Monthly Archives: June 2018

Area Nursing Homes And Assisted Living Facilities Ranked Among Best In State

Local News

06/21/18 – 3:33 P.M.

A few area nursing homes and assisted living facilities ranked in the top 25 of the state. The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman released the results of the 2017 Long-Term Care Resident Satisfaction Survey. A total of 23,145 residents in over 900 nursing homes were surveyed. Over 12,800 residents of more than 680 assisted living facilities were also questioned.

Willow Ridge of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio of Bluffton and The Meadows of Ottawa made the nursing home list. They were ranked 4th and 6th respectively. The Judson Palmer Home of Findlay and the Vancrest of Ada Assisted Living made it onto the assisted living charts. They ranked 17th and 20th respectively.

9 Different Wineries Will Be At The 2018 Riverside Wine Festival This Weekend

Local News

06/21/18 – 3:17 P.M.

The Riverside Wine Festival is coming this weekend to support the Arts Partnership. Event Director Kelda Heitkamp said that they will have plenty of wine to try.

Kelda Heitkamp

Heitkamp added that there will be games to play and live music.

Kelda Heitkamp

Admission is $25 for the tasting and $10 for those not tasting the wine or who are under 21. All of the proceeds go to the Arts Partnership.

The event will be at Riverside Park from 1 – 6 p.m. this Saturday.

Hotel Occupancy Rates Take A Dip In Hancock County

Local News, WFIN Top Story

6/21/18 – 10:57 A.M.

After strong showings in 2016 and 2017, the hotel occupancy rate is down around 7 percent in Hancock County. Convention and Visitors Bureau director Alissa Preston says they are keeping an eye on things, but adds it’s not entirely unexpected…

Audio: Alissa Preston

Preston says this means some business travelers take their business to Lima and Bowling Green if they haven’t been able to get rooms in Findlay in the past.

Preston says the opening of the Hancock Hotel and the Holiday Inn Express that’s currently under construction should help in this regard. She adds the end of some construction projects might play into the decline as well.

At the same time, another important number for hotel operators is up quite a bit…

Audio: Alissa Preston

Preston says weekend occupancy is strong. Sports tournaments and other events through October will continue to drive those numbers.

UPDATED: Early Morning Fire Displaces Findlay Residents From Home

Local News, WFIN Top Story

6/21/18 – 7:36 A.M.
UPDATE – 9:03 A.M.

Fire damaged a duplex near the Hancock County fairgrounds this (Thursday) morning. Firefighters responded to 1107 Fishlock Avenue just after 12:20 a.m. Flames were coming from the front door when they arrived. Two people living in the residence got out of before the fire department arrived. Hanco EMS took the residents to Blanchard Valley Hospital as a precaution. Doctors treated and released both people.

The south side of the duplex suffered heat and smoke damage. The Red Cross says they helped the residents with shelter, food, and clothing. The north side of the duplex was still livable falling the fire.

So far there’s no word on what started the flames.

Police Bust Meth Lab In Ada

Local News

6/21/18 – 7:21 A.M.

Authorities in Hardin County believe they’ve broken up a meth lab in Ada. WKTN radio reports officers searched a home at 323 Willeke Avenue Tuesday night. A release from the Hardin County Crime Task Force says officers found components for a meth lab in the home.

The search also allegedly turned up a large amount of methamphetamine, prescription pills, and marijuana.

Officers detained two men and one woman. They released them later, pending further investigation.

MORE: WKTN

North Baltimore Not Joining New Wood County Recycling Program

Local News

6/21/18 – 7:14 A.M.

North Baltimore is not joining Wood County’s 24/7 recycling program. Village officials say they don’t want the trash that comes along with a 24/7 center. The village hopes to reach an agreement with a company that currently provides Saturday morning recycling in North Baltimore.

In the meantime, the Recycle Wood County 24-Hour Recycling Program goes into effect Monday.

Ohio House Passes Sprague Sponsored Drug Packaging Bill

Local News, WFIN Top Story

6/21/18 – 6:58 A.M.

A bill co-sponsored by State Representative Robert Sprague of Findlay is now moving to the State Senate for a vote. The Ohio House passed House Bill 231 Wednesday. The legislation would start a pilot program in Ohio pharmacies to use tamper-resistant containers. The program would focus on containers for drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl.

The goal is to cut down on the misuse of the opioids by reducing the chances for people to steal pills.

The bill would also require the State Board of Pharmacy to reimburse pharmacies for the cost of taking part in the program.

Arson Suspected In Fostoria Fire

Local News

6/21/18 – 6:47 A.M.

Investigators say arson caused a fire in Fostoria last month. The Review-Times reports authorities served a search warrant at the home of Whittey Lee Marshal on June 12. They were looking for ignitable liquids from the fire to compare to ignitable fluids found on Marshal’s clothing.

A witness allegedly told a police officer Marshall had told them he started the fire at 132 Nichols Street on May 16. Marshall tells investigators any flammable liquid on his clothes came as the result of work he was doing on a weed eater.

Officers arrested Marshall for an outstanding child support warrant the day of the fire. He remains in the Seneca County jail.

MORE: Review-Times

Pandora Officials Continue Water Rate Discussion

Local News

6/21/18 – 5:27 A.M.

Pandora officials continue to debate utility rates in the village. The Putnam County Sentinel reports council members talked about upgrading the water system and how to pay for the upgrades during a recent meeting. An engineer tells the village that current water rates aren’t enough to pay for operations and maintenance costs.

Council is considering increasing the base rate for water to $18 per month plus extra charges for higher users. They are also considering raising the base sewer rate to $15.50. A suggestion about an annual 1.5 percent water rate increase from 2019 to 2024 is also on the table. The plan could also include a .75 percent sewer rate increase every year for five years as well.

Potential upgrades to the water system include a new pump station.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

Lima Teen Sentenced For Robbing Findlay Business

Local News

6/21/18 – 5:14 A.M.

A Lima teen will spend four years in prison for robbing a Findlay business. 19-year-old Amari Island appeared in court Wednesday. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to a robbery charge stemming from the robbery of the CVS Pharmacy at 463 Tiffin Avenue in May of 2017.

Findlay Police say Island was one of three men that jumped over the pharmacy counter and demanded a specific type of narcotic. The men never showed a weapon and no one was hurt.

A judge sentenced 19-year-old Jarrett Mann of Lima to four years in prison earlier this month. County Prosecutor Phil Riegle says they dropped charges against a third suspect due to a lack of evidence.

MORE: The Courier