Monthly Archives: June 2019

UPDATE: Blanchard River Still In Flood Stage In Ottawa

6/4/19 – 5:19 A.M.
UPDATE: 11:28 A.M.

The ground is still soggy in a lot of places, but the Blanchard River is back below flood stage in Findlay. The river crested in the major flood stage at just over 14 feet late Sunday afternoon following torrential downpours on Saturday. It dropped out of flood stage Monday afternoon, and fell out of the action stage early this morning.

Downstream in Ottawa the Blanchard remains in flood stage. The river crested in the minor flood stage at 24.5 feet late Monday night. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service shows the river falling out of flood stage around 8 p.m. tonight.

You’ll still want to keep an eye out for high water in low-lying areas in Putnam County today while the flood water recedes.

Hancock County Takes Another Step Toward New Voting Machines

6/4/19 – 11:21 A.M.

Hancock County is a step closer to having new voting machines in November. The Hancock County Commissioners voted Tuesday move money from a FEMA account into the general fund to help pay the local share of the cost of the new machines. The county received money from FEMA following the 2007 flood to replace damaged machines.

The local share of the cost is a little more than $200,000. The Hancock County Board of Elections had said it would cost around $213,000 to repair the existing machines.

Electrical Issue Damages Systems At Hancock County Courthouse

6/4/19 – 11:10 A.M.

An electrical issue is in its second week of causing headaches at the Hancock County Courthouse. Tim Stuart is with the county’s IT department and says the problem is affecting several systems…

Audio:

Auditor Charity Rauschenberg says the issue has also affected the printers in accounts payable, making it difficult to pay bills. They expect to have a replacement part in place by the end of today.

Stuart says they’re still working to learn the extent of the problem…

Audio:

Stuart says an electrical event like a lightning strike has damaged security cameras, computers, and phone lines among other pieces of equipment.

County officials are working on possibly filing an insurance claim to cover the cost of fixing the issue.

Carey Looks At Electric Rate Changes

6/4/19 – 7:25 A.M.

Carey could make some changes to electric rates. Council held the first reading of an ordinance of a tabled item during their Monday meeting.

The ordinance would increase the kilowatt per hour energy charge, but cut the Power Supply Cost Adjustment charge. The change would leave residential electric bills the same.

The legislation would also limit customers to a maximum of fewer than 10-kilowatt hours of electric generation through solar panels, or pay a higher rate.

MORE: Loan approval expected from Ohio Water Authority

Arlington Considers Drop Box For Water Bill Payments

6/4/19 – 7:18 A.M.

Arlington is looking for another place for residents to pay their water bills. People can currently pay their bills at the IGA grocery store, but the grocery is closing later this year.

Village council talked about putting a collection drop box at the municipal building during their Monday meeting. They took no action on the issue Monday.

MORE: Arlington to install heat and smoke detection system in the fire station.

Findlay Schools Name New Principal For Glenwood Middle School

6/4/19 – 6:46 A.M.

Glenwood Middle School has a new principal. The Findlay City School board approved a three-year contract for Krista Miller during their Monday meeting. Miller takes the place of Janice Panuto, who is taking over as the district’s supervisor of compliance and operations.

Miller has served as the principal of Jacobs Primary school in Findlay since the fall of 2016. She was the principal at Jefferson Primary school before that.

Fire Destroys Putnam County Barn

6/4/19 – 6:40 A.M.

Fire destroyed a Putnam County barn Monday night. Firefighters responded to 11836 Road J north of Glandorf around 11:10 p.m. Flames had completely engulfed the barn before firefighters arrived.

The fire completely destroyed the building. It held small yard machines and tools. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says there are no signs of foul play.

Fire Location:

Carey Man Facing Attempted Murder Charge

6/4/19 – 5:25 A.M.

A Carey man is facing an attempted murder charge following a weekend arrest. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home at 1869 Portage Township Road 136 around 2:30 p.m. Sunday for a report of a man with a knife trying to break into the house.

Deputies took 37-year-old Chad Howard into custody.

The investigation continues. Authorities expect to file more charges in the coming days.

Final Reading Of Parking Lot Sale On Council Agenda Tonight

6/4/19 – 5:08 A.M.

We’ll know more about the future of the site of the former Argyle building tonight. Findlay City Council will hold a final reading on a proposal to sell a city-owned parking lot to the Blanchard Valley Port Authority. If approved, the measure would help clear the way for a new six-story retail and residential development across from Marathon Petroleum.

Council met in a closed executive session Monday night to discuss the issue. They did not make any decisions when they came out of executive session. Developer Tim Youngpeter has offered $150,000 for the parking lot. The Hancock County Commissioners say they offered $230,000 for the same parking lot in 2013.

If council approves the sale, Youngpeter’s company would have until the end of next May to complete pre-closing obligations. That includes a survey, environmental inspections, and getting information about whether the property is in a “special flood hazard area” determined by FEMA.

Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight.

MORE: Back story behind the potential development.

The 2019 Julie Cole Charity Golf Classic Gets Strong Fundraising Start Sunday

06/03/19 – 6:58 P.M.

The Findlay Country Club was busy this past weekend into Monday with the 2019 Julie Cole Charity Golf Classic. The Blanchard Valley Health System and Julie Cole bring in professional golfers to raise money for local programs. BVHS President and CEO Scott Malaney said that he was amazed with how much they raised in their first night.

Malaney said that the money will support youth golf, hospice, and a simulation lab at BVHS.