Absentee voting applications are now available at several locations across Hancock County thanks to a local businessman.

Randy Raymond of Marbee Printing made thousands of absentee voting applications and placed them along with signs at locations like the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library and the Arcadia Post Office. The full list is below.

The Hancock County Board of Elections says they’re very appreciative of Raymond’s efforts.

The board of elections also recently installed a drop box where people can pick up an absentee ballot application and drop off completed ballots.

You can also download an absentee ballot request form on the BOE’s website.

Completed ballots must be postmarked by April 27, 2020 or delivered to the board of elections office by 7:30 pm April 28, 2020 which is the final day of the 2020 primary.

The primary was moved from March 17th to April 28th and will be conducted through the mail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Findlay-Hancock Public Library – 206 Broadway St., Findlay
Buffalo Trading Company – 2220 Bright Rd., Findlay
JuJu Beads – 829 Tiffin Ave., Findlay
Tangles Hair Studio Salon & Day Spa – 622 E. Sandusky St., Findlay
RE/MAX Realty/Findlay – 1621 Tiffin Ave., Findlay
Lovell Motor Sales – 5297 SR 613, McComb
Jac & Do’s Arlington – 635 N. Main St., Arlington
200 S. Main St., Mt. Cory
114 N. Main St., Rawson
143 Main St., Benton Ridge
Arcadia Post Office – 106 N. Main St., Arcadia
Corner of Heldman St./Main St., Jenera
103 S. Main St., Mt. Blanchard
Arcadia Superette – 100 North Main St., Arcadia
Van Buren Post Office – 100 South Main St., Van Buren

Hancock County health officials on Tuesday reported one additional case of the coronavirus.

That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county up to 15.

Six of the patients have been hospitalized.

Tuesday’s new case comes after no new cases were reported on Monday or on Saturday.

Statewide there were 4,782 confirmed cases as of Tuesday and 167 deaths.

Health officials say the actual number of cases is likely much higher.

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms should call the COVID-19 Triage & Testing Center at Blanchard Valley Hospital at 419-423-7890, or the center at Bluffton Hospital at 419-369-2399.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 degrees or greater and fatigue.

The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County is keeping busy during the pandemic.

“Our adoptions have not slowed down thankfully for dogs, cats and even our small animals,” said Natalie Reffitt.

She says even four guinea pigs were recently adopted within days of arriving.

(Pictured above is Loppy, whose owner recently passed away, and she’s looking for a good home)

The adoption process is different now thanks to the pandemic.

Natalie says people now have to fill out an adoption application online and then an appointment will be scheduled for when they can come in and look at the animal they’re interested in.

She says more people are also fostering a pet since they’ve been ordered to stay home.

One family made such a good connection with their foster pet they decided to adopt it.

Natalie says the pandemic is hurting donations to the humane society, and any donations would be greatly appreciated.

She says if people are having a tough time making ends meet because they lost their job to the pandemic, they can contact the humane society for free pet food which will be left outside and they can come and pick it up.

Check out some of the animals up for adoption here. 

Below is video from the humane society’s Wags and Walks event from last fall.

The developers behind an apartment building project at the site of the old Argyle building in downtown Findlay are putting the project on hold.

Elvis Oxley, of Oxley Consulting, LLC has requested the sale of the city-owned parking lot behind the Argyle lot be tabled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the “tenuous economic conditions at hand that could become grim in the near future.”

The developers were seeking to acquire the lot off of Hardin Street as part of the project.

The public parking spaces in the Hardin lot would be maintained and be covered as part of the project.

In a statement on the city council agenda for Tuesday night, Oxley said they have had more than 100 conversations with bankers, lenders and private investors over the past week, most of which have indicated a stoppage of investment in new projects.

Oxley said that while the developers will not be investing in the city lot at this time they would like to be the first to be considered when the situation begins to clear up.

Findlay’s city council meeting Tuesday night at 7 will be closed to the public but can be heard here on WFIN, livestreamed on the city’s YouTube page and available on Spectrum cable.

The City of Findlay’s Green Waste Site is opening for the season on Tuesday.

That’s good news for many of us who have no excuses now not to get yard work done considering we’ve been ordered to stay home.

Details are in the following news release from the city.

The City of Findlay Green Waste Site will reopen on April 7, 2020. The Green Waste Site is located at 330 North Cory Street, behind the Public Works Department building, with a new entrance this year near the railroad tracks off North Cory Street, follow the arrow boards. For more information on the location, visit the Green Waste Site webpage.

Green Waste Site hours will be:
Tuesday through Friday: 2pm-7pm
Saturdays: 8am-1pm (excluding holidays)

The green waste site is for yard waste disposal (leaves, brush, limbs, grass) and is available to Findlay residents at no charge.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors will be permitted to use this site.

Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site. Absolutely no bags, trash, or debris other than leaves, brush, limbs, and grass will be accepted.

Residents caught dumping construction debris, household items, tires, or other debris not considered yard waste will be forbidden to dump at the site in the future and their names will be forwarded to the Police Department.

The City of Findlay will not be responsible for any damage or injury to vehicles or equipment resulting in the loading or unloading of yard debris, mulch, or dirt.

When available City residents may purchase in bulk natural wood landscape mulch for $15.00 per 1 cu. yd. backhoe scoop and composted leaf garden dirt for $30.00 per 1 cu. yd. scoop. Delivery is available in town for $30.00. For out of town delivery, please call the Street Department at 419-424-7181 for delivery fee. Payment may be made by check made payable to: City of Findlay or by cash in the exact amount. No change will be given.

Please report all violations to the Findlay Street Department at 419-424-7181 or the Findlay Police Department at 419-424-7150.

If you have any questions, please call the Street Department at 419-424-7181.

Hancock Public Health on Monday said they had no additional confirmed cases of coronavirus to report.

There were also no new cases on Saturday.

On Sunday they said they had one new case, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 14, up one from Friday.

Six of the patients have been hospitalized.

Statewide there were 4,450 confirmed cases as of Monday and 142 deaths.

Officials say the actual number of cases is likely much higher.

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms should call the COVID-19 Triage & Testing Center at Blanchard Valley Hospital at 419-423-7890, or the center at Bluffton Hospital at 419-369-2399.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 degrees or greater and fatigue.

Hancock Public Health has closed its lobby to the public. Read more about that here.

People and companies in Findlay and Hancock County are stepping up to help out their healthcare workers and first responders during this difficult and dangerous time.

“Findlay is a really great community to live in,” said Findlay police officer Brian White.

“When people see something happen like what’s going on in our nation right now they want to jump right in and help.”

He says the police department has been receiving donations of personal protective equipment and food over the last few weeks, which are greatly appreciated.

People and companies have also been donating to the fire department and EMS as well.

The Findlay Fire Department posted a picture of a big donation of boxes of snacks from Utz.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says its partners in law enforcement are watching for any drivers who might try to move the barrels at the median crossovers on State Route 15 at County Road 180 and County Road 8 east of Findlay.

The crossovers will be closed for the duration of the U.S. 68 bridge replacement project over State Route 15 that began on March 16th.

ODOT says, knowing drivers would use the medians as the most immediate way around the detour, first responders, local law enforcement, and ODOT agreed in the decision to close the medians to reduce the likelihood of crashes at intersections where deadly crashes have occurred in the past.

Traffic is being directed to the interchange at State Route 37.

ODOT says driving around or moving a traffic control device is a minor misdemeanor and drivers can be issued a traffic citation costing up to $135.

Hancock Public Health is closing its lobby to the general public to protect the health of their staff and the public.

Many services will still be available over the phone, website or via curbside service.

Details are in the following news release from Hancock Public Health.

Effective Monday, April 6, Hancock Public Health (HPH) is modifying delivery of services to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of the general public and our staff. We will be closing our lobby to the general public, but will continue to deliver essential services as follows M – F from 9a.m. – 4:30p.m.

Vital statistics (birth and death) certificates will be issued by calling ahead before 4p.m. at 419-424-7106 to arrange for curbside service during normal business hours. For these services, cash / checks / money orders will be accepted. HPH will also continue to process requests through the mail, online through VitalCheck, and over the phone with a debit or credit card. We encourage all funeral directors to submit their certificates via e-file, and they will be notified when their requested copies are available for curbside pickup.

For Environmental Services (plumbing, septic, wells, food service), HPH asks that customers call ahead before 4p.m. at 419-424-7870 for all service requests or questions. Options for processing Environmental Service paperwork include U.S. Mail, scan / email, fax, or curbside service at HPH. Options for payment include cash / check / money order at curbside or calling ahead with credit / debit card information. Please be aware that there may be a delay in paperwork processing of non-essential services.

Immunization and other nursing services: Walk-in clinics are closed and immunizations will be scheduled on an as needed basis, by appointment only. Please call 419-424-7441 with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Narcan (Naloxone) kits: Call Gary Bright at 567-250-5151 to arrange for safe delivery, curbside pick up, or mail order options.

“We thank the community for their patience with our staff and assure you that we have been working diligently to adjust to the constantly changing circumstances created by this pandemic. HPH resources will be directed to the most urgent public health needs as conditions and circumstances change.” – Karim Baroudi, Health Commissioner

As of Sunday afternoon Hancock Public Health was reporting the county had 14 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

That total is up one from Friday.

They said there were no new cases on Saturday.

Six of the patients have been hospitalized.

Statewide there were 4,043 confirmed cases as of Sunday and 119 deaths.

Officials warn that the actual number of cases is much higher.

People experiencing coronavirus symptoms should call the COVID-19 Triage & Testing Center at Blanchard Valley Hospital at 419-423-7890, or the center at Bluffton Hospital at 419-369-2399.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 degrees or greater and fatigue.