12/31/18 – 1:07 P.M.
The new year is coming tomorrow which means there will be plenty of parties tonight and Safe Ride Home wants to help. Joe Fenimore said that you can call to get picked up and taken home until 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Fenimore explained that the non-profit might have some wait times though.
You can call to get a ride at 419-425-3908
12/31/18 – 5:30 A.M.
Our look back at 2018 wraps up today with a milestone achievement for the city of Findlay. Site Selection magazine named Findlay the top micropolitan community in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row. Speaking in March, Findlay-Hancock County Alliance Economic Development director Tim Mayle said that Findlay has been doing better than ever…
Tim Mayle:
Mayle explained that despite only making up 6% of the population in northwest Ohio, Findlay has shown its importance to the region.
The magazine ranked 575 cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county.
12/31/18 – 5:28 A.M.
Local gas prices are at their lowest point in nearly three years. OhioGasPrices.com reports the average price for a gallon of regular in Findlay is $1.84 today. We haven’t paid that amount since March of 2016. Prices have fallen 20 cents over the last two weeks.
The statewide average is down to $1.91 per gallon. That’s down 14 cents over a two-week stretch.
Ottawa drivers report paying $2.05 per gallon today. That’s a five-cent decline over the holiday season.
12/31/18 – 5:19 A.M.
Two local fire departments are getting grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation designed to help keep firefighters safe. Arlington is getting more than $12,000 to buy one extractor, 60 hoods, and 60 sets of gloves. Blanchard Township will get more than $7,000 for an extractor, 20 sets of gloves and 20 hoods.
The equipment helps protect firefighters from carcinogens and other harmful health hazards they face on the job.
12/31/18 – 5:12 A.M.
Fostoria’s KMart is closing in late March. The store’s parent company, Sears Holdings, announced the closure late last week. The company plans to start liquidation sales by mid-January.
Around 30 people work at the KMart on Plaza Drive. It is the only KMart location within 60 miles of Findlay.
12/31/18 – 5:05 A.M.
A Sunday fire destroyed a home in Fostoria. Firefighters responded to a home at 444 Beech Street just after 2 p.m. Four adults were able to escape safely with their pet cat.
So far there’s no word on the cause of the blaze.
The American Red Cross is helping the family with food and clothing.
12/31/18 – 4:55 A.M.
Hancock County sales tax collections finished up 3 percent for 2018. In the final report of the year from the auditor’s office, collections came in at more than $15.4 million. That’s up from $14.9 million in 2017 and $13.6 million in 2016.
Sales tax collections for December came in 2 percent higher than during the same time period last year. Hancock County received more than $1.15 million this month. That’s up from $1.12 million last December.
Hancock County’s sales tax is 1 percent. A quarter of that is set aside for flood mitigation, but it expires at the end of today. The Hancock County Commissioners voted to replace it with another quarter percent tax to help fund the construction of a new juvenile and probate court building and the expansion of the county jail.
12/28/18 – 5:33 A.M.
The Allen County Sheriff was sworn in Thursday after being re-elected. WLIO reports Matt Treglia was sworn in by Judge Jeffrey Reed. Treglia said he wanted to set standards for hiring as well as establish a firm, fair, and consistent environment when he was first elected. Since he feels that he accomplished that, he says he plans on focusing on keeping his deputies’ skills sharp.
12/28/18 – 5:30 A.M.
2018 saw the fight against the opioid epidemic continue in Hancock County. Several local organizations announced their plans to help combat the issue over the past year. One initiative sees Hancock Public Health bringing “The MOMS Program”, the “Welcome To A New Life Program”, and Rotary’s “Saving Lives” program under one roof…
Bill Ruse:
Bill Ruse made that announcement in early October.
The University of Findlay joined more than 70 nonprofit organizations to combat the opioid epidemic. The school received a $10,000 Best Practices in Pain Medication Use grant from the Cardinal Health Foundation. They’re using the grant to survey and educate doctors in Hancock County about CDC opioid prescription guidelines for chronic pain management.
The Hancock County ADAMHS board also hosted a program in April to talk about the impact opioid addiction is having on area families.
12/28/18 – 5:10 A.M.
An accident on Bright Road in Findlay sent a Bluffton man to the hospital yesterday afternoon. The Findlay Police Department reports that 51-year-old Billy Gardner was turning into a private drive around 3:10 p.m. when he was rear-ended by 69-year-old David Lehman of Findlay.
Hanco EMS took Gardner to Blanchard Valley Hospital. Police cited Lehman for failure to stop in an assured clear distance ahead.