10/18/17 – 5:01 P.M.
Findlay’s Halloween Parade is coming up on Tuesday and, despite the downtown construction, the course will stay the same. Ron Knopf said that there is a dedicated team to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
Knopf said that the construction is working hard to get as much done as possible before Tuesday’s parade. He added that there will be a food court added this year open at East Crawford and Main Street.
10/18/17 – 9:31 A.M.
State Representative Robert Sprague has a clear path to the Republican nomination for State Treasurer. The Associated Press reports his opponent in next May’s primary has exited the race. In a Facebook post, Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo said he didn’t have the time or resources to continue his campaign.
On the Democratic side, former University of Cincinnati board chairman Rob Richardson Jr. is also running for the position.
Sprague and Richardson are looking to replace current auditor Josh Mandel. Mandel is running for U.S. Senate.
10/18/17 – 5:11 A.M.
UPDATE – 8:49 A.M.
UPDATE – 9:11 A.M.
Former State Senator Cliff Hite has issued a statement about sexual harassment rumors that started after his sudden resignation Tuesday. In a statement released Wednesday, Hite said, “I’m not proud of recent inappropriate conversations that I had with a state employee who did not work for me but worked in a nearby state office. After we met, I sometimes asked her for hugs and talked with her in a way that was not appropriate for a married man, father, and grandfather like myself.” Hite says he had no inappropriate contact with the woman beyond the hugs.
Hite’s wife Diane also commented on the issue. Her statement said, “I love my husband and he’s a good man but he made a mistake here. He told me all about it, apologized to me, and I forgive him.”
Hite again said family health problems forced him to resign from his position Tuesday. The statement says, “I’ve been seriously ill over the last year and have been hospitalized for several days, and I am now facing two different surgeries scheduled next month.”
The Senate Republican Caucus will have the final say on Hite’s replacement. Senate President Larry Obhof will set the selection process by the end of the week.
10/18/17 – 7:38 A.M.
Five of Fostoria’s seven city council members threw their support behind a proposed tax increase during Tuesday’s council meeting. The Review-Times reports the meeting was the last one before the November general election.
At-large Councilman Brian Shaver said, “We need to continue believing in this community and a belief in Fostoria is a ‘yes’ vote on November 7.” He added, “It’s part of our operating funds, but more importantly, it’s a belief in our fire and police forces and a belief in the future of Fostoria.”
Council members Greg Cassidy, Tom Lake, Paula Dillon, and Greg Flores all agreed.
Fostoria is asking residents to pass a five-year, 6-mill property tax as part of a fiscal recovery plan.
MORE: Review-Times
10/18/17 – 7:29 A.M.
A donation from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation will help replace a shelter at the Riverbend Recreation Area. The Courier reports the new Shelter House #2 plans include handicap accessibility, an enclosed space, and an indoor fireplace with an outdoor patio. The plans for the 46 foot by 46 foot facility are bigger than the current 44 foot by 32 foot set up.
The new shelter will seat up to 40 people.
MORE: The Courier
10/18/17 – 7:16 A.M.
A car hit a train in Putnam County Tuesday night, but the driver of the car managed to avoid injuries. The Lima News reports the crash happened after the driver of the car hit a crossing pole on State Route 65 near Road 7D, just north of Ottawa.
Deputies have not publicly identified the driver. They suspect alcohol as a factor in the crash and arrested the man.
Chief Deputy Verl Warnimont of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office tells the newspaper the driver tried to get ahead of the train but hit the pole. The train couldn’t stop in time and hit the back of the car, spinning it off the tracks.
MORE: Lima News
10/18/17 – 6:52 A.M.
A collision between a car and a pickup truck injured three people in Hancock County Tuesday night. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office reports the crash happened at the intersection of County Roads 313 and 9 around 9:15 p.m.
21-year-old Emily Spence was driving north on County Road 9 when she failed to stop at the intersection with Road 313. She hit a pickup truck driven by 72-year-old Gary Rupright, causing his truck to hit a fence.
Hanco EMS took both drivers and a passenger in Rupright’s truck to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
10/18/17 – 5:31 A.M.
Upgrades to the Hancock County Probate and Juvenile Court are moving forward. The Courier reports the county commissioners gave an update on the project Tuesday. Commissioner Tim Bechtol says the $45,000 project includes reinforcing the stairs and the second floor of the building.
The building that houses the juvenile and probate court is more than 150 years old.
MORE: The Courier
10/18/17 – 5:26 A.M.
The road work in downtown Findlay will close parts of a busy road the next two days. The city’s engineering department says crews will close East Main Cross Street between Main and East streets until 4:30 p.m. today. Work will close West Main Cross between Main and Cory streets between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday.
The contractor on the Main Street project is installing electrical conduit in the Main Cross area. You’re asked to avoid the areas if possible for the next two days.
10/18/17 – 5:18 A.M.
A Findlay man is facing charges in the case of a fatal overdose. The Courier reports the Hancock County grand jury indicted 37-year-old Maynard Norton on charges of involuntary manslaughter and corrupting another with drugs Tuesday.
Investigators say Norton sold a fatal dose of heroin to 25-year-old Jaerrod McDaniel on December 17 of last year.
MORE: The Courier