3/13/18 – 5:17 A.M.

Ottawa officials are working toward a grant to help pay for the supervision of convicted criminals waiting on their sentencing hearings. The Lima News reports Mayor Dean Meyer recently added his signature to a letter of support for a Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison grant.

If approved, the county would use part of the $75,000 grant to rent equipment for mandatory, court-ordered drug testing. Some of the money would help parolees with job searches and job retention efforts.

Only non-violent, non-sexual offenders would qualify for the help.

MORE: Lima News

3/13/18 – 5:09 A.M.

Two candidates running for the Republican nomination for Ohio Senate sat down for a forum Monday. The Courier reports the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce hosted State Senator Rob McColley and challenger Craig Kupferberg. Both candidates took on the subject of education during the event.

McColley said he doesn’t support House Bill 512, which aims to better coordinate kindergarten through postsecondary education policy. McColley said it works against private schools and homeschoolers.

Retired principal Craig Kupferberg said the state often gets in the way of public education. He cited an unconstitutional funding method and constantly changing graduation standards.

More: The Courier

3:30 A.M.

Glenwood Middle School is starting a food pantry for students. Superintendent Ed Kurt said that the school is getting ready to launch the program soon.

Ed Kurt

Glenwood principal Janice Panuto explained that this will help students.

Janice Panuto

After food has been distributed to students in need, it will be donated to other food pantires.

03/13/18 – 2:40 A.M.

Findlay City Schools received the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction. Superintendent Ed Kurt said this due to an excellent staff.

Ed Kurt

Alexander Jones from state auditor David Yosts’ office gave the award to the school. He said that only 300 establishments from across the state have received the award.

03/13/18 – 1:40 A.M.

Former Findlay City High School Principal Craig Kupferberg talked to Findlay City School Board about his bid for State Senate. He said that the state has failed to helped students.

Craig Kupferberg

Kupferberg also said that he opposes the state collecting income taxes from municipalities. He said that taking income taxes and charging a collecting fee is similar to robbery.

03/12/18 – 5:29 P.M.

Two Owens Community College presidential candidates will be presenting in Findlay this Thursday. Interim president and CEO Steve Robinson and former Louisiana Delta Community College chancellor Barbara Hanson will take part in forums. Each forum will include a presentation, audience questions, and a 30-minute meet and greet period.

Robinson’s presentation will be from 9:15 – 10 a.m. followed by the meet and greet. Hanson will follow at 11:45 a.m. with the meet and greet starting at 12:30 p.m.

03/12/18 – 4:43 P.M.
03/13/18 – 1:05 P.M. Updated for time correction

The Blanchard Valley Center All-Star Game will be held next Tuesday. Community relations manager Cindy Maag said that they have plenty of athletes this year.

Cindy Maag

Maag said that the basketball game will feature all sorts of talent from the community. She explained that there will be athletes from the Special Olympics team, BVC, and even local businesses.

Maag said that all of the proceeds will help support people in the community.

Cindy Maag

The game will start next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the University of Findlay’s Croy Gym. There is no cost to attend but they will take donations at the door.

3/12/18 – 8:41 A.M.

Local gas prices are a little lower to start the week after spiking last week. OhioGasPrices.com reports the average price for a gallon of regular in Findlay is $2.39 per gallon today. That’s two cents below last Monday’s average. The average price had jumped to $2.56 per gallon by last Friday.

Ottawa drivers report paying $2.34 per gallon. That’s five cents under last Monday’s prices.

Local prices are below the state average, which sits at $2.42. That’s an increase of four cents over the last seven days.

3/12/18 – 5:43 A.M.

A two-car crash on I-75 in Findlay injured one person Saturday afternoon. The State Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 4:15 p.m. near the northbound State Route 12 exit.

The crash closed the left lane of the interstate for about an hour.

No other details are available yet.