12/11/18 – 4:52 P.M.
The City Mission of Findlay has a lot going on for the winter season. The organization acts as a warming center during inclement weather. They will also be giving out Christmas food boxes on December 18 and 20. The meal includes a turkey or a ham as well as nonperishable items.
The mission has a list of Christmas and ongoing needs for donations at findlaymission.org. You can register for a food box by calling 419-423-9151.
12/11/18 – 4:35 P.M.
The Fostoria Police Department is looking into reports of windows being shot out with a pellet gun. According to a post on the departments Facebook page, they have 12 reports of the vandalism affecting vehicles and at least one residence. The vandalism was scattered throughout the city.
The department asks you to report any information you may have about the vandalism. You can reach the department at 419-435-8573.
12/11/18 – 4:29 P.M.
You might think of coyotes as a rural problem but they are known to also live in city limits. The Courier’s Brenna Griteman explained that the animal is able to survive most places.
Griteman added that there isn’t much to worry about though. Coyotes are not likely going to approach humans and can be scared away by a dog bark. She added that your pets are safe too…
She said that if you do have a coyote in your neighborhood that you want gone, you can contact your local Ohio Department of Natural Resources. You can also read more about coyotes in Findlay in Griteman’s article in The Courier.
12/11/18 – 3:07 P.M.
The local effort for Wreaths Across America will take place this weekend to honor fallen veterans with wreaths at their graves. Gaven Smith is helping to facilitate the event this year and said that it has grown every year since it’s inception.
Smith said that they will be laying the wreaths at Maple Grove Cemetery at 10 a.m. this Saturday. You can show up at that time to help lay the wreaths.
He added that they will also need help on January 19 to pick the wreaths back up.
12/11/18 – 11:15 A.M.
Doug Cade has shed the interim tag from his Hancock County Engineer title. Hancock County GOP Vice chairman Phil Riegle says the Republican Central Committee voted in favor of placing Cade in the role for the rest of Chris Long’s term during a Monday night meeting.
The GOP had delayed a vote in late November due to bad weather.
The Hancock County Commissioners named Cade the interim county engineer after Long stepped down to deal with health issues.
The county engineer is an elected position, so Long’s party gets to pick the permanent replacement to fill the rest of the term that ends in 2020.
12/11/18 – 11:09 A.M.
Representatives from the local business and agricultural communities met with government officials to talk about flood mitigation again Tuesday morning. Now that the Blanchard River benching project is underway, the group is looking at more ways to reduce flooding. Tim Mayle of the Blanchard River Watershed Solutions group says the area north of the river and east of Main Street in Findlay is interesting…
Audio: Tim Mayle
Mayle says if they engineer the project first they can measure any potential cost-benefit before moving forward.
Mayle adds the collective group is against storage basins for the Blanchard River and Potato Run. He says they want to work on engineering solutions for Eagle Creek…
Audio: Tim Mayle
The group doesn’t want to take houses or access to roads. Mayle says the collaborative group would have to agree on an Eagle Creek project before moving forward.
Mayle says their new approach means designing a solution for flooding, and then seeing what the cost-benefit is. In the past, they’ve asked engineers to reduce flooding by specific amounts. That’s led to less than agreeable solutions like dry storage basins.
All six counties in the Blanchard River watershed will meet at the Putnam County Courthouse next Tuesday at 2 p.m. to talk about the benching project.
12/11/18 – 7:26 A.M.
UPDATE – 7:47 A.M.
A two-car crash blocked the intersection of County Roads 99 and 212 near the Lowe’s Distribution Center in Findlay. The State Highway Patrol says the crash happened just before 6:30 a.m. A dispatcher says the collision resulted in minor injuries.
The intersection reopened around 7:30 a.m.
12/11/18 – 5:33 A.M.
Carey schools are implementing a program designed to help sixth-grade girls navigate the challenges they face on a daily basis. Guidance Counselor Shannon Darby told the school board about the “Ruling Our Experiences” program during a Monday night meeting.
10 sixth-grade girls will take part for 10 weeks during the second semester. The founder of the program says it helps navigate challenges like drops in self-esteem, bullying, and unhealthy dating relationships. The girls who take part could possibly teach their classmates following the 10-week program.
A grant will cover the $75-per-participant cost.
12/11/18 – 5:21 A.M.
The director of the Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services is winding down a 31-year career with the agency. Dianna Hoover will step down on December 31 when she retires. Hoover says the defeat of the JFS funding levy in the spring didn’t play a role in her decision.
Hoover says she plans to stay active in retirement. She says he plans to do more kayaking on the Blanchard River as well as more gardening and cooking.
The Hancock County commissioners have extended a job offer to Hoover’s possible replacement and are waiting on an answer.
12/11/18 – 5:10 A.M.
Tight finances are changing a couple of projects in McComb. Mayor Chuck Latta says the village is holding off on a $1.7 million storm sewer, street, and sidewalk upgrade on part of South Main Street. Latta says they’ll continue to look to find ways to fund the project.
The tight budget also means council won’t donate to the annual fireworks display. They’ll rely solely on donations to fund the annual display.
McComb officials expect $1.1 million in expenses for 2019.
MORE: McComb Police Department will get a little extra funding