An Ohio Department of Transportation work truck was hit by a passing driver in Putnam County on Wednesday morning.

The crash happened on U.S. 224 near Gilboa.

ODOT Spokesperson Matt Bruning says crashes like this have got to stop happening.

He says, thankfully, no ODOT workers were injured when their truck was hit in this crash.

He says this is the 15th ODOT crew struck since the middle of February and the third crew hit this week.

An ODOT crew in Cleveland was also struck on Wednesday.

162 ODOT workers have been killed on the job over the years.

ODOT is asking everyone to obey the state’s Move Over law and to move over, slow down and pay attention.

https://twitter.com/ODOT_NWOhio/status/1268214035830288384

For the second day in a row on Tuesday people assembled in Findlay calling for justice for George Floyd and protesting police brutality and racial injustice.

Protesters gathered in front of the Hancock County Courthouse and marched down Main Street, holding signs and chanting things like “no justice, no peace” and “black lives matter.”

Demonstrators are planning an entire week of peaceful protesting outside the Hancock County Courthouse in downtown Findlay beginning at noon each day.

Governor Mike DeWine says he “fully intends” for Ohio school students to return to class for the start of the next school year.

Speaking Tuesday afternoon, he said the state will offer guidance for K-12 schools, but it will be up to each school district to set a timeline.

Kids haven’t been in class since the middle of March, when they began what was supposed to be a three-week “extended spring break” to lessen the spread of coronavirus.

https://twitter.com/GovMikeDeWine/status/1267879754931359746

Blanchard Valley Health System will allow one visitor at a time for most patients, beginning on Wednesday, June 3rd.

Daily visitation hours will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

No visitors had been allowed at BVHS facilities since March 25th.

Details are in the following news release from BVHS.

Effective June 3, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will allow one visitor at a time for most patients. Daily visitation hours will be from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

One designated visitor, age 16 or older, will be permitted to accompany inpatients at all BVHS locations as well as accompany patients to clinic appointments. Patients may have a guest accompany them for outpatient and testing services as well, however BVHS encourages guests to wait in their vehicle. Once a visitor leaves for the day, re-entry is not permitted. Visitors and guests will not be allowed in areas such as nursing home facilities and Orchard Hall (behavioral health).

A mask or face covering that covers the nose, mouth and chin must be worn at all times. We ask that visitors provide their own face covering. Medical professionals have the right to refuse appointments to those who do not comply.

Hospitals, medical offices and laboratories will continue to have designated entry points to screen individuals entering the facility. They will evaluate both patients and visitors for symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone who screens “positive” for symptoms will not be allowed to enter and will be directed to self-quarantine. They will then need to contact their primary care provider for additional care. BVHS will continue to adjust restrictions based upon personal protective equipment supply or until transmission of COVID-19 is no longer a threat.

“We know that our patients look forward to visits from their families and loved ones during their stay, and a support person can bring comfort during surgeries, procedures or appointments,”

stated Natalie Phoenix, director of emergency services. “Our top priority is the safety of our patients and staff, and we can ensure safety by limiting the number of visitors and requiring everyone to wear a face covering.”

Visitor guidelines include:

· One visitor will be allowed to accompany patients who are having surgery, other invasive procedures, clinic visits or outpatient testing.

· Obstetric patients may have one partner?or?birth support person over the age of 16 accompany them.

· Visitation exceptions will be considered based on end-of-life situations or special circumstances.

All BVHS visitors are required to:

· Wear a face covering at all times (visitors must supply their own face covering)

· Remain in the patient’s room at all times

· Leave the hospital or clinic when their visit is over and not spend time in public areas, including lobbies, waiting areas, cafeterias and vending areas.

· Wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every time they enter or exit a patient room. For more information and updates on visitation restrictions, please visit bvhealthsystem.org.

(WTOL/ONN) – Social distancing is a rather difficult thing to accomplish at the protests that have been taking place in Ohio and across the country, and that has a doctor in Toledo concerned.

“We see some people out there wearing masks and maintaining appropriate distance, but then almost in the same shot you see a lot of people that aren’t doing that,” said ProMedica Doctor Brian Kaminsky

He says the coronavirus is still a very real threat and people gathering in large groups will almost definitely result in more cases.

“You see people that are close together, not wearing masks, just the act of people getting together is what the concern is.”

Get the latest numbers on the coronavirus in Ohio here. 

The City of Findlay, the Hancock County Fair Board and local health officials have decided to postpone this year’s Independence Day Fireworks Display.

They say a fireworks display may still happen in the future to celebrate when the pandemic restrictions are finally lifted.

Details are in the following news release from the city.

The City of Findlay and the Hancock County Fair Board, in consultation with Hancock Public Health, have determined that in the best interest of public health and safety to postpone the 2020 Independence Day Fireworks Display.

“We are proud that our Findlay-Hancock County Independence Day Celebrations are such an important part of our community. Each year more than 10,000 individuals of all
ages gather on the fairgrounds, and even more in backyards, patios, and parking lots to celebrate our nation’s independence with a fireworks display. Unfortunately, after much
discussion we are not able to secure the financial sponsorship or needed permits for this celebration due to the restrictions on mass gatherings in the State of Ohio,” said
Jeff Cole, Hancock County Agricultural Society President.

“We plan to be back next year better than ever, after this current situation is behind us.”

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn added, “celebrating our nation’s independence is one of our most cherished traditions. Unfortunately, this year we will have to celebrate in less traditional ways. As soon as it is safe to have large gatherings citizens can count on one-heck-of a party to celebrate our nation, our community’s resilience, and those who serve our nation.”

Although there will be no live music this summer, WFIN is partnering with the Hancock Park District to present “Classic Riverside Summer Concerts” beginning on Sunday, June 7th.

Details are in the following news release from the park district.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Hancock Park District’s 69th Annual Riverside Summer Concert Series at Findlay’s historic Riverside Park in the Allen P. Dudley Memorial Band Shell.

Minimizing the number of persons gathered and promoting social distancing are the overarching safety precautions being applied with the well-being of employees and patrons in mind.

While there will be no live music this summer, Hancock Park District is partnering with WFIN to present “Classic Riverside Summer Concerts” each Sunday beginning June 7 through August 30.

WFIN will broadcast each performance on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m.

For more information about other upcoming park programs and events, visit our park “Calendar” at www.HancockParks.com or call the HPD Administrative Office at 419-425-7275.

People gathered in front of the Hancock County Courthouse and marched down Findlay streets on Monday to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

The protest was peaceful at the times WFIN news was on the scene.

At one point Sgt. Dan Harmon (in the video below) with Findlay Police spoke and prayed with protesters and asked what they needed from him.

Nina Parker, founder of the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay, said “just be with us, that shows a lot.”

She pointed out that police agencies are condemning the actions of the officers’ in Minneapolis involved in the death of George Floyd.

Parker called this a perfect moment for police departments to come together for change.

Findlay’s Riverside Pool will be opening on Monday, June 8th under COVID-19 guidelines.

“Our Y staff is excited to be opening Riverside Pool in collaboration with the City of Findlay,” said Paul Worstell, CEO of the Findlay YMCA.

The maximum occupancy will be 100 people and everyone is asked to maintain a social distance of six feet, unless they’re in the same household.

No one under the age of 16 will be allowed to enter without an adult who is 18 or older.

The entrance will be marked and be one way.

The entrance will be the west hallway (women’s side) by the front gate and the exit will be the east hallway (men’s side) by the front gate.

Locker rooms will be open and have an entrance and exit also.

All patrons must bring their own equipment, including chairs, and no inflatables are allowed.

There will be no lost and found.

Concessions will be open and operate under the same guidelines as restaurants.

Employees will wear a face mask and gloves while working and washing and sanitize their hands frequently.

The splash pad and slide will remain closed for now.

Police say a woman was injured in a crash that occurred when a car pulled out in front of her on West Trenton Avenue in Findlay.

The crash happened Saturday at 7:07 p.m. on West Trenton approaching North Main Street.

Police say Caitlin Schaffner, 30, of Findlay, was driving eastbound on West Trenton in a minivan when a car driven by Brock Oates, 21, of Arlington, pulled out from an alley onto West Trenton and hit Schaffner’s vehicle.

Police say Schaffner was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with minor injuries.

Police say Oates was ticketed for failure to yield.