3/17/17 – 5:10 A.M.

A Putnam County judge has found a man charged with murder competent to stand trial. The Putnam County Sentinel reports Judge Randall Basinger made his decision in the case of Travis Soto Thursday. Prosecutors have charged Soto with aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence in the death of his two-year-old son in 2006.

Soto reportedly went to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office last summer and admitted to the crime. He had already pleaded guilty to a charge of child endangerment and spent time in prison for the incident.

Soto was living in Continental in 2006 when he ran over 2-year-old Julio Baldoza with an ATV. At the time he told investigators he was coming around a corner and didn’t see the boy. He didn’t seek medical treatment, and the boy died hours later.

MORE: Putnam County Sentinel

3/17/17 – 4:57 A.M.

Hancock County has bought another property for flood mitigation. The Courier reports the commissioners agreed to buy 136 North Main Street for around $100,000. An automotive body and radiator repair shop formerly operated at that location.

The county buys properties in the Blanchard River flood plain and demolishes the buildings on them. The goal is to create open areas for flood water and to reduce damage done during flooding.

MORE: The Courier

03/16/17 – 5:32 P.M.

Safe Ride Home is offering free rides home on St. Patrick’s Day. According to a post on their facebook page, they will be offering rides from 9 a.m. Friday to 3 a.m. on Saturday. They will pick you up and take you to your home or to any hotel in Hancock County. To get a ride you can call them at 419-425-3908 or use their iRideHome app.

03/16/17 – 5:22 P.M.

The Hancock County assistant prosecutor involved in a hit-skip crash pleaded guilty to two charges Thursday. The Courier reports that 39-year-old Alex Treece admitted to leaving the scene of an accident on March 1. He also admitted to making an improper left turn.

Visiting Judge Michael Burkett was assigned to the case this week and said he wasn’t prepared to sentence Treece. He will sentence him within 30 days after a pre-sentence report is prepared.

Treece faces up to a $1,000 fine and six months in prison for leaving the scene of an accident. He faces a fine of up to $150 for the improper left turn violation. He could also face a license suspension and be forced to pay restitution.

03/16/17 – 4:12 P.M.

A new app is available through Ohio Means Jobs Hancock County and it provides a bunch of helpful features. Administrator Triena Miller said that the app will have the same details as their website and more.

Triena Miller

Miller said that this will enable you to see how far away potential jobs are. She added that the app is available in google play and the apple store.

3/16/17 – 7:43 A.M.

The Riverdale school district has named its next superintendent. The Courier reports the school board hired assistant principal Jeff Young during a Wednesday meeting. Young has worked in the district since 2006.

Current superintendent Eric Hoffman is retiring at the end of the school year. He’s been in the position since 2008.

MORE: The Courier

3/16/17 – 7:38 A.M.

A Findlay man is facing drug trafficking charges following the unsealing of a secret indictment. The Hancock County grand jury indicted 24-year-old Zachary Perkins on two counts of trafficking in cocaine and one count of permitting drug abuse in his car.

Court records show Perkins allegedly sold less than 5 grams of cocaine on two separate dates in June and July 2016. Investigators say Perkins used his car to help make a drug sale in one instance.