1/7/19 – 5:17 A.M.

The first order of business for the Putnam County Commissioners this year was to drop the county administrator position. The Putnam County Sentinel reports the board of commissioners voted 2-1 to get rid of the position during a meeting last week. Up until then, Jackson Betscher served as the county administrator.

Commissioners John Schlumbohm and Michael Lammers voted to make the move. Commissioner Vince Schroeder voted against the motion.

Lammers says they can streamline communication by giving the commissioners more direct access to information. He adds that will also save taxpayers money.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

1/7/19 – 4:58 A.M.

One person has filed to run for mayor in Findlay. 1st Ward Councilwoman Holly Frische filed her petitions the day after Governor-Elect Mike DeWine appointed current Mayor Lydia Mihalik as the director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

Voters in the 1st Ward elected Frische in 2013. They’ve re-elected her twice.

So far, Frische is the only candidate to file petitions for any city office in the primary. The filing deadline for the May 7th primary election is February 6th.

MORE: Other candidates are circulating petitions

1/7/19 – 4:50 A.M.

A one-car crash killed a man in Hancock County over the weekend. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened on frost covered pavement on State Route 613 west of Pleasant Township Road 117 around 9:20 a.m. Sunday.

The man’s SUV hit a large tree in a yard, causing heavy damage to the driver’s side.

The sheriff’s office has not released the name of the driver. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene of the crash.

01/04/18 – 5:26 P.M.

Local Republicans got an update on the Hancock County Common Pleas Court during the First Friday Republican Luncheon. Judge Jonathon Starn explained that they saw an increase in cases over 2018.

Starn said that this includes civil and domestic relation cases. He added that cases tend to fluctuate so this year they could drop back down.

Starn also talked about ways the court is trying to increase efficiency.

He said that they are also looking at digital signage and check-ins to help speed things up. Starn added that they are also looking to hire a new probation officer to help lighten the heavy caseloads they face.

01/04/19 – 5:06 P.M.

The Children’s Museum of Findlay has a new program available for area children. Executive Director Linnea DiBerardino explained that the STEM Saturdays event will allow children to learn something new each month that builds STEM skills.

DiBerardino added that there will be two sessions this month, one on January 12 and the other on January 19. The events are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their location in the Findlay Village Mall.

You can learn more here.

1/4/19 – 5:07 A.M.

Some Fostoria residents are raising concerns about bad odors coming from the Sunny Farms Landfill just outside of the city. A group of around 30 people talked to city council about the issue during a Thursday meeting. They say rail cars with trash and construction debris remain parked on tracks around three miles to the north of Zeller Road.

Some of those who spoke said you can smell the landfill as far away as Arcadia depending on how the wind is blowing.

A public forum about the landfill is set for 6 p.m. on January 30 at the Fostoria Junior/Senior High School cafeteria. Representatives from the city, the Seneca County Commissioners, and Sunny Farms Landfill will attend. The meeting will also host officials from the Ohio EPA, Seneca County Health Department, and the Ottawa, Seneca, Sandusky Joint Solid Waste District.

MORE: Fostoria Council may not have the power to force changes at the landfill

01/03/18 – 6:29 P.M.

The State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau is asking for your help to solve a burglary and fire that happened in November. The incidents happened at 8249 Hancock County Road 140. The burglary was reported on November 4 and the suspects stole a handgun, a television, and some electronics. The fire happened on November 6 and the residence was a total loss.

The Blue Ribbon Arson Committee is offering an award of up to $5,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. The Crimestoppers of Findlay/Hancock County is offering up to $1,000.

Anyone with information is urged to call the State Fire Marshal’s tip line at 800-589-2728, Det. Fred Smith at 419-424-7261, or the Crime Stoppers of Findlay/Hancock County at 419-425-8477.

01/03/18 – 6:07 P.M.

Legends in Downtown Findlay closed their downstairs area on Wednesday for remodeling. A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page says that the HD Lounge at Legends and the private rooms will remain open. The lounge will be open during regular working hours. All of the events that have been scheduled will not be affected by the remodeling.