The Mercer County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 60-year-old Kevin Joseph Fullenkamp. Deputies were contacted by the Newbury Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children's (ICAC) of Newbury, Massachusetts. The police department states that they have been receiving communicati… More >>

The Ohio Department of Health says as of Wednesday afternoon, 12.84% of Ohio's population has gotten their first dose of the covid-19 vaccine, and almost 6.36% have got both doses. Putnam County still has the highest percentage in our area with 15.56% getting their first shot, Logan County h… More >>

Auglaize County has 2 new deaths, and Allen, Hardin and Logan Counties all have 1 new death each.   Mercer county added eleven new cases and Auglaize County has 6 new cases.  Allen County is reporting 5 new cases, Hancock and Logan Counties have 4 new cases each.  Putnam and Shelby Counties … More >>

Doctor Marty Makary had an article published in the Wall Street Journal claiming that more people have gotten COVID-19 than got tested and developed a natural immunity to the disease. Add to that more people getting the vaccine, he says the country could reach herd immunity before Summer. Me… More >>

The FBI alleges that Jeffrey Armstrong spoke with someone online that he believed to be interested in sexual relations with minors. Armstrong said that he shared this interest, and over ten days, an FBI undercover agent and Armstrong spoke about exchanging explicit photos of underage girls. … More >>

The hearing committee aims to examine the security measures that led to a breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Current and former officials responsible for securing the area surrounding the U.S Capitol testified at Tuesday's hearing. Ohio Senator Rob Portman delivered opening rem… More >>

At-home use of pulse oximeters, devices that estimate blood oxygen levels, has risen during the COVID pandemic. But the FDA alert says multiple factors can affect the accuracy of the readings, including poor circulation, fingernail polish, skin thickness, and skin pigmentation. While the age… More >>

Governor Mike DeWine and his wife Fran got their second dose of their COVID- 19 vaccine on Tuesday. They got their first dose on February 2nd when shots were available to Ohioans 70 years old and older. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Ohio Department of Health says a little over 6% of the state… More >>

Putnam County has 3 more deaths and Logan and Hardin Counties have 1 more each.   Hancock county added 16 new cases and Allen and Hardin Counties are reporting 10 new cases.  Logan County went up 9 cases, Van Wert County had 8 new cases, Auglaize County increased 7 cases, Paulding County add… More >>

Governor Mike DeWine says sports teams could allow up to 30% of fans in stadiums this spring under a pandemic-related plan for sports. The expanded fan capacity would apply to the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds along with minor baseball teams and the Columbus Crew and Cincinnati major… More >>

Governor Mike DeWine announced that the positivity rate in those facilities has fallen in recent weeks. Just last week, there were just over 340 new cases reported, compare that to the 2,800 new cases during a week in December when Ohio was at its peak. Compassionate care visits will always … More >>

Putnam County has 1 new death.  Allen County has 9 new cases, Putnam County added 6 new cases and Auglaize County has 5 new cases.  Mercer, Hancock, Logan and Paulding Counties have 4 new cases each and Shelby county has two new cases and Hardin and Van Wert Counties have 1 new case each. More >>

Kroger says it was among the multiple victims of a data breach involving a third-party vendor's file-transfer service. The Cincinnati-based grocery and pharmacy chain says it is notifying potentially impacted customers and offering them free credit monitoring. Kroger said in a statement it b… More >>

The State of Ohio wants to continue making sure that people in the higher risk setting have the chance to get vaccinated.  The state has met with officials from nursing homes and assistance living centers to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine maintenance program.  Ohio’s pharmacy partners have … More >>

Senate Bill 22 was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday. The bill would create a six-member commission that could vote to rescind health orders issued by the Governor and Health Department. The bill also limits how long the health orders last and lawmakers would have to … More >>

Bird feeders can be any size from a large, covered platform to a hanging sock-like feeder. With fewer native foods available a feeder can provide the extra food needed to keep them full of energy. By placing feeders near windows, it brings the birds to you. More >>

Here are today's local and state COVID-19 numbers for February 19, 2021 from the Ohio Department of Health. More >>

Ice and snow are starting to cover Grand Lake St. Marys making it tempting to walk out onto the ice. State park employees explain why that might not be the best idea.  More >>

While the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to fall, the Ohio Department of Health is reporting that there people who have contracted the more contagious U.K. variant of the virus in the state. Ohio is one of 40 states the variant has shown up in. Health officials sa… More >>

Some have reported slight discomfort after the first dose of soreness in their arm to headaches and more. Many say the 2nd shot has a kick with body aches, slight fever and migraines, and severe chills. Health officials want people who are planning to get the vaccine not to take anything to … More >>

Lawrence Meyer, 57-years-old, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, a third-degree felony. According to a bill of information, Meyer was charged with vehicular homicide in early August of 2020 for the death of James Riethman, 58-years-old. Riethman was riding his bicycle northboun… More >>

Allen County is reporting 1 new death.  Hancock County has 24 new cases and Logan County has 16 new cases.  Allen County went up 11 cases, Auglaize, Shelby and Van Wert Counties all have 7 new cases each and Putnam and Mercer Counties have 5 more cases each.  Hardin County added 4 cases and … More >>

The medical director for Mercy Health St. Rita's emergency department, Dr. Alexander Bobrov, says some of the most common ER visits come from falls and exposure to the cold. They have even seen people suffering from a heart attack after shoveling snow. The biggest things the director recomme… More >>

As for West Central Ohio, Putnam County has the highest percentage of people getting their vaccine with 14.65% and Hardin County has the lowest with 7.72%. Tuesday's vaccine distribution was the lowest one-day total of shots in arms in a month, because the snowstorm that hit Ohio forced many… More >>

Here are today's local and state COVID-19 numbers for February 17, 2021. More >>

The Senate voted Wednesday on a bill, introduced by Republican State Senator Rob McColley, which would create a six-member committee that could vote to rescind any health orders issued. If lawmakers did nothing the health orders would expire after 90 days or they could vote to extend them fo… More >>

The one dose COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 66% effective in preventing moderate and severe cases, and 85% effective against critical cases. Plus, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be stored in standard refrigeration for months, versus the below zero temperatures of the Pfizer and… More >>

The Ohio Senate has passed Senate bill 8 unanimously to create the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program, which would increase access to broadband services in underserved areas in the state. Nearly one million Ohioans lack access to high-speed internet, which has been highlighte… More >>

On Tuesday, Governor Mike DeWine released details on the development of the website. The State of Ohio decided to choose its own system because the federal government's system would not work for the state, according to DeWine. The development of the website is split into three phases. More >>

Due to travel safety concerns, the scheduled COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 17th is being postponed to next week, Wednesday, February 24th.  The clinic location and appointment times will remain the same.  Knowing the weather may continue to create travel diffi… More >>

Here are today's local and state COVID-19 numbers for February 16, 2021. More >>

Latest warnings/advisory levels for local counties, last updated 2/16/21 at 7:42 A.M.  More >>

The winter storm is causing several COVID-19 vaccination clinics to be postponed. Allen County Public Health has canceled the vaccine clinic scheduled for February 16th and has rescheduled it for this Friday, February 19th with all appointments set for the same scheduled times. Mercy Health … More >>

For the week ending on February 6th, there were over 140 thousand new claims for unemployment benefits filed according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. That was three times the number that was filed in each of the three prior weeks and the highest number since April 11th wh… More >>

The proposed law change would make driving while handling any wireless electronic device a primary offense for adult drivers in Ohio and if you are caught there will be fines. Plus, if you cause injury or death because of using a device, the penalties will similar to drunk driving. State Sen… More >>

President Trump was acquitted on the charge he incited the insurrection that day, but different senate committees will be looking at 22 agencies' responses that day. One of them is Senator Rob Portman’s Homeland Security committee. The chairs and ranking members of each of the six committees… More >>

Putnam and Allen County have one new death each, and Allen is also reporting 12 new cases. Auglaize County increased by eight cases today. Hardin County went up by seven cases, Hancock, Hardin, and Van Wert counties all have six new cases. Putnam County has three new cases and Mercer, Shelby… More >>

Ohioans with certain conditions they were either born with or diagnosed as a child and carried into adulthood can get the COVID vaccine starting this week.The state has identified 14 conditions that face a significantly higher risk for adverse outcomes to COVID-19.  Those include people born… More >>

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the cost of providing security at state facilities in January topped $2.4 million. Ohio increased security at the statehouse and other building following the January 6th breach of the U.S. capital.  Those extra security measures continued until the week of … More >>

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA for short, gives accounting students real-life experience while also helping out their community. Anyone making $57,000 or less annually is eligible for the free tax returns. Services include offering general filing guidance, completing ta… More >>

In a survey conducted by Pew Research in November 2020, it found that 58% of Black adults would not get a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Wilfred Ellis, an Infectious Disease Specialist with Lima Memorial Health System says harmful experimental therapies done on Black communities in the twentieth cent… More >>

People with severe congenital diseases or conditions will soon start getting shots in arms. This means those born with one of the listed conditions or had early-onset in their childhood and it has lasted into adulthood. While there are plenty of other severe medical conditions vulnerable to … More >>

The state says Allen County has 57 more deaths, Shelby County 32, Auglaize County 17, Putnam and Hardin Counties 11 each, Logan County 9, Hancock County 5, Paulding County 3, Mercer County 2, and Van Wert County 1. As for cases, Allen County is reporting 44 new cases Friday, Auglaize County … More >>

The Prevention & Health Promotion Services Director at Allen County Public Health says one mask is still enough to protect yourself and others, as long as it is worn correctly. This means it fits tight over your ears, nose, mouth, and chin. She recommends having an adjustable nose band i… More >>

Ohio has been nicknamed the “Mother of Presidents” as eight Ohioans have led our nation. At noon on February 12, 2021, you can take a virtual tour of interesting facts, myths, and mysteries of these men. The Facebook live event will be hosted by the Statehouse Museum Education Center. The Wh… More >>

Ohio businesses have formed together to create a group called Coalition to Stop the Spread, and have created a website called stopthespreadcoalition.com. The website contained information that Ohio Businesses can use to better inform their employees on the coronavirus, as well as the vaccine… More >>

The curfew, which took place between midnight to 5 PM, was previously set to expire on February 11, 2021. The Ohio Governor previously stated that if COVID-19 hospitalization numbers were to stay below 2,500 for seven straight days, he would lift the curfew. Thursday marked the seventh day i… More >>

The Ohio Department of Health announced on Wednesday they have underreported up to 4,000 COVID-19 deaths since October. This stems from issues in the state's reporting system. Over the next few days, these numbers will be added to the totals, resulting in higher deaths than we have been seei… More >>

The Ohio Department of Transportation states that while December and January have been mild when it comes to winter, the month of February has caused an increase in workload. More salt has been used in the past few weeks compared to late 2020 to early 2021. More >>

Governor Mike DeWine says he will announce details of a plan next week to provide continuing access to the vaccine to new residents and staff of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This will give workers who declined the coronavirus vaccine during the first round of shots another o… More >>

Auglaize and Logan Counties have 1 new death each.  Hancock County has 26 new cases and Auglaize County added 20 cases.  Logan County went up 17 cases, Allen County is reporting 15 new cases, Van Wert County has 14 new cases.  Hardin County has 12 new cases, Putnam and Mercer Counties added … More >>