10/06/17 – 3:43 P.M.

Republican candidates for the Council-At-Large seats spoke at a luncheon this afternoon. Tom Shindledecker said that the city should be aware of flood mitigation efforts.

Tom Shindledecker

Fellow candidate Jeff Wobser agreed that it is something the city needs to be aware of. Wobser said that he agrees with the commissioners move to pull the tax levy dedicated to flood funding. He said that while it is important, everyone should be on the same page to work together for a solution.

The candidates also agree on downtown construction. Wobser said that people might dislike the state of downtown Findlay but they should wait to see what it looks like after it’s done.

Jeff Wobser

Fellow candidate Tom Shindledecker added that the project came in at no cost to the city. The bill is being covered by Marathon and ODOT.

On a separate issue, Council-At-Large candidate Grant Russel said that the city has been working hard to save money. He said that council should strive to continue to save money when possible and stay competitive.

All three candidates are current Councilman-At-Large on the Findlay City Council.

10/6/17 – 6:44 A.M.

A one-car crash injured a Findlay woman on U.S. 68 late Thursday night. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened near Jackson Township Road 40 just after 1 p.m.

27-year-old Stephanie Tate was driving north on the highway when she lost control and hit a utility pole. Appleseed EMS took Tate to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. The crash did not injure two children in the car.

Deputies cited Tate for operation without reasonable control and not having a booster seat for one of the children.

10/6/17 – 5:35 A.M.

If you’re looking for a certain book, the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has an app to help you out. You can find the free download by searching “Findlay-Hancock County Public Library” in your phone’s app store.

The app also lets you download some eBooks and audiobooks.

10/6/17 – 5:30 A.M.

A Putnam County man received his sentence this week for his role in an Allen County assault and robbery. The Lima News reports a judge sentenced 22-year-old Anthony Spangler to seven years in prison.

On February 26, Spangler and 23-year-old Richard Mears of Lima attacked and robbed a man, leaving him half-naked from the waist down in a field. The victim suffered a fractured right eye and still suffers from partial double-vision.

Mears pleaded guilty to a robbery charge earlier this year. He is serving a five-year prison sentence.

MORE: Lima News

10/6/17 – 5:21 A.M.

Putnam County residents have a new way to check to see if any sex offenders are living near them. The Putnam County Sentinel reports the sheriff’s office is offering email alerts to residents and businesses in the county. A flier from Sheriff Brian Siefker says offenders move frequently, so an email alert system makes more sense than asking people to check a map every week.

You can sign up at SheriffAlerts.com/oh/putnam. You can also use the site to search for registered offenders by things like their name.

10/6/17 – 5:11 A.M.

You can get rid of unused medications later this month. The Hancock County Opiate Task Force is holding a collection event on October 28 from 9 a.m. to noon in the municipal building parking lot on Crawford Street in Findlay. The group says getting rid of unused prescriptions reduces the chance someone else in the home can abuse them.

You can call (419)424-1985 for more information.

10/6/17 – 5:04 A.M.

The drug talks your kids are getting in school are a little different than the talks you likely heard as a student. That’s according to the Courier, which reports there’s an increased focus on heroin and other opioids. Findlay Police Officer Brian White tells the newspaper he still talks to kids about the dangers of tobacco and alcohol but adds opioids are a bigger part of the discussion now.

Sheriff’s Deputies Kreg Sheets and Shane Leeth serve as school resource officers in the county. They say much of the discussion focuses on how prescription drugs can lead to heroin abuse. Sheets says he tells kids they can request less powerful painkillers if they get their wisdom teeth out or suffer a sports injury.

Crime Prevention Deputy Beth Baker says the subject is difficult to talk about with younger students, but they often already know a lot about opioids.

MORE: The Courier

10/6/17 – 4:54 A.M.

The number of overdose deaths in Hancock County continues to rise. Hancock Public Health says 13 people have died from opioid overdoses so far this year. Toxicology reports are pending on 11 other deaths. In 2016, 19 people died from overdoses in Hancock County.

Of the 13 deaths, the powerful painkiller Fentanyl contributed to nine of them. Carfentanil accounted for four deaths. Carfentanil is 100 times more powerful than Fentanyl. Veterinarians use it to sedate large animals like elephants.

Overall, Blanchard Valley Hospital has treated 240 overdose cases this year.

10/05/17 – 5:36 P.M.

Cooper Tire and Rowmark partnered up this week to offer Manufacturing Days for area students. Cooper’s Community RelationsManager Kathy Huffman said that it is designed to show kids career options.

Anne Roman

The event shows kids the many different career options in the manufacturing field. Rowmark’s Jen Schoenberger said that they are offering free tours of their facility throughout the week as well.

10/05/17 – 3:41 P.M.

A local author was in downtown Findlay celebrating Back to Humanity Day today. Humans of Findlay author Dave Morrow said that the community could use a little love.

Dave Morrow

Morrow was downtown giving out hugs and high fives, urging others to spread good feelings.