(ONN) – A civil rights group is suing Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost after he rejected their attempts to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot for a second time.

The amendment, called the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights, looks to add more drop boxes for ballots, allow other forms of ID besides Ohio issued IDs, allow same day registration, and extend voting hours.

Deidra Reese is voter engagement director for the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

“We have seen in this state laws and procedures put into place that really are creating unreasonable barriers and impediments.”

Reese says, currently, they will wait for the Supreme Court to make a decision.

She hopes they will be able to get the amendment on the ballot in November.

(From the Ohio Department of Health)

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, today announced that out of an abundance of caution, ODH is informing individuals that they may have been exposed to measles in Terminal A of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport during the following times on January 27, 2024, and January 29, 2024.

January 27 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

January 29 between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

This exposure is related to the Montgomery County child infected with measles that ODH reported on Saturday. This is not an additional case.

 ODH is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state and local health officials to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.

 The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing measles. Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles. If you are up to date on measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low.

 If you or your child have not been vaccinated, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to get a vaccine (MMR is routinely recommended for children over the age of 12 months). Individuals who are not vaccinated should be very careful in watching for any signs and symptoms, because measles is extremely contagious.

 Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages. In the first stage, most people have a fever of greater than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough. These symptoms usually start 7 to 14 days after being exposed.

 If you develop symptoms, immediately stay home and away from others and call your healthcare provider. Tell your provider that you may have been exposed to measles so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others when you arrive for your appointment.

 The second stage starts 3 to 5 days after symptoms start, when a rash begins to appear on the face and spread to the rest of the body. People with measles are contagious from 4 days before the rash appears through 4 days after the rash appeared.

 If you have questions, contact your provider or your local health department.

 More information about measles is available on the CDC website. General information can be found here, recommended immunization schedules can be found here, and the ODH Measles FAQ can be found here.

(ONN) – As Ohio’s white-tailed deer hunting season comes to an end, hunters are invited to a series of special events.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is offering free classes as part of its field-to-table program.

The classes will teach participants how to prepare and cook venison, including techniques like pressure canning, making jerky and snack sticks, and creating family-friendly dinners.

The classes will be held at various locations throughout the state, including wildlife district headquarters and select education centers.

Officials add that venison can be a healthy and cost-effective alternative to beef and other meats in that one deer can provide as much as 60 pounds of meat.

Get more details by clicking here.  

(From the City of Findlay)

The Maumee Watershed Conservancy District, Hancock County Commissioners, and Findlay, Mayor Christina Muryn submitted a letter to Findlay City Council requesting support for an application to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant. The letter outlines the progress on flood mitigation which has been made over the past ten years and how the final three projects are making progress.

The initial target for ground breaking on each project, the expansion of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, Eagle Creek Detention Basin, and the Phase II River Benching was expected this year. Due to increased estimated construction costs the group is now delaying that timeline to seek additional Federal financial support of approximately $20MM.

“Maumee Watershed Conservancy District, the Hancock County Commissioners, and the Mayor Muryn are all dedicated to completing the flood mitigation projects as soon as possible. We agreed that pushing back the timeline slightly was frustrating but the opportunity to receive the financial support was worth the wait.” – Maumee Watershed Conservancy District General Manager, Wendy Yunker

“The Hancock County Commissioners all understand how critical flood mitigation is to Hancock County and look forward to completing the final three projects over the next few years and seeing the hundreds of acres and thousands of parcels which will be removed from the floodplain.” – Bill Bateson, Hancock County Commissioner

“Hancock County has made significant progress towards decreasing the flood risk in Hancock County and moving closer to making the river an asset rather than a liability. We will all keep pushing to get these projects complete and bring taxpayer dollars back from Washington to do so.” – Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn.

In 2023, FEMA released a notice of funding for the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant. FEMA requires a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to be an applicant for the funding opportunity. The City of Findlay is a member of NFIP and therefore will be the applicant of record to request $20MM to be utilized for the flood mitigation efforts detailed below.

In November 2009, the voters of Hancock County passed a .25% sales tax to be utilized for flood mitigation. The sales tax generated more than $32,000,000 over a ten-year period. In addition, our community has received financial support from the Federal and State Governments. Local, State and Federal investments have supported the completion of the following: purchase of properties which had regular significant damage due to flooding, transportation corridor improvements to ensure safety service accessibility throughout the county and phase 1 benching. In addition to the projects completed there are three major projects in the design phase; widening of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge from 150’ to 300’, the Eagle Creek Flood Basin and Phase 2 Benching east of the Norfolk Southern bridge. Following the completion of the benching projects, NS bridge expansion and the Eagle Creek Basin there will be a decrease of flood waters by 3ft in downtown Findlay during a 100-year storm event as well as the removal of hundreds of parcels and hundreds of acres of tillable farmland from the 100-year flood plain.

Congratulations to Findlay First Edition which had a tremendous showing at the Homestead Showcase in Fort Wayne over the weekend.

Findlay First Edition posted on its Facebook page that it won;

Overall Grand Champions

Overall Best Vocals

Overall Best Choreography

Overall Best Instrumental Combo

Most Dynamic Performer: Matt Giesey

“What a great day at the Homstead Showcase! Thank you to our Homestead friends for hosting an amazing competition. Thank you to all of our fans who made the trip to support us!”

(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay welcomes David Hurd as their guest speaker at the upcoming Solar Eclipse 2024 event. A professor of geosciences and planetarium director at Pennsylvania Western University, Hurd will highlight eclipses in the United States over the past half-century. Titled “Eclipses During the Past Five Decades,” Hurd will take the stage on February 8, at 7 p.m. in Martin Lecture Hall located in the Brewer/Frost Building.

Hurd will talk about the history of solar eclipses and transition into details surrounding the April 8 eclipse that will take place later this year. He offers a background in science, recognition from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and affiliation with NASA, which has published nearly a dozen of his books.

This event is part of the 2023-2024 College of Sciences Faculty Chair theme, “Solar Eclipse 2024.” Throughout the year, programming will aim to educate community members regarding solar eclipses, specifically the 2024 total solar eclipse. Steven Wild is the current College of Sciences faculty chair.

The total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, and Hancock County will be in the path of totality. This rare occurrence offers a chance for residents and visitors to witness the astronomical phenomena. To educate and celebrate this occurrence, University of Findlay will continue with its Solar Eclipse 2024 programming. UF will also be a host sight during April’s solar eclipse and invites community members to take part in the historic event. For more information on the total solar eclipse, visit the University of Findlay website.

Ottawa-Glandorf’s Colin White set a new school record for most points scored in a career in boys basketball.

“Not only was this a school record, but a Putnam County record as well,” the school said on their Facebook page.

The school said the previous record was 1,693 points and was held by Tim Pollitz during his career from 2001-2004.

Colin broke the record during the January 26^th game against Van Wert.

The school said Colin was at 1,723 points heading into Friday night’s game against Celina.

See their full schedule by clicking here.

Last summer, White committed to play college basketball at Ohio State.

(From Seneca County Drug Task Force)

On February 01, 2024, the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Agents from the Sandusky County Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations Unit, United States Postal Service, and the Tiffin Police Department, executed drug related search warrant on a residence located at 72 St. Clair Street, Seneca County, Ohio. That being the residence of Zachery K. Wilson, 30 YOA and Eva I. Hunter, 29 YOA.

The search warrant signed by Judge Damon Alt of the Seneca County Common Pleas Court unveiled Criminal Tools, suspected Methamphetamine, US Currency & items indicative of Drug Trafficking.

Charges are pending on the suspects for Possession of Methamphetamine & Criminal Tools upon the conclusion of the entire drug investigation & the return of the lab analysis of the substances involved in the investigation.

“Controlled substances being shipped or distributed through the United States Postal Service have plagued our community for some time. The Task Force’s goal is to combine all of our local and federal resources to prohibit mail containing illegal items, and dismantling the Dark Web which allows drug dealers to sell their goods through an internet connection!”…Chief David W. Pauly, Tiffin Police Department said.

I would like to encourage citizens to continue to report suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Crime Hotline at (Local #443-0463).

(WTOL-11) – People in Fostoria say the city’s water has had a funky taste for the last two years.

 If you live in Fostoria or have ever tried the water, you likely have a strong opinion about the taste.

“It’s like sticking an old musty rag in your mouth,” said one resident.

“It almost tastes like dirt, and just last week it was tasting more like chlorine,” another resident told WTOL-11.

The City of Fostoria explained that the chlorine taste is from the city changing water reservoirs, writing in part, “the city water is safe to drink and use. We have conducted extensive testing to make sure the city’s chlorine levels are well within the EPA water standards.”

But there was no explanation for the dirty taste, so now, a city council meeting is set for Tuesday to hear from residents.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has more events coming up in February in its ‘Fun for All’ series of free community events.

February, 3rd – Winter Art Class for Families – Process-Art Winter-Themed Collage
10 a.m.
Awakening Minds Art
Registration is full.

February, 4th – Funday Sunday – ROAR Dino Dig
1-3:30 p.m.
University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum
https://www.mazzamuseum.org/event/funday-sunday-february-2

February, 7th – Winter Art Class for Adults – Winter Watercolor Painting
6 p.m.
Awakening Minds Art
Space is limited, and registration is required: Findlay Community Classes (awakeningmindsart.org)

“We’ve heard time and time again that finding affordable, family-friendly activities is a challenge in Hancock County. The Community Foundation is proud to provide Fun for All to help bridge the gap,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece.

Brian says the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is thankful to its community partners for making the events possible.

The Fun for All series started in January 2023 and more than 10,000 people attended events that year such as Family Movie Nights at MCPA and Free Play Days at the Children’s Museum.