2/15/18 – 7:15 A.M.

NAFTA’s impact on Fostoria was a topic of conversation with Senator Sherrod Brown a few weeks ago. The Review-Times reports former safety-service director Allyson Murray talked to Brown as part of a roundtable discussion about the impact of trade agreements.

Murray told Brown and others involved in the teleconference that NAFTA goes beyond lost factory jobs. She said that when companies like Autolite started outsourcing jobs to other countries, other local businesses went under as their customer base dried up. She added that the job losses also shrank the city’s pool of tax revenue.

Brown talked to the group about efforts to renegotiate NAFTA. He added he’s talked about the issue directly with President Trump.

MORE: Review-Times

2/15/18 – 5:27 A.M.

A Fostoria robbery remains under investigation today. The Review-Times reports someone assaulted a clerk at Jack’s Carryout on East Tiffin Street around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The police haven’t released any other details in the case. If you have information on the case you should call the Fostoria Police Department at (419)435-8573.

MORE: Review-Times

2/15/18 – 5:23 A.M.

The Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority is opening its rental assistance waiting list to more people next month. The agency says starting March 1, they’ll take applications from applicants with disabilities and veterans.

The housing authority is also offering veteran preference to a family whose head of household or spouse is a veteran or current member of one of the four military branches. Widows of a discharged or released service person are also eligible for the program.

For more information, you can go to hancockmetro.com.

A Findlay man is facing a robbery charge following an incident in the city in late January. The Courier reports the Hancock County grand jury indicted 19-year-old Tyler Wilson this week.

The Findlay Police Department says the incident happened in the 100 block of Crystal Avenue on January 29. The victim was walking in that area when two men approached him and asked for money. One of the suspects allegedly showed the victim a black handgun and demanded his wallet and cell phone.

02/14/18 – 7:09 P.M.

Farmers have growing concerns as agriculture and nutrition programs are being slashed by President Trump in his budget. Former ag extension educator Gary Wilson explained that these subsidized programs help family farms.

Gary Wilson

Wilson explained that things like crop insurance are made affordable through government intervention. Taking that away could cause farms to go out of business and lead to even bigger issues.

Gary Wilson

Wilson says that luckily both sides of the aisle oppose the current budget proposal.

02/14/18 – 6:02 P.M.

Bluffton will be offering classes for people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders. RN Tricia Herrmann said that the classes will teach people how to get through everyday things.

Tricia Herrmann

She added that they will also work on maintaining memory functions. She said that loss of memory comes with not using it over time.

A referral from a physician is needed to attend the classes. If falling is an issue, the participant needs to come with someone during the classes. The class will be at the Mennonite Memorial Home in Bluffton from 1-2 p.m. in the chapel on Mondays and Thursdays. You can RSVP by calling Herrman at 419-358-1015.

02/14/18 – 2:11 P.M.

A teen in Toledo was the victim of a catphishing scam which resulted in him being raped. Crime prevention officer Brian White explained that catphishing is a crime in which someone will contact you pretending to be someone else. There are several reasons people will try to do this.

Brian White

White said the best way to protect yourself is to research who you are talking to.

Brian White

White added that you should also try to meet in a public place to see if the person is real. He said you could also look them up on whitepages.com.

2/14/18 – 6:56 A.M.

A two-car crash on U.S. 224 west of Findlay injured one person Tuesday afternoon. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the collision happened at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Hancock County Road 223 around 3:20 p.m.

17-year-old Matthew Bame of Findlay was driving west on Route 224 when he hit the back of a car driven by 60-year-old Jennifer Mock of Kenton. Mock had stopped for traffic.

Hanco Ambulance took Mock to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of her injuries. Deputies cited Bame for failure to stop in an assured clear distance.

2/14/18 – 6:48 A.M.

A Findlay park is getting an upgrade. The Courier reports the Hancock Park District has approved a $48,000 project for Centennial Park. The facility sits off Cross Avenue, just east of Blanchard Street.

The park currently has an outdoor fitness center that has been there for 29 years. The Park District will replace the old equipment with a new FitCore area. Parks director Gary Pruitt says the new equipment is ADA accessible.

The project also includes putting down a new wood mulch surface, plastic borders, and asphalt walk. Concrete work should finish in April.

MORE: The Courier