The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says alcohol was a factor in an injury crash just northeast of Findlay.

The crash happened at the intersection of County Road 212 and Township Road 230 at 6:37 p.m. Monday.

The sheriff’s office says Juan Arredondo III, 54, of Vanlue, was going north on Township Road 230 and he failed to stop at the stop sign at County Road 212.

His SUV collided with a car that was eastbound on County Road 212 being driven by Robert Bailey, 40, of Findlay.

Arredondo was extricated from his SUV by the Allen Township Fire Department and taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for his injuries.

Bailey was taken to BVH by a family member.

The sheriff’s office says alcohol was a determining factor for the cause of the crash, and several items of evidentiary value were collected at the scene.

Findlay High School’s new head football is coming to the Trojans from the NFL.

Matt Pees was an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans.

He is the son of former Titans Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees and both coached there the last two seasons.

Matt Pees (pictured below) joins the Trojans after helping the Titans to the AFC Championship Game this past season.

Pees played high school football in Bowling Green and in college at Kent State.

Findlay Athletic Director Nate Nate Weihrauch says Pees’ NFL experience will be a big benefit to the Trojans.

“He has an incredible background with breaking down and analyzing game film, and he’ll be able to use that knowledge and experience here at our level,”

He says Pees also just had a baby on Saturday and is looking forward to not working quite as many hours as are required in the NFL ranks.

“To have the opportunity to be part of a community like Findlay is what he was looking for.”

Pees takes over for Mark Ritzler who stepped down in January.

The Findlay Police Department says a man barricaded himself in a residence as he was being served an eviction notice.

It happened at around 4 p.m. Monday at 704 Dayton Avenue.

Police say as contact was made with Travis J. Essinger he barricaded himself in an attic area of a detached garage and threatened to harm himself.

Officers maintained a perimeter around the garage and began negotiations with the man.

After a short time, he agreed to surrender and was taken into custody.

Police say Essinger had an active warrant out of Findlay Municipal Court.

The man who attacked his girlfriend and her daughter with an ax in Arlington last year is heading to prison.

Brandon M. Pinks pleaded guilty to attempted murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence in a Hancock County courtroom on Tuesday.

He was sentenced to a total of 20 to 25 1/2 years in prison on the charges.

The Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office read a victim impact statement on behalf of Breanna Lemos and her daughter Arianna Teague.

Both say the violent attack on April 1st left them with scars they will have to carry forever.

They thanked Arlington and Findlay communities for helping them through it.

Hancock County Prosecutor Phil Riegle says what the victims went through was horrifying, and this sentence takes into consideration the violent nature of the offenses.

Authorities say the bloody crime scene resembled a horror movie.

Pinks, 38, will also have to register with the Violent Offender Database when he gets out of prison years from now.

A Findlay road will be closed to allow crews to repair a sewer line.

The city says East Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Blanchard Street and Grand Avenue.

People are being urged to avoid East Lincoln Street if possible.

The work is weather permitting.

Dr. DeBow Freed, former president of the University of Findlay, has died.

Freed passed away on Saturday at the age of 94.

Freed was president of UF from 2003-2010 after serving as the president of Ohio Northern University for 20 years.

“Dr. Freed was a remarkable individual,” said A.R. Charnes, chair of the UF Board of Trustees.

“In my lifetime I’ve had the opportunity to meet some remarkable people and I consider Dr. Freed to be the most remarkable person I’ve ever met.”

Charnes says Dr. Freed was very conservative and believed in a balanced budget.

“But in that balanced budget he wanted to provide students with good educational opportunities, he wanted us to support our students and he believed this had to occur through an engaged staff and faculty.”

Charnes says Dr. Freed was the smartest person he’s ever met “and just a good human being.”

Freed remained President Emeritus of The University of Findlay until his passing.

Freed grew up in Hendersonville, Tennesee and earned his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Military Academy.

Before he worked in higher education, Freed served in the military where he taught at the service professional schools.

He earned his Master of Science in nuclear science from the University of Kansas and his doctoral degree in nuclear science and engineering from the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Freed will be buried at West Point National Cemetery.

A video remembrance memorial will be held at College First Church of God, Findlay, from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 3rd.

A memorial service and celebration of Dr. Freed’s life will be held at the Ohio Northern University English Chapel at 11 a.m. on March 7th.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has a fun and unique way for students to show off their artistic ability and school spirit.

Details about ODOT’s Paint the Plow program are in the following media release from the agency.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 is accepting applications for this year’s Paint the Plow program through Friday, March 13.

High schools and vocational school groups within its eight-county region, including Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot counties are eligible.

The Paint the Plow program allows students to paint an ODOT snowplow blade with a message of school spirit, Ohio pride, patriotism or safety. The decorated blades are displayed at local community events before being used in regular winter operations. In ODOT District 1, the contest has been held annually since 2014.

“Paint the Plow is a fun and creative community outreach initiative,” said Chris Hughes, deputy director of ODOT District 1. “We welcome the imaginative designs the art programs develop and enjoy displaying their creations locally.”

Plow blades will be dropped off to participating schools during the week of March 30 and picked up by May 8. Winners will be announced prior to Memorial Day via the media and social media.

Last year, Miller City-New Cleveland High School in Miller City won the overall ODOT choice title, while Cory-Rawson High School in Rawson took the people’s choice award, which was determined based on social media votes. The same award categories will return this year.

“We would like to encourage the artists to develop messages that promote safe driving,” said Hughes. “Special recognition will be given to those entries which raise awareness on topics such as distracted driving, seat belts usage, and adherence to Ohio law which requires motorists to slow down or move over law when approaching vehicles with flashing lights along the highway,” he said.

Printed applications are being distributed to all eligible schools within the month. Those who would like to receive an application electronically may do so by contacting ODOT District 1’s public information office at 419-999-6803 or d01.pio@dot.ohio.gov. A school administrator must approve of participation and sign the application.

The United Way of Hancock County has announced the results of its 2019 campaign and its funding for 2020.

The United Way says the 2019 campaign came in at nearly $2.9 million, which is close to previous years.

37 programs in Hancock County will receive funding through the campaign effort.

Additional details are in the following media release from the United Way

Through the annual United Way of Hancock County workplace campaign effort, $2,043,081 has been issued through grants and designations to 37 programs measurably improving people’s lives in Hancock County.

“Our 2019 campaign has come in close to prior years at nearly $2.9 million. Because we wanted to get as many dollars back to our local agencies as possible, strong steps were taken to reduce expenses,” said United Way CEO Angela DeBoskey.

“We were able to dramatically reduce costs, which allowed us to remain within 4% of what we funded to local agencies last year. That’s a win for our agencies, the community, our donors and United Way.”

Agency program grants are evaluated by trained community volunteers. Programs are vetted for alignment with United Way’s mission and how well-positioned the agency is to carry out the program and achieve the proposed outcomes. Fifty-four volunteers were involved in this year’s grant process.

United Way grants are combined with donor designations and corporate matches to determine total program and agency funding raised through the United Way annual campaign.

The following is a list of local agencies receiving United Way funding, which includes grant awards, agency designations and program designations through the fall campaign efforts:

• American Red Cross of Central Ohio will have access to $25,364 for its Disaster Services and Armed Forces programs.

• Boy Scouts of America, Black Swamp Council will receive $75,082 for its Scouting, Explorers and Kids in Need programs.

• Camp Fire of Northwest Ohio will receive $9,238 for its Thrive program.

• Cancer Patient Services will receive $189,770 for its Patient Direct Services program.

• CASA/GAL of Hancock County will receive $159,053 for its child advocate program.

• The Center for Civic Engagement will receive $30,000.

• The Center for Safe and Healthy Children will receive $27,169 for its forensic interview and examination program for abused children.

• Challenged Champions Equestrian Center will receive $40,000 for its equestrian therapy program.

• Children’s Mentoring Connection will receive $124,347 for its Mentoring Youth at Risk program.
• Family Resource Center will receive $128,060 for its Bright Beginnings, Hype, Prevention Mental Health Services and Peer Support programs.

• Findlay City Schools will receive $63,192 in for its pre-K program.

• Findlay Family YMCA will receive $39,591 for its Open Door and Child Care programs.

• Findlay Hope House for the Homeless will receive $229,692 in grant funding and designations for its shelter, resource office and independence program.

• Girl Scouts of Western Ohio will receive $13,893 for its Scouting leadership program.

• HHWP Community Action Commission will receive $194,928 for the Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) program.

• Hancock County Educational Service Center will receive $36,836 for its pre-K program.

• Hancock Literacy and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program will receive $5,376.

• Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services will receive $306,000 for its Adult Victims Services, Child Victim Services and Violence Recovery programs.

• Raise the Bar Hancock County and its Leader in Me program will receive $47,671.

The following organizations received grant funding, agency, program and Halt Hunger Initiative designations:

• Christian Clearing House will receive $57,665 for its Caring Cupboard food voucher program
.
• Community Gardens of Hancock County will receive $1,000 for its garden project.

• Findlay Family YMCA will receive $75,000 for the Feed-A-Child program.

• Lutheran Social Services will receive $3,343 for its emergency food pantries.

• Salvation Army will receive $65,000 for its emergency food pantry.

• West Ohio Food Bank will receive $70,000 for its food distribution services to Hancock County food pantries.

In addition to the above funding, United Way of Hancock County supports community development programming, assesses Hancock County needs and priorities, and develops volunteer opportunities that increase advocacy and support for nonprofits.

The United Way honors donors’ wishes to direct contributions to nonprofits out of the area.

The United Way thanks the following organizations for running a 2019 United Way of Hancock County campaign.

Advanced Drainage Systems
Advanced Foot Care Clinic
Aqua Lawn Irrigation
Arcadia Auto Service, LLC
Arlington Local Schools
Arlington Natural Gas Co.
Ball Metal Beverage Packing Division
Bigelow Glass
Biggby Coffee
Bindel’s Appliance
Blanchard Valley Health System
Blanchard Valley Medical Associates
Boy Scouts of America
Bridgestone APM Company
Car Specialties Paint & Body Shop
CentraCom
Children’s Mentoring Connection
Citizens National Bank
City Apparel
City of Findlay
Columbia Gas of Ohio
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cory-Rawson Schools
Danberry Realtors
Dental Center of Northwest Ohio
Dietsch Brothers
Edward Jones – Rich Rowe
Edward Jones – Eric Morman
ERA Geyer-Noakes Realty Group
Family Medical Associates of Findlay
Family Resource Center
Fifth Third Bank
Findlay Armature Co.
Findlay City Schools
Findlay Dental Group
Findlay Family Practice
Findlay Family YMCA
Findlay Hope House for the Homeless
Findlay Publishing Company
Findlay-Hancock County Alliance
First Federal Bank of the Midwest
First National Bank
FMT, Inc.
Fresh Encounter, Inc.
Freudenberg-NOK
Garlock Brothers Construction
Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD
GSW Manufacturing, Inc
H & O Services
Hackenberg, Feighner, Bishop & Werth, LLC
Hancock County Employees
Hancock County ESC
Hancock Federal Credit Union
Hancock Literacy
Heck Rentals
HHWP Community Action Commission
Hiegel Insurance Agency
Hitchings Insurance Agency
Hosler-Corbin Insurance Agency
Hoverman Insurance Agency
Huntington National Bank
Infection Prevention and Treatment Center
IntelliHARTx
International Fuel Systems/Ohio CAT
KeyBank
Knueven, Schroeder & Co.
Kramer Enterprises Inc.
Kroger Company
LaRiche Chevrolet/Cadillac
LaRiche Toyota-Subaru
Larry Nold Insurance & Financial Service
MacDonald Supply
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Mark K
McComb Family Dentistry
McComb Schools
McLane Corporation
Meijer, Inc.
Michael Eller Diamonds
National Beef Ohio
National Lime & Stone Company
Ohio Automotive Supply Co
Ohio Logistics
Old Fort Banking Company
Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services
Oxley, Malone, Hollister, Warren & Spaeth
Peterbilt of Northwest Ohio
Rawson O.E.S. Chapter 550
RCM Architects
RE/MAX Realty/Findlay
Reineke Ford Lincoln
Resolute Wealth Advisor
Rooney & Ranzau, Ltd.
Rowmark, LLC
Salvation Army
Sawvel and Associates
Shawnee Optical
Simona-PMC
Sink’s Flower Shop
Snyder, Alge & Welch, Co.
Spectrum Eye Care, Inc.
St. Andrews United Methodist Church
Stall & Company CPA’s
State Farm Insurance-Dan Maciejewski
State Farm Insurance- Dennis Putman
Swanson’s Barber Shop
TH Plastics
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
The Trust Company
UIS Insurance & Investments
United Way of Hancock County
University of Findlay
Valfilm LLC
Van Buren Schools
Vanlue Local School
Veoneer-Nissin Brake Systems America LLC
Walter Bros. Inc.
West Ohio Food Bank
Whirlpool Corporation
Wingate Body Shop

A film about a Chinese company’s purchase of a former Ohio auto plant took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

At the Oscars on Sunday night, American Factory won the award, beating out four other nominees in the category.

American Factory is produced by former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle’s production company, with the 44th president sending out a congratulatory Tweet after the win.

The Netflix film is about the Fuyao glass plant in Moraine, near Dayton, which is run by a Chinese investor.

The film explores the rights of workers, globalization, automation and other issues.

While accepting the award, Julie Reichert, one of the film’s directors who is also battling terminal cancer, shouted out Go Buckeyes while delivering her acceptance speech.

(ONN) – Thirty years after he shocked the world by knocking out boxing champion Mike Tyson, Columbus native James ‘Buster’ Douglas is feeling healthy and coaching young boxers.

The 59-year-old was celebrated at an anniversary gala Friday night in Columbus, where money was raised for programs that help others who face long odds.

Buster’s students throughout Columbus’ Parks and Recreation system look up to the man they call simply ‘coach’ as a teacher, friend and hero.

Douglas’ charity effort, called 42 to 1, named for his odds of beating Tyson, supports workforce development, diversity and soft skills training programs for at-risk youth.

“It’s all about motivation, staying focused, being positive and doing the right things,” Buster said.

It was a Saturday night, February 10th, 1990 when Ohioans watched as Douglas knocked out Tyson in Tokyo, Japan, where it was already February 11th.