(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be offering a bulk trash drop-off for Findlay residents from Saturday, April 22nd to Saturday, April 29^th.

Hours are 8 to 4 or until dumpsters are full on Saturdays and 8 to 8 or until dumpsters are full on weekdays.

Dumpsters will be at the Public Works Department, 330 N. Cory St., where city residents may dispose of unwanted debris.

The drop-off is in conjunction with the annual Backyard Mission Trip on Saturday, April 22nd.

The City will keep dumpsters open for an additional six days to encourage citizens to clean up the community in observance of Earth Week.

Hazardous materials, commercial tires, concrete, appliances, and electronics will not be accepted.

Proof of residency or ID may be required.

This year, the city will accept noncommercial vehicle tires on Saturday, April 22nd, and Saturday, April 29th. The tires must be off the rim. Proof of residency in the City of Findlay and/or ID will be required.

The city reminds people that it is illegal to transport more than ten scrap tires at any time without obtaining a registration certificate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency per ORC 3734.83.

Findlay High School football standout Ryan Montgomery has revealed what college he will be attending.

The quarterback had his choices narrowed down to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Ryan ended up choosing the University of Georgia in front of family and friends inside the Findlay High School gymnasium.

Ryan will play his senior season for the Findlay Trojans in the fall.

Ryan’s brother, Luke, a lineman, is currently playing football at Ohio State.

Ohio State and Georgia met in a playoff game not long ago and could again as the programs are among the tops in the country each year.

Watch Ryan’s announcement below courtesy of 247Sports.com.

UPDATE- The Tornado Watch has since been canceled for Hancock and surrounding counties. 

ORIGINAL STORY-

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch that includes Findlay and Hancock County.

The Tornado Watch goes until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters say storms that develop Wednesday afternoon could include powerful wind gusts of 70 miles per hour, large hail, heavy rainfall, and some tornadoes.

You can get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Attention chocolate lovers!

United Way of Hancock County’s sweet spring fundraiser, the Downtown Chocolate Tour, returns from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, falling on Mother’s Day weekend and Downtown Findlay’s Second Saturday.

Ticketholders will make their way to each of about two dozen participating retailers and restaurants during this four-hour window, collecting chocolate treats and taking advantage of special offers at each stop. Some establishments located outside the downtown area will be paired with shops downtown to allow their participation in the event.

Tickets are $25 each, and all sales directly support United Way’s Vulnerable Children Initiative, dedicated to protecting kids and helping them find a better path in life.

No more than 300 tickets will be sold, and the event is expected to sell out. Visit www.uwhancock.org and click the ‘Downtown Chocolate Tour’ button at the top right to buy tickets.

“Our Downtown Chocolate Tour is a great way to advocate for the youth in our community while supporting the organizations that serve them. That it falls on Mother’s Day weekend makes it all the sweeter,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County.

Since 1955, United Way of Hancock County has funded local efforts to support children. Multiple local agencies receive United Way funding to support and protect kids, and other community collaborations are working to strengthen families while championing children’s needs.

Ticketholders can pick up bags and maps to be used the day of the Downtown Chocolate Tour at the United Way office, 318 W. Main Cross St. (above Kan Du Studio), from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9-10; and at Hancock Hotel (a stop on the tour) beginning at 10:30 a.m. the day of the event.

Volunteers are needed to help distribute treats at the various stops along the tour. Call the United Way office at 419-423-1432 for more information or to register as a volunteer.

Officials say there are still some openings for Camp 911 in Hancock County.

“We would love to see your kiddo this summer!” the Findlay Fire Department said.

Camp 911 is an interactive safety camp for kids who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2024 and helps them learn basic safety.

At Camp 911 children will learn different safety lessons, such as bike safety, stranger danger and so much more while interacting with local first responders. 

Surprise visitors will make an appearance throughout the week to keep the kids engaged with the program. 

They will grow in their independence as they experience camp through hands-on activities.

Camp 911 is a joint effort led by local emergency response agencies, including Hanco, Findlay Fire and Police Departments, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Hancock Public Health.

The camp will be held June 10-14 at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street in Findlay.

There will be morning and afternoon sessions.

See some of the fun from last year by clicking here.

(From Findlay High School)

FHS Students-

There is a wellness space set up at FHS for students today (Wednesday). This will be available all day. Students who wish to visit with a counselor will have the opportunity to do so.

If you feel you could benefit from talking with someone about yesterday’s events, please know that this opportunity is available to you for support.

I am so proud of how the staff and students responded to the hoax/swatting incident yesterday. While I hope we never experience an incident like this again, your cooperation, patience, and attentiveness were critical in ensuring the safety of all students.

Students should check their emails and Remind messages for more specific information on how to access the wellness space.

Have a great day and GO TROJANS!

Mrs. Simon

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Bowling Green Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a train that occurred April 16 at approximately 9:45 a.m. on N. Fostoria Road between state Route 795 and state Route 51 in Millbury, Wood County.

The preliminary investigation showed a Honda Accord, operated by Daniella Gamboa Pabon, 25, Toledo, was southbound on N. Fostoria Road when her vehicle was struck by an eastbound train.

Pabon succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Allen-Clay Joint Fire District, Lake Township Police Department, Lake Township Fire Department, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Coroner’s Office, Norfolk Southern Police Department, Mercy Health Life Fight, and Pat & Son Towing & Recovery.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D., officially kicked off highway construction season in Findlay.

Marchbanks met with the media for the kickoff event, held at the County Road 99 interchange with Interstate 75 in Findlay, where a project will begin this year to construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI).

Along with Marchbanks, ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes, and ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley provided remarks.

Statewide, ODOT is kicking off a record construction season, investing $2.8 billion into 950 road and bridge improvement projects across the state. There are 39 projects classified as “major projects” with a value above $10 million. 

Also on Tuesday, a public informational meeting was held at Owens Community College in Findlay about the interchange.

ODOT construction engineer Dan Niese says they chose a diverging diamond interchange because they move traffic so well.    

A DDI shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the left-turn traffic signal phase. The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free-flow movement to the ramps.

Visit the project website for further details: I-75/CR 99 interchange improvements | Ohio Department of Transportation

He says construction will start in about three weeks and the interchange should be finished in 2026.

(From the Second Chance Coalition of Hancock County)

Second Chance Month is observed every April and is a national effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction and unlocking second chance opportunities for people having completed their sentences to become contributing citizens.

The Second Chance Coalition of Hancock County is inviting the public to an awareness event on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at The Dock at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 800 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio.

Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. and feature information and resources for individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

A light lunch will be provided, and you will hear personal accounts of local individuals who have navigated barriers to rebuild their lives in Hancock County.

The Hancock County Second Chance coalition was created to highlight the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face when they return to the community.

Many formerly incarcerated individuals strive to be fully contributing members of their communities and struggle to overcome the negative stigma of being a criminal.

It is a core belief of this coalition that every person has value in our community and together, as a community, we can help rebuild lives.

Many local and regional agencies to provide information and resources for those who are working through barriers post incarceration.

Among those agencies are the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas, the Findlay Municipal Court, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Hancock County Job and Family Services, Habitat for Humanity’s Financial Opportunity Center, Welcome to a New Life, Hancock Public Health, Focus Wellness & Recovery, and the Veterans Service Office to name a few.

For questions, please contact Cheryl Miller (567) 250-5192 or email at cmiller@hancockph.com.

Findlay High School went through another swatting situation on Tuesday morning.

Police Chief James Mathias, in the video below, says a call came into police dispatch at 9:36 Tuesday morning about a person in the high school with a rifle.

The caller said he had an AR-15 style rifle and was holding two students hostage in a second floor restroom. 

The school went into lockdown and the SafeDefend active shooter protection system was activated and numerous law enforcement responded to the scene.

The chief said the school was searched by police and no threats were found and everyone was safe.

The high school was also the victim of an active shooter hoax in September of 2022.

Swatting is a term used to describe the action of making hoax phone calls to report serious crimes to emergency services to elicit a large police response.

Get more from the chief in the video below.