Fostoria residents who are tired of looking at their dead, dried out Christmas tree can now recycle them through the city.  Trees can be taken to either the Fostoria street department’s garage on Perrysburg Road through January 16 or the city’s compost area at Foundation Park.  The street department will take trees in any condition, but residents are encouraged to clean ornaments and tinsel off their trees.  The trees will be given to Pheasants Forever, an organization that works to conserve pheasants and other birds, and protects their habitats.

Jim Ehrman, deputy director of Seneca County elections board, requested and received about $15,000 in additional funds from the county commissioners during their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday.  The funds will be used to hire additional temporary employees to assist during the March and November elections because higher voter turn out is expected in the presidential election year.  The elections board had requested more than $365,000, but was allocated about $350,000.

The Hancock County commissioners have asked the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District to take over the Blanchard River flood-control project in Hancock County.  In a letter dated December 29, the commissioners asked the district, which is based in Defiance, to add the Blanchard River flood-mitigation plan to its duties by taking over from the commissioners as the non-federal sponsor of the plan.  The letter also asks the conservancy district to administer the design and construction of a 9.4-mile Eagle Creek diversion channel on Findlay’s west side, as recommended by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik made the same request to the conservancy district, on behalf of the city, in a letter dated November 30.

Nicholas and Brittany Lawler each were charged with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and transportation of a minor in connection to the disappearance of a Tiffin teenager in March.  They faced a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison on each count after pleading guilty to charges in August.  Nicholas Lawler was sentenced to 15 years, five months - in prison on each count, to be served concurrently.  While,  Bittany Lawler was sentenced to 11 years, three months - in prison on each count, to be served concurrently.