The railroad crossing gate in the eastbound lane of East Sandusky Street in Findlay was knocked down in an apparent hit-skip crash around 5 o’clock Saturday afternoon.
An officer was on the scene with his lights on to let drivers know something had happened.
A few minutes after the crossing gate was damaged a train came by and the one operational crossing gate came down.
The crossing gate was quickly replaced.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is making sure the newest members of Buckeye Nation are appropriately attired as the football Buckeyes ready for the national title game.
The hospital posted on its Twitter account pictures of two babies in a scarlet-colored sleep swaddle that says ‘Beat Alabama 2021’.
The hospital says all Buckeye Babies born at the Wexner Medical Center through Monday will receive one of the special Beat Alabama sleep swaddles.
Ohio State plays Alabama in the college football championship game on Monday night in Miami.
Our newest members of #BuckeyeNation are suiting up to cheer on @OhioStateFB in the @CFBPlayoff! All #BuckeyeBabies born at #OSUWexMed through Monday (1/11) will receive a special #BeatBama sleep swaddle. #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/rCvHjCxL4M
— The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center ? (@OSUWexMed) January 8, 2021
The University of Michigan and football coach Jim Harbaugh have reached a deal on a contract extension through the 2025 season.
Harbaugh had one year left on his current contract, which paid him a little more than $8 million in 2020.
ESPN reports that Harbaugh’s new contract will pay him a base salary of $4 million next season, which will increase to $4.426 million in 2025. And he can earn a maximum bonus of $3.475 million in each year of the contract.
The Wolverines are 49-22 with him as head coach and 34-16 in the Big Ten.
He is 0-5 against Ohio State.
The two teams didn’t play in 2020 because Michigan called off the game due to COVID cases in their program.
(above picture courtesy of Columbus Wired)
OFFICIAL: Warde Manuel Announces Contract Extension for Coach Jim Harbaugh » https://t.co/UZKP40GZJ8
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 8, 2021
A hotline has been established by 50 North to help Hancock County seniors get pre-registered to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Executive Director Carolyn Copus says Hancock Public Health was getting overwhelmed with the number of people contacting them for assistance in signing up so they stepped in to help out.
She says 50 North registered more than 450 seniors on Friday, the first day the hotline was up.
Seniors can call 50 North at 419-423-8496 to get pre-registered.
An online form is also available by clicking here.
Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination program is underway now.
Phase 1B, which includes people 65 and older, is expected to begin the week of January 18th.
Phase 1A
– Healthcare Workers
– EMS responders
– staff and residents at long-term care facilities
Phase 1B
– people age 65 and older
– people living with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical conditions
– adults who work in schools (K-12)
Blanchard Valley Health System and the University of Findlay have formed a partnership to encourage more students from northwest Ohio to consider healthcare majors and to retain them for local employment.
UF President Dr. Katherine Fell (audio below) says the collaboration will enable their students and graduates to gain the experience necessary to serve our community for many years to come.
“Together, in this partnership, we will be able to deliver even stronger healthcare to our neighbors near and far,” Fell said.
Scott Malaney, BVHS president and CEO, is excited about the collaboration.
“Ensuring that as many students as possible get their practical experiences with us strengthens the pipeline of people we could have access to for hiring.”
To further support University of Findlay students entering healthcare fields of study, a scholarship will be developed in the near future.
Get more on the collaboration by listening to Malaney and Fell during the announcement below.
The United Way of Hancock County‘s free tax preparation program will not be available this year.
About 1,700 people were signed up for the program last year.
Get more details by clicking here and in the following release from the United Way of Hancock County.
In the interest of COVID19 safety for both clients and volunteers, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) has been canceled for this year.
“While we know our clients, who are our friends and neighbors will be disappointed, as are the volunteers; it is with an abundance of caution that we make our decision,” said Larry McDaniel, who heads up the tax volunteers, in an email statement. “The health and safety of our volunteers and clients is paramount in our decision.”
VITA is an IRS-sponsored community service designed to help low- to moderate-income households prepare and file their taxes free of charge. It is made possible by a partnership between the Findlay Area Tax Volunteers, United Way of Hancock County, VITA and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.
Last year, more than 1,700 tax returns were slated for completion through VITA. The volunteers were able to complete about 1,000 before the operation was halted March 16 because of the pandemic.
Depending on contact information provided, those who signed up for the program last year will receive a phone call from a UWHC volunteer, an email, or a text alert to notify them of the cancellation.
Legally, United Way of Hancock County is not able to refer clients to other tax services. However, an online search of “Tax Return Services, Findlay, Ohio” or key words “Tax Return Preparation, “Tax Consultants” in the yellow pages of the phone book will lead to tax service providers.
McDaniel said the VITA volunteers hope to revisit the program in the future. Deadline to file for 2020 taxes is currently April 15.
Those who are trying to find last year’s tax returns for their 2020-2021 taxes, were sent a copy of their return via email or were provided a paper copy after their taxes were completed by the VITA volunteers. Since VITA has not applied to be a tax preparer in 2021, they do not have access to last year’s files and returns.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the tentative dates for Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.
DeWine says the next group to get the vaccine on January 19th will be people 80 and older who don’t live in nursing homes.
They will be followed by those 75 and older on January 25th, 70 and older on February 1st and February 8th for Ohioans over the age of 65.
DeWine also plans to begin vaccinations for school workers next month, with the goal of fulling reopening schools by March 1st.
Hancock Public Health is offering pre-registration for people in Phase 1A or Phase 1B who want to get the vaccine.
More info on Phase 1B: On Tuesday, January 19th vaccinations will be available to those who are 80 years of age and older. Those 80 and older, outside of long-term care, constitute up to 420,000 people. We expect to receive 100,000 doses that first week.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) January 7, 2021
The Ohio Department of Transportation is taking public comment regarding two proposed bridge projects just outside the Findlay city limits.
One of the bridges being repaired is the one over the Blanchard River just west of the County Road 236 intersection.
The Blanchard River is designated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a recreational water trail.
As a public recreational resource, this portion of the river is protected under federal law.
The use of federal funds requires measures to be developed to minimize harm, and advance public notice be given of impacts to this public recreational resource.
This project has been developed to be constructed without any impacts to recreational boaters.
The other structure being repaired is the bridge carrying State Route 568 over a small tributary to the Blanchard River located about a half-mile east of the County Road 236 intersection.
Construction at both structures is anticipated to occur in the summer of 2023 and will result in temporary road closures.
Vehicular traffic will be detoured. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.
The work at both these structures will occur in the regulated floodplain of the Blanchard River.
ODOT says the impacts to the floodplain are anticipated to be minor and the carrying capacity of the Blanchard River will be maintained.
A statement of findings detailing the results of the final floodplain analysis will be made available on the ODOT District 1 environmental website here.
Written comments regarding the projects may be sent to: Ohio Department of Transportation District 1, Attn: Nate Tessler, 1885 N. McCullough Street, Lima, Ohio 45801; or to nate.tessler@dot.ohio.gov
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says an employee of Kalida Manufacturing Incorporated was injured in an industrial accident.
The sheriff’s office says the accident happened at 10:51 Wednesday morning.
The employee that was injured is male, but other than that no other information has been released.
The sheriff’s office says the matter is still under investigation.
Hancock Public Health is encouraging people in the first two phases who want the COVID-19 vaccine to pre-register.
People who are considered Phase 1A and/or Phase 1B and would like to receive the vaccine should complete the form by clicking on this link to pre-register.
Health officials say, at this point, they don’t have exact dates and timeframes as the timing depends on the availability of the vaccine.
Phase 1A has been underway since December 23rd.
Once Hancock County begins Phase 1B, they will notify people via the phone number and/or email address you provide.
Ohio’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard shows 919 people in Hancock County have received the vaccine as of Wednesday.
Phase 1A
– Healthcare Workers
– EMS responders
– staff and residents at long-term care facilities
Phase 1B
– people age 65 and older
– people living with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical conditions
– adults who work in schools (K-12)