The Findlay City Planning Commission has approved the site plan for a spec building on the northeast side of Findlay.

The 100,000 square foot building is planned for a site a little north of the new Amazon facility and west of ZF Active Safety.

Access to the development will be off of Production Drive.

Tim Mayle, director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, says in 2017 Jerry Robinson began working with Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development to develop a spec building.

Mayle says, fast forward five years and Robinson has successfully developed the site where Amazon located their new facility as well as purchased another 35 acres.

“So far we are fortunate to have two great tenants in the Tall Timbers extension with ZF and Amazon. I am confident that Robinson will provide an opportunity for another company to call Findlay home.”

As Mayle mentioned in the audio above, they’ve already submitted the building for a couple of state leads in light manufacturing in the 100,000 square foot range.

Jerry Robinson, Managing Partner of Humble Robinson Group, says the Findlay market is one of their stronger markets.

“The success of our first development made my decision to continue to invest in Findlay stress-free.”

In addition to the approved spec building, Robinson purchased the former Cardinal Health distribution center on County Road 212 in 2021.

The United Way of Hancock County and the Hancock County Farm Bureau are again this fall inviting community members to learn more about agriculture and its impact in Hancock County by participating in the Ride with a Farmer program.

Local farmers will take participants for a ride with them as they harvest between September 13th and October 18th.

United Way CEO Angela DeBoskey says riders will learn first-hand about general farming practices, seasonal preparations, harvesting and what happens after harvest.

Rides will last from 30 minutes to one hour.

A $25 riding fee will be matched by the Hancock County Farm Bureau and donated to the United Way of Hancock County’s Halt Hunger Initiative.

Riders must be 18 or older and can fill out a sign-up form by clicking here.

Once the application and the $25 fee has been submitted, the Hancock County Farm Bureau will connect riders with a local farmer.

Because the farmer must work around weather conditions, they will contact riders directly to determine the best day, time, and location of the ride.

For more information, contact Kirsten Amerling at the Hancock County Farm Bureau at 419-266-4487; or Brenna Griteman at United Way of Hancock County at 419-423-1432.

The Hancock County Opioid & Addictions Task Force is hosting two opportunities for the public to share how addiction is affecting them and the people they love.

As the Task Force works on revising its strategic plan it wants to know what is and isn’t working to bring help, hope, and healing to people affected by addiction.

We spoke with Zach Thomas of ADAMHS about the meetings.

The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 7th from 6 to 8 p.m. and the second meeting will be held on Thursday, September 8th from 1 to 3 p.m.

Both meetings will be held at The D.O.C.K., St. Mark’s United Methodist Church at 800 South Main Street in Findlay.

People who can’t attend one of the meetings can still give their feedback online by clicking here.

(ONN) – There’s a shortage of football referees in Ohio, and it’s forcing some schools to move their schedules around.

Ottawa Hills had to move its Friday night football game to Thursday so they’d have enough referees to officiate the game.

The Northwest District Football Officials Association says they had about 130 referees a few years ago but now that number is down to 90.

Local officials on average are about 55 years old and many are retiring – either because of age, the pandemic or harassment from fans.

“As of late we’ll have guys come down to the front row leaning over the rails just screaming at us,” said Mark Kuhn with the Northwest District Football Officials Association.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has decided to speed up the process to become an official – making a five-week online class available.

Get more details on becoming an official by clicking here.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says three people were injured in an early morning crash on Wednesday.

It happened at the intersection of State Route 235 and US 224 at around 5:15 a.m.

The sheriff’s office says Alexis Neuman, 19, of McComb, was southbound on State Route 235 with her 1-year-old child in the vehicle with her when she failed to stop at the stop sign at US 224.

Her car was struck by a Jeep that was eastbound on US 224 being driven by Lora Brinkman, 51, of Ottawa.

The impact sent the two vehicles off the roadway on the southeast corner of the intersection.

All three people were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Flag City Honor Flight will be taking 83 area Veterans and their guardians to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 13th to visit the war memorials built in their honor.

This will be the second of three flights the organization has scheduled for this year.

The Veterans making the trip served the country across several eras.

They include five World War II-era Veterans, 48 Korean War-era Veterans and 30 Vietnam-era Veterans.

On Flight day, Veterans and Guardians will depart for Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport from various locations, with some receiving an escort from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, and Legion Riders.

Following breakfast at the Grand Aire hangar, the group departs via charter jet at 8 a.m., arriving at 9:30 a.m.

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., the Veterans and Guardians travel by bus to the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Air Force Memorials and observe the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

The flight returns to Toledo at the Grand Aire hangar at approximately 9:30 p.m., where there will be a welcome home ceremony with family members and friends, followed by “Mail Call.”

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the homecoming celebration.

Flag City Honor Flight hopes to have hundreds of people cheer them on as they return from their journey.

For many of the Veterans it will be the first time they’ve received such a homecoming since their service.

Flag City Honor Flight’s third and final flight of the year is scheduled for November 1.

The June and September trips are made possible by the generous donations of individuals, organizations, local businesses, and corporations.

The November flight has been designated an all-Vietnam-era flight and is being sponsored by Findlay-based Ohio Logistics.

Veterans pay absolutely nothing for the trip and are accompanied by guardians who are asked to make a tax-deductible donation to help with expenses.

(ONN) – One of the fastest roller coasters in the world – located right here in Ohio – is being retired.

Cedar Point announced on their social media that they are retiring the Top Thrill Dragster.

The statement also says that the park’s legacy of ride innovation continues and their team is “hard at work creating a new and re-imagined ride experience.”

The coaster was shut down in August of 2021 after a woman was hit in the head by a bracket that came loose from the ride while she was waiting in line.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture completed a six-month investigation and found no laws were broken.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says four people were killed in four fatal crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to provisional data.

That’s a big drop from last year when 17 people were killed in crashes in Ohio during the Labor Day weekend.

The Labor Day weekend reporting period began Friday, September 2nd at 12 a.m. and ended Monday, September 5th at 11:59 p.m.

A total of 16,894 traffic enforcement stops were conducted along with 10,356 non-enforcement stops.

Troopers arrested 405 drivers for OVI and issued 1,992 safety belt citations while making 221 drug arrests and 94 felony apprehensions.

Troopers also provided assistance to 2,065 motorists.

For a complete breakdown of the Highway Patrol’s Labor Day enforcement, click here.

Hancock Public Health is inviting community members to take the 2022 Hancock County Quality of Life Survey.

The health department is seeking feedback on questions regarding whether Hancock County is a good place to raise children and to grow old, among other things.

People are asked to explore the following issues for each question:

1. What is the preferred future?
2. What is the current reality?
3. What are the gaps, leverage points, or strategic opportunities?

The survey can be filled out by clicking here.

September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio is urging everyone to get ready for emergencies now.

The Red Cross says disasters can happen anywhere, anytime and you can be ready by visiting redcross.org/prepare.

Last year, more than 40 percent of Americans – some 130 million people – were living in a county struck by a climate-related disaster, according to analysis from the Washington Post.

“More powerful climate-driven occurrences are happening across the U.S. than ever before,” said Todd James, Executive Director of the North Central Ohio Chapter.

“In fact, there have been more climate-related disasters in the nation over the past two decades than in any other country. It’s vital that everyone take steps to be prepared.”

He says three simple steps can help to keep your family safe during disasters – 1) Get a Kit. 2) Make a Plan. 3) Be Informed.

The Hancock Hotel in downtown Findlay will be hosting a free Be Red Cross Ready presentation to help families prepare for disasters.

It will be held on Tuesday, September 13th at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees will learn how to prepare a family emergency kit, make a plan for what your family should do during an emergency and how to stay informed before, during and after a disaster.

The first 100 guests will receive a free Red Cross personal first aid kit.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

This free program is made possible with support from Marathon Petroleum Corporation.

Pre-registration is not required but is suggested.

Register at northcentralohio@redcross.org or by calling (419) 422-9322.