03/23/18 – 2:46 P.M.

Hancock Leadership is helping with a new campaign to help parents protect kids. Zach Thomas with Hancock County ADAMHS says that the Hidden in Plain Sight campaign will help parents find where kids might be hiding things.

Zach Thomas

The campaign includes a trailer designed to be a kids room. Thomas says that this means it is portable and available to everyone.

Zach Thomas

Inside the trailer, parents can find items and hiding spots kids use for high-risk behaviors such as drug use.

There will be a preview at the University of Findlay’s Safe and Healthy Kids Day on April 6. He said the debut will be in early May.

3/23/18 – 5:24 A.M.

The Ohio Supreme Court is holding a session in Putnam County next month. The Putnam County Sentinel reports justices will hold official proceedings in the Ottawa-Glandorf High School auditorium on April 11.

Putnam County Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Michael Borer says having the court session held in school gives students a chance to learn more about how the justice system works. Students can talk to attorneys presenting their cases to the judges.

The session is also open to the general public.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

3/23/18 – 5:16 A.M.

The May primary is approaching soon, and the Hancock County Board of Elections needs poll workers. Elections board Director Jody O’Brien, a Republican, and Deputy Director Lori Miller, a Democrat, both say they need about 35 party members to work the polls on May 8. They’ve sent around 800 emails trying to find people interested in helping out.

The board of elections pays poll workers $140 and the location manager receives $160 for the day. How the precinct voted in the last governor’s race determines who will be the location manager. If the precinct leaned Democrat, then a Democrat will be the location manager. The opposite is also true.

Poll workers also have to take part in a training session before the election. For more information on working the polls, you can call (419)422-3245.

MORE: The Courier

3/23/18 – 5:05 A.M.

Hancock County sales tax collections continue to trend down. The county auditor’s office reports collecting more than $1.58 million this month, down from $1.62 million in March of 2017.

Overall sales tax collections are down 5 percent for the year. So far the county has taken in just under $4 million in sales tax receipts. That’s compared to more than $4.1 million through the first three months of last year.

March sales tax collections reflect sales made in the county three months ago.

MORE: The Courier

03/22/18 – 10:17 P.M.

An opioid meeting was held at Cedar Creek Church to discuss how the fight against the epidemic is going. Sheriff Mike Heldman said that it is going to take a community effort to not fall farther behind.

Mike Heldman

Judge Jonathon Starn added that Hancock County is fortunate to have such a progressive community. He said that this helps to make the fight a little easier.

Jonathon Starn

The meeting also featured a talk from Bill Fedirka, who leads the Opiate Quick Response Team. Fedirka explained that the QRT goes to people that recently overdosed to encourage them into recovery.

Bill Fedirka

Fedirka said he doesn’t just give up if they say no though. He said that he is permitted to follow up at later dates using the information provided to them. He added that this helps keep people pushing through the steps of recovery. You can also reach the QRT to seek treatment by calling 419-306-6534.

Hancock County Crime Prevention Officer Beth Baker unveiled a new campaign to fight the epidemic during the meeting as well.

Beth Baker

The campaign is called Hidden in Plain Sight and parents will have to find the evidence in the room. She said that it will debut on April 20th at the Safe and Healthy Kids Day at the University of Findlay.

You can volunteer to help fight the opioid epidemic by reaching out to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. You can watch videos on the meeting on our facebook page.

03/22/18 – 5:32 P.M.

The Ohio Department of Insurance is urging people to review their insurance policies in case of severe springtime weather. In a release, ODI says it is important to make sure that your policy matches the adequate coverages and amounts you need. Damage caused by rain, hail, lightning, wind, and tornadoes, are typically covered by standard policies. Flood insurance is a separate policy.

You’ll want to call your insurance agent and make sure that your personal belongings are covered. You’ll also want to ask if the policy covers the costs of repairs, debris removal, or even living expenses. You’ll also want to update your inventory of possessions in case you need to make claim.

For more information, you can go to insurance.ohio.gov or call 1-800-686-1526.

03/22/18 – 5:15 P.M.

With the recent weather, it may not seem like the time to talk about springtime severe weather but you’re urged to get things ready. Hancock EMA director Lee Swisher said you should make sure you have a kit.

Lee Swisher

Swisher added that there will be a training to spot spring weather coming up in April.

Lee Swisher

Swisher said that the training will be at 6:30 p.m. at Whirlpool Corporation on April 6. He added that there is no registration necessary.

3/22/18 – 5:32 A.M.

A former police secretary in Seneca County is spending time in jail on a theft conviction. NBC 4 in Columbus reports a judge sentenced 41-year-old Holly England to six months in jail after she pleaded guilty to theft in office and tampering with evidence charges. England paid back the more than $45,000 that she took from a drug task force evidence room during Wednesday’s hearing.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office says England stole cash from the Seneca County Drug Task Force between August of 2016 and June of 2017.

MORE: NBC 4