A memorial service has been rescheduled next month in Findlay, the hometown of Ohio congressman Mike Oxley, who died January 1st. The service will be at the University of Findlay on February 5th. Oxley died at age 71 in Virginia after suffering from a type of lung cancer seen in nonsmokers. Oxley spent 25 years in Congress, rarely facing a close election in his rural northwest Ohio district.

Carey Council approved an emergency ordinance Monday granting Wagner Ford a 100 percent, five-year property tax abatement for construction of a new dealership building on South Vance Street.  The abatement is available through the village’s community reinvestment area program, which allows companies to receive tax breaks for new construction or extensive remodeling that retains and creates jobs.  The company will retain 13 jobs, and add eight full-time jobs and four part-time jobs.

State Senator Cliff Hite and State Representative Robert Sprague will pursue funding to fix Main Street in the Village of Arlington.  Needed curb, sidewalk and pavement repairs have been estimated at $4 million. Council would budget $1 million if $3 million in state dollars can be found.  A heavy amount of auto and tractor-trailer traffic has translated into big repair bills for the village.
 

A 14-year-old girl in Shawnee Township outside of Lima has been reported missing.  Fourteen year-old Samantha Cowen has been reported missing since January 10.  Samantha has sandy hair and brown eyes.  She was reported as being 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds.  Officials at the Shawnee Township Police Department said Monday they have received a few tips, but the tips did not reveal her location after they were followed up on.  Police Department officials have asked that anyone with information on Samantha’s disappearance to call 419-227-1115.