ODOT District 1 is looking to fill several positions in the eight-county district.

The agency will be holding an application workshop at Ohio Means Jobs in Allen County to assist people in the application process.

Full details are in the following news release from ODOT.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 will hold an employment application workshop at Ohio Means Jobs, Allen County to assist applicants interested in the organization’s open positions.

The workshop will be held:
Tuesday, May 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ohio Means Jobs Allen County, 951 Commerce Parkway, Lima, in the computer lab.

Applicants interested in applying for apprenticeships, seasonal highway technician positions, or any other openings in Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties will be guided through the process by ODOT human resource personnel.

Apprenticeships do not require any previous experience in heavy equipment operation or highway maintenance. The temporary full-time positions pay an hourly rate of $17.39. In addition to practical experience in highway maintenance activities, ODOT provides apprentices with the necessary training needed to obtain a Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL).

“If you are interested in working with heavy equipment and enjoy working outdoors, the apprenticeship program is a great opportunity for anyone looking to get started,” said Chris Hughes, deputy director of ODOT District 1. “We will teach you how to run a plow truck and help you earn your CDL.”

Seasonal highway technician positions are also temporary full-time positions, with an hourly rate of $18.05. The positions require applicants to possess a CDL with a tanker endorsement and three months of experience in basic equipment operation.

Applicants should bring with them to the workshops:

An active email address
A resume including previous work history information
The last four digits of their social security number
Any certification information, if any, but not required
For more information, contact the ODOT District 1 human resources department at 419-999-6819.

A Tiffin woman was seriously injured in a crash a little south of Fremont.

The crash happened Sunday night on County Road 201 just west of Tiffin Road.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says an SUV was westbound on County Road 201 when it went off the right side of the road, through a field and struck a residence along with two parked vehicles.

The Highway Patrol says the driver left the scene before first responders arrived and it is suspected that they sustained serious injuries in the crash.

The Highway Patrol says a passenger in the SUV, Mellisa Lopez, 45, of Tiffin, was partially ejected through the windshield.

She sustained serious injuries and was life-flighted to a hospital in Toledo.

The Highway Patrol says it appears that neither individual was wearing a seatbelt and it’s unknown at this time if alcohol was involved.

Some people who pulled into a Findlay gas station to fill up on Saturday got a nice surprise.

The Findlay Police Department, in conjunction with the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge Foundation, handed out free gas cards at the Meijer gas station on Tiffin Avenue.

Last week was National Police Week and Saturday was Peace Officers Memorial Day.

People were also encouraged to “Light Ohio Blue” to show their support for law enforcement.

(pics courtesy of the police department)

There’s been another big drop in the number of active COVID-19 cases in Hancock County in the latest data released by the health department.

Hancock Public Health on Friday reported 31 active cases in the county, which is a drop of 32 cases from about a week earlier.

Active cases are defined as cases currently under quarantine or in isolation.

One person was currently hospitalized with the virus on Friday, four fewer than a week earlier.

128 people in Hancock County have died from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.

Click here for information on scheduling a vaccination through Hancock Public Health and here through Blanchard Valley Health System.

The governor recently announced that the state’s pandemic health orders will be lifted on June 2nd.

One of the biggest military shows in the country is happening in Findlay this weekend.

The Findlay Show – 34th Armed Forces Day Celebration runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Phil Marshall on Friday afternoon.

Phil was a rescue pilot in the war until he was shot and couldn’t return to action.

He’s part of a group raising money for a ‘National American Huey History Museum’ and for $100 you can become a member and get a ride in his Huey.

Also, a big thanks to John Cheney II, Commander of the Findlay Military Association, for showing us around.

Listen to our conversation with John below, and below that is video of Phil and his Huey.

The Findlay Show – 34th Armed Forces Day Celebration runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.

Get more details by clicking here.

The first group of OH FAME apprentices graduated in a ceremony held at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

OH FAME stands for Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education.

The apprentices spent the last two years working for their companies while also earning an Associate of Technical Studies in Applied Engineering from Owens Community College.

Tricia Valasek, Executive Director of Raise the Bar – Hancock County says the “earn while you learn” program brings local manufacturers and educators together to create a skilled workforce pipeline to area jobs.

We caught up with Tricia at MCPA on the night of the graduation and she talks more about the program and the graduates in the audio below.

More details on the graduation are in the following news release from Raise the Bar – Hancock County.

The first graduates of the region’s Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship program, formerly known as the Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (OH FAME), were honored Thursday evening during a graduation ceremony at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. The apprentices spent the past two years working for their companies while also earning an Associate of Technical Studies in Applied Engineering from Owens Community College.

Apprenticeship graduates and their respective companies included: Justin J. Bennett, Simona-PMC; Alexander R. Dahms, ZF Active Safety; Amy Deeter, GSW Manufacturing; Jay Lopez, Jr., Cooper Tire & Rubber (Mold Operations); Ridge McGirr, Hitachi Astemo Findlay; Brendan Miller, ZF Active Safety; Andrew Michael Smith, Ball Corporation; Taylor Stanforth, GSW Manufacturing; Lucas Wank, Hitachi Astemo Findlay; and Troy Ward, Rowmark.

Ridge McGirr reflected on his experience during the ceremony stating, “My current mentor is Bob Green…to him I’d like to say thank you because he’s taught me a ton. He actually taught me a ton about taking pride in my work, and now I take pride in everything I do.” Ridge further added, “I thank [Hitachi Astemo Findlay] for giving me the opportunity that they gave me because I didn’t have anything to show when I first started this and they really gave me the opportunity to grow and become something.”

Graduates received notes of congratulations from Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees Chair and Provost; Raise the Bar’s Board President; and Senator Sherrod Brown and Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. Julie Baker and Tracy Campbell from Owens Community College awarded each graduate a Certificate of Completion for satisfactorily finishing the non-registered apprenticeship program – recognized by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association as a superior earn-while-you-learn model.

Each year the Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship program welcomes new candidates. Companies seeking to sponsor a new and/or incumbent worker for the 2022 Cohort will begin accepting applications in December 2021. Additional details on the program are available at www.raisethebarhancock.org/apprenticeships.

Governor DeWine has lifted the state’s mask mandate, effective immediately, for Ohioans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, in step with a change in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The governor announced on Friday that he’s directing the Ohio Department of Health to change the state’s mask requirement to reflect that new guidance from the CDC.

“The CDC still recommends everyone wear masks when they are in a healthcare setting, when they are traveling on public transportation, including airplanes, and when they are in a business or employer that chooses to require masks,” the governor said. “Our order will be amended to reflect these recommendations as well.”

The change means vaccinated Ohioans no longer have to wear a mask, while unvaccinated Ohioans still have to wait until June 2nd when the state’s pandemic health orders are lifted entirely.

The governor points out that businesses and schools will still be able to enforce their own requirements, such as masks, when the state’s health orders are lifted.

The West Ohio Food Bank has three food distributions coming up.

There will be a food distribution at St. John’s Mennonite Church in Pandora on Saturday, May 15th from 9 to 11 a.m.

St. John’s Mennonite Church is located at 15988 Road 4 in Pandora.

The distribution is open to anyone in need, not just Putnam County residents.

Also on Saturday, there will be a food distribution in Wapakoneta at Victory Center Church of God from 9 to 11 a.m.

And then on Monday, May 17th, there will be a food distribution at the Allen County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COVID vaccinations will also be available to people who want to get one.

Get more details on these and other upcoming food distribution events by clicking here.

Marathon Petroleum on Friday announced the close of the $21 billion sale of its Speedway gas stations to 7-Eleven.

In conjunction with closing, Marathon announced its plans regarding the estimated $16.5 billion of after-tax cash proceeds.

“The close of the Speedway transaction marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to strengthen the competitive position of our portfolio,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Maryann T. Mannen.

“This morning, we announced actions to strengthen our balance sheet and return capital to shareholders, which include the expectation to repurchase $10 billion of the company’s common stock.”

Full details on the close of the deal are in the following news release from Marathon.

Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) today announced the close of the $21 billion sale of Speedway to 7-Eleven, Inc., a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd (3382: Toyko). In conjunction with closing, MPC announced its plans regarding the estimated $16.5 billion of after-tax cash proceeds.

“The close of the Speedway transaction marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to strengthen the competitive position of our portfolio,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Maryann T. Mannen. “This morning, we announced actions to strengthen our balance sheet and return capital to shareholders, which include the expectation to repurchase $10 billion of the company’s common stock.

“As part of our commitment to quickly return capital, we plan to commence a cash tender offer to purchase up to $4 billion of common stock, which represents approximately 10% of our current market capitalization,” Mannen said. “After the completion of the tender offer, we intend to execute on the remainder of our $10 billion repurchase authorization over the subsequent 12 to 18 months. As previously communicated, $2.5 billion of proceeds have been allocated to reduce long-term structural debt. Beyond this, we will evaluate how we use the remaining proceeds to reduce debt to support a strong balance sheet and maintain an investment grade credit profile.”

In the coming days, the company intends to commence a “modified Dutch Auction” tender offer to purchase up to $4 billion of its common stock at an anticipated price range between $56 and $63 per share, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, subject to market conditions.

In connection with and subject to the closing of the Speedway sale, the company’s board of directors approved an additional $7.1 billion share repurchase authorization. Together with the remaining previous authorization of $2.9 billion, MPC has the authority to repurchase up to a total of $10 billion of its common stock. The authorization has no expiration date. MPC may utilize various methods to effect the repurchases, which could include open market repurchases, negotiated block transactions, accelerated share repurchases, tender offers or open market solicitations for shares, some of which may be effected through Rule 10b5-1 plans. The timing of repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, and repurchases may be discontinued at any time.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants the state’s police officers to receive a bonus for working during the pandemic.

In a letter to the governor and state lawmakers, he proposes creating the Law Enforcement Support Program, which would make at least $1,000 in premium pay eligible to Ohio officers who’ve served during the pandemic.

Yost points out that police officers have been not been able to work from home or maintain a six-foot social distance on the job, but have remained on the frontlines.

He says the money for the program would come from the federal American Rescue Plan.

This is National Police Week and people are being encouraged to Light Ohio Blue this week.