The Ohio Division of Wildlife has a new Chronic Wasting Disease hotline.

People can call 419-429-8322 to have their CWD questions answered and learn how to contribute to the continued health of Ohio’s deer herd.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife says testing for Chronic Wasting Disease in Ohio’s white-tailed deer population is continuing during the 2021-22 hunting season.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other similar species, including mule deer, elk, and moose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.

Two CWD-positive wild deer were confirmed during the 2020-21 hunting season in Wyandot County.

A disease surveillance area has been established in response to the confirmed cases, and intensive monitoring will continue for at least three years in Wyandot County as well as portions of Hardin and Marion counties.

Specific regulations apply to hunters who harvest a deer in this location, including mandatory testing on Nov. 6-7, Nov. 13-14, and the seven-day gun season, Nov. 29 – Dec. 5.

In-person sampling is available at the Big Island Wildlife Area Headquarters, Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area Headquarters, and the Wyandot County Fairgrounds on those dates.

Self-serve kiosks are also available.

A list of kiosk locations and instructions can be found at ohiodnr.gov/cwd.

A Tesla charging station has opened in Findlay.

The charging station is located in the parking lot of the Denny’s at 1051 Interstate Court, west of Interstate 75 and north of Trenton Avenue.

We spoke with a driver who was charging up his Model-S the other day and was on his way from Toronto to Florida.

He said the car makes the driver aware of the nearest charging stations and directed him to the new one in Findlay.

The charging station in Findlay has eight charging areas. Two cars were being charged when we were there.

The charging station is for Tesla electric vehicles only.

A bridge replacement project that will eliminate a choke point on the Blanchard River in Findlay and help flood mitigation efforts has received a big federal grant.

The Maumee Watershed Conservancy District says it’s receiving a $7.1 million RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant from the Federal Rail Administration and the US Department of Transportation that will pay for 80 percent of the construction costs associated with the replacement of the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge over the Blanchard River in Findlay.

Project manager Steve Wilson says the project will replace the current 150 foot span bridge that is more than 100 years old with a new bridge with a 300 foot span.

He says the enlarged opening will allow the flow of the Blanchard to pass more efficiently and will reduce the 100 year flood elevation by 0.4 feet immediately upstream.

Wilson says the plans should be approved by the end of March of 2022.

A construction start date has not been determined but should take place in the second half of 2022.

Wilson says the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District would like to acknowledge the support of Hancock County Commissioners Tim Bechtol, Michael Pepple, & William Bateson; Mayor Christina Muryn and the City of Findlay; Blanchard River Watershed Solutions and their associated 50 local businesses, Senator’s Brown & Portman, Congressman Latta, State Senator McColley, State Representative Cross and Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Findlay’s other flood mitigation efforts have included benching the river and removing flood-prone properties along it.

Another project that will help flood mitigation efforts is the Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin project just south of Findlay.

In July, the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District Court voted to add the Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin to its official plan.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the person who was found dead in a house a little east of Findlay on Monday.

Investigators say Sherri Ziessler, 59, suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

The sheriff’s office is investigating the woman’s death as a homicide.

The sheriff’s office said it received a 911 call from someone at 16777 Township Road 205, which is just south of the Findlay Reservoir, a little after 6 a.m. Monday.

Responding deputies met the 911 caller at the scene and discovered a deceased individual inside the house.

The sheriff’s office believes the shooting was an isolated incident and that there’s no danger to the public.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Findlay Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

AEP Ohio has dubbed this week as Utility Scam Awareness Week.

Because someone might actually show up at your door, AEP is giving people some things to keep in mind.

Imposters will threaten to shut off your power unless you pay right away.

They’ll also tell customers you need a new electric meter and you need to make a payment before the new meter is installed.

That is also a scam.

AEP says scammers going door-to-door pretending to be from AEP are often very aggressive.

AEP Ohio says only make payments online or through mail, phone or at authorized payment locations.

And you should never give out your account number.

The City of Findlay’s leaf collection this year will run from November 17th through December 3rd.

The city will pick up leaves that have been placed in biodegradable paper bags at the curb.

The city makes clear that plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up.

The city is reminding people to not rake leaves into the street, as leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potential flooding.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge.

The green waste site is for residential use only.

No contractors are permitted to use this site.

Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

The last day for the green waste site for the season is December 4th, 2021.

The local Toys for Tots campaign suffered a big setback when somebody stole 40 boxes of donated toys.

Larry DeVelvis, the coordinator for Hancock and southern Wood County, couldn’t believe his eyes when he opened the storage unit Monday morning.

Larry says the boxes contained about 2,000 toys worth about $20,000.

Despite this setback, he says they plan on helping as many kids as ever this holiday season.

Larry says the sheriff’s office is investigating the theft that occurred at a storage unit on County Road 236.

In the meantime, he says he’ll be working extra hard to ensure local kids have a happy Christmas.

Get more on the local Toys for Tots campaign by clicking here.

Anyone with information on the theft should get ahold of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

For the second year the Kiwanis Club of Findlay is converting Santa’s House into Santa’s Mailbox.

Children and families can write their letters to Santa and drop them off at the special post boxes.

Kiwanians will then help Santa and his elves write personalized letters in return.

Families can drop off their letters now at three downtown Findlay locations.

Trends! on Main, Smarty Pants Findlay and Coffee Amici each will have a designated mailbox at their locations.

Letters dropped off before December 12th will be returned before Christmas, however those dropped off after will not receive their return letter until after the holiday.

Santa’s House will return in its traditional form at St. Andrew’s Church in downtown Findlay in 2022.

For more information about Santa’s Mailbox and Santa’s House visit the Kiwanis Club of Findlay’s Facebook page.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are investigating what they’re calling a suspicious death at a residence a little east of Findlay.

The sheriff’s office says it received a 911 call from someone at 16777 Township Road 205, which is just south of the Findlay Reservoir, a little after 6 a.m. Monday.

Responding deputies met up with the 911 caller at the scene and discovered a deceased individual inside the house.

The sheriff’s office called in the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to help with the investigation and their Crime Scene Unit truck could be seen in the driveway.

The sheriff’s office is describing the death as suspicious and will release more information, including the deceased individual’s identity, later.

A food distribution and resource fair is coming to Putnam County.

It will be held at the Putnam County Educational Service Center at 124 Putnam Parkway in Ottawa on Wednesday, November 17th from 2 to 4, or until the food is gone.

The event is open to all Putnam County residents whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

To receive food, you must be 18 or older and complete a simple form.

The event is sponsored by KNAP Sack, Inc. in partnership with the West Ohio Food Bank and others.

People with questions may contact Becky Leader at 419-969-0981.