Seneca County Commissioners agreed to convene a 911 committee consisting of county emergency management agency director Dan Stahl, commissioner Holly Stacy, Tiffin mayor Aaron Montz and Fostoria mayor Eric Keckler.  The committee will oversee an update of the county’s emergency calling system to allow better access for cellphone users.  An equipment upgrade will cost about $500,000 that is being paid by phone users.

Commissioners from six counties voted unanimously Thursday to award a $923,000 contract to clear dead ash trees and other leaning trees from the banks of the Blanchard River.  The contract went to H&H Land Clearing, Middlefield.  The contract was approved by commissioners representing the six member counties of the Blanchard River Stream Enhancement Project.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s profit rose 41 percent from a year earlier to $948 million in the July-September quarter.  Earnings translated into $1.76 per share.  Widening price spreads between the oil Marathon buys and refines, and the fuel it sells boosted its profit.  The company’s flexibility to move oil and fuels along pipelines and on barges among its refineries and fuel stations enabled it to get the best prices.

Ballreich's will be closed for a few days due to damage sustained during an oven fire Thursday.  The fire was reported at 2:53 p.m. and Tiffin Fire Rescue Division personnel arrived at the scene at 2:56 p.m.  Tiffin Fire Chief Kevin Veletean of Tiffin Fire Rescue Division said crews extinguished the "well-contained" fire in 20-30 minutes.  Damage was minimal.  The chip producer plans to be running again on Monday.