11/8/17 – 5:13 A.M.
Only 30 percent of registered voters in Hancock County cast a ballot in the 2017 general election. That’s a far cry from the last off-year election. In 2015, more than 46 percent of registered voters cast ballots.
Just over 15,000 people voted this year. Hancock County has nearly 51,000 registered voters.
11/8/17 – 5:08 A.M.
A property tax levy in Fostoria passed by just 50 votes Tuesday. The 6-mill property tax is part of a fiscal recovery plan outlined for the city. Officials expect the measure to generate around $3.5 million for the general fund by 2022. The city plans to use the money to pay for safety services.
Mayor Eric Keckler tells the Review-Times, “This was big for the community and what we were going to look like over the next five years or so.”
Now that the levy has passed, Fostoria plans to hire three more firefighters.
MORE: The Courier
11/8/17 – 5:01 A.M.
The McComb fire district, Mount Blanchard parks, and an Arlington-based EMS levy all passed Tuesday. The Northwest Hancock Joint Fire District received 10 more yes votes than no votes. The levy will generate more than $184,000 every year for fire protection in northwest Hancock County.
Mount Blanchard voters overwhelmingly approved a 2-mill, 5-year renewal levy for park and recreation services. 84 people voted in favor of the measure compared to 33 who did not. The levy generates more than $10,000 for the parks every year.
A five-year, .6 mill replacement levy for Appleseed EMS in Arlington passed by more than 500 votes. The Hancock County Auditor’s office expects the levy to raise more than $56,000 each year for EMS coverage in two villages and three townships.
11/08/17 – 12:48 A.M.
An ordinance was put before the Findlay City Council for the pay raises of non-exempt employees. City Auditor Jim Staschiak said the raises were negotiated with a union.
Staschiak said that this is a routine ordinance that needs to be passed by the start of next year.
The ordinance received its first reading during the Tuesday meeting. Council took no action.
11/7/17 – 10:43 A.M.
Seven people ran as write-in candidates for two open spots on the Findlay City School Board. Matt Cooper and Susan Russel secured seats on the board Tuesday. Cooper took just over 1,100 votes while Russel took more than 1,000.
Joshua Fulk was the next closest candidate at a little more than 352 votes in his favor.
11/7/17 – 10:36 P.M.
The incumbent Findlay City Council-at-large members held onto their seats following Tuesday’s election. Republicans Jeff Wobser, Tom Shindledecker, and Grant Russel were the top three vote-getters in a six-candidate race.
Wobser got just over 21 percent of the vote. He said he was grateful for the support in what was a good race…
Audio: Jeff Wobser
Shindledecker finished just behind Wobser. He said urban blight is among the issues he wants to tackle over his next two-year term…
Audio: Tom Shindledecker
Shindledecker added he wants to examine the laws on the books and see if the city can strengthen them.
Grant Russel claimed the final spot with more 900 votes than the next closest candidate. Russel said he was happy for the support and ready to take on another two years on council…
Audio: Grant Russel
Democrat Barb Lockard finished with just over 14 percent of the ballots cast. Mary Harshfield and Heidi Mercer followed Lockard. Harshfield and Mercer both took a little more than 11 percent of the vote.
11/7/17 – 10:06 P.M.
Hancock County voters overwhelmingly said “no” to Issue 4. Nearly 75 percent of the ballots cast Tuesday went against the quarter-percent sales tax levy. Commissioner Tim Bechtol says the county has to do a better job of presenting its case in the future…
Audio: Tim Bechtol
Bechtol adds the county will do a better job of listening to the concerns of voters in both the city and county when they readdress the issue.
Commissioner Brian Robertson said they’ll have to find a different approach to addressing the needs of the criminal justice system…
Audio: Brian Robertson
Robertson says the commissioners will get back to work trying to find an investment model for the long-term stability of the criminal justice system that the community can agree on.
Issue 4 was a proposed quarter-percent sales tax to raise money for a jail expansion and a new administrative building.
11/07/17 – 5:56 P.M.
The American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter wants to service members and veterans cars for the holidays. Executive Director Todd James said that they are hosting a card making party for their annual Holiday for Heroes program. The party will be this Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at their Hancock County Office. Supplies will be provided and the public is invited to come.
They are also accepting items for care packages. The packages will be sent to service members to show them that you appreciate their sacrifice and to bring them a little comfort. We have a list of acceptable items below. The deadline for dropping items off is December 8.
Items for care packages:
11/7/17 – 6:52 A.M.
A motorcycle collided with a car on Tiffin Avenue Monday afternoon, injuring a Findlay man. The Findlay Police Department reports 19-year-old Krystopher Missler was riding a motorcycle west in the 1100 block of Tiffin Avenue around 5:45 p.m. when he hit the back of a car driven by 25-year-old Harrison Brandeberry of Findlay. Brandeberry had stopped for traffic in the area.
Hanco Ambulance took Missler to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Officers cited Missler for an assured clear distance violation.
11/7/17 – 6:43 A.M.
Several Arlington residents voiced their opposition to a potential Dollar General store in the village Monday night. The Courier reports around 12 people presented a petition with 83 signatures to village council, opposing a rezoning request from the company. The residents said they had concerns about more delivery truck traffic, trash spreading from the store dumpsters, and the impact of property values for nearby homes.
Dollar General representatives have asked the village about rezoning property at 219 and 261 West Main Cross Street from residential to business.
Mayor Michael Palmer says council hasn’t made a decision on the issue. A public hearing on the topic is set for 6:30 p.m. on November 20 at the Municipal Building.
MORE: The Courier