11/20/17 – 2:16 P.M.
A downed power line is causing stress for downtown Findlay drivers. AEP Ohio reports that over 600 customers are without power after a power line went down on East Lincoln Street by the Hancock Hotel. They estimate that the power will be restored around 4 p.m. today.
The power outage is affecting several downtown traffic lights. If you’re traveling through downtown you need to treat these stop lights as four-way stops.
The downed line is blocking East Lincoln Street.
11/20/17 – 10:55 A.M.
Hancock County is on the leading edge of an increase in personal income for Ohioans. According to Jeff Newman, an economist with Bureau of Economic Analysis, the majority of counties across Ohio saw growth of one-point-eight-percent on average.
Audio: Jeff Newman
Newman explained a couple of different factors can lead to the fluctuation of the growth rate.
Audio: Jeff Newman
Last year grew at a slower rate than in 2015 because of slower growth in earnings and property growth. Personal income for residents averaged more than 44-thousand-dollars per year.
11/20/17 – 9:03 A.M.
Ohio Northern University has broken ground on a new engineering building. The Courier reports the new facility will provide space for a project-based style of learning. The new building will have space for students to collaborate on projects.
The 105,000 square foot facility will sit east of the Robertson-Evans Pharmacy Building and north of the English Chapel. The school expects construction to wrap up during the summer of 2019.
MORE: The Courier
11/20/17 – 8:53 A.M.
Local gas prices are higher than they were last Monday, but are coming back down from last week’s highest prices. OhioGasPrices.com reports the average price in Findlay is $2.50 for a gallon of regular. That’s up nine cents from last Monday but down 16 cents from last week’s highest prices. Local prices are about 20 cents higher than they were a month ago.
Ottawa drivers report paying $2.48 per gallon today. That roughly flat compared to last Monday.
Local drivers are paying less than the state average, which stands at $2.54 per gallon. That’s up two cents over the last seven days.
11/20/17 – 8:30 A.M.
ODOT crews will do some finishing work on area bridges this week. Work will take place on State Route 12 just east of Benton Ridge and on the U.S. 68 exit ramp over Eagle Creek south of Findlay. You’ll see should restrictions in both areas.
11/20/17 – 6:44 A.M.
UPDATE – 7:54 A.M.
It looks like things are clearing up after several crashes caused slowdowns in the north and southbound lanes of I-75 in Findlay this morning. Local Waze users say the crashes happened just before 6:30 a.m. near the I-75 interchange with US 68 and State Route 15.
A dispatcher with the State Highway Patrol says water on the interstate froze overnight causing slick spots. In response they had ODOT bring a salt truck through to give drivers more traction. You’ll still want to take it easy in that area as temperatures remain below freezing.
We’ll have more details on the crashes as they become available.
11/20/17 – 5:31 A.M.
A North Baltimore man stands accused of having sexual contact with minors. The Sentinel-Tribune reports the Wood County grand jury has indicted 23-year-old Samuel Kaufman on two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The indictment says the incidents allegedly happened in 2016 and involved two victims. There were 14 and 15-years-old at the time.
MORE: Sentinel-Tribune
11/20/17 – 5:26 A.M.
UPDATE – 10:22 A.M.
Despite high water in some areas, Findlay’s annual leaf pickup started today. Mayor Lydia Mihalik says crews started collecting leaves in biodegradable bags at 7 a.m. The leaf pickup often takes more than one day, so crews can visit the soggier parts of town on a later day.
11/20/17 – 5:22 A.M.
A one-car crash killed a Fostoria man early Sunday morning. The State Highway Patrol reports 25-year-old Troy Schmitz was driving his pickup truck south on Seneca County Road 7 around 12:15 a.m. when he when off the road, hit a utility pole and overturned in a ditch. The crash ejected Schmitz, who was not wearing a seatbelt.
The incident remains under investigation but the patrol believes alcohol was a factor.
11/20/17 – 5:16 A.M.
Preparations are underway for an annual Thanksgiving feast in Findlay. The Courier reports Stonebridge Church has plans to feed 2,400 people Thursday. Stonebridge operations manager Kelly Galer says that means preparing 64 turkeys plus all the sides.
Galer says members from almost every congregation in Findlay pitch in to make the dinner possible. If you’re interested in volunteering you can sign up at StoneBridgeChurch.com through the end of today. Galer says you can also walk-in the day of the meal.
The kitchen open at 8 a.m. Thursday. The drive-through runs from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Volunteers will deliver meals from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. To have a meal delivered you need to call (419)425-8568 by noon on Tuesday.
MORE: The Courier