Monthly Archives: August 2018

Hancock County Fair Attendance Up Going Into Day Three

August 31, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

8/31/18 – 5:20 A.M.

Attendance at the Hancock County Fair is up. Ticket chairman Aaron Smith estimated Thursday’s attendance at 16,500. That’s an increase from Wednesday and above the five-year attendance average of 14,000 for the fair’s second day.

Today’s events at the fair include a “Hands On Kids Watercolor and Squirt Gun Painting” workshop presented by the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum. It will run at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. in the Old Mill Stream Centre.

Tonight’s grandstand events feature the 4H costume contest and Barrel Battle starting at 6:30 p.m. in the north grandstand. The south grandstand features the Junior Fair Goat obstacle course at 7 p.m. That’s followed by KOI drag racing.

MORE: The Courier

Bids For Flood Mitigation Come In Well Below Estimates

August 31, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

8/31/18 – 5:11 A.M.

The cost of flood-reduction measures along the Blanchard River in Findlay might end up lower than previously thought. The Maumee Watershed Conservancy District held a bid-opening Thursday. Helms Construction of Findlay submitted the lowest bid, at around $6.1 million. That’s nearly $4 million less than the $10 million estimate given by project engineers.

The highest bid was $9.2 million. The conservancy district will now analyze the bid for accuracy. They expect to award a contract at their September 11 meeting.

The project will cut benches into the banks of the Blanchard between the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge and Broad Avenue. Engineers expect this to increase capacity and drop the 100-year-flood by about a foot. It should remove around 600 properties from the floodplain.

MORE: The Courier

City Council Views Buildings On West Main Cross

August 31, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

08/31/18 – 1 A.M.

Findlay City Council met as a whole to tour the buildings at 428 West Main Cross Thursday. Council has been talking about the potential selling of the property. Councilwoman Holly Frische said that the buildings surprised her.

Holly Frische

She added that the city might be able to find some use for the buildings.

Holly Frische

The buildings were mostly empty aside from being used to store some items.

Job And Family Services’ Child Placement Costs Continues To Be An Issue

August 31, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

08/31/18 – 1 A.M.

Hancock County Jobs and Family Services continues to struggle with placement costs for children. Executive Director Diana Hoover said that they are struggling to make ends meet.

Diana Hoover

Hoover said that they are short $512,000. Hancock County Commissioner Brian Robertson suggested monthly payments to help keep services going without without giving a lump sum of cash.

Brian Robertson

Robertson said that the commissioners will want to look at other options for a long-term fix for the issue.

Youth Projects Being Showcased At The Hancock County Fair

August 30, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

08/30/18 – 3:07 P.M.

You can check out some of the youth projects being showcased at the Hancock County Fair. 4-H director Cassie Anderson said that there are plenty of booths to check out.

Cassie Anderson

She added that each display will feature creative ideas and themes.

Cassie Anderson

Anderson said that you can stop by the 4-H tent to learn more about the program and how you can get involved.

Findlay And Hancock County Swap Mowing Responsibilities For 58 Properties

August 30, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

8/30/18 – 10:55 A.M.

Findlay and Hancock County own several properties next to each other within the city limits. Because city and county lots are on different mowing schedules, it at times looks like crews are skipping properties. The two sides made a move to change that Thursday…

Audio: Phil Johnson

Assistant Hancock County prosecutor Phil Johnson says the deal includes 31 county properties and 27 city properties. The memorandum of understanding made an effort to equalize the acreage included. Johnson says, in the end, there was only about a tenth of an acre difference.

Johnson adds by swapping maintenance responsibilities the county and city will save time and money since they won’t have to move equipment as much.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Names Promotions For International Business Segment

August 30, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

8/30/18 – 8:28 A.M.

Cooper Tire & Rubber has made a couple of changes on its international leadership team. The company says Luis Ceneviz will become the Senior Vice President and President of the international segment on October 1. He’ll oversee operations in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Alan Yang is taking over as Vice President & General Manager of Asia operations effective immediately.

Fostoria Students Get Chromebooks This Year

August 30, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

8/30/18 – 6:46 A.M.

Fostoria schools are making a big technology upgrade this year. The Review-Times reports kids in grades 5 through 12 are getting Chromebooks to use in class. Students will also take the Chromebooks home with them after school to use for homework assignments.

Superintendent Andrew Sprang says “We’re trying to meet some of the needs and interests of some of our students.” He adds, “Some of our staff are looking for ways to use technology more often in the classrooms and a lot of our curriculums come with a lot of technology resources.”

MORE: Review-TImes

Burial Site Of Revolutionary War Soldier To Get Special Attention

August 30, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

8/30/18 – 5:33 A.M.

The burial site of a Revolutionary War soldier near Pandora will get special attention next month. The Putnam County Sentinel reports Sons of the American Revolution will hold an official state color guard ceremony at Israel Hubbard’s gravesite.

Hubbard is buried in the Malahan Cemetery on Road M6.

The event is set for September 8 at 10 a.m. It is open to the public.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

Road 5 Legal Costs Continue To Mount In Putnam County

August 30, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

8/30/18 – 5:26 A.M.

Putnam County has spent around $1.2 million on legal fees related to the widening of Road 5. The Lima News reports the price tag doesn’t include salary costs and manpower for courthouse employees working on the case. Auditor Robert Benroth tells the newspaper it’s difficult to account for those costs.

13 property owners have refused payment for land used to widen the road south of Leipsic. Visiting Judge Dale Crawford recently ordered the county to pay $37,000 in legal fees for the residents protesting the expansion.

The fees will likely continue to mount. Three attempts at mediation have failed. A jury at an October trial will hear both sides argue about the value of the property used for the road expansion.

MORE: Lima News