4/24/19 – 5:15 A.M.

Sales tax collections in Hancock County are trending above last year’s numbers. The latest figures from the Hancock County Auditor’s Office show the county collected a little more than $1.2 million in April. That’s a nearly 4 percent increase compared to April of 2018.

April’s collections reflect sales made in the county three months ago. Sales taxes go to the state before they get released back to the county.

Year-to-date, the sales tax has brought in $5.3 million. That’s up a little more than 3 percent over last year’s numbers through four months.

04/23/19 – 3:56 P.M.

There are plenty of spring and summer activities available for kids and adults in Findlay. Lisa Mansfield of the Findlay Parks and Recreations Department said that they are offering lacrosse lessons…

Mansfield said that they also offer several events and lessons in baseball and ice skating among others. You can get signed up and learn more on the parks and rec page of the City of Findlay’s website.

04/23/19 – 3:34 P.M.

The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities is asking voters in Hancock County to renew a 5-year, 2.5 mill levy this spring. Superintendent Kelli Grisham says the money raised from the levy helps pay for operations, which include programs that help those with disabilities live independent lives in the community…

Grisham says the levy also helps pay educational costs for school-age clients, and for residential services for adult clients.

You can see the full interview on the WFIN Facebook page.

04/23/19 – 3:26 P.M.

Spring is in the air and the weather is warming up which means allergies are on the way. Blanchard Valley Health System’s Dr. Amber Patterson said that the best way to avoid allergies is to avoid pollen.

She said that if you have to be outside when pollen counts are high, you can use masks, screens, and filters to help protect yourself.

Patterson added that if you take medication to help control allergies, you should start taking them a couple of weeks in advance.

She said that this will help your immune system react stronger and quicker. She added that the best way to avoid allergies is to avoid pollen.

She also warned about irritants released by plants that can cause allergy-like symptoms. She said that if you have the symptoms but allergy medication isn’t helping, you should talk to your doctor.

4/23/19 – 10:17 A.M.

Hancock County’s unemployment rate has dropped back below 3 percent. Numbers released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show a jobless rate of 2.9 percent in March. That’s down a half-percentage point from February and checks in below the March 2018 jobless rate of 3.2 percent.

The unemployment rate declined in every other county in the region as well. Wyandot County stands at 3 percent unemployment, while Putnam County checked in at 3.1.

Elsewhere in the area, Wood (3.6), Hardin (3.8), and Allen (3.9) counties are also below 4 percent unemployment. The jobless rate in Seneca County is 4.1 percent. In Henry County, it stands at 5.6 percent.

4/23/19 – 7:32 A.M.

A free medical clinic is opening in Fostoria this summer. Dr. Jeanne Bohm says the “Just in Time Clinic” will open on the first floor of ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital in July. It will provide health care services for free for those without insurance and who live in designated zip codes.

The goal of the clinic is to provide primary care until a patient can find a primary care provider. It will offer blood pressure screenings, medication management, pregnancy tests, and more.

Office hours will be 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. weekdays and one Saturday a month.

MORE: Details about the services the clinic will offer

4/23/19 – 6:48 A.M.

The University of Findlay is hosting a conference about addiction and recovery next Monday. The university’s social work program and the ADAMHS board hope it will be the first in an annual series of conferences covering the topic.

Keynote speaker Dr. Jamie Marich is a specialist in the field of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR. The technique aims to help people work through traumatic memories by using eye movements to help the brain heal.

Robin Walters-Powell is the chairwoman of UF’s department of social work. She says the conference will also address the “multiple reasons” people might have an addiction. She adds that understanding that can help get people the treatment they need.

Organizers expect around 200 people to attend. The conference is open to the public and costs $60. To register you can go to EventBrite.com and search for “Trauma Conference” in the Findlay event section.

MORE: Details on other topics covered at the conference.

4/23/19 – 5:28 A.M.

McComb has narrowed the list of candidates for village administrator to eleven people. Village council received an update on the process Monday. They had 40 people apply for the position left open by Kevin Siferd, who recently stepped down.

Mayor Chuck Latta and Council President Cathy Schroll are reviewing the resumes. They’ll send a list to council members for consideration.

MORE: McComb Police Department to eliminate overtime hours.