4/13/17 – 10:34 A.M.

The demolition of buildings in the Blanchard River floodplain has left several vacant lots around Findlay. Now work is underway to develop plans on what to do with the open areas…

Audio: Mark Gazarek

Hancock County Commissioner Mark Gazarek says they won’t build new buildings on the lots.

Gazarek says the county bought the properties with different sources of money. That means there are different restrictions on what they can do with the land in question…

Audio: Mark Gazarek

Funding for the properties came from the sales tax, FEMA, and the state.

On Thursday the commissioners voted in favor of a $7,500 contract with Stantec Engineering to help coordinate the effort.

4/13/17 – 6:55 A.M.

An emergency drill put members of the ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Staff to the test Wednesday morning. The Review-Times reports an Emergency Management Response Drill simulated a patient coming to the hospital with an infectious disease. The scenario involved a volunteer playing the role of a patient who had recently traveled to Africa. The volunteer said they were experiencing nausea, a fever and other symptoms of infectious diseases.

Emergency Services director Amy Preble said once the staff members identified the potential for an infectious disease, they put the patient in an isolation room. Doctors and nurses also put on personal protection equipment. They only learned the scenario was a drill after they completed the appropriate measures.

The hospital staff, the Seneca County General Health District, and the Seneca County Emergency Management Agency all sat down to review procedures after the drill. Hospitals all across northwest Ohio took part in similar tests Wednesday.

MORE: Review-Times

4/13/17 – 5:12 A.M.

The family of a man shot and killed in Findlay last December is reacting to a grand jury’s recent ruling in the case. The Courier reports those closest to Trey James want the man who shot James to face charges. A grand jury decided not to charge 22-year-old Travis Baldridge earlier this week.

James’ uncle Anthony James tells the newspaper there were “no innocent victims in this whole thing.” He added he wasn’t sure why James went to the house on George Street on December 9. He does believe someone should have to answer for the shooting.

James’ girlfriend Alyssa Rupple says she believes James went to the home to clear up a rumor that he stole from the people living there a few days earlier. Rupple says it has been tough to ignore social media comments that said James deserved to die.

MORE: The Courier

04/12/17 – 4:05 P.M.

Columbia Gas is trying to raise awareness of springtime gas leaks with an Easter Egg hunt across the state. The company said that they are having an egg hunt because gas smells like rotten eggs. They will have a giant egg hidden somewhere in Findlay from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow and will have advice about gas leaks. Finding the egg also gets you a chance to win a $100 gift card.

You can find clues on the egg’s location on Columbia Gas’ Facebook and twitter pages. You can also learn more about gas leaks and safety precautions on their website

04/12/14 – 1:40 P.M.

Century Health is hosting a survey to gauge how they are doing in the community. Development director Gary Bright said that they want to see what people know about Century Health.

Gary Bright

Bright added that it is okay if people aren’t aware of what Century Health is and what it does. Any information gained from the survey will help them determine what they should do next.

You can take the survey here.

04/12/17 – 10:52 A.M.

The 2016 Findlay, Arlington, Mount Cory, and Vanlue annual income tax returns are due next Tuesday. 2017 first-period estimate payments are also due then. Residents who are 18 or older must file a respective municipal income tax return. Findlay and Arlington residents that are 16 or 17-years-old and have an income subject to the tax must file as well.

You can find the forms at the Tax Department, at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, and on the city’s website. Completed income tax returns can be placed in the drop box at the Municipal Building. It will be in the east curbed island of the West Crawford Street parking lot.

For help, you can call 419-424-7133.