The City of Findlay will be performing work on two projects this week.  Workers will be continuing to install a waterline on CR 99 between Forest Trail Drive and Technology Drive.  CR 99 will be reduced to one lane.  Forest Trail Drive will be closed today, as well.  The City will also be starting construction of a new storm sewer in the area of G, H, Lynn and Walnut Street causing portions of those streets to be closed over the next few weeks.
 

The Seneca County Commission on Aging has purchased the former Galaxy Diner in Fostoria and plans to move the Fostoria Senior Center to the location.  The commission will spend $90,000 when the purchase is finalized on Wednesday.  According to Brian Glover, the director of the commission’s board of trustees, the current East Tiffin Street location is too handicap friendly and doesn’t lend itself to senior services.  The Seneca County Commission on Aging is planning on selling the current senior center in the future.

Ed Byers, Jr., a Wood County native and Navy SEAL, will be awarded a Medal of Honor.  Byers is being recognized for his heroic action in Afghanistan in December 2012.  The Medal of Honor won’t be Byers’ first award.  In his military career, he also has five Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor Device, two awards of the Combat Action Ribbon, and two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards. 

A Findlay man who led police on a 50-mile chase from Findlay to Sandusky County pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Hancock County Common Pleas Court this week.  38 year old Ismael Gonzalez pleaded guilty to failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer following the January incident.  In a separate case, he also pleaded guilty to aggravated possession of drugs.  Judge Joseph Niemeyer sentenced him to a total of 54 months in prison, 36 months for the first charge and 18 months for the second. His operator’s license was suspended for four years.

An Arcadia man faces a burglary charge after he drunkenly entered a rural Fostoria couple’s home and fell asleep on their couch early Friday.  32 year old Andrew Kimble faces burglary charge for entering a house Township 226, west of Fostoria.  Kimble reportedly got into an argument with his girlfriend Thursday night at a residence in Arcadia.  The suspect’s brother picked him up, but the brothers started arguing.  Andrew Kimble got out of the car on Township 226 as Kimble’s brother drove back to Arcadia, then returning to look for his brother, but was unable to find him early Friday.  During a search for Kimble, which the Washington Township Fire Department participated in, deputies saw footprints in the snow, west of where Kimble was dropped off. Deputies said they approached the home and found Kimble sleeping on the couch around 1:41 a.m. Friday.

The Fostoria Finance Committee met with officials Wednesday to better understand the city’s budgeting process and how the $800,000 shortfall in the general fund came to be.  The committee requested the meeting to do a line-by-line examination of the projected general fund revenue for 2016.  City Auditor Steve Garner had some good news.  After his latest round of adjustments, he said he was able to reduce the general fund deficit from about -$800,000 to closer to -$700,000 with more changes still to be made.  Between now and when the final 2016 budget is due, the finance committee plans to host another special meeting to examine general fund expenses. 

School report cards were released by the Ohio Department of Education on Thursday and included ratings on 10 measures, including how many students passed the state tests, how well students did on the tests, graduation rates, literacy and more.  Area schools who fared well in the testing with A’s and B’s in the number of students passing state tests and how well they did were Arcadia, Bluffton, Liberty-Benton, Riverdale, Van Buren, and Hopewell-Loudon.  Findlay received an A and C, Fostoria F and D, Tiffin a C and D and Bowling Green an A and C.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office will be getting three new vehicles.  The Hancock County commissioners approved the purchase of three cars at a total of $37,500.  Separately, the commissioners approved a $12,500 addition to a contract with Peterman Associates, Findlay, for the design of improvements to Distribution Drive.  The total contract with Peterman Associates is now $ 47,500.  Steve Wilson, project manager with the Hancock County Engineer’s Office, said the roadway needs to be moved further east than anticipated to allow for construction of a new substation by American Electric Power.

The North Central Ohio Regional Council of Governments plans to pursue $1 million in funding for a proposed fiber optic network that is to link computer systems used by government, police, fire and emergency rescue services in Seneca County.  According to Lt. Aaron Russell of the Tiffin Police Department, the informational technology updates would result in more efficiency and cyber security for the entities involved.

A Bowling Green teen is to spend seven days in juvenile detention, among other penalties, after admitting that he operated a vehicle that caused the death of four people last year.  17 year old Nicholas Korducki was charged in juvenile court last February with four counts of vehicular homicide following the deaths of four members of a family from Luckey in a Feb. 5, 2015 traffic crash on Ohio 25, just north of Bowling Green.  Korducki entered an admission to the vehicular manslaughter charge in court; the remaining charges were dismissed.

George Whitson, a University of Findlay trustee emeritus and his wife Shirlee, along with Whitson Properties have made a $520,000 grant to support the new Center for Student Life and College of Business building as well as the hospitality management program at University of Findlay.  A portion of the half million-dollar commitment will create the Whitson Family Hospitality Endowment Fund that will allow students to participate in internships with Whitson Properties including three hotels in the Findlay area.

Thomas J. Usher, chairman of the board of Marathon Petroleum Corp., announced Wednesday he will retire following the company’s annual shareholders meeting on April 27.  The board has elected Gary R. Heminger, the company’s president and chief executive officer, to succeed Usher as chairman.  Heminger will serve in addition to his current duties.
 

For the first time since 1989, the University of Findlay has introduced a new graphic identity and academic logo.  The change was driven by changes in graphic design concepts over the years, but also to reflect the University’s commitment to its “brand promise” of academic excellence.  The logo features a graphic representation of the cupola of Old Main, the oldest and most iconic building on campus. Six slats in the cupola are intended to reflect the six colleges within the University and a gentle arch is reminiscent of the Griffith Arch on the University’s front lawn.

The Salvation Army of Tiffin is seeking volunteers.  Major Becky Stetser says volunteers from the community-based correctional facility CROSSWAEH no longer are helping out with the organization.  Three volunteers from CROSSWAEH assisted daily.  The Salvation Army is looking for regular volunteers 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily.  For information on how you can help, call (419)-447-2252.

Tiffin City Board of Education has approved an affiliation with North Central Ohio Educational Service Center.  Terms of the contract, which is to take effect in July 2017, are to be determined.  The board terminated its contract with the educational service center in October 2014 over financial concerns and past disagreements.  The board has since been contracted with Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.

Christy Manley of Grand Rapids, who was convicted of theft while she served as the fiscal director of the Wood County Juvenile Court, was ordered to serve three years of community control sanctions.  Manley had taken nearly $54,000 in court deposits.  Her attorney said she was not motivated by greed, but was facing personal and financial difficulties and used the money to help her family at the time.  Manley is to maintain a lawful occupation, perform 400 hours of community service, seek and comply with mental health assessments, pay court costs and a $50 supervision fee.  If Manley fails to comply, show will serve 18 months in prison.

A Findlay woman who had just been released from jail about two hours earlier was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly stole a bottle of liquor from a gas station across the highway from the Seneca County Jail.  59 year old Cynthia K. Stevens was charged with theft.  According to a Seneca County Sheriff's Office report, a person from G&L Shell reported at 2:05 p.m. a woman who had been released from jail was picked up at the gas station and stole a bottle of liquor.  Stevens had been in jail for two days on a failure to appear charge and was released because the judge dropped the warrant.

Roy Armes, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. chief executive officer and chairman, will retire Aug. 31 after nine years in the position.  His successor as chief executive officer will be Bradley Hughes, who is chief operating officer.  Succeeding Armes as chairman of the board of directors will be Thomas Capo, who has been on the board since 2007.  The 63 year old Armes came to Cooper in 2007 after a 31-year career at Whirlpool.

Bowling Green Police K-9, Arci, now has extra protection.  Arci received a bullet and stab proof vest to wear when responding to crime scenes.  Arci's handler, Sargent Gordon Finger says that when they're on a scene looking for someone, for example, Arci is usually the first out there.   ProHealth out of Perrysburg donated this vest.

A bill authored by Representative Robert Sprague of Findlay passed in the Ohio House that will give Ohioans “the right to try” if it’s signed into law.  House Bill 290 would allow Ohio residents suffering from a terminal illness to try drugs not yet approved by the Federal Drug Administration.  The trial treatments would only have to have gone through “phase one” approval, meaning doctors are sure the treatments won’t kill patients.  The bill has received bipartisan support and expected to go to the Senate in April.

The city of Findlay is seeking written public comments on improvements planned for pedestrian traffic on Main and Cory streets.  The project, which has undergone several revisions since it was first announced in March 2015, includes sidewalk repairs, curb extensions, installation of new curb ramps, mid-block pedestrian crossings on Main Street between Lima and Center streets and a new designated bicycle lane for southbound traffic along Cory Street between Lima and Frazer streets.  Written comments regarding the projects may be sent to: City of Findlay, Attention: Main Street/Cory Street Improvements.  Comments must be received within the next 30 days, and should include contact information.

On Tuesday, the Hancock County commissioners voted to join the “Stepping Up” initiative, which provides grant money to communities willing to develop a plan to help people with mental illnesses get treatment and avoid jail.  The initiative is a project of the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.  By joining the “Stepping Up” initiative, the commissioners agreed that the county will form a multi-agency team to address the issue, collect data, examine current treatment and services, and develop a plan, with measurable outcomes, to track and report progress.

Fostoria Police Officer Justin Kiser returned to work Monday for the first time since his drunk driving arrest earlier this month.  Kiser has been on administrative duty while he appeals a driver’s license suspension.  He was arrested by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Feb. 6 for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated.  Kiser was not on duty at the time of the traffic stop and was driving his personal vehicle.
 

Leaders of area sports organizations met with Findlay officials Monday evening for a “recreation summit” during which some of the wants and needs of different groups were discussed.   According to Findlay Safety-Service Director Paul Schmelzer there is a strong desire for a second sheet of ice at The Cube, as well as an indoor facility.  Other smaller projects discussed were electricity to the dugouts at the Diamonds and fencing around soccer fields.

A 78 year old man of Hopewell Township in Seneca County was found dead behind his residence yesterday afternoon.  A neighbor found Robert Overholt dead not far from a brush pile that Overholt was intending to burn.  The death was under investigation Monday afternoon with preliminary evidence indicating it was not foul play.

On Monday, the Diocese of Toledo announced the steps being make to address its financial challenges, including a projected $1.3 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year.  The measures, approved by Bishop Daniel E. Thomas as part of an ongoing comprehensive review of operations, include a 20 percent reduction in expenses at the administrative offices of the Diocese, the ceasing of the Catholic Chronicle newspaper and website, and the elimination of the diocesan-produced televised Sunday Catholic Mass.  In a press release about the changes, the diocese says the steps will sharply reduce the expected deficit, provide better stewardship for operations, and help ensure improved financial health for the Diocese. 

Firehouse Subs has given The Findlay Fire Department a grant of nearly $4000 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.  The grant will go toward the fire department’s carbon monoxide detector giveaway program.  The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awards millions of dollars to public safety organizations for life saving equipment through a competitive application and review process.

A teenager posing as a state senator toured Mohawk high school and spoke to a class, and school officials didn't realize they were fooled until weeks later.  District officials said Izaha Akins, of Marion, Ohio, visited the high school in December and claimed to be a lawmaker replacing another senator.  They realized they'd been duped when Republican Sen. David Burke, of Marysville, showed up to speak weeks later, as scheduled.  The Blade newspaper of Toledo reported that Akins said he was making a point about school security in small communities. He was charged recently with felony counts of telecommunications fraud and impersonating a peace officer.

Fostoria Fire Department engaged in a two-day battle with a fire at 151 E. Fremont Street.  The original fire began Friday afternoon where high winds made extinguishing the fire difficult.  Flames reappeared Saturday morning and the building ended up being completely demolished to prevent it from collapsing.  The cause of both Friday and Saturday’s fires could not be determined.  No injuries were reported and the family of four who resided at the home have been aided by the American Red Cross.
 

Prospective students, transfers and current classmates at Bowling Green State University have three new degrees to choose from starting in 2017.  They are: a bachelor of arts in philosophy, politics, economics and law (PPEL), bachelor of arts in biological sciences and a bachelor of science in forensic science.  In addition to the new degree options, residence hall and meal plans for 2017 will also be at lower rates, maintaining BGSU's position as lowest in overall cost out of Kent State, Ohio University and Ohio State University.

This September, Tiffin will recognize the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a Patriot Day Salute celebration honoring first responders with a day full of events.  The day’s events will include a 5K run/walk, followed by a parade and other events that are in the planning stage.  A concert featuring Daryl Worley will be held at the Seneca County Fairgrounds.  Tickets will be $10 with first responders receiving free admission.

Terrance R. J. Williamson of Toledo, the man charged with shooting a mother and daughter at Nye’s Trailer Park in Fostoria late last month has been indicted on 13 charges by the Wood County Grand Jury.  The indictments include attempted murder, kidnapping, felonious assault, aggravated robbery and grand theft auto.  A future hearing date for Williamson has not been announced.
 

Findlay City Council heard details about the Findlay City School’s construction of a fiber loop network.  The school has offered to lease the city portions of the fiber for $85,000.  The city would need to spend $350,000 to extend the network to all of its facilities and for needed equipment.  Findlay officials are considering joining the project because of increased data use, and phone bills that are expected to soar during the next few years.  A vote on the fiber loop could come at the next council meeting on March 1.

Owens Community College recently received official notice from the State of Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) that the nursing programs have been granted full approval for a period of five years.  A nursing program cannot operate without state approval, while national accreditation makes it easier for students to transfer to different continuing education programs.  The Owens nursing program lost its national accreditation in 2009, but regained it in 2013.
 

Two Bowling Green South Main Street businesses closed their doors earlier this week with little advance notice.  Cafe Havana and Falcon Food Mart, which are located in the same building, are both shuttered.  The reason for the closing is the failure of the business operators and building owners to reach an agreement on a new lease.  The food mart had been open six years and the Mediterranean restaurant four years.

A Fostoria woman is trying to turn a family tragedy into a positive impact for her community… Andrea Cress lost her sister one year ago after a standoff with police ended with the sister taking her own life.  During the negotiations, the police called for a “snake camera” that would allow them to see into the room the sister was in from under the door.  However, the closest camera was in Columbus…The camera could have given police a tactical advantage.  Cress has started a Go Fund Me campaign in her sister’s memory, to purchase an under door camera for the Fostoria Police department.  The camera costs 14 thousand dollars, and so far 5 thousand has been raised. 

Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative has asked Findlay City Council to help the company preserve some of its service area in the city.  While American Electric Power of Ohio has a franchise agreement to serve all of Findlay, Hancock-Wood’s service territory includes a small section of eastern Findlay that was annexed into the city in the 1980s…According to Cooperative officials.  AEP has started “cherry picking” the cooperative’s larger customers in the annexed area.  Hancock-Wood wants council to pass an ordinance or amend an old one to specify the city’s support of the service territories established by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Hancock-Wood is not asking the city to enforce its territory, but to provide a supporting opinion so that Hancock-Wood can use that to fight AEP.
 

Whirlpool announced that it will add about 50 jobs after it constructs a $40.6 million, 86,400-square-foot expansion of its dishwasher plant in Findlay.  The Findlay plant’s 2,300 workers make 12,500 dishwashers per day, making it the world’s largest dishwasher factory.  Whirlpool said it has invested $1.4 billion in new U.S. plants and upgrades since 2010.

The Arcadia School Board gave the OK for the district to proceed with plans to implement all-day kindergarten.  Superintendent Bruce Kidder will now obtain cost estimates for needed paint, desks, tables, lockers and other supplies needed to renovate a former art room.  Currently, 28 children are enrolled in half-day kindergarten.  The move will mean that McComb will be the last district in Hancock County without all-day kindergarten.

The Seneca County Historical Museum is expected to begin improvements on Monday, Feb. 22.  The property located on Clay Street in Tiffin will have work done on the foundation and side porch.  The Barnes-Deinzer Seneca County Historical Museum Foundation will pay $30,000, Tiffin Charitable Foundation will pay $20,000 and the county will pay the remainder.

The Hopewell-Loudon Board of Education will conduct a special meeting at 7 a.m. Friday to vote on a contract with Brian Colatruglio, who as part of his new duties will replace Jeremy Nutter as head coach for the varsity boys’ football program and replace Tony Swanagan as athletic director.  Colatruglio teaches social studies at Columbian High School in Tiffin, where he also serves as head coach for the boys’ varsity football team. He has a past with Hopewell-Loudon, having taught social studies there from 2004 to 2010 and served as head football coach and athletic director.

Findlay City Council agreed Tuesday to a sick time payout for retired Fire Chief Tom Lonyo.   Council had agreed to pay Lonyo the $32,375 after 3rd Ward Councilman Ron Monday asked how much the former chief would be willing to accept.  The payout is half of what Lonyo had accrued in unused sick time, prior to his retirement in early 2015.
 

At their Tuesday night meeting, The Fostoria Finance Committee continued to question City Auditor Steve Garner over large year-end deficit.  At a February 2 meeting, Garner informed officials of a nearly $400,000 year-end deficit.  Last night, he said the number compounded as is closer to an $800,000 deficit.  In an effort to provide more transparency, Garner said members of finance committee will soon have real-time access to the city’s budget so they can examine revenues and expenditures by line item whenever they please. 
 

Fostoria Economic Development Corporation received a continued boost of support from city officials Tuesday night when the city approved an ordinance granting an appropriation of $30,000 from the Community Development Fund.  The move comes one month after a major South Korean tile maker opened its first American plant in Fostoria.  Additionally, interest earned from the city’s STAR Ohio account will also go to the organization.
 

Fostoria City Schools Board of Education approved a resolution authorizing the school district to participate in the Ohio School Facilities Commission Classroom Facilities Assistance Program.
The resolution approves the master plan and shows the state the district is ready for the current building project.  Construction of the new school and renovations will cost approximately $50 million.  However, through a partnership with the Ohio School Facilities Commission, the state will fund 89 percent of the project — $41,576,718 — leaving the district to pay $5,513,154. 
 

North Baltimore Council on Tuesday agreed to pursue grants for upgrading its downtown.  A four-phase project would include waterline replacement and repaving a portion of Main Street downtown.  The work could cost $3 million, and council is aiming to apply for more than $2 million in various grants…The second phase would be a downtown revitalization project to add new lighting, curbs and sidewalks from the railroad to Broadway Street.  Next would be milling and paving the roadway downtown from the railroad to Broadway Street.  The final section would be Main Street reconstruction, with paving and milling from Broadway to the corporation limit.

Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative has proposed a partnership with the Village of North Baltimore to bring businesses and industry to town.  George Walton, president and CEO at Hancock-Wood, envisions assembling an economic development board “committed to funding economic development.”  That board would consist of members of the Hancock-Wood board, hopefully North Baltimore Administrator Allyson Murray, an economic developer, plus members of the village.  The Hancock-Wood board will provide the oversight and the funding with the board being operation by May.

On Friday, Ben Spence, the former Director of BGSU’s Stroh Center, pleaded not guilty to five charges including: three counts of tampering with records and two counts of theft in office.  He was ordered to have no contact with BGSU and the Ohio High School Athletic Association.   According to the state, the investigation in ongoing, meaning more charges could be added later.  Spence was suspended back in August, after internal affairs found irregularities in accounting numbers of some OHSAA events held at the arena.

Drivers using CR 99 near Tall Timbers may want to consider a different route for the next few weeks.  The city of Findlay will begin installation of a water line between Forest Trail Drive and Technology Drive today.  The road may be reduced to one lane at times.

Hancock County Commissioner candidates Brian Robertson and John Harrington participated in a public forum last night at the University of Findlay.  Aside from personal attacks, the two candidates focused mainly on flood control.  Harrington believes patience is needed as the Army Corps of Engineers finishes a 10-year study on flood control.  However, Robertson says the corps is missing deadlines and lacks transparency and results.

Two Hancock County were destroyed by fire in the past two days…The first home was on Main Street in Rawson.  Homeowners Raymond and Karen Victory were alerted by a passerby about smoke coming from the house.  30 firefighters from Rawson, Mount Cory, Jenera and Bluffton extinguished the fire.  A fire that started in the garage spread to the second home in the 10000 block of Hancock County Road 9 in Liberty Township.  The home was occupied, but the owner is unknown.  No injuries were reported, but four dogs died in the fire.  Both fires remain under investigation.

The Seneca County Park District will be asking voters to approve a 0.5-mil levy, which would generate $575,000, on the Nov. 8 ballot.  The park board approved a resolution to seek the levy on the ballot at its meeting Wednesday.  A majority of the money would be used to enhance existing nature and outdoor recreation and education programs as well as to maintain parks and nature areas and to fund capital improvements.  In addition, funds will be used to hire a professional staff to provide leadership in program development and building community partnerships as well as personnel for park maintenance, security and land stewardship.

No injuries were reported after a fire broke out at a vacant trailer at Nye’s Trailer Park Tuesday morning.  Officers with the Fostoria Police Department responded to the scene and were able to evacuate the surrounding trailers and area to ensure no one was injured.  Upon arrival, fire crews found a 750 square-foot, single-family structure with flames blazing from the front window.  While the fire was quickly extinguished, crews were on scene for an hour and a half performing overhaul and investigations.  Utility services were previously turned off at the vacant property and the incident was turned over to the Fostoria Police Department for further investigation.
 

The Hancock County commissioners approved an agreement today with the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts and the Hancock County Agricultural Society to allow for the release of hotel/motel bed tax money.  The commissioners voted Oct. 6 to increase the tax to benefit the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts and the Hancock County Agricultural Society.  By accepting the money, both groups will be required to report annually to the commissioners’ office about their use of the money.  The money must be used for capital improvements over the next seven years.

State Sen. Cliff Hite, R-Findlay, released a report on resolving issues surrounding participation fees for extra- and co-curricular activities in Ohio schools.  Hite had conducted a statewide tour, seeking input at public forums last fall in Findlay, Dayton, Cleveland and Columbus.  Hite’s report suggests several possible steps, including:  Requiring districts to disclose costs and budgeting related to extracurricular fees; Prescribing that fees must be used for the activities they are being charged for; and setting caps on how much districts can charge per activity or family per year.  Banning participation fees outright, or banning them but providing an additional measure of appropriating funds, was considered but deemed to not be a feasible solution.

A new support group is meeting in Tiffin for combat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress. The group meets each Monday, 10:30am-Noon at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library and is facilitated by the VA’s Toledo Vet Center.  The PTSD Support Group is an open, on-going support group for veterans who have served in a combat theater and are having problems readjusting to civilian life or veterans experiencing a delayed stress reaction to repressed combat trauma.  Veterans must be pre-screened by a Toledo Vet Center counselor prior to starting group therapy.  Veterans are asked to contact the Seneca County Veterans Service Office to participate.

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is offering educational scholarships to individuals pursuing health care careers. BVHS associates, current college students and high school seniors entering college are eligible to apply.  A complete list of scholarships, along with applications, deadlines, qualifications and contact information can be viewed at www.bvhealthsystem.org.

The Hancock Park District Board approved a payment of nearly $7,500 to Watchtower Consulting IT Services, Findlay, to design and host the site at hancockparks.com.  The price includes a year of website hosting, and after that, the park district will pay $20 monthly.  Along with seeing a new look, park patrons will also be able to register for program and pay registration fees online.  There will also be videos, and park district personnel will have access to make changes.

Fostoria police officer Justin W. Kiser was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated after a traffic stop by the Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.  The arrest comes less than one month after a Fostoria police officer was charged with the same offense.  Kiser has been put on leave from his duties and is scheduled to appear before a judge for arraignment at 9 a.m.

Findlay businessman Kevin Rettig and Ohio State Rep. Robert Cole Sprague of Findlay met for a candidate’s forum last night as the March 15 primary nears.  Medical marijuana was discussed and Rettig says it should be looked at seriously while recreational use should be left up to the voters.  Sprague stated his opposition to the legalization because of the effects of drug addiction he has seen and any medical use of marijuana’s ingredients should go through the same approval process as other drugs used to treat illnesses.  The winner of the GOP primary on March 15 will go on to face Democrat Mary Harshfield in the November general election.

Fostoria shooting victims Lashelle Norman and her daughter, 17 year old Alexia Johnson are recovering at home.  Norman suffered three gunshot wounds: one hitting her pelvis, one through her chest and hitting her lung, and a third through her stomach.  Her daughter was shot once in the leg, breaking her fibula.  Terrence R. Williamson of Toledo, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly shooting the two at Nye’s Trailer Park on Jan. 30.  Norman said she believes Williamson’s actions were the result of a medication that treats seizures, panic disorders and anxiety.
 

The first in a series of public meetings to adapt a new plan for Wood County’s growth over the next 20 years will be held Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Junior Fair Building at the Wood County Fairgrounds.  As the Wood County Planning Commission works to draft a new future land use plan, residents from across the county are encouraged to share input on what they see as critical areas for protection, reinvestment and growth.  The future land use plan is an official public document adopted by the county that articulates the community’s vision for its future. It serves as a guide for development and preservation recommendations made by the county planning commission and zoning decisions made by Wood County townships. 

Hancock County’s commissioners voted Thursday to contract with the Seneca County Board of Developmental Disabilities for oversight of the county’s Help Me Grow caseworkers for at least the next six months.  In January, the Hancock County Family First Council hired Stacy Shaw as coordinator and project director at Help Me Grow. However, Shaw is still working toward the accreditation required by the State of Ohio to oversee the caseworkers.  Hancock County will pay the Seneca County board up to $650 over the next six months to provide the supervision.

Benjamin Spence, the former director of the Stroh Center at Bowling Green State University has been indicted on theft in office and tampering with records charges.  The theft in office counts denote that the “value of property or services stolen” was $7,500 or more.  The incidents reportedly took place between July, 2012, and May, 2015.  The tampering with records charges, alleging incidents occurring in February of 2014, concern documents “regarding events held by the Ohio High School Athletic Association” at BGSU.  Spence resigned his position in October and is no longer a BGSU employee.

The Findlay Ministerial Association (FMA) has announced the 2016 Backyard Mission Trip will take place Saturday, April 23.  The Mission Trip will have Findlay area churches gathering volunteers to do yard work, painting, and modest house repairs to homes in the community.  In 2015, 35 churches, 3 organizations, 1421 volunteers worked to complete 242 projects in and around Findlay.  The Association is asking that if there is a home repair or maintenance project that a home is unable to complete, to visit Findlay m-a dot org and complete a request form.  Deadline for assistance applications will be Thursday, March 31.

A recently retired Ohio police officer has been allowed to buy his K-9 partner for $1.  Officials in Marietta had created a social-media stir when they said Matt Hickey's police dog, Ajax, had to be sold at auction because it was city property and could still work.  Hickey and Ajax worked together for three years, and the dog lived with him.  Hickey was allowed to buy Ajax from the city on Thursday.  Earlier this week, the city had said it would allow Hickey to keep the dog if Hickey continued to work for the police department on a volunteer basis after his retirement.  Hickey refused, noting he retired in January over health concerns.  Hickey says he's "speechless and very grateful" that he gets to keep Ajax.

Two victims of a Saturday shooting at Nye’s Trailer Park in Fostoria have been identified.  35 year old Lashelle Norman and her daughter, 17 year old Alexia Johnson are in intensive care at ProMedica Toledo Hospital awaiting surgery.  The suspected shooter is Terrence R. Williamson of Toledo.  Williams had a previous record that included several drug charges.  Though not dating at the time of the incident, Williams and Norman had been in a relationship in the past.
 

At the Findlay Rotary Club’s weekly meeting, Findlay Mayor Lydia Mahalik summed up 2015 as a successful year as the city many of the goals set for 2018 have already been reached.  The one area that still needs improvement, though, is employee satisfaction.  Looking to 2016, the city will be spending $2.25 million on street resurfacing, connecting into the Findlay City Schools fiber loop, resurfacing runways at the airport, replacing waterlines and working on an Ohio Department of Transportation study for growth at the County Road 99/I-75 intersection.

Tiffin's City Council has approved the creation of a Community Reinvestment Area in the city's Third Ward that could stimulate construction and improvement projects through the use of tax abatements.  If council approves the application, the first project to benefit from the CRA could be result in residents being displaced.  Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. Development Specialist Bryce Riggs said NRP Group LLC, a developer and property manager from Cleveland, has proposed construction of 50 two-, three- and four-bedroom townhomes on 7.5 acres in the Third Ward.  The site is behind Jolly's Drive-In on West Market Street.

The landmark Corner Grill restaurant in Bowling Green is expected to be closed some time following a fire Monday morning.  The cause remained undetermined as of this afternoon.  The business sustained fire, smoke and water damage as a result of the blaze; additionally, as firefighters performed salvage and overhaul operations, they had to pull down portions of the ceiling tile to check for the spread of flames.  The fire did not extend into Mister Spots but they did sustain some smoke and water damage to the ground floor and second floor which plans to reopen Wednesday. 

A weekend shooting at Fostoria’s Nye’s Trailer Park has led to the arrest of 36 year old Terrence R. Williamson for attempted murder.  Fostoria police responded to a call from the Countyline Street park on Saturday afternoon to find a 36 year old woman shot in the abdomen and a graze injury to her head and her 17 year old daughter shot in the leg.  Williamson was apprehended after crashing his vehicle in the area of Baird Road and Ohio 199, north of Fostoria.  Police said he had two small children in the vehicle with him. 
 

A drug store chain is set to announce that it will make an antidote for heroin overdoses available at its Ohio stores.  The Toledo Blade newspaper reports that CVS pharmacy officials, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the White House national drug policy director will discuss Monday during a community forum at the University of Toledo how CVS stores will begin carrying naloxone, also known as Narcan.  The antidote has becoming increasingly available to the public in recent months as Ohio's heroin and opiate epidemic continues unabated.  The drug is administered as an inhaler or with an injection and can reverse the breath suppression effects of opioids.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office needs your help figuring out who burglarized two homes…Both incidents happened Friday in Orange Township on County Road 304.  Residents said a big screen TV, guns and office equipment were stolen from the first home.  Several TVs, jewelry and even an XBOX were grabbed at the second.  The burglars worked quickly, hitting both houses in just one hour.  If you have any information, call the Hancock County Sheriff's Office.

The Hancock Park District is asking Hancock County voters to replace an 0.8mill, eight-year levy on March 15.  The replacement levy would generate nearly $1.4 million a year, about the same as the current levy…Funds are used for day-to-day operations at the park district, such as salaries, benefits and utilities.  The organization manages a variety of park operations throughout Hancock County.  Voters last approved the tax in 2008, effective in 2009.  It is the only countywide issue on the March ballot.