6/22/17 – 5:23 A.M.

A bill sponsored by State Representative Robert Sprague aims to help doctors dealing with substance abuse issues. The Ohio House passed the “One-Bite” bill Wednesday. The legislation gives doctors access to a strict treatment regimen without immediately receiving severe disciplinary action and losing their license. The rule would only apply to physicians who haven’t had previous substance abuse issues.

Anyone taking part in the program would have to suspend their practice until the treatment provider determines that the individual is no longer impaired.

Sprague says doctors are often afraid to get treatment for fear of ruining their livelihood.

The bill is now headed to the Ohio Senate for debate.

6/22/17 – 5:14 A.M.

State Auditor David Yost talked about the opioid epidemic while at the Putnam County Fair Tuesday. The Lima News reports Yost said educating people about drug addiction is just as important as arresting drug dealers. Yost is running for Ohio Attorney General in 2018 and plans to focus on the opioid epidemic as part of his campaign.

Yost also helped cut the ribbon for the Putnam County GOP’s new booth at the fairgrounds. Party chair Tom Liebrecht told the newspaper the new booth is about three times the size of their old facility. The fair board gave the party a five-year abatement on rent in exchange for fixing the floor.

MORE: Lima News

06/21/17 – 6:41 P.M.

Members of Hancock County law enforcement did their stretch of the Special Olympics torch run on Wednesday. Sgt. Dan Harmon of the Findlay Police Department said that they do this for the athletes.

Dan Harmon

The course lead from the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol to the Blanchard Valley Center. Harmon said that the athletes and the torch are going to keep moving.

Dan Harmon

The games start this Saturday.

06/21/17 – 3:23 P.M.

A Bluffton rheumatology and internal medicine physician has been suspended from medical practice and surgery. The Courier reports that Dr. James Gideon admitted to sexual misconduct with his patients. He has been banned by the Medical Board of Ohio until it holds a hearing on his case.

The suspension follows a June 14 meeting where members determined that there was “clear and convincing evidence” against Gideon. The allegations involved five patients. They happened between September 2013 and May of this year. Many of the cases he admitted to involved touching the breasts of patients unnecessarily.

06/21/17 – 11:37 A.M.

PALS is a support group to help people affected by the loss of a loved one to suicide. They will be meeting this Thursday at 7 pm in the waiting room above the emergency room at Blanchard Valley Hospital. The group is professionally facilitated by Century Health.

They meet the fourth Thursday of every month except November and December. During those months they meet on the third Thursday. For more information contact Nancy Stephani at 419-425-5050.

6/21/17 – 8:41 A.M.

Arlington is hosting a fireworks display at the end of the week. The Arlington Festival food committee is sponsoring an open house at the village park shelter house from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. They’ll serve popcorn, hot dogs, and root beer floats among other items.

The Arlington Fire Department’s fireworks show follows the open house.

Money raised from the event benefits the Arlington Festival scheduled for August 11 and 12.