The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding both pedestrians and drivers that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility.

The patrol issued the following media release on the issue.

People walk or run for various reasons. Whether it is exercise or out of necessity, safety should be a primary concern. That is why the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding both pedestrians and motorists that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility.

“Pedestrians and motorists each have an important role in safety,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Through education and increased awareness, we can prevent tragedies before they occur.”

Of all pedestrian-related crashes, 82 percent occurred in urban areas, while the remaining 18 percent happened in rural areas. Forty percent of fatal crashes involving a pedestrian occurred in rural areas.

“The Patrol reminds both pedestrians and motorists that safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said Lt. Matt Crow Findlay Post Commander. “Follow pedestrian signs and signals, always be aware of your surroundings and watch for traffic to ensure you are seen.”

Pedestrians and motorists can follow these tips to increase pedestrian safety:

· Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. When no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic as far away from the edge of the roadway as possible.

· Stay alert at all times, motorists and pedestrians should be prepared in case a hazardous situation arises.

· Do not be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.

· Pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night.

· Pedestrians should cross where motorists expect them to, follow pedestrian signs and signals, and never assume a driver can see you.

· Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

· Motorists can use bright headlights when legally able to illuminate the roadway and possibly spot a pedestrian walking near the roadway.

· Motorists should slow down and drive cautiously in residential areas.

For a statistical map regarding pedestrian-involved crashes and a county-by-county breakdown of where these crashes have occurred, please click here.

(ONN) – A Columbus-area Congressman is apologizing for cracking an inappropriate joke just off the floor of the U.S. House.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, Republican Rep. Steve Stivers was standing amongst constituents when he displayed a picture of President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky in the oval office with the caption “everyone remembers my whistleblower.”

Stivers later issued a statement apologizing for the joke, which came as the House initiated hearings related to a whistleblower report about the conduct of President Donald Trump.

Stivers also commented that whistleblowers play a crucial role in our democracy.

Unlike many Ohio Republicans in the House delegation, Stivers has not harshly condemned Democrats’ impeachment proceedings.

Fletcher, Clyde, Nala and other dogs from the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County who are longing for their ‘furever’ home got some love during Wags and Walks at Emory Adams Park.

The event was part of Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn’s Move with the Mayor campaign.

“The mayor wants to get people active, at least 30 minutes of activity, and what better way than to walk a shelter dog,” said Natalie with the Humane Society.

People had a chance to take a shelter dog for a walk around the park to see if they make a connection.

“When we started we had a little dog that wouldn’t walk without a staff member but now he’s taking laps with strangers, so it’s pretty cool.”

Natalie says she thinks they found at least one of their dogs a new home thanks to the event.

See all the animals up for adoption at the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County here.

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(ONN) – Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has suspended a program that allowed the use of cryptocurrency for business tax payments.

Sprague said an internal review determined the third-party payment processor for the OhioCrypto.com website, Bitpay, may be functioning as a financial transaction device.

If so, the company should have been chosen through the competitive selection process.

The Board of Deposit has asked Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost for a formal opinion on the matter.

Then-treasurer Josh Mandel launched the program in November, just before leaving office.

He said at the time that Ohio was the first state to accept tax payments via cryptocurrency.

Sprague will be the presenter at the Hancock County Republican Party’s First Friday Luncheon on Friday at noon at The Dock, behind St. Marks United Methodist Church at 800 South Main Street in Findlay.

(WFIN) – The 4 candidates eyeing the 3 at large seats on Findlay City Council met for a political forum Wednesday night on WFIN.

Abby Hefflinger joined incumbents Grant Russel, Tom Shindledeker and Jeff Wobser on stage to discuss a variety of topics including flood mitigation and the controversial Blanchard Street Project.

We have the full forum available below, thanks to UFTV.

You can also catch the forum between Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn and challenger Chad Benschoter next Wednesday.

Polls open November 5 for both Council at Large and the Mayoral seats.

(WFIN) – A Findlay Company announced a change in leadership this week.

Jim Curry has been named the CEO of Sanoh America, following the retirement of Ryuichiro Harada.

The company has also named David Rutila as the new chief financial officer.

In the meantime, Harada will stay on as a consultant for October.

A drug task force says they located a large amount of methamphetamine and arrested a man while executing a search warrant in Findlay.

The Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force and the Findlay Police Department Emergency Response Team searched 127 Larkins Street at around 4:30 Tuesday morning.

Authorities say they found a large amount of methamphetamine as well as prescription medication, drug paraphernalia, and items indicative of drug trafficking.

Police say Edward R. Brown, 47, was arrested and booked at the Hancock County Jail.

He’s facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, a 2nd degree felony, and additional charges are likely as the investigation continues, authorities say.

 

The Hancock Park District is inviting parkgoers to enter their 24th Annual Photography contest.

Officials say if you’ve snapped a photo that captures the essence of your favorite location, resident, or activity in the Hancock Park System they would love to see it.

The winning photos will be featured in a printed 12-month 2020 calendar.

One photo will be selected as the Grand Prize winner.

That photo will appear on the calendar cover and the entrant will be awarded a cash prize.

Click here for more details including contest guidelines and an entry form.

Ohio State’s new task force to help address sexual misconduct includes experts – but no abuse survivors.

The university announced plans for the panel four months ago, shortly after an investigation concluded former team doctor Richard Strauss sexually abused young men for nearly two decades while school officials who had heard concerns didn’t stop him.

Ohio State says the task force will help it and other campuses learn from those findings and prevent abuse.

Ohio State had said that survivors will be part of that process.

A few of the 300-plus men alleging misconduct by Strauss have questioned whether the panel’s creation is meaningful action or a public relations maneuver.

Some of the men have sued the school, which has publicly apologized.