A new text alert service can keep you posted on local health issues you choose to know about. The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties, along with Allen County Public Health, is offering this service to keep people in the know. The service will update you on upcoming events, overdose spikes, Narcan distribution, and more. You choose what you want to learn about, and organizers hope people will use this to help others, but also to help themselves with the options available.

 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.” 

With students getting ready for prom and some preparing to go off to college, students at Miller City High School got to see what happens after a car accident occurs. 

It is no secret that driving distracted is a dangerous habit to keep, but according to AAA many people do not really care.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is using it to reiterate the importance of focusing on the road while driving.

In October we were here when AT&T and the Ohio Public Safety announced that Van Wert High School Junior, Kylee Bagley was one of the winners for the "It Can Wait" challenge about distracted driving. She worked with crews from the Ohio Channel to come up with this 30 second video.