Monthly Archives: May 2019

Arlington Hears More About Fire Damaged Home

Local News

5/7/19 – 5:10 A.M.

Arlington Village Council members heard more about a fire damaged house during their Monday meeting. Neighbor Michael Best told council that the owner of the North Main Street home hasn’t made any effort to fix the problem. He added that the house is devaluing the property around it.

However, fire investigators say the home is structurally sound. That means the village can’t demolish it. Arlington doesn’t have a maintenance code to deal with the situation.

Fire damaged the home on the village’s north side more than two years ago.

MORE: Spring clean-up day scheduled in Arlington.

Primary Election Day Arrives

Local News, WFIN Top Story

5/7/19 – 5:01 A.M.

It’s primary election day around the area. Polls are open today from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Locally, Republican voters in Findlay will pick a nominee for mayor in a race between Holly Frische, Christina Muryn, and Brian Robertson. In the Republican Findlay City Council-at-Large race, incumbents Grant Russel, Tom Shindledecker, and Jeff Wobser face a challenge from Mathias Leguire. The top three vote-getters advance.

Voters in the Liberty-Benton, McComb, Arcadia and Vanlue school districts will all decide tax questions today.

The lone county-wide issue in Hancock County will decide whether to renew a property tax for Blanchard Valley Center.

Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation Gives Grants To Findlay City Schools

Local News

Findlay City Schools accepted over $43,000 in grant money from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation Monday. Superintendent Ed Kurt said that this shows how much effort the staff goes through for education.

The grants will be used for several different projects, events, and renovations. Some of the grant money will bring in speakers to cover creative writing, art, and ecology. Some funds will also create new programs and partnerships to help further educational opportunities. The libraries will also receive money to promote diversity and replace outdated books, as well as build an area in the high school library for an entrepreneurial center.

BVHS Accepts Award For Excellence

Local News

05/06/19 – 5:42 P.M.

Blanchard Valley Health System is a recipient of the Platinum Governor’s Award for Excellence. The award is given by The Partnership for Excellence, an awards program for Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana. This is the highest-level Excellence award. BVHS is the only health system to receive it this year.

BVHS had to submit a 50-page application covering leadership, strategic planning, workforce, operations, and more.

ODOT Workshop Highlighting Open Positions Tomorrow

Local News

05/16/19 – 3:40 P.M.

ODOT District 1 is partnering with OhioMeansJobs Allen County on an application workshop for In-Demand Jobs Week. The Workshop is tomorrow from 2-4 p.m. at OhioMeansJobs Allen County in Lima. ODOT personnel will be available to help attendees with the online application process for open positions.

The event is meant to highlight career opportunities within ODOT.

State Senator Rob McColley Discusses Efforts To Curb Barriers To Workforce

Local News, WFIN Top Story

5/6/19 – 2:03 P.M.

State Senator Rob McColley talked about a recently passed bill in Ohio that aims to reduce regulations around licensing for certain jobs while in Findlay today. Speaking to the Findlay Rotary Club, McColley said Senate Bill 255 aims to get rid of job licensing rules that don’t make sense…

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McColley says that the cost of getting and keeping occupational licenses are also barriers of entry to the workforce for people with low incomes.

McColley also says the law looks into apprenticeship programs…

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McColley says the goal isn’t to get rid of job licensing altogether, but to make sure the licensing process makes sense.

Former Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 255 into law in January. According to Forbes Magazine, the law requires licensing agencies to show a public need for its services every six years.

Local Gas Prices Continue To Trend Upward

Local News

5/6/19 – 5:30 A.M.

Local gas prices have come down from last week’s highest prices, but are still trending upward. OhioGasPrices.com says the average price in Findlay today is $2.72 for a gallon of regular. That’s down from $2.85 going into the weekend, but still up more than 20 cents per gallon over prices from a couple of weeks ago.

Drivers in Ottawa report paying $2.65 per gallon. That’s even with last Monday’s prices.

The statewide average stands at $2.75 per gallon today.

New Road Project Scheduled To Start In Findlay This Week

Local News

5/6/19 – 5:23 A.M.

A curb replacement will close the eastbound lane of West Sandusky Street between Cory street and Western Avenue this week. You can still use the road, but only in the westbound direction. A detour is set up for eastbound traffic. Curb replacement work is also closing Hardin Street between Western Avenue and Cory Street.

Elsewhere road projects continue in familiar places. The eastbound lane of Production Drive and the westbound lane of Industrial Drive remain closed to traffic. If you’re trying to get into Tall Timbers you’ll need to use Production Drive. To get out you’ll have to use Industrial Drive.

Stanford Parkway remains closed for waterline replacement work between Westfield Drive and River Road.

Later this week crews will close East Foulke Avenue between Blanchard Street and the railroad tracks for two days starting on May 8th. The city is repaving the road in that area.

I-75 Widening Project Ramp Closure Starts Today

Local News

5/6/19 – 5:05 A.M.

You’ll see another road closure for the I-75 widening project in Findlay starting today. ODOT says the southbound entrance and exit ramps from U.S. 68 and State Route 15 to Lima Avenue will close for three weeks for roundabout construction.

To get around the closure you’ll have to exit I-75 south at State Route 12, take it west to County Road 9, and then head south back to Lima Avenue.