12/07/17 – 4:57 A.M.

Findlay police are still looking for a suspect in a November murder. The Courier reports that police have been investigating the murder of 42-year-old Brian McQuistion on November 25. Lt. Robert Ring told the paper that they have at least four people of interest. There isn’t enough evidence to identify a suspect yet. He added the department has interviewed about 10 people, some of them multiple times.

If you have any information, you can call the police at 419-424-7150 or Hancock County Crime Stoppers at 419-425-8477.

12/07/17 – 4:40 A.M.

Fifty-two people are new U.S. citizens after a naturalization at Winebrenner Theological Seminary yesterday afternoon. The Courier reports that U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Ohio welcomed the immigrants. High school seniors from area schools also addressed the group. They talked about the benefits and obligations of citizenship.

The new citizens came from 25 different countries.

12/06/17 – 10:31 A.M.

Fostoria City Council approved an agreement to keep two police officers in Fostoria City Schools. The Review-Times reports that the council unanimously approved a contract between the city and the school board. At-Large Councilman Brian Shaver abstained since he is a teacher at the school.

The two-year agreement says that the school district will pay the city a lump sum of over $100,000 by November 30 each year. The contract is in effect until August of 2019.

The two officers will serve as a source of protection and a deterrent to keep students from misbehaving. The officers will also act as companions to help students with problems both in school and out of school.

12/06/17 – 8:37 A.M.

The Findlay Income Tax Department mailed out 2017 income tax filing notices this week. The purpose of these notices is to remind local taxpayers of their obligation to file municipal income tax returns. Income tax forms will be available at the Municipal Building, the main and Arlington branches of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, and online.

Findlay, Arlington. Mount Cory and Vanlue resident individuals 18 or older are required to file municipal income tax return. For help, you can call the tax department at 419-424-7133

12/06/17 – 7:58 A.M.

A state representative from Napoleon, Ohio has filled former state senator Cliff Hite’s seat. The Associated Press reports Republican Robert McColley was sworn in yesterday to represent the Ohio 1st Senate District. His appointment was unanimous after he was recommended for the post by a seven-member screening committee.

Senator Cliff Hite resigned after a female state worker filed a sexual harassment complaint against him.

12/06/17 – 5:10 A.M.

A change in depositary agreements made by the State Treasurer Josh Mandel could be bad news for Findlay. The Courier reports that city council heard about the new rule change at their Tuesday meeting. City Auditor Jim Staschiak said that in the past, banks were required to keep a treasury with enough money to guarantee the return of public funds should the bank collapse. The new rule has all pooled collateral pledged to the state treasurer rather than to public entities.

Staschiak said that this will result in fewer options for protecting Findlay’s funds and increased banking fees. He explained that before the rule change, every dollar the city had was guaranteed at a minimum of $1.02. After the rule change, this can be reduced to as little as 50 cents.

Council hurried legislation that will allow Staschiak to start signing new bank depository agreements. He said his goal is to maintain an excess of the 100 percent guarantee.

12/06/17 – 4:48 A.M.

Firefighters were called to an early morning structure fire south of McComb. The Courier reports that the fire was reported around 2 a.m. today at 5180 Ohio 235. The Northwest Hancock joint Fire District and Allen Township Fire Department were on scene.

The structure was unoccupied. We’ll have more details as they become available.

12/05/17 – 6:13 P.M.

Local safety services and law enforcement in Findlay got a special treat on Tuesday. The Courier’s Kathryne Rubright said they got a meal delivered to their doors.

Kathryne Rubright

Rubright said that the students decided to deliver the meals after they gave a fire station cookies left over from a bake sale earlier in the year.

12/05/17 – 6 P.M.

The community conversations to focus local organizations on issues in Hancock County are over. The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation CEO Katherine Kreuchauf said they had good participation.

Katherine Kreuchauf

Community members got to talk about the issues affecting them and their communities. Kreuchauf said the conversations will help them focus on these issues.

Katherine Kreuchauf

Kreuchauf said many of the issues are being tackled by local organizations already. She added that there are some that could have more focus, such as housing.

They will report their results from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on January 18 at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

12/05/17 – 5:48 P.M.

A Findlay bridge is expected to open soon after being closed for months. The Courier reports that the Osborn Avenue bridge near Riverside Park will reopen December 15. Hancock County Engineer Chris Long informed the county commissioners during their Tuesday meeting.

The new bridge will be a 252-foot structure with sight improvements for motorists. The state will pay more than $2 million of the cost, leaving the county to pay more than $106,000