(WFIN) – The Courier has announced that it will be increasing prices for the first time in more than five years.

Beginning today (Monday), the price of home delivery and local mail subscriptions will go up.

The Courier says EASYpay will increase from the current $12 monthly rate to a new rate of $14.

The 3-month subscription rate will rise from $37.50 to $49.50.

The 6-month rate will rise from $75 to $94.

And the 12-month rate will go up from $150 to $178.

The Courier says its digital-only rate and out-of-area mail rate are not changing.

Courier subscribers get the printed newspaper six days a week, and also get full access to the newspaper’s website, www.thecourier.com, at no additional charge.

Starting Saturday, the single-copy price for the Saturday Courier also will rise, by 25 cents, when it’s purchased at stores or from news racks.

The Monday through Friday single-copy price will remain at 75 cents.

The Courier is owned by Findlay Publishing Company, which also own WFIN-WKXA-WBUK radio stations.

(WFIN) – Several road construction projects are continuing in Findlay this week.

The city’s engineering department says the projects include restrictions for drivers.

Among the projects,

– South Blanchard Street from Lincoln to Third Street will be closed to through traffic. Residents and businesses in the area will have access to their driveways, but may experience some delays when crews are working near their properties.

– Garfield Avenue from North Blanchard Street to the railroad will be closed to through traffic for paving on Monday.

– West Melrose Avenue from Bolton Street to Broad Avenue will be closed to through traffic for paving on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The city says short delays can be expected, and that drivers should avoid those areas if possible.

The work is dependent on weather conditions and the contractor’s schedule.

(WFIN) – Friday was declared Play Ball Day in the City of Findlay by Mayor Christina Muryn, who cited the importance of baseball and softball in the community.

“We’re just trying to get kids to find a love for softball, baseball, and in this case wiffleball, and to get out and stay active.”

The mayor then played a game of wiffleball with the kids at Miracle Park, and the kids had a lot of fun.

She says Findlay has a lot of great places for kids to enjoy baseball and softball.

“We’re trying to promote healthy lifestyles and we’re very fortunate to have the Marathon Diamonds and the Blanchard Valley Hospital Miracle Field, so there are a lot of great amenities.”

The Play Ball event also included crafts and a movie.

(WFIN) – Hancock County’s 2-1-1 information and referral service is being discontinued.

The CEO of United Way of Hancock County, Angela DeBoskey says they’ve done a thorough review of the 2-1-1 system and its continuing viability over the past several weeks.

“After speaking to community partners, the mayor and county commissioners, we feel it best to forego renewing the contract.”

She says the service will end on Wednesday.

In 2008 the United Way of Hancock County began a 24/7 live call service that provided information and referred people to local nonprofits.

She says technological advances over the past 10 years have made access to information about community resources more readily available and the use of 2-1-1 has declined.

Once the change takes effect, the United Way recommends two options for people seeking help: contact the United Way at 419-423-1432 for assistance in connecting with an organization equipped to meet a need, or call an organization directly.

The United Way will provide information later in the year in regards to scheduling free tax assistance clinics.

(WFIN) – Sunny Farms Landfill has to pay more than $3 million in penalties.

The Ohio EPA and Ohio Attorney General David Yost made the announcement, saying the landfill in Fostoria will pay $1.71 million in civil penalties to resolve past violations in water pollution, solid waste, and air pollution control laws.

Of these fines, $1.1 million is going to the Ohio EPA and $600,000 is going to a trust fund called “The Fostoria, Ohio Community Trust”.

Another $2.01 million will be charged to the landfill for underreported and mischaracterized fees in regards to waste entering landfill facilities.

07/26/19 – 5:36 P.M.

The City of Findlay contracted with Hancock Public Health to spray for mosquitos throughout the city. The spraying is due to start Sunday evening in the west park area. It will continue for several weeks until the whole city is covered.

Hancock Public Health says that the best way to prevent mosquito bites is to prevent mosquitos. You’re urged to check your property for standing water and to get rid of it. If you can’t get rid of the standing water, you can pick up free mosquito dunks that will treat the water and kill any larvae at Hancock Public Health.

(ONN) – Opponents of House Bill 6 – which was recently signed into law – have formed “Ohioans Against Corporate Bailouts” and are pushing back against the measure that raises electric bills in Ohio.

The group is organizing a potential state-wide ballot issue in November next year to overturn the law, which bails out the state’s nuclear power plants and two coal-fired plants.

Starting in 2021, the law will enact an 85 cent fee per month on your electricity bill.

The group that’s trying to overturn it must collect more than 265,000 signatures.

State Representative Jon Cross recently spoke with WFIN about the new law, saying it will actually save taxpayers money.

(WFIN) – A meeting that was set for Monday to consider Sunny Farms Landfill’s appeal of the Seneca County Health Board’s intent to deny its operating license has been canceled.

That’s because the landfill in Fostoria has reached an agreement with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on its continued operation.

An attorney for the Seneca County General Health District told the county health board that an agreement in principle had been reached
between the Ohio EPA and the landfill that would be filed in common pleas court stating “that they are in substantial compliance with solid waste rules and regulations.”

The agreement also calls for conditions to be placed on how the landfill operates in the future and substantial penalties for violations.

After health board members have a chance to go over the agreement, they’ll meet on August 5th to discuss their next move.

The landfill has faced criticism and citations from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in recent years.