The Ohio Department of Transportation announced the Interstate 75 widening project through Findlay will begin a year early, beginning in spring 2017, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced Thursday.  From South Harrison Street/ Hancock County 144 to the Hancock County 99 interchange, contractors will spend an expected three years reconstructing the existing pavement, adding a third travel lane in each direction, and upgrading the roadway to modern highway standards.  The $133 million project was originally scheduled to begin in 2018.

The Ohio Elections Commission has ruled that there was no illegal coordination between Rich Focht's campaign for Seneca County commissioner and the political action committee Citizens for Seneca County.  The Seneca County Board of Elections and Seneca County Board of Commissioners President Holly Stacy - Focht's opponent in the March 15 Republican primary election - filed complaints with the commission in June, alleging improper coordination between the campaign and the PAC.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 10am this morning for the new Seneca County Joint Justice Center.  The new center is expected to be finished in 16 months.  The ceremony will take place on Courthouse Square in Tiffin, to site of the former courthouse.

The Mennel Milling Company has tentatively reached a deal with General Mills Inc. to purchase its Martel-based bakery mix and packaging facility.  Mennel mills wheat into flour for a variety of clients and has locations in Ohio, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana and Illinois.  With the acquisition of the facility, the company will be able to offer a full line of bakery mix products to big box, commercial, wholesale and bakery customers and marketplaces.  The sale should be completed before November 1.