Thursday’s rain and snow has area waterways running high again, but the National Weather Service is not calling for flooding along the Blanchard River. The latest forecast shows the Blanchard cresting in the action stage at 10.3 feet this afternoon.

The National Weather Service says that downstream in Ottawa the river will crest in the action stage at 22.3 feet Saturday afternoon. Flood stage starts at 23 feet in Ottawa.

The Eagle Creek in Findlay crested just below minor flood stage this morning.

3/2/18 – 5:39 A.M.

A McComb resident had a couple of unexpected guests Thursday morning. The McComb Police Department reports two deer crashed through a window at 143 East Main Street around 7:50 a.m. The person in the home was able to close the deer in a room until the Ohio Division of Wildlife arrived to help.

The McComb Fire Department also helped release the deer. The deer and the resident weren’t injured in the incident.

3/2/18 – 5:34 A.M.

A Fostoria man is facing more charges in a child pornography case. The Review-Times reports 58-year-old Charles O’Neil now faces a count of pandering obscene material depicting a minor involved in a sexual act. He was already facing a pandering material containing obscene images charge.

Police arrested O’Neil after they searched his Gerlock Drive home on February 22.

A judge has set bond at $80,000 in the case.

3/2/18 – 5:27 A.M.

Ottawa village council has agreed to pay for the maintenance of a ditch that runs through the village. The Putnam County Sentinel reports council voted 5-1 to assume responsibility for Tawa Run. The estimated cost of maintaining the waterway is around $31,000.

The move will save around 1,000 residents from a $3,000 per year assessment.

Council also decided to pay for maintenance in the future as well. Councilman Jeff Ducey said he was in favor of paying for the work once, but had concerns about committing to future responsibility.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

3/2/18 – 5:19 A.M.

Area firefighters were on the scene of a barn fire near Ada early today. Firefighters responded to a barn at 1248 State Route 235 around 4:15 a.m. The structure was fully engulfed in flames as firefighters arrived.

We’ll have more details as they become available.

3/2/18 – 5:15 A.M.

Area teachers have many thoughts when it comes to carrying weapons in the classroom. The Courier recently reached out to teachers in our region to get their thoughts on the issue. While only 17 people responded to a request for comment, their thoughts covered a lot of ground.

Of those who responded, the majority said they did not want to have a weapon at work. A few of the teachers said they would like to have a way to fight back against a potential school shooter.

Many had mixed feelings on the issue. Donnell Middle School special education teacher Lauren Parriott told the newspaper carrying a weapon at all times wasn’t what she signed up for. She added that in an active shooter situation, “it is the first thing I’d wish that I had.” She said ultimately she wouldn’t want it added to her job description.

The teachers who responded to the survey said they had concerns about law enforcement confusing teachers with guns for shooters. Others said they had fears about students getting caught in a crossfire.

MORE: The Courier

03/01/18 – 12:27 P.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners set the dates for viewing and public input on two ditch projects. Commissioner Tim Bechtol explained that this happens every so often.

Tim Bechtol

Bechtol said that one of the projects is in the McComb Schroll Single County Ditch. The Commissioners will get to view that project on April 3 and the first public hearing will be on May 3.

The other project is in Western meadows Outlet Single County Ditch. The viewing for that project is set for May 1 and the public hearing is on June 5.

Both projects will have to have 2 public hearings. No action can be taken until that requirement has been met.

03/01/18 – 5:34 A.M.

The United Way of Fostoria beat the $200,000 mark for 2017. The Courier reports that the United Way had set a goal of $195,000. During the annual United Way membership meeting and awards luncheon, officials announced that they had gathered over $201,000 for the year.

The last time the United Way of Fostoria got over $200,000 was in 2011. Then they raised over $202,000.

03/01/18 – 5:24 A.M.

Liberty-Benton High School was one of 44 schools to receive a Purple Star designation from the Ohio Department of Education. This indicates that it is a military-friendly school. The Courier reports that to receive the Purple Star designation, a school must have a dedicated page on its website for resources for military families. The school must also have a staff to serve as a liaison between the family and the school.