Increased benefits that were implemented during the pandemic will soon be rolling back to the average monthly amount starting at the end of February. The change is coming not only to Allen County but nationwide. Some people were reportedly getting up to $400 in food stamp benefits, but that number will slowly be scaled back to the normal amount of less than $100.

Dozens of township, village, city, and county elected and appointed officials attended a session reviewing the Ohio ethics laws. As public servants, they have a responsibility to comply with the law. The two most common violations the ethics commission sees are people who sell goods and services to their own public office and nepotism. The criminal liability for violations can range from 1st-degree misdemeanors to 4th-degree felonies.

Ohio Means Jobs Allen County offered an informational session on Thursday to people interested in becoming licensed child care providers. Over the past few years, the demand for child care has increased, while the number of available child care centers has declined.

This program helps people become licensed to provide child care from their own homes so they can make an income and still be at home with their own children. If approved, they would also be able to set their own work schedules. The goal is to fill gaps in the times of the day that people aren't able to find child care services. 

The Lima senior class spent the morning attending sessions designed to equip and prepare students for the real world. Life isn't always sunshine and rainbows, and OSU Extension's Financial Literacy Program was on-site to provide students with a real-life spending simulation. Students had to spend their paychecks on bills from rent, food, to utilities. The experience gives students a sense of how much it adds up, and you never know what situations life will throw your way.

Dog Warden Julie Shellhammer asking Allen County Commissioners to okay a wage increase for her staff. The department is completely self-funded through the dog and kennels fund but needs approval from commissioners as they are under the county. The department currently only has two employees besides the dog warden. With the increase, she hopes to attract new hires.

Ohio Means Jobs is gearing this one toward high school seniors that are approaching graduation. The agency has a youth services program with job coaches in all thirteen schools in Allen County. Tuesday’s event had more than 120 employers getting a chance to speak with the young adults about opportunities their businesses offer. The students took advantage of the opportunity and Ohio Means Jobs Allen County is eager to help these young adults with their future.