Monthly Archives: July 2020

First 2020 Presidential Debate Will Be In Ohio

The first presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden will be held in Ohio.

The debate will take place on Tuesday, September 29th at the Health Education Campus (HEC) in Cleveland.

It will be co-hosted by Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic, which have collaborated on the Health Education Campus, a joint project where students in medicine, dentistry, nursing and related fields come together to learn and practice team-based care in simulated settings and, later, at actual clinical sites.

The debate was originally set to be held at the University of Notre Dame but they withdrew.

Whether people will be allowed in attendance will be determined by the status of the pandemic as the debate nears.

Click here for more on the debate and other scheduled debates.

 

Hancock County Experiencing Surge In COVID Cases

Hancock Public Health says they’re seeing more and more cases of COVID-19 in the county.

Health officials say there were 251 total cases as of Monday, which is a jump of 52 cases from Friday.

106 of those cases are active, an increase of seven from Friday.

Two Hancock County residents have died from the virus.

In the video you can watch below, Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi says the recent increase in cases can be attributed to people attending parties and not avoiding crowds.

 

 

Hancock County was at level 2 on the state’s coronavirus alert level map but that could change as the numbers increase.

 

Findlay’s Bulk Trash Drop Off Day Canceled

The City of Findlay has canceled its Bulk Trash Drop Off Day.

This program is held in conjunction with the Backyard Mission Trip each year and was set to take place on August 1st.

But due to growing concerns about the coronavirus, the Backyard Mission Trip canceled their event in Findlay.

The city says it will be rescheduling its Bulk Trash Drop Off Day in conjunction with the 2021 Backyard Mission Trip event on April 24th of next year.

 

Findlay Police, Fire, EMS Undergo Active Shooter Training

The Findlay Police Department recently underwent active shooter training along with the fire department and Hanco EMS.

Sgt. Brian Dill with the police department says it was a great opportunity for all three agencies to work together as a team.

He says this recent training at Findlay High School involved the overall response to an active shooter, not just neutralizing the suspect.

 

 

He says they’ve gone to a solo-officer response for active shooter situations which allows the first officer on the scene to immediately start looking for the suspect and other officers to join in when they arrive.

Sgt. Dill says responding officers are trained to make noise and alert the suspect to their presence in the hope that the suspect will then engage police and not harm anyone else.

“We want to draw the suspect’s attention to us and then put the fight to him.”

He says anyone who finds themselves in an active shooter situation should remember the run, hide, fight strategy.

Run if you can and get clear of the area. If you can’t get away, hide and barricade yourself in a room if possible. And then if necessary, fight back against the suspect if it comes to that.

 

 

2 PIB Bars Cited For Health Order Violations

(ONN) – Agents from the Ohio Investigative Unit cited two businesses at Put-in-Bay over the weekend after receiving complaints about health order violations.

Agents visited Mist Bar and T & J.’s Smokehouse on South Bass Island and issued citations after they say they witnessed numerous patrons congregating with no social distancing measures in place and many not wearing masks.

These cases will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalties, including fines and/or the suspension of liquor permits.

Although many bars and restaurants statewide were found in compliance with health orders agents said a number of warnings were issued over the weekend.

 

Findlay Man Killed In Crash In Seneca County

A Findlay motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Seneca County.

The crash happened at about 5:25 p.m. Saturday on County Road 59, east of County Road 45 in southwest Seneca County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Jeremy Martinez, 35, was westbound on County Road 59 when a car going eastbound being driven by 35-year-old Tiffany Robertson, of Findlay, went left of center and struck him.

Martinez was thrown from his motorcycle and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Robertson was not injured.

The highway patrol says the crash remains under investigation.

Agencies assisting the highway patrol included the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New Riegel Fire Department, Seneca County EMS and D&D Towing.

 

Sheriff’s Office: Don’t Call 911 About Face Mask Concerns

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is asking people to not call 9-1-1 or their local law enforcement agency with concerns about people not wearing a face mask.

The sheriff’s office says it’s the responsibility of Hancock Public Health to respond to people who believe that they or others are at risk.

The sheriff’s office is urging people with a concern regarding face masks to contact Hancock Public Health at 419-424-7105.

Governor DeWine’s statewide mask order went into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Below is the full statement from the sheriff’s office.

Governor Mike DeWine has issued a mandate requiring people in Ohio to wear masks in public beginning July 23, 2020 at 6 p.m. Our Hancock County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to use masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and avert another stay-at-home order here in Ohio.

It is the responsibility of Hancock Public Health to respond to those who believe that they or others are at risk. It is the responsibility of Hancock Public Health to investigate those concerns and recommend the best action steps to address the health and safety of all. They are our local health experts and are who we depend upon to make the health and safety of our residents a top priority.

If you have a concern regarding masks, please contact Hancock Public Health at 419-424-7105.

Please do not call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency, they will only refer you to Hancock Public Health as the best avenue to address your concerns.

Hancock County COVID Cases Continue To Increase

Hancock Public Health is reporting another jump in COVID-19 cases in the county.

Health officials say there were 199 cases of the coronavirus in Hancock County as of Friday.

That’s a jump of 39 cases from two days earlier.

99 of the cases are active, which is an increase of 37 from two days before.

Four patients are currently hospitalized.

Two Hancock County residents have died from the virus.

Hancock County is at level 2, or orange, on the state’s COVID-19 alert level map.

A statewide mask order went into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday.

 

 

FCS School Year Start Date Pushed Back

The start of the school year for Findlay City Schools has been pushed back by two weeks.

The Board of Education met Friday and voted to adjust the start date to Tuesday, September 8th.

The last day of school on May 26th will remain the same.

The school district says the change still meets the Ohio Department of Education’s requirement for student learning hours.

Hancock Public Health recommended that Findlay City Schools delay the start of the school year for the following reasons:

  • It would allow time to monitor the spikes in COVID cases as well as being consistent with other Hancock County schools.
  • Based on feedback from parents, additional information is needed for parents to make an informed decision regarding the options for student learning (in-person or online). In addition to this communication, parents will receive further information from the district with details relating to the online learning platform.
  • The delay also allows additional time for staff training and the development of additional protocols to ensure the safest possible environment for students when they return to school.
  • The mandated requirements for face masks for grades 3-12 and staff will provide a more comfortable and cooler environment for staff and students.

The school district says it understands that starting the school year later may cause some disruption, but it will ultimately help them begin the school year more smoothly.

They say as circumstances in the community change their plans may change.

The school district recently announced that the upcoming school year would involve traditional classroom learning five-days a week and an online learning environment would also be available.