Monthly Archives: September 2018

Three Injured In Crash On I-75 Tuesday

September 26, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/26/18 – 6:46 A.M.

A crash on I-75 in Findlay involved several cars and sent three people to the hospital Tuesday morning. The State Highway Patrol reports 42-year-old Shawn Reuther of Findlay was driving an SUV north on the interstate near the U.S. 224 exit when he hit the back of a car driven by 25-year-old Mary Ellen Gray of Findlay. Gray was slowing down for traffic ahead of her. The impact of the collision caused Gray’s car to hit a car driven by 62-year-old Charles Webb of Findlay.

Reuther, Gray, and a passenger in Webb’s car all went to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment. Troopers cited Reuther for failure to stop in an assured clear distance and for driving while under a license suspension.

The crash slowed traffic on I-75 for around 30 minutes.

Two Injured In Crash Near Arcadia

September 26, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/26/18 – 5:33 A.M.

A two-car crash injured two people near Arcadia Tuesday afternoon. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the collision happened around 2:15 p.m. at the intersection of Hancock County Road 216 and Washington Township Road 243.

74-year-old Thomas Williams of Arcadia was driving on Road 243 when he pulled out from a stop sign and into the path of a car driven by 51-year-old Michelle Overmier of Fostoria. Hanco EMS took Overmier to Blanchard Valley Hospital. They treated Williams at the scene of the crash.

Deputies cited Williams for failure to yield the right of way from a stop sign.

Heartbeat Of Lima Opens Putnam County Location

September 26, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/26/18 – 5:27 A.M.

Heartbeat of Lima opened a facility in Ottawa Tuesday. WLIO-TV reports the agency offers different programs for expecting mothers. Executive Director Patti Kennedy told the TV station that they’ve been working on plans for a center in Putnam County for about a year. She added that many people had to travel to Allen County for services, so it made sense to expand.

This is the agency’s first location outside of Lima.

MORE: WLIO-TV

Former Putnam County Jail Employee Sentenced

September 26, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/26/18 – 5:22 A.M.

A former Putnam County Jail employee is now going to spend time in jail as an inmate. The Lima News reports Putnam County Common Pleas Court Judge Keith Schierloh sentenced 47-year-old Laurie Watt to 90 days in jail for attempted bribery.

The charges stemmed from an incident that saw Watt offer another jail employee $100 to have unsupervised access to inmate William Miller. Watt said she got involved with Miller six months before they got engaged last March.

Judge Schierloh gave Watt credit for one day served and said she is eligible for work release after 10 days.

MORE: Lima News

McComb To Gauge Interest In Block Watch Program

September 26, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/26/18 – 5:11 A.M.

McComb will see if there is interest in starting a Neighborhood Block Watch program during a meeting next week. The McComb Heart and Soul committee is sponsoring the event, which is set for 6 p.m. Monday in the municipal building. The organization has invited police officials to attend as well.

MORE: The Courier

McComb Students Learn To “Start With Hello”

September 26, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/26/18 – 5:04 A.M.

McComb students learned how to identify and welcome lonely students during a Tuesday assembly. Former State Highway Patrol trooper Michael Webber asked the kids to remember a time they felt isolated or lonely. He told the students many people feel that way, but have friends or family to provide support. He said some aren’t as fortunate, and that it’s important to welcome them.

Webber urged the students to make sure no kids eat lunch alone. He said the first step is to simply say hello, and ask simple questions to get to know the student. Webber added that a fun “would you rather” game can help break the ice.

The assembly was part of “Start With Hello Week.” It’s a program sponsored by the Sandy Hook Promise, an organization trying to prevent gun violence. Family members of those who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 founded the organization.

MORE: The Courier

Potential For Severe Weather Tonight

September 25, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

9/25/18 – 1:48 P.M.

We’re keeping an eye on the weather as the forecast includes the potential for severe conditions overnight. The National Weather Service says all of northwest Ohio is an area with a slight risk for severe storms.

WTOL-11 Meteorologist Ryan Wichman says the greatest risk of strong storms is between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. He says some of the storms could produce strong winds and potentially some isolated tornadoes.

We’ll continue to watch the situation and update you as information changes.

Arcadia Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges

September 25, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/25/18 – 1:29 A.M.

An Arcadia man will spend seven years in prison for child pornography convictions. 33-year-old Dustin Woodward pleaded no contest to six counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor Tuesday. He’ll have to register as a Tier II sex offender when he gets out of prison.

The charges stem from three separate incidents that involved taking pictures of a six-year-old victim. The crimes happened between April and May of last year.

MORE: The Courier

Commissioner Robertson Discusses Hancock County

September 25, 2018Local NewsMatt Demczyk

9/25/18 – 1:21 P.M.

Sales tax collections jumped in Hancock County in September. County Commissioner Brian Robertson says while that’s good news, it’s still not smooth sailing for the county budget…

Audio: Brian Robertson

Robertson says while operating costs are competitive in Hancock County, non-standard costs continue to cause issues. That includes things like transporting jail inmates to other jails and money for kids in foster care.

Robertson adds that county officials are still digging into the numbers to see what drove the sudden increase in sales tax collections. He says he believes that collections will end up flat compared to 2017 when the year is over.

Unemployment Rates Continue To Decline

September 25, 2018Local News, WFIN Top StoryMatt Demczyk

9/25/18 – 11:09 A.M.

Our region continues to be home to some of the lowest unemployment rates in the state. August numbers from the Department of Job and Family Services show Hancock County’s jobless rate dropped to 3.4 percent last month. That’s down from 3.7 percent in July and 3.8 percent last August.

Putnam and Wyandot counties both have 3 percent unemployment rates. Putnam County’s rate fell nearly a full percentage point from July when it was 3.8 percent.

Elsewhere in the region, Seneca (4.1), Wood (4.1), Henry (4.2), Allen (4.3), and Hardin (4.3) counties were all between 4 and 4.5 percent unemployment.