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Local News

Friday, October 31, 2008

Officer laid off due to ROC closing
Scrambler Marie's Breakfast Bistro & Lunch
By MARY KATE MALONE

Staff Writer

When Hancock County's Rehabilitation and Opportunity Center closes today, the county's Adult Probation Department will lose an employee who checked on convicted felons living in the community.

Mike Johnston served as surveillance officer for both the ROC, a work-release center, and the probation department, but his position was eliminated with the closure of the ROC.

Johnston spent about one-third of his time working for the probation department, making unannounced evening visits to the 450-500 felons in Hancock County, checking to see if they were following curfew and staying out of trouble.

"People need to know that surveillance is an important component of supervising felony offenders in our community to keep people safe," said Kimberly Switzer, chief probation officer and director of court services. "It could not be more essential."

The sheriff's office and probation department hired Johnston in December 2004. Johnston split his time between the work-release center and the probation department.

Surveillance will now have to be provided by the seven probation officers on staff, Switzer said.

Johnston did not return phone calls Thursday.

Johnston and Jodi Mathias, the ROC's clerk, lost their jobs with the closing of the center. The ROC's director, Tina Driftmyer, was reassigned to the county jail.

The decision to close the ROC was a cost-saving one, Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman said.

The ROC provided those convicted of non-violent misdemeanors or low-level felonies a place to serve their sentences, while keeping their jobs, doing community service or continuing school. "Guests" at the ROC, located in the old county home on Hancock County 140, paid a daily fee to stay there.

Malone: 419-427-8417,

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3 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
city worker wrote:
your dumb
“ The tax base is across the board seems your pretty ignorant of thatthese are all facts
We will see will be contacting the courts in Toledo. Will inform all ”
Monday, November 03, 2008 9:21:01 AM
George wrote:
R.O.C.
“ I thought this article was for the R.O.C. not to aire misinformation as "city worker" has done. Where is the pork in The sheriff's budget? He has far less to work with than most any city departments. As far as retire, rehire, it is a lot less expensive to do this than the city DROP program for safety forces!. These deputies work part time (no wonder they are not there all the time)with far less benefits than "city worker" Golly! they may even work plain clothes detail for all we know.
The jail death, unfortunate. I beleive insurance will pay any settlement, not you the "city worker" the county will be responsible for that.
I think the only cover up is your eyes! you can't see or know the facts of anything mentioned by yourself. The reason for the article is the R.O.C. and it is too bad it had to close, but when budgets are tight they have to cut somewhere and the Sheriff is lean on manpower now.
So concern yourself "city worker" about the city's problems, not those you are ignorant of.

”
Friday, October 31, 2008 8:39:13 PM
city worker wrote:
the $$$$$$$$$$
“ Look at the sheriffs books line by line youll see pork all over,
He lets people retire and rehired at the highest possible wage, his buddies
Whom now dont eve come to work now wearing the uniform, and the jail death lawsuits ???? Where are we with this its are money to be paid out. What are the facts in public money for settlements. The family of the person whom die at the jail,, was there, recently why was this not reported,,,they let her die on the floor
The news paper should be informing us on this matter. its our money. ///oh right we dont have any???????more cover ups. how shameful
 ”
Friday, October 31, 2008 5:49:14 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

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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  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
Dave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Suspect chose the outcome
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disgusted in Findlay wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
speaking the truth
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9/2/2010 12:39:40 PM
just sayin wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
drugs
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9/2/2010 12:08:35 PM
tired of this wrote in article "Shooting video":
benton ridge shooting
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9/2/2010 12:03:53 PM
just sayin wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
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retired OH cop in MT wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
“ Nate.....after reading your comments, you wouldn't live long on the street as a police officer. I was involved in two shootings... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:30:30 AM
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
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State Farm Agent Holly Spann
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.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

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.