8/24/17 – 5:22 A.M.
The mother of U.S. Representative Bob Latta and wife of former Representative Delbert Latta passed away Wednesday. Rose Mary Latta was 93-years-old.
A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 2 p.m. Monday at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Columbus Grove. Visitation is scheduled Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home & Crematory in Bowling Green.
8/24/17 – 5:15 A.M.
An upcoming meeting will detail some options to owners of flood-prone properties in Ottawa. The Lima News reports The Ohio EMA is hosting an information session about floodplain buyouts next week. The meeting takes place on August 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Putnam County Educational Service Center.
You can RSVP by calling (419)523-5020.
MORE: Lima News
8/24/17 – 5:09 A.M.
It’s been 10 years since historical flooding devastated the area, and we continue our look back today. Putnam County certainly wasn’t spared from the storm on August 21 of 2007. The Courier reports it rained more than 8.1 inches in Ottawa that day, and even more in other areas like Pandora.
The rapidly rising water caught even the most experienced downtown Ottawa business owners off-guard. Stan Beckman of Beckman Jewelers says he expected the flood to resemble a memorable flood from 1981. Tom Gustwiler of Gustwiler’s Clothing thought the same thing. He says his store didn’t flood in 1981, but it had nine inches of water in 2007.
In the years following the flooding, many businesses moved out of the downtown area to higher ground. Others say they have no plans to move. Beckman says in 2007 they were selling engagement rings off of card tables days after the water receded.
MORE: The Courier
8/24/17 – 4:28 A.M.
Bowling Green residents will soon have to pay for trash collection. The City Council voted this week to approve a 13-dollar monthly fee for trash and recycling pickups. Supporters say the fee is needed to offset cuts in state and federal funding. The charge will be applied to residents of single-family and two-family homes on utility bills in January.
08/23/17 – 7:50 P.M.
The Hancock County Democratic Party held a peace vigil in Downtown Findlay Wednesday night. Party chair Nancy Stephani said that it was in response to both the events in Charleston, Virginia and the vandalism at Riverside Park here in Findlay.
This past weekend, vandals broke into the Riverside Pool. Then they painted the words “White Power” and a swastika on the walls. Stephani said that this is not what Findlay is and added that the peace vigil was to show support for diversity.
08/23/17 – 6:09 P.M.
The United Way of Hancock County is kicking off its fundraising campaign soon with a luau. President and CEO John Urbanski said that there will be lots of entertainment.
The luau will from 5-10 p.m. at the Elks Lodge. Admission is $15. You can RSVP online at liveunitedhancockcounty.org.
08/23/17 – 3:36 P.M.
It’s been 10 years since the 2007 flood and many feel as though all that’s been done is studies. Findlay Mayor Lydia said that while things have been slow there has been progress.
Mihalik added that things have sped up since Stantec Engineering took over flood mitigation for the county. She said she appreciates that they used newer and more accurate rainfall models than the US Army Corps of Engineers.
She added that though it has been a frustrating wait, there will be a project starting soon.
8/23/17 – 10:45 A.M.
When you see an emergency or work crew on the side of the road, move over. That was the message at a safety event at the I-75 rest stop south of Findlay today…
Audio: Rhonda Pees
ODOT District 1 Public Information Officer Rhonda Pees says if you can’t get over, make sure you slow down when you see a vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road.
Pees says in Ohio last year there were more than 100 crashes in ODOT work zones. She adds that more often than not, it’s the driver and not the worker who ends up injured in those types of crashes…
Audio: Rhonda Pees
Pees adds that you should never drive distracted so you know when you are coming up on an emergency situation or construction zone.
8/23/17 – 11:10 A.M.
Construction is moving along on I-75 in Findlay. Project Engineer Chris Hughes gave an update on the progress so far on Wednesday…
Audio: Chris Hughes
Hughes urged caution through the construction zone. He said there are around 100 workers in the area every day and trucks coming in and out of the work zone.
8/23/17 – 6:42 A.M.
Hancock County’s books are clean. The State Auditor’s office gave Hancock County an “Auditor of State Award with Distinction” this week. That means the county completed a clean audit.
To qualify for the designation, an entity has to file timely financial reports with the state auditor’s office. The audit also can’t have any findings for recovery.