11/30/17 – 5:26 A.M.
A Fostoria man will spend three years in prison for breaking into two homes last year. 24-year-old Andre Murphy will also have to pay more than $1,000 in restitution to his victims.
Visiting retired Wood County Judge Robert Pollex sentenced Murphy this week.
Murphy and Kasey Kole broke into homes in Arcadia and Fostoria last December. Kole is serving a three-year sentence as well.
11/30/17 – 5:16 A.M.
It doesn’t look like Fostoria is getting a Tim Horton’s after all. The Review-Times reports a “for sale” sign now stands at the site for the planned restaurant. Westerville-based property owner Rensko Holdings LLC has hired Zelnik Realty Limited to sell 918 North Countyline St.
A representative from the real estate agency says a deal to list the property was in place long before a for-sale sign ever went up.
Rensko Holdings bought and demolished several homes to make way for the Tim Horton’s. However, nothing happened after the company tore down the buildings. Four months ago the company told the city they were delaying construction due to “unforeseen costs.”
MORE: Review-Times
11/30/17 – 5:06 A.M.
The Hancock County grand jury has indicted a man for alleged sex crimes. 20-year-old Jacob Smith faces four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. All four charges are fourth-degree felonies.
The incidents allegedly happened in March of this year.
MORE: The Courier
11/30/17 – 4:58 A.M.
UPDATE – 10:37 A.M.
Cooper Tire & Rubber continues to appeal a court order to hire a worker terminated after the 2012 lockout. The Courier reports Cooper terminated the worker’s employment after he shouted racist comments at replacement workers while on the picket line.
The National Labor Relations Board ruled Cooper should rehire the employee with full back pay and benefits. Cooper appealed the ruling to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of the worker. Cooper says it is looking at other appeal options.
A statement from the company says, “Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is committed to maintaining a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.”
MORE: The Courier
11/29/17 – 4:07 P.M.
Hancock County is hard at work installing the Boot Device in area schools. The device is a safety feature that can easily block doors in an emergency. The Couriers Kathryne Rubright said they have raised about three-quarters of the funds.
She added that some of the area schools already have the boots installed.
Rubright said that the Sheriff’s Office is still working to collect donations for the project.
11/29/17 – 3:30 P.M.
The United Way of Hancock County is holding its 2nd annual online auction fundraiser. There are over 60 items to bid on this year. Many of the items are gift certificates to local businesses but there are some tickets to area zoos and museums.
To bid you will need to create an account. Bidding is online at liveunitedhancockcounty.org. Bidding is open until 7 p.m. December 2.
11/29/17 – 8:58 A.M.
Wood County authorities are looking for a sex offender who failed to register in the county. The Sentinel-Tribune reports Justin Guck is a Tier II sex offender. He has lived in North Baltimore, Cygnet, Weston, and Bowling Green in the past.
In 2008 Guck pleaded guilty to a count of unlawful sexual contact with a minor. In 2010 a judge sentenced him to 16 months in prison for breaking the terms of his parole. In 2014, officers executed a search warrant at a Bowling Green daycare after receiving a report Guck was working there.
Guck is white, around 6’0″ tall and weighs around 165 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office says he has several tattoos including a barcode on the back of his neck.
If you have information about where Guck is you are asked to call the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at (419)354-9001.
MORE: Sentinel-Tribune
11/29/17 – 7:42 A.M.
A Bowling Green man will spend two years in prison for attacking his brother with a knife. The Courier reports 29-year-old Gabriel Underwood pleaded guilty to assault charges on Monday. One charge stemmed from a June 20 attack on Underwood’s brother. A second charge came after Underwood attacked an officer at the Hancock County jail on July 4.
Underwood initially pleaded insanity but a judge declared him competent to stand trial on November 13.
MORE: The Courier
11/29/17 – 5:32 A.M.
Around 60 people will become U.S. citizens in Findlay next week. A naturalization ceremony is set for December 6 at 12:30 p.m. in Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s TLB Auditorium. Judge Jeffrey Helmick of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, will preside over the ceremony and give the oath of citizenship.
Seniors from several area high schools will also speak at the event.
11/29/17 – 5:26 A.M.
A Findlay man will spend four years in prison for committing a robbery. The Courier reports Judge Reginald Routson sentenced 24-year-old Garth Brooks earlier this month. Brooks faced two robbery counts after he attacked two men behind Nicki’s bar on North Main Street on April 14.
19-year-old John Ritter of Findlay also faces charges in the case. His trial is still pending.