Two Fostoria City Schools’ students are facing charges of inducing panic after falsely reporting subjects were taking their pictures at two separate bus stops Thursday morning. 
According to School Resource Officer Adam Nelson, a third-grade girl told school officials a male subject in a green minivan was hiding behind a bush taking pictures of her while she waited for the bus at the corner of West Center and Union streets.  Another juvenile, also a female in the third grade, advised a black vehicle — fitting the description of her mother’s vehicle — was parked behind the Good Shepherd Home and a male subject was taking pictures from behind a fence as students waited for the bus on Springville Avenue.  School officials issued alerts and warnings of a possible voyeur via phone and text messages.  Charges of inducing panic were filed against both girls, according to Nelson, who said he is recommending them for expulsion. 
 

Hancock County commissioners voted to “call in the bonds” on the Interstate 75 connector road project, paying off the $8 million debt three years early.  The balance due is $1.9 million.  The move will save Hancock County about $200,000 in interest.   The money was used to construct a connector road between Interstate 75 and the Tall Timbers International Industrial Park on Industrial Drive in the mid-1990s.

Nicholas C. Hackworth of Fostoria and Todd A. Bollett, Santana M. Diliberto and Brett N.D. Phillabaum of Port Clinton entered not guilty pleas to a combined 51 charges in connection to a string of arson fires in Wood County late last month.  Various bonds were set for the suspects.  Details regarding potential motives for the crimes have not yet been released, but prosecutors have said they believe gasoline was the primary accelerant used to ignite the fires. 

Seneca County commissioners approved annexation of more than 60 acres in Hopewell Township to the city of Tiffin for a potential development.  The property is bordered by US 224 and property behind Rural King.  Attorney Brent Howard, who is representing the land owners, said next step was for the proposal to be delivered to Tiffin City Council, which he said likely would pass an ordinance to accept the annexation.  The property owners do not have specific plans for the property, should it be annexed.

Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards delivered his annual state of the city address yesterday.  Edwards discussed the proposed replacement levy for the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department as an absolute must.  He also said that the city will see some “major steps forward” in the improvement plan for the East Wooster Street corridor, “including an in-depth assessment of housing in the areas adjoining the campus.  Also, the issues surrounding the former junior high property at West Wooster and South church streets, as well as the need for a new city building, were also addressed.

The United Way of Fostoria approved a $5,000 grant to the Fostoria Summer Recreation Program: Fostoria Community Enriching Our Youth during its April board of trustees meeting. 
The grant is the first the United Way of Fostoria has awarded since 2012.  Extra money was left over from unused 2015 administration funds and the board felt the summer rec program was a worthy recipient.
 

Brent R. Houdeshell of Arlington man pleaded innocent Wednesday to a murder charge and two other felony counts related to the death of a 2-year-old Breydon Ferrel of Findlay.  Hancock County Common Pleas Magistrate Robroy set bond at $ 537,500.  A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 13.  Common Pleas Judge Reginald Routson has been assigned the case. 

HHWP Community Action Commission’s Head Start preschool program will hold an ice cream social and open house next Friday, May 6^th  from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the Findlay Head Start building, 545 Winfield Ave., Findlay.  Parents interested in registering their children for the 2016-17 school year may bring their children and tour the facility, meet the staff, participate in activities, and pick up or complete an application.   Activities include Dietsch’s ice cream, carnival games, and prizes.  For more details visit www.hhwpcac.org.

About 20 people gathered outside Marathon’s Main Street, Findlay headquarters yesterday to protest the company’s involvement with the Sandpiper pipeline project.  The proposed pipeline would be in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The protesters from Minnesota, Detroit, Yellow Springs and Dayton aired concerns about potential spills that could damage drinking water and crops in that region.

Thirty-four students from Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers in Tiffin are bringing home gold medals following an award ceremony Wednesday during the 64th annual SkillsUSA Ohio Championships.  Students competed in areas, such as health careers, nail care, culinary arts, crime investigation, public safety, collision repair, digital technology and medical assistance, among many others.  These students will go to national competition in June in Louisville, Kentucky.

A planned solar project in the city is expected to move forward after action taken by the Bowling Green Board of Public.  The board approved a resolution to allow BG Utilities Director Brian O’Connell to enter into a revised contract with American Municipal Power and NextEra for the proposed project, to be located along Carter Road.  The project, to place solar panels on the site and allow the city to subscribe to the power thus produced, has been in the works since early last year. 

According to a report released by the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio, Hancock County residents are among the healthiest in the area.  Other good news is that fewer youth in the county are drinking and misusing prescription drugs.  However, the opposite is true of adults.

Fostoria police officer Justin W. Kiser, who was charged with drunk driving earlier this year, was found guilty on a reduced charge of reckless operation of a motor vehicle.  Kiser was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 23 of those days suspended upon compliance with the conditions of his one-year, non-reporting probation.  He was also ordered to complete and pay for a driver intervention program by July 29.

Trustees from both Liberty and Eagle townships in Hancock County brought a list of concerns about the proposed 9.4-mile diversion channel to the Hancock County commissioners yesterday.  Concerns about bridges, damage to township roads during construction, contaminated water and township flooding by diversion channel breaches.  The final request was for the commissioners to put the entire project to a vote before moving ahead.

North Baltimore teachers and administrators have agreed to a new contract.  The first year of the contract will give teachers a 2.5 percent pay hike, followed by a 2.25 percent increase the following year.  The third year will grant teachers another 2.25 percent raise, but that number is

North Baltimore teachers and administrators have agreed to a new contract.  The first year of the contract will give teachers a 2.5 percent pay hike, followed by a 2.25 percent increase the following year.  The third year will grant teachers another 2.25 percent raise, but that number is contingent on an assessment by the Ohio Department of Education of the district’s five-year financial forecast.

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) has been announced as lead donor of the Fields for All – Miracle Field and Miracle Playground project, which will be named the Blanchard Valley Health System Miracle Park in its honor….The new Blanchard Valley Health System Miracle Park is an inclusive facility that will allow individuals with disabilities the opportunity to play regardless of ability. The new park, which is located at the Marathon Diamonds, will include:  Miracle Field, a custom baseball field with a cushioned, rubberized surface that allows players with disabilities to experience the game of baseball and Miracle Playground the will provide individuals who are physically, mentally or emotionally challenged the opportunity to enjoy a playground with sensory-stimulating activities, an extensive ramping system and many more features for family and friends to enjoy.  Opening day of the park is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2016. 

In the March primary, the group Citizens for Seneca County is the organization that conducted a campaign against Seneca County Commissioner Holly Stacy.  The movement failed as Stacy

won the primary over Rich Focht.  Now, some names have appeared that were connected to the PAC that ran the campaign.  Former Fostoria mayor and current NCORcog president John Davoli, has now been listed as Treasurer for the group.  Two other names that contributed to the PAC were current commissioner Fred Zoeller and National Machinery President Alan Kalnow, both who have said that they were unaware of the intentions of the group.

A Hancock County grand jury indicted 28 year old Brent R. Houdeshell of Arlington on a charge of murdering 2-year-old Breydon Ferrel of Findlay.  On March 31, Findlay police were dispatched to 2030 Breckenridge Road, Apt. 3, on a report of an unresponsive child.  An autopsy performed by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death was blunt force head trauma.  He will be arraigned Wednesday in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.  Houdeshell remains in custody at the Hancock County jail.

The Ohio Supreme Court recently upheld the domestic violence conviction of Jeffery Arnold of Fostoria three years after he was first found guilty of assaulting his father.  Arnold was convicted of the charge in March 2013.  In the court’s lead opinion, Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor wrote that “although it may have been an error to admit the statement,” the remaining evidence “established Arnold’s guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.”  Arnold’s only recourse is to file an appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

Federal regulators will impose several conditions meant to protect online video services as they back Charter’s bid to buy Time Warner Cable and create the country’s second-largest home Internet provider.  The Justice Department approved the deal Monday, subject to court approval on the conditions.  Buying Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks will turn Charter Communications, a midsize cable company, into the country’s No. 2 home Internet provider, after Comcast. The new Charter will be No. 3 in video, trailing Comcast and AT&T, which bought DirecTV last year.

 A fire at an apartment at 708 N. Main St. in Findlay on Thursday is being investigated as a possible arson.  When Findlay firefighters arrived at the building which houses six apartments at about 11:30am, flames were reported to be showing from the third floor.  Five of the six apartments were occupied and one person was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital after he fell from a third floor window while escaping the fire.  The blaze was mostly contained to the third floor, but there was water and smoke damage throughout the building.  The structure is not a total loss, but it is estimated that more than $50,000 damage was done.
 

Emma Price, a St. Wendelin Catholic School student was crowned the 2016 Glass Queen at the 24^th Annual Fostoria Glass Pageant.  Price is hoping the title will allow her to make a positive impact on the community.  Also recognized at the pageant were Karma Williams as the little princess, Maelyn Velasquez as wee princess, Aleecia Cardwell as petite princess and May Coppler as glass princess.

Sears Holdings said it will close 68 Kmart stores and 10 Sears stores in an effort to get back to profitability.  The company said in February it planned to close unprofitable stores.  All of the Sears stores and almost all of the Kmarts will close in late July. Liquidation sales are expected to start in the coming days.  K-Marts in Fremont and Lima are on the closing list, while Fostoria’s K-Mart will remain open.

Fostoria St. Wendelin School is one of seven organizations to receive funding from the Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca Solid Waste Management District competitive funding.  The school receive almost $2500.  The funds will be used to buy 13 floor mate which are 90-100% made of recycled materials.  Institutions who receive an OSS grant are to use the money to start recycling programs or to buy products made from recycled materials.

Ohio Logistics will spend more than $1 million to renovate a three-story, 8,200-square-foot office building on the southwest corner of Tiffin Avenue and Bright Road over the next three months.  The building, which houses Citizens National Bank and the offices of 14 other businesses, was purchased by Ohio Logistics in December.  Ohio Logistics President Chuck Bills said that starting in May, parking lot repairs and new landscape and facilities projects will begin.

Findlay City Schools has settled with Georgia-based Field Turf and The Vasco Group on the issue of being unsatisfied with the field turf installed at Donnell stadium.  Problems with the turf included undulations in the turf and uneven lettering in the end zone.  The companies will repair the turf at no additional cost.  The Donnell Foundation, which maintains the field, will pay the original cost of the turf installation, about $516,639, when the repairs are completed in June.

Hancock County officials are moving forward with plans to establish a special court to work with families struggling with drug addiction.  Kristen Johnson, Probate and Juvenile Court judge, asked the county commissioners to help pay for the employment of a coordinator for a Family Dependency Treatment Court.  Johnson said a grant from the Ohio Supreme Court, worth $130,000 over four years, would cover much of the coordinator’s salary. The commissioners have agreed to provide county benefits for the coordinator.  The cases of drug-addicted people with children, or addicted people who are pregnant, could be referred to the treatment court.

Construction begins next week on extensive upgrades to Lake Lumberjack, also known as Reservoir 3 in Fostoria.  Through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a new boat ramp, boarding dock and parking lot will be built on the south side of the lake.  The nearly $120,000 cost of the work will initially be covered by the city with reimbursement by ODNR after the project is completed.

The 13 year old Fostoria boy who was arrested for bringing a BB gun onto the campus of Fostoria Junior/Senior High School Tuesday afternoon was charged with violating the Safe Schools Act.  The teen’s action caused the schools to issue alerts to parents of the situation while authorities searched for the boy.  After placing the boy in custody, officers collected an “authentic- looking” BB gun, which would have easily been mistaken for an actual firearm if the teen had tried to draw the weapon.

Four businesses are set to open at Tiffin Mall.  Sandy Fitschen, who works for mall management, said Stepping Stone Realty, Sarver Industries, Golf 101 and ASI are to open soon.  Sarver Industries has plans to open this summer and will offer laser engraving and 3D printing and serve as a virtual game center.  Golf 101 will open in August will have two high-definition golf simulators.  Always Safe Incorporated will hire and train sales people and technicians and offers security and surveillance for homes and businesses.

The Hancock County Opiate Task Force will hold a community medication collection from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.  The drop-off location will be at the Findlay Municipal Building parking lot.  Any expired, unused or unneeded medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may be dropped off for proper disposal.  The collection is an opportunity to help reduce risk and the chance of dangerous medications getting into the hands of others.

A 13 year old Fostoria boy was arrested late Tuesday afternoon for allegedly carrying a weapon onto the school grounds of Fostoria Junior/Senior High.  After the boy was placed in custody, officers collected a pistol like BB gun that could have been mistaken for a real weapon if drawn.  The incident had school officials alerting parents that police were searching for the student.  No specific threats were made by the boy to any students or staff members.

Findlay Auditor Jim Staschiak plans to have ohio-checkbook.com in place by midsummer that will allow residents to examine the city’s finances.  Deputy Auditor Ginger Sampson briefed council about the tool, which may be similar to the state treasurer’s OhioCheckbook.com website, except the tool will include revenues along with expenses.

Fostoria City Council will begin seeking bids for an airfield pavement marking project at Fostoria Metropolitan Airport.  The project will receive 95-percent funding through the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation’s Ohio Airport Grant Program.  Fostoria council also suspended the three reading rule Tuesday for an ordinance allowing Mayor Eric Keckler to submit an application with the Ohio Development Services Agency, Office of Community Development, for up to $1.2 million in 2016 Community Housing Impact and Preservation program (CHIP) funding. 

A Findlay Municipal Court judge on Tuesday continued a $1 million bond for 28 year old Brent R. Houdeshell of Arlington who is charged with killing a 2-year-old Breydon Ferrell of Findlay on March 31.  Following an autopsy, the Lucas County coroner ruled the death a homicide, authorities said.  On Tuesday, Hancock County Prosecutor Mark Miller said the toddler had a cracked skull, fractures to the left leg, and bruises throughout his body.  Houdeshell and the child’s mother, Alisha Young, were reportedly engaged and had a child together on Jan. 2.  Breydon Ferrell was the son of Young and Steven Ferrell. 

Two different versions of “the chicken ordinance” was presented to Fostoria City Council last night.  Council has been receiving complaints from homeowners regarding neighbors who let their chickens run amok.  One draft of the ordinance says no more than six chickens would be permitted on a property and anyone housing fowl must first obtain a permit from the zoning office. Additionally, chickens must be kept in an enclosed coop or run at all times.  The competing ordinance would do away with a mandated permit and would instead require residents to sign a “memo of understanding” acknowledging “the expectations of care and good housekeeping,” and any potential penalties that would come with violating the rules.  Council is expected to create a third draft of ordinance and vote on it at the May 3 meeting.

Liberty-Benton Schools has hired K-12 Business Consulting of Dublin, Ohio to assist with its upcoming superintendent search.  The district will pay the company around $14,000 to assist in the search, host community meetings and confirm the history of the candidates.  Superintendent Jim Kanable announced his retirement in December, and plans to step down when his current contract ends in July 2017.

The Wood County Fairgrounds has decided to commit to building a new $3.2 million pavilion and conference center beginning this fall.  The new center will replace five aging buildings — the two swine barns, two beef barns and the show arena between those barns…The new pavilion can be used all year for other projects and events.  As part of the kick-off for the fundraising effort, two longtime leaders, Jim Carter and Bernie Scott have agreed to lead the drive with the help of a campaign committee.

No injuries were sustained and no hazardous materials were released when a CSX freight train derailed near Fostoria’s Iron Triangle yesterday morning.  Eleven of the freighter’s more than 230 cars came off the tracks.  Matt Lehner, public affairs director with the Federal Railroad Administration, said an inspector for the organization was on scene Monday afternoon assessing the damage and reviewing the circumstances that led to the incident.  The cause of the derailment is under investigation.  Columbus Avenue is now open for traffic.
 

The Hancock County Commissioners have received submissions from eight engineering firms interested in overseeing the design and construction of the proposed Eagle Creek Diversion channel in Findlay.  The commissioners have not yet decided if the county will undertake the flood-control project on its own, or wait for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its final report on Blanchard River flooding.

Fostoria City School officials have announced that the district has submitted an application for an Early Childhood Expansion grant. The $44,000 grant would allow an additional 11 slots in the district’s preschool program. The district currently has about 90 preschool students, but it has 65 more on a waiting list.  If the district receives the grant, the rooms at Longfellow School will be restructured over the summer to accommodate another classroom for the additional students.

59 year old Clinton D. Berry of Findlay was found guilty of rape, aggravated burglary and kidnapping.  Berry broke into a woman’s Mount Cory home, handcuffed her to her son’s bed and raped her in March 2015.  He will be sentenced on May 12 and could face up to 44 years in prison.

Fostoria Planning Commission approved the site plan for a 40,000 square-foot speculative building set to go up in the industrial park on U.S. 23.  The $1.2 million spec building will be constructed this fall as a shell, fully customizable to fit the needs of any potential manufacturing or warehousing company looking to move in.  The property will also support an expansion of up to another 60,000 square feet and will come with utilities already included.  FEDC President Renee Smith has said the state is planning to market the spec building to prospective companies before construction is completed this fall. 
 

Hancock County Commissioner Phillip Riegle delivered the State of the County address yesterday.  While the county is in an economic upswing, so isn’t the crime rate.  According to the prosecutor’s office, there were 347 criminal indictments in Hancock County last year.  That’s an all-time high for the county with opiate addiction is driving those numbers.

Partitions Plus, which makes partitions for cardboard boxes, plans to double its plant size this summer and add 10 employees by December.  A 40,000 square foot addition on County Road 99 was approved by the Findlay Planning Commission.  Construction is to start in May and completed by September.  The company currently employs 40 to 45 and plans to reach 60 to 65 employees in 2017.

Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to open a location in Tiffin.  The restaurant is to be located in a new, three-store building being constructed by Diverse Development at the site of the former FirstMerit bank at West Market Street and Ashwood Road.  The project is dependent on the developer receiving a tax exemption from Tiffin City Council.  Construction would occur within the recently-designated Community Reinvestment Area.  No opening date has been announced.

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta has introduced legislation to rename the Findlay post office after former Congressman Mike Oxley.  The bill would designate the Findlay post office as the Michael Garver Oxley Memorial Post Office Building.  Oxley served 12 terms in Congress from 1981 through 2006, representing Ohio’s 4th Congressional District.  The Findlay native, died of cancer on Jan. 1 at the age of 71.

A benefit spaghetti dinner will be held at Lakota Local Schools this Saturday from 4-8pm to help defray the medical expenses of Lakota students Cora and Chase Grine and Samarah Johnson who were injured in a March 24 auto accident.  Cost is $5 for the dinner and there will also be raffles, t-shirt sales and a silent auction.  For those who can’t make the benefit but are still wanting to donate, GoFundMe accounts have been set up for both families.

Wood County’s first recovery house for people with addictions will be opening in the near future.  The Zepf Center’s recently-purchased home near Cygnet is almost ready for residents.  The “sober house” will take in eight to 10 men healing from addiction.  The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ has mandated that Ohio counties have recovery housing by September of this year.

Seneca County Park District's board has taken the next step in placing a levy on the Nov. 8 ballot.  Board member and treasurer Jim Nordholt said the levy resolution is the next step in the process, and requests the county auditor to certify how much money the 10-year, 0.5-mill levy would generate.  The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $17.50 a year.

Construction of the University of Findlay’s $23 million Center for Student Life and College of Business building will be partially financed with a $10 million bond issue through the Blanchard Valley Port Authority.  Fifth Third Bank will own the building and lease it to the port authority, which will sublease it to the university until the bonds are redeemed June 1, 2041.  Then the university will own the building.  The port authority will receive $30,000 for its role.

A Zumbathon fundraiser to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project is this Sunday from 2-4pm at Cowboys and Angels in Fostoria.  The event is hosted by nine northwest Ohio Zumba instructors.  For $10, participants will receive 100 minutes of Zumba.  Area students can also participate in a “Battle of the Schools” for only $5, as long as they have a signed permission slip available by contacting Kathy Kapostasy via Facebook.

State Rep. Bill Reineke introduced a bill for funding community improvement projects, including $800,000 to the Fostoria Learning Center.  Senate Bill 310, also known as the “Capital Budget Bill,” invests a total of nearly $2.6 billion in funding across Ohio for infrastructure and workforce development.  The most significant portion of the funding goes toward supporting repairs and renovations at education facilities through the Ohio School Facilities Commission, as well as facility maintenance and learning programs at public institutions of higher education.
 

The Hancock County ADAHMS Board has partner with the United Way of Hancock County to create a “recovery helpline.”  People in need can simply dial 211.  Those who call and need help in Hancock, Lucas and Wood counties will be connected to a crisis specialist for substance abuse and mental health issues.  If the caller is from another county, they will be connected to a service in that county.  The 211 number is in existence already as an information and referral line.  Its capacity has been increased locally to accommodate those who need information and help for mental health issues and substance abuse. 
 

The Fostoria Learning Center has partnered with Perrysburg based Trainco Truck Driving Schools to offer Commercial Driver’s License certificates to area residents looking to join the high demand job field.  Students will have the opportunity to become a “Class A” certified truck driver in as little as four weeks.  According to Trainco, more than 90 percent of its graduates are placed in a full-time job and most entry-level drivers can earn anywhere from $40,000 to $45,000 a year with salaries only rising from there. 
 

Elmwood teachers and administration have inked a new three-year contract.  The board of education Monday unanimously approved the deal with the Elmwood Education Association that would give the 91 teachers a 2 percent raise each of the three years of the contract, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2019.  In return, union members gave some insurance concessions, including higher deductibles and higher co-pays.

Findlay City Schools are holding payment of more than $500,000 to the company that installed new artificial turf at Donnell Stadium last month.  Superintendent Ed Kurt says the field isn’t flat and doesn’t meet the standards set in the contract with the company FieldTurf of Georgia.  When the schools are satisfied, the bill will be paid by the Donnell Foundation.  The district hopes to get a firm plan on how FieldTurf will fix the problem on Wednesday.

The Fostoria Area Historical Society has announced that it will present a live dinner theater event.  ”An Evening with Dillenger” will recount one of the most exciting and famous day in the history of Fostoria.  On May 3, 1934, John Dillenger and his gang robbed the First National Bank of Fostoria in a hail of gunfire.  The show will take place on Saturday, May 21inside the BANKquet Hall on South Main Street.  Tickets are $40 and can be obtained by calling 419-435-0786.  All proceeds will go to renovating the electrical system inside the North Street historical museum.
 

Carla Treadway has been named Downtown Findlay coordinator for Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development.  She succeeds Maria Reza, who left in October to become president of Tarpon Springs (Florida) Chamber of Commerce.  The 34 year old Treadway was vice president of the Leipsic Chamber of Commerce since 2014.

Bowling Green State University announced Athletics Director Chris Kingston is resigning this year.   Kingston served three years at the university and was the thirteenth full-time Athletics Director for the institution.  His last day will be May 1.  Kingston will become the new vice president for Learfield Sports.

A Wood County grand jury handed down indictments Wednesday against Nicholas C. Hackworth of Fostoria, Todd A. Bollett, Santana M. Diliberto and Bret N. D. Phillabaum, all of Port Clinton, on arson and burglary charges in connection to a series of fires set late last month throughout Wood County.  A total of 51 charges including aggravated arson and breaking and entering had given.  In all, nine suspects — four adults and five juveniles — were arrested in connection to the crimes, which occurred between March 22 and March 27.
 

After 26 years with Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp., Director of Development Karen Bowers is leaving to pursue consulting and private contract work.  Bowers has played a central role in many local initiatives, including The American Civil War Museum of Ohio, Tiffin Police and Fire All Patriots Memorial, Eagle Rock Industrial Park, Northstar Industrial Park and Tiffin University's Heminger Center.  Her last day at SIEDC is to be Wednesday.

Findlay High School was on lockdown for about an hour Thursday morning as police investigated a report of shots being fired hours earlier at a car on nearby Defiance Avenue.  The high school lockdown started before 7:30 a.m.  Police had responded to a report of a man firing shots at a car about 4:33 a.m. at 504 Defiance Ave.  Defiance Avenue was closed for about three hours during the incident, police said.  No arrests had been made by Thursday evening and the incident remained under investigation.

Arcadia held the first of three public meetings was held Thursday at the Arcadia Community Park building for citizens to give input on how to improve the village.  Arcadia is planning to apply for a Neighborhood Revitalization Fund grant managed through the Ohio Department of Development.  Suggestions included new sidewalks, park improvements, repaving Main Street and additional parking.  Two more public meetings will be held, at 6:30 p.m. May 5 and June 9 in the community park building.

38 year old Kevin Potts of McComb has appealed his conviction of 17 years in prison for attacking off-duty corrections officer John Shepard in his Arlington home.  Potts was convicted during a December trial of aggravated burglary and felonious assault with a firearm specification.  The appeal claims the court failed to instruct the jury on the lesser-related offense of aggravated menacing and also abused its discretion when it would not allow further cross examination relating to Shepard’s personnel file.

Seneca Regional Planning Commission board of directors has named Charlene Watkins as its new executive director.  The lifelong Seneca County resident spent 14 years with WSOS and two years in the US Air Force before accepting her new position.  She starts Monday as executive director.

Bowling Green State University and the Faculty Association have completed their negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.  The proposed contract calls for a three percent salary increase annually, over the three-year agreement.  Percentages of health care premiums paid by the University and employees were kept the same.  The agreement addressed other issues such as shared governance, academic freedom, faculty review, and professional development…The agreement still needs to be ratified by both sides.

Wood County Sheriff’s Office has identified 18 year old Nicholas C. Hackworth of Fostoria as one of four adults charged in connection to a string of arsons throughout the area late last month.  Nine suspects, four adults and five juveniles were arrested.  Detective Sgt. Rod Smith of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office has also named three Port Clinton residents as the other adult suspects facing arson charges:  24 year old Todd A. Bollett, 21 year old Bret Phillabaum, and 19 year old Santana M. Diliberto.  The fires occurred between March 22 and 27 in Fostoria and Risingsun.
 

The Fostoria Rotary honored six area teachers with the Gold Apple Award to honor outstanding teachers from Fostoria City and St. Wendelin schools.  Golden Apple Award winners were Steve Kauffman, Fostoria band director; and Teresa Stosio, St. Wendelin Catholic School second- grade teacher.  Also recognized with Red Apple Awards for being a runner-up finalist were Lori Miller, a sixth grade teach at Fostoria Intermediate Elementary, Barbie Curlis, a preschool teacher from Longfellow School, Ryan Whipple, Longfellow School Kindergarten teacher, and Marlene Gillig, a Fostoria Junior Senior High math teacher.

29 year old Jeremy E. Sherbrook of Findlay pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of aggravated robbery for stealing from Som Carryout and a Mobil gas station, and to one count of robbery for attempting to hold up a Marathon gas station.  Sherbrook was sentenced to five years in prison on a robbery sharge, plus five years for each aggravated robbery charges.  The two five-year sentences for aggravated robbery will be served at the same time, after Sherbrook serves five years for robbery.

Former Ohio State University marching band director John Waters has been hired by Heidelberg University as its new director of bands…He will also be the new assistant professor of music education.  Ohio State fired Waters in July 2014 after it determined that he ignored a “sexualized culture” in the student band, which included members marching in their underwear, performing sexually-themed stunts and distributing a songbook filled with profane lyrics.  Waters later filed lawsuits challenging his dismissal.

46 year old Paul George of Wayne was found dead in a truck Saturday morning in a driveway just south of Fostoria...A passerby reported an unconscious man at 1327 TR 31, which is just south of Hissong Avenue.  Detective Kevin Reinbolt of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reportedly determined the death to be “suspicious.”  The cause of death was undetermined and the body has been sent to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office to undergo an autopsy.

Findlay High School’s First Edition show choir won the regional qualifying event called FAME Chicago and will now head to the nation finals.  The show choir is led by Director Kevin Manley and has 76 members who competed against nine other schools from around the country this past weekend.  First Edition will compete in the 2016 Show Choir National Finals the weekend of April 29 at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. 

34 year old Tyree L. Carpenter of Fostoria was arrested by the Fostoria Police Department and Seneca County METRICH unit on charges of trafficking heroin and crack cocaine.  Carpenter is also facing additional charges of permitting drug abuse and possession of criminal tools. 
Officers from the Fostoria Police Department, along with citizen complaints of the alleged activity at the residence were instrumental to the investigation.

The Division of State Fire Marshal Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau, in conjunction with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and the Risingsun Police Department have identified four adults and five juveniles in connection with a rash of arsons and breaking and entering incidents throughout Wood County between March 22 and March 27.  Several arrests have already been made with additional arrests and numerous charges are pending after review by the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office.  The fires include two barn fires and two house fires in Fostoria and Risingsun.