Monthly Archives: July 2019

Unemployment Rates Go Up For Most Area Counties

Local News

07/23/19 – 11:26 A.M.

The unemployment rate in Hancock County trended upward from May to June. The latest numbers released by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show a jobless rate of 3.4 percent in June. That’s up compared to the 2.7 percent we saw in May. Despite being up, Hancock County is still below the 4 percent unemployment rate seen at the same time last year.

Putnam County also saw an increase in unemployment. Putnam County went from 2.4 percent in May to 3.1 percent in June. The county still remains below the 3.5 percent posted in June of 2018.

Wyandot County boasted the lowest unemployment rate in the area at 3.0 percent and was the only county to see a decrease. Wood County (3.9) remained below the 4 percent threshold while Seneca (4.0), Allen (4.1), Henry (4.2) and Hardin (4.6) Counties all saw 4 percent or higher.

MPLX Posts Increased Cash Distribution For Second Quarter Of 2019

Local News

07/23/19 – 10:47 A.M.

Marathon subsidiary MPLX saw increased cash distribution for 26 consecutive quarters, including the second quarter of this year. The company posted a quarterly cash distribution of 66.75 cents per common unit for the second quarter of 2019. That’s an increase of 1 cent per unit or 1.5% over the first quarter of the year. It is 4 cents per unit or 6.4% higher than in the second quarter of 2018.

Common nit holders will be paid on August 14.

ODOT Wants Lima Avenue Back Open By The End Of The Year

Local News

07/23/19 – 10:26 A.M.

ODOT is trying to have Lima Avenue open by the end of the year. The Courier’s Lou Wilin reports that was the message from district deputy director Chris Hughes. Hughes addressed the Findlay Rotary Club in a speech on Monday.

According to Hughes, state officials and a contractor are trying to speed up the reconstruction of the Lima Avenue interchange with U.S. 68/State Route 15. Lima Avenue has been closed at the interchange since last fall. Hughes said that they don’t want to go through another winter with the closure in place.

The interchange will include roundabouts to make it safer.

Findlay Police Storm House, Arrest Findlay Man

Local News, WFIN Top Story

07/23/19 – 5:27 A.M.

Findlay Police stormed a house in Findlay’s south end and arrested a man for domestic violence last night. 50-year-old Scott VanWormer was taken in on charges of domestic violence and knowingly causing physical harm.

Police officers responded to a domestic dispute in progress around 5:06 p.m. at 212 East Edgar Avenue. When they arrived, they found a woman outside that multiple signs of physical abuse. She told officers that VanWormer had made threats to hurt her or even kill her. She added that he could be armed.

Police tried to make contact with VanWormer after they set up a perimeter around the house. After those efforts failed, officers stormed the house and arrested VanWormer.

The Findlay Police Department reports that more charges are being considered.

JFS Celebrates Recent Donations For Kids In Care, Looks Towards Prevention

Local News

07/22/19 – 11:24 A.M.

Hancock County Jobs and Family Services celebrated recent donations from businesses at Tall Timbers for “Honda Cares.” Placement supervisor Angela Rader said that they accepted clothing, food, and gift cards to support kids in care.

Executive director Randall Galbraith said that he’s very grateful for all of the help they received. He added that he would love to see the number of kids in foster care come down.

Galbraith said they will start taking a proactive approach to come up with strategies to identify when something is about to go wrong in a family household and prevent it. He added that they are working on this with other local organizations such as school districts, businesses, and the ADAMHS Board.

Signs And Advice For Handling Farm Stress

Local News
10/22/19 – 10:05 A.M.
Farmers will go through good years and bad years and, unfortunately, this year has been a bad one. Hancock County OSU extension educator Ed Lentz said that most farmers will be getting stressed.
 
Lentz added that the stress is far from over. Farmers will have to face stress again when it comes time for harvest and while looking at the financial forecast for next year.
 
With that in mind, family and consumer sciences educator Emilee Drerup said that farmers should keep an eye on symptoms.
 
Drerup said that physically, you might have a racing heart, fatigue, or shortness of breath.
 
She adds that managing stress in a healthy manner is important. You’ll want to avoid over or undereating, alcohol and drug abuse, and other unhealthy forms of stress management.
She said that you can go to Michigan State University‘s website to get helpful information on healthy stress management techniques.

Road Projects Continue In Findlay

Local News

07/22/19 – 5:32 A.M.

There are several road projects continuing in Findlay this week. Work will continue on South Blanchard Street between Sandusky and South Streets. The northbound lanes are closed to all traffic. You also cannot turn east onto East Sandusky Street from the southbound lanes.

The intersection at South Blanchard and Lincoln Street remains closed as well for a waterline installation project. That project is expected to finish up this Friday.

And finally, Sixth Street will be reduced to one lane between Eastview and Burson Drives. There is a temporary traffic light set up to help direct traffic.

Man Leads Police On Car Chase, Gets Away On Foot

Local News

07/22/19 – 4:56 A.M.

A man got away after leading Findlay police officers on a chase through the southern part of Findlay early yesterday morning. Officers tried to pull over a man whose name wasn’t released around 12:45 a.m. in the 600 block of South Main Street. The man instead led officers on a chase that spanned 2.7 miles and lasted around 5 minutes.

The chase exceeded speeds of 60 mph in the area of West Lima and West Hardin Streets. The suspect ran multiple stop signs and eventually hit a police car on Western Avenue. He then drove to Hurd Avenue got out of the vehicle, running away on foot. Officers did not find the suspect.

The investigation is ongoing.

State Highway Patrol Cracking Down On Move Over Law

Local News

07/19/19 – 1:14 P.M.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be focusing on drivers that don’t move over for vehicles on the side of the roadway. Lt. Matt Crow of the Findlay Post explained that the law is designed to keep people from getting hurt…

Crow said that if you see flashing lights you are required to move into an adjacent lane or slow down if that’s not possible. He added that if you fail to do so, you could face a fine of at least $135. The patrol will be practicing zero-tolerance enforcement until next Saturday night.