The Hancock County Treasurer’s Office is reminding people that real estate taxes for the first half of 2023 are due Friday, February 16^th.

Payments can be made on the due date or before at the Hancock County Treasurer’s office in the courthouse or at the drop box located inside the entry to the courthouse.

Mailed payments must be postmarked by the due date to be accepted without penalty.

Check payments should be mailed to the Hancock County Treasurer at 300 S. Main St Findlay, OH 45840.

The Treasurer’s Office points out that the Ohio Revised Code states that the taxpayer is responsible for any taxes due and failure to receive a tax bill does not avoid penalty and interest charges.

Get more from the Treasurer’s Office by clicking here.

The Findlay Police Department says two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash.

It happened at 7:33 Wednesday morning in the 2100 block of North Blanchard Street.

Police say Ralph Lazenby, 82, of Findlay, was driving a GMC Acadia northbound on North Blanchard Street and attempted to make a left turn into a private driveway and turned in front of a southbound Kia Soul being driven by April Snyder, 39, of Findlay.

The vehicles collided and each had to be towed from the scene.

Police say Lazenby was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for a chest injury and Snyder for a neck and back injury.

Police say Lazenby was issued a citation for failing to yield while making a turn.

(From Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services)

The Hancock County System of Care Grant is pleased to make available funds to local organizations that wish to improve or enhance programs, practices, and polices to embrace the Youth Thrive Framework.

Examples of past grant awards include the development of a youth podcast and a youth support group.

“In short, it’s really a prevention initiative to advance ways adults and caregivers of youth can support young people in becoming healthy and have good wellness.”

Zach Thomas, Director of Wellness and Education at the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, explains more about Youth Thrive in the audio below.

For more information about the Mini-Grant Program, including how to apply, click here.

(ONN) – Two former FirstEnergy executives, along with former Public Utilities Commission of Ohio chairman Sam Randazzo – who was nominated for the job by Governor Mike DeWine – have pleaded not guilty in the same bribery scandal that landed former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder in prison.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine weighing in on those new indictments for the first time.

“The attorney general has taken action through the grand jury, and as a former county prosecuting attorney I have great confidence in our jury system.”

A pretrial hearing for the men is set for April 19th.

They face a combined 27 felony counts.

Householder was sentenced to 20 years in prison last summer.

The Findlay Boys Basketball team is the number one seed in their district in the upcoming OHSAA state tournament.

The Trojans got a first round bye and will take on Toledo Waite, the 20 seed, on March 1^st at 7 p.m. at Findlay High School.

The winner will advance to the district semifinals on March 5^th at Toledo Central Catholic.

See the full bracket by clicking here.

The Trojans (17-2) defeated Northview Tuesday night and face Napoleon on Friday night in a game you can hear on WFIN.

(From Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

We have had several scam calls today where someone is pretending to be a Jennifer Wilkinson from the Putnam County Sheriff’s office.

There is even a linkedin account claiming to be a deputy with the Putnam County OH Sheriffs Office.

This person does NOT work for us. It is a scam caller.

When they call it looks like our phone number but it is spoofed.

If you get a call please hang up and call us at 419-523-3208.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be closing E. Sandusky Street from East Street to Blanchard Street for waterline repairs. Closure will begin on February 14, 2024, around 8:30am and conclude by 3:00pm. Detour will be posted to direct traffic.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area.

The Engineering Department will release updates on information and schedules when it becomes available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this project at 419-424-7121.

(From The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

Calling all kids! Write a short story (350 words or less) and submit it with a signed entry form to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.

Children in grades K-5 who live or attend school in Hancock County, OH are eligible to enter.

You can also include illustrations but illustrations are not required. 

All winning stories will be printed in a 2024 Tell-A-Tale book.

Entry forms and rules are available at the Childrens Desk, Arlington Branch, and the Bookmobile, or you can print them from the Tell-a-Tale website. 

All stories must be returned to the library by February 29, 2024.

State Representative Jon Cross recently announced that millions of dollars have been allocated for the 83rd District in a nearly $2B supplemental appropriations bill passed by the Ohio House, but critics say not so fast and that there’s more to the story. Cross was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss.

Many in the Ohio Senate are unhappy with the way their colleagues in the Ohio House have handled a multi-million-dollar appropriations bill, touting allocations that they say are a long way from being finalized. State Senator Rob McColley was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to offer his take.

(ONN) – The Ohio Department of Transportation is again urging people to pay attention to their crews on the roadways.

So far this year, 24 ODOT crews have been hit by vehicles, with 16 of them being snowplows.

ODOT calls this trend very concerning considering there haven’t been many snow days so far this year, and considering there were 56 incidents all of last year.

ODOT press secretary Matt Bruning says drivers simply need to pay attention to the road.

“It’s not hard to see our equipment but if you’re looking at your phone, you’re not looking at them, and that’s a big part of the problem.”

ODOT says when you see crews on the roads, move over and give them room to work.