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Local News

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Drivers battle slick roadways

Findlay Inn & Conference Center -Downtown Findlay
By ERIC SCHAADT

Staff Writer

The latest winter storm gave Findlay area motorists a variety of challenging road conditions Tuesday. Snow-covered roads early in the day gave way to slushy conditions in the afternoon before turning to ice by evening.

Despite the hazardous road conditions, area law enforcement agencies reported few serious traffic accidents Tuesday.

Snow fell throughout the day, and Findlay's Water Pollution Control Center measured five inches of snow on the ground as of 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office had issued a Level 2 snow advisory at 4:29 a.m. Tuesday. It remained in effect until 1:36 p.m. when it was reduced to a Level 1 snow alert.

A rural Arcadia man was injured in an ATV accident Tuesday night on Hancock County 218 in Washington Township.

The sheriff's office reported that Richard Ernst, 43, was traveling west on the county road, near Hancock County 257, at 10:06 p.m. when his ATV slid off the roadway and rolled over. Ernst was ejected from the vehicle and lost his helmet.

Ernst was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital where he was still being treated early Wednesday. The accident remains under investigation.

A pair of non-injury accidents were reported around 7 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 224 on Findlay's west side, according to the sheriff's office. A three-vehicle, non-injury accident on Ohio 12 at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday also was noted.

A Detroit man was cited for failing to control his Toyota 4-Runner on Allen Township Road 99, west of Allen Township Road 142, at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday. His vehicle skidded into the path of a westbound Chevy Trail Blazer operated by a Findlay resident. No serious injuries were reported.

A Chevy Trail Blazer driven by a Bloomdale woman went off Allen Township Road 99, west of County Road 230, and hit a sign at 12:06 p.m. Tuesday.

In surrounding counties, no serious accidents were reported.

Seneca County was under a Level 2 snow advisory Tuesday evening. A sheriff's office spokeswoman said there had been no significant wrecks in Seneca County, but snow was drifting onto roads in some areas.

Henry and Hardin counties were both under a Level 1 snow alert.

According to a Henry County sheriff's spokesman, the main roads were in good condition, but drifting snow plagued county roads.

In other nearby counties, deputies were summoned to a multitude of mishaps.

Motorists were sliding off the roads in Hardin County.

"We're on several accidents now," a harried Allen County Sheriff's Office dispatcher said.

Minor mishaps were reported by area State Highway Patrol posts, which reported that salt crews were on the job late Tuesday.

"It's starting to freeze up pretty much," said a dispatcher with the Lima post of the State Highway Patrol.

Numerous fender-bender mishaps were handled on Interstate 75, according to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol. However, traffic was not tied up.

Contact staff writer Eric Schaadt at:

(419) 427-8414

Send an e-mail to Eric Schaadt

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News Briefs Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers wants information about a break-in at the Liberty Convenience store, 607 S. Main St., Mount Blanchard, at 11:30 p.m. March 14.

Entry was made after a window was broken. Several packs of cigarettes were taken before two male suspects fled.

One suspect wore a black-hooded coat, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

People with information about this or any other crime that leads to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.


Litter cleanup planned April 17
OTTAWA -- The Putnam County Solid Waste Management District will host a litter cleanup around the closed Putnam County landfill on April 17.

The cleanup will include the area between Road H-11, Ohio 15, Road H, Road 11 and Road 12.

The management district will also hold a tire collection at the landfill the same day. Up to nine tires from a residence will be accepted at 50 cents per car or light truck tire, and $3 per large truck tire.

Volunteers are being sought including civic clubs, agricultural societies, 4-H youth groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and church youth groups.

For questions, contact Brenda Bruce or Jessica Trinko, 419-523-3656.


Hospital board to hold meeting
Blanchard Valley Health System will host its annual board of trustees meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Marathon Oil Auditorium at Blanchard Valley Hospital.

The board will review nominations for incoming board members. The meeting is open to the public.


McComb offering open enrollment
McCOMB -- McComb Schools will begin accepting open enrollment applications for the 2010-11 school year Monday.

Applications may be picked up at the superintendent's office between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Completed applications must be returned to the superintendent's office by May 7.

Parents whose children already attend McComb School through open enrollment must apply each year.


Van Buren plans kindergarten registration
VAN BUREN -- Van Buren Elementary School will hold kindergarten registration March 29 through April 16.

Parents or guardians of children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, and who plan to attend kindergarten in the 2010-11 school year, need to register by calling the school office at 419-299-3416. Registrations will be taken between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on school days.

An appointment time will be set for kindergarten screening, which will be held on April 19 at the school.

Parents or guardians should bring a birth certificate, immunization record, Social Security card and any custody papers to the screening.

At the screening, children will move through stations or centers designed to evaluate speech, hearing, language and vision development.


Graduate program open house slated
BLUFFTON -- Bluffton University will present a graduate programs open house from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Putnam County Education Service Center, 124 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa.

At the open house, adults can gain information about master's degree programs in business administration, arts and organizational management and education. The graduate programs are made for working adults, with classes one night a week on the Bluffton campus and at other regional locations.

For more information about the open house, call 1-800-488-3257.


Talk scheduled on social work
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Gringeri's address will explore the profession of social work and where it fits in the immigration debate in the United States.


Forest library showing movies
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"The Blind Side" will be shown at 1 p.m. and the family movie "The Princess and the Frog" will be shown at 7 p.m.

Admission is $1 for each movie, which includes a pop and popcorn.Doors for the family movie open at 6:45 p.m. and attendance is limited to 75 people.