The Findlay Police Department engaged in a lengthy pursuit with a motorcyclist before the pursuit was terminated.

Police say they observed a black sport bike near downtown around 6 p.m. Monday driving erratically and it didn’t have a license plate.

Police say the motorcycle made an illegal turn onto Tiffin Avenue from McManness Avenue and started to weave in and out of traffic.

Police say they tried to pull over the bike in the area of Tiffin Avenue and Plaza Street but the motorcyclist sped off eastbound on Tiffin Avenue.

The pursuit continued eastbound on U.S. 224 hitting speeds of 120 miles per hour and passing through West Independence and into Seneca County.

At that time officers backed off and maintained a visual of the bike.

The motorcycle was seen turning south onto U.S. 23 from U.S. 224.

Due to the distance and speeds, the pursuit was terminated.

The pursuit spanned more than 11 miles.

The motorcycle was an older, mostly black sport bike with no plate.

The driver was a smaller-framed white male.

He was wearing a tan t-shirt and a multi-colored full-faced helmet with a mirrored face shield.

Anyone who may have information about the driver is urged to contact police at 419-424-7150.

Jerry Snodgrass is out as executive director of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The reason for his abrupt departure is unclear, although OHSAA’s director of communications, Tim Stried, said the OHSAA Board of Directors felt it was necessary to go in a different direction with OHSAA leadership.

Bob Goldring, OHSAA director of operations, has been named interim executive director.

The OHSAA says it will immediately begin a nationwide search to fill the executive director vacancy.

In the meantime, Goldring will be working closely with state government leaders and school district administrators to develop a plan to return to play in the fall.

Snodgrass was with the OHSAA for 12 years, following a 31-year career in education as a teacher, coach and administrator mostly in Findlay.

Captain Robert Ring of the Findlay Police Department is now officially Police Chief Robert Ring after a swearing-in ceremony Monday morning at Dorney Plaza.

Ring takes over as police chief from John Dunbar, who retired last week after 28 years with the department.

The 46-year-old Ring says he has inherited a great department.

“I’m lucky to have a lot of good people underneath me and a lot of support from those officers and the city administration.”

He says all of that support will make the transition go as smoothly as possible.

Chief Ring says the Findlay Police Department will continue to operate with professionalism and to handle its business in the right way on his watch.

Ring was born and bred in Findlay and has been with the department for more than 24 years.

Chief Ring and Mayor Muryn will be in Toledo on Tuesday morning for the memorial service for Toledo officer Anthony Dia who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says 22 people were killed in 21 traffic crashes over the 4th of July reporting period this year.

Impairment was a factor in at least five of those crashes.

During last year’s 4th of July reporting period, 17 people were killed in 16 fatal crashes.

“Driving impaired remains a significant problem,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent.

“We need motorists to commit to keeping our roads safe. Designate a sober driver.”

Troopers made 425 arrests for impaired driving and 280 for drug-related charges.

The patrol responded to 631 crashes and made more than 22,494 traffic contacts in total, which included providing assistance to more than 2,900 drivers.

Traffic will be restricted on a few roads in Hancock County due to resurfacing projects.

The Hancock County Engineer’s Office says traffic will be restricted to one lane on County Road 313 from Findlay to Bluffton as that resurfacing project continues.

The project will last approximately another two weeks.

Traffic will be maintained but drivers are urged to use alternate routes.

The project is part of a $1.78 million federal and Hancock County project for resurfacing County Road 313.

Also, the engineer’s office says County Road 220, from County Road 99 to south of Van Buren, will be restricted to one lane from Monday, July 6th through Saturday, July 11th for paving operations.

President Trump has some harsh words for the Cleveland Indians as team officials consider a name change.

Trump took to Twitter to say that a new mascot would be a sign of “political correctness” adding that, quote, “Indians, like Elizabeth Warren, must be very angry right now!” a jab at the Massachusetts Senator who once identified herself as Native American.

Indians manager Terry Francona says he thinks it’s time to move forward and change the name.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1280203174008303616

(ONN) – More assistance could be on the way for eligible Ohioans who lost their job to the pandemic.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says up to 20 weeks of extended benefits will be available to Ohioans who exhaust both the maximum 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits and 13 weeks of pandemic emergency unemployment compensation – putting the overall total at 59 weeks.

Agency director Kimberly Hall says the state will soon begin notifying those who may qualify and to instruct them how to apply.

https://twitter.com/OhioJFS/status/1280166801054236673

It turns out that the Memorial Tournament will not be among the first professional sports events to allow fans in attendance.

The PGA and the Memorial Tournament announced on Monday that the 45th edition of the tournament that will be played July 14th through the 19th at Muirfield Village Golf Club outside of Columbus will be held without fans on site.

Officials say the decision to cancel the plan to have limited spectators was made due to the rapidly changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we embraced the opportunity to be the first PGA TOUR event to welcome the return of on-site fans — and be a part of our nation’s collective reemergence from the COVID-19 crisis — we recognize the current increase in positive COVID-19 cases across the country and our ultimate responsibility,” said Dan Sullivan, the tournament’s executive director.

“The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide and the PGA TOUR have made the right decision in not allowing spectators to attend this year,” said Governor Mike DeWine.

“I know it was a difficult decision to make, but the organizers of the Memorial Tournament have put the health and safety of players and fans first.”

The Marathon Classic, which was moved back to August 3-9 at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, previously announced plans to allow some fans to attend.

It was a sweltering 4th of July weekend and this heatwave isn’t showing any signs of easing up.

In fact, it’s going to get even hotter this week, with highs in the mid 90s expected in the Findlay area.

This prolonged stretch of hot weather will continue at least through Friday with temperatures in the mid 90s each day.

Forecasters say humidity will begin to increase by Tuesday with heat index values ranging from the mid 90s to near 100 degrees.

The National Weather Service says heat advisories may be needed to be issued for some areas.

Precautions should be taken to stay cool and avoid heat-related illnesses.

Drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing, don’t over-exert yourself and stay inside in the air conditioning.

The high on Monday and Tuesday is forecast to be 96, and the high on Wednesday is expected to reach 97.

The voter registration deadline for the August 4th special election is Monday, July 6th.

The one issue on the ballot in the special election is the Findlay City Schools levy issue.

The levy failed in the primary that was moved from March 17th to April 28th due to the coronavirus and conducted through the mail only.

The Hancock County Board of Elections says the special election on August 4th will include in-person voting although they are anticipating many people voting absentee again.

There’s an absentee ballot drop box outside the board of elections where you can request an absentee ballot and turn in your completed ballot.

The FCS levy failed by about a vote of 52 to 46 percent in April.

The school district says the five-year 5.9 mill levy would generate about $5 million annually.

The levy would cost a homeowner $206.50 for each $100,000 of home value.