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Local News

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Sheriff reminds motorists of road level advisories
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman says he has no authority to say whether businesses should close during a storm, even if he issues the most severe alert about roadway conditions.

"Employees need to contact their employer before going to work. If they head out to work and cannot get out, they need to explain that to their employer," he said. "We can't make them close down."

If motorists are driving to or from work during a Level 3 road emergency, which is the most severe alert, they will not be issued a citation by the sheriff's office unless they are involved in an accident or commit another traffic violation, Heldman said.

With more snow expected today, Heldman reminded drivers of the three roadway alert levels:

• Level 1 alert: Roadways are hazardous, drive with extreme caution.

• Level 2 advisory: Roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow. Only those who feel it necessary to travel should be on the roadways.

• Level 3 emergency: Most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited.

Heldman said on Saturday, when he declared a Level 3 roadway emergency, there were people out driving who should not have been.

Some of those people wound up off the road and tow trucks had to be called.

"That hinders the cleanup of the roads," he said.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


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25 Comments (3 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
ONLINE EDITOR wrote:
CLARIFICATION: COUNTY & CITY LEVELS
“ When the sheriff issues a road or weather advisory for the county, it includes all communities within the county. Hancock County advisories include the city of Findlay.

Cities or villages may issue separate snow emergencies, when all vehicles must be removed from roadways to allow for plowing.

They do not issue separate road or weather advisories that may conflict with sheriffs' advisories. ”
Friday, February 12, 2010 10:38:53 AM
Citizen wrote:
jdable51@yahoo.com
“ Then, why isn't there a seperate listing for Findlay's level of emergency? all that is ever posted is Hancock County. Something fishy here? ”
Friday, February 12, 2010 10:29:05 AM
findlay...what wrote:
City vs County
“ I verified this with city police. The county might be one level while the city is on a lower level. ”
Friday, February 12, 2010 1:10:50 AM
Citizen wrote:
City vs. County Level
“ Now we don't know who to believe....again! See, this is why there is so much confusion. I believe they should be the same, but there seems to be some difference of opinion. And, from what it sounds like, there must have been quite a bit of unnecessary travel on Saturday, when a level 3 was imposed.

findlay...what wrote:
City vs County level
Just because Hancock Co. is on a level 3, does NOT mean Findlay CITY is on a level 3. Call the police dept if you need more info. City streets are typically cleared quicker/more frequently than county roads, plus less drifting in town.

J wrote:
Citizen........
Findlay is located in Hancock County..... Therefore, yes. If Hancock Co goes into a level 3 that includes Findlay....
”
Thursday, February 11, 2010 4:07:59 PM
findlay...what wrote:
City vs County level
“ Just because Hancock Co. is on a level 3, does NOT mean Findlay CITY is on a level 3. Call the police dept if you need more info. City streets are typically cleared quicker/more frequently than county roads, plus less drifting in town. ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 10:43:23 PM
Jeanne wrote:
Common Sense Not Always Acknowledged
“ I had an incident a few years ago where we had a wind chill of 72 below and my supervisor asked why I had canceled a group of students that morning because "classes had not been canceled!" The college closed the next day when wind chill was -60! Took flack, but was not going to be responsible for student injury/death, plus what an example of stupidity I would have been for them! ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 8:39:12 PM
angie wrote:
road conditions
“ During this second round of snow to hit Findlay our road has yet to be plowed and we have watched many vehicles get stuck. We haven't complained because the plows have got alot of major roads to deal with before they get to the side roads but our mail carrier found it necessary to leave a "friendly" reminder to shovel close enough to our curbside mailbox so as not to inconvenience her. Wow! Maybe we should invest in plows for the front of the mail trucks? ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 5:37:37 PM
Patrick Danzy wrote:
Ann C
“ Many of us who realize that the roads are too treacherous to drive are required to report to work anyways. This is where the sheriff's department comes into play. One day the sheriff's department's decision about calling levels might mean the difference between life or death for a working person in this county. ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:55:25 PM
findlaymom wrote:
Ann C.
“ Do you work somewhere where they count it against you if you miss work? Also a level 3 used to state that you are not to be on the road unless it is an emergency or you may get ticketed. I know some people that got tickets last Saturday for being on the road during the level 3. Why should factories even be open when it is a level 3? So if you don't work somewhere that counts it against you if you are not there you don't know what you are talking about!!!! ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:09:00 PM
elwf4905 wrote:
Citizen....
“ There is a HUGE difference in the weather on those two days. Friday and Saturday, the winds were 40+MPH during and after the snowfall. Yesterday, max winds were 15 MPH. How can you even say the two storms were similar? I'm guessing you didn't drive out in the country Friday or Saturday.... ”
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:33:40 PM
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"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.

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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.

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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.