Category Archives: Local News

Ohio Now Listed On Ohio Travel Advisory Map

(ONN) – Ohio officials are urging caution for those traveling.

The Ohio Department of Health has released its new travel advisory map…and you’ll notice Ohio is highlighted.

The Buckeye State is now above 15 percent positivity rate, which has been the threshold for having to quarantine if you travel to any state that has hit that mark.

Those entering Ohio after travel to states reporting positive testing rates of 15 percent or higher for COVID-19 are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The Ohio Department of Health is advising Ohioans to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out.

 

Wreaths Across America Day Approaching

Wreaths Across America Day is still happening this year, despite the pandemic.

The Findlay Wreaths Across America event takes place at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, President of Garner Trucking and coordinator of the Findlay event, says they’ll place wreaths at even more Veterans’ graves this year.

“We’ll be laying 1,200 wreaths this year and we’re really excited about being able to recognize more of our Veterans this year.”

 

 

The last two years, she says they placed wreaths at about 1,000 Veteran’s graves.

Maple Grove is the final resting place for about 5,000 Veterans and she hopes to someday be able to place a wreath at each Veteran’s grave.

She says it couldn’t be done without a lot of support from the community.

 

 

 

 

The mission statement of Wreaths Across America is Remember, Honor, Teach.

REMEMBER our fallen, HONOR those serve, and TEACH those in the community about our veterans sacrifices.

Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 19th.

Sherri says there will be no ceremony this year because of COVID, but they will play Taps at 10 a.m. and then volunteers will start placing the wreaths.

She says they’re still looking for volunteers.

Learn more about the event and how you can help by clicking here.

Video from last year’s event can be seen below.

 

Active COVID Cases, Deaths Increase In Hancock County

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Hancock County and the number of deaths from the virus both increased in the Wednesday numbers released by the health department.

Hancock Public Health reported on Wednesday that there were 345 active cases of the virus in the county, an increase of 22 from Monday.

Active cases are patients who are currently under quarantine or in isolation.

Total cases on Wednesday stood at 2,799, an increase of 76 from Monday.

On Wednesday, 42 people were hospitalized with the virus, an increase of eight from Monday.

46 Hancock County residents have died from the virus as of Wednesday, an increase of four from Monday.

Statewide, there have been more than 437,000 cases and more than 6,600 deaths since the pandemic started.

 

 

 

Cooper Tire Named To Forbes World’s Best Employers List

Cooper Tire finds itself on the World’s Best Employers list compiled by Forbes.

Details are in the following news release from Cooper Tire.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has been recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Employers 2020. Cooper placed within the top 20 percent, ranking 143 out of 750 companies on the list, and ranked highly in the automotive industry, placing second among six tire companies in the category. In partnership with market research firm Statista, Forbes compiled the ranking based on employee ratings of their employer on topics such as economic footprint, gender equality, social responsibility, talent development and COVID-19 response.

“Cooper is comprised of dedicated employees focused on living our company purpose, which states that everyone deserves to travel through life’s journeys with confidence, and Cooper is there at every turn. Being ranked a World’s Best Employer speaks volumes about our company culture and practices, and the pride employees take in being part of the Cooper team,” said Paula Whitesell, Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are pleased to earn this recognition and are dedicated to continual improvement to meet and exceed the expectations of all of our stakeholders, including our employees.”

Cooper has focused on efforts to enhance the employee experience including creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Cooper scored a 100 percent on the 2020 Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and was named a Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality. In 2019, Cooper was recognized by both the Women’s Forum of New York and 2020 Women on Boards for female representation on its company Board of Directors.

The Forbes World’s Best Employer 2020 list is composed of 750 multinational and large corporations headquartered in 45 countries. To compile the list, Forbes surveyed 160,000 full-time and part-time workers from 58 countries working for businesses with operations in multiple nations or regions. Surveys were conducted on a rolling basis from June to July. To learn more about Forbes World’s Best Employers 2020, click here.

 

WFIN News

 

 

Pop-Up COVID Testing Site Coming To Ottawa

The Ohio Department of Health will be holding a COVID-19 testing event in Ottawa.

The pop-up testing site will be at the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Sunday, December 6th from noon to 4.

The department of health says anyone can get a no-cost test during the event although quantities may be limited.

No appointment or health provider referral is needed.

State data shows 54 Putnam County residents have died from the virus as of Tuesday.

 

Sheriff’s Office Not Issuing Citations For Curfew Violations

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says it has been receiving several questions about the 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew set by Governor DeWine.

The sheriff’s office says deputies are not currently issuing citations for curfew violations or stopping vehicles on that suspicion.

The sheriff’s office points out that people, should they be pulled over for a traffic violation, should have a reason as to why they’re out during the curfew hours.

The sheriff’s office urges everyone to stay healthy and safe and says further questions can be directed to their Facebook page.

 

 

 

Final Week Of Leaf Pick Up In Findlay

The City of Findlay’s leaf collection will wrap up this week.

The last pick up will be on Friday, December 4th.

People should make sure their bagged leaves are at the curb before 7 a.m. on Friday.

City workers will pick up leaves that have been placed in biodegradable paper bags at the curb.

The city makes clear that plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up.

The city is reminding people to not rake leaves into the street, as leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potentially flooding.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge.

The current hours for the site are Tuesday through Friday 1pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-4pm, closed Sunday, Monday.

The last day for the green waste site for the season is Saturday, December 5th.

 

Dog Tags Cannot Be Purchased At Auditor’s Office

The Hancock County Auditor’s Office says dog tags will not be sold in person at their office due to the pandemic.

Dog tags went on sale on Tuesday. The registration process runs from December 1st through January 31st.

The Hancock County Auditor’s Office is requiring that registrations be mailed, placed in the drop box at the courthouse or updated on the auditor’s website to purchase a tag online.

Some satellite locations are still available for onsite purchases such as Blanchard Valley Vet Clinic and Pet Supplies Plus.

A 2021 dog license costs $20.

Hancock County Auditor Charity Rauschenberg wants dog owners to know about their online “Lost Dog Search” to help reunite lost dogs with their owners. A link to the search is available by clicking here.

 

 

GOP Lawmakers Trying To Impeach Governor Over COVID Rules

A group of Republican state lawmakers from the Miami Valley region has filed articles of impeachment against Governor Mike DeWine.

Representative John Becker of Union Township in Clermont County filed the motion while being joined by Candice Keller of Middletown, Nino Vitale of Urbana, and Paul Zeltwanger of Mason.

Becker says the governor is abusing his power during the pandemic and his policies to stop COVID-19 made Ohio a hostile working environment.

DeWine fired back against the motion during his Monday news conference.

 

 

Under Ohio law, a majority in the House of Representatives must vote to impeach, and then the Senate would need a two-thirds vote to remove the governor from office.