10/29/18 – 6:47 A.M.

A long-time Findlay business will close its doors for good before Thanksgiving. Rieck’s Gallery owner Kent Weaver says health problems are forcing him to shut things down. While his son Kaden and daughter Molli are helping out during the final weeks, Weaver says he doesn’t want their involvement to go any further.

Rieck’s opened in Findlay in 1888. Charles Rieck opened the business as a paint contractor after he and a business partner heard about the gas boom in Findlay.

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10/29/18 – 5:34 A.M.

A traffic stop on I-75 in Findlay led to a drug arrest Friday. The State Highway Patrol says they arrested two Michigan men after they found 13 pounds of marijuana in their car. They also say they found 22 vials of THC.

Troopers say they smelled marijuana in the car after they pulled over 76-year-old Sidney Harris of Pontiac, Michigan for a license plate light violation. They took Harris and his passenger, 48-year-old James Evans Jr., into custody. Both are facing a possession of marijuana charge.

10/29/18 – 5:16 A.M.

The candidates for state treasurer will meet for a forum in Findlay tonight. Republican Robert Sprague and Democrat Rob Richardson will take part in the event at the Winebrenner Seminary Auditorium at 7 p.m.

The event is open to the public and the audience will have the opportunity to ask the candidates questions.

The Findlay branch of the American Association of University Women, the Courier, WFIN, and UFTV are sponsoring the event.

We’ll air the forum live on WFIN.

10/29/18 – 5:09 A.M.

Hancock County’s juvenile and probate judge has concerns about the number of babies born in the area with drugs in their system. Judge Kristen Johnson says she’s worried about losing two generations to the heroin epidemic; people currently battling addiction and their children.

Chief Deputy clerk of court Becky VanScoder says the juvenile court handled 89 cases of abuses and neglect through September 30th of this year. Those cases include newborns who tested positive for heroin, cocaine, or other drugs. The court only handled 40 abuse and neglect cases in 2017.

Johnson says it is also possible for a baby to be born addicted, but not result in a court case.

She adds that when kids born with drugs in their system reach kindergarten they start to display problems. It’s not clear whether the problems result because they are born with drugs in their system, or if they are the result of an unstable home life.

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10/29/18 – 4:57 A.M.

Findlay firefighters responded to a reported chemical spill at the Cooper Tire & Rubber plant early today. The plant called firefighters and a Hanco EMS squad around 3:15 a.m. Scanner traffic indicated there may have been a hydrochloric acid spill.

The fire department cleared the scene around 4:45 a.m.

We’ll have more details as they become available.

10/26/18 – 4:12 P.M.

There will be a forum featuring the Ohio State Treasurer candidates on Monday. The candidates are Republican Robert Sprague and Democrat Rob Richardson. Both have said they envision an increased role for the office in state government.

The forum will be at 7 p.m. in the TLB Auditorium at Winebrenner at the University of Findlay. You can also listen live at 1330 WFIN or on 95.5 FM.

10/26/18 – 3:22 P.M.

The Cooper Tire and Rubber Company Board of Directors have two new members. The board named Katy Dickson and Brian Walker as directors today. Dickson is a senior vice president at Mattel, Inc., and president of its American Girl subsidiary. Walker retired from Herman Miller this year after a 29-year service record. He served as the president and CEO for 14 years.

10/26/18 – 2:49 P.M.

U.S. Congressman Bob Latta was on WFIN to talk about issues facing northwest Ohio. He said that workforce development continues to be a problem for businesses.

Bob Latta

Latta said that companies are having to make it more appealing to work for them. He added that not having enough employees does show a strong economy though.

He also talked about the importance of maintaining the great lakes.

Bob Latta

Latta explained that keeping the lakes clean will help ensure environmental safety as well as provide clean drinking water. He added that there are several programs in place to help ensure that contaminants don’t get into the lake. He also said that there are clauses in the Farm Bill that will help farmers keep an eye on runoff.

10/26/18 – 6:49 A.M.

The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio recently honored two area women for their leadership efforts. The group named Fostoria Economic Development Corporation president Renee Smith and motivational speaker and author Diana Batton as 2018’s Women of Distinction.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio director of development Kelly Trame says the award honors, “outstanding women in our region who exemplify service in their community and to their field.” She adds the honorees show girls in the community they also have opportunities to lead.

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