4/9/18 – 5:35 A.M.

The number of elder abuse cases in Hancock County continues to climb. The Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services reported 225 cases of elder abuse in 2017. That’s up from 162 cases in 2014. The agency saw a 14 percent increase in reported cases between 2016 and 2017 alone.

While officials in the agency believe the opioid crisis has contributed to the increase, they haven’t kept specific numbers. JFS Director Diana Hoover says in some instances younger family members find ways to steal money from an older relative to get money for drugs.

She said the agency is also seeing violence as part of these cases. Angie Rader is the administrator for Child and Adult Protective Services at JFS. She says relatives should look for changes in behavior from older loved ones as a possible signal something isn’t right.

MORE: The Courier

4/9/18 – 5:22 A.M.

The number of people getting a concealed carry permit in Hancock County is growing. The county averages just over 500 license approvals per year according to a Courier analysis. In 2016 the county issued 795 concealed carry permits. The most the county has ever issued in a single year was 858 in 2013.

In 2009, 76 people renewed their licenses in the county. More than 340 people got renewals last year. The licenses last five years.

Tina Driftmeyer is a transport warrant officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. She says applications seem to go up after school shootings. The 858 licenses issued in 2013 came the year after the Sandy Hook Shooting.

MORE: The Courier

4/9/18 – 5:12 A.M.

The cost of placing kids in foster care in Hancock County has spiked over the last two years. The Department of Job and Family Services says they saw a 56 percent increase in costs between 2015 and 2017. During that time the office has also seen a 22 percent increase in the number of kids in foster care.

Diana Hoover is the director of Hancock County Job and Family Services. She says many of the problems stem from the opioid crisis. Hoover says kids born addicted to opioids and living in homes with addicted parents can lead to mental health and behavioral issues. Children with the most intensive special needs can cost the JFS $450 per day.

According to the 2018 Children’s Protective Services budget, the agency needs an extra $553,000 just to cover expenses just this year. The Department of Job and Family Services has a 1.2-mill property tax levy on the ballot this May. It would generate $2.3 million per year for 10 years.

MORE: The Courier

04/06/18 – 1:09 P.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners talked about seeding and mulching a part of the county’s sanitary landfill property Thursday. Before making any decisions that commissioners wanted to get more information. They said that they are going to ask landfill manager Don Moses about a $45,000 bid from Deitering’s Landscape Inc. The company has previously worked for the county.

The project will cover about 18 acres.

04/06/18 – 11:31 A.M.

Area professionals met last night for a public forum on services for families affected by the opioid epidemic. The event was focused on helping young people who are using drugs and those whose families have been affected. Hancock County ADAMHS Board consultant Michael Flaherty addiction is a family illness.

Flaherty said it is important to discuss the effects drug use has on family and friends with your kids. He added that to remember that if there are signs of drug use, there might also be signs of another mental health issues.

ADAMHS deputy director Amber Wolfrom said that families are not alone. She said that the ADAMHS Board and their website are available to help.

04/05/18 – 10:02 P.M.

The two candidates for Hancock County Commissioner met for a public forum on Thursday. They got to discuss several topics including their opinions on the Jobs and Family Services 1.2 mill levy on the ballot. Commissioner Tim Bechtol said that they need the money to better services and pay fairly.

Tim Bechtol

Challenger Paul Craun said that he agrees that they need the money but questions the levy.

Paul Craun

They also discussed getting Hancock Public Health a new building. Craun said that the county and the city both have a stake in this issue.

Paul Craun

Bechtol said that the commissioners knew that there help is limited and that’s why they sent Hancock Public Health to city officials.

Tim Bechtol

Both men agreed that the organization needs a new building. They also agreed that economic development is important. Current commissioner Tim Bechtol said that while the commissioners couldn’t afford to fund their share of Raise The Bar this year, they do keep in touch with economic development.

Tim Bechtol

Paul Craun said that he thinks the commissioners need to help pay for this service.

Paul Craun

You can watch the full forum below, courtesy of UFTV from the University of Findlay.

04/05/18 – 5:28 P.M.

Police are investigating a case of criminal damaging at Emory Adams Park. Officers report that the damage happened around the end of February and the beginning of March. The officers believe that the damage was caused by a vehicle doing donuts in the yard.

The damage will cost around $600 to replace or repair.

04/05/18 – 5:16 P.M.

Christian Clearing House is having it’s annual garage sale this weekend. CCH’s Tammy Stahl said that the money will go to help community members.

Tammy Stahl

Stahl said that all of the items at the garage sale are donated. The event will be on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 4 p.m. at Brinkman’s County Corner Green House on East Sandusky Street.

4/5/18 – 7:32 A.M.

Tuesday’s storms apparently damaged a wind turbine in Hardin County. WKTN radio reports the blade on a turbine in the Hog Creek Wind Farm suffered either wind or lighting damage. Pictures show about two-thirds of the blade broke off the structure.

Investigators are working to find out what caused the damage.

MORE: WKTN Radio