09/08/17 – 4:25 P.M.
You still have a chance to help out people affected by Hurricane Harvey. United Way of Hancock County president John Urbanski said that they will be collecting items on Saturday.
Urbanski said that people are in need of these specific items. They will be collecting the items at Great Scot on Broad Avenue and the Tiffin Avenue Kroger from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
09/08/17 – 3:38 P.M.
You can join Focus on Friends in their Recovery March in Findlay this Saturday. The event will be held at the DOCK at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The doors will open at 8 a.m. with the kickoff starting at 9 a.m. where they will announce September as recovery month.
The event will feature local recovery speakers as well as a resource fair. There is no cost to enter and the event closes at 12 p.m.
09/08/17 – 3:29 P.M.
Findlay Police are investigating the death of a woman brought into the Blanchard Valley Hospital last night. The Courier reports that the woman was dying when she was brought in. Lt. Robert Ring said that they believe 33-year-old Lacy Johnson died from an overdose. They do not suspect foul play.
Ring told the newspaper the man that brought her in cooperated with police. He stayed for a while before leaving the emergency room.
09/08/17 – 2:51 P.M.
Local officials answered some questions about the capital projects included in the proposed sales tax increase. This includes the jail expansion. Judge Reginald Routson said that they have ideas that would save the county money.
Sheriff Mike Heldman said that the jail needs about 156 more beds than it has now. It will cost at least $80,000 a bed to complete the project.
Judge Kristen Johnson said that the quarter percent for capital improvements will go for upgrades to the probate court. She said that the court needs more security and a better layout.
Commissioner Brian Robertson said that they will also try to include a justice center building in the plans. This will allow many of the departments to be under one roof and stop leasing out properties.
You will see two proposed quarter percent tax levies on the ballot for Hancock County this year. One is for operating expenses, one will go towards the flood fund, and the last is additional capital improvements.
9/8/17 – 8:42 A.M.
Authorities in Henry County are investigating the death of a man in Deshler. Media-partner WTOL-11 reports police officers found the body of 26-year-old Richard Wickard II in the Deshler Reservoir around 8:30 a.m. on September 5.
Investigators do not suspect foul play.
MORE: WTOL-11
9/8/17 – 5:27 A.M.
A Fostoria bowling alley reopened with local ownership this week. The Courier reports Jan Thibodeau and her family stepped in to buy Seneca Lanes after a corporate decision to close the facility. Thibodeau’s late husband Herb managed the facility for five decades, and her children are now helping her run the alley.
Renovations on the building started in July. They included new signs, new overhead scoring monitors, a fresh coat of paint, and refurbished lanes. The lounge is now “Herbie’s Pub” and is open to bowlers and anyone else who wants to stop in to watch a game and enjoy a meal.
After all the work, Jan renamed the facility “Thibodeau’s Seneca Lanes.”
MORE: The Courier
9/8/17 – 5:12 A.M.
A Fostoria man is facing drug charges following a two-car crash earlier this week. The Review-Times reports the crash happened on Township Road 112 near Township Road 66 Tuesday afternoon.
36-year-old Lelsie Kroetz was driving east on Road 112 when she hit the back of a car driven by 31-year-old Matthew Fulk. Fulk had pulled off the side of the road and was pulling back onto the road when the collision happened. Investigators allegedly found marijuana in Fulk’s center console.
A medical helicopter took Fulk to Mercy St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo for treatment of his injuries. An ambulance took Kroetz to Mercy Health Tiffin Hospital. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries.
Police cited Kroetz for failure to maintain an assured clear distance ahead.
MORE: Review-Times
9/8/17 – 5:00 A.M.
The superintendent of Ohio schools stopped in Findlay Thursday. The Courier reports Paolo DeMaria visited Glenwood Middle School to see a presentation from the Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County. CMC Director Stacy Shaw told DeMaria about the different ways mentors interact with kids in the district. She said mentors can help children build character and prepare for 21st-century careers.
DeMaria asked students questions about what they enjoy doing with their mentors. Answers ranged from cooking to playing trading card games.
Demaria added that mentoring programs are good for kids, and also give adults a better look at challenges students face.
MORE: The Courier
09/07/17 – 3:39 P.M.
The American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey and other disasters. The Ohio Buckeye Region of the Red Cross has sent 67 volunteers to Texas and Louisiana in response to Harvey. They will be sending more.
The Red Cross is also keeping an eye on Hurricane Irma. They have started preparations to get workers and supplies in place for the new hurricane that could reach the U.S. The Ohio Buckeye Region will recruit and train 100 new volunteers per week to assist with the response and recovery efforts for the weeks and months to come.
You can join the disaster relief orientations for new volunteers. They will be held every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the American Red Cross in Lima.
09/07/17 – 3:08 P.M.
Hancock County Humane Society’s Dogpawlooza event is coming up this weekend. Director of operations Paula Krugh said that they will have the Ultimate Air Dogs and much more.
Krugh said that it won’t cost you any money to get in.
The Ultimate Air Dogs will start their jumps and dives at 11 a.m. at Riverbend Park. The event is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday and is free to enter. You’re welcome to bring your dog as long as you keep it leashed.