Monthly Archives: October 2017

Appeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit Against Marathon’s Detroit Refinery

10/27/17 – 9:33 A.M.

A lawsuit facing Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery is moving forward again. The Associated Press reports a federal appeals court revived the suit Thursday. Residents living near the refinery say the facility has contaminated their property and damaged their health.

Marathon previously had asked a judge to dismiss the suit, claiming the statute of limitations had run out. A judge agreed with Marathon, but the appeals court reversed that decision.

The court says anything that happened after late February is relevant to the case.

Findlay Woman Arrested Following Police Chase In Indiana

10/27/17 – 7:40 A.M.

Police near Indianapolis, Indiana arrested a Findlay woman following an alleged shoplifting incident and police chase earlier this week. The Daily Journal reports 24-year-old Tesla Corbin faces theft and obstructing justice charges.

Investigators say workers at a Walmart reported Corbin and a man she was with took items from the store Tuesday afternoon. Police spotted the vehicle the pair were in, but the driver sped away. He eventually stopped and ran away on foot. Corbin stayed in the car.

Officers say Corbin initially gave them a fake name. She also allegedly gave police a false name for the man driving the car.

MORE: Daily Journal

Fostoria Teen Injured In Thursday Crash

10/27/17 – 7:19 A.M.

A two-car crash injured a Fostoria teenager Thursday night. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports 16-year-old Elizabeth Keefe was driving a pickup truck north on County Road 23 just after 6:30 p.m. when she stopped at the intersection with U.S. 224. She then pulled into the path of a westbound car driven by 56-year-old Michael Hollis of Findlay.

Hanco Ambulance took Keefe to ProMedica Community Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. Hollis wasn’t hurt.

Deputies cited Keefe for failure to yield.

Truck Driver Charged In Fatal Wyandot County Crash

10/27/17 – 6:51 A.M.

A truck driver is facing charges following a fatal crash earlier this month. The Courier reports Wyandot County prosecutors have charged Frank Bauer IV with vehicular manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Investigators say Bauer was driving a semi south on U.S. 23 on October 10 when he hit the back of a car driven by 21-year-old Michelle Weatherholtz of Findlay. Weatherholtz was slowing down to turn onto County Highway 97.

The collision killed 20-month-old Candase Weatherholtz. Michelle received treatment at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. Weatherholtz’s parents were also in the car and suffered injuries.

A hearing in the case is set for November 6.

MORE: The Courier

Former FHS Principal Interested In State Senate Seat

10/27/17 – 5:24 A.M.

The former principal of Findlay High School wants to fill the State Senate seat left vacant by Cliff Hite. The Courier reports Craig Kupferberg announced his intent to pursue the position Thursday. Kupferberg tells the newspaper he plans to challenge the Legislature’s double standards. He adds, “I’ve noticed that the conservative principles of local control and deregulation that work for private industry and business are not being applied to local schools or local governments.”

Kupferberg plans to run for the position next year if the Republican caucus doesn’t pick him to fill Hite’s seat.

State Representative Craig Riedel of Defiance also announced his interest in the position Thursday. The Republican caucus is taking applications until November 6.

MORE: The Courier

Q Commons Meeting Discusses heavy Topics At Findlay Meeting

10/27/17 – 1:24 A.M.

Findlay had its first Q Commons meeting Thursday night at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. The meeting is an international campaign to address issues affecting communities. Deputy Director of Hancock County ADAMHS Board Amber Wolfrom said that the opioid epidemic stems from pain.

Amber Wolfrom

She said that addressing these sources of pains helps people start the recovery process. She added that everyone has a part to play in removing the stigma and getting people into recovery.

Another one of the topics of discussion was transforming education to fit today’s needs.

Ed Kurt

Findlay City Schools Superintendent Ed Kurt was a local speaker at the meeting. He shared how FCS has been working to make education better for children in Findlay. He said one of the biggest improvements was implementing Trauma Informed Care training for the school district’s employees. This allows teachers and other school employees to look for behavior changes in children that follow traumatic experiences.

The audience also heard speakers on the global level through online videos. These speakers discussed the importance of building community, technology, and issues around race.

Hancock Democrats Show Support For Issue 4

10/26/17 – 5:59 P.M.

The Hancock County Democrats released a statement of support for Issue 4. Executive and central committee members took a poll vote to decide the party’s stance. The statement says that even with the increase the county will still have one of the lowest sales tax in the state. It says that it is also very important to maintain the jail and ensure that it is safe for those that are incarcerated and those supervising them.

The party added that they think the Hancock County Commissioners are being good stewards of the county and its resources.

 

UPDATE: Five Dead Following Early Morning Fire In Seneca County

10/26/17 – 6:43 A.M.
UPDATE – 3:34 P.M.

An early morning fire claimed the lives of five people in Seneca County. Media partner WTOL-11 reports firefighters responded to a blaze at 10331 West State Route 18 between Fostoria and Bascom around 4 a.m. Fire officials in Seneca County said in a news conference that they found five bodies. They said that three adults and two children lived in the house but did not confirm that they are the victims.

One of the victims was 19-year-old Austin Rainey. The other victims have not been identified

Seneca County public information officer Dean Henry says the Ohio Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the blaze but they do not suspect arson.

The fire closed State Route 18 in the area. It also resulted in Hopewell-Loudon Schools running on a two-hour delay.

We’ll have more details as they become available.

MORE: WTOL-11

Focus On Friends Names New Director

10/26/17 – 9:38 A.M.

A Findlay non-profit agency focused on recovery efforts has a new director. Focus on Friends recently named Ellyn Schmiesing as its new leader. Schmiesing has been serving as the interim director of the agency since late July.

She previously served as the organization’s recovery accountability manager and oversaw the recovery housing and recovery guide programs.

Schmiesing takes the place of Wayne Ford.