4/27/17 – 5:30 A.M.

We finish our look at the candidates running in contested Findlay primary races today. Mike Tanner is one of two Republicans running for the Third Ward city council seat. Tanner says his experiences as a veteran made him want to run for office…

Audio: Mike Tanner

Tanner adds his first experience as a political candidate has allowed him to get a good feel for the issues in the third ward.

Tanner says the budget looks good for the most part…

Audio: Mike Tanner

Tanner adds some residents he’s talked to think the street survey is too expensive.

Tanner says he does agree with renovating Dorney Plaza…

Audio: Mike Tanner

All the candidate interviews are in the “News Interviews” section of WFIN.com.

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4/27/17 – 5:19 A.M.

Ottawa officials continue to work on a plan to deal with feral cats in the village. The Lima News reports one part of the plan includes trapping the animals, spaying or neutering them, and then releasing the cats. However, Councilman David Michel (Mitchell) said he wasn’t sure that would fix the problem. He said it might eliminate future generations of feral cats, but doesn’t fix the current issue.

Michel suggested a penalty for anyone caught feeding or caring for the animals. He said it would discourage people from feeding strays and create revenue to spay or neuter the cats.

Council is forming a committee to further discuss the issue. They plan to have some village residents offer their thoughts on the plan as part of the committee.

MORE: Lima News

4/27/17 – 5:11 A.M.

A Findlay man pleaded guilty to an inducing panic charge Wednesday. The Courier reports 26-year-old Andre White posted a threatening message on Facebook while logged in to the site as a co-worker. The post read, “I wish I was a terrorist. This is for Allah. Boom.”

White told Judge Reginald Routson a co-worker used his phone to log into Facebook on January 4. White made the post when his co-worker forgot to log back out.

Assistant prosecutor Steve Powell said the co-worker is of Middle Eastern decent. The FBI and several other law enforcement agencies initially investigated White’s co-worker following the incident.

Authorities initially charged White with making a terroristic threat. Routson will sentence White at a later date.

MORE: The Courier

04/26/17 – 4:44 P.M.

Findlay MOPS is holding a diaper drive to help area residents struggling to get them. Emily McBeath said that it affects more people than you might be aware.

Emily McBeath

McBeath said that There will be public donation boxes available at Great Scot on broad Avenue and First Presbyterian Church. Many other churches will be holding private collections. The drive lasts from May 1 to Mother’s Day.

The diapers will go to Hancock County Help Me Grow and Open Arms programs to be given out.

04/26/17 – 2:16 P.M.

Environmentalists are pushing to have the EPA declare Lake Erie impaired. Blanchard River Watershed Partnership Coordinator Phil Martin said that this will change who is in charge.

Phil Martin

Martin said that if this happens the EPA won’t be alone.

Phil Martin

He added that he doesn’t think there will be as many regulations put in place as the EPA has done in the past. Many of Ohio’s regulations about clean waterways have been made law already.

4/26/17 – 5:30 A.M.

The natural resources coordinator for the Hancock Parks District is taking a new job. The Courier reports the Seneca County Park District has named Sarah Betts as their first full-time executive director. Betts has been with the Hancock Parks District since 2000.

Voters in Seneca County approved a 10-year, .5-mill levy for park operations last November. Part of the money raised from the levy pays for three full-time staff members.

Betts’ last day in the Hancock Parks office is set for May 5.

MORE: The Courier