Findlay City Council approved an ordinance to seek funding for a regional training center for emergency responders.

Findlay Fire Chief Josh Eberle said that the Simulated Tactical Response and Incident Command Training (STRICT) Center started off as a fire training facility but was quickly changed when they realized the needs that other agencies have.

He said that it will provide an amazing opportunity to get emergency responders training together.

The facility, which he said will be built at Fire Station 4 along County Road 236 in Findlay, will be free for all agencies in Hancock County to use.

There will be use fees for any agencies outside of the county that want to use the Center for training.

Eberle said that there isn’t a training facility near our area and it’s something that will see plenty of use.

Early estimates have the cost around $1 million and Eberle said they are well on the way to get that money and plan to have the funding done early next year and break ground in the fall.

Eberle says they have already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the facility and that they plan to seek donations from private entities.

You can listen to the full interview below.

Three people were injured in a head-on collision on West Main Cross Street in Liberty Township this morning.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports that 78-year-old Betty Burkholder was heading east on West Main Cross just after 9 am when she lost control.

Deputies say Betty went left of center and struck a vehicle driven by 79-year-old Melvin Micham of Sylvania.

Law enforcement on the scene said that both drivers were trapped in the wreckage and responding firefighters had to cut them out of their vehicles.

Hanco EMS took Betty, Melvin, and 81-year-old Carolyn Micham to Blanchard Valley Hospital.

A sheriff’s deputy said their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

Deputies cited Betty Burkholder with failure to control.

The Sunny Farms Landfill in Fostoria is coming under scrutiny again as it seeks its operator license for 2020.

WTOL 11 is reporting that the landfill, while it has spent a lot of money to remedy hydrogen sulfide odors, is far exceeding safe limits in the release of sulfur dioxide into the air.

Health officials could not say definitively whether people living near the landfill could experience health problems because of the high sulfur dioxide levels.

In August, the landfill was finally granted its 2019 license after making improvements and coming to a consent agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The Seneca County Board of Health will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. at Franks Hall at Tiffin University to discuss the landfill’s 2020 licensing.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that dog owners can be criminally charged if their pet has a history of violent behavior, but hasn’t been officially designated as a dangerous dog.

Previously, the designation was necessary in order to press charges.

Owners of dogs labeled dangerous are required to leash or muzzle their dogs whenever they leave their own property.

The Findlay City Council passed an amended version of the Blanchard Street Project 7-3 during their Tuesday meeting.

Councilman Grant Russel explained that the amendment requires council to have a study done to make sure the project ensures the safety of motorists and bicyclists.

Russel said that if they don’t see improvements or things get worse, the legislation will allow them to revert the street back to its original form within the first year.

The project is supposed to improve safety in the corridor by making Blanchard Street three lanes with a dedicated turn lane and bike lanes on either side.

Some members of council questioned the need for the entire project.

Holly Frische and Tom Shindledecker believed that council should focus more on the concerns of residents.

Jeff Wobser proposed changing Blanchard Street to 3 lanes with a dedicated turn lane only from Sandusky to Lincoln Streets but it was voted down.

You can learn more about the project in the articles below.

Findlay Hosting Open House To Discuss New Road Project

Blanchard Street Project Fate Remains Unclear

Equitas Health and LGBTQ+ Spectrum Findlay are partnering for a free health event.

The organizations are offering free HIV testing, and it is open to the public.

The testing will be done at Journey At Christ Church on Bigelow Avenue in Findlay from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday evening.

Officials at an Athens County food pantry say they have received around $200,000 dollars in donations thanks to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

Athens Food Bank President Karin Bright thanked Burrow, calling his mention of the poverty in his hometown during his Heisman acceptance speech the greatest completed pass he has ever made.

Burrow grew up in Athens and spent the first three years of his college career as a backup QB at Ohio State before transferring to LSU and winning the Heisman in record-breaking fashion.

Burrow and LSU are now back at practice preparing to take on the Oklahoma Sooners in the College Football Playoff semi-finals on December 28th.

The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is going strong, and it couldn’t happen without all the people who volunteer their time.

Outside a store in Findlay we came across 8-year-old Sophee, who was ringing the bell with her mom Katie.

“She wanted to come out with me so we could spread some holiday cheer,” Katie said.

She says the duo got a very nice compliment from one shopper.

“They told us that we were some of the happiest people they’ve ever seen ringing the bell, so we’re just trying to enjoy ourselves.”

Sophee gave a very grown-up answer when asked what she was looking forward to the most about Christmas, saying “spending time with my family”.

The Salvation Army’s red kettles will be out through Christmas Eve.

Three people were injured when their SUV went off a slick road and into a ditch in Findlay.

Police say Casaviero T. Senu-Oke, 42, of Findlay, was driving east on Blanchard Avenue a little after 6 o’clock Tuesday morning when they lost control and went into a ditch near Sixth Street, striking a pole.

Police say Casaviero and two passengers, Kimberly Martin, 33 and Jamie Altvater, 34, were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital by ambulance.

Casaviero was ticketed for failing to operate a vehicle with reasonable control.