Monthly Archives: July 2018

Opioid Epidemic Costing Years Of Life Expectancy In Our Region

July 23, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

7/23/18 – 5:09 A.M.

The opioid epidemic isn’t only taking lives, it’s taking away the years people have to spend with friends and family. A new report from the Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health illustrates this point. The study found that Hancock County lost nearly 2,000 years of life as a result of opioid deaths between 2010 and 2016. The report found Putnam County lost 483 years, Wood County lost more than 2,500 years, and Seneca County lost 1,400 years.

The study calculated years of life by subtracting the age of death of each person from the Social Security Administration’s information on standard life expectancy by gender. Because the populations for each county vary, the study also calculated the number of years lost per 100,000 people. Under that measurement, Hancock County lost more than 2,600 years of life. That’s compared to 1,400 in Putnam County and 2,400 in Seneca County.

Around the state, more than 13,000 Ohioans have died from overdoses in the same time span. That amounts to more than 519,000 years of life lost.

There’s more on this story in today’s edition of the Courier.

MORE: The Courier

Multi-State Enforcement Blitz Focuses On Move Over Laws

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 11:03 A.M.

The State Highway Patrol will take part in a multi-state enforcement blitz next week. The agency says troopers will focus on “Move Over” laws Sunday through Saturday. Ohio law requires you to move to the other side of the road when you see an emergency vehicle with its lights on along the side of the road. If you can’t get over, you should slow down and drive with caution.

Between 2013 and 2017, there were more than 50 crashes involving State Patrol cruisers and drivers who didn’t move over. Those crashes killed two civilians and injured 34 others as well as 24 troopers.

Threat Of Storms Looms Friday Afternoon

July 20, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 10:47 A.M.

We’re looking at the potential for severe weather later today. WTOL 11 meteorologist Ellyn Fritz gives us an update on when we might see storms in Findlay…

Audio: Ellyn Fritz

The National Weather Service lists Hancock County as having a slight chance for severe weather today, but Putnam County is in the enhanced risk area.

We’ll continue to keep an eye on the weather throughout the day.

MORE: WFIN Weather Page

Rawson Proud Headlines Weekend Events In Hancock County

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 10:12 A.M.

If the weather holds off, there’s plenty going on this weekend if you’re looking for something to do in Hancock County. Rawson is holding the annual Rawson Proud town festival Saturday. It runs from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. in the village park. The event features fireman games and a craft show. There will also be food, music, and a demonstration from Life Flight.

Bluffton is holding a farmer’s market in downtown from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. Saturday. Later that night you can join the Millstream Astronomy Club for their annual Astronomy Day. The event at Riverbend Park is free and runs from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.

If you’re looking for some physical activity, the “Lazy Sunday Evening Stroll for Adults” takes place at the Litzenberg Memorial Woods from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

MORE: Vist Findlay

UPDATE: Water Main Break Affecting Findlay Neighborhood

July 20, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 5:33 A.M.
UPDATE – 8:40 A.M.

A few houses in the area of Greendale Avenue and Woodworth Drive in Findlay woke up without water Friday morning. The Findlay Police Department says there was a water main break in that area early today.

The water distribution department says the issue is only affecting four houses. They’ve issued a boil water advisory for 620, 625, 630, and 701 West Circle Drive until further notice.

You should boil water for at least one minute before using it if you live in the affected area.

UPDATE: House Fire Reported On Findlay’s South Side

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 5:07 A.M.
UPDATE – 7:37 A.M.

Fire damaged a Findlay home late Thursday night. Firefighters responded to a call at 350 Fairlawn Place just before midnight. One room of the house was on fire when firefighters arrived. They were able to quickly bring the flames under control.

A post on the Findlay Fire Department Facebook page says the family living in the home was able to escape safely with one dog. Firefighters pulled three other dogs from the home. They were able to revive the animals with help from Hanco EMS.

Hunting Lottery For Litezenberg Woods Approved

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 7:28 A.M.

A hunting program will take place near the Litzenberg farm and park again this year. The Hancock Park District Board approved the annual “hunting with permission” program during a meeting this week. The program allows some hunters to use the woods across from the Litzenberg park on U.S. 224 during hunting season.

A required informational meeting and the lottery for the permits is set for August 9 in the Activity Barn at Litzenberg.

The permits cover hunting seasons from November 1 through January 31.

MORE: The Courier

Two Injured In Thursday Tiffin Avenue Crash

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 7:17 A.M.

A collision between two minivans sent two Pandora residents to the hospital in Findlay Thursday afternoon. The Findlay Police Department says the crash happened just after 1 p.m. at the intersection of Tiffin and McManness avenues.

31-year-old Nathan Bash of Findlay was driving west on Tiffin Avenue when he tried to turn left and pulled into the path of an eastbound minivan driven by 58-year-old Sandra Hall. Hall and her passenger, 86-year-old Carrie Miller, went to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Police cited Bash for failure to yield for a left turn.

SUV Hits Bicyclist In Findlay

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 6:51 A.M.

An SUV hit a woman on a bike in Findlay Thursday afternoon. The Findlay Police Department reports the crash happened at the corner of West Main Cross and South West streets just before 2 p.m.

65-year-old Kathleen Hassink of Van Buren was driving her SUV south on South West Street when she stopped at the intersection. She tried to turn right on red and hit 62-year-old Tyrell Boughan of Findlay. Boughan went to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of neck and arm injuries.

Police cited Hassink for disobeying a traffic control device.

Boil Water Advisory Issued For Bell Avenue Area Of Findlay

July 20, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

7/20/18 – 5:26 A.M.

Repair work on a water main has the led the city to issue a boil water advisory for several homes in the Bell Avenue area of Findlay. The water distribution department says the alert affects homes in the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Bell Avenue. It is also affecting homes at 300 East Bigelow Avenue, 2911 North Main Street, and three homes in the 2800 block of Hilltop Drive.

You should boil water for at least one minute before you use it if you live in that area.