01/02/18 – 5:50 P.M.
Premature hearing loss in people under the age of 35 including teenagers is on the rise around the world. Dr. Chris Loose joined us on WFIN to talk about the issue. He said that part of the problem is an increase in noise pollution.
Loose said that the human ear isn’t designed to handle all of the loud noises you encounter on a daily basis. He said that there are ways to protect yourself though.
He added that the CDC recommends staying below 85 decibels for sustained noise.
1/02/18 – 5:25 P.M.
Work continues as the I-75 widening and reconstruction project in Findlay enters its third year and ODOT is celebrating the milestones reached in 2018. ODOT reports that the most notable changes included the closing of Lima Avenue to build a double roundabout. The roundabout will work as a redesigned interchange at I-75, U.S. 68/State Route 15, and Lima Avenue.
Reconstruction of the northbound entrance and exit ramps on I-75 at State Route 12 and U.S. 224 also made the list. ODOT also mentions the third lane of travel that opened on Interstate 75 northbound between U.S. 224 and County Road 99 in December. A third lane is expected in the southbound part of that area later this month.
The project is expected to finish in 2020.
1/2/19 – 9:41 A.M.
We’re getting off to a warmer than normal start to January, but rest assured we’ll face winter driving conditions sooner rather than later. With that in mind, the State Highway Patrol is reminding you to take some common sense measures when winter weather hits. Lt. Matt Crow of the Findlay Post of the State Highway Patrol says that starts before you get behind the wheel…
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Crow says once you get on the road, make sure you take it slow…
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Crow says you also need to make sure you increase your following distance between yourself and the car in front of you. You should also remember that bridges freeze before surface roads.
Crow also suggests having an emergency kit in your car in case you do get stuck. It should include a blanket and snacks.
1/2/19 – 5:32 A.M.
The North Baltimore Public Library has stopped giving out fines. The board of trustees voted to end the practice starting January 1st. Anyone who has fines from past overdue items can donate nonperishable food items or paper goods by March 9th to have their fines forgiven. You have to donate one item for every dollar owed to get the fines forgiven.
The library will distribute donations through a local food pantry.
1/2/19 – 5:28 A.M.
Eagle Creek reached minor flood stage as we rang in the new year. The creek crested at just over 9.8 feet around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. It dropped back below flood stage by 2 p.m.
While the Blanchard River is running high, Monday’s rain showers didn’t push it into flood stage. The river crested in action stage at just over 10.2 feet around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Flood stage starts at 11 feet in Findlay.
The National Weather Service does not expect the river to reach flood stage in Ottawa either.
1/2/19 – 5:21 A.M.
Putnam County residents could pay more for their license plates in the future. WLIO-TV reports County Engineer Mike Lenhart has proposed raising the license plate tax by five dollars to pay for bridge and road repair in the county. Lenhart tells the TV station that the cost for repairs continues to go up. He adds that reducing staff and bringing in grant money isn’t helping them keep pace with the needs of the county.
The county commissioners would have to vote on any increase.
Lenhart proposed two options. One would see the extra five dollars per license plate split between towns, townships, and the county. The other would see the county keep the additional five dollars.
MORE: WLIO-TV
1/2/19 – 5:08 A.M.
Findlay’s green waste site is open to collect Christmas trees and other yard waste starting today. The hours of operation are from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. today through Friday and January 7th through the 11th. The site will close until early April after January 11th.
You should take off all your Christmas decorations before dropping off your tree.
The green waste site is at 350 West High Street. It is free of charge for Findlay residents. Contractors are not allowed to use the site for commercial use.
1/2/19 – 5:02 A.M.
A weekend traffic stop led to the arrest of two illegal immigrants in Findlay. The Findlay Police Department says an officer pulled over a car on Londonderry Drive just before 5 a.m. Sunday. Misael Canseco and Oliver Mazariegos of Jennifer Lane were in the car. The police haven’t said which one of the men was the driver.
Police say the driver refused to show his hands. The officer held him at gunpoint, but at the same time, the passenger got out of the car. Police say the passenger reached for his waistband and the responding officer used a Taser on him.
Both men face a charge of obstructing official police business. The driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.218. That’s more than double the legal limit.
The Findlay Police Department has contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
1/2/19 – 4:50 A.M.
Hancock County saw 10 traffic-related deaths in 2018, an increase of six from the previous year. Statistics from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office show one crash involved alcohol. However, toxicology reports are still pending for two men killed in a crash on Blanchard Avenue in November.
Five of the fatal crashes involved drivers failing to control their cars. The sheriff’s office says going left of center was the main factor in two crashes. Two other crashes involved assured clear distance and failure to yield the right of way violations.
Sgt. Matthew Kinsinger says distracted driving remains a big concern.