[WFIN] – Faculty at the University of Findlay got funding from Columba Gas Ohio to work sustainable biodiesel. UF’s Dr. Nathaniel Tice is working with graduate assistant Shushma Kc to look at turning things like fry oil into fuel.

He said that the project focuses on sustainability and finding cheap efficient ways to run things that use fuel.

The project is also trying to get kids and teachers involved to keep the interest and involvement growing. They are working on a children’s book to raise awareness and interest at a young age.

Tice explained that the project is funded by Columbia Gas Ohio and looks at turning things like fry oil into fuel.

You can catch the full interview with Tice and Kc below.

It was a perfect morning for a hot air balloon ride and that’s what WFIN’s Matt Demczyk got to enjoy thanks to the folks at Flag City BalloonFest.

Matt went up with Flight Director Jeff Conley in Conley’s Columbia balloon and enjoyed an hour-long ride across about 8-miles of Findlay and Hancock County.

Jeff says he’s been doing this since 2006, and says he’s always had a desire to fly.

“And I instantly got hooked. Where else can you fly above treetops and enjoy the peace and quiet, see a little bit of nature and truly enjoy the spectacle of earth.”

Jeff is a sergeant with the Finlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and says getting up in the sky is a nice way to relax after a long week.

Jeff and Matt took off at around 7:15 and landed in a field about an hour later, about eight miles southeast of Findlay.

“That was easily one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Matt said after touching down from what was his first hot air balloon experience.

Flag City Balloonfest runs through Sunday at Emory Adams Park.

[WFIN] – A power outage affected most of northeast Findlay today. The AEP Ohio outage map showed the outage affected over 1,300 residents. AEP reports that the power was restored just after noon.

According to AEP, The power outage was caused by a squirrel in the powerlines. There’s no word on the condition of the squirrel.

A northeast Ohio man convicted of throwing an iguana at a restaurant manager in April will not serve time behind bars.

But, he faces some interesting stipulations.

According to Cleveland.com, Judge Michael Cicconetti sentenced the 49-year-old to five years probation.

The man was forbidden to publicize what he did or why he did it, and he can’t brag about what happened.

The man was arrested after pulling an iguana from his shirt in a Painesville Perkins restaurant, swinging it around by the tail and throwing it at a restaurant manager.

The iguana, later named Copper, was taken to the humane society to be checked for injuries and was determined to be fine.

[WFIN] – ODOT says it is about 70% done with the I-75 project through Findlay and on pace to finish by 2020.

The project was initially slated to finish in the spring of next year. Current projections show that it is on pace to finish next winter.

ODOT District 1 deputy director Chris Hughes says that the project is like, ” rebuilding your whole house while you’re still living in it.” He adds that with the frigid temperatures and excessive rainfall, he is happy that the project has only been delayed to next winter.

The project is reconstructing five miles of the existing four lanes of I-75 and adding an additional lane in each direction.

The work also calls for the redesigning and reconstructing the interchange between U.S. 68/State Route 15 and Interstate 75, and redesigning and reconstructing the interchange with U.S. 68/state Route 15 at Lima Avenue.

On top of that, it also required the replacement of all mainline bridges and the Harrison Street overpass.

[WFIN] – The Findlay Police Department was doing emergency response training Thursday. Team leader Darin Lawrence explained they do this to make sure that teams and gear are always ready.

Fellow team leader Doug Marshall added they like to cover several scenarios during the training.

 

 

 

[WFIN] – The Findlay Police Department says it’s investigating a YouTube video in which a man calls on people to come to Findlay to “shoot some s*** up.”

In the video, which was posted in March, the man talks about people in Findlay being prejudiced, and he calls on gang members to join him in Findlay.

“Bring all your guns, bring all your homies, bring everybody and let’s show some love in Findlay, Ohio,” the man says in the video.

Police believe they have identified the man in the video and they have had interactions with him before. They say he has active warrants for his arrest but that they believe he is out of state.

Lt. Ryan Doe says that they are looking into the matter but don’t believe there is any actual threat.

Doe said if they do get ahold of the man he could face charges such as inducing panic, but that decision would be up to the county prosecutor.

 

[WFIN] – A body found in North Toledo earlier this week has been identified as a Findlay man.

The Toledo-Blade reports that 53-year-old Horton Scarberry was found dead around 7:40 p.m. Monday at Albany and Champlain streets. His body was in the tree line.

Lucas County Coroner Dr. Diane Scala-Barnett told the paper that a ruling on the death is pending the results of toxicology and other tests.

No other information is available at this time.

There’s a blood drive coming up on Monday, but it’s no ordinary blood drive.

“We said, you know, this year let’s make it a battle of the badges and put some bragging rights on the line.”

Todd James, executive director of the North Central Ohio Chapter of the American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood on Monday at the Findlay Elks Banquet Hall.

And when you’re done, you get to choose which organization you want your donation to count for; the Findlay Police Department, Findlay Fire Department or Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

“Then we’ll get Chief Dunbar from the police department, Chief Eberle from the fire department and Sheriff Heldman together in a room and one of them will be walking out of there with bragging rights over the other two, and I know they’re looking forward to those bragging rights.”

People who donate will also get a $10 Visa gift card courtesy of Suburban Propane while supplies last.

The Battle of the Badges blood drive is Monday, August 12th at the Findlay Elks Banquet Hall at 900 Melrose Avenue from noon to 6 p.m.

To set up an appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

The City of Findlay Police Department has entered into a mutual aid agreement with the University of Findlay.

Findlay Police Chief John Dunbar says, while both entities already work well together, this mutual aid pact formalizes the agreement to provide assistance to each other if necessary.

“It just makes things clear and concise in regard to mutual aid with each agency, what their roles and responsibilities are, helping each other out and providing assistance.”

The City of Findlay says the agreement will ensure that the effective coordination and communication between the city and university continue.

“This agreement formalizes the support we can provide to each other if the need arises,” said Mayor Christina Muryn.