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Local News

Monday, November 16, 2009

Businesses say heating bills may be lower this winter
By LOU WILIN

STAFF WRITER

Home heating bills are likely to be lower this coming winter for many residents.

Of course, there is no guarantee everyone will pay less than they did last winter for natural gas, propane or heating oil. All are commodities, subject to the whims of their markets, sellers of all three fuels said.

But the signs are good that people will get a break.

Columbia Gas of Ohio's rate for natural gas in December is 49 cents per hundred cubic feet, or 59 percent less than a year earlier, said Chris Kozak, communications and community relations manager for Columbia Gas.

That could change at any time for those on a variable rate plan. But some people already have contracted with suppliers for a lower fixed rate for this winter.

Propane prices are 30 to 35 percent lower than a year ago, said Tom Green, manager of Cherry's Propane Service, Ottawa.

Heating oil prices, at $2.59 per gallon Friday, have sunk nearly 30 percent from September 2008, said Steve Rodman, petroleum department manager for Blanchard Valley Farmers Cooperative.

The reason: "Supply far outweighs demand right now," Rodman said.

Supply also exceeds demand for natural gas.

Temperatures were milder last summer, so electric utilities did not have to use natural gas in electricity production to keep up with heavy use of air conditioners, said Marty Berkowitz, public information spokesman for the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, Columbus.

A milder hurricane season helped as well, because 90 percent of the natural gas used in Ohio comes from the Gulf of Mexico, Kozak said.

With the economy still slow, industries are using less natural gas so the supply is plentiful. That helps keeps the price down, he said.

"It's kind of the silver lining of the current economic environment," Kozak said.

Propane's price is lower despite a run on the fuel this fall, Green said. Farmers have used three times as much propane this season to dry corn as compared with recent years, he said.

Firewood prices are comparable with last year, said James Berger of J&B Firewood in Ottawa.

Sellers in Hancock and neighboring counties are selling firewood for $130 to $150 per cord. A cord measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet, or 2,200 pounds, he said.

Berger said firewood's price will rise by early January. He predicted it will reach $180 to $200 per cord this winter and then decline in mid- to late March.

"If you do not buy at the beginning of the season or the end of the season, you are going to pay more," he said.

Wilin: 419-427-8413,

Send an e-mail to Lou Wilin


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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.

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.