The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says it’s investigating reports of mysterious bird deaths.
ODNR official Gary Comer say they have been getting calls over the past several weeks from across the state.
Comer said the birds exhibit a combination of common symptoms that are not normally found together, including a discharge from the eyes.
Anyone who comes across a dead bird they suspect died from an illness is asked to call 1-800-WILDLIFE immediately.
(ONN) – A law regarding ride safety was passed following the death of a young man at the Ohio State Fair four years ago, but many of the rules and regulations were just finalized last November, meaning they are now in effect as fair season begins.
The new law brings with it stronger safety measures for amusement rides, as well as new standards – and collecting information concerning the storage or use of rides.
Owners of rides are also required to complete a visual inspection, looking for things like fatigue and corrosion.
Inspectors also are removing access panels to look at the ride’s interior structure.
If corrosion or any cause for concern is found, owners must contact the ride’s manufacturer then get with a professional engineer to fix any problems.
The Putnam County Fair is June 21-26 and the Hancock County Fair is September 1-6.
WFIN’s Chris Oaks recently spoke with Hancock County Fair Board President Jeff Cole about the fair. Listen to that conversation by clicking here.
Firefighters battled a barn fire on a farm near Arcadia on Friday afternoon.
The fire was at a barn on a farm located at 3626 Township Road 243, just a little northwest of Arcadia.
Washington Township firefighters were battling the fire with mutual aid from Arcadia, Bloomdale and other departments.
The fire was sending white smoke into the sky and it appeared that hay was on fire inside the barn.
No word on how the fire started or if there were any injuries.
People who use State Route 698 to drive from Jenera to Findlay will have to take a different route due to some bridge replacements.
State Route 698 will be closed for approximately six months, beginning Monday, as two bridges are fully replaced.
The first bridge is just south of Interstate 75 and the second is about a mile further south, at the curve in the roadway.
The Ohio Department of Transportation says work on both of the bridges will begin on Monday.
Local traffic will be maintained between the bridges.
The detour will be SR 103 to SR 235 to CR 313 back to SR 698
A Tornado Watch has been issued for some counties in Ohio.
The Watch includes Hardin County and goes until 11 p.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service says storms could contain damaging wind gusts, large hail and even a few tornadoes.
The storms could also dump a lot of rain.
The storm threat continues into Friday night and early Saturday.
Governor DeWine is officially ending Ohio’s COVID-19 state of emergency, effective on Friday.
On Thursday, the Governor announced the end to the 15-month-old state of emergency now that Ohio had reached a 57-percent vaccination rate for people 18 years and older.
Nursing home guidelines are also being lifted, which will remove limits on the number of visitors.
DeWine continued to urge Ohioans to get vaccinated as data shows the vast majority of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are from those who have not been vaccinated.
Blanchard Valley Health System recently said it will continue asking people to wear a mask at their locations, even if they are vaccinated. Read more about that by clicking here.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said goodbye to one of their own who passed away shortly after he retired.
The funeral for Michael McGuire was held at the Hancock County Fairgrounds and then a long funeral procession made its way to McComb Union Cemetery where he was laid to rest. (video below)
Sheriff Michael Heldman says it was a nice sendoff.
Sheriff Heldman says McGuire, 59, made a big impact during his 38 years with the sheriff’s office as a School Resource Officer, Explorer Post Advisor, and Deputy Sheriff.
The sheriff says McGuire touched the lives of a lot of young people with the Explorers program.
More than 500 people attended McGuire’s funeral at the Old Mill Stream Centre and then a very long line of police, fire and other vehicles were in the procession from Findlay to McComb.
“Mike’s ready smile and wit raised many a spirit around the office. His life had a profound impact on everyone around him, and he will be greatly missed.”
The National Weather Service says some severe thunderstorms are possible for Findlay, Hancock County and the surrounding area on Friday.
Forecasters say storms that blow through on Friday could contain damaging wind gusts, large hail and even an isolated tornado is possible.
The storms could also dump a lot of rain.
The storm threat continues into Friday night, and then Saturday will be partly sunny with a slight chance of a storm.
Blanchard Valley Health System says as COVID-19 guidelines change they will continue to work in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health while providing healthcare services to the community.
“Masks will still be required at all BVHS locations until further notice,” explained Roxanne Williams, director of corporate quality, associate and patient safety.
“Healthcare settings are the exception to the CDC guidelines. We are still in a pandemic and our ultimate goal is to keep everyone as safe as possible. Therefore, we thank people in advance for their patience and understanding.”
All associates, providers, patients and visitors are asked to continue wearing a mask, even if fully vaccinated, to protect vulnerable patient populations on their campuses.
Visitation is now open on BVHS campuses. Visitors must remain masked and maintain social distancing.
The cafeteria is open with socially distanced seating. A mask does not have to be worn when sat at a table and eating.
For more on the updated guidelines at BVHS, click here.
The youngsters at Camp 911 got to see some local K9s in action as K9s Sonny and Charlie with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Deke with the Findlay Police Department stopped by for a demonstration.
The demonstration included suspect apprehensions and drug and article searches.
Afterward the kids got to meet Charlie and Sonny.
Get more in the video below, including our conversation with Sonny’s handler, Sgt. Miller.