The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office placed the county on a Level 1 Road Alert at around 6:15 Thursday night.
The sheriff’s office said weather conditions have made roads slick and dangerous, and to use extreme caution.
A Level 1 Road Alert means roadways are hazardous, drive with extreme caution.
A Level 2 Road Alert means roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and/or flooding. Only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be on the roadways.
A Level 3 Road Alert means most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous/flooded. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited.
Freezing rain, sleet and snow is all possible Thursday night and overnight.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect, and a Flood Warning for the Blanchard River in Findlay will be in effect through Saturday morning as it reaches major flood stage.
Findlay Trojans football standout Luke Montgomery still has another season left with the Trojans but he already knows where he wants to play at the next level.
Luke announced his decision to join the Ohio State Buckeyes alongside his family in the high school gym on Thursday as many Trojans faithful cheered.
In the fall, Luke will play his senior season with the Trojans and then he’ll graduate early so he can start attending Ohio State in January of next year.
Luke said he will likely play tackle for Ohio State.
The 6-foot-five 257 pound junior lineman has been recruited by all the big college football powerhouses.
Michigan, Clemson, Notre Dame and Alabama were also in his top 5.
Luke’s brother, Ryan, is the starting quarterback for the Trojans and will be a sophomore next season.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the Blanchard River in Findlay as major flooding is now in the forecast.
The Flood Warning goes from Thursday night through Saturday morning.
Forecasters say the river is now expected to crest at around 15.5 feet early Friday afternoon, which is in the major flood stage.
The river is expected to then fall below flood stage early Saturday morning.
At 15.5 feet, several businesses could be impacted downtown, with many roads near the river closed.
County Road 236 to State Route 568 would be inundated.
The following streets are likely to be flooded, Main Cross Street from Western to Township Road 180, Broad Street, streets along Eagle Creek from Central to Rockside and streets along Lye Creek from Wedgewood to Strong Avenue.
The picture above of the Blanchard River in Findlay was taken at around 12:30 Thursday afternoon.
There’s also a Flood Warning for Eagle Creek in Findlay and the Blanchard River in Ottawa, among others.
Click here for the latest river levels and forecast.
NWS has increased the flood projection to 15.5 ft which is considered a major flood event. To see an expected impact list please visit the following link, select inundation mapping and scroll down to see flood impacts. https://t.co/QqjRQJfBIxpic.twitter.com/y1k5B91Vup
(ONN) – The Republican-controlled Ohio House has approved legislation targeting protesters with a provision normally used against terroristic activity.
The legislation would allow police officers harmed during riots to sue individuals or organizations that provided material support or resources, such as lodging or transportation.
Material support is conduct tied in state and federal law to actions by alleged terrorist groups.
The bill also increases penalties for rioting and creates the offenses of riot assault and riot vandalism.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio calls the legislation an extreme attack on free speech.
“Let us be perfectly clear: vague, subjective laws like HB 109 are meant to intimidate individuals who exercise their First Amendment Rights and speak out against injustices.”
Also, the Ohio House approved legislation prohibiting Ohio governments from stopping sales of guns or ammunition during a public emergency or activities deemed to be a riot.
🗣️House Bill 109 is up for a floor vote at 1pm today.
This bill is terrible for our democracy, terrible for Ohioans, and is meant to intimidate individuals who exercise their First Amendment Rights.✖️
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for some area rivers and creeks.
In Findlay, a Flood Warning was issued for Eagle Creek that will extend through Friday morning.
The river was around 8.5 feet at 9 a.m. Thursday and is expected to rise above flood stage of 9 feet later in the morning and crest at around 10.5 feet on Thursday night.
At 10 feet, water from the Eagle Creek will impact portions of South Blanchard Street, Brookside Drive, Fremont and Graceland Streets.
The intersections of Beechmont Drive with Fairmont and Rosemont Drives flood.
In Putnam County, there is a Flood Warning in effect for the Blanchard River at Ottawa from Friday morning through Monday night.
The river is expected to rise above flood stage of 23 feet late Friday morning and crest at 26 feet early Saturday afternoon.
It will then fall below flood stage early Monday morning. Minor flooding is forecast.
There is also a Flood Warning for the Auglaize River near Fort Jennings.
As of Thursday morning, the NWS was still forecasting the Blanchard River in Findlay to rise to around 13.9 feet, which is moderate flood stage.
Some road closures are likely.
Remember to get the latest river levels and forecast by clicking here.
Findlay and Hancock County remain under a Flood Watch that will be in effect from Wednesday night through Thursday and into Friday morning.
1 to 2 inches of rainfall combined with rapid snowmelt is expected to cause some flooding issues.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the NWS was forecasting the Blanchard River in Findlay to rise to around 14 feet by Friday afternoon, which is moderate flood stage.
Flooding is expected to close some roadways, but Mayor Christina Muryn said the city doesn’t expect a significant impact to property.
People are reminded to never attempt to drive through high water.
The city says sandbags are available for self fill at the Parker Building at the corner of West Crawford and South West Street.
The Blanchard River in Ottawa is anticipated to crest at 25.6 feet, which is at the high end of minor flood stage.
In addition to the Flood Watch, a Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday night as temperatures plummet.
Mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch.
Winds will be gusting as high as 35 miles per hour.
Precipitation will begin as rain early Thursday afternoon, changing over to freezing rain, sleet, and then snow by late Thursday evening.
A Wind Advisory was also in effect for Wednesday into early Thursday morning.
Several River Flood Warnings have been issued, with flooding expected to occur Thursday afternoon through Friday. For additional details, see our latest Flood Warning Statements here https://t.co/ASCnIEUN8h and latest river flood forecasts here https://t.co/P6aPYHfoijpic.twitter.com/exUdT8V8LL
A Findlay house sustained extensive damage when it caught on fire on Wednesday.
The Findlay Fire Department was called to 235 Garfield Avenue at around 2:45 Wednesday afternoon on the report of flames coming from the second floor of the house.
Fire crews began putting water on the flames and eventually got the fire under control.
We were told no one was injured in the fire and that two dogs who were in the house when it caught on fire were let out and are ok.
A Wind Advisory was also in effect for Wednesday into early Thursday morning.
Several River Flood Warnings have been issued, with flooding expected to occur Thursday afternoon through Friday. For additional details, see our latest Flood Warning Statements here https://t.co/ASCnIEUN8h and latest river flood forecasts here https://t.co/P6aPYHfoijpic.twitter.com/exUdT8V8LL
Members of the United Steelworkers union rallied outside Marathon Petroleum’s corporate headquarters in downtown Findlay on Tuesday.
The crowd of union members rallied holding signs that read ‘Oil Workers Are Essential – Fair Contract Now’ and ‘Hey Marathon: Essential Workers Deserve Fair Contracts’.
The United Steelworkers union (USW) announced on February 1st that it rejected Marathon Petroleum’s most recent proposal for a pattern settlement on wages, benefits and working conditions for approximately 30,000 USW members in the oil and petrochemical industry.
The union then offered rolling 24-hour extensions of the current labor agreements.
The USW had been in talks with Marathon, which represents the industry as its lead negotiator, since January 13th. The current national agreement expired at midnight on February 1st.
“USW members were on the front lines of the pandemic, ensuring that our nation could meet its energy needs while company executives were safely tucked away, working from home,” said USW International President Tom Conway.
“Management needs to finally come to the table ready to negotiate a deal that reflects our members’ hard work, commitment and sacrifice.”
Marathon, in a statement on Tuesday, said it hopes the union will reconsider its offer as employees continue to work under the mutually agreed upon contract extension.
Marathon Petroleum issued the following statement after we reached out to them for comment about the USW’s Tuesday rally in Findlay.
“On January 31, we presented the United Steelworkers with a comprehensive final settlement offer that includes substantial wage increases in each year of a proposed three-year agreement, and maintains other economic and non-economic provisions of the previous pattern labor agreement, including those related to employee benefits, health and safety, and job security. The terms outlined in our final settlement offer are in addition to economic, health and welfare, and safety commitments that are provided to our employees under local agreements at our eight facilities subject to the United Steelworkers pattern agreement. We hope the union will reconsider our offer as our employees continue to work under the mutually agreed upon contract extension.”
The United Way’s 2021 annual campaign raised $1.7 million for programs improving the lives of children, families, and individuals in Hancock County.
“We want to thank our fundraising team, individual donors, and workplace campaign partners. You are truly making a difference in the lives of people in our community struggling with very basic needs,” said CEO Angela DeBoskey.
“We are proud to contribute to our community, but really wish we had the ability to meet every need presented to us.”
In December, the United Way announced its campaign efforts were about $300,000 short of their $2 million goal.
She says the funds raised during the campaign are strategically disbursed to community programs.
UWHC regularly assesses the areas of greatest need in Hancock County and determines how to distribute funds to meet those needs.
The largest portion of UWHC campaign funds is issued to partner agencies, local nonprofits evaluated on their ability to address community priorities and to meet the vital and basic needs of people in Hancock County. This year, 24 Partner Agency programs were selected by 55 trained local volunteers to receive grant awards and designations.
Open Arms: Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services will receive $213,575 for three programs, serving children and adults who have been affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
Hope House: Housing Services for the Homeless will receive $146,776 for two programs assisting individuals and families facing housing crisis.
CASA/GAL of Hancock County will receive $107,538 for its Child Advocacy program to give youth a voice in the court systems.
Cancer Patient Services will receive $82,289 for their Financial Assistance program to cancer patients in our community.
Children’s Mentoring Connection will receive $73,757 for its Mentoring Youth at Risk program.
The Findlay Family YMCA will receive $71,919 for it’s Feed-A-Child program to ensure our youth have food through the weekends.
Christian Clearing House will receive $56,000 for Caring Cupboard food vouchers to individuals and families in need of supplemental food.
Pre-Kindergarten programs from Findlay City Schools and Hancock County Educational Service Center will receive $41,667 and $15,787 to improve school readiness for children not able to attend.
West Ohio Food Bank will receive $55,104 for food distributions to Hancock County food pantries.
HHWP Community Action Commission will receive $52,572 for the Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) program.
The Center for Safe and Healthy Children will receive $30,300 for its Forensic Interview program for children.
The Center for Civic Engagement will receive $30,000 to promote strategic collaboration of nonprofit groups in Hancock County.
Challenged Champions Equestrian Center will receive $22,026 for Equine-Assisted Therapy, serving youth and adults from Hancock County.
Raise the Bar Hancock County will receive $15,052 for The Leader in Me program in schools county-wide.
Boy Scouts of America, Black Swamp Council will receive $11,593 to assist disadvantaged in Hancock County.
American Red Cross of Central Ohio will receive $11,094 for two programs focused on crisis relief and veterans.
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio will receive $5,000 for its Scouting program serving disadvantaged youth from Hancock County.
Additionally, other local and out-of-area nonprofits are receiving designation support at individual donors’ requests.
The third group of programs administered by UWHC include Volunteers United, the Halt Hunger and Vulnerable Children Initiatives, and the Community Gardens.
Finally, approximately 14% of campaign will go to fundraising and operational costs.
