The winner of Ohio’s fourth $1 million Vax-a-Million drawing is from Findlay.
Suzanne Ward’s name was announced at 7:29 Wednesday night.
Also, Sean Horning, of Cincinnati, won the four-year, full-ride scholarship to an Ohio state college or university.
The winners of the fifth and final drawings will be announced on Wednesday, June 23rd.
People need to register for that drawing by Sunday night.
The winner of the state’s second $1 million Vax-a-Million drawing a few weeks ago was from Toledo.
The American Red Cross is making an emergency appeal for blood donors to help remedy a nationwide blood shortage.
Todd James is Executive Director of the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio in Findlay.
He said, as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rises and depletes the nation’s blood supply, the American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage.
While many people return to pre-pandemic activities and resume travel to visit loved ones, the Red Cross asks the public to remember the needs of patients this summer.
Over the last three months, the Red Cross has distributed about 75,000 more blood products to meet these needs, significantly decreasing our national blood supply.
All blood types are needed, particularly type O, as well as platelets.
With less than half a day supply of type O blood in recent weeks, there is an emergency need for type O donors.
Type O is the most needed blood group by hospitals.
One upcoming blood drive in Findlay will be at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street on Wednesday, June 23rd.
Find a blood drive near you by clicking here.
(ONN) – Lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Ohio House have removed former speaker Larry Householder from the chamber, ousting the former leader in a 75-21 vote on Wednesday afternoon.
After mounting a political comeback to lead the Ohio House, Householder leaves the chamber under the cloud of a federal indictment related to the state’s largest ever bribery scheme, a $60 million plot that was aimed at placing Householder in the speaker position to ensure the passage of a nuclear bailout bill.
Householder has maintained his innocence throughout the process, including during two hours of testimony on Tuesday.
Current speaker Bob Cupp, of Lima, had urged Householder to resign and was vocal in his support of the resolution that has successfully expelled Householder.
The United States Conference of Mayors announced appointments of their new officers, trustees, and advisory board.
Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn has been appointed to the Advisory Board.
“I am honored to be appointed by my peers to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Advisory Board,” Mayor Muryn said.
“I believe it is critical for the success of the Conference, our communities, and country, that varying viewpoints are represented on the board. I am excited to be able to represent Findlay, America’s top micropolitan community, within the Conference, and help advocate for issues that affect our community, state, and country each day.”
Mayor Muryn says she is frequently asked why she gets involved in organizations that are outside of the City of Findlay.
“There are three main reasons: they raise the profile of the City of Findlay; we live in a global economy that requires leaders at all levels to engage in the conversations; and finally, I get to live out my motto.”
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
– John Wesley
The full listing of the US Conference of Mayors leadership can be found by clicking here.
The funeral for a recently retired Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputy who passed away will be held on Thursday.
The funeral for Michael McGuire, 59, of Findlay, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Old Mill Stream Centre at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.
The sheriff’s office says the funeral procession will begin around 12:30 p.m. and head through Findlay on its way to McComb Union Cemetery on State Route 613.
The sheriff’s office says Deputy McGuire had a big impact on everyone around him and will be greatly missed.
“We offer our heartfelt sympathies to Michael’s family, fellow officers, and friends. Michael was a great asset to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. In his 34 years of dedicated service, he was a School Resource Officer, Explorer Post Advisor, and Deputy Sheriff. Michael faithfully served our Sheriff’s Office family and the citizens of Hancock County. Mike’s ready smile and wit raised many a spirit around the office. His life had a profound impact on everyone around him, and he will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace.”
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says it’ll be teaming up with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to tackle the seat belt problem in the county.
Sheriff’s deputies and state troopers will be highly visible during the week of the Putnam County Fair, June 21-25, to address the ongoing lack of seat belt usage in Putnam County.
So far this year, three traffic fatalities have occurred in northern Putnam County.
In each of those traffic crashes, a vehicle’s occupant was killed while not wearing a seat belt, even though a seat belt was available for use.
“We must emphasize the use of seat belts when they are available. Investigations into these crashes shows that if seat belts would have been used, the likelihood of survival is extremely high,” said Sheriff Brian Siefker.
The joint enforcement effort comes on the heels of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
“We have lost three people in a matter of six weeks in Putnam County” added Lt. Tim Grigsby, Lima Post commander.
“Although there are different circumstances surrounding each crash, the common denominator is that the person who was killed was not wearing a seat belt.”
Sheriff Siefker added that seat belts are highly effective and take only seconds to put on.
“We know seat belts work. We have seen people walk away from horrific crashes with minimal injuries because they were wearing a seat belt. A few seconds can make all of the difference.”
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are reminding all vehicle occupants to wear a properly adjusted seat belt and to have a safe week at the Putnam County Fair.
The Findlay Fire Department had the memorial for fallen firefighters Roland Smith and William VanAtta moved from the south side of the river to the north side at Riverside Park.
Chief Josh Eberle says the memorial was easy to miss when it was on the south side of the river and the new location is more visible and receives a lot more foot traffic.
“We feel it’s a much more appropriate location to recognize their sacrifice and to always keep their memory alive.”
Chief Eberle says an additional plaque will be installed that explains the events surrounding their deaths on April 22nd, 1978, when they tried to rescue two kids from the swollen Blanchard River and their rescue boat overturned and they drowned.
Chief Eberle says both Smith and VanAtta also served their country in the U.S. Army and were Vietnam War Veterans.
VanAtta was a military policeman, and Smith served with the 101st Airborne, receiving a Bronze Star.
A two-vehicle crash involving a driver with a learner’s permit sent one person to the hospital.
The crash happened just southwest of Findlay, at the intersection of County Road 313 and County Road 9 in Liberty Township at 7:41 a.m. Tuesday.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says Elydia Mars, 15, of Findlay, was driving southbound on County Road 9 and failed to yield at the stop sign at County Road 313.
Her car then struck an SUV that was traveling westbound on County Road 313 being driven by Rhoda Sayre, 45, of Findlay.
Rhoda was injured in the crash and taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital by Hanco EMS.
Elydia was issued a citation for a right of way violation.
The sheriff’s office said Elydia has a learner’s permit and had an adult in the car with her.
The Findlay Rotary Club has presented its 2021 Service Above Self Award to Dr. William Kose, vice president of special projects at Blanchard Valley Health System.
The Service Above Self Award is presented annually to a non-Rotarian in the community who exemplifies the Rotary ideals of professional leadership and service.
Full details are in the following news release from the Rotary.
At the club’s Monday, June 14 meeting, The Findlay Rotary Club presented the Service Above Self Award to Dr. William H. Kose. The award is presented annually to a non-Rotarian in the community who exemplifies the Rotary ideals of professional leadership and service.
Findlay Rotarian Cheryl Buckland wrote in nominating “Dr. Kose is a humble man. He is a servant leader. All of us have been blessed by his presence, his warmth and his wisdom.” Findlay Rotarian Judge Mark Miller wrote “Bill is best known for his friendly, personable demeanor and his colorful signature “bow ties.” A beloved local physician, he is kind and caring to everyone he meets. He never turns down the opportunity to help a patient, associate, physician or community member. His days begin long before sunrise, and finish well into the evening, but his passion for helping others drives his willingness to continually do more. Truly, Dr. Kose’s humility and compassion set him apart. His first priority is others, and he never passes at a chance to make a difference.” And, Findlay Rotarian Karim Baroudi added “through the various coalitions’ work, he strives for Findlay and Hancock County to be the healthiest community in Ohio. He’s working hard on tackling the social determinants of health in our community, and a major contributor to the 3- year Community Health Improvement Plan.”
Dr. Kose practiced as an internal medicine physician for 28 years. In 1974 he founded Blanchard Valley Medical Associates, a medical practice serving Hancock County. Following his 28 years of community medical practice, Dr. Kose joined Blanchard Valley Health System as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Quality Officer. Today, he continues to serve the hospital as vice-president of Special Projects. Dr. Kose also serves on the Focus Board and Ohio Patient Safety Institute and is Hancock County Delegate to the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA). Dr. Kose has previously served as the Hancock County Coroner, ADAMHS board, Opiate and Addictions Task Force, the Community Corrections Board, the
University of Findlay College of Business Dana Chair and various other community organizations, including a Trustee and Sunday School teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Dr. Kose received his medical degree from Ohio State University in 1971 and Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University in 1985.
Dr. Kose has designated a $500 contribution made in his name by the Findlay Rotary Club to the Mental Health Fund at the Findlay-Hancock Community Foundation.
The Findlay Rotary Club was founded in 1920 and is a member of Rotary International, an association of Rotary clubs around the world, which today numbers almost 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries. The Rotary Club of Findlay was founded by the city’s leaders in 1920, and continues with the leaders of today. The club also sponsors the Rotaract Club at The University of Findlay and an Interact Club at Findlay High School.
Awakening Minds Art is presenting a community mural project as a way to bring the community together through the visual arts.
In cooperation with local government, building owners and artists, 10 murals will be painted on buildings throughout the Findlay area.
Five murals will be open to community artists and five will be designed by Awakening Minds Art and painted by Awakening Minds Art students and friends.
The murals will focus specifically on helping residents with special needs and the youth feel a deep-rooted connection with the community.
For more information, contact Tamera Rooney, art@tamerarooney.com, or 419-722-7810.
The full news release about the project is below.
As a way to further bring the community together through the visual arts, Awakening Minds Art is presenting a community mural project to celebrate inclusivity and connection. In cooperation with local government, local building owners, and local artists, 10 murals will be painted on buildings throughout the Findlay area. Five murals will be open to community artists and five will be designed by Awakening Minds Art and painted by Awakening Minds Art students and friends. These Awakening Minds Art murals will focus specifically on helping residents with special needs and the youth feel a deep-rooted connection with the community. The project will take place through September of this year and will conclude, with an October event featuring a self-guided tour of all murals in Findlay and a celebration gathering (date and time to be determined).
The Community Mural Project will include an application process for local artists to submit mural ideas to Awakening Minds Art. Local building owners will also be able to submit their interest in having a mural painted on their building. Building owners will then select a mural best suited for their location.
Awakening Minds Art will hold an educational seminar on the necessary materials and process for selected artists to achieve sustainable, high-quality murals. Awakening Minds Art will also facilitate a volunteer signup for community members, AMA students, and “local celebrities” to help paint, but ultimately, it is the selected artist’s contractual responsibility to complete the work of art.
Emily Sullivan, instructor and development director of Awakening Minds Art said, “each interactive mural is meant to bring people up to the building to pose with the artwork. Some cities, like Nashville, have had success painting butterfly wing murals for people to stand in front of to be photographed. We know that we have amazingly creative artists in our community and are excited to see their ideas.”
The goal of this project is to educate and unify the community through the practice and observation of the visual arts. Our goal for educating the community is three-fold, including educating the artist, the business owner, and the community as a whole.
Each mural will include a QR code that will automatically take visitors to a website page dedicated to the inspiration of each mural, the processes of the mural-making, photos, and the people involved in making each mural happen. All of these pages will be stored permanently on the AMA website and shared on social media and through emailed newsletters.
Awakening Minds Art is also working with the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau to create a brochure with a map of all murals in Findlay, including previously completed murals, and information about them.
With such a heavy emphasis on collaboration, social media will play a huge part in sharing the outcomes of this project. From city officials to volunteer painters to business owners, tagging and sharing on social media will bring a lot of regional attention to the project. Awakening Minds will encourage the use of the hashtag #ArtMakesMeStronger to better track the conversation.
Artists and building owners who are interested in being involved with the project must visit awakeningmindsart.org and complete the online applications. The project is being funded by the Marianna Hofer Endowment Fund. Additional murals may be available if more sponsors come on board. Each mural provides a $500 stipend to the artist for supplies and time.
For more information, contact Tamera Rooney, art@tamerarooney.com, or 419-722-7810.