Monthly Archives: December 2017

Big Week Of Work Planned On I-75 In Findlay

12/18/17 – 5:20 A.M.

ODOT has a busy week scheduled for the I-75 widening project. The agency plans to shift southbound traffic onto new pavement by the end of the week, but there’s a lot to do to get to that point.

This week ODOT will reduce I-75 to one lane in both directions between U.S. 68 and the County Road 313 between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. so workers can excavate ground to prepare it for new pavement. On Tuesday the work calls for the closure of the entrance ramp from County Road 99 to the interstate from midnight until 5 a.m. Wednesday in order to move equipment.

Crews will remove the contraflow lane of the interstate on Wednesday to allow for easier travel during the winter. The barrier walls are moving as far away from traffic as possible to allow for snow removal.

Formerly Fired Findlay Police Officer Back On The Job

12/18/17 – 5:07 A.M.

After a lengthy legal battle, a fired Findlay police officer is back on the job. The Courier reports Sgt. David Hill’s reinstatement became effective on September 11. Hill lost his job in 2012 after three disciplinary issues.

He helped make a video of himself using a stun gun on another officer’s son, made comments about another officer’s mental health while putting the barrel of his gun in his own mouth, and said a female officer was pregnant with the baby of a custodian. The city said the last incident qualified as sexual harassment.

Hill never denied the allegations, but said they didn’t fit the requirements for termination under the city’s “disciplinary matrix.” After two arbitrators and an appeals court sided with the city, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hill.

The police department has assigned hill to the department’s property room. He retains his rank as sergeant.

MORE: The Courier

Police Looking For Suspects In Findlay Walmart Pharmacy Theft

12/15/17 – 2:37 P.M.

Police are looking for two men that stole from a Walmart Pharmacy in Findlay on Wednesday. Lt. Robert Ring said that the men didn’t offer any threats or hurt anyone, they just stole bottles of prescription drugs.

Robert Ring

Ring added that they are trying to get images of the suspects.

Robert Ring

If you have any information, please call the Findlay Police at 419-424-7150

Man Accused Of Stealing Thousands From Tiffin University

12/15/17 – 7:43 A.M.

A Tiffin man stands accused of taking thousands of dollars from Tiffin University. Media partner WTOL-11 reports 55-year-old Charles Lutz faces two counts of aggravated theft and four counts of grand theft. The Ohio Attorney General’s office says Lutz stole more than $216,000 while he served as the manager of the college’s bookstore.

Tiffin University fired Lutz when the allegations surfaced.

A pretrial hearing in the case is set for January 26.

MORE: WTOL-11

Two Injured In Wood County Crash Thursday

12/15/17 – 7:33 A.M.

A two-car crash injured two people south of Weston in Wood County Thursday morning. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office reports Ricky Hull was driving east on State Route 281 around 6:45 a.m. when he hit a northbound car driven by Daisy Wright at the intersection with State Route 235.

A medical helicopter took Wright to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. An ambulance took Hull to Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green.

The crash remains under investigation.

“A Christmas For Every Child” Provides Presents For 500 Fostoria Children

12/15/17 – 7:24 A.M.

Nearly 500 Fostoria area children will have presents under the Christmas tree this year thanks to the efforts of community members. The Review-Times reports “A Christmas for Every Child” hosted its 13th annual toy store this week. The annual event helps families in need shop for their children.

Organizer Amber Herbert says area residents stepped up this year. The resulting donations meant each child in the program could get three gifts, a stocking, and a book. The normal average is one gift.

Herbert says donations started slowly at first but poured in as the deadline approached.

MORE: Review Times

Fostoria Man Injured In Thursday Crash

12/15/17 – 7:14 A.M.

A two-car crash injured one person west of Fostoria Thursday afternoon. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says Willy Martin of Fostoria was driving south on Township Road 261 around 1:30 when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Township Road 218. An eastbound semi driven by Walter Theisen hit Martin’s car. The impact of the collision cause Martin’s car to hit the side of a nearby house.

Emergency responders took Martin to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Deputies expect to cite him for failure to stop at a stop sign.

Fire Destroys Home Near Forest

12/15/17 – 6:47 A.M.

A Wednesday fire destroyed a home south of Forest. Firefighters responded to 5102 County Road 205 around 5 p.m. The house was completely engulfed in flames when they arrived.

The blaze didn’t cause any injuries but did completely destroy the home. It remains under investigation.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family that lived in the house. A fund to help the family is set up at Quest Federal Credit Union.

MORE: WKTN Radio