Many people will be busy cooking for Thanksgiving, and fire departments are asking that you keep in mind a few things to avoid a fire this holiday season. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. More >>

Governor Mike DeWine speaks with members of the Ohio Hospital Association to get an update on COVID-19 hospitalizations throughout the state. More than 4,100 people are currently in the hospital with coronavirus-related symptoms, including more than one thousand on intensive care units and m… More >>

“Thrive” representatives went car to car at Monday’s food distribution at the West Ohio Food Bank. They were explaining the services they can offer to those suffering from addiction and mental health issues. Beating substance abuse and mental illness is difficult and just knowing there is he… More >>

As for statewide numbers, there were nearly 12,000 new cases reported today, but Governor DeWine says that number is misleading because two health systems in the state couldn't report their numbers for two days and they were added into today's total. The department of health also says there … More >>

While owners that lost their business to a fire are planning their next steps, they don't need to look farther than their own backyard for support during this difficult time. A blaze destroyed the building located on North High Street in Columbus Grove, and with it, four businesses were lost. More >>

A new public service announcement call upon Ohioans to dig deep to protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19. The Ohio Department of Health released the PSA entitled “Grit”. It is hosted by former Ohio State basketball star Clark Kellogg, who looks at moments of history when … More >>

Even though the coronavirus numbers have spiked in recent weeks, Ohio’s unemployment numbers have fallen. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services the statewide October unemployment rates are at 5.6%, which is down from the 8.3% in September and the 17.3% in April at the s… More >>

A local hospital is trying to help people breathe a little easier by getting them screened for lung cancer.  November is Lung Cancer Awareness month and Mercy Health-Saint Ritas is trying to bring attention to lung cancer and how to prevent it.   According to the American Cancer Society, lun… More >>

The Columbus Grove community is still in shock after a historic building went up in flames late Friday night. More >>

There has been a lot of promising news in the last couple of weeks about having a vaccine that could protect against COVID-19.  Drug company, Pfizer, applied for emergency approval of their vaccine with the United States’ Food and Drug Administration.   The company says that their studies sh… More >>

Multiple fire crews responded to the scene in Downtown Columbus Grove late Friday night. More >>

A partnership between Rhodes State College, eight local high schools, and both Lima hospitals will give students medical training and a possible career before they graduate.  More >>

Senate Bill 311 inches closer to becoming a law after passing the Ohio House on Thursday. The bill narrowly passed through the Senate in September.State Sen. Rob McColley introduced the bill after Stay-at-Home orders were issued at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio health dire… More >>

An Ohio bill that would prevent any business from another shut down, could be voted on this week.Rep. Jon Cross has brought House Bill 621 back to the forefront of legislators minds. Despite a health order closing businesses, this bill would allow any business to stay open as long as they co… More >>

Gov. DeWine is hopeful with the news of vaccines on the way, but to bridge the gap of getting to that point, he says he has to take action.DeWine has put a curfew in place beginning Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. It will go on for 21 days. DeWine's reasoning is that while masks and distanci… More >>

While the "wait-and-see" travel trend continues, AAA says we can expect a decrease in people traveling for thanksgiving this year.AAA is projecting a 9 percent drop in people traveling, down from the 2.3 million that traveled in 2019. Although a decrease in travel, there still will be many p… More >>

A family owned business looks to offer residents a taste of the finest ingredients in Putnam County. 1820 Brewwerks is located at 107 West Main Street in Kalida, Ohio. More >>

 Local County numbers More >>

Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services says initial claims for unemployment compensation continue to rise along with the state's number of coronavirus cases.  For the week ending November 7th, there were 21,868 Ohioans filed claims for unemployment.   That is a 3% from the previous wee… More >>

Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center remains committed to the health and safety of our patients, associates and community. As we continue to focus on the safety of those we serve and who serve our ministry, the medical center has updated our restrictions to allow limited visitors on site.  More >>

Governor Mike DeWine says he could close bars, restaurants, and fitness centers, if Ohio's COVID numbers remain high.  But businesses may put up a fight with that order.According to cleveland.com, the governor has been sued around 25 times because of the health orders he issued during the pa… More >>

Congressman John Lewis and Justice Ruth Bater Ginsberg are just some of the familiar names who recently died from the cancer. Jeopardy host Alex Trebek died Sunday after fighting pancreatic cancer for nearly two years. More >>

Paulding, Shelby, and Hancock counties went red, leaving only Van Wert and Logan counties in our area at the orange level. Plus, seven local counties are in the top 20 for the highest number of cases per capita for the last two weeks, with Putnam County at the top of the list. Last night dur… More >>

Welker's attorney says Welker and John Hogdson were drinking buddies. Hogdson took Welker along to allegedly buy himself drugs. When the supplier saw Hogdson brought someone else, he didn't sell to Hogdson. He got mad Welker prevented him from getting drugs and hit him. He pulled his car ove… More >>

As for statewide numbers, there were 35 new deaths and a record 7,100 new cases. 286 people were hospitalized and 21 patients were placed in the ICU. The department of health says there were 195,000 people presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>

During his statewide address Wednesday, DeWine revised the mask mandate for all of Ohio, that he first instituted back in July, by making it mandatory for all business to post signs requiring masks for customers and employees. DeWine shifted the authority of mask enforcement from the local c… More >>

As for our statewide numbers, there were 76 new deaths and nearly 5,900 new cases today, which is the second-highest number of new daily cases since setting the record yesterday with 6,500. There were 253 people hospitalized and 36 patients were placed in the ICU. The department of health sa… More >>

Scam calls seem like they're the norm nowadays, and the Better Business Bureau in Lima gave Your News Now a few tips to avoid falling for a scam dealing with Social Security. The BBB says that scammers will start the call with claiming that your Social Security number has been compromised or… More >>

DeWine did not hold a coronavirus briefing Tuesday. Instead, he will wait until Wednesday to talk about the critical stage Ohio is in battling COVID-19. The state's 13 highest numbers for new daily cases have occurred in the last 13 days, with Ohio setting their new record on November 10th w… More >>

As for the statewide numbers, there were 23 new deaths reported and there were over 6500 cases. Ohio set another record with hospitalizations with 386 today and there were 39 patients who were admitted to the ICU. The Ohio Department of Health is reporting nearly 190,000 people recovered fro… More >>

As for statewide numbers, there were seven new deaths reported today and 4,700 cases. 154 people were hospitalized and 34 patents were placed in the ICU. The Ohio Department of Health says there are 186,000 people presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>

In the summer, hospitals struggled to maintain PPE, medication and ventilators, but now they are all set on that equipment. Instead, they say those caregivers providing treatment, are getting sick because the virus is out of control in their communities. The chief medical  officer of the Cle… More >>

Reidel, who was elected to a third term, is optimistic about three pieces of legislation. He says the public school funding that House Speaker Bob Cupp introduced last year has gained a lot of support and could move forward. He also says the house is working on a downsized capital budget. It… More >>

It was a day for the whole family to enjoy in Ottawa where The Rex Center was home to the first ever Makers Market.  More >>

As for statewide numbers, Ohio sets another new record for new cases with 5,008, plus there were 33 new deaths. There are 231 people hospitalized and 22 patients admitted to the ICU. Nearly 181,000 people are presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>

Governor Mike DeWine says much of the rise in cases can be attributed to community spread. Mostly family members in a household affecting each other and people catching it at social gatherings. With the holidays fast approaching DeWine says his office will be releasing some recommendations f… More >>

All of Ohio’s 88 counties are now considered high incident with the number of cases seen in the state, and of those 88 counties, 56 are at level red. Allen, Auglaize, Putnam, Mercer, and Hardin counties are still the only red counties in our area. DeWine also says that Ohio has nearly 2,100 … More >>

As for statewide numbers, there were nearly 5,000 new cases, plus 33 new deaths reported today. We hit another record for new hospitalizations with 214 and 23 patients were placed in the ICU. The Ohio Department of Health says 179,000 people that are presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>

Gas prices in Ohio have continued to drop over the last week, according to gasbuddy.com. Currently the average in Ohio is $1.95 a gallon. That's about 55 cents less than the average one year ago. But the question of those prices continuing to drop is currently in the air. The petroleum analy… More >>

Unofficial results from the election are showing that more registered voters in Ohio cast their ballot in 2020 than any year prior. In a release from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, over 5.8 million Ohioans voted in the election this year, breaking the previous record set in 2008.  More >>

As for our statewide numbers, there were 55 new deaths and this is the second day in a row that the new daily cases have topped 4,000. There were 186 people admitted to the hospital and 22 patients were admitted to the ICU. There were more than 176,000 people presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>

Putnam County voters were also asked to renew a point five mill tax levy for the Putnam County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Brookhill Center. Voters have approved the tax levy for another ten years. And voters in Ottawa-Glandorf School District were asked to continue a two mil… More >>

It's no easy task on a normal year, getting the state ready for Election Day in November, but adding COVID to the mix presented a new set of problems that needed to be addressed. That's what the Ready for November task force was put together to figure out. More >>

Back in May, this task force came together to come up with a plan to essentially cut numerous ties with China. The report cites China's bad behavior throughout the year including their coronavirus response and acts taken in Hong Kong. The report recommends 137 bills that would try to ensure … More >>

As the holiday season approaches the OSHP is reminding drivers to buckle up. Buckling up is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, and the people you are riding with. Since 2015, there have been 2,600 people killed in crashes because they were not wearing a seatbelt. More >>

The Ohio Department of Health says there are 4,229 new cases reported and 33 new deaths. There are 213 people who have been hospitalized and 25 patients were placed in the ICU. More than 174,000 Ohioans are presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>

Some confusion may arrive when it comes to determining whether you are experiencing flu symptoms or COVID-19 symptoms and if you should see a doctor. According to Allen County Public Health, Cold/Flu/Allergy signs tend to be more nasal oriented. Symptoms such as a runny nose and watery eyes … More >>

It's a message that several schools have started to send out to students and their families - complete in-person classes are on hold as the school adjusts to a hybrid or completely virtual model due to COVID-19. More >>

People attending the food bank's regular food distribution also got the chance to talk with health professionals hoping to make a connection. The event was spearheaded by “THRIVE”, a peer support group certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Local agencies w… More >>

As for statewide numbers, there were 37 new deaths and nearly 3,000 more cases. 182 people had to be hospitalized and 23 patients were placed in the ICU. Nearly 172,000 people are presumed recovered from the coronavirus. More >>