8/23/17 – 5:35 A.M.

The Fostoria Learning Center officially opens its doors today. The Review-Times reports the fall semester starts at 5 p.m. in the renovated Kroger building at 342 Perry Street. Students at the center are working in both levels of the Medical Assistant program. Terra State Community College helped create the program.

The new facility includes a full exam room, a restroom for collecting specimens, and a laboratory for drawing blood. It also has a reception area where students can run realistic simulations as an administrative assistant.

While construction on the learning center started last year, officials say this is really the culmination of a seven-year dream.

MORE: Review-Times

8/23/17 – 5:26 A.M.

Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik is joining a group of mayors from across the state in lobbying for a new way to fight the opioid epidemic. The Associated Press reports the Ohio Mayors Alliance is urging Governor John Kasich to start an emergency operations center to coordinate the response to the opioid issue. The idea is to establish a joint operations center like what might appear during a disease outbreak.

Kasich spokesman John Keeling says the Governor will give the matter serious consideration.

The operations center is one of seven suggestions for combating opioid abuse. The mayors also want the state to review Medicaid policies related to detoxification and treatment programs for addicts.

MORE: The Courier

8/23/17 – 5:16 A.M.

A candidate for governor in Ohio will stop by Putnam County next month. The Lima News reports Lt. Governor Mary Taylor is taking part in the Putnam County Republican Party “Get to Know the Candidates” event on September 12. The event is set for 6:45 p.m. at the Putnam County Education Service Center.

Tickets are $15 for the event.

MORE: Lima News

8/23/17 – 5:11 A.M.

Two Arcadia men are facing charges stemming from allegations of sex crimes against minors. The Courier reports 32-year-old Dustin Woodward faces 12 counts of gross sexual imposition and 12 counts of pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor. Investigators say Woodward engaged in sexual conduct with 6-year-old multiple time in April and May. They also say he spread sexual material involving minors.

38-year-old Jacob Mullholand faces 10 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance for allegedly having child pornography.

MORE: The Courier

8/23/17 – 5:04 A.M.

It’s been 10 years since the devastating 2007 Blanchard River flood, and many questions remain. Today the Courier asks if our congressional representatives were doing their jobs when it comes to flood mitigation. Congressman Bob Latta and Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown have all talked about their frustration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Latta said the agency decides if a project gets funding.

A Boise State University professor who has written a book and essays about the corps disagrees. Todd Shallat tells the newspaper it was up to Latta to get funding through the House Appropriations Committee. Latta and Brown both disagree with that statement. Latta says former House speaker John Boehner banned earmarks in 2011. Before that he banned Republicans from seeking earmarks when he served as the minority leader.

Shallat counters that earmarks didn’t go away. He says Congress just started calling them something different.

MORE: The Courier

8/23/17 – 4:24 A.M.

Bowling Green State University is doubling efforts to stop sexual assaults on campus. A report released yesterday detailed recommendations for new policies, education and prevention efforts. The task force behind the report says the recommendations follow best practices from other universities to improve the campus culture and promote reporting of sexual assaults.

08/22/17 – 5:18 P.M.

The Hancock Democratic Party is holding a peace vigil tomorrow evening at the Millstream Art Plaza in downtown Findlay. According to a Facebook post, there will be a guitar and song sheets available. The vigil will be held from 6-8 p.m. and everyone is welcome to take part. You’re urged to bring signs sharing a message of peace and love.

If you have any questions you can contact Nancy Stephani on the Hancock County Dems Facebook page.

08/22/17 – 5:13 P.M.

Monday marked the 10-year-anniversary of the 2007 Blanchard River Flood and Findlay has taken steps to be safer. Mayor Lydia Mihalik said that the city has a stronger alert system.

Lydia Mihalik

She added that the Everbridge Alert System can keep people in the know.

Lydia Mihalik

You can join the system online at findlayohio.com under the resident’s tab.

8/22/17 – 11:00 A.M.

The cost of housing Hancock County inmates in other counties continues to rise. The Hancock County commissioners appropriated another $180,000 for “outside housing” during their Tuesday meeting. To deal with overcrowding at the Hancock County Jail the county is paying Putnam and Van Wert counties to house inmates until space opens up locally.

Commissioner Brian Robertson said this only continues a trend. He said the county averages 214 prisoners processes per month for a 96-bed facility.