(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) was named a 2024 Finalist in the Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics.

The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan reviews nominations from 24 counties for this annual award, which honors area businesses and nonprofit organizations for their exemplary ethical business practices.

“We are honored to be recognized as a finalist for our commitment to ethical practices, reflecting our dedication to integrity and excellence at BVHS,” said Myron D. Lewis, president and chief executive officer of BVHS.

Ethics in healthcare are crucial for ensuring that patient care is delivered with integrity, respect, and fairness. They also serve as the foundation for building trust between patients and healthcare providers and guide decisions that affect patient well-being.

Ethical principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, help healthcare professionals navigate complex situations, ensuring that patients’ rights are upheld and that they receive appropriate care. Moreover, a strong ethical framework fosters a culture of accountability and transparency, encouraging providers to prioritize patient welfare while adhering to legal and professional standards. Ultimately, ethics in healthcare not only enhances the quality of care but also promotes a compassionate environment where patients feel valued and understood.

A review by the organization’s leadership demonstrated that BVHS is an ethical organization regarding its patients and associates and that ethics are a priority for the organization.

Please visit bvhealthsystem.org to learn more about the services offered at Blanchard Valley Health System, a connected care network.

A man who was a community leader in Findlay for many years has passed away.

George Martin Whitson died on October 13^th at the age of 93.

According to his obituary by Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, George, a U.S. Army Veteran, was working at Ohio Oil Company when he transferred to the company’s headquarters in Findlay in 1963.

By that time the company had changed its corporate name to Marathon Oil Company.

George left Marathon in 1965 and founded the real estate and investment firm Whitson Properties.

He quickly grew to love Findlay and was one of its most enthusiastic cheerleaders, his obituary reads.

George was very active in civic organizations. He served 16 years on the University of Findlay’s Board of Trustees, was awarded an honorary doctorate and was named a trustee emeritus. He served 14 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, where he was also named a trustee emeritus.

He was also active in Findlay Area Youth for Christ, National Public Radio of Northwest Ohio, Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and Findlay Rotary Club among other organizations.

George had a strong religious faith and was a longtime member of the College First Church of God.

Calling hours are Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay.

A memorial Celebration of Life will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at College First Church of God, 1100 North Main Street, Findlay, with an additional calling hour at the church prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m.

Learn more about George’s life and love of Findlay by reading the obituary by Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home by clicking here.

The City of Findlay is letting residents know that Carnahan Avenue will be closed from Balsley Avenue to McConnell Street for sewer repairs on Wednesday, October 16.

The closure will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

See a list of other road construction projects in Findlay by clicking here.

(ONN) – Ad spending for Ohio’s US Senate race is now over $400 million.

That includes money spent during the primary.

This is now the most expensive senate race in the country so far.

That’s according to data from “Ad Impact” which tracks campaign spending on advertising.

For just the November election, data shows Republicans have outspent Democrats by nearly $29 million in the race between Senator Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno.

Both parties have an additional $68 million in ad spots reserved between now and Election Day on November 5.

(ONN) – State data shows a more than 3 percent increase in enrollment this fall over the previous year for Ohio’s colleges and universities.

While the increase is good news, enrollment is still far below the levels experienced prior to the pandemic.

The largest increase is coming from community colleges.

Schools that offer a more affordable path to complete gen-eds and obtain trade certification are consistent with a national trend in increased enrollment.

Ohio has more than 270 colleges and universities including public, private, community and technical schools.

(From SpartanNash)

Food solutions company SpartanNash announced its acquisition of Fresh Encounter Inc., a 49-store supermarket chain serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Owned by third-generation grocers Michael Needler Jr. and Julie Anderson, FEI has been a food distribution customer of SpartanNash for 58 years. SpartanNash will continue employment for FEI’s 2,500 team members.

“Fresh Encounter has been a successful family-owned and operated business for decades, and we are proud to continue this legacy,” said SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam. “This acquisition is an exciting milestone in our Company’s strategic growth plans. Not only will we welcome 2,500 new Associates to the SpartanNash family, we will also begin serving shoppers in Kentucky and grow our existing footprint across Ohio and Indiana. Retail is a critical component of our business model and long-term strategic plan, as we meet consumer needs and leverage insights from our stores to continuously innovate our products and operations across our wholesale business.”

The FEI acquisition expands SpartanNash’s retail footprint by 33% and is the Company’s second retail acquisition in 2024, following the addition of Metcalfe’s Market in April. This acquisition is consistent with SpartanNash’s strategy and will contribute toward the growth and earnings goals shared in the Company’s 2025 long-term plan, Sarsam added.

“We are proud of the business our family has built and look forward to advancing our relationship with SpartanNash,” said FEI CEO Needler. “As their customer, we have seen firsthand the People First culture at SpartanNash, and we appreciate the career opportunities and growth this will unlock for Fresh Encounter team members.”

FEI operates under the retail store banners Community Markets, Remke Markets, Chief Markets and Needler’s Fresh Market. The transaction is expected to close in late November, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Solomon Partners is serving as financial advisor, and Holland & Knight LLP is serving as legal advisor to Fresh Encounter. Honigman LLP is acting as legal advisor to SpartanNash.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Freeze Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

The Freeze Warning will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Temperatures as low as 30 degrees are possible.

Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Temps are expected to rebound to a high of around 53 on Wednesday and then warm up as the week progresses.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From McComb Local Schools)

The Save a Life Tour came to McComb School.

High school students had the opportunity to try a texting and driving simulator and an impaired driving simulator.

The students also wore impairment goggles to attempt sobriety tests and games.

Thank you to all who made this day possible for the students, including Hancock Public Health and Hancock County Sheriff Elect Mike Cortez.

Distracted and impaired driving claims too many lives each year.

This program was sponsored as part of an initiative to take preventative measures toward saving lives.

(From Awakening Minds Art)

Awakening Minds Art (AMA) held its 14th Annual Art Auction on October 12, 2024, successfully raising funds to support its therapeutic and educational visual art programs. The live auction featured artwork created by AMA students, who work with instructors to develop non-art-related goals through art-making.

Above is a picture of Mason Frias showing off his auction painting “Ice Cream for Two”.

More than 150 attendees gathered to bid on student pieces, with some of the students presenting their work as it was auctioned. The event, which serves as AMA’s primary fundraiser, highlighted the organization’s mission to provide inclusive, therapeutic art programs to individuals of all ages and abilities.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming generosity shown tonight,” said Emily Sullivan, executive director of AMA. “This event is about more than just raising funds—it’s a celebration of our students, their achievements, and the support of our community.”

AMA also recognized The Heritage, the 2024 Honorary Agency. The Heritage served as the host facility for AMA’s initial programming in 2009, and their ongoing support has played a key role in the organization’s growth. AMA also honored Sarah (Crisp) Ricker, the founder of Awakening Minds Art, for her years of dedication and service.

Special thanks were extended to this year’s major sponsors, including Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Buckeye Broadband, Don & Carrie Templin, and Ohio Logistics. Their support, along with many individual donors, ensures AMA can continue offering programming to individuals of all ages and abilities across the region.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit AMA’s programs. AMA offers programs that foster creativity and self-expression while also helping participants achieve non-art-related goals.

About Awakening Minds Art
Awakening Minds Art was founded in 2009 to provide therapeutic and educational programming for individuals of all abilities. Through adaptive and inclusive art education, AMA fosters growth, communication, and self-expression for participants.

For more information on Awakening Minds Art, visit awakeningmindsart.org or follow them on social media. Donations can be made online or by check mailed to 1640 Tiffin Ave, Findlay, OH, 45840.

(From the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife)

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife will release 14,400 ring-necked pheasants at public hunting areas in late October and November. Releases will begin Saturday, Oct. 19 during Ohio’s youth small game hunting season.

This fall, the Division of Wildlife will release male pheasants (roosters) at 36 public hunting areas throughout Ohio. The Division of Wildlife will release pheasants for the following dates:

Saturday Oct. 19 (first youth weekend)

Saturday Oct. 26 (second youth weekend)

Friday, Nov. 1 (opening day)

Saturday, Nov. 9

Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day)

Pheasants will be released in the following locations:

Central Ohio: Delaware Wildlife Area; Kokosing Lake Wildlife Area; Urbana Wildlife Area

Northwest Ohio: Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area; Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area; Hancock County Wildlife Area 5; Parkersburg Wildlife Area; Wyandot Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Resthaven Wildlife Area; Tiffin River Wildlife Area; Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area; and Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area (by special permit only).

Northeast Ohio: Berlin Lake Wildlife Area; Grand River Wildlife Area; Highlandtown Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area; Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Spencer Lake Wildlife Area; West Branch Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Zepernick Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Charlemont Metro Park; and Camp Belden Wildlife Area.

Southeast Ohio: Tri-Valley Wildlife Area; Pleasant Valley Wildlife Area (youth releases during controlled hunt only); Salt Fork Wildlife Area (no youth releases); and Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area.

Southwest Ohio: Fallsville Wildlife Area (no releases Oct. 19 or Nov. 9); Indian Creek Wildlife Area (no youth releases); Spring Valley Wildlife Area; Rush Run Wildlife Area; Caesar Creek Wildlife Area; Darke Wildlife Area; East Fork Wildlife Area; Pater Wildlife Area; Fallsville South Wildlife Area; and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor.

Pheasant hunters should note that pheasant hunting is open only to hunters with a controlled access permit at Urbana Wildlife Area, Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area, and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor.

Select pheasant hunting fields on Kokosing, Pickerel Creek, Parkersburg, Funk Bottoms, East Fork, Pater, and Fallsville South wildlife areas, as well as Hancock County Wildlife Area 5, require a controlled access permit on all Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15; the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; and Thanksgiving Day.

Pleasant Valley, Salt Fork, and Killdeer Plains wildlife areas offer both controlled access pheasant hunts and public hunts. A special permit is required to hunt on Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area; find additional information from the Sandusky County Park District. All other release locations offer public hunting.

Ohio’s ring-necked pheasant hunting season is open from Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, until Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. The daily harvest limit is two male birds; no hens (females) may be harvested. A valid Ohio hunting license is required to pursue pheasants and other game birds.

Pursuing small game is a great way to introduce someone to hunting and create lasting memories in the field. For more information on getting started, explore the interactive Introduction to Upland Game Birds online learning module and related resources through the Wild Ohio Harvest Community. Check out one of the Division of Wildlife’s public shotgun ranges to practice shooting before your hunt.

Additional details on Ohio’s fall pheasant releases can be found at wildohio.gov, along with maps of public hunting areas, the current hunting and trapping regulations, and more.