Monthly Archives: July 2017

Findlay City Schools End With A Deficit For Fiscal Year 2017

July 18, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

07/18/17 – 5:01 A.M.

Findlay City School District had a deficit for the fiscal year which ended on June 30. The Courier reports that the School Board talked about it during their Monday meeting. Treasurer Mike Barnhart told the school board that while revenue was up, so were expenses. The district outspent their income by over $1.9 million.

Barnhart said that this is due to the big projects the school is doing, such as the dark fiber project. He added that the new state budget will five Findlay City Schools extra money in the coming two years. The District also has opportunities for growth such as open enrollment.

United Way Seeing Success In Helping People affected By The Flood

July 17, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

07/17/17 – 4:45 P.M.

The United Way of Hancock County has been helping people recover from the flood with their 211 number. Executive Director John Urbanski said that they’ve been keeping up with the calls for help.

John Urbanski

He added that while not very many volunteers have been needed they are still taking information for more.

John Urbanski

THe number is still active so if you need help or want to help others you should call 211. Urbanski said that they have already helped over 35 people affected by the flood with the help of the Latter Day Saints.

Hancock Public Health Offers Tips On Cleaning Out Flood Damage

July 17, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

07/17/17 – 4:32 P.M.

The flood may be over but the recovery isn’t and Hancock Public Health wants to remind you that there is still some danger. Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi said you don’t know what could be in the water.

Karim Baroudi

He added that you will want to wash everything and make sure to disinfect. He said you can do so with a mixture of 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of water. Any food that isn’t airtight and can’t be washed should be thrown away.

He added that you want to try and avoid coming into contact with the flood water as much as possible. You can find more tips and advice on their Facebook page.

Special Permits Required For Repairing Structures In 100-Year Floodplain

July 17, 2017Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 10:19 A.M.

The city of Findlay is reminding residents about special rules that apply to repairing properties within the 100-year floodplain. A release from Floodplain Administrator Todd Richard says all structures within the Special Flood Hazard Area or 100-year floodplain are subject to flood development permit requirements.

Richard says if you have damaged property within the designated area you should go ahead and clean and secure it. That includes removing damaged contents and covering holes in walls and roofs. However, you have to get a flood development permit before starting any repair work. The city has waived the permit fees for the time being.

You can contact the zoning office at (419)424-7108 for more information.

New Road Closures In Hancock County This Week

July 17, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 8:30 A.M.

A new week brings new road closures in Hancock County. ODOT says State Route 12 just east of Benton Ridge is now closed for bridge deck repair. The agency expects the closure to last around 60 days.

A closure scheduled to start today on U.S. 224 west of Findlay is now on hold. ODOT says it has pushed back the work near State Route 235 to July 24. The culvert replacement project should take around 30 days.

State Patrol Making More Drug Arrests Locally

July 17, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 7:37 A.M.

State Patrol troopers are making more drug arrests in Hancock County compared to a year ago. The Courier reports that between the beginning of the year and July 9, troopers made 86 arrests for drug violations. That’s compared to 82 violations for all of 2016. The patrol has made 19 felony arrests so far this year, compared to 18 in 2016.

Lt. Matt Crow of the State Highway Patrol tells the newspaper prescription pills and marijuana account for a large amount of the arrests. He added many of the drugs are coming from out of state, often from West Virginia or Detroit.

The patrol has also seen an uptick in seizures of methamphetamine. Crow says drugs like methamphetamine were less common when heroin and prescription opioids came onto the market, but the patrol is beginning to see more meth again.

MORE: The Courier

Putnam County Sustains Injuries In Weekend ATV Crash

July 17, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 7:16 A.M.

An ATV crash injured a Putnam County man Sunday night. The State Highway Patrol reports the crash happened near Kalida on Road 19 near the intersection with Road L.

Investigators say 29-year-old Ryan Hamilton of Cloverdale was driving the ATV southbound on the road when he suddenly hit the brakes, causing the ATV to flip over. Hamilton wasn’t wearing a helmet. Authorities believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

No other details were immediately available.

Boil Water Advisory Issued For Homes Near 1500 Block Of Tiffin Avenue

July 17, 2017Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 6:52 A.M.

A boil water advisory is in effect for several homes on Canterbury Drive, Tiffin Avenue, North Court and Middle Court in Findlay today. The alert affects homes in the 700 and 800 blocks of Canterbury Drive, 1531 Tiffin Avenue, and homes in the 1500 blocks of North and Middle courts.

Health officials say people impacted by the advisory should boil their water before drinking it or cooking with it.

For more information, you can call (419)454-7193.

Addresses Affected:

• Canterbury Drive: 707, 713, 719, 725, 731, 737 and 800
• Tiffin Avenue: 1531
• North Court: 1520, 1521, 1524 and 1525
• Middle Court: 1520, 1521, 1524 and 1525

Blanchard Falling In Ottawa, Cleanup Efforts Underway

July 17, 2017Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 5:39 A.M.

The Blanchard River remains in minor flood stage in Ottawa today, but is on its way down once again. The National Weather Service calls for the river to leave flood stage by this afternoon at the latest. The river crested at just over 27.5 feet Saturday afternoon.

Ottawa Mayor Dean Meyer told us over the weekend that water crept into several areas of the village, but that flood mitigation efforts seemed to help this time around…

Audio: Dean Meyer

As for the clean up effort in Ottawa, Meyer tells the Courier the main plan is to collect flood debris that residents and businesses leave at the side of the road.

Officer Tammy Blank of the Ottawa Police Department told the newspaper the office didn’t have to perform any water rescues, although a semi got stuck in high water on Main Street Saturday.

Clean Up Effort Underway Following Weekend Flooding

July 17, 2017Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

7/17/17 – 5:12 A.M.

Things are getting closer to normal today, following the fifth-highest flood in Findlay’s history. The Blanchard River dropped below flood stage early Sunday morning, after cresting at just over 16.5 feet Friday morning. The river is now well below the action stage, and all area roads have reopened. With that in mind, the cleanup effort is in full swing.

Hancock County is extending landfill hours today through Friday. Commissioner Brian Robertson says the landfill will be open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day. Robertson says the commissioners are also working with Marion and Liberty townships to help with debris removal. Those efforts start today in Marion Township. The commissioners will provide scheduling details for Liberty Township on Tuesday. Other township trustees needing help should contact the commissioners’ office.

The City of Findlay said it will pick up flood-damaged debris starting tomorrow. You should place any debris or items damaged by floodwater at the curb no later than 7 a.m. The city stresses the pickup is only for items damaged by the flood.

The United Way’s 211 service is still working to connect people who need help with flood cleanup with volunteers. If you need help or want to offer help you can call 211 for more information.

HATS will be offering free bus rides today, Tuesday and Wednesday because of the flood. To schedule a trip call HATS at 419-423-7261 and follow the prompts.