Dozens of additional Hometown Hero banners are now on display along Main Street in Findlay to honor local members of the military.

This new batch of banners will be up through May, June and July.

Mayor Christina Muryn says the banners include active, retired and deceased service members and line Main Street from Lima Street up to Center Street.

She says you’ll notice some banners with the same last name displayed close to each other.

This is the second batch of banners to be displayed.

The first banners went up in November.

If you’d like to honor a loved one or someone you know with one of the banners, click here for ordering information.

There is a box to check if you are unable to afford the fee for the banner and would like to be considered for sponsorship.

(below is video of the latest banners and below that is a list of everyone on the banners)

(ONN) – A new legislative effort to crack down on distracted driving in Ohio would make it illegal to drive while holding a phone or any other electronic device.

The bill would also make distracted driving a primary driving offense.

That would mean police wouldn’t need another reason to pull drivers over before enforcing the ban on holding devices.

The measure incorporates many elements of a proposal that Governor DeWine unsuccessfully pushed earlier this year.

The bill allows exceptions for emergency responders.

It also includes a ‘one-swipe’ exception for people to answer incoming calls and then disconnect them.

The former head of the Ohio Department of Health has won a special Profile in Courage Award.

Dr. Amy Acton is one of seven people being honored for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards are being presented by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

The special COVID Courage awards will be given during a virtual ceremony on May 26th, featuring foundation president Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg.

Marathon Petroleum on Tuesday reported a net loss of $242 million for the first quarter of 2021.

That compares to a net loss of $9.2 billion for the first quarter a year earlier.

“During the first quarter, our industry continued to struggle with effects of the pandemic,” said Michael J. Hennigan, president and chief executive officer.

“With the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, we are beginning to see increases in global mobility and demand for transportation fuels. For the first time since the pandemic began our Refining and Marketing business generated positive adjusted EBITDA.”

Hennigan said they have also continued their strategic effort to reposition the company for long term success, both through the pending Speedway sale and investments in renewables projects.

“The Speedway transaction is close to completion, and we reiterate our commitment to use proceeds from this transaction to strengthen the balance sheet and return capital to shareholders. Our Board of Directors approved the conversion of the Martinez refinery, and we are excited that, once permitting, engineering, and implementation are complete, Martinez will be one of the largest renewables facilities in the country.”

As previously announced last August, Marathon entered into a definitive agreement to sell Speedway to 7-Eleven for $21 billion in cash.

A crash is under investigation in Kalida in which a pickup truck hit a power pole and then struck a house.

It happened at 11:49 a.m. Monday at 417 West Main Street in Kalida.

The police department says Derrick Conn, 50, of Columbus Grove, was westbound when he crossed over the eastbound lane, sideswiped a power pole and then crashed into a house.

No one was in the home at the time of the crash.

The truck and home sustained extensive damage.

Conn was taken to a hospital for possible injuries.

Police say the crash remains under investigation.

(pics courtesy of the Kalida Police Department)

Governor Mike DeWine says fully vaccinated workers at Ohio’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities won’t need to be tested for COVID-19.

He made the announcement during an update on the pandemic on Monday.

Those employees who have not been vaccinated will still need to undergo mandatory testing for the virus twice a week.

DeWine says he hopes the new rule will increase vaccine uptake in care facilities.

Wilson’s has closed their dining room and is only serving customers through their drive-thru for the time being.

The change went into effect on Monday.

Owner Doug Baker says he had to make the change because of a lack of employees.

He told WFIN that they’re down to about 5 to 6 employees a day and generally they need 9 to 10 a day.

He said they’d like to start opening on Sundays again but that won’t be possible until they get more employees.

We asked him to what he attributes the lack of employees.

He said their pay is higher now than it’s ever been, starting at $10.50 an hour, and he says employees can make even more than that once they show how well they can do the job.

Doug said he would need to hire at least three more workers to be able to reopen the dining room, and preferably he would like to hire five more employees.

Anyone interested should apply in person at Wilson’s at 600 South Main Street in Findlay.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn has issued a proclamation declaring the week of May 3-7 as Teacher Appreciation Week in Findlay.

Mayor Muryn is encouraging all members of the community to join with her in personally expressing appreciation to our teachers for their dedication and devotion to their work.

Video of the mayor announcing the proclamation is below and the full proclamation can be read below that.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company on Monday reported first quarter 2021 net income of $22 million compared to a net loss of $12 million for the same period last year.

The company said global unit volume increased 16.6 percent compared to the first quarter of 2020 and net sales increased 23.3 percent from the first quarter of 2020 to $656 million.

“We are pleased to have delivered strong first quarter operating results,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Hughes.

“Our teams continued to do a great job executing our strategy, which resulted in first quarter 2021 volume that exceeded not only the coronavirus-impacted 2020 level, but also 2019 in both segments.”

Hughes said that Cooper Tire expects to complete the previously announced merger with Goodyear Tire in the second half of 2021.

“Cooper looks forward to being part of a stronger combined organization that represents the best of what both our companies have to offer to customers, consumers, and shareholders.”

The month of May is both National Bike Safety Month and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Officer Brian White with the Findlay Police Department (pictured below) says everyone needs to share the road and look out for each other whether you’re driving a car, riding a bicycle or operating a motorcycle.

He says they’re trying to increase helmet use among bicyclists and again this summer will be issuing ‘tickets’ to younger bicyclists they see wearing a helmet while bicycling with the ticket being good for a free scoop of ice cream from Dietsch Brothers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports approximately 50,000 bicyclists were injured and an additional 850 killed in crashes in 2019.

Inattention and distractions accounted for a majority of those crashes.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says, during the past five years, 873 motorcyclists died and 4,810 were seriously injured in traffic crashes on Ohio roads.