Ohio has launched a new website that lists locations where people can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The website went live on Friday morning and was showing nearly 750 locations.

People can click here to check out the database and locate their nearest vaccine provider.

The website also lists when people are eligible to get their shots.

There are currently 100,000 vaccines available for the 400,000 people who will be eligible in Phase 1B when it begins January 19th.

“While we understand many are eager to receive the vaccine, patience will be necessary while demand for the vaccine remains higher than the available supply,” said Hancock Public Health.

Hancock Public Health says it is planning several vaccination clinics for the following weeks working in conjunction with Blanchard Valley Hospital and 50 North.

The vaccine will be administered by appointment only.

Hancock County health officials say they have had more than 1,400 people pre-register in the 80 and older age group.

However, for the first week of Phase 1B, the county will only be receiving 500 doses of the vaccine.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn is starting a newsletter in an effort to better connect with residents.

“Communication is the largest challenge for any organization. I am always looking for new ways to connect with citizens and hope that this will be a valuable way to do that,” the mayor said.

She says the newsletter will include things like, updates on city projects and legislation, committee updates, city performance and a new Citizen of the Month program.

Muryn says the newsletter will be released at least monthly, beginning in late January or early February.

People wishing to sign up to receive the newsletter can do so by clicking here.

The Hancock Park District has broken ground on a new wetlands restoration project at Oakwoods Nature Preserve in Findlay.

The park district’s Chad Carroll says the project is part of the state’s H2Ohio water quality plan to reduce nutrients flowing into the state’s waterways, which will improve water quality throughout the watershed and prevent harmful algal blooms.

“Once it’s done it will filter water before it runs into Aurand Run, which is a tributary of the Blanchard River.”

Chad says the new wetlands will include trails and observation areas where people can enjoy them.

Get more on the project in the video below and by clicking here.

Ohio has reached a somber milestone in the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor announced on Friday that there have now been more than 10,000 deaths in Ohio from COVID-19.

The exact number on Friday was 10,057.

The governor reiterated that wearing a mask and social distancing can save lives.

Hancock County has had 90 COVID-19 deaths as of Friday.

Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination program begins January 18th and includes older Ohioans and school employees.

Get details here about registering to receive the vaccine.

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is heading to the National Football League.

Meyer has agreed to become the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The team made the announcement saying Meyer will succeed Doug Marrone as head coach.

The Jaguars went 1-15 in 2020 and enter the offseason holding the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The team’s general manager position remains open, with the team having previously dismissed David Caldwell from the position.

Meyer posted an 83-9 overall record during his time at Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, a tenure that included a national title.

(above picture courtesy of Columbus Wired)

Bluffton community members 80 and older can register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as Phase 1B of the state’s coronavirus vaccination plan approaches.

Details are in the following news release from Blanchard Valley Health System.

Vaccinations for Bluffton community members, 80 years of age and older, will begin Saturday, January 23 at Bluffton Hospital, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS).

These individuals can register for the vaccine beginning Monday, January 18, by calling 419.369.2323. Operating hours for the call center are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are a limited number of vaccines available, therefore, vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. A caregiver or loved one may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior.

“By offering vaccines to those who are 80 years of age or older, we can better protect our vulnerable population,” shared Dr. Kose, vice president of special projects at BVHS.

Appointments for the second dose will be made at the clinic when the first dose is administered.

“It is better for community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine than to end up getting sick with the life-threatening illness,” stated Dr. Kose. “We want to get the vaccines distributed as quickly as possible to protect our community.”

Additional groups, such as those based on underlying health conditions, will be included in the vaccination clinic as doses become available.

Two people were injured when their family’s house in Bloomdale caught on fire.

One of the injured was life-flighted to a hospital.

The Bloomdale Fire Chief told WFIN at the scene that they first responded to the fire on Harrison Street at around 12:15 Thursday morning and the kitchen area was fully engulfed.

He said they got it put out at around 3 a.m. but were called back to the scene around 6:30 a.m. when the fire rekindled.

The chief said after the fire restarted it got into the walls and attic and there was no other option but to have the house torn down. (video below)

He said a total of four area fire agencies helped out with the blaze which started as a grease fire.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.

The page says the father suffered second-degree burns and is in the intensive care unit and the mother jumped from a second story window and broke her arm.

A friend got her babies out of the house.

Click here for the GoFundMe page.

Hancock Public Health is gearing up for Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Phase 1B will include older Ohioans and school employees.

The timeline for Phase 1B will be as follows:

-Week of Jan. 18: Ohioans 80 years of age and older.
-Week of Jan. 25: Ohioans 75 years of age and older; those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.
-Week of Feb. 1: Ohioans 70 years of age and older; employees of K12 schools that wish to remain or return to in-person or hybrid models.
-Week of Feb. 8: Ohioans 65 years of age and older.

Hancock Public Health says it is planning several vaccination clinics for the following weeks working in conjunction with Blanchard Valley Hospital and 50 North.

The vaccine will be administered by appointment only.

Health officials say they have had more than 1,400 people pre-register in the 80 and older age group.

However, for the first week of Phase 1B, the county will only be receiving 500 doses of the vaccine.

“While we understand many are eager to receive the vaccine, patience will be necessary while demand for the vaccine remains higher than the available supply.”

Anyone in Phase 1B that has not pre-registered and is interested in receiving a vaccine must pre-register in advance by visiting www.hancockph.com and completing the “Hancock County Tier 1A & 1B COVID-19 Vaccine PreRegistration” form located at the top of the page.

People in Phase 1B without online access may also call 50 North at 419-423-8496 or HPH at 419-424- 7105 to be registered by phone.

The two Kroger stores in Findlay will also be offering the vaccine for 1B individuals.

All COVID-19 vaccines will require an appointment via www.kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or by calling 866-211-5320.

Appointments will be open once vaccines are received next week.

People who have pre-registered will be contacted to schedule their vaccination as appointments become available.

(Below is video from December when EMS personnel in Hancock County started receiving the vaccine and we spoke with Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi)

The Ohio Statehouse will be closed for four days amid a planned “armed march” on the Statehouse from supporters of President Trump.

Governor DeWine says the Statehouse will be closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the interest of public safety.

All state office buildings in downtown Columbus will be closed on those days as well. Personnel will work from home or other alternate work locations.

The Ohio National Guard has been activated to guard the Statehouse and to help with security at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

Governor DeWine said violence will not be tolerated during any protests.

“Just as we respect and will protect peaceful protesters, we will also just as vigorously resist violence.”

Beginning on Monday, January 25th all grade levels within Findlay City Schools will return to school four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday).

Wednesday will be a remote learning day for all grade levels.

Trojan Academy students will remain in the remote learning model.

Preschool students will remain in the hybrid model.

People with questions are urged to contact their building principal.

Since November 30th, grades 6-12 have been in a fully remote learning schedule and K-5 students in a 2-day per week hybrid schedule.