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Local News

Friday, February 08, 2008

Flood shelter opens in Ottawa

OTTAWA — With the Blanchard River continuing to rise, Putnam County officials opened a shelter for flood victims Thursday morning.

At 5 p.m. Thursday, the river was more than 6 feet above flood stage and rising.

A state of emergency for Putnam County was declared by county commissioners. The declaration allows the county to seek state and federal government assistance.

Gov. Ted Strickland announced that he will visit flood-impacted areas of Putnam County Thursday morning.

As part of the visit, the governor will tour downtown Ottawa.

The shelter was set up at Trinity United Methodist Church, 137 N. Pratt St., Ottawa, Thursday morning for residents in need of food and lodging.

Fifteen residents were reported at the site early Thursday evening.

The shelter will provide three meals daily for the next 2-3 days, according to Putnam County American Red Cross Chapter.

The Ottawa Fire Department reported conducting 18 rescue missions by early Thursday evening.

Occupants of a vehicle, stranded in high water on Ohio 115 just south of Kalida, were rescued about 12:48 a.m. Thursday by a sheriff's deputy and personnel from Kalida emergency medical squad, fire department and heavy rescue division. There were no injuries.

The county implemented its reverse 911 emergency telephone system late Thursday morning, automatically calling county residents and providing them with contact information, river water levels and safety alert information.

The Putnam County Office of Public Safety reported the Blanchard River was at 29.34 feet at 5 p.m. Thursday. Flood stage is 23 feet. The river reached 31.71 feet in August.

The Little Auglaize River in Fort Jennings was at 19.36 feet at 5 p.m. Flood stage is 13 feet.

Many streets in Ottawa remained water-covered, and residents were urged not to drive or wade through floodwaters.

Road closings due to high water include: U.S. 224 between Ottawa-Glandorf Road and Pratt Street; Ohio 65 between the Blanchard River and Ohio 15 in Ottawa; Ohio 115 north of Kalida; Ohio 115 north of Cuba; Ohio 634 near Dupont; Ohio 189 near Rimer; Ohio 190 near Fort Jennings.

An assessment of residential areas in Ottawa by American Red Cross staff indicates 10 properties suffered major water damage (at least three feet of water), 90 homes with minor damage (12-30 inches) and 220 homes affected by the floodwaters (six inches or less).

The Putnam County Health Department has tetanus vaccines available during flood recovery for anyone who suffers a puncture wound, or a wound contaminated with feces, soil or saliva.

Wading through flood waters does not require a tetanus vaccine, according to the health department.

If vaccinated in August or September last year, the vaccine isn't necessary.

There are currently no water boil advisories or power outages in flooded areas.

For additional information call (419) 538-7005 or (419) 538-7006.
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

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Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.