustifiable assumption.”

Mayor Eric Keckler didn’t comment on Davoli’s projections directly. However he did say, “I tend to lead toward the experts who have done this kind of thing for years and years in other cities.”

MORE: The Courier