In his final update to the Seneca County Commissioners, former executive director of the Seneca Industrial Development Corporation David Zak said the county has had a resurgence in economic development activity since January 2014. There have been 550 new jobs created, 2500 jobs retained and $100 million invested in the county. Zak, who is become the vice president of advancement and development at Tiffin University credited his staff, committee members, Fostoria, Tiffin and the county for their effort in the success, too.
Findlay City Council’s Streets, Sidewalks and Parking Committee met Tuesday to discuss the proposed parking and traffic changes on Crawford Street. The changes are now being called an “experiment” by officials and could only last a year if they do not seem to be working. The Findlay traffic commission will have until October 2016 to reverse the changes or make them permanent. The proposal has West Crawford Street becoming one-way westbound from Main Street, and East Crawford Street will be one-way eastbound from Main Street. Reverse-angle parking will also be added to the south side of the street.
Bids for demolition of the former Hancock County commissioners’ office on Broadway Street in Findlay were opened yesterday. ADC Holdings of Findlay was the lowest bidder at a total of $55,940. Commissioner Mark Gazarek said once the demolition is complete, stone will be spread on the lot this fall. The Findlay-Hancock Public Library has expressed interest in constructing a drive through book drop on the south end of the building.
Instead of a renewal levy, the Hancock Park District will place a .8 mill, eight year replacement levy for operations on the ballot in March. If approved, the replacement levy would generate about $1.38 million annually. A renewal levy would generate about $1.36 million annually. The board will have to approve a resolution placing the issue on the ballot once the amount is determined.
A man is asking a court to order his six tigers and other exotic animals returned to Ohio after they were seized by the state and moved from a holding facility to sanctuaries elsewhere. In a filing Tuesday, Kenny Hetrick's attorney says Ohio's Department of Agriculture overstepped its authority last month by relocating the animals to facilities in Arizona, Florida and South Dakota without notifying him. He wants them returned to the state holding facility in Reynoldsburg or to his property near Toledo. The filing says the department violated its own transfer order and his constitutional rights by moving the animals again.
Cedar Point is expected to make a highly anticipated announcement this morning at the theme park. The park is expected to reveal its newest ride: a dive coaster. The coaster will reportedly be called Valravn. It's expected to be a 223-foot tall ride that drops riders face down.
