Autumn may have only just begun but it won’t be long before the snow starts flying.

In preparation for Old Man Winter, the Ohio Department of Transportation is holding several hiring events to find snowplow drivers for the upcoming battle with the white stuff.

Throughout October, ODOT District 1 and 2 will be holding five hiring events to fill approximately 75 winter seasonal positions across the region.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. 2, from noon to 6 p.m. at the ODOT District 1 office, 1885 N. McCullough St., Lima.
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 4-8 p.m. at the ODOT District 2 Northwood Outpost, 200 Lemoyne Rd., Northwood.
Thursday, Oct. 3, 3-7 p.m. at the ODOT District 2 Fulton County maintenance garage, 8878 state Route 108, Wauseon.
Wednesday, Oct. 9, from noon to 6 p.m. at ODOT District 1 Defiance County maintenance garage, 2340 Baltimore Rd., Defiance.
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2-6 p.m. at the ODOT District 1 Hardin County maintenance garage, 13052 state Route 68, Kenton.

District 1 is looking to fill 44 positions in Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties.

District 2 is seeking 33 drivers for Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Wood, and Williams counties.

During the hiring events, applicants will undergo a driving record check and take the required physical abilities test prior to being interviewed for a position.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent; a valid class A or B commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a tanker endorsement, without air brake restriction; and three months of training or experience in basic equipment operation.

The salary is $17.52 per hour. The positions are temporary, and benefits are not provided.

Both districts are looking for people who are available to work 40 hours a week from December through March. On-call and part-time options may be available.

Previous experience plowing snow is not necessary. Training is available for applicants who meet the basic requirements.

Those planning to attend one of the hiring events are encouraged to apply in advance here.

The former sheriff of Allen County was sentenced to 11 years and four months in prison for taking thousands of dollars in bribes from people arrested in prostitution and gambling stings.

A federal judge also ordered Sam Crish to pay more than $600,000 in restitution to his victims.

Prosecutors say the 56-year-old offered to help people facing charges and those dealing with child custody issues, and would then ask for a loan.

He pleaded guilty to extortion and bribery.

Crish said in court he’s a good person who has a gambling addiction, and has made some really bad choices

(WFIN) – A Findlay man alleges that the Findlay Police Department was negligent during the investigation of a stabbing outside of Planet Fitness in 2017.

43-year-old Jason Turner says he was stabbed 24 times by Michael Smith and wants justice for what happened.

According to Turner, police failed to interview key witnesses and that Officer Jay Myers didn’t take the investigation seriously.

WFIN has reached out to the City of Findlay and the police department for comment but hasn’t yet heard back.

Turner said that his injuries were extensive and required several surgeries.

You can learn more about the case from the original story back in 2017.

(WFIN) – With Oktoberfest coming to Findlay this Saturday, Safe Ride Home will be ready to take people home.

Joe Fenimore from Dick’s Towing said that they want to keep impaired drivers off the road.

Fenimore said they will be offering the free service from 4 to 11 pm. He added that they will only take you to your home or hotel anywhere in Hancock County but never to another party.

Fenimore added that Safe Ride Home does more than just drive people around.

Fenimore said that you can learn more about Safe Ride Home and what they offer on their website.

There is no cost to take advantage of the service and all you have to do is call them at 419-425-3908.

(WFIN) – A Fremont teen died Thursday morning when she was hit by a truck driven by her older brother.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Fremont post reports that 16-year-old Summer Morey was standing in the roadway of Township Road 31 just before 1 am when she was struck by 19-year-old Tristen Morey

After the collision, the truck drove off the left side of the roadway and overturned in a nearby field.

Mr. Morey and 15-year-old Andrew Twigg were treated and released at the scene.

Ms. Morey suffered fatal injuries and was taken to the Lucas County Morgue.

Troopers do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Police say a man was high on fentanyl when he caused a head-on crash in Findlay.

The crash happened in the 5000 block of Fostoria Avenue at around 7 o’clock Wednesday night.

The police department says Ryan Purkey, 36, of Fostoria, was driving westbound on Fostoria Avenue when he went left of center and crashed head-on into an eastbound car.

Purkey’s vehicle overturned and came to rest on its top.

He was not injured in the crash.

One of the two people in the other car suffered minor injuries and was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital.

Police say Purkey was cited for OVI for driving with suspected fentanyl in his system, driving on a suspended license, OVI test refusal and not wearing a seat belt.

The Tiffin Police Department says a man was arrested after he threatened to blow up a building on the campus of Tiffin University and shoot people.

Police say the man, later identified as Reginald A. Morrissette Jr, 27, of Detroit, had called Friedley Hall on Wednesday requesting to speak with a specific employee.

The man allegedly threatened to blow up a campus building and shoot people on campus if the employee wasn’t brought to the phone to speak with him.

The police department says all active officers responded to the campus and worked with campus security and staff to secure the building and the campus.

Detectives confirmed that Morrissette was still in Michigan, and he was taken into custody there.

Morrissette was taken to the Detroit Detention Center where he awaits the extradition process.

He will be extradited to Seneca County where he’s been charged with one count of making a terroristic threat, which is a 3rd degree felony.

(ONN) – Ohio health officials say a man from the Toledo area has died from West Nile virus.

The Ohio Department of Health says the 68-year-old Lucas County man had been hospitalized with encephalitis.

He’s the first person to die from the mosquito-borne illness in Ohio this year.

Last year, six people in Ohio died from the disease.

In Ohio, most West Nile virus cases and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes usually occur from May through October when mosquitoes are most active.

“The primary way people get West Nile virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito,” said ODH Director Amy Acton, MD, MPH.

“I encourage all Ohioans and communities to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.”

In July, Hancock Public Health announced that mosquitoes collected at Swale Park in Findlay tested positive for West Nile virus.

Hancock Public Health urges you to protect yourself from mosquito bites by limiting outdoor activity at dusk and dawn. You can also use insect repellent containing DEET and wear loose, light-colored clothing when outside.

Learn more about mosquitoes and West Nile virus here.

Congressman Bob Latta is sticking by President Trump as the House launches a formal impeachment inquiry into the president.

The Republican from Bowling Green describes the impeachment inquiry as “partisan hackery at its worst.”

On Twitter Latta said, “Democrats have been talking about impeaching @POTUS since the day after the election. This isn’t about accountability or working on behalf of the American people–this is about their candidate not winning in 2016.”

“Instead of working w/ the president on bipartisan policies to move this country forward, they’ve wasted everyone’s time w/ messaging bills, partisan games, & calls for impeachment. The American people elected @POTUS, & they deserve better than partisan hackery at its worst.”

President Trump says he did not do anything inappropriate by asking Ukraine’s president to investigate former VP Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Trump withheld nearly 400-million dollars in U.S. aid to Ukraine but the aid was subsequently released.

Trump’s phone conversation with Ukraine’s president prompted the launch of a formal House impeachment inquiry into the president.

(WFIN) – The Findlay High School Esports Club wasn’t able to keep up against the Bluffton Pirates in a game of Overwatch on Tuesday.

Esports teams play video games competitively through Ohio Esports, the organization that regulates the sport.

Tanner and his friend Jack got the program started at FHS last year.

Susan Blodgett is the faculty member heading up the club at FHS and said that there are regulations on the games that can be played.

This year the Findlay club is in the Beta Season, which helps figure out technical issues and bugs.

This year the club is in the Beta Season, which helps figure out technical issues and bugs.

Susan Blodgett is the faculty member heading up the club and said that there are four games allowed to be played. FHS is playing Smash Ultimate and Overwatch.