(From the Hancock METRICH Enforcement Unit)

On 10/25/24 at approx. 0445hrs. the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force assisted by the Findlay Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed a narcotic search warrant at 329 E Foulke Ave., Findlay, Ohio.

The search of the residence yielded suspected methamphetamine, suspected Fentanyl, Prescription Pills, Psilocybin (mushrooms) and several items of drug paraphernalia. A 2012 Chevrolet Equinox was also seized.

As a result of the search the following persons were arrested and incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center:

Andrew Nelson (age 37)

329 E Foulke Ave

Findlay, Ohio

Charge: Possession of Methamphetamine Felony 3

Jesse Sleasman (age 34)

329 E Foulke Ave

Findlay, Ohio

Active Warrants: Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Warrant for failure to appear for obstructing official business.

Additional charges of drug trafficking and possession of drugs are expected at the conclusion of this investigation.

The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and funded in part by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

On October 23, 2024, at approximately 8:07 PM, the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report of an injury crash. A two-vehicle injury crash was reported to have occurred on County Road 21, north of County Road G in Putnam County.

During the investigation, it was determined that a 2006 Pontiac Torrent, driven by 45- year-old Thomas S. Elkins of Continental, Ohio was southbound on County Road 21.

A 2008 Honda Shadow, driven by 34-year-old David E. Wagner of Continental, Ohio was northbound on County Road 21.

Mr. Elkins attempted to turn left into a private drive, 6515 County Road 21, and was struck by Mr. Wagner’s motorcycle.

Mr. Elkins sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by Continental EMS.

Mr. Wagner was initially transported to Putnam County Ambulatory Care, but later flown to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center by Mercy Health Life Flight, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 24, 2024.

Speed is suspected to be a factor in the traffic crash.

Mr. Elkins was not restrained with a properly adjusted safety restraint, and Mr. Wagner was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Continental Fire Department, Continental EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, and Meyer’s Towing. The crash remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to always wear a properly adjusted safety restraint, and encourages motorcyclists to wear a helmet.

Construction of the new roundabout near U.S. 68 and S.R. 15 on the south side of Findlay is nearing completion.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says the roundabout is expected to open on Friday, November 1.

Construction began on August 19. 

ODOT’s Cheri Newton explains how the project came about.

ODOT says the project was needed because Township Roads 49 and 77, which provide access to U.S. 68, will be removed as part of the Eagle Creek Dry Storage Basin project, one of the projects included in the Flood-Risk Reduction Program currently underway by Hancock County and the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. 

The project will:

-Remove the current U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Connect Township Road 80 to the ramp to provide access to U.S. 68.

-Construct a new U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 68, the new U.S. 68 exit ramp, and the eastbound State Route 15 entrance ramp.

(ONN) – Ohio’s highest court has decided on a case involving animal cruelty.

A new ruling is on the books elevating animal cruelty penalties for strays.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled to convict a man of a fifth-degree felony for pouring bleach into a basement to make a stray cat leave.

The court ruled the law protects all cats and dogs — not just domesticated ones.

Vincent Price was in Findlay twice in the 1960s.

In 1963, the actor was brought here for a Town and Campus lecture that was held at the high school auditorium (MCPA).

He was taken all over town and made a stop at WFIN. (pictured above)

Price was speaking on art, and as an art connoisseur, did a reading of Walt Whitman’s poetry.

He returned in 1969 to give more lectures.

Price was known for his work in horror films, and the spoken-word sequence in Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was performed by Price.

(Information and picture courtesy of the Hancock Historical Museum)

Project HOPE’s annual Trick-or-Treat on Horseback fundraiser is happening this month. 

It will be held on two weekends; October 19 and 20, and on the 26th and 27th at 6645 Township Road 215, east of Findlay.

Project HOPE (Horses Opening People’s Eyes) is a nonprofit organization offering equine-assisted therapy.

The organization uses horses to help people dealing with emotional and behavioral challenges.

Learn more about the organization by clicking here, and sign up for the Trick-or-Treat on Horseback by clicking here.  

(ONN) – The Ohio Department of Transportation has earmarked more than $60 million for 19 public safety projects in 14 Ohio counties.

The goal is to reduce crashes by building new roundabouts and installing new cable barriers.

One of the projects is to construct a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT), in Wyandot County at County Road 4 and remove the medians at County Road 42 and Township Road 103.

These choices were based on studies from the Federal Highway Authority and the University of Dayton which found that roundabouts and cable barriers were the most effective safety choices to significantly reduce accidents.

The projects are in both urban and rural areas and most will be sponsored by ODOT.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will offer a bulk trash drop-off for Findlay residents from Saturday, November 2, to Saturday, November 9, 2024. Hours are 8am-7pm or until full on weekdays and 8am-3pm or until full on Saturdays.

Dumpsters will be at the Public Works Department, 330 N. Cory St. where city residents may dispose of unwanted debris.

Hazardous materials, commercial tires, concrete, appliances and electronics will not be accepted. Proof of residency or ID may be required.

The city will accept noncommercial vehicle tires. The tires must be off of the rim. Proof of residency in the City of Findlay and/or ID will be required.

Please note that it is illegal to transport more than ten scrap tires at any time without obtaining a registration certificate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency per ORC 3734.83.

(From Van Buren Local Schools)

On Tuesday, October 22, AgCredit representatives Dean Recker, Regional Lending Manager, and Allison Walton, Mortgage Loan Originator, visited Van Buren High School to present an $8,000 check to the Agriculture Education department, one of 10 recipients of the 2024 AgCredit Mission Fund grant.

Agriculture Education teacher Hailey Cunningham initially received a grant from CASE 4 Learning, an inquiry-based agricultural curriculum, to attend a CASE certification workshop at Montana State University last summer. Once certified, she applied for the AgCredit grant to purchase the classroom materials needed to implement the CASE curriculum, including Go Direct pH and other sensors, a tower garden, and Lab-Aids equipment.

FFA members Mia Leatherman (Treasurer), Abria Mosser (Animal Care Manager), Elle Mosser (Community Coordinator), Lydia Ponn (Reporter), Tyler Price (Sentinel), and Camden Voland (Vice President) received the check on behalf of the Van Buren FFA and Agriculture Education program.

The mission of AgCredit, which serves 18 counties in Northern Ohio, “is to create lifelong opportunities for our customers and employees by striving to be the premier cooperative lender and employer in our rural communities,” and we appreciate the opportunities they have given to our Van Buren students and staff through this grant.

The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County shared some Halloween pet safety tips during their recent appearance on 100.5 WKXA’s Wet Nose Wednesday segment.

The Humane Society’s Natalie Reffitt brought along her dog Emmett (pictured) as she spoke with WKXA’s Rex Howard about keeping pets safe during Halloween events.

As Natalie mentioned in the audio above, when it comes to dressing up your pet, if they’re fine with it, it’s okay, but you shouldn’t force them to wear something uncomfortable.

As trick-or-treaters come to your door, it’s a good idea to have your pet in a different room or behind a gate so they can’t run out of the door while it’s open.

And she says to make sure to keep candy out of reach of your pets and even be cautious about throwing away a partially eaten candy bar because your dog could find it in the trash and eat it.

The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County is located at 4550 Fostoria Avenue in Findlay.

Click here to see what animals they currently have up for adoption.