02/11/19 – 4:54 A.M.

Two Findlay residents were killed and a third person was seriously injured in an accident on I-75 Sunday night. The State Highway Patrol Findlay Post reports that the accident happened around 6:15 p.m. about a mile south of the Ohio 103 exit. 25-year-old Benjamin Wallen of Findlay lost control of his car and went off the left side of the roadway. The car crossed the median and struck a tractor-trailer driven by 64-year-old Martin Sparks.

Wallen was wearing his seatbelt but was ejected from the car. 30-year-old Amelia Adams was a passenger in the car and was also ejected. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. A 14-year-old boy was in the front passenger seat of Wallen’s car. He suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

Sparks was not injured.

02/11/19 – 4:34 A.M.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a crash that injured a Findlay man early Sunday morning. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports that the accident happened around 3:15 a.m. on County Road 9 in Liberty Township. 23-year-old Anthony Heistand lost control of his vehicle and went off the east side of the road. He struck a utility pole and rolled multiple times before coming to a stop in a field.

A private vehicle took Heistand to the Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment. Officers cited him for failure to control and operating a vehicle while impaired.

2/6/19 – 5:19 A.M.
UPDATED: 02/08/19 1:19 P.M. (Rivers receding)

The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for Hancock, Putnam, and Wood Counties. The NWS forecast for the Blanchard River in Findlay no longer expects the river to hit the flood stage and should drop out of the action stage by Saturday afternoon.

Downstream in Ottawa the Blanchard entered the minor flood stage but isn’t expected to get much higher. The river is predicted to crest at 23.1 feet. Minor flood stage in Ottawa starts at 23 feet.

The Eagle Creek in Findlay is predicted to rise into the minor flood stage this morning but appears to be leveling out in the action stage. Eagle Creek has been running below predictions since yesterday.

We’ll continue to keep an eye on the latest river levels in our area throughout the day.

02/08/19 – 10:16 P.M.

An Upper Sandusky teenager was severely injured in an accident on County Highway 44 Thursday. The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office reports that the accident happened around 5:30 a.m. northwest of Upper Sandusky. 17-year-old Jonathon Lambrite was driving west and going fast on County Highway 44 when he went off the south side of the road. He struck two power poles and was thrown from the vehicle.

Wyandot County EMS took Lambrite to the Wyandot County Hospital with serious injuries. Officers cited Lambrite for reckless operation.

02/08/19 – 9:20 A.M.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s profits shrank by 53% during the 4th quarter of 2018 due to the acquisition of Andeavor. The earnings were $951 million. Despite the decrease, revenue jumped 53% in the fourth quarter to over $32.5 billion. Operating profit in all three of Marathon’s segments, refining and marketing, retail, and midstream, soared.

Chairman and CEO Gary Heminger said that the success stems from Marathon’s business model of having the segments support each other. He added that the company also expanded its continentwide footprint since buying Andeavor. The purchase made Marathon the largest refiner in the U.S. and the fifth largest in the world.

02/08/19 – 7:52 A.M.

Marathon subsidiary MPLX saw an 82% rise in profit in the fourth quarter of 2018. On top of that, revenue climbed 58% to $1.72 billion. Over 90 percent of MPLX’s revenue is fee-based. It charges fees to oil producers and others to use its pipelines and other transportation and storage assets. That means it has less risk than refiners or producers when commodity prices swing.

Overall MPLX saw a 129% increase in profit for 2018 as a whole and revenue rose 66%.

02/07/19 – 1:54 P.M.

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County and the ReStore have moved to a new location on Commerce Parkway in Findlay. Executive Director Wendy McCormick said that the new place is fantastic.

ReStore Manager Ted Spencer added that the facility includes a showroom.

Spencer added that they will start taking donations again next week. The ReStore does not deliver furniture but Habitat executive Director Wendy McCormick said they can get you in touch with organizations that can help if you have a disability.

02/07/19 – 8:40 A.M.

Parents raised a variety of concerns yesterday on a busing change proposed by Van Buren Schools. The Courier reports that concerns included after-school childcare issues, late bedtimes for older students, and early wake-ups for younger students. Currently, the transportation department runs one set of bus routes, and elementary, middle and high school students all start and end their days around the same times.

The proposed changes would create two routes. Elementary students would start class at 7:35 a.m. and middle and high school students would start at 8:35 a.m.

You can read the full story in today’s Courier.

02/07/19 – 7:58 A.M.

There are seven tax issues that will be on the May 7 primary ballot in Hancock County. The only county-wide issue is for the Hancock County Board of Development Disabilities. The organization is seeking renewal of a 2.5-mill, five-year levy. The levy would generate more than $4 million annually for operations and community-based services at Blanchard Valley Center.

Liberty-Benton School District has a 6.8 mill, 35-year bond issue and a 0.5-mill continuing levy for building maintenance. If approved, the money will help fund the construction of a new pre-k through 8th-grade building as well as renovations to the high school.

Arcadia is looking for a 1%, five-year tax renewal. McComb is asking voters to approve a 0.5% school income tax renewal. Vanlue has a 5.92 mill, 10-year emergency levy on the ballot for operating expenses.

The McComb Public Library is asking for approval of a new 1-mill, five-year levy on the May ballot for library operations. PMP Joint Ambulance District is seeking a 4.4-mill, 3-year renewal levy to provide ambulance service within Pleasant and Portage townships and the Village of McComb.