4/4/18 – 9:00 A.M.
North Baltimore is holding another meeting to get public input about a grant to address neighborhood needs. The village plans to apply for a Neighborhood Revitalization Grant worth up to $500,000. The village could use the money for improvements to streets and sidewalks, as well as parks.
The next public hearing will be at 7 p.m. April 10 in the municipal building.
MORE: The Courier
4/4/18 – 8:53 A.M.
Elected officials in Fostoria got an update on the status of a property that’s caused some concern in the community during their Tuesday meeting. The Review-Times reports Mayor Eric Keckler says Rensko Property has agreed to clean up the site at 918 North Countyline Street. They were developing the property for a Tim Horton’s restaurant, but the project fell through.
Keckler says the cold winter and recent wet weather have delayed the cleanup. He added that he’s prepared to work with the city’s law department to force the issue if work doesn’t move forward soon.
MORE: Review-Times
4/4/18 – 7:19 A.M.
The remains of a McComb man who fought in World War II will return to Hancock County today. Ora Sharninghouse Jr. went missing in action in September of 1944 after his torpedo bombing plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean. Sharninghouse was a torpedo gunner on the plane that bombed a Japanese ammunition storage site on its final flight.
The military will deliver the remains to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Coldren-Crates Funeral Home will bring Sharninghouse’s remains back to Findlay for visitation and a funeral this week.
His sister Joan (Jo-Anne) tells the Courier she never thought this day would come. She even thought a phone call from the military about the discovery of Sharninghouse’s remains was a hoax at first.
An obituary or Sharninghouse appears in today’s Courier.
MORE: The Courier
4/4/18 – 5:38 A.M.
Findlay could have new rules that govern the exteriors of buildings in downtown. Findlay City Council members heard the first reading of a design standard ordinance Tuesday night. The proposed rules call for things like using a singular architectural style, and durable, high-quality materials when possible. The guidelines would push back against mixing several architectural styles and using bright, florescent, shiny, reflective paint or materials among other items.
A nine-member board would evaluate downtown projects. A board administrator would make decisions on smaller items.
The district would stretch from just north of Center Street to Lima Avenue on Main Street and would reach just past Hurd Avenue to the west and Factory Street to the east.
MORE: The Courier
4/4/18 – 5:23 A.M.
Findlay city council members will talk about the city’s tax policy later this month. At issue once again are rules that allow certain businesses to pay their taxes at different times of the year rather than make quarterly estimated payments. Councilman Dennis Hellmann said he is hard-pressed to explain the policy.
Six council members voted to hold a meeting at 5 p.m. on April 25 in the Findlay Municipal Building. John Harrington, Grant Russel, Tom Shindledecker, and Tim Watson all voted against the meeting.
Mayor Lydia Mihalik says the policy helps the city avoid making large repayments to businesses that overpay. She also accused Councilwoman Holly Frische of politicizing the practice by calling it a deferment. Frische has called for the city’s tax board to write policies to govern the practice.
MORE: The Courier
4/4/18 – 4:59 A.M.
Yesterday’s downpours have led to high water in the area. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Eagle Creek until 8 p.m. today. The latest forecast calls for the creek to rise to around 9.3 feet by late this morning. The puts it in minor flood stage. It should drop out of flood stage by mid-afternoon.
The latest forecasts for the Blanchard River in Findlay show it cresting in the action stage at 10.4 feet this afternoon. Downstream in Ottawa, the latest prediction calls for the river to also crest in the action stage at 22.1 feet Thursday afternoon.
04/03/18 – 10 P.M.
Findlay is applying to get funds from the Community Housing Improvement Program. Hancock Regional Planning Commission director Matt Cordonnier said that this will help people fix their houses.
Findlay City Council passed legislation for Mayor Lydia Mihalik to enter an agreement with the county to apply for the funds. The program could provide up to $750,000.
04/03/18 – 8:52 P.M.
Findlay City Council pushed through legislation to fix a storm sewer on North Blanchard Street. Service Director Brian Thomas told council that the storm sewer on North Blanchard Street between Jacobs and Lesa Avenues has started to pull apart. This has allowed soil into the sewer and caused the street to dip.
He said that until the storm sewer is fixed the damage to the street will only continue to grow. City Council skipped the second and third readings of the ordinance and approved $190,000 to fix the storm sewer and the road.
04/03/18 – 6:18 P.M.
The United Way of Hancock County’s Days of Caring event is coming up soon. Community Services Director Bev Phillips said that they will get volunteers from local businesses to help at different non-profits in the community.
The Days of Caring will take place from May 7 through May 11. Phillips said that they are encouraging corporate and community volunteers to devote at least four hours of a workday to complete a service project. These projects range from landscaping to taking inventory to cleaning lightbulbs.
The deadline to register is April 13.
04/03/18 – 6:04 P.M.
The Opioid Crisis has been affecting families for many years. Hancock County ADAMHS Board executive director Precia Stuby said that they want to start helping everyone affected.
Stuby said that these families aren’t alone and can use the help.
Stuby said that the discussion will be Thursday from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Findlay. There will be experts available to help talk about services that are available.