The Findlay Fire Department is staying connected with the community during the coronavirus outbreak through social media.

They recently put their first Community Connection Video on their Facebook page featuring a coloring contest.

Chief Josh Eberle says a lot of households are using the contest as a fun family activity.

“We’ve received some real cool pictures of families sitting down at the table and doing this activity together, so that’s really cool, and the outcome we were hoping to see.”

The chief says a lot of the youngsters are also dressing up as little firefighters as they color the picture.

You still have time to enter the contest, and the chief says they’ll be putting up their second Community Connection Video soon.

Governor DeWine on Sunday issued an order for Ohioans to stay home and avoid non-essential business in an effort to stem the tide of the growing coronavirus threat.

The governor also placed restrictions on daycares, closed playgrounds and closed nonessential businesses.

Grocery stores, take-out restaurants and pharmacies are allowed to stay open.

The governor’s order includes several common-sense exceptions.

Read the full stay-at-home order here.

Hancock County has its first confirmed case of coronavirus.

Hancock Public Health officials say the patient is a 21-year-old woman. They could not give more information due to HIPAA laws.

People who have been in contact with the woman are being contacted by Hancock Public Health.

“This is what we have been expecting since evidence of community spread has existed in Ohio,” said Hancock Public Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi.

“We do expect to see more positive cases to appear in the coming days and weeks in Hancock County. We have been in daily communication with Blanchard Valley Health System and local government leaders to ensure that we are prepared. In order to avoid overwhelming our health care system by slowing the spread of infection, we want to stress at this time the importance of all of us adhering to the Governor’s orders as well as continuing to practice the precautions that have been shared regularly by the Governor’s office.”

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, fever of 100.4 or higher and fatigue should call the Blanchard Valley Hospital COVID-19 testing center at 419-423-7890.

For local information and resources people can call the Hancock County Resource Call Center at 419-425-9999.

In the Saturday coronavirus update from Ohio officials, the state’s health director, Dr. Amy Acton, said there’s a fallacy out there that middle America isn’t being impacted.

She says we’re a state of 11 million people and everything points to the fact that there was an early seeding of coronavirus in Ohio.

The doctor points out that the daily statistics are a snapshot of the past.

“I sometimes feel that I am in a warzone, going to war, and coming home – and not understanding why everyone at home doesn’t see what I see.”

Governor DeWine on Saturday said he asks himself every night if he’s doing everything he can to defeat this enemy.

“And I would ask all of you to ask yourselves the same thing – are you doing everything you can to stop this?”

As of Saturday afternoon there were 247 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 33 Ohio counties and three deaths.

Lucas County has four cases and one death. There was one case in Defiance County.

A testing center opened at Blanchard Valley Hospital last Thursday. (pictured above)

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, fever of 100.4 or higher and fatigue should call the Blanchard Valley Hospital COVID-19 testing center at 419-423-7890.

In Hancock County, people call also call 419 425 9999 for local coronavirus information.

Cooper Tire is temporarily shutting down its manufacturing facilities in North America.

Details are in the following news release from the company.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) today announced it will temporarily shut down its tire manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico to protect the health and safety of employees and respond to market demand that has been impacted by coronavirus.

The process of phasing down production at the plants will begin today and proceed on a rolling schedule over the coming week, with facilities expected to be closed for two to three weeks. Cooper will continue to closely monitor the situation and adjust timelines as necessary.

The company is currently assessing plans for its Europe operations. Cooper’s plants in China, which reopened several weeks ago, and have continued to ramp up production, remain in operation.

Cooper is closely monitoring supply chain and product inventory levels as the company focuses on continuing to serve customers. Cooper believes it currently has sufficient supply of product, and will continue to operate distribution centers until further notice to meet customer needs.

As the coronavirus has continued to spread across the globe, Cooper has put in place measures to protect employees and meet the needs of all stakeholders including travel restrictions, remote working, social distancing, additional cleaning and disinfecting of facilities, limited visitor access and other necessary steps, which all remain in effect.

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: CTB) is the parent company of a global family of companies that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of passenger car, light truck, medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. Cooper’s headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio, with manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design operations within its family of companies located in more than one dozen countries around the world. For more information on Cooper, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.

The offices of the Hancock County auditor, treasurer and recorder are all closing to the public due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The auditor’s office says people can schedule an appointment by calling 419-424-7015 but most activities can be conducted by phone, email, fax or postal service.

The office says documents relating to real estate transactions can be done through the mail or dropped off outside the office. People should not leave cash.

The treasurer’s office says if a situation cannot be handled over the phone (419-424-7213) or online, people can schedule an appointment to meet with them.

Until they reopen, a drop box will be located outside the westside courthouse entrance for check payments only.

The recorder’s office says staff will still be present to process documents and answer phone calls (419-424-7091) and reminds people that many public records can be searched online here.

The Hancock County Emergency Management Agency is asking for donations of personal protective equipment like N95 respirator masks and surgical masks.

Local first responders, EMS and healthcare providers have a limited supply of PPEs and if coronavirus cases start to show up the supply they have will go quickly.

EMA Director Lee Swisher says dentist offices and elective surgery centers are all closed down and could donate some of the supplies.

They also need donations of hand sanitizer and thermometers.

Donations can be dropped off at the Hancock County Engineer’s Office at 1900 Lima Avenue in Findlay between 8am and 3pm.

Call 419-424-7092 for more information.

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, fever of 100.4 or higher and fatigue should call the Blanchard Valley Hospital COVID-19 testing center at 419-423-7890.

Ohio has had its first coronavirus-related death.

Mark Wagoner Sr. was an attorney from Lucas County that Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted each knew well.

Husted said Wagoner, 76, was a friend and he had appointed him to the board of elections when he was secretary of state.

“He loved his country and his state and community and certainly his family, and he will be missed.”

Governor DeWine added, “He was very well respected by everyone who knew him. All of us extend our deepest sympathy.”

Wagoner’s son, Lucas County Republican Party Chair, Mark Wagoner, Jr., announced his father’s passing on Facebook.

As of Friday afternoon there were 169 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 28 counties in Ohio and one death. Two of the cases were in Lucas County

(picture courtesy of Mark Wagoner Jr. – Facebook)

A Findlay woman pleaded guilty in the shooting death of her boyfriend and was sentenced to prison.

Ashlie Velasquez, 29, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in the death of Boe Bushong, 22.

She was sentenced to a total prison term of 11 years and nine months to 17 years and three months.

The shooting happened on the 4th of July last year at a residence outside Mt. Blanchard.

According to the indictment, Velasquez used deadly force against Bushong during an argument.

Velasquez will have to register as a violent offender upon release from prison, and will not be allowed to own a firearm.

Blanchard River Broadcasting’s Findlay stations will be closed to the public until the coronavirus threat has passed.

Anyone who won a prize from 1330 WFIN, 100.5 WKXA or 106.3 The Fox is urged to call Blanchard River Broadcasting at 419-422-4545 and give us your address so we can mail your prize.

Thank you so much for supporting our radio stations and we look forward to seeing you here and out and about in the community once coronavirus is a thing of the past.