9/20/18 – 5:27 A.M.

Time is running out to register to vote in the November midterm election. October 9 is the last day to register. The Hancock County Board of Elections will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. on October 9 to register people.

You can also register at several other locations including area libraries, license bureaus, and the treasurer and auditor offices in the Hancock County Courthouse among others.

To register to vote in Ohio you have to be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old on or before November 6 and registered at your current address as of October 10.

More details on our website.

09/19/18 – 4:59 P.M.

The Caughman Health Center received a grant from Blanchard Valley Health Foundation. The center used the $38,000 grant to buy pediatric hearing equipment, ultrasound power tables, exam beds, and chairs.

The Caughman Health Center is a division of Blanchard Valley Health Systems. They provide family practice and pediatric care to area residents regardless of their ability to pay. The services are offered with fees based on a sliding scale to assist those in need.

09/19/18 – 4:41 P.m.

The Hancock County Board of Elections is looking for poll workers for the November 6 election. Workers must be signed up by September 28. You can do so by stopping in at the elections office or by calling 419-422-3245.

Poll workers’ will start at 5:30 a.m. and work until 8 p.m. but will make between $140 and $160. Each voting precinct must have two Republicans and two Democrats working and all of them must be active voters.

You can find more information on the Courier’s website.

9/19/18 – 7:23 A.M.

North Baltimore will have a new police chief starting next week. Village council voted to promote officer Dave Lafferty to the position during a Tuesday meeting. He’ll start on September 24 and will serve a one-year probationary period.

Lafferty takes the place of Allan Baer. Baer stepped down after taking a different law enforcement position over the summer.

North Baltimore is also looking for a new village administrator. Allyson Murray is resigning to become the superintendent of utility billing for the city of Westerville.

MORE: The Courier

9/19/18 – 7:01 A.M.

A Fostoria native returned home with her family last week so they could get out of the path of Hurricane Florence. Linda Lawrence has lived in North Carolina for 13 years but says this is the first time she’s had to evacuate before a storm.

Lawrence is the daughter of Clara Spencer of Fostoria. Lawrence and four of her five children loaded two cars and left Jacksonville, North Carolina last Wednesday. They brought three changes of clothing and their pets, along with other items they didn’t want to lose to the hurricane.

Lawrence says neighbors have sent her pictures of the damage to her home. Half of the ceiling over her daughter’s bedroom had collapsed and the dining room has water damage. She plans to head back to start the repair process this week.

It’s not the first time her family has dealt with a major hurricane. Her husband’s parents lived in New Orleans during Katrina. She said it took them more than a year to get everything put back together.

Joseph Lawrence wasn’t able to help with hurricane evacuation this time around. He is currently stationed Bahrain, where he serves as a master gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps.

MORE: The Courier

9/19/18 – 5:28 A.M.

Putnam County residents can take part in a walk-in flu shot clinic next week. The Lima News reports the Putnam County Health Department is hosting the clinic on September 27 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The health department is at 256 Williamstown Road in Ottawa.

The cost is $10 for people 18-years-old and younger. It’s $33 for everyone else.

For more information, you can call 419-523-5608.