Local area residents have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be from the Find A Ride Program soliciting donations. The Find A Ride Program and Area Agency on Aging 3 does not contact via phone to solicit donations. Please do not give bank or credit card information to anyone over the phone that claim to be seeking donations on behalf of Find A Ride or the Area Agency on Aging 3. 

DeWine said the bill he signed into law is about more than just pulling people over, it is about changing the culture of distracted driving. Under the previous law, distracted driving was a primary offense only for juvenile drivers. So officers could not stop adult distracted drivers unless they were committing another primary traffic violation, like speeding or running a red light.

Between cellphones, tablets and TVs, it's no doubt kids are getting more screen time.  But how does too much screen time impact a child's health, and what steps can parents take to cut back on it?Doctors say kids should not be scrolling through their phones before bed because it's a stimulating activity that can keep them awake. 

 Republicans in the Ohio House have voted to increase the penalty for texting while driving. They passed a bill that would make the violation a primary offense, so law enforcement could pull you over if they see you texting and driving.  Currently they must pull the driver over for another reason to charge them for texting.  Right now, they also allow drivers to hold their phones during a call and to physically push the buttons to make the call.  If the proposed law is passed, it would prohibit drivers from using, holding, or physically supporting an electronic device, unless they are stopped at a red light, using the speakerphone function without holding the phone, or holding a phone to the drivers ears for a call, but not using the texting or typing functions.  The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.  Democrats say the bill doesn't go far enough and adds it isn't truly a “hands-free bill.” 

Allen County Sheriff Matt Treglia is warning residents about the most recent scam of bogus calls demanding money because you haven't shown up for jury duty. Sheriff Treglia says they have had several individuals call them after the fact that they think they have been scammed.

Back on December 19th of 2021, Van Wert police were called to 617 South Tyler Street on reports of a 13-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the head. They found the teen unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom. A continuing investigation found the gun involved in the shooting had been stolen from a lockbox inside a pickup truck in the 300 block of North Jefferson. Police also linked the deceased child's phone to that location.