1/26/18 – 5:18 A.M.

The fiscal officer of a Putnam County township is facing theft charges. The Putnam County Sentinel reports the grand jury indicted Union Township Fiscal Officer Kyle Unverferth on a count of theft in office. He’s also facing tampering with records and making false statement charges.

The indictment accuses Unverferth of stealing computer equipment. It also alleges Unverferth tampered with bank statements between 2016 and 2017.

County Prosecutor Gary Lammers tells the newspaper investigators found evidence of the crimes following a reported break-in at the Union Township building. The break-in happened days before a scheduled audit last fall.

An arraignment hearing is set for Monday morning.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

1/26/18 – 5:07 A.M.

Ottawa residents are seeing an increase in their water rates, and so are county residents served by the village’s water system. The Putnam County Sentinel reports the village has set the water rate at $7.42 per cubic foot for people who live in town. That’s an 8 percent increase.

County residents served by the system now pay $9.45 per cubic foot, a 9 percent increase.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

1/26/18 – 4:33 A.M.

It’ll be several weeks before Dublin police will know what caused a deadly crash on U.S. Route 33. Police say 28-year-old Dustin Willison of Kenton was killed yesterday morning when he lost control of his car and slammed into a wall near Avery Road. The wreck closed Route 33 for more than five hours while investigators cleared the scene.

01/26/17 – 2 A.M.

The Hancock County Chapter of the Northwest Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition held a panel on human trafficking at the University of Findlay. Coalition chair Miranda Tippie explained that it is important to discuss human traffic.

Miranda Tippie

Tippie said that there are ways people can help.

Miranda Tippie

The panel discussed many options in learning to determine the signs of someone being trafficked. Another resource discussed by the panel was the Truckers Against Trafficking organization. This organization trains truckers and people in the industry to catch these signs.

The panel also talked about treatment for after someone gets out of human trafficking. Tippie explained that Findlay has several treatment options available.

Miranda Tippie

If you suspect trafficking or think you might be a victim you can call the national human trafficking hotline at 888-3737-888.

01/25/18 – 5:38 P.M.

The Hancock County Veterans Service Office is offering blankets, hygiene items, and clothes to veterans. Assistant director Kyle Frias explained that they will hand out the items on Monday.

Kyle Frias

Frias added that this comes at no cost for veterans. If you are already registered with the Veterans Service Office, you’ll only have to confirm your information. If you aren’t registered, you will need your photo ID and you DD 214 to sign up.

01/25/18 – 4:23 P.M.

A one-car crash claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy in Liberty Township Thursday morning. The teenager was identified as Robert McCracken from Findlay. The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reports that the accident happened around 7:30 a.m. at 11776 Township Road 67. McCracken was driving north when he lost control and the vehicle spun sideways and went off the left side of the road. He continued across the lawn of a home until the passenger side struck a tree.

EMS personnel pronounced the boy dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

01/25/18 – 4:12 P.M.

The Arlington man found guilty of killing a two-year-old boy was sentenced today. The Courier’s Eileen McClory said Brent Houdeshell was sentenced to life in prison.

Eileen McClory

Houdeshell was accused of killing two-year-old Breyden Ferell in march of 2016. He was pronounced guilty last week.

1/25/18 – 10:41 A.M.

If you want to help kids in the community, Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County would like to hear from you. Executive Director Stacy Shaw says they can always use more help…

Audio: Stacy Shaw

Shaw says CMC helps kids by providing a positive adult influence in their lives…

Audio: Stacy Shaw

For more information on mentoring you can call (419)424-9752.

Shaw adds you can also help support the organization with their “Bowl For Kids” event in March. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for Children’s Mentoring Connection.

1/25/18 – 7:18 A.M.

The Wood County Sheriff’s office is investigating a series of break-ins in the county. The Sentinel-Tribune reports six incidents happened in Bradner over the weekend. Residents reported break-ins in several homes along Caldwell Road. Thieves got away with tools and electronics. In at least one instance the residents were home at the time.

Investigators are also looking into a rash of similar incidents near Grand Rapids in the northern part of the county. So far there’s no word on if there is a connection between the thefts in Brander and Grand Rapids.

MORE: Sentinel-Tribune

1/25/18 – 6:58 A.M.

A two-car crash injured a Van Buren man north of Findlay Wednesday afternoon. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened at the intersection of County Roads 236 and 109.

24-year-old Miguel Rankin of Van Buren was driving north on Road 236 around 5:40 p.m. when he failed to stop at a stop sign. Rankin hit a pickup truck driven by 50-year-old Stephen Switzer of Findlay.

Hanco Ambulance took Rankin to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment. The crash remains under investigation.