Hancock County commissioners voted to seek bids for the demolition of several buildings in the 200 block of North Main Street in downtown Findlay.  The commissioners have received permission to raze the buildings from the State Historical Preservation Office.  The buildings were once home to Miller’s Luncheonette, Star Pawn Shop  and the Sour Flower Trading Post pawn shop, which closed in October 2014…Demolition will be paid for through the county’s flood mitigation fund.

Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sihk) has signed a $2.6 billion capital budget bill that includes funding for public works, community and school projects over the next two years.  The budget signed into law on Tuesday provides $650 million for K-12 schools and $500 million for public works projects. The state Department of Rehabilitation and Correction received $150 million. Community projects received $160 million.  Projects to receive funding include the Family Learning Center in Fostoria, Terra Community College and the Seneca County Historical Museum.

Findlay City Police confirmed that 56 year old Randy L. Grose was found dead inside his Sherry Street residence around 2:35 a.m. Saturday.  The suspect in the case has been identified as 34 year old Joel M. Drain, of Findlay.  According to Findlay police, Drain fled from the Sherry Street home in Grose’s vehicle.  He eventually turned himself in to the Sidney Police Department, who notified Findlay police to check on Grose’s welfare.  An autopsy indicated strangulation as the cause of death…Drain had just been released from jail earlier this month following his arrest on an assault charge involving his father.
 

The annual Fostoria Clean-Up Day is this Saturday starting at 9am…Clean-up Day — which is part of the one percent tax towards “green city funds” — encourages residents of Fostoria to get outside and help clean up the community.  Participants will meet up on the front lawn of the city building.  Once everyone is gathered, volunteers will distribute gloves, bright orange bags and vibrant green T-shirts to clean-up day participants so they can easily be seen.  Participants are then free to roam wherever they please, whether that is around the city building, their own neighborhoods, or near the underpasses. 
 

Fostoria City Council approved an agreement between the city and the Regional Income Tax Agency for the purpose of collecting any back taxes owed to Fostoria.  Contracting with the agency would cost the city approximately $120,000 per year.  Also at the meeting, council adopted legislation establishing new requirements for mobile homes located in residential neighborhoods.  Under the new law, any manufactured home placed in a residential area must be built to resemble that of a conventional or “stick built” home. 

The Bowling Green Downtown Farmers Market opens today.  The market is now in its sixth year at the corner of Clough and Main streets.  Hours are 4-7pm, rain or shine.  Produce, flowers, plants, crafts, food and live music will be available.  The market will have a full 22 week schedule running every Wednesday through October 12.

Wagner Mazda in Fostoria has been sold to William Gaietto, John Coppus and Stephen Hook, and is now Mazda Direct.  The dealership will be increasing its new car inventory by 30 percent to 60, and doubling its used car inventory to 60.  Meanwhile, Wagner Ford in Carey will be moving into a new, bigger location by year- end.  Construction of a new 13,000-square-foot Wagner Ford building at 1200 S. Vance St., Carey, will start soon near the U.S. 23/Ohio 15 highway and completed by year end.

Findlay Police continue to investigate the death of 56 year Randy Grose who died at this Sherry Street residence Saturday.  Police are calling the death suspicious, but have not confirmed Grose as the victim because of the on-going investigation.  Physical trauma to the body was reported.  An autopsy was conducted yesterday with the results pending.

Karim Baroudi has been named as health commissioner for Hancock Public Health, and Dr. Nathaniel Ratnasamy was appointed medical director.  Hancock Public Health was formed when the Hancock County and Findlay health departments merged at the beginning of this year.  Baroudi comes to Hancock County from the Ohio Department of Health, where he most recently served as the Northwest Ohio Food Safety Program specialist.  Ratnasamy is currently a member of the medical staff of Blanchard Valley Hospital.

Bowling Green State University will name Bob Moosbrugger its next athletics director, according to a news release late Monday night.  Moosbrugger, a 1994 BGSU graduate, has been at San Diego State since 2007.  His most recent title was the deputy director of athletics/chief operating officer.  Moosbrugger was a two-time letter winner on the baseball team at Bowling Green State University, where he earned his degree in sport management.

Tiffin's City Council has begun to take steps to sell bonds to fund the city's portion of costs for the proposed joint justice center and to pay for the city's outstanding sanitary sewer system improvement bonds.  Ordinances that provide for the issuance and sale of bonds had their first readings at Monday’s meeting.

The Ohio Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting to discuss a proposed wall along the east side of U.S. 68/ Ohio 15 to potentially reduce noise in the area of Western Avenue in Findlay that was requested by residents.  In response to the request, which was made in summer 2015, ODOT completed a noise analysis.  The results of the analysis, and the noise wall process, will be presented at the meeting.  At the conclusion of the meeting, ODOT will provide affected property owners the opportunity to vote for or against the construction of a noise wall.  The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Chamberlin Hill Intermediate School’s gymnasium, 600 W. Yates Ave.

Former U.S. Rep. Delbert “Del” Latta, who represented Ohio’s 5th Congressional District for 30 years, died Thursday morning in Bowling Green. He was 96.  Latta was born in Weston, and attended school in both North Baltimore and McComb.  He graduated from McComb High School in 1938, and later attended Findlay College and Ohio Northern University. 
In 1952, while teaching at ONU and practicing law, Latta won a seat in the Ohio Senate, where he served three terms. He then ran for and was elected to the 5th District seat in 1958. Latta was re-elected to Congress 14 times before he retired in 1989.
 

The Paint the Town Foundation in Fostoria is looking for volunteers to help renovate Jackson Park.  Next Wednesday, local contractors will replace the pavilion roof and install a new electrical system and lighting.  Meanwhile, volunteers will be assigned with painting all the metal playground equipment, repairing benches and tables and installing rubberized mulch.  The group is just shy of their $10,000 goal to do all the work and needs a little financial push and as many volunteers as possible to get the work done in one day. 

59 year old Clinton D. Berry of Findlay was sentenced to 36 years in prison on two counts of rape, and one count each of aggravated burglary and kidnapping with a sexual motivation specification.  Berry broke into a Mount Cory woman’s home in March 2015, handcuffed her to a bed and raped her.  He received credit for 232 days served, and he was also classified as a Tier III sex offender.  He will be 95 when he completes his sentence. 

The City of Fostoria is looking at different avenues to deal with the massive deficit from last year.  One possible solution looked at was eliminating local dispatchers from the Fostoria Police Department.  A savings of between $200,000 and $300,000 could be made.  Officials emphasized that the move is not a certainty, but one possibility being explored.

The Hancock County commissioners will to travel to the Buffalo offices of the Army Corps of Engineers next week to discuss the local flood-control plan.  All three commissioners and Steve Wilson, a project manager for the Hancock County Engineer’s Office, will make the trip on May 20.  Commissioner Brian Robertson said the trip will be the quickest way to get the corps’ team and all three commissioners at the same table.Former U.S. Rep. Delbert “Del” Latta, who represented Ohio’s 5th Congressional District for 30 years, died Thursday morning in Bowling Green. He was 96.  Latta was born in Weston, and attended school in both North Baltimore and McComb.  He graduated from McComb High School in 1938, and later attended Findlay College and Ohio Northern University. 

In 1952, while teaching at ONU and practicing law, Latta won a seat in the Ohio Senate, where he served three terms. He then ran for and was elected to the 5th District seat in 1958. Latta was re-elected to Congress 14 times before he retired in 1989.
 

The Paint the Town Foundation in Fostoria is looking for volunteers to help renovate Jackson Park.  Next Wednesday, local contractors will replace the pavilion roof and install a new electrical system and lighting.  Meanwhile, volunteers will be assigned with painting all the metal playground equipment, repairing benches and tables and installing rubberized mulch.  The group is just shy of their $10,000 goal to do all the work and needs a little financial push and as many volunteers as possible to get the work done in one day. 

59 year old Clinton D. Berry of Findlay was sentenced to 36 years in prison on two counts of rape, and one count each of aggravated burglary and kidnapping with a sexual motivation specification.  Berry broke into a Mount Cory woman’s home in March 2015, handcuffed her to a bed and raped her.  He received credit for 232 days served, and he was also classified as a Tier III sex offender.  He will be 95 when he completes his sentence. 

The City of Fostoria is looking at different avenues to deal with the massive deficit from last year.  One possible solution looked at was eliminating local dispatchers from the Fostoria Police Department.  A savings of between $200,000 and $300,000 could be made.  Officials emphasized that the move is not a certainty, but one possibility being explored.

The Hancock County commissioners will to travel to the Buffalo offices of the Army Corps of Engineers next week to discuss the local flood-control plan.  All three commissioners and Steve Wilson, a project manager for the Hancock County Engineer’s Office, will make the trip on May 20.  Commissioner Brian Robertson said the trip will be the quickest way to get the corps’ team and all three commissioners at the same table.

A resolution adopted by the Hopewell-Loudon Board of Education will save district residents on their tax bill.  A revision of the bond levy for construction of the new school will allow for a half-million dollars savings over several years.

The Seneca County Park District's board approved a resolution declaring the necessity of a 10-year, 0.5-mill levy and notifying the Seneca County Board of Elections the levy should be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.  The levy would generate $575,000 per year, and cost the owner of a $100,000 home $17.50 per year.

The Wood County Park District has approved distribution of money to grant recipients announced last fall under a program that has grown since the district first committed to awarding grants in 1989, now handing out $100,000 every year.  Most grants from Wood County villages and townships will go toward playground equipment and safety surfacing.

Qualifying 16- to 24-year-old Hancock County residents from low-income households can get summer jobs paying $10 an hour through the WSOS Community Action Commission’s Youth Employment Program.  The agency, tries to match workers with employers in their areas of interest, such as landscaping, serving ice cream, doing construction work or auto detailing work.  Participants will work 20 to 40 hours per week, depending on their age.  Interested persons should contact WSOS at 419.429.8040.

The Village of Arcadia has formed a committee to organize ideas submitted for upgrading the village with the help of a state revitalization grant.  A public forum has been slated for 6:30 p.m. June 9 at the Arcadia Community Center in the park to present the suggestions for improvements to the public.

The Ohio House has passed a proposal to legalize medical marijuana in the state.  The bill would bar patients from smoking the substance but allow them to use it in vapor form.  Under the legislation, a nine-member Medical Marijuana Control Commission would set rules for cultivating, distributing and licensing cannabis.  Communities could opt out of hosting dispensaries.  Employers who want to maintain drug-free workplaces would be protected from liability.  The Senate plans to begin hearings on the measure today.

The Hancock County commissioners met with a group of county, city and private officials to discuss the release of a study by the National Center for State Courts which is expected next week.  The study is to develop recommendations on how to best improve security at entrances of the Hancock County Courthouse and County Probate and Juvenile Court.  At this time, the security report on the court entrances does not include price estimates for the proposed options.  Judge Joseph Niemeyer, who led the discussion with the commissioners, said the center will be asked to provide those numbers in the final report.

Kroger is holding a nationwide hiring event to fill 14,000 open jobs across all its supermarket chains.  Candidates can apply online at jobs.kroger.com and show up to a store Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for an interview.  Many of the openings are for part-time associates who bag groceries, stock shelves or ring up items at the cash register.  The company says the jobs are permanent.  The company says it created 9,000 new jobs last year and 20,000 new jobs in 2014. The 14,000 open jobs that it is currently looking to fill are a mix of new and old positions.

The Seneca County Commissioners passed two resolutions for issuance of bonds to fund the county’s share of the joint justice center construction.  The $9.5 million in “sales tax supported” bonds will fund a majority of the estimated more than $14 million project.  Tiffin will pay a maximum of $3 million and the courts will pay about $1.5 million.  County personnel will attend a meeting in New York City Friday to meet with bond counsel to determine a county rating for the sale.  The bonds will be for 28 years.

Findlay City Council’s Appropriations Committee approved a request to contribute another $50,000 to the Miracle Park project at the Marathon Diamonds.  The $50,000 would be appropriated to a nonprofit that is in charge of the project, which will include a baseball field and playground that can accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and canes.  The city’s contribution would help fund the construction of a new restroom that would be more handicapped accessible.  Full council will now vote on the recommendation.

Former City of Findlay computer services director Justin Weddington entered guilty a plea in Hancock County Common Pleas Court to charges stemming from an August traffic accident.   Weddington was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular assault and operating a vehicle under the influence.  He was driving with a suspended license when he was involved in the August accident where three Findlay residents were injured.  After the August accident, Weddington was put on paid leave by the city and was later fired.

The owner of the former Victory Inn and Suites on Wooster Street in Bowling Green has been denied the permit to build a new extended stay motel on the same property.  The owner has now filed an appeal.  Last year, the Victory Inn hotel was investigated several times, and the city of Bowling Green tried to get the owners to comply with health codes.  Eventually, more complaints surfaced, and the owners were fined. The hotel was eventually shut down and demolished.  City officials have said the fact that it was previously a problem with keeping the hotel up to code was not a factor in why the request was denied.

18-year-old Izaha Akins who impersonated a state senator and spoke to students at Mohawk High School back in December is now headed to prison.  Akins was sentenced to 90 days at the Wyandot County Jail for impersonating a peace officer.  Back in December, Akins claimed to be state Senator David Burke's replacement during a visit to school.  During sentencing, Akins was given credit for 53 days already served, so he will now only have to serve just over a month in jail.  In addition to the time served, Akins was also ordered to pay $138 in restitution to Reineke Family Dealerships, who he fooled into providing him a car and driver for his visit to the school. 

The Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees approved a collective bargaining agreement with the BGSU faculty.  The current contract — the first between BGSU and the Faculty Association – is set to expire June 30.  Faculty will receive 3hree-percent annual increases in pay for faculty over a period of three years and academic reconfiguration without faculty loss.

According to Corps officials, the Army Corps of Engineers is continuing to work on the Blanchard River flood control plan, and new computer modeling of river flooding looks promising.  However, an estimated $300,000 will be needed to finish the $9 million flood study, the corps says.  Using new computer modeling can make the economically viable.  Recently, under a plan proposed by Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik to the county commissioners in March, local officials would abandon the corps report and federal funding, and instead rely on local and state funding to build the channel.

Four juveniles — two from Ottawa County and two from Huron County — will go before a judge in each of their respective home counties for disposition, or sentencing, hearings for their role in a series of arson fires in Wood County.  The foursome appeared before Judge David Woessner Wednesday for their adjudication hearings, during which they admitted to involvement the between March 22 and 27.  They were each originally charged with arson, aggravated arson, breaking and entering, and possession of criminal tools.

The Village of Arcadia held a second public hearing to allow residents to provide input on how to improve the village.  Arcadia is applying for a Neighborhood Revitalization Fund grant that could give the village $500,000.  Potential projects include upgrading the village park, improving street lighting on Main Street, replacing sidewalks, repaving village streets and adding trees.  Village officials will hold one final session with residents before the mid-June deadline for submitting the grant application.
 

The Wood County Health District received more than $800,000 in grant money to add an expansion.  The addition will be added on to the Health and Wellness side of the building.  The new area will be used to provide more option for affordable dental care.  The health district hopes to have construction done and offer dental services in the next few years. 

Officials of Findlay and Hancock County say plans for an Eagle Creek diversion channel are moving forward.  Hancock County’s commissioners have yet to make an official break with the Army Corps of Engineers on the Blanchard River flood-control study, but that may only be a formality.  According to Steve Wilson, a project manager for the Hancock County Engineer’s Office, local officials already said no, when the corps asked for more time and money to fix its recommendation earlier this year.  A plan proposed by Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik to the county commissioners in March would abandon the chief’s report and federal funding, and instead rely on local and state funding to build the channel.
 

The first Fostoria Garden Club Farmers’ Market of the season is coming to downtown Fostoria this Saturday from 9-1.  The theme is Celebrate Moms and is  sponsored by Alan Kaminsky Jewelers.  Unique gifts for mom and flowers, plants, planters arts and crafts, food items and other goods will be available for purchase.

The Prevention Partnership of Sandusky County and Lakota Local Schools are hosting an event  to bring about awareness of the heroin epidemic being experienced in the area.  “Fighting Heroin — a Community Conversation” will take place at 2 p.m. May 15 at the Risingsun First Church of God.  Topics being covered include reaching out to help those with addiction, effects of addiction on the entire family and the stigma attached to heroin.