Robert Tramaine Hathorn appeared in Hancock County Common Pleas Court on Friday afternoon for his arraignment hearing.

The 42-year-old from Muskegon, Michigan was previously indicted by a Hancock County Grand Jury on six felony charges, including felonious assault on a peace officer, in connection with an altercation with a state trooper that left the trooper with a gunshot wound.

At his arraignment on Friday, Hathorn pleaded not guilty to the six charges in the indictment.

His bond was set at $250,000 cash or surety with no 10 percent allowed.

He would not be released on bond without a hearing to determine the conditions of his release.

Judge Routson set a pre-trial hearing for November 19th.

Hathorn was then escorted back to the Hancock County Justice Center where he’s being held.

The Highway Patrol says Hathorn struggled with a trooper during a traffic stop on October 6th along Interstate 75 in Findlay and the trooper’s gun went off, striking the trooper in the lower body.

Hathorn was found the following day in the Blanchard River after an extensive search involving various police agencies.

The Highway Patrol said Trooper Josef Brobst was released from the hospital on October 9th and is continuing his recovery at home.

50 North is asking voters to support the renewal of the Senior Services levy in Hancock County.

Don Weber is President of the 50 North Board of Trustees.

He says demand for their services has increased by 76 percent since their last levy.

50 North points out, that by 2025, 36 percent of the Hancock County population will be 50 and older.

Homeowners will pay an estimated $3.09 a month for each $100,000 in home value.

The general election is coming up on Tuesday, November 2nd.

See what other issues and candidates are on the ballot by clicking here.

Chipotle has opened a second location in Findlay.

The second restaurant is located at 1107 West Trenton Avenue, in the building that used to be a Max & Erma’s.

The grand opening for the new location was on Thursday.

The other Chipotle in Findlay is located at 15067 U.S. 224.

Seconds after the state unveiled the new Ohio license plate on Thursday morning people started commenting on how the plane was oriented in the wrong direction.

The Ohio BMV later posted a correction, saying they regretted the error, and that the correct image will be included on the new plates.

Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman unveiled Ohio’s new standard license plate on Thursday morning.

The new plate will be available to drivers starting December 29th.

Ohio last updated its standard license plate design in 2013.

A Fall Medication Collection event will be held in the parking lot of the Findlay Municipal Building.

People are encouraged to drop off their old, unused medications in the south parking lot from 8 to noon on Saturday, October 23rd.

People simply have to drive up and drop off their medications.

The Findlay Police Department says, not only will you be cleaning out your cluttered cabinets, but you’ll be doing so in a way that is safe for the environment and good for the community.

Many people flush their medications, leading to environmental concerns.

Others dispose of medications in the trash or leave them in their house where someone could find them and abuse them.

If you can’t make on Saturday, both the Findlay Police Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office have medication collection boxes to dispose of your medications.

Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio BMV Registrar Charlie Norman unveiled Ohio’s new standard license plate on Thursday morning.

The new plate will be available to drivers starting December 29th.

Ohio last updated its standard license plate design in 2013.

The Findlay Rotary Club presented its 2021 Golden Apple Awards to three area teachers for their teaching excellence.

Annually, The Rotary chooses three teachers from the elementary level, three from the middle school level and three from the high school level to compete for the award.

The winners of the Golden Apple Award for 2021 are, at the elementary level, Macie Wenner of Wilson Vance Intermediate School.

At the middle school level, Ray Wolfe, Liberty-Benton Local Schools Choir Director, Musical Director and Assistant Band Director.

And at the high school level, Mark Laux, Chemistry teacher at Findlay High School.

We spoke with Ray after the ceremony and he said he was fortunate to have such a great education in Hancock County schools, which fostered his desire to become a teacher.

The finalist at each level received the Golden Apple Award along with a $2,500 cash prize.

Second and third place semi-finalists each received a $250 cash prize.

Finalists also accept an invitation to join the Golden Apple Academy, a group consisting of all past Golden Apple Award finalists.

At the elementary level, the three semifinalists were: Brooke Imke at Jefferson Primary, Becky Solomon at Washington Preschool and Mackenzie (Macie) Wenner of Wilson Vance Intermediate School.

At the middle school level, the three semifinalists were: Miranda Kennedy at Vanlue, Kristina Rodman at Van Buren Local Schools and Liberty-Benton’s Raymond Wolfe.

At the high school level, the three semifinalists were: Chelsea Burden at Van Buren High School, Mark Laux and Daniel Wilson from Findlay High School.

(left to right in the pic above are Ray Wolfe, Macie Wenner and Mark Laux)

Pending legislation calls for fines, community service, and possible time behind bars for assaulting sports officials in Ohio.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would make attacks on referees a first-degree misdemeanor with an automatic fine of $1,500 and 40 hours of community service.

The bill also says a second conviction could lead to a felony charge and possible prison time if a weapon was used or if the assault caused serious harm.

Legislation sponsor Rep. Bill Roemer is a Republican from Richfield in northeastern Ohio and a longtime youth baseball coach.

Roemer says more than two of every three sports officials quit during their first three years because of spectator abuse.

Ohio lawmakers previously considered a similar bill but it failed to pass.

A project to raise two Findlay intersections and a portion of roadway so they no longer flood is nearing completion.

The intersection of East Main Cross Street and East Street closed on Monday, July 26th.

The closing of the intersection marked the beginning of the second half of a project to raise two intersections and a portion of roadway so they don’t flood.

In June, Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway closed for the first half of the project.

The first part of the project involved the raising of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway from the MLK bridge to Blanchard Street, including the Clinton Court intersection, and building a new super- elevation turn that ties in to Blanchard Street.

The second half of the project is the raising of the East Main Cross/East Street intersection, which began July 26th.

Findlay City Engineer Jeremy Kalb says the project will ensure that when we get the next really bad flood, that intersection will not get covered with water, and emergency vehicles will still be able to utilize the roadway.

He says they are planning on having the project completed and the roadway open to traffic by the end of the first week of November, if not sooner.

The United Way of Hancock County World of Downtown Restaurants Tour will be held on Thursday, November 4th from 5 – 9 p.m.

“This event is hosted by downtown restaurants to benefit United Way and its partners and is always well-attended – definitely a favorite,” said Heather Heilman, resource development director for United Way.

“It was tough canceling it last year so we are excited for its return and hope people can enjoy an evening downtown with friends and family.”

The event is open to the public and requires the purchase of an event passport.

The passport lists the location of this year’s 15 participating restaurants.

Passport holders are then invited take a walk downtown the evening of the event to enjoy a sample of each destination’s cuisine.

Restaurants on this year’s tour include Alexandria’s, Amy May’s, Bistro on Main, Brix, Circle of Friends, Coffee Amici, Dougie’s Pizza Co. Findlay Brewing Company, Japan West, Logan’s Irish Pub, Mancy’s Steakhouse at the Hancock Hotel, Taco Fiesta Hinojosa- Taqueria, The Bourbon Affair, Vivir Modern Mexican, We Serve. Coffee.

Passports are $25 and can be purchased online at https://www.uwhancock.org for pickup at the United Way’s office, 318 W. Main Cross St., second floor, beginning October 28th.

A limited number of passports will be available at Coffee Amici, 328 S. Main St. beginning October 28th on a first-come, first -served basis.

Only 300 passports will be sold.

Proceeds from the sale of the passports benefit the United Way and its partners.

With each passport purchase, enjoy $5 off per ticket to see The Del McCoury Band sponsored by Findlay Brewing Company and Heitkamp Homes at Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

The show is on the evening of the tour and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at MCPA.org/Del and the venue box office.

Upon purchase of the passports, a discount code will be issued on the confirmation screen.

For more information, call the United Way at 419-423-1432 or visit LiveUnitedHancockCounty.org.