Monthly Archives: July 2017

Two Bicyclists Hit By Car In Putnam County

Local News

7/28/17 – 5:20 A.M.

Putnam County investigators believe marijuana played a role in a crash involving a car and two people riding their bikes near Miller City Thursday night. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says the collision happened on Road D east of Road 12 just after 8 p.m.

49-year-old Michael Klear, his wife Sandra, and their 10-year-old son Luke were riding bikes on Road D at that time. A car driven by 26-year-old Kyle Brown of Leipsic hit Sandra and Luke. Life Flight took Sandra to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. A medical helicopter took Luke to St. Vincent’s in Toledo for treatment of more serious injuries.

Deputies arrested Brown for OVI. The sheriff’s office says deputies gave Brown a field sobriety test and also found marijuana in the car.

The crash remains under investigation.

Hancock County To Address Flash Flooding Issues

Local News, WFIN Top Story

7/28/17 – 5:04 A.M.

We’ll learn more about how Hancock County plans to address flash flooding next week. The Courier reports around 30 people attended a working session to talk about the issue Thursday. The group included the commissioners, representatives from the engineer’s office, and township trustees. Their goal was to examine areas that don’t typically get high water but saw flash flooding on July 13. Up to five inches of rain fell in a short amount of time that day.

Commissioner Brian Robertson says the group came up with three goals. They include keeping the main transportation corridors open, reducing the impact on residential areas, and developing building regulations in flood-prone areas. Robertson also proposed another Blanchard River cleaning effort.

Robertson says the commissioners will give a presentation on the plan at their Tuesday morning meeting.

MORE: The Courier

National Night Out Festivities Set For Next Week

Local News

7/27/17 – 11:29 A.M.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the local law enforcement community, next week is your chance. National Night Out festivities are set for August 1 at 6 p.m. in Riverside Park. Community Resource Officer Brian White says it’s a chance to improve community relations with the police…

Audio: Brian White

White says the event is free and will have plenty for kids to do. That includes free food, a DJ, a K-9 demonstration, and bounce houses.

Mt. Cory, Rawson, and McComb are also having events for National Night Out as well.

Hancock County Landfill Operations Returning To Normal Following Flood

Local News

7/27/17 – 11:00 A.M.

Things are getting back to normal at the Hancock County landfill two weeks after a new round of flooding made its way through the area. Sanitary engineer Steve Wilson says things were busy last week as truckloads of debris came in…

Audio: Steve Wilson

Wilson says the EPA only allows the landfill to take in 750 tons of material per day. He also said the temporary easement on that rule and extended hours helped with debris clean up operations in the county.

Marathon Posts Lower Second Quarter Earnings

Local News, WFIN Top Story

7/27/17 – 8:38 A.M.

Marathon Petroleum is reporting lower earnings in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same time period last year. The company says the refining and marketing division posted $562 million in income between April and the end of June. That’s compared to more than $1 billion in 2016. A release says lower crude oil prices had an impact on earnings for the three month period.

Marathon subsidiary Speedway posted the best second quarter in the company’s history. The convenience store chain had $239 million in income, compared to $193 million a year ago. Marathon says higher product margins and reduced operating expenses helped drive numbers up.

The company’s midstream segment also saw increased income. Midstream segments include MPLX, and posted $332 million in the second quarter. That’s up from $253 million the year before.

In a statement, CEO Gary Heminger said, “we expect good underlying economic growth will continue to support strong demand for our products.” He added, “MPC continues to focus on driving results while delivering on the strategic actions designed to further enhance shareholder value.”

Carey School Board Approves Contract Extension For Superintendent

Local News

7/27/17 – 5:35 A.M.

The Carey school board has approved a contract extension for Superintendent Mike Wank. The Courier reports Wank is getting a five-year deal that will give him a nearly 2.5 percent pay bump starting with the 2018-2019 fiscal year. School Treasurer Karen Phillips says they’ll base future increases on a statewide average for the position.

Elementary school Principal Tammy Wagner and middle school Principal Tom Martin received news four-year contracts. Martin also serves as assistant high school principal.

MORE: The Courier

Marathon Petroleum Declares Second Quarter Dividend

Local News

7/27/17 – 5:25 A.M.

Marathon Petroleum announced a dividend for stockholders Wednesday. The company says the second quarter dividend will be 40 cents per share of common stock. That’s up from the 36 cents per share dividend the company issued following the second quarter of 2016.

Shareholders of record on August 16 will get the dividend on September 11.

Marathon releases its second-quarter earnings report today.

Carey Might Buy Former School Property

Local News

7/27/17 – 5:19 A.M.

The village of Carey might buy the site where the old school building once stood. The Courier reports Carey Council approved a motion on Wednesday that allows village Administrator Roy Johnson to negotiate with the school district on a price for the property on East South Street. The village could possibly use the location for green space, or for athletic fields.

Carey’s planning commission has reviewed two zoning requests for the property. If the village buys the land it will remain designated as special use. If negotiations on a price fail, the village will rezone the property residential and create seven parcels.

An auction for the land is on hold as a result of Wednesday’s actions.

MORE: The Courier

Nelson Manufacturing In Ottawa Expanding

Local News

7/27/17 – 5:08 A.M.

An Ottawa company is expanding. The Lima News reports Nelson Manufacturing is building an assembly and testing building on the village’s east side. When it’s finished, the company will use the facility to build and test special hauling trailers. Nelson president Tony Niese tells the newspaper the first order is for trailers than can haul rocket components and satellites.

Once finished, the inside of the building will be 50 feet high. Nelson says the company may hire three or four people to work in the facility.

Construction should wrap up sometime in the fall.

MORE: Lima News

Cherry Street Home Damaged By Fire Wednesday

Local News

7/27/17 – 4:55 A.M.

Fire damaged a Findlay home Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters responded to a home at 712 Cherry Street around 2:30 p.m. When they arrived at the house they saw smoke and flames coming from the back of the house in the kitchen area.

One person was in the home when the fire started. She was able to escape safely. Firefighters rescued a cat from the home and gave it oxygen.

The flames did around $20,000 in damage to the home. The blaze heavily damaged the kitchen and a hallway.

The fire remains under investigation.