06/04/19 – 6:50 P.M.

The Ohio State Senate is looking at a bill to make fireworks legal. Senator Rob McColley joined us on WFIN to talk about Senate Bill 72. He said that they know people use fireworks regardless of the law and that making it legal can help make things safer…

He added that it will allow the government to create laws in regards to safely using fireworks.

There are opponents of the bill that have concerns about people suffering from PTSD, child safety, and reckless use. McColley said that they will be granting local authority to communities that can prevent fireworks from being used at certain places and times.

06/04/19 – 6:15 P.M.

We had an expert on WFIN to talk about virtual training for police officers. Jeremy Combs works for Meggitt Training Systems and explained that virtual training allows police officers to practice handling stressful situations.

Combs said that this helps officers understand and evaluate a situation while in a practice setting. This can help them prepare for real-life encounters.

Combs added that there are programs that allow police departments to create their own scenarios. He said that this is helpful for departments that face unique scenarios related to their area.

The training is done using a projector and a camera. The scenario is played in front of the officer creating an immersive experience.

6/4/19 – 5:19 A.M.
UPDATE: 11:28 A.M.

The ground is still soggy in a lot of places, but the Blanchard River is back below flood stage in Findlay. The river crested in the major flood stage at just over 14 feet late Sunday afternoon following torrential downpours on Saturday. It dropped out of flood stage Monday afternoon, and fell out of the action stage early this morning.

Downstream in Ottawa the Blanchard remains in flood stage. The river crested in the minor flood stage at 24.5 feet late Monday night. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service shows the river falling out of flood stage around 8 p.m. tonight.

You’ll still want to keep an eye out for high water in low-lying areas in Putnam County today while the flood water recedes.

6/4/19 – 11:21 A.M.

Hancock County is a step closer to having new voting machines in November. The Hancock County Commissioners voted Tuesday move money from a FEMA account into the general fund to help pay the local share of the cost of the new machines. The county received money from FEMA following the 2007 flood to replace damaged machines.

The local share of the cost is a little more than $200,000. The Hancock County Board of Elections had said it would cost around $213,000 to repair the existing machines.

6/4/19 – 11:10 A.M.

An electrical issue is in its second week of causing headaches at the Hancock County Courthouse. Tim Stuart is with the county’s IT department and says the problem is affecting several systems…

Audio:

Auditor Charity Rauschenberg says the issue has also affected the printers in accounts payable, making it difficult to pay bills. They expect to have a replacement part in place by the end of today.

Stuart says they’re still working to learn the extent of the problem…

Audio:

Stuart says an electrical event like a lightning strike has damaged security cameras, computers, and phone lines among other pieces of equipment.

County officials are working on possibly filing an insurance claim to cover the cost of fixing the issue.

6/4/19 – 7:18 A.M.

Arlington is looking for another place for residents to pay their water bills. People can currently pay their bills at the IGA grocery store, but the grocery is closing later this year.

Village council talked about putting a collection drop box at the municipal building during their Monday meeting. They took no action on the issue Monday.

MORE: Arlington to install heat and smoke detection system in the fire station.

6/4/19 – 6:46 A.M.

Glenwood Middle School has a new principal. The Findlay City School board approved a three-year contract for Krista Miller during their Monday meeting. Miller takes the place of Janice Panuto, who is taking over as the district’s supervisor of compliance and operations.

Miller has served as the principal of Jacobs Primary school in Findlay since the fall of 2016. She was the principal at Jefferson Primary school before that.