08/18/17 – 2:42 P.M.

A Findlay man was found guilty on 6 drug charges today. The Courier’s Eileen McClory said that 47-year-old Darius Godley was charged with several felonies.

Eileen McClory

The jury found Godley not guilty of a seventh charge, possessing a weapon under disability. The charges came from two incidents. The first was in December of 2015 when confidential informants bought drugs and Godley appeared during the deal.

The second was in March of 2016. Officers raided 219 Midland Avenue, where Godley was staying and found 44 grams of heroin and 44 grams of cocaine. Officers also found a gun in a bedroom on the first floor.

08/18/17 – 2:06 P.M.

The Findlay Police Department has three new hires joining the department. The Courier reports that they are gaining 25-year-old Jakob Sigler, 24-year-olds Ian Edinger and Dillon Kliesch. Mayor Lydia Mihalik swore in the new officers on Monday.

All three officers will start the police academy at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy on Monday. Once they complete the academy they will be assigned to the patrol division of the Findlay Police Department.

08/18/17 – 11:19 A.M.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of solicitation calls from national or foreign entities. In a release from Crime Victim Services, they report that scammers are using phone numbers from Ottawa and Columbus Grove. The scammers use these numbers to hide their identity. This is called spoofing.

If you get a call from an unrecognized number do not give out any personal information. Write the number down and call it back after hanging up. If it the number is not in service then it was a scam.

8/18/17 – 5:36 A.M.

A Fostoria drug dealer will spend five years in prison. The Review-Times reports a jury convicted 36-year-old Jinetta Thompson in July on four counts of trafficking in cocaine, possession of criminal tools, and endangering children. Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Kelbley issued the sentence Thursday.

Thompson’s conviction followed an investigation by the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit. The task force made many controlled-buys at Thompson’s Bannister Street home, leading to an arrest in January of 2015.

MORE: Review-Times

8/18/17 – 5:26 A.M.

The Hancock County Fair will use a unique event to raise money for Flag City Honor Flight. Just after opening ceremonies on Wednesday August 30th, the fair will hold donkey races. The races are in five classes, including fair departments, schools, safety personnel, businesses, and city and county “celebrities.” Ten donkeys race in each class.

There’s a $10 per entry fee. The money raised goes to Flag City Honor Flight. You can sign up by calling (419)429-7344.

8/18/17 – 5:19 A.M.

A Putnam County man recently pleaded guilty to three sex crimes. The Putnam County Sentinel reports 39-year-old Shawn Budd of Continental entered guilty pleas to charges that included the rape of an infant.

A grand jury indicted Budd last April on one count of rape, two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, and a count pandering obscenity involving a minor. The prosecution agreed to drop an illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material charge in exchange for the plea deal.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

8/18/17 – 5:11 A.M.

Efforts to tear down buildings in the flood plain continue in Hancock County. The Hancock County Commissioners approved buying a property at 329 East Main Cross Street during their Thursday meeting. The county will demolish the home there.

The property cost the county $57,000. Assistant county prosecutor Phil Johnson says officials have talked about buying the land for several years.

8/18/17 – 5:04 A.M.

Several local school districts welcomed students back this week with improved facilities. The Courier reports many districts completed projects before opening the doors to students a few days ago. Cory-Rawson High School installed new windows and bigger lockers. The school also installed two new soccer fields across the street from the school.

Van Buren installed new bleachers in the gym. The athletic boosters also paid for a fresh coat of paint and new LED lights. The district also refinished the track and sealcoated the north parking lot.

Vanlue installed new heating units in classrooms. The district also resurfaced the parking lot and put a new digital sign in front of the building.

North Baltimore installed LED lights outside the elementary and high school buildings. Kids in kindergarten are getting iPads for the classroom, while students in first grade are getting Chromebooks.

MORE: The Courier

8/18/17 – 4:50 A.M.

Thousands of people are in Bowling Green for an annual show of horsepower. The National Tractor Pull Championships opened yesterday at the Wood County Fairgrounds. More than 90-thousand people will watch 330 competitors pull a weighted sled along a 300-foot track through Saturday. Organizers say the event pumps 37-million-dollars into the local economy.

08/17/17 – 5:52 P.M.

Findlay City Council got a sneak peek at the new manhole covers the city will install around town. Mayor Lydia Mihalik unveiled the new covers which sport the City of Findlay logo. They come at no extra cost to the city since they are purchased in bulk every so often. Councilman Jeff Wobser said that the manhole covers will be replaced with the new ones as needed or when construction happens in the area.