8/27/18 – 7:10 A.M.
A motorcycle crash injured a Findlay woman Sunday morning. The Findlay Police Department says the crash happened just before 9 a.m. on the 300 block of North Blanchard Street. 37-year-old Katie Erickson was riding north when she lost control and crashed.
Hanco EMS took Erickson to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of knee pain and scrapes on her arms and legs. She was wearing a helmet.
Police cited Erickson for failure to maintain control.
8/27/18 – 6:50 A.M.
Several new road projects get underway in Hancock County this week. ODOT says they’ll restrict I-75 northbound to one lane between State Route 235 and State Route 698 to one lane starting today. Crews will make bridge deck and pavement repairs in the area for the next two days.
ODOT is also reducing I-75 northbound to one lane at State Route 103 in Bluffton on Wednesday. Crews will perform bridge deck repair. The project will also close the I-75 northbound entrance ramp at Route 103 for a day.
Elsewhere, crews will restrict State Route 330 to one lane between North Street in Vanlue and State Route 568 starting Wednesday for a resurfacing project. Another project starting Wednesday will see lane reductions on State Route 568 between Bright Road in Findlay and the Wyandot County line.
Work continues this week on parts of State Route 613 between Van Buren and the Putnam County line for berm repair. U.S. 68 in Arlington remains closed between Liberty Street and the Buck Run bridge. State Route 330 over State Route 15 in Vanlue also remains closed for bridge deck replacement.
8/27/18 – 5:34 A.M.
Roadwork continues on a few Findlay streets this week. North and southbound traffic remains reduced to one lane on South Main Street between Lima Street and Woodley Avenue. Northbound traffic is shifted to the southbound side of the street in this area while curb and repaving work takes place.
Osborn Avenue is down to one lane between Center Street and Wedgewood Drive this week. Crews are working on manholes in that area.
The city also says Concord Street is closed during working hours between Parkside Place and Vincent Street for a waterline replacement project.
8/27/18 – 5:29 A.M.
You’ll notice some changes on I-75 through Findlay over the next couple of weeks. ODOT says crews will temporarily slow down traffic for short periods of time in the construction zone on August 28. That will allow them to mobilize equipment for the project. The changes will also cause temporary blockages of the southbound entrance ramps at State Route 12 and U.S. 224.
On August 30 ODOT is restricting the southbound lane of the interstate to one lane from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following day. Crews will set bridge beams during this time. They’ll also temporarily slow or stop traffic between midnight and 5 a.m. to allow for the work.
Next Tuesday you’ll see lane restrictions in the same area from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the removal of the beam setting equipment.
8/27/18 – 5:13 A.M.
The investigation continues after a train hit and killed a man in Findlay early Sunday morning. The Findlay Police Department says the incident happened around 1 a.m. on the CSX Railroad tracks in the 300 block of East Main Cross Street. Officers say 46-year-old Wayne Bell of Findlay was partially lying on the tracks in that area.
Hancock County Coroner Dr. Mark Fox has ordered an autopsy. Officers say they have notified Bell’s family.
8/27/18 – 5:07 A.M.
The Hancock County Fair kicks off this Wednesday. The first day of the fair is Senior Citizens and Veterans Day on the grounds. Seniors and veterans can get in for $2 with proper identification.
Daily admission is $7. Burton Brothers Amusements Midway Specials is providing the rides for the fair. Ride tickets are $1 each. On Wednesday, you can donate a can of food can for a ride ticket.
Special grandstand events include KOI drag racing on Friday night, the Broken Horn Rodeo Saturday night, a tractor pull Sunday, and a demolition derby on Monday afternoon.
8/27/18 – 4:56 A.M.
You’ll notice two new buildings at the Hancock County Fair this year. The annual event will showcase the new Old Mill Stream Centre and a new cattle show ring. The Old Mill Stream Centre will host opening ceremonies Tuesday night at 7 p.m. with the fair king and queen coronations to follow.
The new building will also host musical performances throughout the week. Fairground operations manager Dave Thomas says the air-conditioned building will also serve as a place for people to cool down during the fair.
In the meantime, the new cattle show ring moves cattle shows out of the barn that cattle stay in during the fair. The new ring is 55 by 80 feet. The Hancock Cattlemen’s Association found private funding for the building.
MORE: The Courier
08/24/18 – 3:14 P.M.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and NAMI of Hancock County is asking for help. A post on their Facebook page says that they are looking for 2 people willing to share their stories about a loved one that committed suicide. They are also looking for two people who can talk about their own story of trying to commit suicide and how it impacted their life.
The speakers will be included in the Light of Hope Suicide Vigil on September 16 in Dorney Plaza.
If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, you can reach NAMI at 567-525-3435.
08/24/18 – 2:43 P.M.
A Bluffton man that pleaded guilty to raping a 4-year-old girl will be going to prison. The Courier’s Eileen McClory was at the sentencing of 37-year-old Johnathon Lamb.
Lamb pleaded guilty to two counts of rape in the case. The crime happened in February of last year.
08/24/18 – 2:40 P.M.
The 12th Annual Latino Fest is coming up this Saturday in downtown Fostoria. The festival is meant for everyone and will food, drinks, and live music. There will also be children’s activities like bounce houses and obstacle courses. If the weather cooperates there will be a Summer Bash Custom Car Show as well.
The event brings in anywhere from 800 to 1,200 people. Proceeds of the event go to support next year’s Latino Fest but leftover money will go back into the community.