The expansion would include an enclosed walkway to a building addition because buried utility lines adjacent to the library can’t be moved. The lines service a portion of the downtown area.
The commissioners gave no decision on the lots. They did say they would like parking arrangements for any displaced county employees.
(WFIN) – It turned out that the Hancock County jury that was seated on Monday for a rape trial wasn’t needed after all.
The Courier is reporting that the defendant pleaded guilty on Monday to a trespassing charge instead.
40-year-old Johnny S. Randazzo Jr., of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan faces up to 18 months in prison on the trespassing charge, which is a fourth-degree felony.
In return for his guilty plea on the trespassing charge, the first-degree felony rape charge that Randazzo was indicted on will be dismissed.
According to The Courier, a Hancock County assistant prosecutor and defense attorney agreed to proceed on the new charge, which was discussed with the victim and law enforcement.
Randazzo’s sentencing date has been set for October 17th.
(ONN) – Ohio’s requirement that state residents get front license plates for their vehicles isn’t gone yet, and two state lawmakers are doing their best to salvage it.
Republican Senators Joe Uecker of the Cincinnati area and Jay Hottinger of Newark are planning to introduce legislation to reinstate the front license plate requirement, which the legislature voted to abolish in March as part of the state transportation budget.
Gov. Mike DeWine reluctantly agreed not to veto the piece of the legislation.
Proponents, who include car dealers and auto enthusiasts, argued the requirement is costly and cumbersome.
But law enforcement agencies say the second plate gives them twice the odds of identifying criminal suspects.
The rear license plate only requirement won’t take effect until July 1st, 2020.
Fair organizers in Wood County say each ride is being checked twice a day.
This comes after multiple rides at the Ohio State Fair had to close last week.
The Wood County Fair board says state inspectors look at each ride before it is given the green light to open.
Fair officials will also be conducting their own inspections in the morning and afternoon to ensure safety.
The Wood County Fair got underway on Monday.
(ONN) – County boards of elections have begun mailing last-chance notices to more than 235,000 Ohioans at risk of being purged from state voter rolls.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose says all 88 county boards of elections will notify the affected voters that their registration could be canceled September 6th.
LaRose says he expects the list of affected voters to be distributed this week to community groups and individuals who have asked for it as part of an effort to find voters and encourage them to re-register.
A Findlay man who’s serving time in state prison for murder is claiming he has killed again while behind bars.
37-year-old Joel M. Drain sent a letter to The Columbus Dispatch saying he assaulted 29-year-old Christopher Richardson at the Warren Correctional Institution in April.
Richardson later died at a hospital.
In his letter to The Dispatch Drain said, “I did it on camera, coaxed him in my cell. Beat him. Stabbed him. And strangled him.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has jurisdiction over prisons in Ohio and confirmed an investigation is ongoing and that Drain is connected to it.
Drain is serving 38 years to life in prison for the aggravated murder of 56-year-old Randy L. Grose, of Findlay, along with other felony charges.
Drain was also sentenced to another seven years in prison for the non-fatal stabbing of his father.
07/29/19 – 6:29 P.M.
Bridge Home Health and Hospice is working with Challenged Champions Equestrian Center to help kids process grief. Bereavement Coordinator Kristi Beall said the kids will get to work with horses.
She added that there will be other programs during the day to help the kids process grief.
The event will be at Challenged Champion Equestrian Center from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on August 9.
Registration for the event is due by Thursday and can be made by emailing bridge@bvhealthsystem.org or by calling 419-423-5351.
There is no information released about anything being taken.
The incident remains under investigation.
(WFIN) – Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has reported its second quarter 2019 results.
The company says its net income in the second quarter was $9 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.18, compared with $15 million, or $0.30 per share, last year.
Second quarter net sales were $679 million compared with $698 million in the second quarter of 2018, a drop of 2.8 percent.
Operating profit was $32 million compared with $33 million in the second quarter of 2018.
“Our second quarter operating profit margin improved sequentially from the first quarter, and the Americas segment delivered improved operating profit despite new and incremental tariffs this year,” said Cooper President & Chief Executive Officer Brad Hughes.
“Our International segment was challenged by the ongoing decline within the new vehicle market in China and a weak replacement tire market in Europe. While we are not satisfied with the lower unit volume in the second quarter, our strategic initiatives are taking hold, and we are confident that they will contribute more meaningfully to unit volume growth in 2020.”
He says negatively affecting the quarter was $13 million in costs related to new tariffs on products imported into the United States from China compared to the same period a year ago, as well as $2 million of restructuring costs related to Cooper Tire Europe’s decision to cease light vehicle tire production at its Melksham, England facility.
(WFIN) – The Courier has announced that it will be increasing prices for the first time in more than five years.
Beginning today (Monday), the price of home delivery and local mail subscriptions will go up.
The Courier says EASYpay will increase from the current $12 monthly rate to a new rate of $14.
The 3-month subscription rate will rise from $37.50 to $49.50.
The 6-month rate will rise from $75 to $94.
And the 12-month rate will go up from $150 to $178.
The Courier says its digital-only rate and out-of-area mail rate are not changing.
Courier subscribers get the printed newspaper six days a week, and also get full access to the newspaper’s website, www.thecourier.com, at no additional charge.
Starting Saturday, the single-copy price for the Saturday Courier also will rise, by 25 cents, when it’s purchased at stores or from news racks.
The Monday through Friday single-copy price will remain at 75 cents.
The Courier is owned by Findlay Publishing Company, which also own WFIN-WKXA-WBUK radio stations.