3/21/17 – 9:19 A.M.
The Hancock County Engineer’s Office is closing a county road for around two weeks starting next Monday. A release from the office says County Road 86 will close for repair work between State Route 12 and Township Road 128 starting March 27. The office expects the closure to last through April 7.
You’re advised to use caution in the area. The engineer’s office will post detours.
3/21/17 – 6:41 A.M.
An analytics company has named Blanchard Valley Hospital one of the nations’ top 100 hospitals. It’s the fifth time Truven Health Analytics has put Blanchard Valley in its top 100. The company identified the 100 top U.S. hospitals based on the overall organizational performance by more than 3,000 hospitals.
The study found that the top-performing hospitals in the country could improve outcomes while reducing overall expense per patient.
3/21/17 – 5:32 A.M.
A Putnam County Village is in the running for a Neighborhood Revitalization Grant. The Putnam County Sentinel reports Continental officials are using the results of a community survey to figure out what projects would get funding from the grant. Survey results showed residents want to see street and sidewalk improvements, a recycling program, and new park and recreation facilities among other items.
Poggemeyer Design Group will take the results and come up with three or four projects. The village will include the projects in their application for NRG funding.
MORE: Putnam County Sentinel
3/21/17 – 5:24 A.M.
Carey’s mayor and law director say they are stepping down from their jobs. The Courier reports Mayor Armand Getz and Law Director Emily Beckly say they have received threats after the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer weren’t recited at the last village council meeting. During the March 6 meeting, Getz announced the pledge wouldn’t be apart of meeting agendas going forward. Beckly recommended the same for the prayer, citing a lawsuit against a village in Michigan over saying the Lord’s Prayer.
On Monday, Carey’s council voted unanimously to reinstate the pledge and call for a moment of silence at the beginning of every meeting.
Getz said, “If I thought for one minute that someone could conscientiously object to one or both the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance and not suffer any adverse consequences, I would have left it alone.” His resignation is effective April 1. He had already decided not to run for reelection.
MORE: The Courier
3/21/17 – 5:13 A.M.
Several elected officials and community leaders are going to talk about the ongoing opioid epidemic at a meeting in Findlay next week. The town hall meeting is set for March 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Findlay Presbyterian Church’s Great Room. You’re invited to attend. Organizers say public input will help guide the Hancock County Opiate Task Force to become more effective in creating a safe and healthy community.
State Senator Cliff Hite, State Representative Robert Sprague, Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik, and Hancock County Commissioner Tim Bechtol will all attend. Local law enforcement and judges are also attending.
3/21/17 – 5:05 A.M.
The Liberty-Benton school district will have their own before-and-after school program next year. The Courier reports the LB school board approved “The Nest” program to watch K-5 students. The Findlay City school district currently runs the FABBS program at LB, but opted to end the program in Liberty-Benton after this year. During Monday’s meeting, interim Superintendent Larry Cook said he wasn’t sure why Findlay made the move.
So far there is no word on what the program is going to cost. Cook said the fee will self-fund the program. FABBS is also a self-funded program.
MORE: The Courier
03/20/17 – 5:50 P.M.
Findlay City Council will hear a proposed ban on riding bicycles on downtown sidewalks tomorrow. The Courier reports that city officials have received numerous complaints about bicyclists almost hitting pedestrians. The legislation will ban riding a bicycle from Center to Lincoln streets and on the first alleys east and west of Main Street.
The first offense will have a penalty of a fine up to $150. A second offense could cost you up to $250 and a third could cost you $500.
Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer said there would be some leniency in the legislation. If you’re walking a bike or slowly pedaling you probably won’t face a violation.
Council will hear the proposal tomorrow at their 7:30 p.m. meeting.
03/20/17 – 5:40 P.M.
Blanchard Valley Center will have their celebrity basketball game Tuesday. Quality Service Director Denise Roush told WKXA’s Dave Crosser that there are plenty of celebrities.
The doors open at 7 p.m. and there’s no cost to get in. The games will be held at the University of Findlay’s Croy Gym.
03/20/17 – 4:52 P.M.
This week is severe weather awareness week and the Hancock County EMA has some helpful tips. Director Lee Swisher says that you should stay up to date.
Swisher says there are areas you should head to if there is a severe weather warning was issued.
Swisher said it is important to keep up to date with severe weather information. He also says that you should make a kit that has a battery-operated radio, water, canned food, and flashlights.
03/20/17 – 2:35 P.M.
Findlay Rotary club got a presentation from Dietsch Brothers about the chocolate company. Erika Dietsch-Brokamp said they plan on continuing what they’ve done the past 80 years but aren’t afraid to try something new.
Dietsch-Brokamp said that the family business has been doing so well because of the new generation of employees. She said that these employees help drive production and lead the company into new directions. This has lead to several expansions.