1/18/18 – 5:12 A.M.
The Putnam County Commissioners recently approved the county’s budget for 2018. The Putnam County Sentinel reports the budget for the year is just under $10.2 million. That’s around one percent less than the 2017 budget. The county expects revenues to top expenses by around $2,000 this year.
The largest item in the budget is for the Sheriff’s Office. It accounts for more than one-third of the county’s expenses for the year.
MORE: Putnam County Sentinel
1/18/18 – 5:00 A.M.
The Hancock County grand jury has indicted a man accused of robbing a loan office earlier this month. The Courier reports 34-year-old Roger Rader faces a theft charge.
Police say Rader walked into the First American Loans office at 2018 Tiffin Avenue on January 6 and demanded money. An employee gave him cash and he allegedly left in a cab. Investigators say Rader didn’t make any threats and didn’t show a weapon.
1/18/18 – 4:26 A.M.
Dozens of people are awaiting pink slips in Lima, but their time on the unemployment line may be short-lived. DHL plans to lay off nearly 230 people at the shipping giant’s facility on Cool Road. The company says, however, a third-party contractor is moving in with a promise to hire most of the current workforce.
01/17/18 – 5:44 P.M.
The jury reached a verdict in the murder trial of Brent Houdeshell. The Courier’s Eileen McClory reports that the 29-year-old man will be facing time in prison.
Houdeshell was accused of killing his then fiancee’s son, 2-year-old Breyden Ferell, last year. You can read more about this trial in the Courier.
01/17/18 – 5:13 P.M.
The inaugural Fire and Ice Gala is coming up later this month to support Camp Fire Northwest Ohio. CEO Michelle Huff said that Camp Fire helps students in the area.
Huff added that in the summer they have camp. They also have events happening for days when school is canceled but parents still have to work.
The Fire and Ice Gala will have prizes and food from local shops. It will also feature a raffle for a cruise or a ski trip. The event will be on January 27 from 6-9 pm at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $45 and are available at campfirenwohio.com or on Facebook.
01/17/18 – 4:45 P.M.
There’s a unique fundraising event coming up to raise money for Lodestar: Guiding Angels for the Blind. Founder Melissa Schroeder explained that Lodestar helps blind children up to age 17.
The Dine in the Dark event will feature a three-course meal and a blindfold. You will have to eat your meal totally blind. Schroeder said that Dine in the Dark is a fun event but also raises awareness.
The event is February 17 and tickets are $30 until February 1 where the price goes up to $35. The event will be at the University of Findlay and you can get your tickets at lodestarga.org or on their Facebook page.
01/17/18 – 2:37 P.M.
The jury heard closing statements today in 29-year-old Brent Houdeshell’s murder trial of 2-year-old Breyden Ferell. The Courier’s Eileen McClory said that assistant Hancock County Prosecutor Colleen Limerick recapped their side.
She also added that medical experts agreed that Ferell was a victim of abuse and homicide. McClory said that defense counsel Adam Nemann closed arguments saying there was no motive.
He added that forensic pathologist Dr. Werner Spitz said Ferell could have fallen out of the crib and died. The Prosecution stated that Houdeshell abused Ferell and had expert witnesses testify that Ferell died of abuse.
Read more in tomorrow’s Courier or online.
1/17/18 – 7:15 A.M.
Fostoria officials still haven’t filled an open council seat. The Review-Times reports four people have shown interest in the third ward council position. Council determined all but one candidate was viable for the spot. Council plans to continue accepting applications and hopes to make an appointment in February.
MORE: Review-Times
1/17/18 – 6:52 A.M.
The trial of a man charged with a murder in Fostoria started Tuesday. The Advertiser-Tribune reports investigators accuse 18-year-old Christian Brown of stabbing 18-year-old D’Andre Gehring in the parking lot of the Fostoria Townhouses last January.
The jury heard opening statements Tuesday. The prosecution said the evidence would show Brown and Gehring got into a fight after a botched deal to buy some marijuana. The state said Brown was winning the fight and then jammed a butcher knife into Gehring’s neck.
The defense said the evidence would show only 19-year-old Arlando Crowe handled the knife. Crowe pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with the case last year. He is serving a 30-month prison sentence.
MORE: Advertiser-Tribune
1/17/18 – 6:41 A.M.
Fostoria has a new fire chief. The Review-Times reports city council voted to hire Brian Herbert for the position. Herbert was serving as the interim fire chief. He’s a 24-year veteran of the Fostoria Fire Department.
Herbert says his goals include getting training back up to standard. He also wants to catch up on inspections and other issues caused by a lack of manpower.
MORE: Review-Times