2/8/18 – 10:28 A.M.

Two Findlay subdivisions are expanding. The Findlay City Planning Commission approved plans for additions to the Somerset Park in Liberty Township and Deer Landing in Marion Township.

The plans for Somerset park call for 15 new homes in an area off of County Road 95. The Deer Landing plans add 27 new lots and a detention pond in an area near Township Road 227.

2/8/18 – 7:17 A.M.

A Wednesday afternoon fire in Findlay injured one person and destroyed an apartment. Firefighters responded to 1800 Queenswood Drive around 3:30 p.m. They knocked down the flames from the outside before entering the building.

Firefighters evacuated people from neighboring apartments. One person went to Blanchard Valley Hospital following the blaze.

The fire remains under investigation.

2/8/18 – 7:08 A.M.

Investigators are considering the death of a Findlay woman a homicide. Hancock County Sheriff Mike Heldman tells the Courier says that’s how deputies will handle the investigation into the death of 28-year-old Danielle Rice unless they can find evidence that proves otherwise.

Deputies found Rice’s body in two trash bags in a ditch along Cass Township Road 215 north of Findlay Sunday afternoon. She was the mother of two young children.

Heldman says, “we need the help of the public as much as possible” to solve the case. You can call (419)424-7097 if you have information.

Hancock County Crime Stoppers is also taking tips on the case. Their number is (419)425-8477. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

MORE: The Courier

2/8/18 – 6:49 A.M.

Cooper Tire & Rubber is opening a new 1 million-square-foot warehouse in Mississippi later this year. The company says the new facility will expand its product distribution network in the United States. The warehouse will be the largest distribution site for Cooper in the U.S.

The company says the facility will allow it to consolidate and distribute products directly to customers as well as supply its regional distribution centers.

2/8/18 – 6:42 A.M.

A Michigan man is going to prison for robbing a Bluffton convenience store. The Courier reports 32-year-old Eric Auchmuty received a three-year sentence for the incident at the Circle K in April of 2016. He reportedly showed an employee a handgun during the robbery.

Auchmuty had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of armed robbery in Macomb County, Michigan. That incident also happened in April of 2016.

MORE: The Courier

2/8/18 – 5:36 A.M.

An Arcadia man is going to prison for a child pornography conviction. A judge recently sentenced 39-year-old Jacob Mullholand to four years in prison. Investigators say they found he had the material while on probation for a prior rape conviction in Seneca County.

Mullholand pleaded guilty to 10 counts of possession of child pornography in the case.

2/8/18 – 5:30 A.M.

Pandora’s mayor has thrown his hat into the ring to run for a Putnam County Commissioner position. The Lima News reports John Schlumbohm has filed petitions to run for the post. Schlumbohm has been the mayor of Pandora for 13 years.

Franklin Miller of Ottawa is also running for the position.

The board of elections will certify candidate filings today.

MORE: Lima News

The Hancock County Juvenile and Probate Court got a security upgrade this week. You’ll now have to go through metal detectors to enter the building. Sheriff Mike Heldman tells the Courier they had a security breach at the court on January 1, and as a result had to station two deputies at the door to the court.

Heldman says the metal detectors are old equipment from the Hancock County Courthouse. A potential security overhaul could mean newer detectors for the facility.

2/8/18 – 5:13 A.M.

The number of inmates in the Hancock County jail continues to climb. The Courier reports the jail began Wednesday with 130 people in the facility. That dropped to 123 people by noon, with 24 inmates housed in other counties. Lt. Ryan Kidwell tells the newspaper they average between 110 and 120 people inmates every week.

The jail has 98 beds. The county contracts with Putnam, Wood, and Van Wert counties to house additional people.

Kidwell said the higher numbers place added stress on jail employees. He adds they already deal with inmates’ mental health issues, as well as drug and alcohol problems on an everyday basis.

MORE: The Courier

2/8/18 – 5:04 A.M.

You’ll see one county-wide levy in Hancock County this May. The Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services is asking residents to pass a 1.2-mill, 10-year levy. Officials say the tax would generate around $2.31 million per year. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 property around $42 annually.

Money raised from the levy would pay for child protective services, adult protective services, and child care.

Elsewhere in the county, the Arcadia, Cory-Rawson, and Liberty-Benton school districts all have renewal levies on the ballot in May.

There is one other levy on the ballot asking for new money. Residents who live in the new Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District will see a 1.5 mill, five-year levy to pay for fire protection in Union and Van Buren townships. That includes the Rawson, Mount Cory, and Jenera fire departments.