2/15/19 – 6:49 A.M.

A recycling drive is taking place in Vanlue this weekend. The Hancock County Solid Waste Management District has placed a rolloff at the intersection of Center and Main Cross streets. It will be there until 3 p.m. Sunday.

The recycling effort is accepting flattened cardboard, plastics 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, aluminum cans, steel food cans, newspapers, office paper, and magazines. You’re reminded not to drop off unacceptable items or leave items on the ground.

2/15/19 – 6:40 A.M.

A motorcycle crash injured a Findlay man Thursday night. The Findlay Police Department says 36-year-old Melchisdec Waples was speeding in the 200 block of Rector Avenue just before 10 p.m. when he lost control and crashed.

Hanco EMS took Waples to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Officers cited him for reckless operation and failure to wear a helmet as a novice driver.

Crash Location:

2/15/19 – 5:22 A.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners have approved a contract with an agency to handle the administration of grants designed to help with affordable housing options. The $186,000 deal taps the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership to handle CHIP grants. The agency was formerly known as the Wood Ottawa Sandusky and Seneca counties Community Action Commission.

The cost of the contract has come down. Last year the deal cost Hancock County $220,000.

MORE: Commissioners approve final piece of data-fiber loop project.

2/15/19 – 5:15 A.M.

Failure to get a zoning variance has derailed One Energy’s plans to build new wind turbines on Findlay’s north side. The city zoning appeals board voted 3-1 against a variance that would have helped clear the way for the construction of one or two 400-foot turbines at the southeast corner of Crystal and Bigelow avenues. Findlay zoning laws allow for 40 to 100-foot wind turbines.

Neighbors in the area are fighting One Energy’s plans. They have encouraged city officials to stop the plans, citing worries about reduced property value and health concerns.

However, the battle may not be over yet. One Energy CEO Jereme Kent says they will pursue legal options to get the turbines built.

MORE: History of the proposed turbine project.

A new survey by SmartAsset.com shows Hancock County is “paycheck friendly.” The rankings from the financial website show Hancock County ranks 10th in Ohio on its “paycheck friendliness index.” The rankings take into account household income versus cost of living in an area.

The only county in northwest Ohio to rate higher than Hancock County was Defiance County, which came in at ninth.

MORE: SmartAsset 

2/14/19 – 11:46 A.M.

Plans for a wind turbine on Findlay’s north side hit a delay Thursday. A group of developers out of Castle Road, Colorado submitted plans for a turbine at 2749 Crystal Avenue, but asked to table those plans during Thursday’s Findlay City Planning Commission meeting. A representative for the group said it made more sense for the plans to move through a zoning committee meeting first.

Findlay’s board of zoning appeals meets at 6 p.m. tonight and will discuss the issue.

Several residents from the surrounding area were in attendance at the planning meeting to protest the turbine proposal. City Law Director Don Rasmussen reassured them the plans will have to come back to the planning commission before it moves to city council.

Proposed Turbine Location:

2/14/19 – 7:08 A.M.

A new manufacturer is set to open in Fostoria next month. Custom Glass Solutions plans to start partial operations in March. The facility is the company’s third in Ohio.

CGS will start with distribution from the Fostoria location. They’ll ramp up to production shortly after that. The company plans to employ 90 people.

MORE: Details on CGS operations