A Findlay man is facing charges in connection with an incident that got the attention of people all across town and sent police and fire personnel to his residence.

Court records from Findlay Municipal Court show that Woody T. Heimann has been charged with inducing panic, a first-degree misdemeanor.

The 39-year old has pleaded not guilty to the charge and a pre-trial hearing is set for June 2nd.

On April 4th several police and fire personnel responded to 7130 Township Road 212 to investigate a big explosion that people all across town reported hearing.

Officials later said that a large amount of tannerite had been exploded in the backyard.

Tannerite is a legal explosive compound commonly used for rifle targets.

The Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office says it is also reviewing the case.

Blanchard Valley Health System is now offering antibody testing for COVID-19.

People who would like to know if they have had the coronavirus should contact their primary care provider who will then order a test through the BVHS outpatient laboratory.

Officials say, unlike the nasal swabs that test for active COVID-19 infections, the antibody test is taken through a blood draw.

The antibodies will typically show-up about one to two weeks after someone has been infected with COVID-19.

“We do not know for certain that having COVID-19 antibodies gives people immunity, but this testing will give us a better idea of how many people within our community have been infected,” said Bonnie VanSchoik, director of laboratory services.

“We do not want to give people the idea that they are now protected. Everyone should continue to use precautions such as wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing hands regularly.”

She said anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell, should seek diagnostic nasal swab testing.

People call the BVHS Triage & Testing Center at 419-423-7890 to initiate pre-screening efforts.

If it’s an emergency, people should dial 911.

In addition, Blanchard Valley Health System has been accepted and registered as a participating site in Mayo Clinic’s Expanded Access Protocol for Convalescent Plasma Program for treatment of patients with COVID-19.

A Flood Watch has been issued for all of northwest Ohio.

The watch goes from late Sunday through Tuesday morning.

Forecasters say multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms from Sunday night through early Tuesday could produce rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches over the watch area, with locally higher amounts possible.

River and flash flooding will be possible.

People in areas prone to flooding should be ready to take action should a flood warning be issued or if flooding develops.

Findlay Brewing Company is teaming up with the Hancock Historical Museum to present History + Hops, a seven-week program combining local beer and history.

People are being encouraged to follow along as Findlay Brewing Company shares the stories that have inspired some of their most popular brews.

FBC says each week a different Findlay history-inspired beer will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Hancock Historical Museum and its mission of preservation and education.

Beers to be featured include Floodwater Stout, May 12 – 17; Crawford St. Wheat, May 19 – 24; Fort Findlay Vanilla Coffee Stout, May 26 – 31; Brilliant Blonde, June 2 – 7; Hancocked IPA, June 9 – 14; Oesterlin Wit, June 16 – 21; and Flag City Pale Ale, June 23 – 28.

Featured beers will be available for takeout in 64 ounce growlers and 25 ounce crowler cans only.

People who have growlers or howlers may bring them in to fill.

Customers can call ahead at 419-419-2739 to place the order for pick up or curbside delivery from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Delivery is available from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

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A Findlay man’s facing felony charges after allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and assaulting her.

Findlay police say officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Hurd Avenue at around 9:40 Friday night to investigate a domestic dispute in progress.

Police say they learned that the suspect, Jay J. Welly, 42, had broken into the apartment through a window and choked and punched a woman inside.

The woman had injuries to her head and neck but refused medical attention, police said.

Officers later located Welly and placed him under arrest.

He was booked at the Hancock County Justice Center on a charge of aggravated burglary, a 1st degree felony.

The Findlay Fire Department paid their respects as the funeral procession for John Hassan, the Fire Chief for Mount Cory for many years, went by Fire Station 1 on Friday.

The department put up a memorial flag on a ladder truck over South Main Street that the funeral procession drove underneath.

The procession then turned onto Lima Avenue and proceeded to a cemetery in Mount Cory.

Hassan was also a past president of the Hancock County Firefighters Association.

John’s son, Tim, was a Captain for Findlay fire and retired a few years ago after more than three decades of service.

“Certainly in their family there’s a lot of service in representing the county and city on fire departments,” said Findlay Battalion Chief Matt Traver.

Hassan was 84-years-old.

Read his full obituary here and see video of the tribute below.

Findlay’s traditional Memorial Day Parade has been canceled due to the pandemic.

However, the city says there will be a special Memorial Day program that will be available online and on the radio.

The program will air on the radio and online from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 25th.

You can hear the program here on WFIN and on WKXA and it will also be streamed on the city’s website and their Facebook page.

The program will include a memorial service, a wreath-laying, the playing of TAPS, a military salute, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance as well as a message from Mayor Christina Muryn.

The program will end with a community-wide moment of silence which will conclude with the sounding of the Hancock County weather sirens and sirens from emergency vehicles.

“Memorial Day is a time when your community pauses to recognize the men and women who have served our great country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. A pandemic was not going to stop us from making sure we all paid them the respect that they deserve,” said Bill Johns, Hancock County Veterans Service Commission Board President and Army combat Vietnam veteran.

Johns is also the President of the Hancock County Veterans Council who typically facilitates the Memorial Day Parade.

“Memorial Day is such a sacred day. I wanted to make sure that our community paused in this crazy time to recognize those who have given their all to protect our nation and allow us to live in the best country in the world,” Said Mayor Christina Muryn.

“I wanted to make sure that we had a program that allowed our community to come “together” even while staying apart. I hope that everyone takes the time to do that.”

Although there couldn’t be a formal ceremony because of the pandemic, people were encouraged to remember and honor the fallen heroes of law enforcement during Police Week.

Police Week runs May 10th through the 15th with Friday, May 15th being Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman says although they cannot gather for a memorial ceremony, they will continue their tradition of honoring the fallen heroes of law enforcement who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

“We ask that you keep all law enforcement personnel in your thoughts and prayers as we remember those we have lost and those who still serve.”

We spoke with the sheriff as he was placing a wooden flag he made in front of the courthouse.

On the flag it reads “blessed are the peacemakers” and it will be lit up with a blue light at night.

The sheriff wants people to look at the flag and remember the officers who have died in the line of duty and the officers who serve the public each and every day.

The Findlay Police Department is also encouraging people to take part in the Light Ohio Blue campaign, in which you light an exterior light blue to show support for law enforcement and to honor the fallen

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.

The Light Ohio Blue campaign coincides with activities associated with Police Week.

Below is video of the Hancock County Law Enforcement Memorial at the F.O.P. Lodge on Romick Parkway in Findlay.

Two people were injured when their semi overturned on Interstate 75 in Findlay as storms were blowing through on Thursday.

It happened at around 4:30 Thursday afternoon just south of the Lima Avenue overpass.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the Freightliner Cascadia semi had an empty trailer and strong winds picked up the trailer, causing the semi to overturn onto the driver’s side.

The sheriff’s office says the driver of the semi, Lakhvinder Singh, of Bakersfield, California and a passenger were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for their injuries.

The crash shut down southbound traffic for several hours.

A man’s facing felony charges after allegedly leading Findlay police on a nearly 17 mile pursuit at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

The Findlay Police Department says officers were called to a residence on Lima Avenue at around 4:15 Thursday afternoon to investigate a trespassing complaint.

Police say when they tried to talk to the suspect about the complaint, along with a possible theft and assault, he got into his vehicle and sped off, nearly hitting a police officer and a cruiser.

Police say the suspect, later identified as Barry C. Stevens, 54, of Findlay, refused to stop for officers and took West Main Cross to Interstate 75 southbound.

Officers continued pursuing Stevens at speeds of 105 miles per hour until weather conditions and construction forced the officers to end their pursuit.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Lima Post was notified of the pursuit and troopers were able to get Stevens to pull over.

The highway patrol says Stevens refused to comply with troopers and had to be tased.

Stevens was taken to Lima Memorial Hospital and once medically cleared was transferred to the Findlay Police Department.

He was then booked at the Hancock County Justice Center on charges of failure to comply with the order of a police officer, a 3rd degree felony, and obstructing official business, a 2nd degree misdemeanor.