The sentencing hearing was held in Hancock County Common Pleas Court for a man found guilty last week of murdering a police drug informant in Findlay.

Eric A Reed, 50, of Fort Worth, Texas, was convicted of aggravated murder and two counts of having weapons while under disability.

Authorities say Reed shot and killed Brian McQuistion in 2017 as retaliation after McQuistion gave police information resulting in drug charges against Reed’s nephew.

Reed was sentenced to life without parole on the aggravated murder charge, and 24 months for the two counts of having weapons under disability. The sentences will be served concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay restitution for funeral expenses.

The Fall Artwalk in downtown Findlay will be happening on Friday, November 3^rd from 5 to 9 p.m.

ArtWalk now takes place three times a year – the first Fridays in May, August, and November.

The free event is open to the whole family

Artists will be located throughout Downtown Findlay in local shops, restaurants, and businesses as well as in our downtown art anchors – Findlay Art League, Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, and Jones Building Artists Studios will be open.

Danielle Wilkin with Visit Findlay was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss ArtWalk.

A boy riding a bicycle was taken to the hospital after being struck by a car in Findlay.

It happened at around 6:45 Tuesday morning at West Main Cross Street and South West Street.

Police say the 12-year-old boy was riding his bike southbound in a marked crosswalk when a car on South West Street turned westbound onto West Main Cross and struck the boy.

The boy suffered minor injuries to his left leg and arm and was taken to a hospital.

The driver of the car, Mark Campbell, 63, of Findlay, was issued a citation for not yielding the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Marathon Petroleum reported its third-quarter numbers on Tuesday.

The oil refiner headquartered in Findlay is reporting net income of $3.3 billion for the third quarter of 2023, compared with net income of $4.5 billion for the third quarter of 2022.

Adjusted net income was $3.2 billion for the third quarter of 2023 which compares to adjusted net income of $3.9 billion for the third quarter of 2022.

Marathon says its third quarter of 2023 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) was $5.7 billion, compared with $6.8 billion for the third quarter of 2022.

“Our third quarter results reflect our commitment to growing shareholder value,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hennigan.

“The business generated $5 billion of net cash provided by operating activities and we returned $3.1 billion through share repurchases and dividends during the quarter. Demonstrating our commitment to return capital, we increased our quarterly dividend by 10% and increased our share repurchase authorization by $5 billion.”

Get more on the company’s third quarter results by clicking here.

The Hancock Historical Museum will host its monthly Brown Bag Lecture on Thursday, November 2nd at noon.

Local Veteran and past president of Flag City Honor Flight, Bob Weinberg, will speak about his time serving as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1970 and 1971. (pictured above)

Thursday’s lecture is free for museum members, and $3 for nonmembers.

For more information, call the Hancock Historical Museum at 419-423-4433, or visit their website hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

(From Family Resource Center)

Navigating the grief surrounding the loss of a loved one to suicide is a profoundly challenging journey, and having a strong support system is vital.

To learn about the tools and resources you can use to support someone mourning a suicide, our Companioning The Mourner groups are forming now.

The Suicide Grief groups are for anyone who has experienced the suicide of someone and is seeking information about coping.

Six groups will be held in November and December.

Get more information by clicking here and in the Facebook post below.

(ONN) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol says fatal and serious injury crashes are down by 20 percent over the last year.

But, there’s still room for improvement and the state is requesting $150,000 to study the effects of distracted driving zones.

There are 12 distracted driving zones in the state of Ohio but the Highway Patrol is focusing on four of them, including one in Delaware County along Interstate 71.

Distracted driving zones have a dedicated Highway Patrol trooper to watch people if they’re on their phones.

A company called Cambridge Analytics plans to pull driving data from mobile devices to see whether or not people who are driving in these areas are touching their phones while driving.

Based on their studies, these distracted driving zones could be moved to other areas where drivers are at greater risk.

In 2020, the stretch of Interstate 75 between Findlay and Beaverdam was designated a Distracted Driving Safety Corridor with extra enforcement and higher fines.

A stretch of State Route 568 is closed for construction of the pedestrian bridge portion of the Blanchard River Greenway Trail extension project.

The City of Findlay says the closure began on Monday, October 30th and will go from Bright Road to County Road 236, lasting for approximately 45 days.

The pedestrian bridge will be located north of the existing State Route 568 bridge and take people over the Blanchard River.

This extension of the Greenway Trail will take it to County Road 236, and in the future, the city says it wants to extend the Greenway Trail from County Road 236 out to Riverbend Recreation Area.

Anyone with questions about the project may call the City of Findlay Engineering Department at 419-424-7121.

(From Troop 308)

Hancock County’s first female Eagle Scout, Lydia Eckleberry, was recognized at Troop 308’s Court of Honor on Sunday, October 29th.

Lydia is a founding member of St. Mark’s Troop 308.

Earning the rank at 12 years old when passing her Board of Review on May 18th, making her one of the youngest Eagle Scouts ever.

After earning the rank, she went to National Youth Leadership Training. Then to Camp Berry’s 100th anniversary summer camp. And on to the 2023 National Jamboree.

For her Eagle project she worked with American Legion Post 3 to Retire 1,460 American Flags.

She collected flags from The American Legion, The Amvets, The VFW, The Scouts BSA office, and The City of Findlay.

The Findlay Police Department has released the name of the person who was found dead inside a vehicle that had entered a retention pond.

Police say it happened near 1020 Interstate Court at around 6:15 Saturday night.

The first officers arrived on the scene as the vehicle sunk below the water approximately 30 yards from the bank.

Witnesses advised they did not see anyone exit the vehicle.

The Hancock County Dive Team was contacted and arrived on the scene to recover the vehicle.

Once the vehicle was recovered it was learned the driver and sole occupant was still inside and was deceased.

Police identified the driver as Eric Czaplicki, 33, of Findlay.

Police say no foul play is suspected but the incident remains under investigation.

Assisting on scene was the Findlay Fire Department, Hanco EMS, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Hancock County Coroner’s Office, Dick’s Towing, and Life Flight.