Robert Hathorn has been found guilty of each of the charges he was facing in connection with an altercation with a Findlay trooper along Interstate 75 last fall that left that trooper with a gunshot wound.

The jury returned its guilty verdicts on Monday afternoon in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

The 43-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 the October 6th incident.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Hathorn struggled with a trooper during a traffic stop 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 the trooper that was shot was released from the hospital on October 9th, and about a month ago was able to return to road duty.

We spoke with Hancock County Prosecutor Phil Riegle after the verdicts were read.

The trooper was in the courtroom as the verdicts were read, as were Lt. Matt Crow with the Highway Patrol Findlay Post, Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman and other law enforcement in a show of support.

Hathorn waived his right to counsel and represented himself in the trial.

His sentencing will be held in the next few weeks.

An Excessive Heat Watch will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night.

Forecasters say dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 108 are possible.

The hottest temperatures and heat index values are expected Wednesday afternoon.

Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

People are reminded that young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Meantime, there is a threat of severe weather Monday night into early Tuesday.

A line of complex severe storms that will move through the area could include damaging wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour, large hail, heavy rainfall, lightning and even tornadoes.

The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts, but heavy rainfall could also lead to flooding.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill that drastically reduces the training hours required for teachers and other school staff to carry guns at school.

An Ohio Supreme Court decision last year required school staff to have peace officer level training to carry a weapon – that’s more than 700 hours.

The new law says they’ll need up to 24, and Governor DeWine is mandating that it be the maximum of 24.

Schools are not required to allow staff to be armed and some have already said they won’t do it.

We reached out to Findlay City Schools Board of Education President Matt Cooper to see if this is something the board will consider for the district.

Cooper said the school board has no reaction at this time and that this issue is currently not an item on their agenda to be discussed.

Ohio Federation of Teachers president Melissa Cropper says this bill makes Ohio schools less safe.

“We are disappointed that Governor DeWine signed HB 99 into law despite widespread concern from educators, parents, and public safety professionals.”

The Findlay Police Department says a motorcyclist was severely injured when he collided with a pickup truck.

It happened in the 2800 block of Fostoria Avenue at around 9:45 Sunday night.

Police say an eastbound pickup truck being driven by Justin Fickel, 24, of Findlay, made a left turn into a private drive and was struck on the side by a westbound Harley Davidson being driven by Travis Cacy, 35, of Findlay.

Cacy was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital by Hanco EMS with a severe laceration to his head and a wrist injury.

Police say Fickel, the driver of the truck, was issued a right-of-way citation for the left turn.

The National Weather Service says there is a threat of severe weather Monday night and overnight into early Tuesday morning.

A line of complex severe storms that will move through the area could include damaging wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour, large hail, heavy rainfall, lightning and even tornadoes.

The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts, but heavy rainfall could also lead to flooding. The strong winds could bring down power lines, causing power outages.

Then, after the storms move through, the heat really cranks up.

An Excessive Heat Watch will be in effect for Findlay and Hancock County from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night.

Forecasted highs of 94 Tuesday, 98 Wednesday and 95 on Thursday and it’ll feel even hotter with the heat index values.

Ohio’s permitless carry law goes into effect on Monday.

The new law allows people to carry a concealed firearm without having to get a permit or take a training course.

The law also removes a requirement to tell officers about the weapon during a traffic stop, unless asked.

We spoke with Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman about the new law.

The new law allows people 21 and older in Ohio to carry a concealed gun without a permit as long as they lawfully possess the gun.

Previously, Ohioans needed eight hours of training and a background check to obtain a CCW permit from their local sheriff’s office.

Many in law enforcement have voiced their opposition to the bill, including the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, which believes it will create a greater threat to officer safety.

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Findlay.

The crash happened at East Melrose Avenue and Romick Parkway on Friday afternoon.

The police department says Linda Weaver, 84, of Findlay, was driving an SUV north on Romick Parkway and failed to stop at the stop sign at Melrose Avenue.

Her SUV then collided with an SUV that was westbound on East Melrose that was being driven by Charity Bracy, 47, of Benton Ridge.

Police say Weaver was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital by Hanco EMS for chest pains and Bracy was transported for neck and back pain.

Weaver was issued a citation for running the stop sign.

The Robert Hathorn trial was continued until Monday while the defendant receives medical attention.

The trial was originally recessed until noon Friday when earlier in the morning Hathorn complained of feeling nauseous, among other things.

Deputies took Hathorn (pictured below) to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay where he received some treatment.

He was taken back to the courthouse around 11 o’clock but complained of still being in discomfort, and the judge announced that the trial would be continued until Monday morning.

Closing arguments were set to take place on Friday in the trial in which Hathorn is accused of shooting and wounding a state trooper in Findlay last fall.

Hathorn waived his right to counsel and has been representing himself in the trial.

The 43-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 October 22nd, Hathorn pleaded not guilty to the six charges in the indictment.

The Ohio State 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.

A Child Fire Safety Day event will be held in Findlay on Saturday.

It will be held at the Children’s Museum of Findlay from 10:30 to 11:30.

Families are encouraged to attend the event and learn about fire safety.

Kids will get to check out a fire truck and smoke trailer, and there will also be a story time with a firefighter.

The fire department says Child Fire Safety Day is part of National Child Safety Awareness Week.

Admission to Fire Safety Day is included with paid admission to the children’s museum.

The City of Findlay is letting people know that a short stretch of a road will be closed.

The city says West Lincoln Street, from South Main Street to South Cory Street, will be closed on Friday, June 10th.

The closure that day will go from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is for sanitary sewer repairs.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area if possible.