A bridge replacement project that had a road just south of Findlay closed since early June is now completed.

The Hancock County Engineer’s Office says County Road 172, between U.S. 68 and the railroad tracks, is back open to traffic.

The engineer’s office says the project was part of the County Bridge Replacement Program and utilized $179,000 of local gas tax and license fees.

The Wednesday night Riverside Civic Concert Series concert in Findlay has been canceled.

The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts says the heat index has continued to climb, forcing the concert with Pantasia to be canceled.

MCPA says if the heat index for Findlay is at or above 100 degrees (according to the National Weather Service) at 3 p.m. on the day of a performance, the concert will be canceled for that evening.

The concert back on June 15 was also canceled due to the heat.

See the full schedule here.

The summer series of concerts are free to the public and held Wednesday nights at 7 at the band shell at Riverside Park in Findlay.

The Findlay-Hancock County Alliance board of directors, led by GSW Manufacturing’s Annette Edgington, has announced that Glenn Jost, President and CEO, will be leaving the position effective September 16.

He and his wife will be moving to Texas to be closer to family.

Jost has served as President and CEO of the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance since last November.

He followed John Haywood who retired in August 2021.

Jost had previously retired as Findlay’s Plant Manager at Ball Corporation.

“The Alliance has benefited from Glenn’s leadership which has proven to strengthen partnerships between the private and public sectors,” said Edgington.

“Under his leadership, he’s helped to identify opportunities within the organization’s daily operations that’s led to sustaining a strong foundation to support its three divisions, Economic Development – Chamber of Commerce – and the Convention & Visitors Bureau.”

Jost will continue to support The Alliance’s overall mission over the next two months while a transition team, representing all three divisions, is convened and identifies a succession plan.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that includes Findlay and Hancock County.

The watch goes until 8 o’clock Wednesday night.

Forecasters say strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening.

Damaging wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour will be the main threat, followed by large hail.

The threat of an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

https://twitter.com/NWSCLE/status/1549799184403873792

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorcyclists to protect themselves by putting on the proper protective gear before hitting the road.

“Sometimes out there on the road we do see a motorcyclist wearing flip-flops, a t-shirt and a pair of shorts,” said Sergeant Ryan Purpura.

“We don’t want that to end in tragedy where they fall off and then look back and wish they would’ve had their protective gear on, their helmet on, which could’ve reduced their injuries or potentially saved their life.”

Ohio doesn’t require helmets unless you’re under 18 years old or have less than one year of motorcycle experience.

Passengers on motorcycles must also wear a helmet when the driver is required to do so.

Over a five-year stretch, the Highway Patrol saw nearly 19,000 motorcycle-related crashes on Ohio highways.

The Highway Patrol is reminding motorcyclists that they need to be properly trained in motorcycle safety, have a motorcycle endorsement, always wear a helmet, and not consume alcohol or drugs when operating a motorcycle.

And they’re asking everyone else on the roadways to always pay attention for motorcycles, saying motorcycle safety is everyone’s responsibility.

https://twitter.com/OSHP/status/1549768423181357063

(ONN) – The Ohio Democratic Party is calling on Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to resign.

The call for resignation stems from Yost going to court and successfully lifting the stay placed on Ohio’s Heartbeat Law – resulting in abortions beyond six weeks being illegal in Ohio.

“Dave Yost is not fit for office,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Liz Walters.

“He is only punishing women and trampling on their freedoms, and he is directly attacking the victims he’s charged with protecting.”

Walters also cited Yost’s doubting of the story of the rape of a ten-year-old Ohio girl who became pregnant and had to go to Indiana for an abortion.

https://twitter.com/OHDems/status/1549420504620089344

The City of Findlay says AEP Ohio has a planned power outage for portions of Findlay this week.

The planned outage is scheduled for Thursday, July 21st starting at 5:30 a.m.

The city says the outage should last no more than one hour.

The outage is necessary to remove a mobile substation that’s currently in place.

All impacted customers should receive an automated call from AEP in the days prior to the outage.

Some local police dogs played an instrumental role in apprehending a burglary suspect.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary in the 10000 block of State Route 37 on Monday.

The homeowner reported finding a person in their vehicle which was parked in their attached garage.

The subject fled the area on foot and into a wooded area.

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene and set up a perimeter.

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office K9 Charlie and Findlay Police Department’s K9 Deke, who were heading to routine training, responded.

The K9s began searching the woods and quickly located the suspect and he was taken into custody.

The sheriff’s office says the suspect was identified as Delno L. Tidd, 43, of Ada.

He was taken into custody for burglary and transported to the Hancock County Justice Center.

Below is video of K9s Charlie, Sonny and Deke showing off their skills for the youngsters at Camp 911 in Findlay.

The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected a map of Ohio’s congressional districts for the second time this year.

The court issued its rejection of the map on Tuesday morning, saying the map used in the May primary violates anti-gerrymandering rules in the Ohio Constitution and “unduly favors” the Republican Party.

The Court also ordered Ohio lawmakers to redraw a new map for the 2024 elections – one that complies with the Ohio Constitution – within the next 30 days.

Despite being rejected, the invalidated map will be used in the November elections because candidates were selected in the May primary using those districts.

https://twitter.com/OHSupremeCourt/status/1549395562356789248

https://twitter.com/acluohio/status/1549426357528035336

The City of Tiffin has its first female mayor.

Tiffin City Council voted 4-1 to make 3rd ward councilmember Dawn Iannantuono the next mayor for the city of 18,000 in Seneca County.

“I am humbled, honored and excited to sit before you as the next Mayor of the City of Tiffin,” Iannantuono said.

“I look forward to working with all of you to move our community forward.”

A swearing-in ceremony will be held Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 in Council Chambers at Tiffin City Hall, 51 E. Market St.

Former Mayor Aaron Montz resigned to take a new role as president of the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership.

Members voted last week for at-large councilmember Zack Perkins to become the next mayor.

He resigned from council the following day and announced he would not accept the mayoral nomination.

Prior to being on City Council, Iannantuono was a small business owner and had served on the Tiffin City School Board for 18 years and on the Vanguard-Sentinel School Board for three.

She will fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Montz, which ends December 31, 2023.