This is Rail Safety Week, and agencies like the Ohio State Highway Patrol are taking to social media to remind people to obey all safety devices at railroad crossings.

Officials say you can stop track tragedies by never driving around a lowered gate and never trying to beat an approaching train.

The highway patrol says, not only is that illegal, it’s also potentially deadly.

Get more on Rail Safety Week by clicking here.

 

During #RailSafetyWeek remember to obey all safety devices at rail grade crossings. #STOPTrackTragedies by never driving around a lowered gate and never try to beat an approaching train. Not only is it illegal, but it is dangerous! @CSX @SafeCommWC pic.twitter.com/MkuHlI0rXR

— OSHP_NWOhio (@OSHP_NWOhio) September 23, 2020

 

 

The City of Findlay is in the process of updating its zoning map that was adopted in 1956.

The city says the update is necessary to correct inconsistencies between the existing use of properties and their current zoning classification.

Those inconsistencies can cause limitations on property utilization and cost the owner time and money to get the property properly classified.

The city says the owner would often encounter such a zoning issue when selling or making changes to the property.

Findlay officials say the updates will affect about 7,000 parcels out of a total of 20,000 in the city.

The city sent out postcards to those 7,000 addresses explaining the need for the change.

The city points out that the proposed zoning change will not change the size of a property or change the property taxes.

The city says, in most cases, the change will not lower the property value, but in some cases it might.

Property owners may choose to opt-out of the proposed change.

The city recently held an online public meeting on the issue that you can watch below.

 

 

 

(ONN) – The Ohio Senate has approved legislation that would prohibit the statewide or regional closing of gun stores, even during a pandemic.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, Senate President Larry Obhof himself sponsored Senate Bill 360, fast-tracking it through the chamber’s legislative process.

Obhof said that, while Governor DeWine has been respectful of the Second Amendment and did not attempt to force licensed firearm dealers to close, the proposed law changes would ensure future state and local officials follow suit.

The National Rifle Association and other advocates support the legislation.

 

The number of total and active COVID-19 cases went up in the latest data from Hancock Public Health.

The agency on Wednesday said there were 682 total cases, an increase of 20 from Monday.

Active cases were at 56 on Wednesday, an increase of 11 from Monday.

An active case means the patient is currently under quarantine or isolation.

Hancock Public Health says 56 people have been hospitalized from the virus in Hancock County since the beginning of the pandemic and ten have died.

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

State data show Putnam County has had 568 cases and 23 deaths.

Putnam County is still at level 3, or the red level.

 

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has taken the first step toward blocking a fee on Ohioans’ electric bills that’s at the center of a nearly $61 million bribery scheme.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that Yost filed a lawsuit in Franklin County asking a judge to block payments to Energy Harbor, which owns two nuclear plants in northern Ohio, slated to hit Ohioans’ electric bills in January.

These fees for the nuclear company, previously called FirstEnergy Solutions, are at the center of a federal investigation that allegedly involves former GOP speaker Larry Householder, former Ohio Republican Party chairman Matt Borges and three others.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says Ohioans can expect stunning fall colors across the state this year.

This year, the ODNR Division of Forestry is expecting peak color to arrive in mid-to-late October.

“It is still a little too early to see trees changing color right now, but you can expect to see patches of colors in the northern part of the state early next week,” said ODNR Fall Color Forester Jamie Regula.

“Ohio is fortunate to have 125 different tree species which will provide a wide spectrum of colors ranging from deep reds to golden and light yellows. Look for species such as black gum, ash, and the Ohio buckeye that will be some of the first to change color.”

The ODNR says forecasting fall color can be difficult as foresters must consider several variables such as sunlight, temperature, wind, and rainfall when estimating the intensity and longevity of leaf color.

The ODNR’s Fall Color Reports will begin on September 30th and can be seen on the ODNR’s fall color website.

 

The United Way of Hancock County‘s Days of Caring service event is being held this week.

Around 220 volunteers from both small and large corporations are helping out by providing much-needed services to local nonprofits.

We caught up with Kate as she and some others from Marathon Petroleum were brightening up a hallway at the Family Resource Center in Findlay with some fresh paint.

 

 

Days of Caring is typically held in May but was rescheduled because of the pandemic.

This year, volunteers are tackling 61 projects at 16 local nonprofit agencies, completing 872 service hours.

The United Way has worked with Hancock Public Health to establish COVID19 safety protocols for each project.

Days of Caring comes just a week after the United Way unveiled this year’s campaign showcasing its main kickoff event, “Masked Singers LIVE UNITED.”

The virtual masked singing competition between 9 local contestant volunteers began September 16th and takes place live each Wednesday on the United Way’s Facebook page.

 

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/1330wfin/videos/699316884034864/” width=”800″ height=”” onlyvideo=”1″]

 

 

A local woman we had the pleasure of meeting during her last two birthday celebrations has passed away at the age of 107.

Mary Eleanor Ronez died on September 16th and her funeral service was held on Monday.

Eleanor lived at The Heritage in Findlay and in August a drive-by parade was held for her 107th birthday.

Her granddaughter Valerie says Eleanor loved the surprise, especially the part when Dietsch Brothers drove by and dropped off a three-pound box of assorted creams, which has about 107 pieces of candy.

We met Eleanor in 2019 when she turned 106, and she said the secret to living a long life was no drinking, smoking or swearing.

Eleanor was born on August 3rd, 1913 in Elyria, Ohio.

Click here to read her obituary.

(below are videos from her birthday celebrations the last two years)

 

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/1330wfin/videos/336731340606681/” width=”800″ height=”” onlyvideo=”1″]

 

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/1330wfin/videos/753624598737417/” width=”800″ height=”” onlyvideo=”1″]

 

 

After weeks of coming in at the top of the list, Putnam County now has the second-highest occurrence of COVID cases in the state based on population.

The latest data released by the governor on Tuesday shows Mercer County now has the highest occurrence at 255 cases per 100,000 people.

Putnam County is at a rate of 236.3 cases per 100,000 people and has had 80 cases from September 7th through the 20th.

State data shows Putnam County has had 558 cases of the coronavirus and 23 deaths.

Putnam County is still at level 3, or the red level, on the state’s COVID-19 alert map.

Hancock County has had 662 cases of the virus in the county and ten deaths.

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

 

Top 20 counties rated by highest occurrence ⬇

There is a mix of urban, rural, and suburban counties in the top 20. Many are in the western part of the state. pic.twitter.com/9G0d3toBCt

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 22, 2020

The University of Findlay’s Fridays at Findlay lecture series will feature former NFL defensive coordinator Dean Pees.

“Leadership Lessons Learned On and Off the Field” will be presented completely virtually from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, September 25th and is free to the public.

While Pees is widely known as the former defensive coordinator for the Patriots, Ravens and Titans, Pees got his start in northwest Ohio as head football coach at Elmwood High School, and then as an assistant coach at Findlay College.

During the talk, Pees will share leadership insights he has gained on his journey from high school football coach to becoming one of just eight defensive coordinators in NFL history to coach in a Super Bowl with two different teams.

Sponsored by Premier Bank (formerly First Federal Bank), the Fridays at Findlay lecture series is designed to encourage continued educational opportunities for members of the community, the campus, and alumni regarding best leadership practices.

To register and for more information, visit the Fridays at Findlay webpage, or contact the University of Findlay Division of Advancement at 419-434-5334 or erin.thompson@findlay.edu.