BP says it has restarted a portion of a large Indiana oil refinery whose unexpected shutdown caused gasoline prices to spike earlier this month.  BP issued a news release Tuesday saying it had safely restarted a large crude distillation unit at its refinery in Whiting that had been shut down since Aug. 8 for unscheduled repair work.  BP says the restart of the unit is increasing the refinery's fuel production, with output ramping up over time.  GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says gasoline prices in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and neighboring states served by the refinery could fall 20 to 50 cents a gallon over the next two weeks as long as no new problems develop.

The Army Corps of Engineers presented a new, cheaper flood-control plan for the Blanchard River in Findlay yesterday.  The Corps has dropped a levee from its previous plan and widened a proposed Eagle Creek diversion channel.  Corps officials said widening the base of the diversion channel, and using the channel to separate the peak flows of the Blanchard River and Eagle Creek will be enough to reduce high water in downtown Findlay by 4.6 feet during a 100-year flood.  Eliminating the levee would save $8 million. 
 

Seneca County Administrator Stacy Wilson told commissioners Tuesday a 2016 grant for airport improvements is being prepared for two paving projects and tree removal.  Brad Newman, airport operator, and Stantec, a Toledo consulting firm hired by the county, are recommending pavement resurfacing of taxiway A and apron B, estimated at $157,000; and tree removal near the U.S. 224 east property to improve pilot visibility, estimated at $39,048. The county’s share would be about $32,000.

Edward “Woody” Schwerkolt of Bowling Green who filmed Ice Bucket Challenge videos last year saying he was raising money for charity, but kept the money for himself pleaded guilty to related charges.  The forty year old Schwerkolt was charged in November with theft by deception.  In court Monday, he pleaded to the amended charge of unauthorized use.  Bowling Green Prosecutor Matt Reger said Schwerkolt was sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine, both of which were suspended. He was placed on probation for two years, and is to perform 40 hours of community service and pay $188 in restitution.

Rowmark of Findlay has grown.  The company has bought LaserBits, Phoenix based supplier and reseller of laserable products sold in the awards and engraving market, as well as other specialty markets.  With distribution centers in Arizona and Ohio, LaserBits has become a national supplier of engravable materials and personalization products.