After the heavy snow we received earlier in the week, and possibly more on the way, the Findlay Fire Department has an important safety reminder.

The fire department is urging homeowners to check their furnace exhaust pipes to make sure they’re not plugged by accumulating snow.

Blocked furnace exhaust pipes can lead to a buildup of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Fire Chief Josh Eberle says it only takes a second to check and make sure.

He says anyone who suspects they have a buildup of carbon monoxide should call 911.

Governor Mike DeWine says state officials continue to work through the logistics of opening a statewide online portal for scheduling COVID-19 vaccines.

The governor said the state’s online portal that would allow Ohioans to schedule their vaccine appointment is still a couple of weeks away.

He said the issue is that providers are slow to input their information into the system and — until they do that — he doesn’t want to go live with the online portal because he wants a good customer outcome.

Once it’s complete, DeWine says it will be a one-stop shop for vaccine appointments.

People interested in getting a vaccination will be able to put their zip code in and pull up appointments within 20 miles.

Central Scheduling Update: Ohio chose to build its own system b/c the federal gov’s system would not work for Ohio. The first phase for launching the system is complete. The site has been developed and is functional and ready from a technical standpoint.

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) February 16, 2021

Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development has announced who the tenant will be of the spec building at 2615 Crystal Avenue.

Amazon will be filling the 100,000 square foot building.

“Obviously Amazon is growing like crazy and we think it’s great to have a company like that in town, we’re really excited,” said Tim Mayle, Director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development.

Mayle says Amazon has been really easy to work with and agreed to change the address of the building to a Production Drive address and have trucks avoid Crystal Avenue.

He says the facility will operate mainly during the daytime.

Mayle says Amazon will be investing $5 million in the property and plans to hire around 160 people.

He says Amazon isn’t quite ready to begin the hiring process yet, and they hope to have the operation up and running in the summer.

Mayle says the property is part of a master plan extension of Tall Timbers in that area.

He says Humble Robinson Development and the usual members of the “Findlay Formula” began planning for a spec building in 2017.

“The site location along with a business friendly community attracted us to build the spec building,” said Jerry Robinson, Managing Partner of Humble Robinson.

“Findlay is one of the fastest growing communities in northwest Ohio. Their recognition as the Top Micropolitan in the United States reflects the investments made year after year by business.”

The spec building site was developed in partnership with Jobs Ohio, Regional Growth Partnership, City of Findlay, Ohio Department of Transportation and Hancock Regional Planning Commission.

Happy to announce our #SpecBuilding tenant. Welcome @Amazon to #Findlay! #EconDev #TopMicro https://t.co/Mh6CSvBxVu

— Findlay Hancock Ohio (@FindlayHancock) February 17, 2021

Rush Limbaugh has passed away after a battle with lung cancer.

The conservative talk radio icon was 70-years-old.

His wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his show.

“Losing a loved one is terribly difficult, even more so when that loved one is larger than life.” she said.

“Rush will forever be the greatest of all time.”

Rush was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in January 2020 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump during the State of the Union a few days later.

Rush’s EIB Network issued the following statement to stations that carry his show:

It is with great sadness to inform you that Rush Limbaugh passed away today, February 17 after a long and brave battle with lung cancer. In this time of sorrow, Rush’s voice will continue to be heard, providing comfort and continued insight to his legions of loyal fans.

All of Rush’s audio has been extensively archived and cataloged by subject, topic and opinion. Given how timeless and insightful Rush’s commentary is his producers will be able to pull segments that are relevant for each day’s news cycle and allow us to feature the best of Rush for the full three hours of the program.

The familiar voices of the programs’ guest hosts will be used in the show when needed to guide Rush’s audio from one topic to another, but Rush will be the predominant voice heard for the three-hour Monday-Friday show, the AM Daily Update and The Week in Review three-hour show.

Please note that we will continue with this transitional programming until the audience is prepared to say good-bye. The long-term plan will be shared with you in the upcoming weeks.

We will mourn together in a respectful way and celebrate the incredible life of Rush with his millions of loyal listeners. Today, a three hour tribute will air in Rush’s regular time slot. Follow-up information will be posted on www.rushlimbaugh.com.

A man plowing snow with an ATV was killed when he was hit by a vehicle in Wood County.

The crash happened in the 23000 block of Bradner Road at around 8:20 Tuesday morning.

The operator of the ATV, Edwardo Torres II, 48 was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the SUV, Jason Minarik, 47, was not injured.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office says ATV failed to yield the right of way to the SUV.

The sheriff’s office says the crash remains under investigation.

Findlay City Schools will be operating on a two-hour delay on Wednesday, February 17th.

FCS was closed on Tuesday due to the winter storm.

Many other districts are on a two-hour delay for Wednesday and some are closed for a second day.

Get the full rundown of school delays and closings here.

As of this posting at 7:45 Tuesday night Hancock County was under a Level 1 Road Alert.

Findlay City Schools will operate on a two hour delay Wednesday Feb. 17th pic.twitter.com/A0BZSMQ1jd

— Findlay High School (@FindlayHS) February 16, 2021

Hancock County has been downgraded to a Level 1 Road Alert as of 2:30 Tuesday afternoon.

The Level 3 Snow Emergency that went into effect at around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday is no longer in effect.

Level 1 means roads are hazardous and to drive with caution.

The different designations are as follows:

Level 1 – roadways are hazardous and you should drive with extreme caution.

Level 2 – roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and/or flooding. Only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be on the roadways.

Level 3 – most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited

The road/weather alert levels for other area counties can be found here.

The Findlay Fire Department is asking people to be a good neighbor and to clear the snow from around the nearest fire hydrant.

Fire Chief Josh Eberle says people can really help themselves, their neighbors and the fire department by making sure hydrants are visible and accessible.

“We don’t expect it to be 100 percent cleared. The main thing is that you can see it easily and get to it without too much trouble.”

He says the fire department has crews out looking for hydrants that might not be accessible and clearing the snow from around them, and he says it would be a big help if you could lend a hand as well.

The chief says this is a great opportunity to talk with your kids about fire safety, too.

And people can reply to the fire department’s Facebook page with a picture of their family shoveling around their hydrant.

UPDATE – Hancock County has been downgraded to a Level 1 Road Alert as of 2:30 Tuesday afternoon.

Hancock County was placed under a Level 3 Snow Emergency by the sheriff’s office at around 12:30 Tuesday morning.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office defines a Level 3 Emergency as: Most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous/flooded. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited.

Earlier, Seneca County went to a Level 3, closing roadways to non-emergency personnel.

Wyandot and Putnam Counties were also at a Level 3.

The road/weather alert levels for other area counties can be found here.

Persistent snow and high winds were causing blizzard-like conditions and making some roads impassable, especially in rural areas.

Once this snow finally leaves the area, Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with a high around 18 but the wind chill will be -2 at times.

Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy with a low around zero.

(the video below was taken at around 11:45 Monday night)

Findlay City Schools will be closed on Tuesday, February 16th due to the winter storm hitting the area.

There will be no remote learning.

It will be a calamity day.

Happy sledding kids.

Get the full rundown of school closings here.

Hancock County was placed under a Level 2 Road Alert on Monday night.

Findlay City Schools will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 16th due to the weather. No remote learning. Calamity day. pic.twitter.com/5SWysbOzm1

— Findlay High School (@FindlayHS) February 16, 2021