Monthly Archives: June 2019

Hancock County Commissioners Look At Jail Overcrowding Issue

06/28/19 – 12:15 P.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners got an update on jail overcrowding during a meeting Thursday afternoon. Jail Administrator Lt. Ryan Kidwell explained that the jail is designed to hold 98 prisoners. On Monday there were 146 inmates in the jail and on Tuesday there were 136 inmates. This forces the county to pay to house prisoners in other jails.

The Sheriff’s Office will be out of money to house prisoners by the end of August. Fiscal officer Becky Smith said that they will need an additional $222,000 to finish out the remainder of the year. The commissioners had allocated $525,000 to fund housing expenses this year.

Another issue is inmates taking up space while they wait on paperwork or space to open up in the state prison system. Misdemeanor inmates can be held for a week or two while their paperwork is gathered. The group said that the space could be better used for more serious offenders.

Army Band Stopping In Findlay To Provide A Concert Sunday

06/28/19 – 9:42 A.M.

The 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band is making a stop in Findlay this Sunday. Sgt. Jeremy Streem said they will be playing Disney songs for everyone that comes…

The band will be playing at 7 p.m. in Riverside Park this Sunday as part of their summer tour. The 122nd is celebrating the band’s 75th anniversary.

You can learn more about the band and see some of their taped performances at 122ndArmyBand.com.

ODOT Announces Road Projects Next Week

06/28/19 – 8:25 A.M.

ODOT has announced several updates for projects in Hancock County next week. I-75 northbound between State Route 698 and the City of Findlay will be restricted to one lane starting Tuesday. Crews will be working on bridge deck repairs in that area.

State Route 235 between County Road 313 and the Wood County Line will be restricted to one lane for pavement resurfacing. This excludes overlaps with State Routes 12 and 186.

State Route 613 between the Putnam County Line and McComb will also be restricted to one lane. Crews will be removing raised pavement markings.

And Finally, State Route 103 between State Route 698 and Township Road 71 remains closed for pavement repair and shoulder work. The stretch of road closed on June 10.

Accident Outside Of Bluffton Stops Traffic And Kills Power

06/28/19 – 7:14 A.M.

A three-vehicle accident at the intersection of Columbus Grove Road and State Route 696 stopped traffic and killed power yesterday afternoon. The Bluffton Icon reports that the accident around 2:40 p.m. One of the vehicles appeared to have struck a power pole and knocked it over on top of the car. This killed power to the area.

The other two vehicles were a dump truck hauling a Bobcat loader and a truck pulling a trailer. The Icon reports that the dump truck was leaking fluids onto the road.

EMS crews were trying to remove the man driving the car that was caught under the power pole. There’s no word on his condition and no other details have been released about the accident.

Several Road Projects Continue In Findlay

06/28/19 – 5:33 A.M.

There will be several lane and road closures in Findlay today and into next week. The city’s engineering department reports that North Main Street will be reduced to one lane between Hillcrest and Bell Avenues today. The closure will take place until 4 p.m. depending on the weather and contractor scheduling.

Sandusky Street from Cory to South West Streets will be closed to through traffic today sanitary repairs. Hardin Sreet is closed between Cory and Western Streets for asphalt milling and repaving.

Work on Blanchard Street continues as well leaving the street reduced to two lanes from Sandusky to Wyandot Streets.

Arlington Woman Hurt In Eagle Township Crash

06/28/19 – 5:07 A.M.

An Arlington woman was injured in a two-vehicle accident in Eagle Township late yesterday afternoon. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports that the accident happened around 4:30 p.m. on U.S. 68 near County Road 37. 34-year-old Maisie Crates was heading south down the road when she crossed the center line and struck a semi driven by 61-year-old Michael Callaway of Indianapolis.

Appleseed EMS took Crates to Blanchard Valley Hospital. Her condition is unknown. Callaway wasn’t injured in the accident.

Deputies cited Crates for traveling left of center.

Hancock County Commissioners Approve Dispatch Enhancement For Sheriff’s Office

06/27/19 – 11:41 A.M.

The Hancock County Commissioners approved a radio dispatch enhancement for the Hancock County Sheriff’s office today. Sgt. Mark Price explained that the system was in need of the improvements.

Price added that the new system will also have new key features. This includes creating a backup dispatch…

It will cost $318,000. Price said that the original price was well over $400,000 originally.

Women Vets Get To Tell Their Stories

06/27/19 – 8:14 A.M.

Women veterans across the state are getting a chance to share their stories thanks to two Hancock County residents. Dave Morrow is the creator of Humans of Findlay and a project in which he interviews Hancock County’s Vietnam War veterans. He’s now working on the “Women Warriors of Ohio” website. Morrow interviews Ohio’s women veterans and collects their stories to share.

The project was suggested by Hancock County Veterans Services Executive Director Nicole Coleman. She said that there are over 67,000 women veterans in Ohio.

You can learn more about the program and read the stories at womenwarriorsohio.org.

Findlay Police Arrest Suspect In Monday Robbery

06/27/19 – 6:39 A.M.

The man accused of robbing the Exxon Gas Station on Fostoria Avenue in Findlay has been caught. The Findlay Police Department reports that they have arrested 27-year-old Kip Wright yesterday. Wright was taken in without incident and is waiting on his initial appearance in court. No other details about his arrest are available.

Wright was indicted on two counts of aggravated robbery for allegedly robbing the gas station around 7 a.m. on Monday. According to the report, he allegedly hit an employee in the face with a gun and then had the employee give him money from the cash register.

Police are still working to determine if Wright was responsible for two other robberies in Findlay.

Marathon Makes Donations To Help Those Affected By Memorial Day Tornadoes

06/27/19 – 4:48 A.M.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s philanthropic affiliate made a donation to support relief efforts for those affected by tornadoes last month. The marathon Petroleum Foundation donated $100,000 to support The Foodbank, Inc. and the Dayton-Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Marathon subsidiary Speedway LLC also contributed 1,500 cases of bottled water following the destruction.