2/2/18 – 5:00 A.M.

A waterline project north of Findlay is moving forward. The Hancock County Commissioners approved a $930,000 contract with Underground Utilities of Monroeville to install a waterline loop on Allen Township Road 142. The bid was roughly $450,000 under the engineer’s estimate.

The county commissioners say money for the project is coming from a variety of sources, but not the general fund. Landfill funds will pay for around 39 percent, the Ohio Public Works Commission is paying around 32 percent, and the city of Findlay is paying for the rest.

The contract says the company has to finish the work by the end of July.

02/1/18 – 10 P.M.

Attendance was high at the Economic Outlook meeting in Findlay Thursday evening. Austin Associates financial management division director Bob Morgan said that he thinks the United States will have a strong 2018.

Bob Morgan

He said that this is due to a combination of accelerated consumer and capital spending and the trade deficit narrowing.

Locally Hancock County Economic Development Director Tim Mayle said that Findlay and Hancock County need to keep bringing in investments.

Tim Mayle

Mayle explained the county has been doing a great job bringing in business but can always continue to better its reputation. He added that many people and businesses that they talk to, don’t realize the benefits that Findlay and Hancock County have.

02/01/18 – 4:56 P.M.

The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities finished renovating a building in downtown Findlay. The organization is set to open Center 322 which will house Blanchard Valley Industries and provide a meeting space for Blanchard Valley Center. The first floor of the building will hold the Kan Du art studio and a showroom, day habilitation space, and office space. Blanchard Valley Industries will use the second floor for office space and conference rooms.

The building was built in 1902 and the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities bought it in 2015. It took 2 years to renovate the building. It is located at 322 Wst Main Cross Street.

2/1/18 – 12:21 P.M.

America’s workforce is growing older. Tom Dixon of Eastman & Smith says while that may be true, it’s important to drop preconceived notions about older workers in your place of business…

Audio: Tom Dixon

Dixon says when employers play into those stereotypes they can leave themselves open to age discrimination lawsuits.

Dixon says businesses have to adapt to seniors in the office…

Audio: Tom Dixon

Dixon says sometimes businesses make the mistake of stereotyping what older workers can and can’t do.

Dixon adds it’s important for business owners to work with supervisors to make sure they aren’t accidentally discriminating against older employees.

Dixon spoke to the Findlay Hancock County Alliance Safety Council Thursday.

2/1/18 – 8:51 A.M.

You’ll want to avoid the area of Davis and Morey streets in Findlay for the next day. The city says workers are performing waterline tie-ins at the intersection. They expect the work to last through 3 p.m. Friday.

2/1/18 – 5:16 A.M.

You might see some slow or even stopped traffic on I-75 in Findlay early Friday morning. ODOT says crews are installing a fiber optic line over the interstate between midnight and 5:30 a.m. Friday. The slowdowns should only happen in short intervals.

In the meantime, ODOT will close one lane on part of the interstate today for guardrail repair. You’ll see crews working in the southbound lanes of I-75 just north of State Route 613 and on the westbound side of the County Road 99 overpass.

2/1/18 – 5:06 A.M.

Fostoria junior and senior high school students could return to their regular classrooms next week. The Review-Times reports school officials think students and staff will return to the junior/senior high school on Monday. A small boiler room fire has displaced roughly 780 students and staff members for nearly a month.

Officials expect to get final approval to move back into the school by Sunday. Investigators have to sign off on an air quality test before they can reopen the building. Once the cleanup finishes, staff members will make sure all the technology in the school is working. The kitchen staff will also have to restock the pantry.

MORE: Review-Times

2/1/18 – 4:57 A.M.

A new learning space is open in Findlay High School. Principal Ryan Imke told the school board Wednesday that “Synergy Central” recently opened its doors. Synergy Central is a collaborative learning space next to the library.

Synergy Central includes tables and chairs that students can reconfigure for group work or other activities. It also includes large computer screens that students can hook their Chromebooks to.

Imke credited librarian Amanda Brasfield for leading the charge on transforming the space.