(From Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal)

Applications are now being accepted for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s 2026 Small County Volunteer Fire Department (SCVFD) Grant. Established recently by the 136^th General Assembly via House Bill 96, the nonrenewable grant makes a total of $8 million in funding available for eligible fire departments across the state. Those departments can apply for up to $50,000 each to strengthen their operations, enhance safety, and better serve their communities.

Funding provided by the SCVFD Grant can be used for, but is not limited to, firefighter equipment and gear, rescue equipment and gear, and costs related to fire protection services. To learn more about the SCVFD Grant and to submit an application, fire departments can visit at com.ohio.gov/FireGrant. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2026.

To be eligible to receive SCVFD Grant funding, applicants must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:

• County Population – Eligible departments must be located in a county that has a population of 70,000 or less per the 2020 U.S. Census. Those qualifying counties include Adams, Ashland, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Champaign, Clinton, Coshocton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Fayette, Fulton, Gallia, Guernsey, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Noble, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert, Vinton, Washington, Williams, and Wyandot counties.
• Volunteer Fire Department Status – Eligible departments must have a volunteer fire department status as defined under Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-02, which states that at least half of the firefighters are volunteer or paid-on-call and not eligible to pay into the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Departments serving multiple counties are eligible only if they are located in a qualifying small county. Non-volunteer departments, and departments in counties with over 70,000 residents are not eligible for this grant funding.

“This grant is more than just funding, it’s a lifeline for Ohio’s small county volunteer fire departments, which are the backbone of our state’s fire service,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These departments often operate with limited resources compared to their larger counterparts, yet they’re first on the scene when their communities need them most. With this support, we’re helping them continue their critical mission of protecting lives and property across Ohio.”

Each year, the Division of State Fire Marshal provides millions in grant funding to the state’s fire departments through other various programs like the MARCS Grant, Equipment Grants, and Training Reimbursement Grants. Additional details about these grants and their recipients can be found on the Division’s interactive Grants Dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMdashboard.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System is proud to congratulate the graduates of our nursing residency program!

Throughout this program, these nurses have gone from shadowing to precepting to caring for patients independently. Now, they are skilled nurses, bedside leaders, and even mentors to new associates. They have experienced an intense six months of growth and hard work, and they will continue this growth throughout their professional careers.

Pictured: Ellie Fenstermaker, RN; Aubrey Williams, RN; Marie Schroeder, RN; Iyona Murphy, RN; Andrew Kalb, RN; RJ Bowers, RN; Alissa Schimmoeller, RN; Peyton Flint, RN; Alaina Tiell, RN; Abigail Wolbers, RN; Alexis Buddelmeyer, RN; Allison Kennard, RN; Haley Lee, RN; Luke Reuille, RN; Logan Price, RN; CJ Rose, RN

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know about an upcoming ramp closure to Interstate 75 in Findlay.

ODOT says the ramp from Lima Avenue to Interstate 75 will close for one day on Wednesday, December 17.

The reason for the closure is to allow crews to perform guardrail repairs.

The suggested detour from ODOT is below. 

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay celebrated the naming of a classroom in the College of Business/Center for Student Life at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in November.

CBSL 222 is now known as the Dr. Dan A. and Aleta J. ’88 Yates Seminar Room.

UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., expressed her appreciation to the Yates family for their support of the University.

“We are thankful that they have shared their blessings with the University, and it is our pleasure to recognize them by naming this classroom in their honor,” she said. “Their generosity will make an impact on generations of Oilers to come.”

Dan has been a College of Business faculty member for 20 years, coming to the classroom in 2005 after retiring from Marathon Petroleum Co. He holds degrees from Tiffin University, University of Dayton, Bowling Green State University, and Northcentral University.

Aleta also is retired from Marathon Petroleum Co., working in business development and analysis, and she holds an associate degree in business administration from UF.

Their children are UF graduates – Abby in 2003 and Sam in 2016, along with Sam’s wife, Devony, who graduated in 2020.

For the Yates family, who live in Findlay, giving is a way of life rooted in gratitude, humility, and a desire to uplift others.

With a lifetime of generosity totaling more than a half-million dollars to UF, they made a planned gift to establish the Dr. Dan and Aleta ’88 Yates Business Scholarship and another leadership gift to support the Findlay Fund.

Their philosophy is simple but powerful: be intentional, be grateful, and give back to those who need a hand.

The couple’s planned gift reflects their shared commitment to education and their hope their scholarship will ease the financial burden for future students—allowing them to graduate with little to no debt. “We like the idea that students can earn this money, maybe work part-time, and still get help paying for school. That gives them skin in the game,” Dan explained.

Ken McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement, noted that Dr. and Mrs. Yates are members of the C.T. Fox Legacy Society at the University. Named in honor of Charles T. Fox, Ph.D., the third president of Findlay College, the C.T. Fox Legacy Society recognizes donors who have shared their intentions to remember the University through a planned or estate gift.

“UF is grateful that our students can rely on the support of Oiler alumni and friends, like Dan and Aleta,” McIntyre said. “We are pleased that their legacy on campus will include the special place of this classroom. The University of Findlay is grateful for their continued support, generosity, and leadership. The seeds they have planted will grow for generations to come.”

Pictured, from left, are: Ken McIntyre Jr., Abby Yates, Aleta Yates, Dan Yates, Sam Yates, Devony Yates, and President Katherine Fell.

(From Findlay High School)

Holiday Spirit Week is almost here, Trojans!

Get ready to wrap up 2025 with some festive fun! From December 15–19, we’re celebrating the season with themed dress-up days all week long. Check out what’s happening each day and join in to spread that FHS holiday cheer!

Monday 12/15 – Polar Express Day

Wear your coziest pajamas!

Tuesday 12/16 – Winter Wonderland

Dress in white or snowflake-inspired outfits.

Wednesday 12/17 – Holiday Characters

Come as Santa, a snowman, a reindeer, or any festive favorite!

Thursday 12/18 – Deck the Halls

Rock your holiday colors!

Friday 12/19 – Holiday Sweaters

Ugly, cute, funny — all sweaters welcome!

Let’s make the halls merry and bright next week!

(From the Office of Congressman Bob Latta)

Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) re-introduced the Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act, a bill to expand access to health savings accounts (HSAs) and fix a technicality prohibiting individuals who are receiving social security benefits from contributing to their HSA accounts. Congresswomen Stephanie Bice (OK-5) and Ashley Hinson (IA-2) are co-sponsors of this legislation.  

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow individuals to make tax-advantaged contributions and use the funds for qualified medical expenses. To contribute to an HSA, an individual must be enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Under current law, once an individual begins collecting Social Security benefits, they are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, which disqualifies them from making further contributions to an HSA. This bill would allow individuals enrolled only in Medicare Part A to continue contributing to an HSA. 

“Seniors deserve the flexibility to keep saving for both their current and long-term health care needs. Right now, many seniors who are still working and enrolled in Medicare Part A are unfairly prevented from contributing to their Health Savings Accounts. This needless restriction reduces their health care choices. That’s why I introduced the Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act, to give seniors the freedom to plan for and afford the care they need,” Latta said.  

“I am proud to once again be an original cosponsor of Congressman Latta’s legislation, the Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act. This bill broadens eligibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and addresses a technical issue that prevents people receiving Social Security benefits from adding to their HSAs. I will continue to support legislation which provides relief for those living on fixed incomes,” Bice said.  

“Under current law, some seniors are unable to contribute to, or use, HSAs simply because they have chosen to remain in the workforce. This legislation fixes this technicality that unfairly punishes seniors who wish to use HSAs. I’ll continue working to lower costs and increase health care options for Iowans, especially our seniors,” Hinson said.  

NOTE: Congressman Latta first introduced this legislation during the 116th Congress after hearing directly from constituents impacted by the issue. He has since reintroduced the bill in the 117th and 118th Congresses.  

(From Findlay City Schools)

Better than a touchdown—this was a win for the heart.

While spending a month at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Wilson Vance student Cypress got the surprise of a lifetime: a visit from The Ohio State University quarterback Julian Sayin!

Cypress is one of those kids who makes everyone smile, so seeing him light up with joy was something truly special.

We’re so grateful to Julian Sayin for bringing encouragement and joy to one of our own.

And, we can’t wait to welcome Cypress back to school very soon.

You’ve got the whole Trojan Country cheering for you, Cypress!

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers that ‘tis the season to give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.

The sheriff’s office says, regardless of what road alert level has been issued, if any, road conditions can change quickly this time of year – snow, rain, wind, and everything in between.

The sheriff’s office is asking everyone to slow down, stay alert, and arrive at your destination safely.

Get the latest weather forecast and road alerts by clicking here, and school delays/closings by clicking here.

(The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA) is thrilled to invite students in grades 3–5 to step into the spotlight or behind the scenes for this year’s Youtheatre production of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. Young performers and theatre-loving creatives will have multiple opportunities to get involved, including a free audition workshop, open auditions and technical crew positions.

This high-energy musical follows the unforgettable journey of Stanley Lambchop, an ordinary ten-year-old who becomes extraordinary overnight when a bulletin board falls on him flattening him like a pancake! Suddenly able to travel the world by mail, Stanley becomes the ultimate exchange student, zipping from Hollywood to France to Honolulu in search of a way to become three-dimensional again.

Key Dates & Opportunities

Show Performances March 13 at 7:00 p.m. March 14 at 2:00 p.m.

Free Audition Workshop Saturday, January 10 Sessions: 10:00–11:30 a.m. or 12:30–2:00 p.m. A great chance for first-time auditioners and returning participants alike to build confidence and learn what to expect during the audition process.

Auditions Monday, January 19 & Tuesday, January 20 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Students interested in acting, singing, dancing and technical crew are encouraged to register. No prior experience required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

For full details and registration information, please visit www.mcpa.org/education-community/youtheatre

For additional information regarding Youtheatre auditions contact Craig VanRenterghem, MCPA Education Director at education@mcpa.org

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

(From The Findlay Fire Department)

Findlay’s B-Shift recently practiced various victim removal scenarios with our quint apparatus in the STRICT Center.

The training facility continues to prove its value to our first responders through realistic training.

Thanks to all the businesses and organizations who helped us make this possible.