Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Findlay resident, Molly Dible, to a second two-year term to the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Dible is currently the vice chair of the DD Council and will remain on the council through 2026. She will also be serving her second term with Hancock County resident Matthew LaFontaine. 

Since 2012, Dibble has been involved in multiple Blanchard Valley-sponsored advocacy groups. She has been the secretary for the Aktion Club of Hancock County, a member of the Speaks Out advocacy group, a trainer for Project Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility, was the secretary of the Northwest Region of the Ohio Self Determination Association and an advocate for We Thrive Together.

Dibble serves as a member of the Community Living Committee, Outreach Committee, Leadership Committee, Bylaws and Policies Committee, and Children and Health Committee. These committees all fall under DD Council umbrella. 

The DD Council comprises 30-members that are appointed by the governor. Council members are people with either developmental disabilities, parents and guardians of people with disabilities, representatives from concerned state agencies, nonprofit organizations and local agencies providing services to people with disabilities.

In Findlay, Columbia Gas of Ohio is planning to replace three gas lines in 2025 and 2026. According to Megan Huyor, a public affairs specialist for Columbia Gas of Ohio, the gas lines being replaced are on Lincoln Street, Defiance Avenue, and Bolton Street in 2025, and on Prospect Avenue in 2026. 

The company will replace aged cast iron, wrought iron, unprotected coated steel, bare steel distribution pipe, and hazardous customer service lines. They will be adding in modern piping to reduce the chances of leakages, lower the cost of maintenance, and reduce the need to dig up streets, sidewalks, and lawns. 

Columbia Gas is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to approve the reimbursement of $28.7 million in expenses. If approved, the Infrastructure Replacement Program Rider will raise the gas bill for customers by $1.38 each month. Hunyor says that larger consumers and commercial customers will not see a fixed dollar increase on their statement, but a small increase in their surcharge. 

The application for the reimbursement will be sent to the PUCO in February. 

The last time Fostoria High School had inducted someone into their Athletic Hall of Fame was 10 years ago. On February 10, Fostoria High School will finally change this by inducting Frank Ferguson into their Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ferguson was a track standout and coach for Fostoria who helped win a district championship in 1990. He set the school record in the 880-yard dash his senior year with a time of 1:55.9 in the state track and field championships. 

Between Fostoria's junior varsity and varsity boys’ basketball game at 7 p.m., there will be a short ceremony to recognize Ferguson's induction. The school will hold a banquet before both games. 

In preparation for Ferguson’s induction. The school will add a 65-inch touch screen display that will be outside the gymnasium. The new addition allows visitors to search for information on past inductees. This will be up and running before February 10. 

Fostoria Athletic Director, Thom Loomis, says the plan is to designate a weekend in the fall to introduce new inductees during home football games, and then induct them in during a Saturday evening banquet. 

The Ohio Marshal’s Office reported on Wednesday that the August 5 fire, at 16511 Maureen Dr. in Kenton, that destroyed state Rep Jon Cross’s home and two vehicles is being closed without a determined cause.

Since the house fire, Cross has moved to Findlay purchasing a Pheasant Run home for $792,533, according to the Hancock County auditor’s office. 

Cross and his wife are seeking $25,000 to cover their litigation costs, filing a countersuit, and are asking for a jury trial. The couple believes that the insurance company breached their contract by partially approving their claim for the losses in the fire.

In December, The Toledo U.S. District received a request from Cross's insurance company to dismiss the countersuit that seeks to recover costs for defending against the counterclaim and awarding no recovery expenses to the couple. 

Liberty Mutual denies most of the claims made in the countersuit and denies any failure to handle the claim fairly. They acknowledge the couple’s demand for attorney fees is permissible by law. 

As of right now, there has been no motion to dismiss the counterclaim. 

Destination Seneca County will host an Eclipse Insights meeting, in partnership with several Seneca County community organizations, on Monday February 26. Below are the times and locations of each session:

9:00 a.m. at North Central Educatipnal Service Center (928 W Market St., Tiffin, OH)

1:00 p.m. at the Fostoria Learning Center (342 Perry St., Fostoria, OH)

5:30 p.m. at Seneca East Local Schools (13343 US 224, Attica, OH)

The goal is to help business owners and community members to prepare for the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse. Multiple representatives from the community will speak including Emergency Management, Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership/Downtown Tiffin, Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, Fostoria Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau, and Seneca County General Health District. 

Topics of discussion will include Seneca County Emergency Management Update, Business Support & Practices, and the Seneca County General Health District Guide. 

The sessions are free for community members, local business owners, and stakeholders. 

The state government released the unemployment rates for December 2023 across Ohio on Tuesday. In 60 of 88 counties last month the unemployment rate rose, according to the State Job and Family Services Department. Below are the unemployment rates for December 2023 compared to the rates from last December, and the November rates in parentheses.

• Allen County, 3% (3%); December 2022, 3.6%.

• Hancock County, 2.4% (2.4%); December 2022, 2.7%.

• Hardin County, 3.2% (3.2%); December 2022, 3.5%.

• Henry County, 4.3% (3.3%); December 2022, 4.8%.

• Putnam County, 2.4% (2.1%); December 2022, 2.8%.

• Seneca County, 3.3% (3.1%); December 2022, 3.7%.

• Wood County, 2.8% (2.9%); December 2022, 3.1%.

• Wyandot County, 2.2% (2.1%); December 2022, 2.4%.

The statewide unemployment rate rose to 3.7% in December from 3.6% in November. In December 2022 it was at 3.5%.

On Monday, authorities arrested 42-year-old Robert A. Hall of Fostoria on an active warrant from the Seneca County Common Pleas Court. The authorities also apprehended Brittany Garner, a 33-year-old resident of Fostoria, for obstruction of official business. 

Prior to the arrests, Fostoria Police Officers reported to 912 S. Polar St. On arrival, Garner met with officers telling them that she was the only person at the residence. When police began their investigation, they found Hall, and a woman overdosed in the residence's basement. EMS was called to the scene to treat the woman with Narcan, but she refused further treatment. 

Once officers entered the residence, they found drug paraphernalia. Detectives with the Seneca County Drug Task Force were then called in to assist with the crime scene. Once detectives arrived, they executed a search warrant that they obtained through the Seneca County Pleas Court.

Items that were recovered from the scene were criminal tools, drug paraphernalia, suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine and other tools that foreshadowed drug trafficking. 

Hall and Garner both face charges of drug trafficking and possession of drugs.

Seneca County Auditor, Julie A. Adkins, has selected Pantry Plus of Seneca County and FISH of Tiffin, Inc to receive the $4,968.03 of settlement money from Dollar General. 

In 2023, Ohio auditors found that Dollar General had priced discrepancies. Auditors in Ohio revealed that Dollar General had pricing errors ranging from 16% to 88% at different locations. The error rate allowed in Ohio is 2%. Attorney General David Yost led the lawsuit against Dollar General ending with a $1 million settlement.

Out of that money, Yost allocated $750,000 to fund county level food pantries, and to make sure communities affected by Dollar General pricing discrepancies benefited from the settlement. 

Adkins admired the teamwork between county auditors and the Attorney General’s Office to hold corporations accountable to have fair pricing. 

On January 12, Sarah Clevidence, the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library Director, was named the chair of the Ohio Library Council's board of driectors. Her goal with the OLC is to unify messaging to state leadership and bringing in new programs to library's. Clevidence has been serving on different committees and councils for the organization since 2011.

Tiffin is the recipient of $8 million in loans from the Ohio EPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Fund’s Program Management Plan.

The city will dedicate $2 million towards projects such as an EQ Basin, Main Interceptor, Benner Interceptor, and a CSO 9-13 and 15 Inflow Reduction. 

To fund the EQ Basin project, Tiffin received the Principal Forgiveness Award that is worth $1,723,714. The loan is not required to be paid back, making it more of a grant. Tiffin was 1 of 6 designated “Large” communities with a population greater than 10,000 in Ohio to receive the loan. 

Seneca County Auditor, Julie A. Adkins, announced that property values will be increasing due to the State Mandated 2023 Revaluation Property Value update.

The increase in property value is due to the real estate prices over the last three years and new levies that were passed by voters in 2023.

Property owners can access their tax charges through the County Auditor's website. The first half of property charges are due February 16th. 

Auditor Adkins encourages property owners to explore the Auditor’s website, which provides detailed information on the 2023 Revaluation Property Value update and tools for residents to learn more, including possible tax credits.

Property owners have until March 31st (extended to April 1st this year) to file a property value complaint with the Auditor’s Office.

The Findlay Mall is now under new ownership as of December 29. Rocky Five Investments, out of Baltimore, Maryland, bought the mall for $3 million from Kohan Retail Investment Group of Neck, New York.

Rocky Five Investments also owns the Lima Mall and will assess the mall in the coming months to figure out how to attract new tenants. 

In 2021, Hancock County government officials talked about buying the mall for offices and court space but never followed through. 

Tiffin City Schools will hold several town hall meetings to inform the public of the district’s facility primary plan, and to receive feedback. 

The plan comprises building a new K-5 elementary school at the Tiffin Middle School site on 103 Shepherd Drive. This would eliminate parents having to drop their children off at a different building. Currently, K-1 is at Washington Elementary, 2-3 at Krout, and 3-4 at Noble. By relocating the new elementary school, spaces for parking, exits and green space for students will be added. The estimate cost is $42,823,512. 

A new 9-12 high school will be built next to the current school on 300 S. Monroe St. The building will add new academic spaces and technology connections. Select demolition will be done to the existing school. There are also renovation plans for the auditorium, and the creation of an indoor field house, a weight room, and an athletic training space. Included would be an expanded space for Tornado Academy with an academic space, maker space, computer lab, Esports, Pay It Forward shop, alumni room and student-led cafe. The estimate cost is $45,932,354. 

Lastly, Tiffin Middle School would receive renovations to increase the school’s longevity. That project cost is $114,513,096. The state would pay for 70% of the local share, but not including the additional building costs to accommodate future increased enrollment and elective LFIs. 

Below are the days and times the town hall meetings will take place this month. 

• 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 (Virtual) - https://zoom.us/j/96156761218?pwd=VTdFVjEwQkFlb1VwWkJoZW51RTg0UT09

• 6 – 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 (in-person) – Tiffin Middle School Cafetorium, 103 Shepherd Drive.

• 6 – 7 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 31 (in-person) – Tiffin Middle School Cafetorium, 103 Shepherd Drive.

Tiffin University announced Tuesday that the Center for Innovation and Learning will be built. 

For this to be built five houses behind Pfeiffer Library on Sandusky Street across from St. Mary Catholic Church will be torn down to make room for the 30,000 square-foot building. The new building will house the Center for Entrepenuership with 14 classrooms designed to promote critical thinking, creativity, and interactive learning. 

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement & Public Affairs/Chief Advancement Officer, says that the university has around 1,000 students on campus and hopes that the new building will increase to 1,700 traditional students on campus. 

Tiffin University will be welcoming 591 new students in the fall. 

This morning Tiffin University announced that Brett Ekkens will be the new Head Football Coach for the Dragons. 

Ekkens has been the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the last two seasons with Saginaw Valley State. Prior to SVSU, he was the offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and head of strength and conditioning at Indiana Weslyan. He is also the youngest offensive line coach in the FBS and the fourth youngest coach in the FBS at 26 at the University of Akron. During his time with the Zips, he helped lead the team to a MAC East Championship, including a victory over Northwestern and trips to the Boca Raton Bowl and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Prior to Akron, Ekkens coached the offensive line and was the strength and conditioning coach at Mt. Union. In 2012, he was a member of the National Championship team and finished as a runner-up in 2013. He went to school at Mt. Union starting all four years at center while earning an All-American and becoming a Rimington Award Winner. He appeared in 4 consecutive National Championships and won one in 2008. His record at Mt. Union was 57-3.

Athletic Director Kelly Daniel looks forward to Ekkens joining the football program by being impressed with how he talked in person, and the amount of references that talk highly about him.