Findlay city officials and Findlay planning commission are considering requiring businesses to use “low profile” monument signs, while phasing out existing pylon signs, which are those that are on poles.  Businesses directly alongside Interstate 75 would be exempt from the zoning change.  Officials are considering a few ways of implementing the requirement.  One would require all businesses to change their signs after a number of years.  The other is to force new businesses to obey the rule, but only require old businesses to conform when they replace or drastically alter their existing pylon sign.  The goal of the restriction is to make Findlay more aesthetically pleasing.
 

Hancock County officials, including Sheriff Mike Heldman and Common Pleas Judge Reg Routson, have begun discussions about the effort to turn Dorney Plaza into a community gathering place.  At issue is the need for safety around the Hancock County Courthouse and other government buildings.  Often combative prisoners are routinely removed from the courthouse by force which could prove dangerous.  The Findlay-Hancock County Alliance’s Economic Reinvestment Committee began talks about renovating Dorney Plaza last year, with the goal of improving the appearance of the plaza and creating a public gathering place.

Authorities say an armed civilian accidentally fired a shot from an AR-15 rifle outside a military recruiting center in Ohio but no one was hurt. Police in Lancaster say 28-year-old Christopher Reed was holding the rifle outside the center yesterday when someone asked to look at the weapon. While Reed was clearing the ammunition from the rifle, he accidentally fired a shot into the pavement.

Wood County Health District employees voted to end their relationship with Service Employees International Union Local 199.  Of the 36 valid votes cast, six were in favor of staying with SEIU.  A three-year union contract ended June 30, and rather than work with the union to negotiate a new one, wages and policies will now be set by the Board of Health.

The Fostoria Police Department reports that early Wednesday morning three incidents of vandalism to vehicles took place on Jones and Hays Street.  The vehicles were damaged by having bricks thrown at them.  No items were reported missing from the vehicles.  Fostoria officers will conduct extra patrol throughout the area and all of town in an effort to both prevent another vandalism attack in the city and capture those responsible.

Owens Community College has received a five-year Trio Student Support Services grant.  The $220,000 grant from the US Department of Education will be used to increase persistence, academic standing and graduation and transfer rates of students through an integrated and comprehensive set of services.  The grant will serve 140 students in its first year. 

Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik, Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards and Lima mayor David Berger have sent a letter to Bowling Green State University president Mary Ellen Mazey urging the university not to sell WBGU-TV’s spectrum rights.  The Federal Communications Commission is offering broadcasters the chance to participate in an auction of the rights because of a spectrum need resulting from increased smartphone and tablet use.  If BGSU sells its rights to use the spectrum, it could receive close to $40 million.  The mayors said they support the public television station because of the “valuable educational and cultural programming which it offers to all of us.” 
 

Governor John Kasich has authorized personnel at Ohio National Guard recruitment centers to carry weapons following last week's shooting in Tennessee that killed four Marines and a sailor. The guard says Major General Mark Bartman, the Adjutant General of Ohio, granted the authorization as part of an update of policies and training requirements for the recruiting centers and a review of all security measures.

The Calvert Catholic Board of Trustees has announced Michael Kaucher will return after 12 years as superintendent/principal.  Kaucher has served as the principal at Central Catholic in Toledo.  He was assistant principal and business manager at Calvert 1988-2000.  Kaucher is to begin his three-year term Monday.

The University of Findlay College of Pharmacy has donated $1,500 to the Findlay Health Department to purchase 25 naloxone kits.  Naloxone, a drug that prevents people from overdosing, can now be distributed without a prescription.  The Findlay city Health Department plans to distribute the kits in the community.
 

The Fostoria Athletic Booster’s annual membership and patron drive is scheduled for August 3.  From 6-9pm that day, athletes from both Fostoria and St. Wendelin high schools will be out and about asking for donations to the Booster who provide support to both school’s athletic departments.  Annually, the Boosters provide $40,000 to the schools.

The Seneca County Drug Task Force-Metric Enforcement Unit is at it again.  With their third drug raid in four days, 35 year-old Matthew Fuller of Fostoria was arrested after a search warrant found suspected crack cocaine, criminal tools and evidence of drug trafficking at his Poplar Street home.  Fuller is in custody at the Fostoria city jail and faces a maximum of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
 

During a special session Tuesday, the Arcadia school board narrowly reaffirmed its choice of Bill Dobbins as the new high school principal.  Tuesday’s action was taken to remedy a procedural error made in the school board’s May 20 agenda.  Dobbins’ two-year contract will start August 1.

Back to school shoppers will get the chance to shop tax free from August 7-9, thanks to House Bill 248, signed by Ohio Governor John Kasich.  The Sales Tax Holiday will allow parents to get everything they need for their children before school starts without paying more than the price tag.  That weekend shoppers won’t have to worry about county or state sales tax.  There is no cap on how much you can spend on clothing and supplies, but there are two rules when it comes to the prices of individual items.  School supply items cannot be over $20 individually and clothing and shoes have to be less than $75 per item.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Findlay City Council finalized the sick time payout for retired Fire Chief Tom Lonyo, capping months of debate.  The city will pay Lonyo $32,375 after council approved an ordinance for the payout by an 8-2 vote.  The payout is half of what Lonyo accrued in unused sick time prior to his retirement.
 

Hancock County and the city of Findlay have agreed to pay for a joint study to investigate bringing fiber optics into government buildings from the Findlay City Schools’ planned fiber network.  Hancock County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award $16,750 to Sigma Technologies of Perrysburg, to conduct a cost feasibility assessment of the project.  The school’s network is expected to cost the school district about $1.5 million to establish and will connect the school buildings with a state-of-the-art voice, video and data platform with high broadband capabilities.  Blanchard Valley Hospital has also expressed interest in the project.

The project of the widening of Stearns Road has lost almost 14 days because of rain.  Fostoria Mayor Eric Keckler reported to Fostoria City Council that the project was scheduled to be completed by July 31, but now crews will be working to at least the end of August.  The project began on May 11.

Bowling Green City Council voted to remove language in the city's codified ordinances restricting the number of taxi licenses which could be issued.  The wording, in place for decades, was the subject of a recent lawsuit against the city of Bowling Green by an in-state taxi firm.  Green Cab, an Athens, Ohio-based cab company, which had been looking to expand in the city filed suit on June 3.

Joe Vera III of Arcadia pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in Hancock County Common Pleas Court for attempting to steal a man’s vehicle at knifepoint.  On March 25, Vera brandished a knife at the Findlay Tiffin Avenue Circle K telling the victim to give him his car keys.  The victim fought back by throwing his large fountain drink at Vera…Vera then struck the victim and fled on foot.  He could face up to 11 years in prison.

Downtown Findlay merchants are collecting signatures on petitions calling for changes in Marathon Petroleum Corp.’s $80 million complex expansion.  The businesses want to keep or add public parking.  The petitions, also being circulated by additional merchants, state that citizens and merchants are concerned that Marathon’s expansion will “likely have a detrimental effect upon nearby downtown merchants, their patrons and elderly patrons in particular.”
 

Ohio Gov. John Kasich launches his 2016 presidential campaign today.  He'll be the 16th Republican to enter the race and plans to announce his bid at his alma mater, Ohio State University.  Kasich is a popular second-term governor, an 18-year veteran of Congress and a previous presidential candidate during the 1999 elections.  Former president George W. Bush beat him for the GOP’s support, marking Kasich's only failed election…He's also a father of teenage twin girls and a good friend to U2's Bono.

The City of Fostoria lowered the American flag to half-staff Monday to honor the five military servicemen killed in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Even though the President and Governor are the only ones who can order flags lowered, Mayor Eric Keckler said his office knew it was the right thing to do after being approached by several area veterans.  The moratorium on the flag will be lifted after the interment of the five military casualties.
 

The University of Findlay Mazza Museum founder Dr. Jerry Mallett has passed away.  The 76 year old Mallet was serving as curator at the museum.  The Mazza Museum began in 1982 as a four-item collection of original pieces of art from children’s books, and as a speaking event that featured a campus visit by an internationally recognized children’s illustrator/author.  Since then, the Mazza Museum, housed in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, has become one of the world’s largest museums of original artwork by children’s book illustrators.  A private funeral service will be held soon, and the University of Findlay is also planning to hold a memorial service during the fall semester.

A higher percentage of children live in poverty now than did during the Great Recession in 2008, according to a new report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  The foundation's 2015 Kids Count Data Book reported about 22% of children in the U.S. lived below the poverty line in 2013, compared with 18% in 2008.  Ohio ranked 23^rd nationally and had 53,000 more living in poverty than in 2008.

The Ohio Secretary of State office says a marijuana legalization campaign has failed to meet its initial signature target.  Secretary of State Jon Husted announced yesterday that about 276,000 of signatures submitted by the group ResponsibleOhio were valid.  At least 305,591 were needed to make the November ballot…The group has 10 days to collect more signatures.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and the United Way of Hancock County announced they will provide funding for 16 children to attend two additional pre-kindergarten classes.  The grant extends a pre-kindergarten program of two classes started about 14 months ago.  One of the new classes will be in the Riverdale Local School District and the other will be at Washington Pre-School in Findlay.  The grants cover tuition, transportation and lunch to pre-kindergarteners.

The Good Ole Summertime Festival returns to North Baltimore this Saturday.  Music starts in the gazebo on Main and Broadway at 11am and continues to 9pm.  The annual Jack Patterson Memorial Run/Walk begins at 9am and includes a Kids 1 Mile Fun Run.  The Red Shoe Society BG and Beyond will host a benefit car show to benefit the  Ronald McDonald House.  There also will be bingo, a garden show and kids and youth activities.  Fireworks cap off the event at 10pm.

The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce honored several members at the Annual Mid-Year Meeting.  The Outstanding Customer Service award was presented to Oasis Restaurant and Delivery.  The Small Business of the Year award went to The Student Book Exchange.  The I Love BG Award was given to Pat and Sheilah Crowley.

Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRIC Enforcement Unit and officers from the Fostoria Police Division arrested twenty nine year old Darren P. Parks after a drug related search warrant was executed at Country Club Inn & Suites.  Law enforcement found “U.S. currency, suspected crack cocaine, suspected heroin, marijuana” as well as “criminal tools and evidence indicative of drug trafficking.  Parks was arrested on charges of possession of crack cocaine and heroin, however, additional charges are still pending upon completion of the investigation and the return of lab analysis.  According to Fostoria Police Chief Kieth Loreno, there has been an increase of suspects coming out of Toledo, Ohio with gang affiliations coming into Fostoria and this is just the beginning on how the force plans on addressing it and sending our message to them

Ohio Governor John Kasich is planning to announce his run for the White House this week with return trips to key primary states.  The announcement will be made at The Ohio State University on Tuesday… After that he will travel to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Iowa for town-hall type events. 

Authorities say a mother and two children were killed when their mobile home was swept into an Ohio creek during a heavy rainstorm.  Officials say the family's father and two other children survived when their home was washed into the creek in Ripley in southern Ohio late Saturday night.

The Bowling Green Police and Fire Divisions, in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, are investigating an arson case that occurred at the Grace Brethern Church on S. Enterprise St., in Bowling Green.  The fire was set in the early morning hours of Thursday when the wooden porch leading into the back of church was set on fire with the use of some type of accelerant.  The flames did not spread to the rest of the structure…Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the Bowling Green Police.  Rewards are being offered from the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee and Wood County Crimestoppers.

The world’s largest pizza chain is coming to Tiffin.  Regional franchise owners Brian and Jennifer Elder have announced that they are bringing Domino’s Pizza back to the city.  The new store is set to open in October at 240 West Market Street.  Employees for the Tiffin location are being hired and trained at other locations to be ready for the opening.

A historic lighthouse is one step closer to a northern Ohio city's waterfront after a city council approved an agreement allowing the move.  The Port Clinton Lighthouse was built in 1896 on the west pier of the Portage River and was decommissioned in the 1950s.  Brand's Marina bought the lighthouse in 1985 and the owner will sign ownership over to the Port Clinton Lighthouse Conservancy.

Jerrod Hartman pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his 44-day-old baby in 2013.  The 26 year old Hartman of Findlay, had been indicted on a murder charge, but it was amended to involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony, by the Hancock County prosecutor’s office as part of a plea negotiation.  Hartman also pleaded guilty to a second-degree felony charge of child endangering.  Hartman could face up to 19 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 10.

Governor John Kasich has signed into law a bill expanding the availability of a drug overdose antidote.  The bill would allow doctors to authorize individuals to hand out a drug overdose antidote to addicts, their friends and family members without requiring a prescription.  It would allow pharmacies to distribute the drug naloxone without a prescription if a doctor's rules are followed.

An Upper Sandusky boy died from an accidental gunshot wound Wednesday in Salem Township, Wyandot County.  5 year old Jasper Stansbery was found unresponsive by his parents near a horse trailer at the family’s property.  An initial investigation revealed the teenager had been shooting a .22-caliber revolver on the property, where his parents have a camper and sometimes stay overnight.  While the investigation is ongoing, there is no suspicion of foul play.

The Fostoria Police Department is warning citizens of quick-change artists entering local businesses with the intent of using large bills as distractions during transactions to take money from the business.  According to police, officers responded to two reports of a customer quick-changing businesses.  The individuals entered the businesses and purchased something of small value using large bills.  As the cashiers were making change, the subjects confused the cashier by handing them a larger bill and asking for specific change.  If an employee is concerned a quick-change artist is in the business, police suggest cashiers contact a manager…Residents are asked to call the police station if they see a suspected quick-change artist.
 

The Fostoria Summerfest gets underway today at 5pm in downtown Fostoria.  The Geary Family YMCA 5K, a wine tasting event and live music featuring Dueling Pianos in the beer garden is scheduled.  Activities continue tomorrow with inflatables, a petting zoo and the Little Princess Luncheon for kids.  The music starts at 2pm and goes until midnight. 

Governor John Kasich has signed a measure adding meningitis to the diseases students will be required to get immunized for. The state health department will set the age where the requirement kicks in, with the change to take effect for the 2016-17 school year.

Ohio State Fair officials say vendors won't be permitted to sell Confederate flag merchandise at the event, which starts July 29.  A letter Thursday to fair merchants from the general manager says the policy complies with the fair's long-standing rule banning the sale of merchandise with offensive wording, lettering or graphics.  Any vendors selling Confederate flag merchandise will be asked to remove it.

A South Korean vinyl tile maker is moving into the former Atlas Crankshaft building in Fostoria.  Nox Corporation will invest tens of millions of dollars in machinery, equipment and building renovations.  The company is also building a two million dollar addition to the existing building.  Nox Corporation is hiring 50 people with an additional 50 being added in a year.  In all, 150 will be hired in two to three years.  Nox is interviewing candidates for about 10 management and administrative jobs.  In August, it will start taking steps to fill about 40 skilled production, quality control and maintenance jobs.

Two Findlay railroad crossings will be closed beginning today.  Crossings at Edgar Avenue and Second Street will be closed from Thursday morning until the evening of July 23 as part of CSX’s repairs to crossings in the city.  Vehicles will have access to businesses and residences along both streets, but will not be able to cross the tracks at any time during the closure.

A judge in the gender discrimination lawsuit of Ohio State University's fired marching band director says he's intervening in the evidence-gathering process because of "discouraging" behavior by the lawyers.  In an order issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Graham scolded attorneys for the university and for ex-director Jonathan Waters for overreaching and convoluted filings.  The university says it fired Waters after an investigation concluded he ignored a "sexualized culture" inside the band, which was featured in an Apple commercial.  Waters says the university gave a second chance to a female employee.

Seneca County Law enforcement officers removed dozens of marijuana plants from Seneca County fields Tuesday.  The Sheriff’s office received a report of marijuana plants found in a field on east county road 32 and north county road in Seneca County.  Officers found 67 immature plants in nine buckets.  A mature plant has a street value of $1000…

Bowling Green State University will hold three public forums on the future of WBGU-TV.  The university is currently considering how and if it will participate in the Federal Communications Commission's incentive auction.  The university could move to the VHF spectrum, share a channel with another station, or cease broadcasting altogether.  That last possibility has stirred opposition from the station's supporters.  The first public forum will be July 29 at 7 p.m., at Owens Community College's Findlay-area campus.  The second meeting will be Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. in Lima at Rhodes State College.  A third meeting will be held on the BGSU campus at a date to be announced in late August.

The newly-formed Hancock County Combined General Health District board has narrowed its search for a full-time health commissioner to three candidates.  Noah Stuby of Fostoria who is a community health educator for the Findlay Health Department, Newark Deputy Health Commissioner Chad Brown and Toledo-Lucas County Health Department regional public health coordinator Greg Moore are finalists.  A final decision is expected by July 31

Wood County Commissioner James Carter has announced his retirement.  The seventy-six year old Carter has been in office since 1995 will make it official with his last day being July 24.  Carter plans to spend time with his family and look at other possibilities in supporting the community.

MPLX LP, a division of Marathon Petroleum, has announced that it has purchased MarkWest Energy Partners LP for approximately $20 billion, including assuming MarkWest’s $4.2 billion in debt.  MarkWest processes natural gas, including in the Marcellus and Utica shales.  MarkWest, headquartered in Denver, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MPLX.  The deal includes a one-time cash payment to MarkWest shareholders for $15.8 billion.  MPLX says the merger combines the nation’s “second-largest processor of natural gas and largest processor and fractionator in the Marcellus and Utica shale.”

A Cincinnati-area man has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of threatening to kill House Speaker John Boehner, who he believed was the devil. Authorities had accused Hoyt of threatening to kill Boehner, either with a gun or by poisoning his drink. A federal judge found that Hoyt was insane at the time of the offense and has ordered him back to a federal medical facility for evaluation.

The USA Women’s National Softball Team double header against a select team of college all-stars scheduled for today has been postponed to tomorrow because of inclement weather resulting in poor field conditions.  The games will start at 6 p.m. at the Marathon Diamonds on North Main Street in Findlay.  The games will be followed by a one hour autograph sessions with the members of Team USA.  Tickets cost $15 and are available at the gate.

BellStores announced that they are constructing a  new gas, convenience store and carwash that will replace the current Marathon station and former Gas America station on West Main Cross Street east of I-75 in Findlay.  Demolition of the current buildings will begin on September 1^st with a possible opening January 1, 2016.  The store building also will house Subway and Dairy Queen outlets.  The new operations will employ 50 to 60 people.  Also, Zippy's Car Wash will be taking over the former location of LaScola Tuscan Grill on Tiffin Avenue.  Construction is slated to begin in August with an opening later in the year.

Researchers are forecasting a potentially severe summer algae outbreak.  An 8.7 on a 10-point scale called for in 2015 could mean a more wide-scale bloom than what produced enough toxin to shut down Toledo’s water system last summer, and the worst since 2011.  Seven inches of rain in the Toledo area last month made it the fourth-wettest June on record and put it among the 20 rainiest months since the 1880s.  Those heavy rains carried high levels of phosphorus and other nutrients into Lake Erie which feed microcystis, the cyanobacteria which produce the microcystin toxin that tainted tap water last August.

Elementary School to accommodate students’ grades pre-k through 6.  This district will keep the northern section of the current high school — including the commons area, cafeteria, gymnasium, performing arts center, weight room, art classrooms and band and choir rooms In addition.  In total, facility updates will cost approximately $47 million; however, through School Facilities Commission, the state will fund 89 percent of the project, leaving the district to pay $ 9.4 million.  The new buildings are expected to be completed during the 2019-2020 academic year. 
 

The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities has hired Kelli Grisham as assistant superintendent at Blanchard Valley Center.  She is expected to succeed Superintendent Connie Ament, who plans to retire.  Grisham is associate director of the Clearwater Council of Governments in Oak Harbor.  She has 15 years of management experience and will begin her work the Center on August 3.
 

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Findlay Airport $151,000 in funding to help repair one of its runways.  The funds will be used in the design phase for the repairs to Runway 18/36 which is the north south runway.

The Division of State Fire Marshal’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau has ruled two Seneca County fires as arson and is asking for the public’s help to solve them.  The fires were at a home at 265 East Crocker Street in Fostoria and a car fire in the nearby community of Kansas.  Investigators say the vehicle in the Kansas incident was stolen from the East Crocker Street property in Fostoria.  That’s what has led investigators to believe the two incidents may be related.  The Fostoria Police Department is assisting in the investigation and if you have information that could help solve the crimes, call them at (419) 435-8525.

 A judge who refused to marry a same-sex couple says he wants to know if he can opt out of performing gay weddings altogether. Toledo Municipal Court Judge C. Allen McConnell says he didn't marry the couple earlier this week because of his personal and religious beliefs. Another judge was brought in to perform the wedding the same day.

Ohio has begun creating the first-ever standards for police use of deadly force. State public safety director John Born says people should have the expectation of a baseline standard whether they're in northeast Ohio or southeast Ohio or any other part of the state. Creating those standards is the job of the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, which met for the first time yesterday.

Researchers today lay out their forecast for whether algae blooms will be a major problem this summer. There have been concerns that heavy rains last month could bring another outbreak like the blooms last summer that contaminated the drinking water for 400,000 people in the Toledo area. Water officials say the system is now better prepared for a potential problem.

Fostoria City crews began spraying mosquito repellent around Fostoria on  June 29.  However, rain has not allowed the City to stay on schedule.  The city’s sewer collection department has been able to complete only one cycle of spraying because of the rain.  The city sprays Monday-Thursday evenings between the hours of 6-10 p.m. doing one zone per day when weather permits.  The city is divided into four zones and when weather does not allow a zone to be sprayed, that particular zone will be completed the next evening weather permits. 

Nominations are being sought for the Spirit of Wood County awards.  Current and former Wood County residents can be nominated in a number of different categories for their service to the county.  Nominations are due by August 15 and forms are available on the Wood County Commissioners website at www.co.wood.oh.us/commissioners.

The 14th Annual Classics on Main Car Show returns to downtown Bowling Green this Saturday.  Vehicle registration and parking is from 8am to noon for $15.  The event hopes to exceed last year’s total of 385 cars on display.  The free event will also feature games and concessions.  125 volunteers assist with the event with more needed.  More information is available at downtownbgohio.org.

The Division of State Fire Marshal’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau has ruled two Seneca County fires as arson and is asking for the public’s help to solve them.  The fires were at a home at 265 East Crocker Street in Fostoria and a car fire in the nearby community of Kansas.  Investigators say the vehicle in the Kansas incident was stolen from the East Crocker Street property in Fostoria.  That’s what has led investigators to believe the two incidents may be related.  The Fostoria Police Department is assisting in the investigation and if you have information that could help solve the crimes, call them at (419) 435-8525.

 A judge who refused to marry a same-sex couple says he wants to know if he can opt out of performing gay weddings altogether. Toledo Municipal Court Judge C. Allen McConnell says he didn't marry the couple earlier this week because of his personal and religious beliefs. Another judge was brought in to perform the wedding the same day.

Ohio has begun creating the first-ever standards for police use of deadly force. State public safety director John Born says people should have the expectation of a baseline standard whether they're in northeast Ohio or southeast Ohio or any other part of the state. Creating those standards is the job of the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board, which met for the first time yesterday.

Researchers today lay out their forecast for whether algae blooms will be a major problem this summer. There have been concerns that heavy rains last month could bring another outbreak like the blooms last summer that contaminated the drinking water for 400,000 people in the Toledo area. Water officials say the system is now better prepared for a potential problem.

Fostoria City crews began spraying mosquito repellent around Fostoria on  June 29.  However, rain has not allowed the City to stay on schedule.  The city’s sewer collection department has been able to complete only one cycle of spraying because of the rain.  The city sprays Monday-Thursday evenings between the hours of 6-10 p.m. doing one zone per day when weather permits.  The city is divided into four zones and when weather does not allow a zone to be sprayed, that particular zone will be completed the next evening weather permits. 

Nominations are being sought for the Spirit of Wood County awards.  Current and former Wood County residents can be nominated in a number of different categories for their service to the county.  Nominations are due by August 15 and forms are available on the Wood County Commissioners website at www.co.wood.oh.us/commissioners.

The 14th Annual Classics on Main Car Show returns to downtown Bowling Green this Saturday.  Vehicle registration and parking is from 8am to noon for $15.  The event hopes to exceed last year’s total of 385 cars on display.  The free event will also feature games and concessions.  125 volunteers assist with the event with more needed.  More information is available at downtownbgohio.org.

Findlay City Council passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Lydia Mihalik’s office to seek a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to pay for equipment that would allow the city to test its water for cyanotoxins, found in algae blooms.  The city has to outsource its testing for the toxins now.  The equipment costs $16,617 with some ongoing chemical costs for using the equipment

At its Tuesday night meeting, Fostoria City Council adopted the 2016 budget.  Projections point to the next fiscal year to ending with a cash balance of just $16,119.  For 2016, City Auditor Steve Garner estimates general fund revenue will be down more than $2.5 million from what it was in 2007 and more than $91,000 from this year’s estimate of nearly $6.2 million.  According to the 2016 budget report, the estimated revenue for next year is just under $6.1 million, down close to 1.5 percent compared to this year.
 

Fostoria Economic Development Corporation President Renee Smith presented members of Fostoria City Council with the results of a survey sent to 50 area companies early last month with the goal of obtaining key information on the state of Fostoria’s job market.  Of the 27 companies that responded, there were a total of 298 new hires within the last 12 months.  Additionally, 59 percent of the responding businesses are reportedly looking at some form of expansion within the next 12-18 months, whether it be employment, equipment or infrastructure.
 

Bowling Green City Council unanimously approved moving forward with its complete streets initiative.  The concept entails making sure the city's streets are accessible to all users - pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.  Mayor Dick Edwards who previously expressed reservations about moving forward with the project at this time gave his full approval.  Edwards recommended establishing a study group to set parameters for the planned full study of the initiative.

WSOS is hoping to expand transportation options in Wood County with a network of volunteer drivers.  A coalition comprised of representatives of several Bowling Green and Wood County agencies met to review models of communities in Ohio and the US who currently have transportation programs in place.  WSOS Mobility Manager Todd Robinson said that the first phase is to target dialysis patients in Wood County who need rides to appointments and grow from there.

Two Monday morning arsons in the Fostoria area have led local and state law enforcement officials to believe the first was set purposely to harm first responders.  The first fire was set in the 200 block of east Crocker Street to several areas of the building.  Fostoria Police Chief Keith Loreno said one appeared to be “intentionally set to injure or kill those responding to the fire.”  Later that morning, the Kansas Volunteer Department responded to a vehicle fire on north Township Road 63.  The vehicle was registered to the owner of the Crocker Street building and appeared to be stolen.  An Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Reward has been posted for anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this incident.
 

A class action lawsuit against Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., filed on behalf of stockholders following Cooper’s failed $2.5 billion buyout by Apollo Tyres of India has been dismissed.  The 2014 lawsuit claimed Cooper and its senior executives violated federal securities laws by allegedly issuing misleading statements and omissions during the failed buyout attempt by Apollo in 2013.  In March, Cooper urged dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing to Judge Richard G. Andrews that the case had no merit.  Last week, Andrews decided in Cooper Tire’s favor.

Carey school superintendent Mike Wank announced the new school being constructed will be expanded by four classrooms after the school board approved a resolution during a special meeting.  About 4,600 square feet will be added, split between each level of the two-story building.  The nearly $800,000 of additional work will add several weeks to the construction schedule but the building is expected to be completed by mid-2016 and occupied for the 2016-17 school year.

The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, Bowling Green Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown BG and the Bowling Green Economic Development Foundation have all moved into one location in the former Wood County Bank building at 130 S. Main St.  The move into the bank building by the four entities has been years in the works since 2013.  The four community focused organizations will now be able to better serve citizens and organizations that are in need of services they offer.

A Northview Drive, Fostoria neighborhood was closed down last night because of a possible live cannonball.  The Fostoria Police Department was contacted by residents of 620 Northview Drive about what to do with an old cannonball.  After inspecting the cannonball, the Northwest Ohio Bomb Squad from Toledo was brought in to defuse the possible explosive.
 

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is calling for new funding and resources to combat human trafficking in Northwest Ohio.  The Democratic senator initiated the justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, recently signed into law.  Brown was in Toledo yesterday to talk with local leaders about the issue and solicit federal funding to move forward and target the problem in Northwest Ohio.  Because Lucas County is a model for other communities across the country combating the issue, Senator Brown wants to ensure the funds from the Department of Justice will be allocated here first.

Racing finally returned to Millstream Speedway in Findlay.  After rain ruined several attempts for the grand re-opening of the local racetrack, mother nature cooperated and a crowd of 5000 welcomed racing back to Findlay.  Cody Darrah of Red Lion, Pennsylvania took home the victory in the 410 wing sprint All-Star Circuit of Champions.  Local drivers Chad Kemenah of Alvada and Greg Wilson of Benton Ridge remain in the hunt for the season championship with each driver in third and fourth in the season standings after Sunday.

Experts say rain in Ohio is drowning crop fields and preventing others from being planted altogether.  An agricultural economist at Ohio State University says 2 million to 3 million acres of corn won't be planted in Ohio alone, and analysts predict between 4 million and 5 million acres of soybeans across the country will go unplanted.

City leaders in Toledo still are waiting to find out if Jeep Wrangler production will stay in its longtime home.  The CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had said last year that he expected a decision by the end of June.  The automaker is considering moving the Wrangler assembly line out of Toledo so it can be made with a partial aluminum body.  City officials say that they don't know when an announcement will be made.

The state of Ohio is beginning to offer $12 million in incentives for farmers who are taking steps to reduce the pollutants that wash off their fields and feed the toxic algae in western Lake Erie. That's on top of new rules banning farmers in northwest Ohio from spreading manure on rain-soaked fields and requiring training before farmers can use commercial fertilizers.

The National Park Service will keep a full-time superintendent and staff at a Lake Erie island monument.  U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur said Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island will remain a separate unit of the park system.  The park service had considered combining the staff overseeing Perry’s monument and the River Raisin National Battlefield Park in southeastern Michigan.  The 350-foot tall monument in Ohio commemorates a key victory in the War of 1812.

Two men in northeast Ohio spent part of the holiday weekend promoting safe and sober driving as a judge's punishment for their repeated drunken driving offenses.  An Ashtabula Municipal Court 48-year-old Jeffrey Yenyo and 54-year-old Marcus Perry to stand at an Ashtabula intersection Friday and Saturday evenings while holding handmade warning signs about drinking and driving.  Yenyo, of Geneva, has seven previous DUI charges. Perry, of Ashtabula, has two.

Gas prices in Ohio are down to start the work week after the long holiday weekend.  A gallon of regular gas in Ohio was averaging $2.70, down 11 cents from last week.  Average prices in Ohio were below the nation's average, which was $2.77 per gallon.  Ohio gas prices have remained significantly cheaper than last year at this time, when prices were averaging $3.57 per gallon.

37 year old Daniel D. Betts of Findlay pleaded not guilty to charges that he drunkenly drove a pickup truck and caused the deaths of John and Kimberly Clark of Fostoria on a motorcycle in May.  Betts was indicted on four counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence.  According to the indictment, his blood alcohol content was more than 0.2.  Bond was established at $92,500 Wednesday and was later posted by family members.

Fourth of July celebrations around the region will light up the sky starting tomorrow night.  On Friday in Findlay, a free fireworks show will begin at dusk at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.  The Fourth of July Parade will be Saturday at 11am on Main Street.  Fostoria’s celebration will take place Friday at Foundation Park. Fireworks will begin at dusk.  In Bowling Green, the community fireworks display will begin at dusk Friday at the Bowling Green State University Intramural Fields.  Upper Sandusky will have a fireworks display is scheduled for dusk Friday at Upper Sandusky High School. 

The Ladies Auxiliary of the McComb Veterans of Foreign Wars organization will host fireworks at the McComb Community Park at dusk Saturday.  Also on Saturday, Tiffin Park and Recreation’s Fourth of July celebration will take place at Hedges-Boyer Park, with fireworks beginning at 10 p.m.

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers or PARCC tests, administered twice a year to grades 3 through 11, will be replaced with spring tests provided through American Institutes for Research (AIR) starting next spring.  State lawmakers removed them in the state budget that was signed Tuesday night.  The PARCC tests have drawn heavy criticism over the past year as teachers and administrators claimed they were too time-consuming, difficult, and included too many technological glitches.

Findlay officials and City Council members argued Wednesday night during an informal committee-of-the-whole meeting about the city’s tax deferment policy.  Auditor Jim Staschiak and Councilwoman Holly Frische argued that changes should be made to the policy, while Mayor Lydia Mihalik and Councilmen Randy Van Dyne, Ron Monday, Grant Russel, Anne Spence along with Law Director Don Rasmussen and City Tax Administrator Andrew Thomas all disagreed.  Shouting and one councilman walking out of the meeting occurred.  Council members and officials walked away from the meeting without coming to an agreement on whether to make any changes. 

Gov. John Kasich vetoed state Rep. Robert Sprague’s effort to put restrictions on addiction recovery housing in Ohio.  Sprague’s proposal was included in the state budget, but Kasich included it in his 44 line-item vetoes.  Sprague’s proposal would have required a “resolution of support” from county commissioners before a property could be purchased for recovery housing, and before state grant money could be awarded to buy the house.  Experts said the requirement would have violated fair housing laws, something the governor noted in his veto.