3/8/18 – 5:24 A.M.
A resource for domestic violence victims in Hardin County is closing later this month. The Lima News reports funding cuts are forcing the Crossroads Crisis Center in Kenton to shut down. The Allen County-based agency has been in Hardin County since 2012.
Director Christel Keller says lower amounts of grant funding led to the decision.
MORE: Lima News
3/8/18 – 5:17 A.M.
Carey school students plan to honor the victims of the Parkland, Florida school shooting next week. “Acts of Kindness” week begins on Monday when students can sign a mural to “demonstrate our dedication to treating others with kindness.”
Tuesday will see students and teachers write letters to people in school who have had a positive impact on their lives. On Wednesday students and teachers will take part in a national walk-out at 10 a.m. They’ll also wear red to “show our love and commitment to each other.”
The events wrap up Thursday with students writing compliments to people they don’t often interact with on whiteboards in the building.
MORE: The Courier
3/8/18 – 5:06 A.M.
A former Leipsic police chief is facing charges following a domestic incident in Arkansas. The Putnam County Sentinel reports 43-year-old Chad Schmersal attempted to break into his ex-wife’s apartment so he could kill himself in front of her.
The Brookland, Arkansas Police Department responded to Jennifer Schmersal’s home on February 26 after she made a frantic call to 911. Officers say Chad Schmersal acted like he had a weapon when the arrived, and even made sudden movements. However, they recognized he did not have a gun in his hand and did not fire on him.
Schmersal has a court appearance scheduled for Friday, March 30. He is currently free on a $200,000 bond. The bond states he is not allowed to have contact with his ex-wife and had to hand over guns he owned.
MORE: Putnam County Sentinel
03/08/18 – 5 A.M.
Former Riverdale teacher Brooke Rosendale was sentenced to time in prison Wednesday. The Courier’s Eileen McClory has the story.
Rosendale must also register as a sex offender.
3/8/18 – 4:55 A.M.
We move our clocks forward this weekend, and the American Red Cross reminds you that’s a great time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms as well. Todd James is the executive director of the North Central Ohio Chapter of the Red Cross. He says it’s important to make sure your home is ready for an emergency.
Aside from checking smoke alarm batteries, you should also make sure you have smoke alarms in inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. The Red Cross also recommends making sure you have an escape plan for every room and can get out of the house in two minutes.
The Red Cross also has smartphone apps available to help you plan for an emergency.
03/07/17 – 11:19 A.M.
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has made a change to Ohio licenses. State Registrar Don Petit said the new look isn’t just supposed to look nice.
The licenses will take longer to get to you though. Petit explained that the licenses will come in the mail so that one location can be used to create them.
The new licenses will be recognized on the federal level. This means that you could use your ID to get through areas such as airport security. It does require an extra document.
The new licenses will be rolling out this July.
03/07/18 – 7:43 P.M.
Fostoria City Council pushed through legislation to keep the wastewater treatment plant operating on Tuesday. The Review-Times reports that the ordinance allows Safety Service Director Deb Hellman to enter a contract to get new screw pumps without the customary formal bidding and advertising.
Hellman said that the current pumps are running on borrowed time. She added that the new parts take 16 weeks to produce so it was important to get done early.
03/07/18 – 5:26 A.M.
Findlay City Council discussed options in funding Hancock Public Health’s quest for a new building. The Courier reports that the council decided there needs to be further discussion on the matter. Hancock Public Health had asked the Hancock County Commissioners, who referred them to the city. City council, however, doesn’t want to provide the funds without the county pitching in.
Safety director Paul Schmelzer explained to council that the current buildings will not meet the state standards for accreditation. That is needed for access to grant money.
The newspaper reports that the city had intended to relocate the health department to the former Hochstettler’s Old Mill building on West Main Cross Street. They decided not to do that after estimates put the renovations costs for the building at around half a million dollars.
Health Officials say they are looking to buy a building with a sale price of about $900,000.
03/07/18 – 4:44 A.M.
Whirlpool has announced some leadership changes in their Findlay plant. Former Findlay plant leader Dale Laws will become vice president of laundry and dish. He will oversee operations in Findlay, Clyde, Marion, and Fall River, Massachusetts.
Ramsey Aljahmi will be taking over for Laws. Aljahmi was formerly the director of operations for Findlay.
03/06/18 – 5:40 P.M.
The Literacy Coalition of Hancock County is working with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to help kids. The Coalition’s Shannon Anderson explained that the library seeks to help kids to learn to read at a young age.
She added that reading is a vital skill to have.
Anderson said that by starting to read at a young age, children will have an edge in life.
You can learn more or get signed up at hancockliteracy.org