1/17/18 – 5:30 A.M.
Findlay income tax payments were down in 2017. The Courier reports the city collected $23.3 million last year. That’s nearly $1.8 million less than the $25 million collected in 2016.
Income tax collections from businesses fell to $3.1 million. That was 42 percent off the 2016 pace.
Collections from all other sources totaled $20.2 million in 2017. That was up 2.5 percent over the previous year.
MORE: The Courier
1/17/18 – 5:24 A.M.
Hancock County residents could see a levy for the 50 North senior center on the ballot in May. The Courier reports representatives for the organization asked the commissioners to put a .9-mill, 10-year capital improvement levy in front of voters this spring. If it passes, it would cost the owner of a $100,000 home around $32 a year.
Officials say money generated by the levy would help build a fitness center on the west side of the building. They also want to provide extra space for seniors with chronic diseases. The space would also help with physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental and economic well-being.
The commissioners have until February 7 to submit the issue to the board of elections.
MORE: The Courier
1/17/18 – 5:09 A.M.
Two medical examiners testified in the murder trial of an Arlington man Tuesday. The Courier reports 29-year-old Brent Houdeshell’s attorney called an expert witness to the stand. Dr. Werner Spitz is a forensic pathologist and professor of pathology at Wayne State University in Detroit. He testified that 2-year-old Breydon Ferrell could have died as a result of a fall from his crib on March 31 of 2016.
Spitz said the boy could have hit a table and television near the crib as he fell, causing multiple injuries.
The prosecution called medical examiner and forensic pathologist Dr. Jamie Downs to the stand as a rebuttal witness. Downs disagreed with Spitz, saying Ferrell couldn’t have suffered eight injuries to his face and skull in just one fall. He also said injuries Ferrell had on his arms were consistent with grab marks.
Closing arguments are on the trial schedule today.
MORE: The Courier
1/17/18 – 4:32 A.M.
Northwest Ohio-area residents are buzzing over a massive fireball that lit up the night sky. National Weather Service officials and astronomy experts say a meteor streaked overhead last night, causing a booming sound and green-and-white flash across the sky. Sightings were reported throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
01/17/18 – 2:53 A.M.
Findlay won an award from the Society of Protective Coatings. Service director Brian Thomas explained that Findlay won the spirit award for the north water tower. Findlay received a plaque and a trophy. The water tower will also be featured in SPC’s magazine.
01/17/18 – 2:50 A.M.
The Findlay City Council heard an ordinance to transfer funds for a curb replacement project done last year. Service director Brian Thomas explained that there was extra work involved in the project.
Thomas added that they had to have contractors finish the job.
The curbs were on Trenton Avenue and Main Cross Street. The additional costs came to $10,000.
01/16/18 – 6:42 P.M.
The Hancock County Commissioners moved forward with getting assessments of the Juvenile and Probate Court Tuesday. Commissioner Brian Robertson said that they want an updated cost for the project.
Robertson added that the money for this project isn’t coming out of the general fund. There was confusion that sales tax money was being used. Robertson explained that the money is coming from the clerk of courts fund.
The commissioners did the same thing when they did repairs to the main courthouse.
01/16/18 – 6:17 P.M.
Update – 3 A.M.
The Hancock County Commissioners have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. Commissioner Brian Robertson explained that this will get the ball rolling on the Blanchard River flood reduction project.
Robertson added that the cost of this agreement came in way below what was predicted.
The issue was also brought before the Findlay City Council. They agree to a memorandum of understanding as well. Mayor Lydia Mihalik said that they need to remove the trees.
Mihalik explained that the agreement will give the conservancy district access to city land for the tree removal. She added that this comes at no cost to the city.
More here.
01/16/18 – 5:50 P.M.
A semi crashed into an overpass on I-75 outside of Findlay just before 3 p.m. Tuesday injuring at least one person. The Courier reports that the semi crashed into the Lima Avenue/Hancock County 313 overpass. Hanco EMS took a female passenger to the Blanchard Valley Hospital with injuries but she was conscious. The driver of the semi was alert and being checked out by Hanco EMS.
The crash caused a temporary shut down on the interstate, which backed up traffic for several miles. We’ll release more details as they become available.
1/16/18 – 11:55 A.M.
Plans are officially in motion to start phase I of the Blanchard River flood mitigation project in Findlay this year. The Maumee Watershed Conservancy District mapped out a timeline for the year during a Tuesday meeting. It includes the removal of trees along the river…
Audio: Clark Lynn Army
Conservancy District director Clark Lynn Army says they have to have trees in the work area cleared before the end of March to comply with federal wildlife regulations.
After crews remove trees, bids for digging benches and removing riffle structures could go out late this summer…
Audio: Clark Lynn Army
Army stressed this part of the plan only focuses on work in Findlay. He adds that there is nothing new to discuss about Stantec Engineering’s proposal for dry storage basins south of Findlay.
The Conservancy also heard from storage basin opponent Linda Bishop and David Blatnik of the Blanchard River Watershed Solutions group. Bishop once again lobbied for a river cleaning project. Blatnik said they’ve had good meetings with the rural community and are forming a good relationship.
The Conservancy will hold a meeting in Findlay to talk about phase I next week. It is set for January 24 at 6 p.m. in the Winebrenner Theological Seminary.