Three people were seriously injured in a head-on crash Friday night on Ohio 53 in Seneca County, south of the county line.  Forty-nine year old Michelle A. Gaietto, of Lindsey, and twenty-two year old Brittany Victoria Irene Martin, of Upper Sandusky, were seriously injured and transported to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.  A passenger in Martin’s vehicle, nine-teen year old Donald P. Barth, of Upper Sandusky, was also seriously injured and also was taken to the hospital.  Gaietto was traveling north on Ohio 53 in an SUV and Martin was driving south in a van.  Gaietto failed to maintain control of her vehicle on the icy road and went left of center, striking Martin’s vehicle head on.  All three motorists were wearing seat belts and alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The state Ohio is set to receive another $4 million in federal funds to help fight toxic algae in Lake Erie.  The money will go toward projects in the Maumee River watershed and the Sandusky River watershed in northwestern Ohio.

According to the Van Buren school board, administrators have investigated and responded appropriately to charges of by a mother of a Van Buren football player that her son was harassed, bullied and assaulted as a member of the team.  In a statement, the school board said Superintendent Tim Myers, football coach Kevin Shoup and Principal Mike Brand “promptly, and in good faith, investigated the allegations and responded appropriately and consistently where necessary.”  The school board said it “cannot discuss specifics” because of student privacy laws.

The Findlay Police Department is investigating a robbery at Cigars and Stuff on S. Blanchard Street that took place Sunday afternoon.  A man in his late 20s to early 30s, wearing a hooded gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and a leather jacket gave an employee a note demanding all the money from the register.  He then reached over the counter and took money from the register, left the store and escaped on foot, heading north.  He was described as about 5'10” to 6', thin, with short brown hair and an unshaven face.  Police are continuing to investigate.

Tri-County Area shoppers who travel to Toledo and Lucas County for bargains will be paying a little more beginning Wednesday.  The sales tax will increase by a quarter percent to a total of 7.25 percent.  Officials say the county expects to receive an additional $14 million a year from the increase.

The United Way of Hancock County has awarded grants totaling almost $1.75 million to 26 programs offered by social service agencies throughout the county.  Some organizations receiving the grants were Open Arms, Hope House, Camp Fire of Northwest Ohio, Family Resource Center and Cancer Patient Services.  In addition the grants, a memorandum of understanding was entered into with the American Red Cross to reimburse services related to disaster relief and armed forces communications up to $50,000 for the year.

Ohio drivers are spending a little more at that pump this week.  Gas prices have risen five cents over the past week to $2.38 a gallon.  Ohio prices continue to run about four cents lower than the national average.

Forbes Magazine has named Marathon Petroleum the third-best U.S. employer to work for in 2015.  Goggle took top honors with Costco second.  The annual list names the top 500 employers to work for in the United States.

The University of Findlay will be improving Morey and Myers residence halls this summer.  Both residence halls will have new heating and cooling systems installed, as well as new windows.  The University also plans to begin a search for a campus police chief the spring as part of the plans to create a hybrid security/campus police department.

Discount tool and equipment retailer Harbor Freight Tools will be opening a store in Findlay.  The store will be located at 1757 Tiffin Avenue at the former site of Diner’s Buffet.  No announcement of the opening date has been given.

The City of Findlay annexed 28 acres from Marion Township.  The City has agreed to pay 1.5 mills of taxes on the annexed property for 10 years to the township.  The property is located on East Bigelow Avenue that includes the site of Jaqua’s Fine Guns.  Jaqua’s will be closing its shooting range, but the store will remain open.

The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department has begun its search for its next Director.  The job has been posted internally and is accepting applications from city employees.  If no in-house candidate is selected, the position would be posted for outside applicants.  The City is looking for a replacement for Michelle Grigore who accepted a position with the Toledo Metroparks.

Lake Lamberjack, also known as Reservoir 3, in Fostoria will be stocked with 1000 rainbow trout.  The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will oversee the release of the fish on April 22.  The fist will help in creating an early-season fishing opportunity for people…Most of the fish will be caught by summer.

Twenty-nine year old Carl M. Johns was arrested after the Hancock County Metrich Unit raided his apartment on US 224.  About 28 packages of suspected cocaine, cash, drug paraphernalia, hypodermic needles, criminal tools, ammunition and two handguns, one of which was reportedly stolen from Allen County, were located.  The Lima-Allen County Regional Bomb Squad also detonated a homemade bomb that was found.  Johns was charged with a parole violation and faces additional charges

The search is continuing for missing fourteen year old Madalyn Hiser of Tiffin.  Friends, family and volunteers have been searching neighborhoods and passing out flyers.  Madalyn’s mother, Keesha Hiser, has been in contact with Tiffin police who are also searching for the missing teen.   Madalyn was last seen wearing a yellow Pikachu hoodie, jeans and black Converse canvas, high-top sneakers. She has black, shoulder-length hair with layers, and it is blue at the ends.  Anyone with information about Madalyn's whereabouts is asked to contact the Tiffin Police Department.

The Blanchard Valley Center in Findlay is planning to hire an assistant superintendent.  The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities announced the plans in anticipation of Superintendent Connie Ament’s retirement.  The board plans to hire the assistant superintendent soon on a full-time basis to allow for on-the-job training.

The Ohio Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senator Cliff Hite of Findaly that would limit state testing time in Ohio schools.  Senate Bill 3 caps the time students must spend on state- or district-mandated testing at 2 percent, and caps the time spent on practice and diagnostic tests used for preparation at 1 percent.  The bill also eliminates certain requirements for diagnostic testing, as well as the fall administration of the third-grade reading tests.

Senate Bill 1 which legislators hope will help curb the growth of toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie is headed to the Governor.  The Clean Lake Erie Act would stop farmers in northwestern Ohio from spreading manure on frozen and rain-soaked fields.  It also would bring an end to the dumping of dredged sediment in the lake within five years.  Both are thought to be contributing to the growth of algae in the lake.  Governor Kasich's office says he plans to sign the bill into law sometime next week. It will then go into effect 90 days later. 

Bruce Baumhower, president of United Auto Workers Local 12 in Toledo that represents Jeep workers in Toledo, says he's confident that the city and state have put together a package that will convince Fiat Chrysler not to move Jeep Wrangler production.  A decision from Fiat Chrysler is expected within weeks.

An Arcadia man and a Findlay juvenile were arrested late Wednesday after Findlay police investigated two separate robberies along Tiffin Avenue.  Twenty one year old Joe Vera III of Arcadia was charged with aggravated robbery and is in the Hancock County Jail.  A 14-year-old Findlay male was sent to the Wood County Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green on two counts of aggravated robbery.  The two suspects held up a person in the parking lot of Kroger and took a cell phone.  Then the two suspects attempted to steal a vehicle in the parking lot of the Circle K.  A knife was used in both crimes.

The Ohio House passed the Heartbeat Bill yesterday banning most abortions after the first detectable heartbeat.  The Republican-controlled House approved the bill 55-40 in its third vote on it in as many sessions.  Advocates now have the rest of the two-year session to lobby the bill’s opponents in the Senate.
 

Ohio House members today could vote on a measure cracking down on low-performing charter schools in the state. The measure also imposes new accountability standards on charter school sponsors. The bill comes after a study found charter schools' performance has been mediocre.

Tiffin University has named Curtis Charles as the school’s fifth president.  Charles is succeeding Paul Marion.  A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Charles is senior associate vice chancellor for institutional transformation at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina.  He is set to being on July 1.

Changes to Ohio’s concealed carry permit laws went into effect yesterday.  The biggest change is the number of hours of needed to be trained went from 12 hours to 8.  Now only six hours of classroom and two hours of range time are required.  And another big change is permits issued by another state will be valid in the state of Ohio, as long as the person is not an Ohio resident.
 

The Tiffin City Board of Education hired Doug Hartenstein as the new principal of Columbian High School.  Hartenstein is currently the principal at Krout 2-3 Elementary School.  He has been with the district since 1992.

Ohioans won’t get drive 75, legally.  The state legislature’s flirtation with a higher speed limit on rural freeways and the Ohio Turnpike came to an end yesterday.  A joint conference committee working out the final $7 billion transportation budget removed the Senate-added proposal.

The first two people have agreed to participate in the Hancock County Common Pleas Court Drug Court program.  Forty-six year old Wendy Martinez and thirty year old Daniel Kirk, both of Findlay, agreed to enter into the program rather than serving time.  The drug court, which was established in December, is a voluntary 12- to 18-month program that offers treatment rather than jail sentences for those who qualify.
 

Ohio House representatives are getting a third chance to approve the Heartbeat bill.  The bill would effectively ban abortions after the first detectable heartbeat.  A floor vote is scheduled for today.  The House passed the same bill two sessions ago, but it died in the Senate.  The measure reached the House floor again last session, but was unexpectedly defeated.

The power outage that began at around 6:30 this morning on the east side of Findlay is affecting approximately 1400 customers.  AEP estimates power will be restored around 10am.

Guggisberg Cheese of Millersburg, Ohio, has won the U.S. Cheese Championship with a 200-pound Swiss wheel.

Jerrod Hartman’s request to travel out of state for business while his murder case is pending was denied by Judge Joseph Niewmeyer.  Hartman, 25, of Findlay, is charged with an unclassified felony of murder and a second-degree felony charge of endangering children after the 2013, death of his son, James Hartman.  In February 2014, Niemeyer also ruled against Jerrod Hartman leaving the state for business trips while his murder case is pending.

A Lucas County judge has issued a temporary injunction that allows Toledo to continue to use cameras to cite drivers for speeding or running red lights.  Dayton said it would continue to use traffic cameras for enforcement, based on the ruling, too.  Dayton, Columbus, Akron and Springfield, along with Toledo have challenged the new law that requires a police officer’s presences when photo enforcement is used.

Western Avenue between Sandusky and Lima Streets will be closed to southbound traffic this week.  The street will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7am to 6pm for curb replacement.  The City of Findlay Engineering Department says drivers can expect other delays for the next few weeks on the street.

 Authorities are searching for two men who held up three people outside the Seneca County Commission on Aging last night.  Detective Sargent Kevin Reinbolt of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office said three employees were leaving the building after bingo when two men brandished a gun and demanded money.  About $1,100 was taken.  Both men wore bandanas and are believe to be white with one man being described as between six foot two and six foot three.  Law enforcement was investigating two suspects, but no arrests had been made.

Al Smith Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram in Bowling Green lost thousands of dollars after thieves stole tires and rims off several cars on Sunday morning.  Seven cars were found on blocks with the tires and rims gone.  The thieves stole 28 tires and rims at an estimated cost is somewhere around $25,000.
 

The Ohio Department of Medicaid said it committed an error last week when it sent letters to about 4,200 doctors, home-care workers and other Medicaid providers notifying them that they were being kicked out of the Medicaid program.  A coding mistake made on Wednesday during a routine system update led to the improper notifications.

Through a new “management letter” from the State of Ohio Auditor, the Van Buren School District incurred excessive charges when four Van Buren School officials spent three nights in downtown Columbus in a “trendy fashion-forward loft-style hotel with luxurious amenities.”  The auditor’s office also found Superintendent Tim Myers and Treasurer Cheryl Swisher took at least two school days off with pay when their office carpets were cleaned.  According to the auditor’s office, the letter is meant to point out weaknesses and offer recommendations.  In response to the letter, Superintendent Myers said the school board “is encouraged, but not required, to follow the recommendations.”
 

Starting today, Ohio drivers can now show their proof of insurance to police officers and state agencies on an electronic device.  Drivers can use cell phones, computers, tablets or other similar wireless devices.  Paper versions of proof of insurance will still be accepted.

Findlay could become one of the first cities to participate in the state’s “open checkbook” project.  The project is an online database that provides comprehensive details of government finances.  The state database launched December 2 with Ohio’s financial information being the first available.  Findlay’s information may be viewable by the middle of 2015.  The “open checkbook” can be found on ohio.gov.

Current Toledo City Councilman and former Toledo Mayor Jack Ford passed away Saturday morning at the age of 67.  The cause of death is unknown at this time but it was confirmed that he was ill and went into cardiac arrest at his home.  Ford was elected as elected as mayor in 2001 and served from 2002 to 2006.  He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives for seven years and was the first African-American minority leader. 
 

Ohio lawmakers are close to agreeing on a plan aimed at reducing farm runoff that feeds the toxic algae in Lake Erie.  Leaders in the Ohio House and Senate expect to vote this coming week on what would be the first legislation passed to slow the spread of the algae since last August.  The plan includes banning farmers from spreading livestock manure on frozen and rain-soaked fields or when heavy rain is in the immediate forecast — something environmental groups and farm organizations agree shouldn't be done.

The Fostoria St. Wendelin Lady Mohawks magical season came to an end yesterday.  The Lady Mohawks fell to the Waterford Wildcats 42-36 in the Division IV girls’ state basketball semifinals at Value City Arena in Columbus.  Ohio Division IV Playerof the Year Kamryn Troike led St. Wendelin with 17 points.  The Lady Mohawks finish with a 24-5 record and made the school’s first ever appearance in the state finals in basketball... 

Troy Roth has been named a new assistant superintendent for Findlay City Schools.  Roth is currently the middle and high school principal at Margaretta Local Schools in Castalia.  A graduate of Bowling Green State University and Ashland University, Roth has 22 years of experience in education.  His three year contract will go into effect August 1...

Authorities at Tiffin City Schools say a man in a truck exposed himself to a student crossing guard outside Noble School yesterday morning.  The man was driving a black, four-door truck.  The schools have stopped using crossing guards and have told administrators to be aware when students are outside the building.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tiffin City Police who are investigating the incident. 

Teresa Smith of Findlay told the Hancock County commissioners that the county Children’s Protective Services agency is guilty of “illegal and unethical behavior.”  Thursday, Smith told the commissioners that in 2012, she became the focus of an agency investigation after she made repeated attempts to force the agency to investigate alleged abuse of her child.  In what she described as an act of retaliation, she said the agency temporarily removed the child from her home.  Smith said the caseworker assigned to her case then began dating the biological father of her child.  Following Thursday’s meeting, the commissioner’s said Diana Hoover, director of Hancock Job and Family Services, which oversees Children’s Protective Services, will be made aware of the complaint.
 

Wood County Commissioners have banded together to object to all pipeline projects proposed to run through Wood County.  The commissioners announced their intent to pass a resolution to oppose all pipeline projects.  The officials want to get better answers about how the pipelines benefit the area.  The commissioners said all pipelines should be placed within a defined corridor, which they said could include right-of-way near highways to minimize the impact on private property.

Dayton and Springfield are suing the state over a law they say would restrict cities use of traffic cameras because it requires a police officer’s presence to issue tickets.  The cities are asking courts to find the law unconstitutional.  They argue that cities should be able to set their own policies and regulations.  Akron and Toledo filed similar lawsuits earlier.

At least 900 Fostoria St. Wendelin Lady Mohawk fans will be in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center for the Division IV Girls State-Semi Final basketball game.  St. Wendelin will be facing Waterford at 1pm today for the right to play in Saturday’s state final.  1430 WFOB and Mix 96.7 WBVI will be simulcasting the game with Nick Hiltbrand and Tony England courtside.

Findlay’s East Sandusky Street will be closed from Main Street to East Street today until 10am for waterline repair.

Hancock County will be spending $1.32 million to resurface nine miles of roads this year.  Just over $600,000 will also be spent to patch and seal-coat an additional 25 miles.  The Hancock County Engineers office also announced that five bridges will be replaced at a cost of just over $472,000. 

A committee of Findlay City Council members met Wednesday to discuss potential raises for the mayor, auditor, law director, treasurer and council members.  Committee members said they want to make sure competitive salaries are offered to continue attracting “quality” candidates.  The committee asked Findlay Director of Human Resources Don Essex to research what comparable cities pay similar positions and report back. 
 

Three panels studying possible changes to police training have suggested reducing the number of training academies in the state. According to records of an advisory group created by Attorney General Mike DeWine, some panel members also are calling for more state oversight.

Suspected heroin and crack cocaine, along with money, criminal tools and evidence of drug trafficking, were found during execution of a search warrant at the home of Dina and Anthony Williams at 300 East Tiffin Street in Fostoria.  Chuck Boyer, METRICH unit coordinator, said no arrests were made but charges of trafficking crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of criminal tools and permitting drug abuse are pending.

A proposal to increase the speed limit to 75 mph on the Ohio Turnpike and rural highways assed the state Senate yesterday after a panel expanded it to cover all motor vehicles, regardless of their size.  The proposed speed-limit increase comes less than two years after Ohio allowed drivers to go 70 mph.  The legislation heads next to a conference committee, which will hash out differences in the House and Senate versions.

The University of Findlay and Cleveland Browns have announced a partnership to help prepare students for sports industry careers.  At least 10 UF students a year will get paid internships with the Browns as part of the agreement that created The University of Findlay and Cleveland Browns Partnership for Student Success. The partnership will also make Browns personnel available to students and relevant sports business classes at the university.  Interested students can go to findlay. edu for more application information.

The Findlay YMCA is asking the City of Findlay to begin paying up to $30,000 more per year to help fund the city pool.  The pool, which is operated by the Findlay YMCA, has had a combined loss of $50,000 during the past two summers because of cooler weather.  City Council members expressed support for the proposal at last night’s meeting and gave the agreement its first of three readings.
 

Gary Heminger, Marathon Petroleum Corp. chief executive officer and chairman, earned $16.4 million in 2014, or 34 percent more than in 2013.  Heminger’s salary grew to $1.5 million last year from $1.4 in 2013.  He also received performance-based bonus increase to $4 million from $3.4 million.  Speedway President Anthony Kenney earned 44 percent more, or $4 million, while Speedway about doubled in size last year with the purchase of Hess’s retail business.  Kenney’s compensation included a $568,750 salary and a performance-based bonus of $900,000.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Fostoria City Council approved the city budget for the 2015 fiscal year.  The city will appropriate $6,054,623 for general fund spending this year.  The final appropriation for general fund expenditures is approximately $135,000 less than previously estimated.  The original budget estimate, which was presented to council back in June 2014, was $ 6,190,096.
 

In the event you may hear loud airplanes at night this week, it probably is just the 180^th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard.  The unit will be conducting nighttime training flight through Friday.  Training flights normally take place during daylight hours, but F-16 pilots and maintenance personnel are required to conduct night operations as part of their overall readiness

Lori Tretter has been named to replace longtime City of Bowling Green Municipal Administrator John Fawcett when he retires from his position this summer.  Tretter, the city's assistant municipal administrator, was confirmed by a unanimous acclamation vote from City Council Monday night.  Tretter has worked with the city since 1997, first holding the position of assistant to the municipal administrator.  In 2007 she became assistant municipal administrator.  She is to begin as municipal administrator on July 1.

 A legislative review panel paved the way for the Ohio Board of Education to abolish school-staffing requirements.  The state board is expected to vote at its May meeting to abolish the “5 of 8” rule that requires schools to have a certain number of art, music and physical-education teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, social workers and visiting teachers.  Opponents say that the ruling could lead to the loss of positions deemed not necessary for state standardized tests.  Supporters argue that the rule is outdated and school districts should have more flexibility with staffing.

Tickets for the St. Wendelin girls game against Waterford remain on sale today for the general public.  Tickets can be purchased at the school from 8a until 8pm for the Lady Mohawks Division IV state semi-final game set for Thursday at 1pm at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.  WBVI and our sister station WFOB will be simulcasting the game with Nick Hiltbrand and Tony England calling the action.

The Findlay City School District could be offering Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program for high school students in the near future.   JROTC is a cooperative effort between the Army and high schools and is meant to develop citizenship, patriotism and self-reliance, improve communication, develop an appreciation of the importance of physical fitness and increase a respect for the US armed forces.  JROTC could potentially cover half of the physical education for students enrolled in the program.  There would be an estimated cost of around $45,000 to launch the program.

A Seneca Common Pleas Court jury found twenty-one year old Jarrod R. Pfeiffer of Tiffin guilty of two counts of aggravated arson for setting a fire at Walmart in Tiffin.  The former Walmart employee had started the fire with a 6-volt battery, metal hook and piece of paper in the sporting goods section.  Pfeiffer said he started the fire after a manager told him he was working too slowly.  Judge Michael Kelbley ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Pfeiffer, who was taken into custody by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manferd says Pete Rose has submitted a new request to be reinstated to baseball.  The career hits leader agreed to a lifetime ban in 1989 following an investigation that concluded he bet on the Cincinnati Reds to win while managing the team.  He applied for reinstatement in 1997 and met in 2002 with Commissioner Bud Selig who never ruled on the application.

At last night’s board meeting, Fostoria City Schools hired Drew Bauman as the new Fostoria Junior/Senior High School principal effective August 1.  Bauman had been an assistant principal at the school.  The board also hired Jennifer Abell as the director of student services.  Abell had been a school psychologist for 17 years in the district.  Both Bauman and Abell are graduates of Fostoria High School.

The I-75 widening project through Findlay may be moved up a year from 2017 to 2016.  As part of a larger project to widen I-75 from Findlay to Toledo, they state is planning to widen the highway through Findlay from south of Harrison Street and Hancock County Road 144, which is just south of the Ohio 15-US 68 interchange.  The project includes replacement of the Ohio 15 interchange.  If it is moved up, work would start in spring 2016.  If not, work would begin in spring 2017 and continue to the end of 2019.

The State of Ohio may be seeing a change in the speed limit.  Speeds on the Ohio Turnpike and rural roads would increase to 75 mph in changes inserted into a transportation budget.  Senate Transportation Chairwoman Gayle Manning said an earlier decision to raise Ohio’s statewide limit to 70 mph has resulted in virtually no negative impacts.  The amendment was among dozens folded into a $7 billion, two-year transportation budget headed for a committee vote and final Senate approval.

Kamryn Troike scored 33 points with 17 rebounds and six blocks to lead Fostoria St. Wendelin to a 49-36 victory over Ottoville in Saturday night's Girls Division 4 regional final at Elida.  Makenzie McAfee contributed a game-high 10 assists to help the Lady Mohawks take over with only a two point halftime lead.  St. Wendelin now heads to Columbus to face 26-1 Waterford at 1pm this Thursday at the Schottenstein Center in the State Semi-finals.  This will be the first time ever the St. Wendelin girls have played in the state finals.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public today at 4pm unitl 8 and again Tuesday and Wednesday from 8-8.

A sinkhole measuring about eight feet by eight feet opened up early Saturday on an Upper Sandusky street.  The sinkhole damaged two autos, including a police cruiser, is about four to five feet deep.  No injuries were reported.

The City of Findlay’s new website has now gone live.  The new website contains sections such as “Findlay News” and “Findlay Answers” where residents can ask public officials questions.  Officials are looking for feedback on the new website.  A form can be accessed on the main page of findlayohio.com.

Free recreation programs will be available to Fostoria youth this summer.  The Fostoria Community Enriching Our Youth is a new program put together with officials from the City of Fostoria, the Geary Family YMCA, Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services and local schools.  Children ages 7 to 17 will be able to participate in physical activities and crafts.  The free program will run from June 8 to July 30...Funding and volunteers are still needed.  For additional information on how you can help, contact the Geary Family YMCA.

Owens Community College’s tuition will be going up.  The board of trustees voted to institute a two percent increase.  Tuition for full-time in-state students will now be $156.06.  The increase is due to the loss of State Share of Instruction funding.

The mother of a Van Buren High School football player is claiming her son has been sexually assaulted numerous times by Van Buren students for a year.  The mother also claims her son has been “pervasively bullied” by Van Buren students and staff over the past year.  She told the board it has until April 9 to investigate the incidents and to discipline those who have refused to provide her son a safe environment.  The school has scheduled a meeting with a moderator with the Ohio Department of Education to help develop a solution. 

The trial of twenty-one year old Jarrod R. Pfeiffer of Tiffin began yesterday in Seneca County Common Pleas Court.  Pfeiffer is accused of setting a fire at Tiffin’s Wal-Mart in September.  He is being charged with two counts of aggravated arson.  Pfeiffer's attorney, Shane Leuthold, told jurors Pfeiffer struggles with autism and had a hard time dealing with the demands of a job and started the fire to gain positive attention.

According to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, forty-four non-US citizens have voted in recent Ohio elections.  However, none has affected an outcome.  The 44 were among 436 non-citizens discovered on Ohio voter registration rolls in checks in 2013 and this yea.  The 27 discovered this year who cast a ballot were referred to the Ohio attorney general for investigation and possible prosecution. 

The United Way of Hancock County is preparing for the 21^st annual Days of Caring.  The organization is now seeking projects for volunteers to work on.  Non-profit organizations are encouraged to submit proposals for consideration.  The Days of Caring take place April 25 through May 1.  To sign up a project or to volunteer, simply visit liveunitedhancockcounty.org.

The Boys Scouts of America are reminding people to not forget to put their yellow bags of canned food outside their front door tomorrow for the annual Scouting for Food campaign.  Last week local Boy Scouts placed yellow bags on the doors of area homes for people to put the canned goods in.  Tomorrow, the scouts will be back to collect the canned goods.  All items collected will be donated to local food banks…

Father John Stowe of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey has been appointed by Pope Francis as the third bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky.  Stowe has been the pastor and rector at Our Lady of Consolation since 2010.  The date and time of his ordination and installation as bishop has yet to be set.

Cosmos II on South Main Street in Bowling Green has apparently shut down in the face of a looming suspension of its food license.  The restaurant had repeated violations even after the owner agreed to close for a week in November to correct problems with cleanliness.  A December 22 inspection again uncovered critical violations involving food not being marked with expiration dates, improper sanitizer in the dishwasher and holding temperatures being too high.  Another follow-up on January 6 revealed the same problems with date-marking, as well as a box of raw chicken stored on top of lettuce in the walk-in cooler.

In girl’s regional basketball, St. Wendelin beat Pettisville 41-38.  The Lady Mohawks will now face Ottoville who defeated New Reigel 52-34.  In boy’s district basketball, Liberty-Benton fell to St. Henry 51-31.  Findlay lost to Lima Senior 45-32

A recent state audit of Van Buren Schools revealed overpayments to several district employees.  District Treasurer Cheryl Swisher overpaid herself $2,748 for the 2011-2012 contract year.  Swisher was not employed by the district for the first pay period of that contract year, but later paid herself for that pay period.  Also, three board members were also overpaid for attending meetings.  All overpayments have been returned.

The Hancock Park District Maple Sugarin’ Day is this Saturday at Litzenburg Park from 11am to 3pm.  The day begins with a pancake breakfast followed by many activities.  All activities are free and open to all ages.

The Blanchard River level is rising as warmer temperatures melt snow and ice around the region.  The rising river was predicted to crest this morning at 8.5 feet, which is considered “action stage.”  Minor flood stage at Findlay begins at 11 feet.  A hazardous weather outlook points to a heightened risk for ice jams through the weekend due to warming temperatures, snow melt and rain.  Ice jams could cause localized flooding.
 

A 23-year-Jacob Byington of Walbridg was killed yesterday in an accident on U.S. 23 near Bradner.  Byington was pronounced dead at the scene.  Byington was driving north on U.S. 23 at when his van ran into the rear of a semi.  U.S. 23 was closed for several hours after the crash.
 

A recent state audit of Van Buren Schools revealed overpayments to several district employees.  District Treasurer Cheryl Swisher overpaid herself $2,748 for the 2011-2012 contract year.  Swisher was not employed by the district for the first pay period of that contract year, but later paid herself for that pay period.  Also, three board members were also overpaid for attending meetings.  All overpayments have been returned.

The Hancock Park District Maple Sugarin’ Day is this Saturday at Litzenburg Park from 11am to 3pm.  The day begins with a pancake breakfast followed by many activities.  All activities are free and open to all ages.

The Blanchard River level is rising as warmer temperatures melt snow and ice around the region.  The rising river was predicted to crest this morning at 8.5 feet, which is considered “action stage.”  Minor flood stage at Findlay begins at 11 feet.  A hazardous weather outlook points to a heightened risk for ice jams through the weekend due to warming temperatures, snow melt and rain.  Ice jams could cause localized flooding.
 

A 23-year-Jacob Byington of Walbridg was killed yesterday in an accident on U.S. 23 near Bradner.  Byington was pronounced dead at the scene.  Byington was driving north on U.S. 23 at when his van ran into the rear of a semi.  U.S. 23 was closed for several hours after the crash.
 

According to Findlay Economic Development Corporation Director Tony Iriti, 2014 was the best year ever for economic growth in Findlay and Hancock County.  Iriti spoke at the Findlay Hancock County Alliance 2015 Business Forecast yesterday.  In his annual outlook, he said individual projects led to over 1600 jobs being created, $267 million in investment and a 1500 person increase in Hancock County resident employment.  Iriti also stated that with Hancock County employment levels at pre-recession levels, workforce development will be the corporation’s main focus going forward.

According to the annual report published by the State of Poverty in Ohio, nearly half of Ohio households are getting by paycheck to paycheck.  The association commissions the annual analysis providing one of the most detailed looks into poverty in Ohio.  45 percent of Ohioans lack the liquid assets to stay out of poverty for three months, up from 40 percent in 2006.  And the number falling into “episodic poverty” is 32 percent

Gliding Stars of Findlay will have their 14^th Annual Ice Show this Sunday.  The show begins at 2:30 at the Cube in Findlay.  Gliding Stars of Findlay Executive Director Cindy Breegel says an 80’s theme will be used.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  In addition to the show, a basket raffle will be held.

Hancock County’s January unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent from 3.5 percent in December.  Jobless rates rose in all 88 Ohio counties.  Part of the rise can be attributed to seasonal holiday jobs going away…

State Senator Cliff Hite introduced legislation Tuesday to require immunization of Ohio students against meningitis.  Senate Bill 121 would require the Ohio Department of Health to prescribe a schedule for immunizations against bacterial meningitis.  The bill is a follow-up to last year’s Senate Bill 275, or Tess’ Law, which resulted in a statewide Meningitis Awareness Day.

University of Findlay athletic director Steven Rackley announced he will resign from his position effective June 30.  He has accepted the same position at Alma College in Alma, Michigan.  Rackley has led the University of Findlay athletic department since being hired in September 2000 and helped the Oilers make the transition from the NAIA to NCAA’s Division II status.
 

Millstream Speedway will be reopening this spring and has released the race schedule and special events for the 2015 racing season.  The eight-race season will being May 31 with NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart’s All-Star Circuit of Champions.  The season wraps up on October 11.

Findlay City Council’s Appropriations Committee on recommended spending $1.3 million to resurface up to 13 more roads this year.  The city is also paying $802,650 toward a state project to resurface U.S. 224 and Ohio 568 within the city.  Before resurfacing begins, the city will replace all of the curbs along those two roads for $ 925,000. 
 

The Blanchard Valley Conference handed out the player of the year honors.  Arcadia’s Molly Glick and McComb’s Clay Grubb were the top players in the league.  Liberty-Benton swept the coach of the year awards with Ben Gerken being named the boys and Nate Irwin for the girls.  Also, son of WFOB/WBVI’s own Amy Masterlasco, Anthony Masterlasco was named to the first team.

The American Red Cross says this year's severe weather has forced them to cancel numerous blood drives across the area, impacting the blood supply.  While still able to meet the demand,  the Red Cross is getting to the point where they don't have enough of a back-up supply and are turning around and using the donations for patients in need immediately.  The biggest need is for blood types O negative, A negative, and B negative, but they are welcoming and encouraging anyone who is willing and able to donate to do so.

The McComb Police Department is creating a canine unit.  An anonymous donor is providing $25,000 to $30,000 to establish a trust fund to cover most of the expenses.  The village will pay for dog food and vet bills.

Ohio's next move to cut down the algae that has been fouling Lake Erie in recent summers may be hitting a snag.  Some Ohio lawmakers and those within Gov. John Kasich's administration no longer appear to be on the same page when it comes to legislation now being considered.  The Ohio House is ready to vote today on a measure that strays from what the governor has proposed and isn't as tough as a bill that already has cleared the state Senate.  It now appears legislative leaders and the governor's office may need more time to hash out a plan.

Senator Sherrod Brown has endorsed former Governor Ted Strickland as the Democrat best suited to challenge Republican Senator Rob Portman next year.  Strickland is one-term governor and former congressman.  He announced plans last month to challenge Portman.

The former kindergarten teacher in Loudonville who videotaped his students using the bathroom has pleaded not guilty.  Thirty-two-year-old Elliot Gornall is charged with 23 counts.  The Ashland County prosecutor said during Monday's bond hearing that 63 videos and hundreds of images of child pornography were on Gornall's computer.   Gornall's bond was set at $500,000.

The controversy surrounding Bill Cosby continues.  Two more shows were cancelled this morning including one in Ohio.  Cosby’s show in Warren, along with one in Lexington, Kentucky, was canceled upon mutual agreement with the venues.  The cancellations come in response to sexual assault accusations against the comedian. He has not been charged. 

During last week’s statewide tornado warning test, three of Fostoria’s sirens failed.  One did not rotate properly, a second had a battery issue and a third failed because its electronic controller is out for repair.  Some Seneca County sirens suffered the similar issues.  However, authorities said that this is why the tests are done to ensure that all sirens will be working properly in the case of an emergency.

Ohio’s largest online charter school spent at least $2.27 million of state education tax dollars last school year on advertising to attract students.  And that’s only part of the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow’s or ECOT’s advertising budget, because other advertising is paid for by the school’s for-profit management company.  In all, ECOT spent about $155 per student.

Owners of the former Internet café named Talk-n-Win that has three locations, including one on Patriot Drive in Findlay, were indicted by a Defiance County grand jury for running an illegal gambling business.  Marvin, Robert and Nadia Dabish of Oregon were indicted on 41 counts, including one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

CSX Transportation says it has finished off a $43 million expansion of its rail cargo hub in North Baltimore several years early.  CSX's hub that opened about four years ago connects freight moving between the Midwest and East Coast.  The expansion will allow CSX to more efficiently handle the longer trains that are coming into the yard.

The former home of first lady Betty Ford in Maumee has been destroyed in an early morning fire.  The home was once occupied by Ford and her first husband, William Warren.  Ford and Warren lived in the house in 1942 and 1943 while she modeled and sold merchandise at a department store.  The two divorced after five years, and she later married Gerald Ford.  Betty Ford died in 2011.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife says the number of Canada geese in the state have increased in recent years, and so have complaints about the birds.  Ohio’s Canada geese population is about 130,000.  That number has more than doubled in the past two decades and is expected to keep growing.  Residents and business owners say the large birds and their droppings wreak havoc on walkways, grass and landscaping.

According to AAA Ohio gas prices are down to start the work week.  The state average for a gallon of regular gas was $2.  That's down a dime from a week ago and $1.27 less than last year at this time.

An Ohio teacher accused of using a tiny spy camera to secretly record his kindergarten students using the bathroom is scheduled to appear in court.  Thirty-two-year-old Elliot Gornall is due to appear in Ashland County Court today following his Friday arrest.  Prosecutors say his personal computer contained dozens of videos of kindergarten students in a bathroom at an elementary school in Loudonville.  Gornall faces 25 felony charges.

The City of Findlay has asked drivers to avoid the intersection of Greendale and Sutton Place today.  The intersection will be closed from 8am to 5pm due to sewer installation.

Hancock County’s new engineer’s garage will come in about $184,000 under budget….  A total of $3.1 million was budgeted for the garage, including a $275,000 contingency fund.  The garage is located at 1900 Lima Avenue.  A public open house will be held April 1.

A female college student in Tiffin reported to police that she was raped by a male student at a dorm early Thursday morning.  Police say the alleged rape occurred around 12:45 a.m. at a dorm on Clay Street.  The students knew one another and police say they were drinking before the incident.  Both students are under the age of 21.  The female also reported the rape to the university officials.  The case is under investigation.

Tiffin City Council approved an additional $151,000 to the 2015 Capital Improvement Fund.  The additional funding brings the total road paving budget to a record $451,000.  Mayor Aaron Montz said that roads in every part of Tiffin will be repaved with a focus on Jefferson and Main Streets.  The repaving project is separate from two other major road reconstruction projects on Miami and North Sandusky Streets.

Fifty-six year old Gary A. Martin of Rawson has changed his guilty plea in multiple rape charges involving a girl who was 11 at the time.  Martin was scheduled to be sentenced in Hancock County Common Pleas Court yesterday.  The sentencing has now been delayed due to the defendant requesting a third psychiatric evaluation.  Martin was found competent during two previous evaluations.

The widow of Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins says she will consider running for election to complete the remaining two years of his term.  Collins died after suffering cardiac arrest last month.  Collins was an independent.  His wife, Sandy Drabik, is a Republican with a law degree who held leadership roles at the Ohio Department of Administrative Services and the University of Toledo.

Incoming Ohio State University students will be required to be up to date on their vaccinations.  Students who do not provide verification will not be allow to schedule classes next fall.  The move is in response to a mumps outbreak on and around campus last year that sickened almost 500 people.

Ohio prison officials want to give judges the authority to release inmates who are brain-dead or suffering from severe dementia.  The officials say the move would save taxpayers money.  Ohio prisons chief Gary Mohr asked state legislators on Thursday to tweak state law as he testified about his agency’s 2016-17 budget before a House subcommittee.  The state is paying about $1 million every two years for medical care just for 58 severely ill inmates serving mandatory sentences, many of whom don’t even know they are in prison.

At their recent meeting, the Wood County commissioners were asked to formally oppose the Nexus natural gas pipeline which is to run through the count.  The Coalition to Reroute Nexus or CORN made the request.  The commissioners said they shared some of the same concerns as CORN, but that they need more time to evaluate the matter before taking any action.

Ohio Governor John Kasich attended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress earlier this week sparking more speculation that he will run for president in 2016.  Kasich spent 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Kasich insisted that his appearance was spurred only by his deep interest in foreign relations.

The Ohio House is expected to pass a bill this week to combat toxic algae problem in Lake Erie.  The bill would prohibit farmers in northwestern Ohio from spreading manure and fertilizer on their fields if the ground is frozen or saturated with water, or if the forecast calls for a greater than 50 percent chance of precipitation exceeding 1 inch in a 12-hour period.  The goal is to reduce the phosphorus runoff from farmland

The Ohio Senate passed a measure to protect Ohio students from unintended consequences of new proficiency tests being rolled out this school year.  The bill would bar schools from using results from the increasingly criticized tests to determine a student’s advancement to the next grade level or in course credit decisions.   An exception is made for English language arts tests used in meeting Ohio’s third-grade reading guarantee.  Schools also could not release scores to outside sources without parental consent under the bill.
 

The Hancock County District Advisory Council voted unanimously yesterday to combine the Findlay and Hancock County health departments.  With Findlay Council agreeing to the joint health department on February 3, the contract will become effective immediately.  The single health agency will serve more than 75,000 people.
 

A man who left a suicide note on his neighbors door jumped into the Sandusky River yesterday afternoon.  Police had been looking for forty-five minutes for forty-six year old Mike J. Lucius of Tiffin when he was reported to have jumped into the river from the East Perry Street Bridge.  After being rescued by the Tiffin Fire Department, Lucius was taken to Mercy Tiffin Hospital and later by Life Flight to Toledo.

Findlay was named number one by Site Selection magazine for business growth among 575 small cities nationwide.  It won the distinction by bringing the McLane Company’s $119 million distribution center to Findlay, announcing Cooper Tire’s Global Technical Center; and expansions by Rowmark and Marathon.  In addition, Ohio was second only to Texas in Site Selection’s 2014 Governor’s Cup competition with other states. 
 

JobsOhio, Ohio’s non-profit privatized economic development office, reports that I created more than 21,000 jobs in 2014.  Jobs Ohio reported landing 286 projects and $6.1 billion in capital investments.  However, the group reported a downturn in the number of jobs retained by working with existing companies to upgrade or expand their operations.

The Ohio House is preparing to approve a two-year state transportation budget that adds certain training requirements for prospective drivers and allows the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to accept credit and debit cards.  The bill calls for all first-time drivers - not just minors - to take an approved driver training course, and makes other changes.

Ohio officials have sued BP for more than $33 million, alleging the oil and gas company double dipped.  The suit alleges BP claimed it had no insurance when it took state funding to clean up leaks from underground storage tanks at hundreds of its Ohio gas stations, even while also accepting insurance money.

Fifty-year old James S. Robertson of Tennessee was sentenced to six years in prison for calling in a bomb threat to Tiffin Calvert High School.  Robertson was charged with inducing panic.  Then incident occurred on October 13, 2014.   Robertson initially tried to call a threat into Columbian High School, but the number he called wasn't answered that morning.  He then turned his attention to Calvert.  Both the junior and senior Calvert campuses were evacuated and classes eventually were canceled for the day.  Robertson was attempting to cause a distraction to commit a robbery or theft.

After expecting to receive twenty to twenty-five applicants for Superintendent, Bowling Green City Schools received 31 applicants.  The school district expects to announce the replacement for Ann McVey in early April.  The first round of interviews is expected to begin the week of March 16.

The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce is planning on getting artistic this month.  The Chamber is creating an event on March 26 to allow persons learn how to paint.  Executive Director Sally McDonald says that beginners are welcome and the first paining will be of a wine glass at sunset.  The program starts at 5pm at the BANKquet Hall on South Main Street in Fostoria.  The cost is $30 and includes all painting materials needed.  To register, call the Chamber at 419.435.0486.

A Bowling Green man who raised money through the "Ice Bucket Challenge" has been charged with theft.  Thirty-nine year old .Edward “Woody” Schwerkolt admitted after a series of interviews with police that he collected money to benefit ALS research but kept it for himself instead of making the donation.  Schwerkolt was cited for one count of theft.  A total of $178 with six victims were cited.  However, the total does not include a $100 check given by the Bowling Green Chief of Police but not cashed.

A gas leak caused some residents on East Perry Street in Tiffin to evacuate their homes Sunday morning.  The Tiffin Fire Department says a leak at 209 East Perry Street was the result of a gas line freezing and breaking.  Four homes were evacuated at 10:41am.  Residents were allowed to return at 1pm.