Fireworks are returning to Findlay this July after being canceled last year because of the pandemic.

The City of Findlay says Findlay and Hancock County’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Show, Lighting Up the Sky, will take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 3rd at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.

The city says the fireworks are brought to you by the Hancock County Fair and supported by generous sponsors One Energy, Ball Corporation, Whirlpool, and Ohio Logistics.

People can enjoy their favorite fair food. Entertainment will be announced soon. Carnival rides and games are to be determined.

The city also recently announced that the 4th of July Parade will be on Sunday, July 4th at noon.

Get more details on the fireworks in the video below from Jeff Cole with the Hancock County Fair Board.

(ONN) – A northwest Ohio man accused of killing and burying his estranged wife was found dead in his jail cell over the weekend.

According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, John Eichner was found unresponsive in his cell by a deputy after a lockdown and security check at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

EMS personnel were called and Eichner was found with a rope tied around his neck.

He was later declared dead at an area hospital.

Eichner was accused in the death of his estranged wife, 34-year-old Amber Eichner, whose body was eventually found buried in a backyard in south Toledo in April.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has unveiled a new Distracted Driving Dashboard.

The dashboard includes a detailed view of crashes and violations across Ohio, and the important work that troopers are doing to reduce distracted driving.

To view the website click here.

Last December, the Highway Patrol unveiled a Work Zone Safety Dashboard to reduce work zone crashes and to illustrate the work troopers do every day to keep drivers safe.

Full details are in the following news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Across Ohio, distracted driving continues to threaten the safety and security of citizens every day. In an effort to curb these violations, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio State Highway Patrol have released a new dashboard devoted to distracted driving enforcement and education. The Distracted Driving Dashboard is a detailed view of crashes and violations across Ohio, and the important work that troopers around the state are doing to reduce the impact of this dangerous crime. The Distracted Driving Dashboard can be viewed at: http://www.DistractedDrivingDashboard.ohio.gov

“Right now, cars are safer than ever thanks to enhanced vehicle technology, but the roads are still as dangerous as ever because many drivers are increasingly distracted by cell phones,” said Governor DeWine. “Last year was the deadliest year on Ohio’s roads in more than a decade, and distracted driving most certainly played a role. This new dashboard will help keep the public informed about this serious public safety issue.”

The new Distracted Driving Dashboard is a part of the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS), a series of internal and public-facing dashboards dedicated to exploration, analysis, and visualization of crash data across Ohio. Users of the public-facing Distracted Driving Dashboard have the ability to filter data, find specific county and route statistics and get a front seat view of what our troopers do every day to stop distracted driving. In addition, an interactive map shows videos of troopers enforcing violations and where distracted driving corridors are located in Ohio.

“Distracted driving remains a top safety concern for Ohioans and people travelling through our state,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “This dashboard furthers the Patrol’s prioritization of saving lives. The new Distracted Driving Dashboard is a tool for the public, media, and policy makers to see how troopers are making sure motorists keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

Distracted driving is engaging in any activity that is not necessary to the operation of a vehicle and impairs, or reasonably would be expected to impair, the ability of the operator to drive the vehicle safely. Talking or texting on cell phones, eating, and other distractions continue to cause crashes that have lifelong consequences for both violators and victims. More information on Ohio’s distracted driving laws can be found in Ohio Revised Codes 4511.204, 4511.205, and 4511.991.

With advances in technology and mobile devices, distracted driving has emerged as a major contributor to crashes and deaths on our roadways. Since 2016, there have been over 70,000 crashes in Ohio attributed to distracted driving, with over 2,000 of them causing serious injuries or fatalities. During the same timeframe, troopers have issued over 24,000 distracted driving citations. Safety for everyone driving on Ohio roadways will be an important focus for the Patrol this summer and fall. Motorists are reminded to follow speed limits, always buckle up, and never drive impaired or distracted.

If you see dangerous driving, safely call #677 to contact a local Patrol post.

Monday is Flag Day, and the City of Findlay and Visit Findlay are reminding people why Findlay is called “Flag City USA.”

The city posted on its Facebook page, explaining that designating Findlay as “Flag City, U.S.A.” began in the 1960’s and was the inspiration of Findlay Resident John B. Cooke.

As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Cooke believed in the value of flying the American flag and went door-to-door in town asking residents and businesses alike to fly a flag on Flag Day, June 14th, 1968.

Cooke created a fund and purchased 14,000 small flags for the community.

The project continued until 1974, when the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce started a campaign to, once again, have flags fly and to have the city of Findlay become officially known as Flag City USA.

Findlay was officially declared “Flag City, U.S.A.” on May 7, 1974, by House Joint Resolution #1003, introduced by Congressman Tennyson Guyer.

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14th, 1777.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn will speak at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Global Impact Forum.

Muryn will be presenting in a segment called “Leading Globally Matters Locally: The Next Frontier for America’s Mayors” and will be joined by Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Steve Benjamin and Deputy Mayor of International Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, Nina Hachigian.

The forum will air live as part of a virtual broadcast taking place on the USGLC Global Impact Forum platform on Tuesday, June 15th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. eastern daylight time.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Global Impact Forum is a virtual experience that brings together a nationwide audience of thousands of influential stakeholders from the business, non-profit, military, faith, and humanitarian communities from Washington D.C. and across the country, alongside leaders from Capitol Hill and Administration officials.

Other speakers include Congressmen Darrin LaHood (R-IL), Congressman Michael Waltz (R-FL), Sundaa Bridgett-Jones, Managing Director, Policy, and Coalitions, Communications, Policy & Advocacy, The Rockefeller Foundation, and Admiral James G Stavridis, USN (Ret), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO (2009-2013).

The USGLC works in our nation’s capital and across the country to strengthen America’s civilian-led tools — development and diplomacy — alongside defense.

By advocating for a strong International Affairs Budget, the USGLC is working to make America’s international affairs programs a keystone of U.S. foreign policy.

Those interested in participating may register for free by clicking here.

The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts announced the return of performances to its main stage inside the Donnell Theater.

Shows will return to the main stage in mid-September.

The first show on the main stage will be the Official Blues Brothers Revue on September 18th, which was part of the canceled 2020 schedule.

That, and three other shows on the 2021-2022 schedule are shows that were canceled in 2020.

Those other three shows are The Four Tops, The Texas Tenors and William Close and the Earth Harp Collective.

Returning to MCPA is Michael Cavanaugh, the music of Billy Joel and Elton John.

New shows coming to the main stage include The Steely Van Tour featuring The Brooklyn Charmers and Into The Mystic, The Del McCoury Band, Friends the Musical Parody and Jim Brickman the Gift of Christmas.

People can also get their Broadway fix with World of Musicals.

The family series includes Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, two shows of A Charlie Brown Christmas, Dinosaur World Live and School House Rock Live.

Get the full 2021-2022 schedule by clicking here.

MCPA Executive Director Heather Clow, on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks, thanks everyone for being so supportive during the pandemic.

“This community understands that it was important to keep us around, and we can’t thank everybody enough.”

Tickets went on sale immediately for MCPA donors and will go on sale to the general public on June, 18th.

See the announcement of the 2021-2022 schedule by clicking here. 

The Fostoria Police Division says officers arrested a man on an outstanding warrant after a foot chase.

Police say, at around 6:45 Thursday night, an officer saw Ryan J. Johnson, 46, who has a warrant for a probation violation stemming from an assault.

Police say Johnson fled along the 1100 block of Buckley Street behind houses and into a wooded area west of Lynn Street.

Officers surrounded the area and assistance was provided by K9 Charlie with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon seeing Charlie, Johnson immediately surrendered and was taken into custody.

He was transported to the Seneca County Jail and charged with obstruction of official business, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Hancock County health officials say, with this warm weather, we’re beginning to see an increase in mosquito populations.

Many of the mosquitoes will lay their eggs in areas of standing water.

Elimination of standing water around your home will help to limit the growth of mosquito populations.

Mosquito dunks can be used for areas of standing water that cannot be eliminated such as garden ponds, rain barrels, fountains, or bird baths.

Hancock Public Health says county residents can pick up free mosquito dunks from Hancock Public Health at 2225 Keith Parkway in Findlay.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says two people were arrested after leading police on a pursuit.

The sheriff’s office says the Ottawa Police Department attempted to stop a car being driven by Michael Jeffrey Moore, 29, of Mount Victory, at around 11:45 Thursday night.

The sheriff’s office says Moore failed to comply and led officers on a pursuit that traveled into Hancock County and back into Putnam County before finally ending behind Pandora-Gilboa Local Schools.

The sheriff’s office says Moore, and a passenger, Erin Lee Sue Douglas, 30, of Kenton, fled the vehicle and entered a nearby wooded area.

Douglas was apprehended by K9 Nero and Moore was also taken into custody.

Charges are pending against Moore and Douglas.

Two passengers were released without charges.

Assisting agencies in the pursuit included the Pandora Police Department, Columbus Grove Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pandora EMS, Putnam County EMS and Impressive Towing.

Findlay’s Robert Sprague is running for reelection as Ohio Treasurer.

Sprague posted some photos to Twitter on Thursday night to announce his decision and to kick off his reelection campaign.

“Tonight, I was joined by family, friends, & neighbors in my hometown of Findlay to officially kick-off my re-election campaign for Ohio Treasurer.”

“Thank you to everyone who came out to stand w/ us & show their support. I look forward to the road ahead!!”

Sprague was elected in November of 2018 and took office in January of 2019.

The Ohio Treasurer website says “Treasurer Sprague is committed to improving Ohio and the lives of its residents through trusted stewardship, wise investment, and bold innovation.”

“These principles have been at the forefront of his work since taking office in January 2019.”

Click here for a story WFIN covered when Sprague stopped by Arlington High School to present counselor MaryBeth Hutcheson and the high school with Compass Awards for exemplary work with financial literacy programs.