David Ziegler announces independent run for Seneca County commissioner
Frankart won a 53-vote primary margin amid deposition testimony and a health-district dispute over Seneca Poultry oversight that Ziegler's campaign doesn't directly mention.
Local Government
Tiffin councilman says Gary Click falsely portrayed him as a supporter
Roessner says he only wore a campaign-supplied shirt at a 250th celebration and never endorsed Click, whose post has stood unedited for three weeks.
Jill Simpson leaving United Way of Sandusky County to run for county commissioner against Justin Smith
Smith reached the commissioner post through a party committee vote, not an election, seven years after resigning a court job amid a reprimand over personal calls.
Tiffin mayor says developer turned to annexation after Hopewell Township refused to rezone 149 acres
A 1999 sewer agreement, not zoning plans the mayor calls preliminary, is why the annexation process bars neighbors from any hearing or appeal.
Tiffin's fire, EMS calls are up 25% since 2018. Its newest station turns 61 this year, and a replacement would cost $12 million
Chief Rob Chappell says a $250,000 addition is a stopgap while Station 2's cramped bays already forced $55,000 in repairs on a truck due for the scrapyard.
More on Local Government
Tiffin City Council advances traffic-signal and sewer projects, adopts 2027 tax budget
Council also honored a sergeant who talked a suicidal 13-year-old away from a loaded firearm and advanced a proposal to eliminate firefighter residency requirements.
Tiffin secures $74,000 state grant for Hedges Hills pump track
The $74,000 grant covers ride walls that will expand skill progression at the track, part of a $324,000 project with funding from the city, donors, and foundations.
Seneca County judge dismisses 3 counts against Board of Health in WIN Waste lawsuit
WIN Waste called the dismissal ironic, arguing it pays millions in fees for oversight while the health district manufactures violations that do not exist.
City of Tiffin explores $250K grant for downtown building upgrades
The city is seeking federal Community Development Block Grant funding to help downtown property owners pay for building improvements.
Tiffin's $27M wastewater overhaul nears construction; resident presses for a youth sports complex
The $27M plant upgrade, awarded to Adena, aims to treat 45M gallons daily by July 2028, while a floodplain site and financing terms block a youth sports complex.
Seneca County advances mental health levy for Nov. 3 ballot
The unanimous vote triggers a required necessity declaration under Ohio law before the four-county behavioral health board's existing 0.7-mill rate can go to voters.
Columbia Gas plans major gas-main replacement across Tiffin's east side
The work begins mid-July and will replace pipes installed in the 1950s and 1960s with plastic expected to last over 100 years.
Mayor Wilkinson to host public town hall at library
Wilkinson will field questions on city initiatives and resident concerns at the June 4 evening meeting at the library.
Sandusky County Judge Brad Smith raised money citing a phantom opponent, paid for joint Tischler signs
Smith used court logo and address in a campaign email seeking $10-15K against a nonexistent independent opponent while jointly funding signs with prosecutor Tischler, who abated his audit finding.
Seneca County forms violence prevention task force
Representatives from 24 agencies launched the Seneca County Violence Prevention Task Force on May 1, responding to the November 2025 Tiffin murder-suicide that killed 4, including 2 young children.
Jeremiah Ray defeats Beth Tischler in Sandusky County judge primary
Judge Jeremiah Ray defeated Prosecutor Beth Tischler 59% to 41% in Tuesday's Republican primary for Sandusky County Common Pleas judge.
Frankart survives Seneca County Commissioner primary by under 100 votes
Incumbent Bill Frankart edged Jim Distel by 53 votes in Seneca County's commissioner primary and will face independent David Ziegler in November.
Formal complaints filed against Sandusky County judge over Venmo campaign funds
A Defiance man has filed formal complaints with 2 Ohio regulatory bodies alleging Sandusky County Judge Brad Smith violated state campaign finance law by accepting campaign contributions through a personal Venmo account — allegations Smith has not addressed publicly.
Sandusky County Judge Brad Smith took campaign cash through personal Venmo, records show
Public transaction records show Sandusky County Judge Brad Smith's personal Venmo account received payments labeled as campaign contributions — a practice Ohio law requires be conducted through a separate, campaign-dedicated account.
Beth Tischler rates Jon Ickes '9 out of 10' as he faces discipline for n-word, child rape trial texts
Sandusky County Prosecutor Beth Tischler rated Judge Jon Ickes a 9 out of 10 in disciplinary proceedings that found he repeatedly called an 18-month-old rape victim's case the "baby cocksucker case," used the n-word in the courthouse within earshot of a Black defendant, and sent sexual texts to staff during the trial.
