12/20/17 – 3:54 A.M.

The ordinance to give Findlay City Council a pay raise was met with some controversy during their Tuesday meeting. Councilmen Jeff Wobser and Grant Russel opposed the ordinance. Russel explained that it goes against council rules.

Grant Russel

Wobser said that he didn’t think it was right to vote for a pay raise after the election had confirmed who will be on council.

The rest of council disagreed. Councilwoman Holly Frische said that council has the support of the community.

Holly Frische

Councilman Tom Kline added that being on council is a part-time job but a full time commitment.

Council voted in favor of the ordinance. The pay raise will increase the salary of council members to over $7,220 and the treasurer’s to $9,010.

12/19/17 – 7:13 P.M.

Hancock County has a tight budget going into 2018. Commissioner Brian Robertson said they have left many mandated and nonmandated fund requests out of the budget.

Brian Robertson

He added that isn’t easy trying to cut funding for many of the county’s departments and services. Robertson explained that they are trying to make sure they live within their means.

Brian Robertson

Robertson explained that if funding does become available, then he said it will have to be focused on the sheriff’s office and the courts.

12/19/17 – 5:28 P.M.

An injury crash in Liberty township sent two people to the hospital Tuesday morning. The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reports the accident happened at the intersection of County Roads 9 and 313. 20-year-old Shelbi Tipple was heading south on CR 9 and stopped at the intersection. She didn’t see 40-year-old Josh Walton of Ada as she pulled through the intersection to make a left turn. Walton hit Tipple on the driver’s side.

Hanco EMS took both drivers to Blanchard Valley Hospital. Officers cited Tipple for failure to yield at a stop sign.

12/19/17 – 10:18 A.M.

The mayor of Bluffton has stepped down. The Courier reports Judy Augsburger submitted her resignation during a Monday night meeting. Augsburger says she wants to spend more time with her family.

Officials swore Council President Richard Johnson in as mayor to fulfill the rest of Augsburger’s term.

12/19/17 – 5:19 A.M.

Carey officials have agreed to renew a compliance agreement with the Wyandot County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Courier reports the deal means the village is eligible for federal funds if there is a natural disaster declaration by the state or federal government.

The federal funds pay for part of the cleanup after a disaster. Village Administrator Roy Johnson says Carey has used disaster funds for disaster clean up in the past.

MORE: The Courier

12/19/17 – 5:09 A.M.

The campaign to support Issue 4 in Hancock County was entirely financed by Hancock County Commissioner Brian Robertson. Committees for candidates and issues on the ballot recently submitted their post-election campaign finance reports. The pro-issue 4 group “Families for Safety and Security” listed nearly $2,700 in the value of “in-kind contributions received.” All the money came from Robertson.

The committee used the money to send out fliers in support of the issue.

The quarter percent sales tax would have generated an estimated $3.1 million to $3.5 million annually for 20 years. The county planned to use the money to expand the jail and build a new administration building. It failed by a 3-to-1 margin.

MORE: The Courier