12/10/18 – 5:29 A.M.
A Findlay restaurant plans to reopen its doors next week. City BBQ will hold a grand reopening on December 17 at its Flag City Drive location on the city’s east side. The restaurant closed for renovations back in August.
To celebrate the reopening, the first 100 people in line that day will receive vouchers worth $10 in free barbecue.
City BBQ has bought the location back from the former franchisee.
12/10/18 – 5:22 A.M.
A house fire killed a Dunkirk man Saturday morning. WKTN radio reports firefighters responded to a home at 221 North Buckeye Street. Flames had fully engulfed the house by the time they arrived.
The fire took the life of Gregory Spearman. The blaze remains under investigation.
12/10/18 – 5:18 A.M.
The Hancock County Common Pleas Court recently vacated four nuisance property complaints filed by Findlay. The Courier reports that in November, Judge Jonathan Starn ruled that the Findlay Board of Zoning Appeals failed to provide evidence to support the city’s nuisance complaints against George Martens. The city had argued that Martens was keeping junk on properties he owns at 2210 Beecher Street and 215 Woodley Terrace.
In the meantime, Martens is suing the city for $280,000 in a federal lawsuit. Martens and his wife argue that city officials have essentially closed down his rental business.
MORE: History of disputes between Findlay officials and Martens.
12/10/18 – 5:07 A.M.
A late October incident in a public park led to the discipline of the Findlay Municipal Court official. A Findlay Police Department report shows an officer found Clerk of Courts David Spridgeon engaged in sexual activity with another employee of the court in a car at Emory Adams Park around 1:45 p.m. on October 30.
Dave Beach is director of court services. He says the incident involved two consenting adults and the police decided not to charge either of them. However, Beach says Spridgeon was subject to discipline. Beach has reassigned some of Spridgeon’s job duties and canceled his 2019 pay raise.
Spridgeon is also now subject to quarterly employment evaluations.
Beach said Spridgeon does not directly supervise the woman involved in the incident but does rank above her in the clerk’s office.
MORE: Clerk of Courts job duties.
12/07/18 – 6:27 P.M.
Hope House is looking for donations to help out families in the area. The organization helps homeless and impoverished people find safe and affordable housing. They’re looking for items to help that cause. This includes soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, laundry detergent, and other household items. They are also in need of new pillows and food items.
These items can be dropped off at the housing office in the Family Center in Findlay.
12/07/18 – 5:14 P.M.
With the holiday season upon us, the American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter is looking to take away some stress. Executive Director Todd James said that they’ll be wrapping presents to help out and all they’re asking for is donations.
The gift wrapping service will be at the Findlay Village Mall this weekend and next weekend.
12/07/18 – 3:55 P.M.
Attendees at the First Friday Republican Luncheon learned more about townships and how they’re run. Director of Governmental Affairs Heidi Fought explained the difference between a municipality and a township.
Fought said this means that townships require the votes of residents to pass measures. They also must use property tax to get funding.
12/07/18 – 11:17 A.M.
You can help give children in need have a happy holiday. The Findlay branches of Impact Credit Union are collecting toys and clothing for about 120 Hancock County children through the 28th annual Angel Tree Project. Angel trees are set up at the credit union offices on Township Road 100 and State Route 12.
Each angel on a tree has the name of a child, their clothing size and a toy the child would like for Christmas. You can take the angel and return wrapped gifts to the branch by December 11.
12/07/18 – 11:04 A.M.
The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is collecting funds for their “Give the Gift of Reading” program through December 31. The funds will help support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library which is run locally by the Literacy Coalition of Hancock County. The Imagination Library mails an age-appropriate book each month to enrolled children from birth through age 5. A $25 gift covers one child’s books for one year.
12/7/18 – 6:50 A.M.
A mobile food pantry will take place Saturday morning in Findlay. First Presbyterian Church is sponsoring the event in connection with Chopin Hall and the West Ohio Food Bank.
Distribution will start at 8:15 a.m. at the church on South Main Street. Recipients should not arrive before 7 a.m.
A representative from each family must attend to receive a food box. To follow federal and state-funded food program requirements, recipients need a picture ID and proof of current address.
You can call 419-422-6401 for more information.