(ONN) – A new bill introduced by Ohio lawmakers would increase penalties for those who drive under the influence.

Under the proposal, a first offense would increase fines from a minimum of $375 to $750.

A second offense within 10 years would go from a minimum of $525 to $1,200.

The bill would also increase prison time for those who commit aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence and decrease the number of prior offenses in order for the court to impose increased prison times.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

(From Raise the Bar Hancock County)

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced Raise the Bar® as one of the 26 workforce partnerships that will receive funding through the Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Grant.

The program supports collaborations that help bring Ohioans into the workforce pipeline while meeting the needs of job creators and the local economy.

This announcement marks Raise the Bar’s 4th consecutive ISP award.

Over the next 18 months, Raise the Bar will focus on helping job seekers and employers in the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors.

Strategies will expand employer and educator engagement, increase awareness of industries and occupations, and increase accessibility and attainment of industry credentials.

“It’s an honor to be among the partnerships receiving these grant funds,” shared Tricia Valasek, Raise the Bar’s executive director.

Valasek continued, “Our community’s workforce development strategies are data informed and designed to meet our employers’ needs, today and into the future. We look forward to continuing our excellence in work, and we are very grateful for the employers and partners who support us in our efforts.”

Efforts that will unfold during this funding round include the launching of a data dashboard, giving robust insight into the metrics that inform the county of its current and future talent pool; the mapping of partners and funding available throughout Ohio to assist employers with training employees; the continuation of the wildly successful Career Expo Series and Summer Educator Experience, supporting teachers and students in grades K-12; and creation of marketing and branding materials that highlight Hancock County as a place to work in manufacturing and transportation.

About Raise the Bar®: Raise the Bar® prepares and connects an adaptive workforce for Findlay-Hancock County through education and training. The organization strives to meet emerging employment needs, fostering a thriving community of skilled professionals. Details on Raise the Bar® available at www.raisethebarhancock.org.

About the Industry Sector Partnership Grants: Industry Sector Partnerships are designed to develop regional workforce strategies, with the goal of driving collaboration between local businesses, education and training providers, and community stakeholders. Ohio has invested $12.5 million in Industry Sector Partnerships over the last four years.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says a person was killed when the vehicle they were riding in crashed into a hospital in Fostoria.

The crash happened at approximately 6:40 Tuesday night on Van Buren Street in Fostoria.

The Highway Patrol says its preliminary investigation shows that a Ford pickup, operated by Howard Stevenson, 58, of Bloomdale, was southwest on Van Buren Street when he failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle lost control and drove off the right side of the roadway struck a sidewalk and then went off the left side of the roadway.

The vehicle then continued through the ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital parking lot, striking the hospital.

The driver and passenger were both taken into the hospital for treatment.

The driver sustained serious injuries and was transferred by air ambulance to ProMedica of Toledo Hospital.

The passenger, identified as Penny S. Stevenson, 55, of Bloomdale, succumbed to fatal injuries at the ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital.

Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Fostoria PD, Fostoria Fire Department and Franks towing.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

On Saturday, December 2, School Board Member Steve Benson, and Superintendent Bruce Otley met with Dan Stahl of Charles Construction to look for an old time capsule that was buried in the front lawn of the original elementary school.

Using a mini excavator and hand spades, the search began where an old tree was located on the front lawn.

Former elementary teachers Kay Hoane and Cathy Fields provided an approximate starting location for the search.

The remnants of the old tree where the time capsule was buried were discovered during the search.

Despite digging all around the location of the tree, the time capsule was not found and more than likely decomposed over time, or was lost when the tree was removed.

Special thanks to Dan Stahl and Charles Construction for helping us with the search.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

The United Way of Hancock County is accepting applications for the Secor Scholarship.

Applications will be accepted through January 15^th, 2024 for a maximum scholarship of $8,000.

The Secor Scholarship, established as a memorial to the generosity of Steven and Doris Secor, is awarded annually to a high school senior in Hancock County who has a 3.5 grade point average or higher and plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning, full time, to pursue any undergraduate field of study in the subsequent academic year.

Candidates must exhibit a strong emphasis on service, leadership and character, with these components evaluated through the scholarship application and a required letter of recommendation.

The award for the first academic year will be $2,000 and may be renewed annually for three additional years for a total of $8,000.

The United Way of Hancock County Foundation designates a Secor Scholarship selection committee comprised of current and past United Way board members who evaluate applications, interview finalists, and select one scholarship recipient each year. Students related to anyone on the selection committee or United Way of Hancock County paid staff are ineligible to apply.

The application can only be completed digitally; no paper applications will be accepted. Access the application and more information at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/programs/secor-scholarship

For additional guidance, contact Brenna Griteman at marketing@uwhancock.org or 419-423-1432.

(ONN) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced an expansion of the H2Ohio program.

The goal of the program is to use research to improve water quality in the state.

Since it began four years ago, the program has focused on low-income areas and algae runoff into Lake Erie.

Now, with this expansion, the program will expand to help improve and maintain the state’s largest rivers including the Blanchard River.

As part of the H2Ohio Rivers program, Ohio will become the first state in the nation to undergo a statewide survey to measure its rivers for the existence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. 

The expansion of H2Ohio is funded by the General Assembly who awarded the program $270 million in funding.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum will host its Classic Movie Night on Friday, December 15th at 7:00 pm with a screening of Holiday Affair (1949).

This holiday themed romantic comedy features Janet Leigh as a war widow trying to decide between Robert Mitchum’s charming sales clerk, and Wendell Corey’s stable but boring lawyer.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public.

Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged, but not required.

There will be historical information before and discussion after. Popcorn and refreshments are provided. 

For more information about this and other upcoming events, call the museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay. 

HATS Transportation is having a transit development study done to learn how they can better serve Findlay and Hancock County

People are being asked to fill out the survey and let HATS (Hancock Area Transportation Services) know what they want and will support.

“Do you want fixed route service with bus stops? Let us know by taking our survey. We want to hear from as many community members as possible.”

Click here to fill out the survey, and here for the HATS website.

The Fostoria Police Division says a man’s story of being shot by someone wasn’t true.

Police say a man walked into the emergency room at ProMedica Hospital on Sunday with a gunshot wound that was not life-threatening.

The individual told police he was shot near the city pool by someone wearing all black and a ski mask.

Police investigated further and learned that the individual had actually physically attacked his stepfather.

While the two were fighting, there was a gun nearby.

Both grabbed for the gun and during the struggle over the gun it accidentally went off, striking the individual in the hip.

The police department says the case has been submitted to the Fostoria City Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges.

Fort Findlay Playhouse is putting on ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’.

“This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.”

Show dates are December 7-10 and 14-17.

The performance on Friday night December 15^th will be broadcast live on WFIN beginning at 8 p.m.

You’ll be able to hear it on 1330 WFIN, WFIN.com and 95.5 FM.

Get more details by clicking here for the Fort Findlay Playhouse website.

Fort Findlay Playhouse is located at 300 West Sandusky Street in Findlay.