(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging all motorists to prioritize safety as they travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, which is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. 

During the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday reporting period, which runs from midnight on Wednesday, November 26 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, troopers will be focusing on removing impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways. In addition, they will be on the lookout for safety belt, speeding and distracted driving violations.

“As the busy holiday travel season begins, I urge all Ohioans to be safe and smart while behind the wheel,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Every driver has the ability to prevent devastating crashes and serious injuries by buckling up, putting distractions away, and driving sober.”

To promote roadway safety and prevent needless tragedies, the Patrol is asking drivers to keep four critical safety steps in mind as they travel this week:

• Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare.
• Make sure every occupant in the vehicle is wearing a safety belt.
• Follow the posted speed limits.
• Put distractions away and focus on driving.

According to Ohio State Highway Patrol statistics, 11 people were killed in 10 crashes on Ohio’s roadways during last year’s five-day Thanksgiving reporting period. Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a contributing factor in five of the fatal crashes. There were also three pedestrians fatally stuck during the five-day reporting period.

“Driving responsibly isn’t just a choice; it’s a shared obligation,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Help make this a fatality-free holiday period by prioritizing sober driving, wearing your safety belt and staying focused on the task of driving.”

Motorists are encouraged to safely call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists on Ohio roadways.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Wind Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

The Wind Advisory goes from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour will gust up to 50 miles per at times.

Unsecured objects will blow around and some tree limbs could come down, resulting in a few power outages.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution when driving.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Please join us in congratulating Hannah Szippl, RN, on receiving a DAISY Award!

Hannah works at Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH) in labor & delivery. A patient nominated her after she fostered a positive birth experience. The nominator was impressed by Hannah’s patience and gentle, comforting spirit while she and her husband were sleep-deprived and overwhelmed after the birth of their first child. “Her genuine advice, attention, and care will forever leave an impact on my heart,” wrote the nominator.

When she delivered her second child two years later at BVH, the nominator was overjoyed to see Hannah again. “Seeing her was like a warm hug, and I ask myself all the time how lucky I am to have had her again to care for me.”

Thank you, Hannah, for your dedication to providing compassionate care. We are proud to have you as part of #TeamBVHS.

Pictured (Photo 1): Jessica Moore, RN, director of inpatient nursing; Nikki Ballinger, RN, clinical manager – maternity; Hannah Szippl, RN; BJ Pasztor, RN, chief nursing officer and chief operations officer of acute care services; Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer.

Pictured (Photo 2): Michael Cifranic, MSN, RN, nursing recruitment and retention specialist; Hannah Szippl, RN; Pace, facility dog and working partner.

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

Join the Hancock County Veterans Service Office and the American Red Cross for a free Holiday Breakfast for Hancock County Veterans and their families, Saturday, December 6th from 8am to noon at the Findlay Elks Banquet Hall located at 900 W. Melrose Ave in Findlay.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast from Moore than Just BBQ, connect with fellow veterans, sign up for free fire alarm installation, and visit with our staff to learn more about local resources, benefits and support available to veterans and their families.

The first 110 veterans will receive a special gift.

The American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter will have information on programs and resources available to veterans, including:

• • Sign up for free smoke alarm installation

• • Information on our Resiliency Workshops and Mind-Body workshops for veterans, service members and military families

• • Information on emergency preparedness

• • Volunteer and blood donation opportunities

• • Red Cross Animal Visitation Team will be on site with their therapy dogs

This special event is made possible through the generosity from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation. For questions or additional information, visit www.hancockveterans.com or call 419-424-7036.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay and Bluffton University will collaborate on a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the TLB Auditorium of the Winebrenner Building, located at 950 N. Main St. in Findlay.

This special event will feature the combined voices of the Bluffton Choral Society, UF Concert-Chorale, College First Church of God Choir, and the Findlay Civic Choir. The performance will be conducted by SeaHwa Jung, director of Choral Activities at the University of Findlay. Last year, more than 100 singers from these ensembles performed the historic work to a full-capacity crowd.

The concert is free and open to the public; however, seat reservations are required and may be reserved at www.bluffton.edu/tickets. A free-will offering will be accepted. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Visit the UF Performing Arts webpage to learn more about performing groups at Findlay.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Movie night at MCPA! 

Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive screening of Elf on Tuesday, December 2, at 7:30 PM!

We’ll have free popcorn, plus a cash bar and additional refreshments available at concessions.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents of the dates of Thanksgiving Break.

The school district says there will be no school for students or teachers from November 26-28 for Thanksgiving Break.

See the full school district calendar by clicking here.

(ONN) – Ohio lawmakers are debating a bill that would ensure shoppers can still pay with cash.

House Bill 554 – the so-called ‘Cash Act’- would require most businesses to accept cash for purchases under $500.

Supporters say some retailers and venues are moving away from cash, even adding extra fees or blocking cash at self-checkout lanes.

The bill aims to protect consumers who rely on cash and have struggled when offices or stores refuse it.

If passed, major retailers would need at least one cash-accepting checkout, and charging extra for cash payments would be banned.

(From Visit Findlay)

The holidays are here, and Findlay and Hancock County have a lot to celebrate!   

A few items of special note – Friday, November 28 from 4 – 7 p.m. is WinterFest. Outdoor vendors will be set up near the City of Findlay Christmas Tree selling their homemade treats, local art, and gifts. Also that evening is the City of Findlay tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. and the first night of Kiwanis Santa’s House with wagon rides in Downtown Findlay.  Hancock County Children’s Choir and Findlay First Edition will be performing throughout the evening around the Christmas tree as well.

 Many villages are celebrating with a tree lighting ceremony or hometown festival.  Mt. Blanchard is holding their annual Christmas in the Village on December 6 with an outdoor ice skating rink, craft vendors, a parade, and more.  December 7 is McComb’s Hometown Christmas with a craft market, live entertainment, and kids activities.

The Hancock Historical Museum is holding its annual Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 6.

Throughout the holiday season Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, Inc. will hold their popular North Pole Express with their Christmas tree forest in the train barn and decorated campus, NWORRP’s North Pole Express is an official stop on Ohio Tourism’s Holiday Lights Trail.  Family Resource Center’s inaugural Twinkle Nights is Hancock County’s only drive-through holiday lights experience hosted at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.  Both North Pole Express and Twinkle Nights are held on weekends. 

Local shops will be open on Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29 in celebration of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Many of these shop owners have unique stories.

See a list of holiday celebrations in the area here – https://visitfindlay.com/the-holidays-in-hancock-county/

(From the University of Findlay)

The power of pets as therapy, especially as a source of comfort in grief, will be the theme of the December 5 “Fridays at Findlay” presentation at the University of Findlay.

Dr. Jim Carlson, DVM, who owns a veterinary practice in Illinois focusing on holistic treatment for pets, will discuss “Pets as Therapy: How Pets Can Improve Our Lives.”

He will be joined by his son, George Carlson, a Bowling Green State University student, football player, and owner of Pudge, a Persian cat. A locker room companion to the Falcon football team, Pudge has become a national media sensation, appearing on CBS News and ESPN. George will be sharing the story of how Pudge was a gift from his late mother.

Dr. Carlson earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a doctorate in veterinary medicine both from Iowa State University. His practice of treating animals encompasses all elements of holistic care, such as alternative cancer treatments, custom holistic testing, energy medicine, acupuncture, herbs, cold laser therapy, natural food therapy, and aquapuncture. His clinic is an American Animal Hospital Association certified practice.

The event is open to the public and will take place in the Winebrenner Building, TLB Auditorium on the UF campus. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast buffet with the presentation from 7:50 to 9 a.m.

Sponsored by WesBanco, the Fridays at Findlay lecture series encourages continued educational opportunities for members of the community, the campus, and alumni.

Register online by December 3 at www.findlay.edu/FridaysAtFindlay or call University Advancement at 419-434-5334 for more information. The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for students.