Fostoria residents who are tired of looking at their dead, dried out Christmas tree can now recycle them through the city.  Trees can be taken to either the Fostoria street department’s garage on Perrysburg Road through January 16 or the city’s compost area at Foundation Park.  The street department will take trees in any condition, but residents are encouraged to clean ornaments and tinsel off their trees.  The trees will be given to Pheasants Forever, an organization that works to conserve pheasants and other birds, and protects their habitats.
 

Jim Ehrman, deputy director of Seneca County elections board, requested and received about $15,000 in additional funds from the county commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.  The funds will be used to hire additional temporary employees to assist during the March and November elections because higher voter turn out is expected in the presidential election year.  The elections board had requested more than $365,000, but was allocated about $350,000.

The Hancock County commissioners have asked the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District to take over the Blanchard River flood-control project in Hancock County.  In a letter dated December 29, the commissioners asked the district, which is based in Defiance, to add the Blanchard River flood-mitigation plan to its duties by taking over from the commissioners as the non-federal sponsor of the plan.  The letter also asks the conservancy district to administer the design and construction of a 9.4-mile Eagle Creek diversion channel on Findlay’s west side, as recommended by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik made the same request to the conservancy district, on behalf of the city, in a letter dated November 30.

Nicholas and Brittany Lawler each were charged with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and transportation of a minor in connection to the disappearance of a Tiffin teenager in March.  They faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison on each count after pleading guilty to charges in August.  Nicholas Lawler was sentenced to 15 years, five months - in prison on each count, to be served concurrently.  While,  Bittany Lawler was sentenced to 11 years, three months - in prison on each count, to be served concurrently.

The National Weather Service is predicting minor flooding by both the Blanchard River and Eagle Creek today, following four days of rain.  The Blanchard River’s minor flood stage at Findlay starts at 11 feet.  At 11 p.m. Monday, the river level was 9.98 feet and rising.  The weather service projected the river level could rise to 11.5 feet by about noon today, then recede.  More than 2.5 inches of rain has fallen on the area since Friday.
 

In Seneca County, the Sandusky River at Tiffin was in action stage, which is 6 feet to 9 feet. Flood stage occurs at 9 feet.  According to National Weather Service, the river was at 7.31 feet at 9:45 p.m. Monday and was to drop to 7 feet today.  The weather service predicted the river would fall below action stage at about 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Jeffery Dawson of Hamler was introduced to McComb Village Council as the fire chief of the newly-created Northwest Hancock Fire District.  Dawson was recently hired by officials of McComb, and Pleasant and Portage townships, who comprise the fire district.  The three governmental entities will share funding and firefighting equipment for the department.  Recruiting more firefighters, promoting smoke detector use and other community awareness projects were mentioned as goals by Dawson for his department in 2016.

A grand jury has declined to indict a white Cleveland police officer in the killing of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old black boy who was shot while playing with what turned out to be a pellet gun. Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty says it's "indisputable" the boy was drawing the pistol from his waistband when he was gunned down last year and patrolman Timothy Loehmann was justified in opening fire.  Tamir Rice's family is condemning the grand jury's decision. However, they echo the prosecutor in urging those who are disappointed to express themselves "peacefully and democratically." Barricades were set up outside the county courthouse in Cleveland yesterday in case of protests.

The unemployment rate grew in the Tri-County area in November.  Rates in Hancock, Wood and Seneca counties all increased, along with 78 other counties in the state.  The state’s jobless rate, which is seasonally adjusted, rose to 4.5 percent in November from 4.4 percent in October.  The U.S. unemployment rate was 5 percent in November, unchanged from October.

An attorney for Jerrod Hartman has filed a motion to dismiss an appeal of his 14-year sentence for killing his newborn baby in 2013.  The appeal was filed with the 3rd District Court of Appeals, Lima, on Sept. 10. The motion to dismiss the appeal was filed Friday in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.  Hartman maintained that he fell asleep while holding his 44-day-old baby in October 2013, at their 321 Third St. residence.  The baby died from multiple blunt force trauma, according to a coroner’s report.
 

The Seneca County Commissioners approved the 2016 $15.9 million dollar budget yesterday.  Prior to final approval, the Seneca County Board of Elections requested an increase in their budget to allow for a raise for two office workers.  The Commissioners declined the request stating that the Board can request additional funding during the year.

Safe Ride Home’s holiday schedule began this week and will continue through Jan. 1.  The program provides an inebriated person in Findlay and Hancock County a free ride from a party or bar to one’s home or hotel.  Safe Ride Home will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through New Year’s Day, according to organizers.  Those needing the service can call 419-425-3908.  People also can download the “IRideHome” app by searching for it on a smartphone.

An ad hoc committee of Findlay  At-Large Councilman Grant Russel and 3rd Ward Councilman Ron Monday are recommending that letters to council only have their subject line read aloud during council meetings, instead of reading the letters in their entirety.  The recommendation is designed to eliminate the reading of long letters that will be referred to a council committee for review.  Letters will still be available to the public via council’s Web page, or by request since letters are considered public record.

Beginning next year, Fostoria Economic Development Corporation and the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce will have a new management structure with one official overseeing both groups.  Effective Jan. 1, FEDC President Renee Smith will take over management duties of both FEDC and the chamber in an effort to establish greater day-to-day collaboration between the organizations.  In addition to the new management structure, over the next few weeks the organizations will attempt to fill two key positions: chamber director and the newly-created downtown development/tourism director.
 

The Fostoria Police Department is investigating an attempted robbery at Butt Hutt Cigarette Outlet Saturday evening that may be connected to recent robberies in the tri-county area.  A white male subject, described as around 160-170 pounds and between 5’6” and 5’8”, entered the North Countyline Street establishment and showed a knife. The suspect, who was wearing a mask covering his face and blue jean pants, left quickly after entering the business.  He was not able to take any money and no one was injured during the attempted robbery.  Officials believe the incident may be related to the other recent robberies in town due to the similarities in the description of the suspect.

Liberty-Benton Superintendent Jim Kanable has announced that he will retire at the end of his current contract in July 2017.  Board President Scott Rhodes said he anticipates the search for a replacement will begin in the next three to six months.  Kanable told the board he’s announcing his retirement 18 months in advance to allow for a “thorough and adequate search.”  Kanable has been superintendent of the district for seven years.
 

Hoening Holdings of Fostoria has expanded the family business with the purchase of a vacant bank building on West Tiffin Street.  Although he could not disclose exactly what the property will be used for, owner Terrance Hoening said the purchase is a “positive expansion” for the company that would “enhance operations.”  Hoening Holdings, LLC has funeral home locations in Fostoria, Holgate; Napoleon and Toledo.
 

In its final meeting of the year, Tiffin's City Council approved the city's $36 million budget for 2016.  Although she did not have an estimate for 2016 revenue, City Finance Director Gwynn Reinhart said expenses would not exceed the total of 2016 income and carryover from 2015.  Carryover is anticipated to be more than $3 million.

After an incident Sunday night, Fostoria City Schools Superintendent Andrew Sprang is stressing the importance of  bringing cases of bullying to the attention of administrators.  A 13 year old Fostoria Junior/Senior High School student was reported cutting herself.  According to the student’s father, for approximately two months the student has been the victim of not only verbal but physical abuse from older students at the high school.  Sprang said there is a student/administrator ratio of 9:1 in the district, which makes it difficult to monitor the actions of each student.  He said education is the key by teaching students to come forward in these types of situations.
 

After nearly 17 years of planning, the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts opens tonight with the presentation of Kenny Rogers, The Toy Shoppe starring Alan Thicke.  The musical will also have two performances on Saturday.  Patrons will be allowed to view the entire center before and after the shows.  Tonight’s celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting and proclamations by city officials.

Seneca County Board of Elections announced Thursday that Seneca County Board of Commissioners President Holly Stacy will face off against Fourth Ward Councilman Rich Focht for the seat that opens Jan. 2, 2017.  Voters will choose on to go to the general election on the March 15 primary.  Shayne Thomas and Christopher English are expected to contend for the seat occupied by Commissioner Fred Zoeller in 2017.   Thomas' petition was certified Thursday, while English's will be reviewed at the board's meeting at 5 p.m. Monday.

Two people were arrested Wednesday after an early morning drug raid in Fostoria.  When officers with the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit and the Fostoria Police Department searched a home in the 1000 block of Buckley Street they found cash, pills, suspected heroin, criminal tools and evidence of drug trafficking.  27 year-old Crystal Dayton was arrested for trafficking heroin. 26 year-old Derrick Jones of Detroit was also arrested and faces a charge of complicity to trafficking in heroin.

The Put-in-Bay Police Department is now hiring police officers and dispatchers for the upcoming 2016 summer season.  Police officers will be paid $15.00 per hour and dispatchers $12,50 per hour.  If interested in applying for either position, simply visit put-in-baypolice.org and complete an application.  

A county Humane Society says 13 dead animals found in a creek in northwest Ohio most likely were raccoons and not puppies as first thought. The Humane Society of Sandusky County says a veterinarian says the carcasses had been in the water for several days and were badly decomposed. The society says it still is trying to find out who dumped the dead animals in the creek.

Former Liberty-Benton boys basketball coach Steve Williman has been selected for induction into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and will be one of four men recognized during an induction ceremony to be held April 23 in Columbus.  A graduate of Old Fort High School and the University of Findlay, Williman compiled a 551-208 career record as head coach at Old Fort, Galion and Liberty-Benton.  While at L-B, the 1994-95 team capped a 27-0 season by winning the Division IV state championship. In 2006-07, the Eagles were 26-1 and state runners-up in Division III.

Fostoria City Council on Tuesday granted a seven-year, $15,000 loan from the city’s Revolving Loan Fund to BoJhun Environmental Services LLC for the purchase of new equipment needed for relocation from its current site to a larger one less than a block away.  BoJhun is preparing to relocate from 111 W. South St. to 222 S. Main St. in order to meet growing demand for its services.  BoJhun Environmental Services provides environmental sampling services, testing and analysis, and training and consulting to industries and municipalities throughout Ohio and surrounding states.
 

Arcadia graduate Jerry Blevins is staying with the New York Mets after agreeing to a one year contract that guarantees $4 million and allows him to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses.  The 32-year-old left-hander was acquired from Washington on May 30 and appeared in seven games, retiring all 15 batters he faced — all but one a left-handed hitter.  He broke his left forearm when struck by a line drive off the bat of Miami’s Dee Gordon on April 19, then broke it again on Aug. 3 when he slipped off a curb in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Findlay city workers will be getting their second pay raise in two years in 2016.  Findlay City Council approved a 2 percent pay raise for all nonelected city employees Tuesday night at an estimated cost of $200,000 to the city.  Pay raises had to be approved during council’s last meeting of the year Tuesday, or consideration of the legislation would have had to start over in 2016.

State Sen. Cliff Hite, R-Findlay, has joined the leadership team of the Midwestern Legislative Conference, a nonpartisan association of state and provincial legislators that fosters regional cooperation, information sharing and leadership development.  Hite will serve as second vice chair of the conference in 2016 and is in line to be the group’s chair in 2018.  Fellow state and provincial legislators from the Midwest elected Hite to the position in July.  He formally joined the leadership team at Friday’s meeting of the conference’s Executive Committee.

The Seneca County commissioners will receive $1,500 for handling planning commission duties while a new executive director is being sought.  Roxyanne Burrus and an administrative assistant both resigned their positions. Burrus’ last day was Dec. 11, leaving the office empty.  County Administrator Stacy Wilson and Tonya Hemmer, assistant administrator, are handling the office duties while the planning commission board looks for replacements.
 

David Zak, who joined the Tiffin University administration in August, is leaving the university at the end of the month.  Zak was vice president of university advancement and economic development. He worked on integrating university development and grants; public, community, government and alumni relations; and marketing.  Before joining TU, Zak was president and CEO of Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. for about two years.  SIEDC has not hired Zak's replacement and will coordinate interview schedules in January for all final candidates.

A $50,000 bond has been set for Bowling Green State University football player Michael Minns II of West Palm Beach, FL.  On November 22, Mimms alledgedly put a controlled substance in another students drink at a downtown BG restaurant.  Minns, who will not be playing in BGSU's upcoming bowl game, has played in 12 games this season.  Minns appeared in court Tuesday and will be back in court in January. 

A Findlay institution is closing its doors.  Groman’s Music which sells pianos, sheet music and gifts will be going out of business after 60 years.  Owner Steve Groman says that the store was having trouble competing with the internet and big box stores.  The store opened in 1955 by Groman’s father, Ted.

Christy Manley of Grand Rapids, the former fiscal director of the Wood County Juvenile Court has pleaded guilty to an amended theft in office charge after she reportedly took home nearly $54,000 in court deposits and used a portion of that money for personal expenses.  A bill of information was issued against Manley for a third-degree felony count of theft in office in October.  Assistant Wood County prosecutor Tom Matuszak said in court Monday that pursuant to a plea agreement, the charge was amended to a fourth-degree count.  Manley has since returned all of the funds taken is to make a restitution payment of $10,865 to Wood County to cover the cost of the audit performed in the case.  Matuszak said the prosecution would seek a sentence of community control when Manley is sentenced Feb. 1 at 11 a.m.

Bowling Green State University football player 21-year-old Michael Minns II of West Palm Beach, FL has been suspended indefinitely after allegedly putting a controlled substance into another student's drink in a downtown BG restaurant on November 22.  Police are working closely with the business and are looking at security footage of the incident. At this point police are not sure exactly what type of drug was put into the drink.

Findlay school board approved a contract to upgrade district-owned property on Romick Parkway where school buses will be parked.  The money, to come from the district’s permanent improvement fund, will go toward concrete, lights, and cameras for an area where district buses will be parked outdoors next to a garage building.  The district does not plan to house buses inside the existing building or construct overhangs to cover them.

Carey school board of education gave verbal approval Monday to move ahead with specifications for an athletic building and bus garage.  Last month, Superintendent Michael Wank received school board approval to continue discussions with architects and construction officials about building an athletic building and bus garage on the property of the new school on South Vance Street.  The athletic building will have an 8-foot-high split-face block wall with steel above and a metal roof. Previously, the building would have been a pre-engineered steel and masonry building. The bus garage would be a pole barn-style building with a concrete floor and would keep 12 buses under cover, and include a storage area and service bay for bus maintenance.

  The Findlay City Council’s annual budget hearing was held last night.  Approximately $10.4 million will carry forward into 2016 which led to mostly personnel discussions.  The Findlay Police Department may add three officers next year bringing the total number of officers to 65.  The fire, street and zoning departments also look to be able to increase staff next year, as well.

A Hancock County jury unanimously voted Thursday to convict Kevin J. Potts of McComb of attacking an off-duty corrections officer inside his Arlington residence.  Potts was charged with aggravated burglary and felonious assault.  Potts broke into the home of John Shepard on June 25 while carrying a 9mm Glock handgun and a 6-inch hunting knife.  He will be sentenced on January 21.
 

The Local Government Innovation Fund has awarded North Central Ohio Educational Service Center in cooperation with the North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments a $500,000 loan for the construction of a compressed natural gas station in Seneca County.  The zero-percent interest loan would be for 13 years.  Governments, schools, local businesses and individuals would have access to the station to fuel CNG vehicles, noting that purchasing CNG in bulk would be less expensive for service center.

The Wood County Park District board has approved a plan to grant pay raises to employees whose salaries now fall below minimums set by a consultant and previously accepted by the board…The move implements a salary plan approved in October after an extended study by The Archer Company which also manages salary schedules and position descriptions for departments under the Wood County commissioners.  Employees who are below minimum salaries as stipulated in Archer's evaluation will be given raises to get them to those levels, half to be given on April 1 and the remainder on July 1.

Students from Ohio State University’s City and Regional Planning program presented a redevelopment plan for Fostoria to city officials.  The Fostoria Downtown Plan centered on four ideas, comfort and image, access and linkages, uses and activities and sociability.  Many recommendations revolve around creating downtown business through social means such as a microbrewery, movie theatre, expanding eateries to involve an outdoor venue and introducing boutique hotels.  City officials were impressed with the plan and believe it is possible.

18 year olds Austin Jones and Johnathin Hinojosa of Fostoria were arrested by Fostoria Police after they received citizen’s call of an impaired driver.  The two were linked to a burglary on Poplar Street where someone went through the house and stole outside items, including the car they were driving.  The caller followed the erratic vehicle until three police offi­cers conducted a traffic stop and arrested both individuals.  Both Jones and Hinojosa admitted to the crimes, and are being held at Fostoria city jail and are scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. today. 
 

After about five hours of deliberations Wednesday, a Hancock County jury had yet to reach a verdict in the case of 38 year old Kevin J. Potts of McComb who is accused of attacking an off duty corrections officer in June.  The jury began deliberating around 4 p.m. Wednesday before adjourning for the night at around 9 p.m.  Potts is alleged to have broken into the Arlington home of Hancock County corrections officer John Shepard while carrying a loaded 9 mm Glock handgun and a 6-inch hunting knife.  Deliberations will continue in Hancock County Common Pleas Court today.
 

Bowling Green residents will have a chance to learn about a proposed plan to revamp the East Wooster Street corridor tonight.  A Community Open House to review the conceptual plans and provide feedback will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Stroh Center on the campus of Bowling Green State University.  Drawings for the proposed improvements have been posted on the third floor of the City Administrative Services Building on North Church Street.

Findlay City Council’s Appropriations Committee approved a recommendation Tuesday to provide start-up funding for the Findlay and Hancock County Health Department merger.  The city would pay $550,000 while Hancock County will pay around $375,000 to start the new department.  The City will then pay $360,000 and the County just under $250,000 annually for operating expenses.  Findlay City Council will need to approve the plan.  The merger is set to be completed on January 1.
 

Bridge Home Health & Hospice has been named a Top Agency of the 2015 Home Care Elite™, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States.   Bridge has been identified as ranking in the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies in the U.S.  This is the eighth consecutive year Bridge has been featured in this ranking.

Ohio State Senator Cliff Hite will introduce legislation to address and prevent sudden cardiac arrest among Ohio’s student-athletes.  The legislation calls for education prior to participation in a sport; online training for coaches; and guidelines for recognizing and dealing with the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.  The legislation is modeled after concussion legislation that has passed in all 50 states, according to Hite’s office.

Love’s Travel Stop will be coming to a site near Upper Sandusky in 2016.  The company is near closing on the purchase of a site at the southeast corner of U.S. 23/U.S. 30 and Warpole Street.  Construction would start this spring and the 7,000- to 10,000-square-foot travel stop would open by December 2016.  It would include a convenience store and fast-food restaurant and employ 40 people, including full and part-time workers.

The Hancock County commissioners signed off on the updated plan for the county’s public transit plan that includes a fixed route through the county.  Organizations that plan to apply for federal transportation funding must be part of a “public transit-human services transportation plan.”  The Community Action Commission operates Hancock Area Transportation Services, or HATS, which provides public transportation in Findlay and Hancock County for a low fare.  The program faced harsh criticism in April 2014, when public hearings were held on the updated transit plan.  Other transit needs identified during the update included: Increased community awareness that HATS is public transportation, not limited to senior citizens or individuals with a disability, 24-hour service for late shift workers, more reliability and dependability, out-of-county transportation and college student transit.

North Baltimore Council recently has filled two openings on its administrative staff.  Kathi Bucher is expected to become Village Council’s next clerk in January at an annual salary of $6000.  Courtney Bretz was named finance clerk at a salary of $11.68 an hour for a 40 hour work week.

Marathon Petroleum has announced the construction of a 100 room, 5-story hotel at its campus in downtown Findlay.  The Hancock Hotel will be for business and public use and will feature conference and meeting space, a ballroom for up to 400 people and an upscale restaurant and bar.  The $20 million investment will celebrate the landmarks and business history of Findlay.  Construction will start in the spring with completion slated for the fall of 2017.

Arlington Village Council awarded an almost $50,000 contract to Troy Built Building of Findlay to construct a new shelter house at Arlington’s village park.  The Hancock Park District is expected to provide $37,500 over the next few years, and the Arlington Festival committee will also contribute to the project.  Village Council would be responsible for the remainder of the cost.  The council hopes the shelter is completed by next summer’s village festival.
 

A facility providing recovery housing support for adult males will host an open house 3-5 p.m. today in Tiffin.  The Cottage at 104 N. SR 101 is to include an alcohol- and drug-free living environment, peer support, assistance to obtain drug addiction services, education and employment referrals and other daily living support.  The facility is available to adult males in the Seneca, Sandusky, and Wyandot County areas who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addictions.
 

Bowling Green State University and Owens are partnering to create the 'Falcon Express Dual Admission Program.’  Students who enroll in the program, complete a semester at Owens and earn a 2.0 GPA will have guaranteed admission to a BGSU program.  Advisers at both schools will work with Falcon Express students to make sure all their credits are transferable.  The program beings in January 2016.

A Findlay man who was previously imprisoned for hindering the Vera Jo Reigle murder investigation was arrested on Sunday after a foot chase with officers.  23 year-old Zachary Brooks fled from police officers in the area of Center and Clinton streets in Findlay Sunday afternoon after an officer attempted to stop him.  Brooks was wanted on an active warrant.  An officer found Brooks hiding behind a shed at a Center Street residence.  Brooks was arrested and taken to the Hancock County Justice Center for booking.  He was then additionally charged with obstructing official business.  Brooks was sentenced to a four-year prison term in 2011 for misleading police and threatening a witness in relation to the Reigle murder investigation, both third-degree felony charges of obstructing justice.
 

A Findlay man was seriously injured Monday when he was struck by a State Highway Patrol car.  54 year-old Scott Hildebrand was walking on the sidewalk near the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol on North Main Street when Trooper Matthew R. Cook was making a left turn into the agency’s driveway when he struck Hildebrand.  Hildebrand refused treatment at the scene but was eventually taken to the University of Toledo Medical Center.  Santiago said Hildebrand has multiple fractures on his side, a punctured lung, and head injuries.  The trooper was cited for not giving the right of way to a pedestrian on the sidewalk.

Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik and Safety-Service Director Paul Schmelzer discussed updates and funding of the Findlay flood-control project with with U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican Sen. Rob Portman in Washington.  The main topic was federal funding.  The meetings come as the legislators are preparing to meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers next week. Mihalik said the three lawmakers all have been helpful in pushing the Findlay project forward.

Marathon Petroleum said it will invest $4.2 billion in refinery upgrades and MarkWest infrastructure in 2016.  The company’s capital spending plan includes $1.5 billion for Marathon’s refining and marketing segment; nearly $400 million for its retail subsidiary Speedway; and $2.2 billion for Marathon’s pipeline transportation segment, which includes $1.7 billion for its pipeline and logistics subsidiary MPLX.  Marathon Petroleum’s refining and marketing operations in recent years have generated the vast majority of its profits.

Don Malarky of Marathon Petroleum Corp., who volunteered to head an upgrade project of Dorney Plaze for the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance’s Economic Reinvestment Committee, told Hancock County Commissioners that it could cost about $1 million.  Malarky said the expense could be split between the city, county and private sector.  The Alliance committee began talking about renovating Dorney Plaza last year, with the goal of improving the appearance of the plaza and creating a public gathering place.

A proposed "town square" design for the former junior high school property got an airing before the Bowling Green Planning Commission.  The plan for the site, dubbed BG Commons, was debuted before the Public Lands and Building Committee of City Council in early October.   As currently conceived, the site would be developed in three phases and include a multi-purpose common space with walkways, a large central gathering space, benches, trees, lighting, shade options, and other amenities, as well as a pavilion or gazebo for performances.   A piece of public sculpture would also be added.

Jeff Wobser has been appointed by the Hancock County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacant at-large Findlay City Council seat for the rest of the year.  Wobser was elected last month to a two-year term in the same seat and will begin that term in January.  The at-large seat became vacant after Anne Spence resigned to become the northwestern Ohio liaison to State Auditor Dave Yost’s office.

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library will be participating in Ohio’s “open checkbook” at OhioCheckbook.com.  The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is the second library in Ohio to post its spending on website.  Taxpayers can now view over 7,000 transactions that equal more than $5.1 million of total library spending over the past two fiscal years.  In 2014, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel  launched OhioCheckbook.com, which made state spending information available online.
 

37 year old James R. Kiser and 23 year old Gavin E.L. Shaw, both of Tiffin, were arrested in a sting operation at Benner and Sandusky Streets in Tiffin yesterday.  Kiser was arrested for trafficking crack cocaine and Shaw for complicity to trafficking crack cocaine.  The Seneca County METRICH Unit and Tiffin Police performed the operation that yielded money and suspected crack cocaine.  Additional charges of trafficking crack cocaine, permitting drug abuse and possession of criminal tools are pending on Kiser and Shaw.