Monthly Archives: June 2018

Farmer Suicide Rate Rises Across The Nation

06/29/18 – 4:45 P.M.

The national suicide rate for farmers is on the rise. Local OSU extension educator Ed Lentz explained that this can be caused by farmers taking out loans to get started.

Ed Lentz

Lentz said that this is more common in young farmers that aren’t sure of how things work yet. He said this can be helped with more safety nets for farmers in case of bad years and by mentoring young farmers.

Hepatitis A Outbreak Across Ohio Targets Drug Users

06/29/18 – 4:43 P.M.

There has been a statewide outbreak of Hepatitis A in Ohio. Hancock Public Health epidemiologist Chad Masters said that there have been a few cases in our area.

Chad Masters

Masters said that they are concerned about drug users.

Chad Masters

He added that another group at risk is men having sex with men. Masters explained that Hep A is transmitted by fecal-oral contact. You can avoid it by staying clean and washing your hands. Vaccines are also available.

50 North Opening Cooling Station To Help Keep People Out Of The Heat

6/29/18 – 8:42 A.M.

If you’re looking to stay out of the heat this weekend an area organization can help you out. 50 North will have a cooling station open at their facility on East Melrose Avenue until 4 p.m. today. They’ll open it from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday as well. On Sunday they’ll be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They will also be available throughout the week. The hours are listed below.

Monday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Tuesday:8 a.n. – 9 p.m.

Wednesday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Thursday 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Independence Day Celebrations Start This Weekend In Our Area

6/29/18 – 6:57 A.M.

Independence Day celebrations in our area kick off this weekend. Fostoria is holding festivities on Saturday. The event starts with music and food at 5 p.m. and includes a vintage baseball game at 6 p.m. Festivities also include “Fostoria’s Got Talent” at the amphitheater. Sign-ups are at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

The fireworks will start at dusk.

The rain date for the fireworks is July 2.

One Person Injured In Crash Near Van Buren

6/29/18 – 6:42 A.M.

A two-car crash injured one person near Van Buren Thursday night. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the collision happened on State Route 613 at the intersection of Allen Township Road 229 around 6:45 p.m.

51-year-old Pete Lopez of Findlay was driving south on Road 229 when he didn’t yield at a stop sign and pulled into the path of an eastbound car driven by 54-year-old Dennis Cramer of Helena. Hanco EMS took a passenger in Cramer’s car, Lori Cramer, to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment.

Water Color Issues Fixed In Ottawa, Investigation Continues Into Source Of Problem

6/29/18 – 5:36 A.M.

Whatever was affecting water in Ottawa appears to be gone now. The Putnam County Sentinel reports some village residents started complaining about odd-tasting, oddly colored water in the middle of June. The issue also affected water customers in Glandorf and Bluffton. Ottawa Water Director Doug Schroeder says they slowed production rates at the water plant and flushed lines in the village to take care of the issue.

Schroeder told village council they couldn’t find a source for the issue in their plant. The Ohio EPA hasn’t been able to find a reason for the off-colored water either. They are continuing to look into the problem.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

Rowmark LLC Sold To Windjammer Capital

6/29/18 – 5:27 A.M.

A Findlay business is changing hands. A release from Windjammer Capital Investors says the company has bought Rowmark LLC from Bertram Capital. The company hasn’t released the terms of the deal.

The release from Windjammer says, “Rowmark is an established market leader with strong brand recognition, supported by state-of-the-art manufacturing and an unmatched understanding of the market channel and new product development.” It goes on to say, “We are excited about the future of Rowmark, as we fuel and accelerate the Company’s growth,”

Rowmark President and CEO Duane Jebbett said, “We believe in Windjammer’s strategic approach, and the alignment of our values point to a promising future for our employees, our industry partners, and most importantly, our customers.”

County Commissioners Learn More About McComb-Pleasant Township Property Line Issue

6/29/18 – 5:18 A.M.

If the boundary lines between McComb and Pleasant Township change, the township would lose around 37 percent of its property valuation. Hancock County Auditor Charity Rauschenberg updated the county commissioners on the issue Thursday. Assistant prosecutor Cindy Land says a hearing on the topic will likely happen by the end of July.

Earlier this month McComb officials asked the commissioners to legally separate parts of the village from the township. As it stands now properties annexed into the village still pay real estate taxes to the township in some instances.

McComb officials say the overlapping boundaries “don’t allow for efficient use of time or resources.”

MORE: The Courier

Hancock County Looking For Architects To Possibly Design New Court Building

6/29/18 – 5:10 A.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners took a step toward building a new probate and juvenile court building Thursday. They approved a resolution that asks interested architectural firms to submit their qualifications for designing a new building.

So far there is no construction timetable or even a proposed location for the new building. The commissioners agree that building new makes more sense than renovating the current court at this point. The latest reports show renovating the more than 150-year-old building would only cost $500,000 less than building new.

Commissioner Mark Gazarek believes the county can pay for construction with capital improvement fund money. He added that they’ll pay off several other county projects over the next two years. That should free up around $400,000 to pay for the new court.

MORE: The Courier