ArtWalk returns on Friday, both in downtown Findlay and virtually.

The return of ArtWalk coincides with the opening of Findlay’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).

Full details on the return of Artwalk are below from Visit Findlay.

ArtWalk is back – both in Downtown Findlay and virtually on Friday, May 7, 2021.

Residents and Visitors, both near and far, are invited to take part in Downtown Findlay’s ArtWalk, combining the love of visual and performing arts integrated with the local business community.

Findlay will be brimming with the arts with visual artists placed in large spaces allowing social distancing. Among those locations will be Brix, Modcraft Brewing, and Lavender Hour. Retailers have highlighted local, artisan goods that are available for purchase at Burlwick & Co., Elida Candle Company, River + Road, and RooBarb Studios. Artists have opened up their studios at the Jones Building, Findlay Art League is hosting its opening reception for their May show during ArtWalk, and Marathon Center for the Performing Arts will have their gallery open, as well as Mazza Museum in the atrium. The Jones Mansion’s doors will be open with a photography show and local history being highlighted, and local magician Excellent Elizabeth will be performing magic in front of Dorney Plaza. In addition, with graduation and Mother’s Day taking place this weekend it is a great time to get last minute shopping completed during Downtown retailer’s extended hours and pop-up shops.

Live music is always available in Downtown Findlay, and this continues on ArtWalk. However, those at home can also tap their toes to their local favorites as several musicians will be streaming their performances on the Findlay ArtWalk facebook page. Visual artists will also be highlighted online throughout the evening with features, studio tours, and more. In addition, there will be a special announcement from Blanchard Valley Health System, Washington Preschool’s virtual art show, and MCPA’s 5/3 Wall of Fame Induction streaming on ArtWalk’s Facebook page.

Also taking place during ArtWalk is the official kick-off of Findlay’s DORA, Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. Purchase your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail in a DORA cup you are permitted to enjoy it as you walk around ArtWalk and in participating retailers and attractions. Those locations will be indicated with a DORA decal so keep your eyes peeled. For additional details about DORA and go to FindlayOhio.com/Community/DORA-Information.

Additional details, including complete schedule of events and list of participating locations and artists is available at VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk. Online activities will be posted at Facebook.com/FindlayArtWalk and on VisitFindlay.com.

This event was planned in collaboration between Visit Findlay: Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, Findlay Art League, and Jones Building Artists. ArtWalk is a semi-annual, family-friendly, free event that takes place the first Friday of May and November in an effort to promote the arts and integrate them throughout the Downtown Findlay business community. ArtWalk was voted the best ArtWalk in the state by the readers of Ohio Magazine.

For more information, go to VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk.

The City of Findlay’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) opens Friday, May 7th in downtown.

A DORA is a specific area in which alcoholic beverages may be sold by licensed liquor establishments for outdoor consumption.

The city says the DORA is designed to make it easier to social distance, stroll within the district and support local restaurants and bars.

Colorful DORA decals on businesses and signage throughout downtown will provide guidance on where you can purchase, consume, and dispose of beverages.

Get more information on the DORA, including rules and the boundary map by clicking here.

Mayor Christina Muryn also explains why the city wanted to implement the DORA in the audio below.

The DORA’s opening day coincides with the the return of the ArtWalk on Friday.

(ONN) – Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the recording of all interrogations of individuals in custody who are accused of serious crimes like rape and murder.

Supporters say recording interrogations protects suspects from the use of allegedly false statements made in unrecorded interviews.

Backers also say it protects police against allegations of coercion and provides prosecutors accurate evidence to use in a case.

Niki Clum is legislative liaison for the Office of the Ohio Public Defender.

She told the Senate Judiciary Committee that about half of departments record interrogations, a figure she said should be at 100 percent.

The Owens Community College Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Dione Somerville as the college’s new president.

Details are in the following news release from the college.

Following a five-month nationally advertised search by AGB search, the board of trustees for Owens Community College has named Dr. Dione Somerville the institution’s new president. The appointment was announced following today’s board meeting. Her start date is scheduled for June 15.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Dione Somerville to Owens Community College as its 8th president,” stated Mary Beth Hammond, chair, Owens Board of Trustees. “We look forward to Dr. Somerville’s involvement with our students, faculty, staff, community, and Board of Trustees. The Board is confident that with her leadership, the College will continue to grow and thrive in Northwest Ohio as a strong community partner while helping our students be prepared for successful and rewarding careers in the surrounding communities.”

Dr. Somerville began her 27-year career in higher education as the assistant director, Campus Programming at Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio, before taking leadership positions at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Lorain County Community College, Iowa State University, Bloomsburg University and Hawkeye Community College.

Her most recent position was as executive vice president at Hawkeye Community College. Among her accomplishments, she leads the college’s COVID-19 response, including helping provide leadership to Academic Affairs during the six-month vacancy of the provost position. Responsibilities also include leading enrollment efforts, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, strategic planning, and creating a Division of Student Affairs. Prior to Hawkeye, Dr. Somerville was vice president for student affairs at Bloomsburg University. In this position, she provided leadership for Bloomsburg’s regional accreditation and the creation of the university’s first Division of Strategic Enrollment Management. She envisioned the student wellness initiative, focusing on mental health and dependency on alcohol and other drugs. Dr. Somerville provided leadership to create the Center for Leadership and Engagement, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, modernize Greek Life, expand intercollegiate athletics, facilitate assessment, and complete fundraising efforts. Dr. Somerville oversaw the University Master Plan process, the revitalization of university housing, and the completion of Soltz Hall, a $61.4 million multi-function building inclusive of the mailroom, bookstore, integrative learning, two dining venues, and nearly 400 suite-style beds.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected as president of Owens Community College,” said Dr. Somerville. “I value Owens’ legacy as an institution that creates opportunity for its students and greater community and will strive to further that tradition. I look forward to working in partnership with the students, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, and the community to continue Owens’ forward momentum.”

Dr. Somerville earned a doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English/Writing from Ohio Northern University. She was a Fellow at the Association of Governing Boards Institute for Leadership and Governance in its inaugural year. She also participated in the Harvard University Institute for Education Management and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Millennium Leadership Institute.

She has been very active in her local community, having served on the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital Community Advisory Board, the City of Ames Student Affairs Commission, and Ames Police Community Relations Advisory Committee.

As part of the United Way of Hancock County‘s Days of Caring service event this week, volunteers are helping get the Community Gardens in Findlay ready for the season.

The United Way’s Taylor Coote says the garden project started 11 years ago as part of the United Way’s Halt Hunger initiative and every year they get more gardeners coming out.

She says people who get a plot are allowed to plant whatever they want on their plot to feed their own families or to donate back to the community.

Taylor says, over the past five years, more than 23,000 pounds of fresh produce from the garden has been donated to area food pantries.

When we spoke with Taylor at the Community Gardens on Wednesday (below) six Marathon employees were helping other garden volunteers get the garden ready for the season.

The Hancock County Farmers’ Market kicks off its 2021 season on Thursday in downtown Findlay.

The Farmers’ Market is in the parking lot of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts and will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. rain or shine.

Local vendors will be offering everything from homemade baked goods to knife sharpening.

The off-street parking is free.

The Hancock County Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday from May through the end of October.

Dietsch Brothers on West Main Cross in Findlay had some special guests on Wednesday as part of Ohio Tourism Day.

Erika Dietsch-Brokamp says the governor went for black cherry ice cream while the first lady had some buckeye ice cream on a sugar cone.

DeWine said he’s been familiar with Dietsch Brothers and their ice cream and chocolates for a long time now.

Erika said the governor asked a lot questions about their business and how things were going.

For Ohio Tourism Day the governor also visited other places like the Historic Clifton Mill in Clifton, the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Hancock County took a dip in the latest data released by the health department.

Hancock Public Health on Wednesday reported 63 active cases in the county, which is a drop of 26 cases from a week earlier.

Active cases are defined as cases currently under quarantine or in isolation.

Five people were hospitalized with the virus on Wednesday, two fewer than a week earlier.

126 people in Hancock County have died from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.

Click here for information on scheduling a vaccination through Hancock Public Health and here through Blanchard Valley Health System.

People can also call Hancock Public Health at 419-424-7105 and select option 1 for COVID-19 vaccine information and scheduling.

A man was arrested after a drug task force searched a Findlay home.

The Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force along with the Findlay Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed a search warrant at 1116 Brookside Drive on Tuesday.

While searching the house, the task force says they found 5 kilograms of marijuana, nearly $23,000 in cash, four handguns and numerous other items indicative of drug trafficking.

As a result of the search, David L. Fenderson, 31, was arrested and booked at the Hancock County Justice Center.

He’s been charged with possession of marijuana, a 3rd-degree felony, and authorities say additional drug charges are expected at the conclusion of their investigation.

Ohio’s Primary Election was held on Tuesday.

There was a Republican race for three “at large” seats on Findlay City Council.

Five candidates were initially vying for those three seats but one candidate withdrew before the election.

The candidates were Holly Frische, Randy Greeno, Grant Russel and Jeff Wobser.

Andre Gilbert withdrew from the race.

Unofficial results from the Hancock County Board of Elections show Greeno with 1,276 votes, Wobser with 1,090 and Russel with 889, while Frische had 707 votes.

There were no Democrats in the primary so Greeno, Wobser and Russel will run unopposed in the fall, although there is the possibility of a write-in challenger.

(pictured above left to right are Russel, Greeno and Wobser)

Russel and Wobser were the incumbents as “at large” council members and Greeno is currently the Fifth Ward Councilmember.

The other at large council member, Tom Shindledecker, is not running for re-election.

Below is the opening statements from the candidates at a forum held in April.

In the Republican primary race for Findlay City Council’s 1st Ward seat, Brad Wisener edged Bud Haas Jr. by a tally of 84 to 72 votes.

See the full unofficial election results in Hancock County by clicking here.