(From Dr. Bill Kose with Blanchard Valley Health System)

Once again, with the seasons turning to the fall, we at Blanchard Valley Health System want to remind our community that respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19 are spreading more readily. We encourage you to take care of yourself and remember the need to protect others.

It’s hard to get a good sense of the prevalence of COVID since many people experience milder symptoms and might not take a COVID test. However, we do know from wastewater testing that more viruses are circulating.

Generally, people who catch COVID do not get as sick these days as they would have in the past. However, we have had several patients recently who were sick enough with COVID that it required admission to the hospital. As always, people who are older or have compromised immune systems are most at risk.

While the virus is less severe today, it is more contagious. A disease that spreads rapidly among many people – even if most of those people have mild symptoms – can still pose dangers to people who have other illnesses like heart problems and might be at risk for complications.

Of course, COVID isn’t the only respiratory illness out there. Fall and winter also bring higher rates of influenza, bacterial pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV causes mild symptoms for most people but can be dangerous for older people and infants. Last year, for the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraged adults aged 60 and over to get vaccinated against RSV.

Flu and COVID vaccines are also becoming more readily available and can help protect you if exposed to these illnesses.

All of us can do our part to prevent the spreading of respiratory illnesses. Most young, healthy people who get any of these infections will recover without serious complications, but for others getting sick might be dangerous, even life-threatening. So, the less disease spreads, the safer our most vulnerable will be.

There are also economic ramifications for our community. If many workers are out sick simultaneously, it is harder for a business to be productive. If a lot of children have to stay home from school, not only could they stay caught up in their education, but their parents may need to take time off from work to care for them.

If you do get sick, take whatever steps possible to protect others. Cover coughs and sneezes and stay home or wear a mask while out if you are experiencing significant symptoms. Isolate yourself from other household members if possible, to avoid getting them sick.

Wash your hands frequently, regardless of the time of year. Also, illnesses spread more quickly in winter because people spend more time indoors close to one another. The more you open windows to ventilate rooms when the weather allows, the better. When

you can, go for a walk outside, the fresh air and exercise are also likely to lift your spirits.

Doing your best to avoid catching or spreading illness can protect not only you and your family, but people throughout the community. We encourage you to remember this as we approach the holiday season. Let’s do what we can to ensure it’s a healthy, happy, safe time of year for us all.

William Kose, MD, JD

Vice President of Special Projects, Blanchard Valley Health System

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum’s annual Halloween Spooktacular presented by Hancock Federal Credit Union will return from 5 – 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

Perfect for all ages, visitors will enjoy tours of the “haunted” Hull House, built in 1881, and sample seasonal treats cooked over the hearth in the historic Crawford Log House.

Guests are encouraged to come in costume.

Throughout the museum campus, children will enjoy face-painting, pumpkin and cookie decorating, crafts and games.

A variety of activities will be provided by community partners, including the Children’s Museum of Findlay, Rieck Center for Habitat Studies, OSU Extension, YMCA, Blanchard River Watershed Partnership, Scouts, ADDAPTCO, 50 North and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.

Children will receive a complimentary Halloween-themed book while supplies last, courtesy of the Richard P. Barchent Jr. Educational Fund.

Admission is free for museum members and $1 per person for nonmembers.

Spooktacular is made possible by Hancock Federal Credit Union and Area Dentists.

All proceeds of the event go directly toward the museum’s annual operations, allowing the organization to preserve Hancock County history, host exhibits and provide educational programs for all ages.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 W. Sandusky St. in Findlay.

For more information about Spooktacular, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call the Hancock Historical Museum at 419-423-4433.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

Eleven winning first responder agencies from across Ohio were recognized during the 2024 Light Ohio Blue First Responder Photo Challenge Awards Ceremony at First Responders Park in Hilliard.

Each year, Light Ohio Blue conducts a photo contest in remembrance of the heroic actions taken by the men and women who responded to Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks.

During this year’s contest, 153,829 votes were cast by law enforcement personnel, first responders and the public. Photograph submissions were eligible in one of 11 categories based on the agencies’ jurisdictional area population size and/or vehicle type. Award winning agencies included:

-People’s Choice – Wellington Police Department (15,920 votes)

-Law Enforcement Category 1 – Cleveland Division of Police (14,731 votes)

-Law Enforcement Category 2 – Lancaster Police Department (11,299.5 votes)

-Law Enforcement Category 3 – North Canton Police Department (2,729.5 votes)

-Law Enforcement Category 4 – Moraine Police Department (4,146 votes)

-Law Enforcement Category 5 – Plain City Police Department (12,387 votes)

-Law Enforcement Category 6 – Nationwide Children’s Hospital Protective Services (1,734 votes)

-Fire/EMS Category 1 – Columbus Division of Fire (3,043 votes)

-Fire/Ems Category 2 – Marysville Fire Division (2,262.5 votes)

-Fire/EMS Category 3 – Pickaway Township Fire Department (1,597 votes)

-Specialty Equipment – Ohio State Highway Patrol (4,973.5 votes)

Light Ohio Blue extends congratulations to all of the 2024 First Responder Photo Challenge winners, and thank you to all the agencies that participated in this year’s contest.

ADAMHS says drug overdose deaths in Hancock County have dropped 60 percent in three years, but those working behind the scenes to continue that trend say there is more work is needed.

ADAMHS is the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services.

Officials say, while it is difficult to determine exactly what has brought the significant decline, increased harm reduction efforts are likely a considerable part of the reason.

Hancock Public Health has made Narcan (Nalaxone) easier and less expensive and even has made the overdose-reversing drug available in public vending machines.

Kalynn Sommers is Harm Reduction Coordinator at Hancock Public Health.

ADAMHS says suicide deaths have also gone down during the same period.

The picture above is from Hancock County Overdose Awareness Day in August.

Get more details on that by clicking here.

Hancock Public Health reminds people that they have Narcan available through Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) as a way to combat the opioid overdose epidemic.

Additionally, Nalox boxes are located throughout the county where people can get Narcan if they need it.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Liberty-Benton students and community members came together to provide two semi-truck loads of disaster relief items, including water, cleaning supplies, diapers, food, and more for those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Special thanks to LB Bus Driver Drew McGuire and McGuire and Sons Trucking for delivering the supplies to Irwin, Tennessee.

There’s a link on the WFIN website where you can donate to people affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says two people were injured when their SUV was struck by a train.

It happened at 9:35 Thursday morning on Main Street in Columbus Grove.

The sheriff’s office says Honesty Mallory, 23, of Lima, was driving southbound on Main Street when her vehicle was hit by a train that was traveling southbound on the CSX railroad tracks.

The sheriff’s office says there were three people in the SUV and all three were able to exit the vehicle.

Two of the people who were in the SUV were taken to a hospital in Lima for injuries that are not life-threatening.

The crash remains under investigation.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Local bars and restaurants will be serving up their tastiest bites during United Way of Hancock County’s annual Downtown Restaurant Tour, returning from 5-9 p.m. Nov. 7.

This self-guided tour features over 15 restaurants offering samples of their finest foods, beverages, desserts and more. Patrons prepurchase a ticket, or “Passport,” for $40 and travel through the downtown area at their leisure during this four-hour window, getting their Passport stamped at each location.

This event is expected to sell out, as only 400 Passports will be sold. All proceeds from Passport sales will be put toward fighting hunger across Hancock County, meaning that this year’s event alone will raise $16,000.

“The Downtown Restaurant Tour is a fun night out in downtown Findlay, showcasing so many great restaurants – you might even find your new favorite,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin. “Since all of our proceeds go to the Halt Hunger Initiative, this event also shines a light on the need for food security in our community.” Passports can be purchased for $40 each through United Way’s website at www.uwhancock.org – click the Downtown Restaurant Tour link at the top right of the homepage.

Passports can be picked up starting Oct. 28 at the United Way office, 318 W. Main Cross, second floor. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and elevator access is available in the back of the building.

Call 419-423-1432 for more information.

(ONN) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its winter outlook report for 2024-25.

Ohio is expected to have warmer than usual temperatures this winter.

The central and eastern portions of the state could see temperatures as much as forty to fifty percent above average while the western portion of the state will only be slightly warmer than normal.

Southeast Ohio can expect fifty to sixty percent more precipitation than usual with the rest of the state also seeing increased precipitation.

A condition called La Nina is driving this trend due to cooling ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is celebrating its five-year anniversary as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Through this clinical collaboration, the organization’s providers get special access to Mayo Clinic resources, knowledge, and teams of specialists.

BVHS was the first Ohio-based healthcare facility to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a group of carefully vetted, independent healthcare systems that have special access to Mayo Clinic’s knowledge and expertise.

The clinical collaboration has allowed BVHS physicians to combine their understanding of their patients’ medical needs with Mayo Clinic expertise, allowing patients to get the care they need, close to home. There is no additional cost to patients.

“BVHS and the Northwest Ohio community have benefited extensively from these five years of clinical collaboration,” said Myron D. Lewis, president and chief executive officer of BVHS. “For example, oncologists treating patients at The Armes Family Cancer Care Center consult with the Mayo Clinic Care Network on cases, amplifying their expertise with additional knowledge and resources from the Mayo Clinic and experts worldwide. This relationship has strengthened care in Findlay. Additionally, our clinical and non-clinical associates have access to Mayo Clinic Care Network educational resources that have helped the organization continually improve all that we do.”

As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Blanchard Valley Health System has access to a variety of resources.

These include AskMayoExpert, a point-of-care tool which offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions, and includes medical protocols, treatment recommendations and medical references. The tool can be used wherever healthcare is provided.

Additionally, eConsults enable BVHS physicians to contact Mayo Clinic specialists for second opinions on specific patient cases when they believe additional input will benefit their patients.

Another tool is eBoards. These live video conferences enable BVHS’s medical teams to review and discuss complex cases with a Mayo Clinic panel and other doctors in the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

In addition, BVHS has access to healthcare consulting, and can access Mayo’s extensive experience, knowledge and subspecialty expertise to attain clinical, operational and business goals.

BVHS physicians, providers, and associates can also use Mayo Clinic’s patient education materials and access opportunities for professional development and continuous medical education.

Created in 2011, the Mayo Clinic Care Network has more than 40 member organizations across the U.S. and in Asia, Mexico, and the Middle East. This partnership supports BVHS independence; while leveraging a large academic institution to our community’s benefit.

For more information on this clinical collaboration, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/mayo

(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County held a Home Dedication ceremony for its second set of builds of the year, homes number 60 and 61 located in the 1700 Block of Bishop Lane in the Krystal Ridge Addition in Findlay.

These are the third and fourth homes to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County in 2024. They are the first two of 20 homes Habitat will build in the Krystal Ridge Addition neighborhood by the end of 2027.

Both homes were each built in just 10 weeks by nearly 300 volunteers representing many corporate build teams and organizations that enable their employees and team members to take part.  

The dedication included a blessing, words from the new homeowners as well as comments from Wendy McCormick, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County and Kelly Croy, Habitat’s Board President.  

The McMaster family consists of a single mother and her two sons. For a number of years, they struggled off and on financially. For almost a year they lived with family and friends. After a lengthy search, they found a landlord willing to accept their housing voucher. Six years later the landlord sold the duplex, and the new landlords raised the rent an $250 monthly. Their previous landlord suggested they apply for Habitat. Within the past year, with the help of the Financial Opportunity Center, their credit score has risen more than 80 points and they are living within their budget and saving. This opportunity allows them to not only have a home, but a legacy! 

The Butler family consists of a single mother and her daughter. Their housing situation left them cost burdened due to continued high rent increases. Additionally, their living conditions were unsafe with no ventilation in the bedrooms and an exterior door in the daughter’s bedroom. For the past two years the Butler family has been working with Habitat for Humanity after seeing several close friends go through the process. After a year of financial education and savings they were chosen to be a Partner Family. They are forever grateful that everyone at Habitat chose to put their faith into them and grant this opportunity. They have gained so much knowledge already in the program and cannot wait to move into their own home!  

Through donations of money and materials and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build a Habitat Home and sell it at an affordable price. These families qualified as a low-income family unable to qualify for a conventional loan who were willing to partner with Habitat and complete at least 400 sweat equity hours.  

Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications from families now for new homes. To apply for a home or a home repair, visit habitatfindlay.org or call 419-429-1400.