11/7/17 – 5:31 A.M.

There’s plenty of interest in a State Senate seat left open by Cliff Hite. The Blade reports six people submitted paperwork to the Senate Republican Caucus before Monday’s deadline.

State Representatives Robert McColley of Napoleon and Craig Riedel of Defiance tossed their hats into the ring. The candidate pool also includes Paulding County Commissioner Roy Klopfenstein and former Findlay High School Principal Craig Kupferberg. Retired businessman Frank Miller Jr. of Ottawa and State Patrol officer Jeff Smalley of Bellefontaine round out the candidate list.

The Senate Republican Caucus will pick one of the men to fill the rest of Hite’s unexpired term in the State Senate. It runs through the end of next year.

MORE: The Blade

11/7/17 – 5:21 A.M.

Voters in Putnam County will see two county-wide issues when they head to the polls today. The Health Department is asking residents to renew a half-mill tax levy for current health programs. The county’s Council on Aging wants voters to replace a .6 mill levy to fund their services.

11/7/17 – 5:16 A.M.

It is election day and residents in Hancock County will see one county-wide issue. Issue 4 is a proposed quarter-percent sales tax increase. The county would use money raised from the extra tax to expand the jail and build a new administrative building to house the juvenile and probate court.

In Findlay, voters will decide on three city council at-large seats. Republican incumbents Grant Russel, Tom Shindledecker and Jeff Wobser face Democratic challengers Mary Harshfield, Barbara Lockard and Heidi Mercer.

Findlay voters are also electing two Findlay City school board members from a field of seven write-in candidates. Gary Brondes, Matt Cooper, Laura Eier, Joshua Fulk, Susan Russel, Kelton Smith and Jeff Waldron are all running. The Board of Elections may not have the results of that race until late tonight because every candidate is running as a write-in.

11/7/17 – 5:06 A.M.

Businesses along Trenton Avenue bore the brunt of Sunday’s severe weather, and at least one won’t reopen any time soon. Jeff Miller of Miller’s Meats tells the Courier it could take a month to get things back in order. Strong winds damaged the roof and heating and cooling system of the business. Rain also got into the freezer and cooler, forcing Miller to throw out meat and other food. He tells the newspaper his losses could add up to around $75,000.

Other businesses plan to open up sooner. Advanced Auto Parts general manager Mike Trumpy told the newspaper they plan to reopen today. Debris from a nearby vacant mobile home damaged the roof of the auto supply store. The wind ripped the facade off the front of Ralphies, but the owners hope to reopen in time for Thursday night football.

Winds pushed in the front wall and windows at Ger Mongolian Grill on Trenton Avenue, causing minor injuries to a manager. The owners tell the Courier they hope to be back up and running within the week.

MORE: The Courier

11/06/17 – 9:43 P.M.

Findlay City School Board voted to show their support of a new state bill. Superintendent Ed Kurt said that State Bill 216 will lighten the regulations that are put on schools.

Ed Kurt

Kurt said that they are excited that this bill will give them more freedom in the classroom. He added that the bill is being looked at in the national level as well.

11/06/17 – 9:31 P.M.

Storms rolled through Findlay causing damage to many buildings including some Findlay City Schools buildings. Superintendent Ed Kurt said Findlay High School took the most damage. He told the school board that after a hard day of work the school is set to open.

Ed Kurt

Kurt said that equipment units and ventilation on the roof was damaged but that they are being taken care of.

Ed Kurt

Kurt told the school board that the schools are safe to open. The only unusable space is the auxiliary gym. He said it appears that it was lifted and slammed down, making it unstable.

The district closed to ensure the safety of the kids and for families that were displaced during the storm.

11/06/17 – 5:17 P.M.

The National Weather Service has confirmed six tornadoes hit Ohio and Pennsylvania Sunday. The NWS has yet to determine whether a tornado was the cause of the damage in Findlay.

Four of the tornadoes were EF1 tornadoes with wind speeds between 86 and 100 mph. They struck Crawford, Erie, and Sandusky counties as well as southwest Pennsylvania. an EF2 tornado with wind speeds around 120 mph hit Mercer County. A tornado also hit Ashland County but its intensity has not yet been determined.

More tornadoes may be confirmed as the NWS continues to look into the storm.

11/06/17 – 3:39 P.M.

The Green Waste Site will be open extended hours this week for storm debris drop off. Mayor Lydia Mihalik said that the site will be open all this week.

Lydia Mihalik

Mihalik said that if you can’t make it to the site this week, there’s no rush.

Lydia Mihalik

This is only for leaves, brush, limbs, and grass.

11/6/17 – 6:53 A.M.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is looking for donations for their second annual “Shop With a Cop” event. The Lima News reports the sheriff’s office is looking for baked goods, beverages, wrapping paper, bows, and gift bags for the event.

On December 9 children selected from school in the county and the Putnam Job and Family Services office will go shopping for Christmas presents with deputies. Once they get presents for family members, they’ll go to the Education Service Center for lunch, and a gift wrapping session with Santa Claus.

For more information, you can call (419)523-3162.

MORE: Lima News