Continuing repair work by CSX on railroad crossings in Findlay this week will close several more city streets.  East Main Cross and Sixth streets remain closed at their respective crossings until Thursday evening. Bigelow Avenue and Pearl Street will be closed at their respective crossings starting Thursday and lasting until July 9.  Access to businesses and residences on all the affected streets will be maintained, but there will be no access across the tracks at any time.

The Hancock County’s commissioners voted today to buy property at 11488 Marion Township 244 for $80,000, as part of the county’s flood mitigation efforts.  The Blanchard River runs through the property, which is owned by Wilbur and Mary Stahl.  About $2.5 million a year is reserved for flood -control by the commissioners from a half-percent, 10-year sales tax increase approved by county voters in 2009.

Governor John Kasich (KAY'-sik) is expected to sign a roughly $71 billion spending blueprint that continues his expansion of the Medicaid health program and provides an income tax cut. But the Republican governor has said he will use his line-item veto authority on some parts of the sweeping measure. His deadline to sign the bill is today.

Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH) has announced the construction of the new Daniel J. & Maria H. Sak Sleep Wellness Center.  The new center will replace the current BVH Sleep Disorders Center located at 1909 S. Main Street, Findlay.  More than 3,800 square feet of sleep lab and office will be available.  The estimated completion is December 2015.

The University of Findlay announced today that it will join the Great Midwest Athletic Conference also known at the G-MAC effective July 1, 2017.  The G-MAC is relatively new, and is a NCAA Division II athletic conference with member institutions in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.  Findlay has been a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association since 1997.

The Findlay Shade Tree Commission is beginning a strategic planning process to

update its programing to better serve the community.  The long time Adopt-A-Tree program will be transitioned to the new NeighborWoods program.  NeighborWoods enables neighbors to band together to plant more trees in their neighborhoods with Community Foundation financial support and more educational information and assistance to maximize success.  The Adopt-A-Tree program was initially very successful, but response to the program has ebbed in recent years.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Transportation have announced a partnership for a traffic safety initiative using ODOT digital message boards visible across the state.  The boards will rotate between the year-to-date number of traffic deaths of 2015 and other traffic safety messages.  ODOT and the State Highway Patrol hope to change driver behavior and reverse the upward trend of traffic deaths.

The Blanchard River fell below flood stage at Findlay early today.  The river, swollen by heavy rains on Saturday, crested at 11.83 feet Sunday morning. It fell below the 11-foot flood stage early today.

Extensive flooding and heavy rains have affected corn fields across the state and left growers contending with the possibility of lost or damaged crops. An Ohio State University Extension agronomist says the flooding and ponding could kill some corn crops.

Findlay police officer Aaron C. Flechtner has been identified as the patrolman who shot and killed Jeremy Linhart during a traffic stop on June 9 after another officer, Andrew Rudnik, stopped the car Linhart was riding in.  Flechtner joined the Police Department on Jan. 5, 2004 and is a field training officer and is a member of the crisis intervention team and special assignment unit; an instructor for the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate program; and has tactical and active shooter training.  Rudnik, 25, joined the Police Department on Nov. 4, 2013.  Both officers are on paid administrative leave.
 

Jeffery Lynn Simon says he is pulling out of the race for mayor of Findlay because of his health.  The 71 year old Siimon filed to run as an independent on April 14.  He also ran for mayor as an independent in 1999, but withdrew from the race that September.  His withdrawal means Mayor Lydia Mihalik, a Republican, will have no opposition for re-election in November.

All of Park Avenue in Fostoria between North Countyline Street and Lincoln Avenue will be closed to through traffic for 45 days beginning Tuesday for replacement  of a bridge.  The one lane bridge was built in 1970.  The project is a result of a joint effort between Fostoria, Wood County Engineers and Ohio Department of Transportation.

The University of Findlay announced Brandi Laurita as the University’s new athletic director.  Laurita has served as UF’s assistant athletic director and senior women’s administrator since 2008.  Laurita replaces Steven Rackley, who resigned earlier this year to become Alma College’s athletic director.

Reverend Todd Dominique has been assigned to serve as the new pastor for Fostoria St. Wendelin parish.  Dominique will be taking over after the retirement of Reverend Nicholas Weibl.  He will be the head of both the parish and St. Wendelin Catholic School/  Dominique’s day of service will be Wednesday.

Governor John Kasich is expected to formally announce his plans for the 2016 presidential race on July 21st.  Senior advisers say he will formally join the crowded Republican primary field at an announcement set for Ohio State University. There are more than a dozen Republicans already in the race.

According to a report released by US Senator Sherrod Brown’s office, a record 2,110 people died from drug overdose deaths in Ohio in 2013 alone.  A total of 10,231 drug overdose deaths were recorded in Ohio between 2008 and 2013.  In the Tri-County area, over 100 people died from drug overdoses in that six-year period.  Brown released a county-by-county report on overdose deaths as part of federal legislation he is co-sponsoring to fight prescription drug abuse by increasing access to treatment options.
 

David Cannon has been named vice president/chief financial officer of Owens Community College.  Since 2011, Cannon has served as vice chancellor of finance and data management for the Ohio Board of Regents.  Cannon earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from The Ohio State University, and a master’s degree in Finance from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, while serving in the United States Air Force.

The Ohio House passed a bill that requires liquids used in electronic cigarettes must be sold in child-resistant packaging.  E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that provide users with aerosol puffs that typically contain nicotine and sometimes flavorings like fruit or chocolate.  The Senate has passed a similar bill. One measure must clear both chambers before the restrictions can become law.  Under the legislation, the state’s health department would develop the standards for packaging resistant to children 5 and under.  Violators could be fined up to $1,000.

The state Senate has OK'd a bill to allow Ohioans to register online to vote and more easily declare their political party affiliation. The bill would direct the state's elections chief to create a secure, online registration process for voters. It now goes to the House for consideration.

Unionized workers at Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas ended their strike and will return to work on July 6.  The union approved a contract on Tuesday after five months of striking.  The national strike began in February with nine locations, including Marathon Petroleum’s refineries at Galveston Bay and in Catlettsburg, Kentucky.

The Republican-dominated state Senate has passed a ban on abortions after 20 weeks' gestation. The Senate voted along party lines yesterday to pass the bill, hours after opponents testifying at the Statehouse decried the measure as being too restrictive. It now heads to the Republican-dominated House.

Chillicothe residents are experiencing a growing fear that a serial killer is in their midst.  Six women have disappeared in the past year in cases that remain unresolved.  Two of the women remain missing and four have turned up dead.  Officials have said the women are connected through a common history of drug use, possible prostitution and connections to the same social circle.  Officials are not discounting the possibility of a serial killer, it is not the only avenue they are pursuing

About an hour-long standoff in Tiffin ended peacefully Sunday night. Sefton Y. Stevens gave himself up and was taken into protective custody after a standoff with Tiffin Police Department personnel.  According to authorities his girlfriend's mother reported he allegedly had been drinking, wanted to hurt himself and was going to hurt police if they arrived. 

The Findlay Police Department has released the initial incident report about the officer shooting of Jeremy Linhart.  According to the report, Linhart got into a “verbal altercation” and then a “physical altercation” with an officer during a traffic stop.  An unnamed officer stopped a vehicle on West Sandusky Street for failing to signal a turn around 3 a.m. on June 9.  Police said both the driver and Linhart, who was a passenger, were ordered out of the vehicle.  Linhart got into a “verbal altercation” with an officer and re-entered the vehicle.  A “physical altercation” followed between Linhart and the officer, and Linhart was shot.  The name of the officer still has not been released.

The Fostoria Athletic Boosters’ Sunny Farms Landfill 32^nd Annual Coaches East/West All-Star game was dominated by the West who had a 41-7 win.  Jeffery Barnett of Fremont Ross was named MVP for the East who’s game highlight was a 96 yard touchdown reception.  Barnett will play for Trine University in the fall.  West MVP was Grant Loveridge of Riverdale who threw for 152 yard and three touchdowns.  He also kicked two field goals and five extra points.  Loveridge has committed to the University of Findlay for the fall.
 

Greater Fostoria Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling almost $60,000 to six area organizations.  The Geary Family YMCA, Community Improvement Corporation, St. Wendelin High School, Fraciscan Earth Literacy Center, Glass Heritage and Caring Hands Pregnancy Center received the grants.  The Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million since its inception in 1998.
 

Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland continues to lead Republican incumbent Rob Portman in a new poll on the battle for a U.S. Senate seat next year.  The Democrat holds s 6-point edge over Portman, down a bit from the 9-point advantage Strickland held in the previous Quinnipiac Poll, released in early April.  Strickland performs much better versus Portman than does the other Democrat in the contest, Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld. The survey shows Portman swamping the little-known Sittenfeld by more than two to one: 49 points to 24.

The Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees gave the university administration authority to work with the FCC on possible sale of the station’s spectrum.  Several trustees made it clear they expect the public to have ample opportunity to weigh in on the station’s future.  The FCC is conducting a two-stage spectrum auction sometime next year to try to free up additional space for the burgeoning wireless market.  Stations will have three ways to participate. The most drastic would be for a station to sell its spectrum and give up its license.

A group of activists has filed an appeal to try to compel a Cleveland municipal judge to issue arrest warrants for two white police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a black 12-year-old boy with a pellet gun. The appeal says the judge is required by state law to issue warrants after he ruled last week that there was enough evidence to charge the officer who shot Tamir Rice with murder, and the officer's partner with other crimes.

The Sunny Landfill 32^nd Annual East-West All-Star game presented by the Fostoria Athletic Boosters kicks off Saturday at Fostoria Memorial Stadium at 7pm.  This year’s contest features 69 players from 29 different schools that are in the Blanchard Valley Conference, Sandusky River League, Northern 10, Northern Buckeye Conference and Three Rivers Athletic Conference.  The East will be coached by Steve Reser of Gibsonburg and the West by Riverdale’s Mark Frey.  The game can be heard on Mix 96.7 WBVI and 1430 WFOB.

The Blanchard River Stream Enhancement Project, a collaborative effort by Hancock and five other counties, has agreed to invest an additional $941,500 in clearing the river of about 8,902 dead ash trees.  The vote was split, 10 to 4.  The “no” votes came from commissioners in Hardin, Putnam and Wyandot counties, who questioned the method of assessment.  The main concern is the additional cost for removing about 342 trees from the banks of the river in Findlay.  Each tree removed in Findlay will cost about $250, as opposed to $100 to take a tree down in rural areas.
 

The Republican-dominated state Senate has approved a $71.3 billion, two-year operating budget. The spending blueprint cleared the Senate last night after a last-minute decision to remove an abortion clinic restriction to win Democratic support. The sweeping proposal would increase tobacco taxes, boost higher-education funding and eliminate state taxes for certain small business income.

Heather Foos, Zachariah Zender and Cody Young, all of Tiffin and Juan Williams of Fostoria pled not guilty to varying drug related charges in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Thursday afternoon.  The four were among 32 people indicted on about 60 drug related charges from a recent drug bust by the Seneca County Metric Unit.

High water blocked streets and roads as the Blanchard River reached moderate flood stage in Findlay last night.  The National Weather Service predicts the river will reach 13 feet today.  In Bluffton, Riley Creek spilled over its banks and closed northbound I-75 yesterday morning.  Eagle Creek began receding last night.  The weather service estimated the creek would fall below its 9-foot flood stage by morning. 
 

Even though the area is weeks away from peak algae season, but experts say they are already paying attention to an algal bloom that has been spotted in Lake Erie.  The bloom is about three and a half miles away from the City of Toledo water intake facility and was discovered by a charter boat captain.  According to Sandy Bihn of the Lake Erie Waterkeeper Association, blooms are not normally see until mid to late July.

Fostoria City Council gave first reading to an ordinance to place renewal of the city’s five-year, 1 percent income tax on the November ballot.  The current tax expires in 2015 and accounts for a sizable portion of the city’s budget.  From the tax, a total of $600,000 is automatically earmarked for expenses such as street repair, capital improvements, infrastructure and citywide cleanup, with the remaining balance being placed into the general fund to keep the city’s operations moving.
 

In the face of a lawsuit filed against the city this month, Bowling Green City Council introduced an ordinance Monday that would remove a controversial limit on taxicab licenses in the city.  Currently, the city's codified ordinances states: "The maximum number of licenses issued shall not exceed one taxicab per 2,000 people. The population figure shall be based on the last federal census."  Municipal Administrator John Fawcett and City Attorney Mike Marsh, in separate documents, had recommended the change, noting that there is no information as to why that language was enacted in the first place and there is no apparent benefit to the city in retaining the language.  The controversy over the ordinance began June 3 with the filing of a lawsuit against the city by Green Cab, an Athens, Ohio-based cab company looking to expand in Bowling Green.

 A state Senate panel is poised to vote on a sweeping budget proposal that would increase Ohio's tobacco taxes, boost higher-education funding and eliminate state taxes for certain small business income. The Senate Finance Committee plans to debate its latest revisions to the two-year $71.3 billion state operating budget, before possibly voting on the spending plan, this morning.

Captains Joshua Eberle, Timothy Hassan or Jeff Rampe is expected to be named to be named the new Findlay Fire Department Chief today.  Each interviewed for the chief position Tuesday.  In a related story to the Findlay Fire Department, Findlay City Council rejected an Appropriations Committee report that recommended former Department Chief Tom Lonyo be paid $10,360 in accrued sick time, the minimum figure the city could pay.  Lonyo’s payout was tabled and referred back to the Appropriations Committee for more discussion.

The Ohio House State Government Committee has scheduled a possible vote for today on an expanded version of the state's concealed weapons law that would allow guns in places such as colleges and day cares and on private aircraft.  The bill still permits those places to ban guns if they want.

Ohioans could register to vote online under a proposal slated for a possible vote by a legislative panel.  The bill would direct Ohio's elections chief to create a secure, online registration process for voters.  Applicants would need to provide an Ohio driver's license or state ID card number to register using the online system.  Currently, Ohio voters can update their addresses online.

The Seneca County commissioners unanimously rescinded their motion to enter into contract negotiations to hire North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments as project coordinator for the joint justice center project during their special meeting Monday.  According to Commissioner Fred Zoeller, the consortium of the city, county and judges were at a stalemate and it was imperative the three entities move forward together because of the size and scope of the project.  A new leadership team is to be formed and would include two Tiffin City Council representatives, Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz, two judges and a commissioner and decisions would have to be unanimous to move forward.  Any decisions made by the leadership team must be approved by commissioners, council and the judges.

Garmann Miller Architects has recommended that Liberty-Benton School District add eight more modular classrooms at it K through 8 building.  The firm says the classrooms are way too small to serve the students.  The district already uses eight modular classrooms at the building.  The company is recommending eight more classrooms be added, and that one of the modulars be turned into a bathroom.  The estimated price for the eight units is $794,664, excluding plumbing and electricity costs.

One Energy broke ground yesterday for the construction of five wind turbines to help power Whirlpool and Ball Metal.  The cost of the construction is $18 million.  One Energy will own and operate the turbines.  Ball will buy all the energy from three of the turbines, and Whirlpool will buy all the energy from two of the turbines.

A bacterial outbreak at Heritage Corner Health Care Campus, an assisted-living facility in Bowling Green, has led to 18 confirmed cases of salmonella but appears to be under control, according to public health officials.  ‪Salmonella was found at the assisted-living wing beginning May 27.  Eight residents and one staff member visited a hospital with symptoms, and two residents died, though some of those patients could have been experiencing separate health issues.  Salmonella was not listed as the cause of death for the two people who died June 2 and June 3.  The illness was confined to the assisted-living unit and did not impact the nursing, rehabilitation or daycare portions of the facility.

 A key figure in the University of Toledo sports bribery case faces sentencing in Detroit today.  Prosecutors are asking a judge for a nearly six year sentence for Ghazi Manni, who paid Toledo football and basketball players to fix games nearly a decade ago.

A Cleveland judge has is issued an opion that there is probable cause to charge two officers after one shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice on Nov. 22, 2014.  Judge Ronald B. Adrine ruled on Thursday that there was probable cause to charge Officer Timothy Loehmann with murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless and negligent homicide, and dereliction of duty.  The judge also ruled that another officer, Frank Garmback, could not be charged with murder; however he could be charged with negligent homicide and dereliction of duty.  Neither officer has officially been charged.   The judge's opinion is an informal gesture, as only prosecutors can bring forth charges. 

The Marathon campus in Findlay continues to grow.  The Findlay Planning Commission approved the company’s plans for an employee outdoor work area on the southeast corner of Main and Hardin Streets.  ”Marathon Green” will be bigger that the Elks building that used to be at the location.  The area will be a gated park-like area with a five foot brick wall and see through fencing.  The project has a July 2016 completion date…

The City of Findlay Police Department has made available on-line a community watch map that outlines criminal activity around the city.  The map is available on the department’s website at police.findlayohio.com.  The map reports thefts, burglaries, property damage and assaults that are reported to the police.  The map will be updated every few days.

Scott Schroeder of Leipsic has been named the new chairman of Ag Credit.  Schroeder has been on the Ag Credit board of directors since 2008 and operates a hog farm, along with growing various crops.  He also spent 14 years in the banking industry.  Ag Credit is an agricultural and rural lending cooperative serving farmers, agribusinesses, rural homeowners and rural communities in 18 northern Ohio counties.

A veterans’ resource fair is being held Sunday, June 14 from noon to 4pm at the Elks At Northridge Club in Findlay.  Veterans living in the area surrounding Hancock County will be able to learn more about the benefits they earned during their military service as well as what is available in their local community to support them.  The resource fair is being presented by the Hancock County Veterans Service Office and the Elks, in cooperation with the Hancock County Red Cross.

The state Senate's finance panel meets today to go over the final amendments to its two-year $71.3 billion state budget. Among the proposals is one from Senate Democrats to restore tax credits for historic rehabilitation projects, with supporters saying such programs are a vital redevelopment tool in urban areas.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has introduced a measure banning most late-term abortions, with Ohio Senator Rob Portman among fellow Republicans listed as co-sponsors. Analysts suggest it could put some GOP lawmakers seeking re-election next year, such as Portman, in a tough spot. Graham believes the measure will get a vote this year.

Four more people indicted last week on drug charges, including one Fostoria woman, were arrested in connection to a series of year-long investigations throughout Seneca County.  Thirty two people were indicted by a Seneca County grand jury on June 3 on approximately 60 counts of drug related charges.  Seventeen were arrested last Friday following a coordinated operation carried out by seven area law enforcement agencies.  Eleven more suspects remain at large.

A state Senate panel is considering an online voter registration bill. The proposal would direct Secretary of State Jon Husted to create a secure, online registration process for voters. Applicants would need to provide an Ohio driver's license or state ID card number to register using the online system. Currently, Ohio voters can update their addresses online.

A gun was found in the car that Jeremy Linhart, the man shot during a struggle with a Findlay police officer after a traffic stop, was a passenger in.  Officials have not confirmed who the owner of the gun is and where it was found in the vehicle, but Linhart was legally barred from having firearms.  No charges have been filed against the officer who remains on paid leave from the force.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office announced that it will provide $3 million to Ohio colleges and universities to help strengthen their sexual assault victim advocacy programs.  The funding will also provide additional resources to the schools to help with the investigation of sexual assault.  The office will provide schools with “memorandums of understanding” to help develop agreements between police agencies, prosecutors, the school and groups which provide services to victims.  The office will also conduct training sessions for those who investigate sexual assault on campus this summer at various schools around the state.

The Fostoria St. Wendelin Festival kicks off its 42^nd version tomorrow at 6pm.  Rides, games, music and lots of food will continue until midnight and starts back up Saturday at 4pm and again on Sunday at 11:30am.  The grand prize drawing for $10,000 will be on Sunday at 7pm.  There is no admission, but funds raised will benefit St. Wendelin Catholic School.

Two teenagers who ran away from Wyandot County are now being tried as adults in Pennsylvania.  Triston Kindle of Upper Sandusky and Rose May of Sycamore, were located in West Virginia after their crime spree.  May is being charged with aggravated assault, robbery and criminal conspiracy, receiving stolen property and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a firearm by a minor and recklessly endangering another person and resisting arrest.  Kindle is being charged with aggravated assault and robbery, possession of a firearm by a minor and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.

The city of Marion is experiencing a heroin problem that has turned into an epidemic in the past twelve days.  Over thirty overdose victims have gone to the hospital and two died from a supercharged blue tinted batch from Chicago hit the streets.  City officials say if it hadn't been for naloxone, an antidote carried by paramedics, most of the survivors probably would have died, too.  They ranged in age from their late teens to early 60s.  Officials in Marion hope they've seen the worst of the latest heroin skirmish.   On Wednesday, 60 law enforcement officers raided three addresses in Marion, arrested four people and seized more than two pounds of the blue heroin that has plagued the city.

  Three men were arrested Tuesday in connection with a theft of commercial grade wire from an American Electric Power substation.  30 year old Sean Dayton, 36 year old Joshua Fox, both of Fostoria and 31 year old Terry O’Leary of Republic were arrested yesterday following a standoff with police at a Francis Avenue Fostoria apartment complex.  The SWAT team was dispatched to gain access to the apartment where commercial wire and other items that were drug related were discovered.  All three suspects are currently being held in the Fostoria City Jail pending court appearances.

Teens Rose May of Sycamore and Triston Kindle of Upper Sandusky have been charged in Pennsylvania with first degree felony counts of aggravated assault and robbery.  Both face even more additional charges in their crime spree through Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia that included injuring a police officer.  The two were being held without bond in a juvenile detention center in Wheeling, West Virginia.  They were expected to be extradited to Pennsylvania soon.

30 year old Jeremy Linhart of Findlay was shot and killed by a Findlay police officer during a Tuesday morning traffic stop.  Linhart was a passenger in vehicle stopped by police about 3 a.m.  The officer, who has not been identified, ordered both the driver and passenger out of the car.  Both got out, but Linhart tried to get back into the car and was shot in a scuffle with the officer.  A gun was later found in the vehicle.  Linhart was being sought under a warrant issued Friday for failure to comply with conditions of his bond on a charge of cocaine possession.  The officer was put on a paid leave of absence.

The Seneca County commissioners voted to enter into contract negotiations to hire North Central Ohio Educational Service Center as project coordinator for the joint justice center project.  This comes after last week’s announcement that the organization was withdrawing from the project.  However,  according to a memo from Jim Lahoski of the ESC to the board, the ESC and North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments again are interested in serving as project coordinators and completing work for the joint justice center.

Hancock Park District will receive a gift of over $300,000 from an anonymous donor.  The donation stipulates that half the funds be used for expansion of the Oakwoods Nature Preserve property.  But if that is not possible, as adjacent land may not be available, the money could be used for another expense, such as capital improvements or as matching money to seek grants.  The other half will be spent on Blanchard River Greenway Trail improvements.
 

Proponents of pot legalization in Ohio say they've reached their goal to collect at least 550,000 signatures to qualify a legalization measure for the fall ballot. ResponsibleOhio says the effort also met an additional requirement by hitting signature minimum benchmarks for 70 of Ohio's 88 counties.

The City of Findlay and Hancock County, along with Blanchard Valley Hospital are looking into the possibility of joining the Findlay School District’s planned fiber network.  The City of Findlay is interested in connecting 31 locations and Blanchard Valley Hospital is interested in 36…As of now, the estimated cost of the fiber network for the school district is $1.5 million.

A family has filed a lawsuit against the director of a Toledo funeral home after the discovery of 11 bodies intended for cremation. The wife of a 55-year-old man who died in May accuses Tate Funeral Services and its director of mistreating the body by failing to have it embalmed or properly refrigerated as required by state law.

The Carey school board approved an enterprise zone agreement between the village and Halla Visteon Climate Control, of Detroit, Michigan, for a 100 percent tax abatement if the company locates in a recently-constructed industrial park on the village’s east side.  The tax abatement will be on new construction and machinery for a maximum of 10 years.  The agreement will be considered by Carey Council and Wyandot County commissioners during the next few weeks.  If the company locates in the village, it will hire 140 workers over the next three years.

A state Senate committee is scheduled to hear public testimony on its proposed changes to Ohio's two-year budget that includes a 40-cent tax increase on a pack of cigarettes and tax relief for small businesses. Majority Republicans highlighted the policy revisions in their $71.3 billion spending blueprint yesterday. Their plan is set to come before the Senate Finance Committee this morning.

Rettig Brothers Furniture, located on U.S. 224 west of Findlay, will become Art Van Furniture’s first franchise store in Ohio, after remodeling and expanding next month.  The new store will be called Art Van Findlay.  The new store will carry LaZ-Boy, Natuzzi Leather and Flexsteel, house Art Van PureSleep and an Art Van Clearance Center, and feature Ohio’s Amish-made solid wood furniture.  Art Van Furniture operates 48 furniture stores in the Midwest, and 44 freestanding PureSleep mattress stores.
 

The North Central Electric Cooperative annual meeting and family fun day today at the Seneca County Fairgrounds in Tiffin.  This is the second year family fun day has been added to the cooperative’s annual meeting format.  Children rides, bounce houses, magic shows and face painting will be featured from 1 to 5 p.m. The 79th annual business meeting will begin at 6 p.m.  The event is open to cooperative members and their families. Registration will open at 1 p.m. All children will be issued a wrist band upon registration in order to participate in youth activities.

The state Supreme Court today takes up the case of a death row inmate fighting the state's second effort to have him executed, claiming it would amount to double jeopardy. Corrections officials had to halt Romell Broom's execution in 2009 when they were unable to find a usable vein for the lethal injection drugs.

Ohio is introducing a special license plate available for immediate relatives of any member of the U.S. armed forces who died outside a combat zone while serving honorably in the military.  The "military sacrifice" plate being unveiled by officials today was made possible through a law that took effect in March.  It is being offered for spouses, children, parents, grandparents and siblings of qualifying service members.  The new design joins about 40 special license plates that the state offers to recognize veterans' service and recipients of certain military medals.

Two missing teens from Wyandot County were arrested Saturday by West Virginia State Police after a chase.  16 year old Triston Kindle of Upper Sandusky and 15 year old Rose May of Sycamore, were arrested by West Virginia State Police around noon after the teens crashed their car and attempted to elude authorities by jumping into the Ohio River.  They were being held without bond Sunday in a juvenile detention facility in Wheeling, West Virginia, on charges of possession of stolen property and fleeing in a vehicle from police resulting in property damage.  The two also may face separate charges in Ohio and Pennsylvania, which continue to investigate along with West Virginia.

Toledo police officers will be getting new body cameras this summer. The Blade reports the city has bought 43 cameras and expects them to arrive next month. They will be worn by second-shift patrol officers. The department's motorcycle unit already has eight body cameras in use now.

Donna J. Hamm of Tiffin died Friday after she was hit by two cars while crossing a highway on a motorized wheelchair.  Witnesses told police that Hamm was trying to cross Ohio 18 in front of a Wal-Mart store.  Eastbound traffic on Ohio 18 was stopped, and Hamm drove between the stopped eastbound cars.  Police said Hamm was hit by a westbound vehicle and then thrown from her scooter and went under another vehicle, becoming trapped…The 45 year old Hamm passed at Mercy St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.

Findlay has been named the sixth best place for renters n Ohio, and Bowling Green was first, according to a study by consumer advocacy website NerdWallet.  In the study of best cities for renters, Findlay was surpassed in Ohio by only Bowling Green, Oxford, Athens, Bexley and Upper Arlington.  Lima ranked 23rd; Tiffin, 25th; Fostoria, 119th.

Police say a pair of missing teenagers from Wyandot County attempted to rob a Pittsburgh-area gas station and dragged a police officer behind a stolen truck as they escaped.  15 year old Rose May of Sycamore and 16 year old Triston Kindle of Upper Sandusky, were reported missing on Monday.  Police believe the two stole another truck early Thursday in Meadville, PA and then attempted to rob a gas station in the area.  The teens are still on the loose and believed to have a shotgun.  Anyone with information that could help police should contact the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office.

A coalition of advocates for low-income Ohioans is making its pitch for more money in the state's budget to help tackle elder abuse, hunger and other issues around poverty.  The group Advocates for Ohio's Future is calling for additional funding increases for housing support programs, food banks and child services.  They also want lawmakers to institute a more comprehensive approach to connecting people with jobs and needed services to help them out of poverty.  The budget must be in place by June 30.

The New Riegel Softball team is playing in the state tournament today.  The Lady Blue Jackets face Shadyside at 3pm in Akron in a game that can be heard on 1430 WFOB.  If they when, they will play tomorrow in the championship that can be heard on Mix 96.7 WBVI.  The school is also looking for help in defraying the cost of the teams travel.  Anyone who is interested in making a donation can do so at any First National Bank of Sycamore location.

Romark of Findlay has bought Johnson Plastics, headquartered in Minneapolis… Johnson Plastics is a distributor of engravable sheet materials, sublimation products and related accessories, with nine regional sales and distribution offices.  It has been a distributor of Rowmark products for more than 30 years.  Rowmark also is completing an $8 million, 83,000-square-foot building, its second at Tall Timbers Industrial Park.

Prosecutors say the trial for five white Cleveland police supervisors for their involvement in a 2012 gun barrage that killed two unarmed black people may be moved to the nearly all-black suburb of East Cleveland. The supervisors are charged with dereliction of duty. Patrolman Michael Brelo was acquitted last month of manslaughter in the deaths.

The Flag City Honor Flight is taking off this morning from the Toledo Express Airport.  The local Findlay organization is giving military veterans to make a special trip to Washington DC.  Dozens of veterans specifically from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War will be given the opportunity to visit several memorials, watch the changing of the guards and sample other Washington DC offerings.  The flight will return around 9pm.  This is now the 5th flight of the Flag City Honor Flight.  

State Senate President Keith Faber says the senate is weighing changing Ohio's two-year state budget which includes holding tuition rates flat at community colleges and universities as well as boosting pay for judges.  The Senate is expected to release its version of a budget Monday.  The House passed its version in April.

The North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments and North Central Ohio Educational Service Center announced they were withdrawing from consideration as facilitator or project manager for the joint justice center project for Tiffin and Seneca County.  Neither organization will be part of future discussions

Ohio Agriculture Department has announced that all live bird shows in the state have been cancelled this year to protect poultry from the avian flu.  The ban includes poultry shows at the Ohio State Fair and all county and independent fairs across the state.  The order also applies to poultry auctions, swap meets, and all other gatherings of birds for show or sale.

The search for two missing Wyandot County teenagers is now focusing on Brooklyn, Pennsylvania.  16 year old Triston Kindle of Upper Sandusky, and  15 year old Rose May of Sycamore, were reported missing Monday.  The teens are said to have left their residences between midnight and 4 a.m. Monday.  The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday that a stolen truck, which Kindle and May had been seen in, was found Tuesday night in the Pennsylvania town.  Anyone with information is being asked to call the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office at 419-294-2362.
 

Ohio lawmakers passed legislation that would ban the sale of powered alcohol known as Palcohol and powered caffeine.  Palcohol is mixed into drinks but some lawmakers were concerned by how easy it could be consumed my minors.  They were also worried that powdered caffeine is not properly labeled or regulator.  The legislation has been sent to the governor.