Monthly Archives: August 2021

Seneca County Sheriff Warns of Scam

August 17, 2021Local News, UncategorizedJohn Marshall

The Seneca County Sheriff’s office is reporting a bold scam. According to a release, the department has received several reports from residents saying they have been contacted by phone by someone saying that the victim had missed jury duty and threatening arrest unless the they buy a voucher or make a payment to resolve the issue.

The phone number associated with the scheme goes to a recorded message claiming to be the department but no-one can answer the call.

The actual Seneca County Sheriff’s Office says that no such system to avoid jury duty exists and that the calls are a scam. Anyone receiving such a call is urged to report the call to local authorities at their published non-emergency phone number.

Blanchard Township Fire Department Awarded Grants

August 16, 2021UncategorizedJohn Marshall

The Blanchard Township Fire Department has gotten some good news to counteract bad. The Department suffered the loss of a variety of equipment and two fire trucks in a fire at the the department’s firehouse in Benton Ridge In February. Since that time, the department has been working on a tight leash with remaining equipment and vehicles.

Now, the organization has received some good news in the form of two grants from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The department applied for the grants well before the fire, but the funding will allow for replacement of the entire unit’s Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, including some pieces destroyed in the blaze. A second grant will be used to replace fire hoses and nozzles, including more than 500 feet that was destroyed.

Still pending is a grant application for a fire-truck.

Solar Project Public Meeting

August 16, 2021UncategorizedJohn Marshall

Border Basin Solar will hold a second public meeting on its proposed solar generating facility tonight from 5 to 7 at the Arcadia Lions Community Center. Those visiting can watch a prerecorded presentation on the planned operation and ask specific questions of representatives of Border Basin.

If approved, the planned solar electric generation plant would cover over 13-hundred acres between Arcadia and Findlay, north of State Route 12, south of County Road 109, between County Roads 236. In constructed plans call for a generation capacity of 120 megawatts, roughly enough to power 19-thousand homes. Construction could begin next year with power generation at the facility to start late in 2023.

The project is a joint development effort between Boston-based Galehead Development and Tyr Energy with headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas.

A map of the proposed project is here.

Sheriff Ask Help In Unsolved Hit-and-run

August 13, 2021UncategorizedJohn Marshall

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department is seeking help from the public on an unsolved case. The office is looking for information on a hit and run crash that occured on May 20th on Trenton Avenue. A woman died as a result of the crash and the Sheriff is looking for help in identifying the other vehicle that left the scene. It’s a red 4-door pick-up truck with a chrome tool box and running boards. Witnesses at the scene said the driver was likely in his early 20s and had red hair. If you know anything about the case, you are urged to call the sheriff’s office

Hancock Covid Cases Rising

August 13, 2021UncategorizedJohn Marshall

Covid -19 cases in Hancock County are rising. Hancock Public Health announced on Friday that the county recorded 69 new cases of the last week, 13 news hospitalizations and one new death. Those trend put the county back to the levels of late April as the second wave of infections was waning. The rate of 83 cases per 100-thousand ranks as “Substantial” spread by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At that level, the CDC recommends that all people wear a mask when indoors in public, no matter one’s vaccination status.

Marathon Center Makes Health & Safety Plans

August 12, 2021Local NewsJohn Marshall

The Marathon Center for the Performing arts is being proactive as cases of Covid-19 increase. The organization released an open letter to patrons and the community on Thursday outlining the situation. Signed by Executive Director Heather Clow, the letter states that the venue is not making any mandates at this time, but asks that those visiting the Performing Arts Center wear masks for the for the health and safety of the center’s staff, performers, volunteers, and other patrons.

The Marathon Center canceled its schedule for last season, but is hoping to make a comeback this year with a full slate of events. More than a dozen performances are scheduled at the venue through the end of the calendar year with tickets on sale, now.

You can see the open letter here.

Patrol Readies For Return Of School Buses

August 12, 2021Local NewsJohn Marshall

The State Highway Patrol is gearing up for the coming school year and traffic violations related to private vehicles as they interact with school buses. According to the Patrol, over the last 5 school years there have been over 56-hundred traffic crashes involving school buses in the state. While many of those occur in major cities, our area has had its fair share. Since the fall of 2016, Wood County has had 46 accidents involving school buses, Allen has had 43, and 27 in Seneca County. There have been 22 such crashes in Hancock County, 7 each in Putnam and Hardin, and 3 in Wyandot County.

State law mandates that motorists stop for school busses loading and unloading with flashing lights activated. The lives of children are at stake. There have been 6 fatal school bus crashes over the last 5 years across the state.

An interactive map on crashes for school buses and other vehicles is available here.

Flag City Balloon Fest Friday Through Sunday

August 12, 2021Local NewsJohn Marshall

The annual Flag City Balloonfest is set to take flight this weekend. Events are planned for Friday through Sunday at Emory Adams Park on the city’s south side. Over 40 hot air balloons are expected to grace the skies over the city during four mass balloon flights scheduled for the event.

Find the schedule of events for each day here.

Lincoln Buyway event Thursday through Saturday

August 11, 2021Local NewsJohn Marshall

Hancock, Wyandot, and Allen Counties in our area will be part of one of the largest garage sales in the country this weekend. The annual Lincoln Buyway event will be taking place along the one-time highway this Thursday through Saturday. In Hancock County, the Lincoln is called County Road 304. In Wyandot, it’s County Road 330, and in Allen County, it continues to carry the name Lincoln Highway.

Riverside Concerts to be operated by MCPA

August 11, 2021Local NewsJohn Marshall

The Riverside Summer Concert Series, cancelled for the last two summers due to the pandemic, will be operated by a new entity when it returns. The Hancock Park District has been home for the operation of the series for some 30 years, but will be turning the series over to the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. The arrangement was reported to the Hancock Park District Board of Commissioners at its meeting on Tuesday.

The Riverside Summer Concert Series generally takes place during the summer on the stage of the Allen P. Dudley Memorial Bandhsell in Dick Daugherty Plaza in Riverside Park. The series originated in 1951 and has featured the Findlay Civic Concert Band each summer. Ralph Shell, Cliff Hite, Sr., Jack Taylor, have led the band for over 60 years, with Wes King now holding the baton.