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Local News

Saturday, September 19, 2009

In early years, Ottawa was 'Buckeye'
Streicher's
OTTAWA -- Activities planned Sept. 26 in Ottawa will be the culmination of a year-long celebration marking the 175th year of the village's founding.

In 1834, Michael and Hannah Row opened a two-story log cabin, the "Row House," at what is now West Main and Perry streets, according to information from the village offices and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce.

A bell at the tavern and inn called people to gatherings, and that bell will be rung as part of Sept. 26 ceremonies (see related story for a list of activities).

The new town was located on Lower Tawa, a former Ottawa Indians settlement. The Indians were relocated to Kansas and eventually settled in Oklahoma, where they are now.

In 2003, a historical marker was dedicated to the Ottawa tribe.

The village was named "Buckeye" until 1862 because there was another Ottawa in the state.

Ottawa was incorporated in 1861 with J.B. Fruckey as mayor. Once it was renamed, the county seat was relocated to the village in 1866.

A post office was constructed in 1837, and replaced with a building on East Main Street in 1937.

Dr. Calvin C. Pomeroy, with the first medical office in the eastern portion of the county, helped establish construction of a railroad later in the century.

The county courthouse was constructed between 1909 and 1913.

John Cox opened the first general store in 1836 and a road was constructed through the "Great Black Swamp" to Perrysburg to get merchandise for the store.

Schools and churches followed, the Black Swamp was drained, and industry followed.

A mural on the west side of a building at Oak and Main streets was commissioned by Village Council to commemorate the 175th anniversary.

The mural includes three sections which depict the village's history. It was dedicated in a June ceremony attended by artists Bruce Stowe and Oscar Velasquez.

The mural depicts development of the village; travel down the Blanchard River, railroad travel and automobile travel; visits by famous people including President Ronald Reagan in 1984, and entertainer Bob Hope during vaudeville performances in the Hollywood Theater in the 1920s; agriculture; the county courthouse; and downtown business, including a television set.

The village was home to a television picture tube factory for many years.

Today, Ottawa's population is more than 4,300, according to the 2000 census. Ken Maag is mayor.
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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.

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.