Monthly Archives: December 2019

Demolished Building On North Main Street Not Part Of Flood Reduction Efforts

Some believed the building that came down on Findlay’s North Main Street close to the Blanchard River was part of Hancock County’s flood reduction measures, but that’s not the case.

Project Manager Steve Wilson explained the building wasn’t part of any plans and wasn’t owned by the county.

He did add that they have demolished all of the buildings the city and county purchased, which is no small feat.

Both Findlay and Hancock County started buying properties along the flood plain after the 2007 flood and finished demolition of the over 160 buildings a few months ago.

Wilson said all that’s left is to decide what to do with those areas.

The options are limited because they cannot build any permanent structures in those spots.

Wilson said the areas could be used for green spaces and bike lanes though.

Below is a video from a county-owned building demolition project in the same area in July.

Hancock Auditor Warns Of Website Selling Fake Dog Licenses

The Hancock County Auditor’s Office is warning dog owners about a fake website trying to sell dog licenses in Ohio.

The auditor’s office says the website ohdog-license.com, which looks like a real website, is requesting personal information that the auditor’s office doesn’t require when purchasing a dog license.

The auditor’s office says the only way to purchase a dog license online is through their website www.doglicenses.us/OH/Hancock/.

People can also purchase a dog license in person at their office at 300 South Main Street in Findlay.

The auditor’s office says all dog licenses sold by the auditor’s office arrive in physical form.

The license renewal period this year is December 1st through January 31st.

During this time, 2019 licenses can be renewed and new 2020 licenses can be purchased without penalty.

Anyone with questions can call the Hancock County Auditor’s Office at 419-424-7017.

Below is a picture of the homepage of the fake website.

Findlay Earns Heart Healthy Community Designation From AHA

The City of Findlay has been recognized as a Heart Healthy Community by the Northwest Ohio Division of the American Heart Association.

Details are in the following news release from the city, and there’s also video of one of Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn’s Move with the Mayor walks at a middle school.

The Northwest Ohio Division of the American Heart Association (AHA) recognized communities throughout the region that have made citizen health a priority by establishing policies and encouraging activities that create a culture of health and align with the mission of the AHA, which is “to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”

The heart Healthy Community Distinction program recognizes those communities in Northwest Ohio who are focused on creating a healthy place to live, work, play and pray.

Three communities received this distinction in its inaugural year, the City of Findlay, the City of Defiance, and the Village of Gibsonburg. Delegations from each community were recognized and celebrated at a ceremony held in Findlay on Wednesday, December 4th.

According to the AHA, the new “Heart Healthy Community Distinction” was inspired by actions being taken in Findlay, Ohio. “As we worked with volunteers, companies, and the local hospital system in Findlay/Hancock County over the past year to plan a community Heart Walk and other American Heart Association mission initiatives, it became very apparent that the Community of Findlay was impressively dedicated to improving the health and wellness of its citizens. They were putting collective efforts into encouraging a culture of health,” said Kerri Rochelle, AHA Development Director.

“When community stakeholders make health and wellness a priority, it creates a solid foundation to further the American Heart Association’s mission within that community. We wanted to formally recognize Findlay/Hancock County and communities like Findlay for their efforts and share their work as an example of a community’s role in health improvement for the whole region, state and nation.”

Municipalities in the counties serviced by the Northwest Ohio Division of the American Heart Association (Allen, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot) were eligible and invited to apply to receive the designation in July.

The application process allowed communities to highlight and showcase what health and wellness efforts are happening locally. The AHA then selected communities whose efforts aligned with the organization’s mission.

One Injured In Semi Crash On Interstate 75 North Of Findlay

Two semis collided on Interstate 75 north of Findlay on Tuesday morning, sending one of the drivers to a hospital.

The crash happened on southbound Interstate 75 in North Baltimore at around 4:20 a.m.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Jeffrey A. Smothers, 61, of Toledo, rear-ended another semi.

After the impact, Smothers’ semi went off the highway and came to rest in a ditch, while the other semi stopped on the shoulder.

Smothers was not wearing a seatbelt and was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for injuries that are not life-threatening.

The other semi driver was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.

The highway patrol says Smothers was cited for failing to maintain assured clear distance, distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

ODOT had traffic reduced to one lane as the crash was cleared.

Ohio State’s Fields & Young Named Heisman Finalists

Two Ohio State players are heading to New York as finalists for the 2019 Heisman Trophy.

On Monday, the Downtown Athletic Club named OSU quarterback Justin Fields and defensive end Chase Young as two of the four finalists for this year’s award.

Joining Fields and Chase are LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, an Ohio State transfer who is considered the favorite to win the award, and Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Ohio State has produced six Heisman Trophy winners with quarterback Troy Smith the last Buckeye to win it in 2006.

The Heisman Trophy will be presented on Saturday night.

Columbus Wired

(pictures courtesy of Columbus Wired)

Official Portrait Of Former Ohio Governor John Kasich Unveiled

(ONN) – Statehouse officials have unveiled the official portrait of former Ohio Governor John Kasich.

The Republican held office from 2011 through 2018.

The Capital Square Review and Advisory Board presented the portrait of Kasich on Monday in the statehouse atrium, following remarks by Senate President Larry Obhof and current Governor Mike DeWine.

Kasich served as the state’s 69th governor and was a long-time former congressman.

In his remarks, he said he had a great team when he was the governor.

“We had a great eight years, nine years really. Maybe even ten years, Tim keen started working on our program two years before I was even elected, trying to put things together in the right way.”

Tim Keen was Kasich’s budget director.

Private donations are used to pay for portraits of former Ohio governors.

K9 Units Sweep Findlay High School In Routine Search

Findlay High School was on a level two lockdown late Monday morning so K9’s could sweep the school.

Principal Ryan Imke said they partner with local law enforcement for the routine sweeps.

Imke explained that this is routine and that the K9 units ask the school to go on a lockdown.

Imke said they don’t notify parents or students of the search beforehand because it often depends on the availability of the K9’s and because it would defeat the purpose of having the search.

Imke also explained the difference between a level 1 and a level 2 lockdown.

A level 1 lockdown means that the school is put on alert and students aren’t allowed to leave but classes will go on as scheduled.

A level 2 lockdown means the classrooms are locked and students cannot leave them.

Former Findlay Ace Hardware To Become A Church

The old Ace Hardware on Main Street in downtown Findlay could become a church.

Hancock Regional Planning Commission director Matt Cordonnier said the plans filed by Movement Church Findlay will be brought before the Findlay City Planning Commission this Thursday.

Former owner Jim Brown bought the store 43 years ago.

He announced that the business was closing alongside his retirement a while back.

You can learn more about the former Ace Hardware and why Brown decided to sell the building here.

Findlay Man Turning 100-Years-Old Celebrates With Community Party

Gene Acocks celebrated his upcoming 100th birthday Sunday.

Turning 100 hasn’t changed his sense of humor though.

(Interviewer: How’s it feel to turn 100?    Acocks: Not any different than 99)

Gene said that he is on a mission to visit elderly people that can’t get out much.

He added that he felt blessed to have so many friends come out and wish him a happy birthday.

Over 150 people came to join him during the birthday party.

Ottawa Police Arrest Two People For Using Counterfeit Money

The Ottawa Police Department says it arrested two people who tried to pass counterfeit money at a business.

Police were called to Ottawa Party Mart on North Perry Street at around 2:30 Sunday afternoon on the report that two men were trying to use fake money.

An officer arriving on the scene approached the two men.

Police say Matthew R. Sage, of Piqua, was arrested on the scene without incident, but the other suspect, Paul J. Bakle, of Grover Hill, tried to run off.

After a brief foot pursuit Bakle was apprehended.

The Ottawa Police Department says both men also tried to use counterfeit money at two fast-food restaurants in Ottawa.