The Hancock County Veterans Service Office is asking people to be more mindful with their fireworks over the 4th of July.

Executive Director Nichole Coleman says a lot of veterans struggle with the sound of fireworks, as do many people who experienced any type of trauma.

She says her office has been handing out signs that veterans can place in their yard, that let people know that a combat veteran lives at the residence and to be mindful when setting off fireworks in the neighborhood.

Coleman says her neighbor stopped by after seeing the sign in her yard.

She hopes the signs will not only help people become more mindful about setting off fireworks but also lead to people notifying the veteran who has one of the signs so they know what’s coming.

She says people can stop by their office at 1100 East Main Cross Street to pick up one of the signs or call 419-424-7036

Coleman says they’re always looking for an opportunity to interact with local veterans and encourages them to stop by their office to see if they’re getting all the benefits to which they are entitled.

This heatwave we’re experiencing isn’t just hard on you, it’s hard on your pets as well.

People are being reminded to watch out for their pets as temperatures continue to soar, forecasted to reach the mid 90s on Friday.

Natalie Reffit, with the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County, says the biggest thing to remember is to not take your pet in a hot car with you.

“Just please leave them at home during the heat. They will be much safer at home, a car can heat up very, very fast.”

She says if your dog is going to be alone at any time in your vehicle just leave them at home in the air conditioning.

She says if you do take your dog for a walk make sure to do so early in the day or late in the day when the heat isn’t as bad.

If your dog is outside for any amount of time she says to make sure it has plenty of shade and fresh water.

Signs of heat distress in a dog include excessive panting, vomiting and diarrhea.

She says older dogs and short-nosed dogs like pugs and bulldogs are less tolerant of the heat.

When it comes to cats, she says beware of opening your windows too wide because a cat could push the screen out and fall out and get lost.

Get more safety tips from the Humane Society here.

The Hancock Historical Museum is inviting people to celebrate Independence Day with an old-fashioned ice cream social on the front porch of the Hull House.

“Enjoy the museum’s first (and hopefully last) socially-distanced social,” said Executive Director Sarah Sisser.

She says several safety and sanitization procedures will be in effect.

All volunteers will be wearing masks, ice cream will be pre-scooped and packaged, and tables will be distanced from each other by at least 6 feet.

The museum’s annual Ice Cream Social will be held on Saturday from noon to 2.

Dietsch’s ice cream, ice cream bars, and root beer floats will be available for purchase. Only cash will be accepted.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay.

(ONN) – The statue of Christopher Columbus that stood outside Columbus City Hall came down Wednesday morning.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther ordered the statue’s removal, saying Columbus’ legacy does not represent the values of the city.

Crews got to the scene around 3 a.m. Wednesday and had it removed about three hours later.

The Columbus Art Commission is being asked to figure out how to best replace the statue.

The statue will be kept in a secure city facility until they reach a decision.

The statue was a gift to Columbus from the city of Genoa, Italy in 1955.

Columbus State Community College also took down its Columbus statue recently, and the future of the Columbus statue outside the Ohio Statehouse is also up in the air.

(picture courtesy of WBNS-10TV)

Put-in-Bay visitors are being urged to wear masks and practice social distancing amid a coronavirus outbreak on the island.

Ottawa County health officials say at least seven people have tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting the party town over Father’s Day weekend.

People who visited the Commodore Hotel, The Mist and Mr. Ed’s are urged to get tested and self-quarantine for 14 days.

You can read over the health department’s full news release here.