The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that happened south of McComb.

The crash happened Tuesday morning at the intersection of State Route 235 and County Road 96.

The sheriff’s office says Colt Eck, 30, of Findlay, was eastbound on County Road 96 in a Ford Explorer when he ran the stop sign at 235 and struck a Ford F-150 that was northbound on 235 and being operated by 45-year-old Timothy Brown, of McComb.

Both vehicles overturned and came to rest in a field. Brown was ejected from his vehicle.

The sheriff’s office said both drivers were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital and Brown was pronounced dead at the hospital and Eck suffered minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on State Route 15 near mile post 18 in Jackson Township. The crash occurred on September 3, 2024, at approximately 7:30 A.M.

A 2003 Ford Focus driven by 41-year-old, Mark Beeman of Galion Ohio, was traveling westbound on State Route 15 near mile post 18 in the left lane. A 2022 Freightliner driven by 35-year-old, Faysal Wais of Columbus Ohio, was traveling eastbound on State Route 15 in the right lane of travel. The 2003 Ford Focus went off the left side of the roadway, Mr. Beeman over-corrected causing his vehicle to swerve into the right lane in the westbound lane.

Mr. Beeman over-corrected to the left and caused his vehicle to go off of the left side of the roadway into the median. The Ford Focus crossed the median and traveled into the oncoming lane of travel of the Freightliner, striking it head on. The 2003 Ford Focus came to rest in the median, and the Freightliner came to rest in the right lane.

Mr. Beeman was ejected from the vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries, and was transported by air-ambulance to St. Vincent Medical Center. Mr. Wais did not receive any injures from the crash. Impairment does not believe to be a factor in the crash, and Mr. Beeman was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, HANCO EMS, ODOT, BG Towing and Repair, and ED’s Towing.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Do you have your tickets for this Saturday’s Historic Barn Tour?!

The Hancock Historical Museum’s Historic Barn Tour has been recognized as one of the best preservation programs in the state.

This year, the history, music, food and fun will continue on September 7th!

Don’t miss a great day in the country, full of the sights, tastes and sounds of Hancock County’s rural heritage!

Pre-sale tickets are available at the Hancock Historical Museum or on our website until Friday, September 6th, at 4:00pm and tickets will be available the day of the event at any of the barns. Children 16 and younger are free!

For more information, visit https://www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org/historic-barn-tour

Pictured below is the Traucht-Saum Barn, stop #3 on Saturday’s tour!

“Each barn has its own unique story,” said museum director Sarah Foltz who spoke with  WFIN’s Chris Oaks about the barn tour. 

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a two-vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred in Huron County in Greenfield Township. The crash happened at approximately 7:15 AM on September 3. 

The preliminary investigation showed that unit #1, a 2014 Dodge Avenger operated by Logan T. Lewis, age 16, of Willard, OH, was northbound on State Route 61. Unit #2, a 2012 Freightliner semi-truck and trailer, operated by Benjamin D. Mckillips, age 45 of Berlin Heights, OH, was southbound on State Route 61.

Unit #1 traveled left of the centerline and struck Unit #2 head-on. Post collision, Unit #1 came to rest off the east side of State Route 61 and Unit #2 came to rest off the west side of State Route 61. Unit #2 caught fire after the collision.

The driver of Unit #1 sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of Unit #2 sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, and was transported to Willard Hospital, where he was then transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Toledo by Life Flight.

The crash remains under investigation at this time. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Huron County Coroner’s Office, Fairfield Township Fire Department, Willard Fire and Rescue, and Wilcox Garage.

(From Allen-Kramp Wealth Management)

Approximately 22 veterans take their life each day. That’s one loss every 65 minutes.

On Thursday, September 5th, a Silent Watch will be held from 7AM – 5:30PM in front of the Hancock County Courthouse to show our veterans that we stand with them in their fight against suicide and to show them that they do not have to fight alone.

A flag-draped casket will honorably be carried from the backside of the Hancock County Courthouse to the front sidewalk by veteran and active-duty military and set in place at 7AM. Opening ceremonies will begin promptly with volunteers showing support by standing guard and changing out every 22 minutes.

This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Hancock County Veteran Service Office will be in attendance with mental health support information.

The last stand will take place around 5:20PM with the hosts, Titus Allen, Rodney Kramp, Marcy Bibler, Leah Cook and Nicole Wagner from Allen-Kramp Wealth Management (AK).

AK is hosting this event this year in honor and memory of their late friend, Gaven Smith (United States Marine Corps), and his fellow fallen.

The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is making it easier to register for classes, camps, and more.

“Our brand new registration software is here and ready for YOU!”

“Art clubs, workshops, classes, camps and more now have one home for registration at MCPA.org/Register.”

NAMI Hancock County in collaboration with the Hancock Park District has created a Mindfulness Path at Riverbend Recreation Area.

People are encouraged to take a walk around the 1.2 mile Loop Trail at Riverbend and find Mindfulness posters with meditations, breathing exercises and more.

“Take a stroll around the pond and beyond the dog park to locate all eleven Mindfulness posters.”

The Loop Trail is open during park hours and is ADA accessible.

(ONN) – Scam texts have led the Ohio Turnpike to suspend unpaid fees.

The Ohio Turnpike has announced that it is suspending all late fees and collections attempts for customers who received invoices and Ohio BMV registration holds.

In April, new toll plazas were built to eliminate the need for stopping for EZ pass customers.

The suspension is designed to give turnpike travelers time to adjust to the new system.

The turnpike also warns of continued scams where unsuspecting customers receive texts asking for payment of late fees and threatening jail time.

 The turnpike never asks customers to pay by text.

(ONN) – Ohio’s Secretary of State is coming under fire from legislators in the Cincinnati area over voting rules.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose is being accused of attempted voter suppression by the leaders of the Hamilton County Democratic Party.

They claim that his actions deliberately limit the voices of citizens by placing undue restrictions on those who vote absentee.

A news conference was held Tuesday morning which included US Representative Greg Landsman, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, county commissioners and others.

In addition to absentee rules, LaRose is seeking legislative action to require proof of citizenship in order to vote.

Big changes could be coming to the location of the Findlay Village Mall.

On the agenda for the September 12 meeting of the Findlay City Planning Commission is an application for site plan review for a new 131,809 square foot big box retail store at 1800 Tiffin Avenue, the location of the Findlay Village Mall.

The applicant is Rocky Five Investments, the owner of the mall.

WFIN reached out to the city and the city stated that the application the City Planning Commission received did not include the name of the big box retailer. 

The agenda for the planning commission’s September meeting can be seen below.

The Findlay City Planning Commission’s next meeting is September 12 at 9 a.m. in City Council Chambers.