(ONN) – An amusement park operator is looking into building a new 1,500-seat esports arena close to its flagship park in Ohio.

Cedar Fair Entertainment hopes to begin construction later this year near Cedar Point in Sandusky.

Plans call for the arena to have 200 gaming stations and host tournaments year-round.

The Ohio-based amusement park chain believes the $28 million arena will be a draw for gamers across the midwest.

Cedar Fair says it also could be used for concerts and other events.

The company hopes to open the esports arena in the first half of 2023.

Hancock Public Health has a new Hancock Community COVID-19 Dashboard.

The health department released the dashboard on Friday.

The dashboard (below) shows that there have been 14 new COVID cases in the past week along with one new hospitalization and no new deaths.

The incidence rate is 18.4 cases per 100,000 people.

Community transmission as determined by the CDC is ‘moderate’.

Hancock Public Health recommends for up to date information on community spread and guidance to follow this link from the CDC.

Hancock Public health says around 41 percent of Hancock County residents are fully vaccinated.

Meantime, statewide, the incidence rate is about 77.4 new COVID cases per 100,000 residents during the past two weeks, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Last week, that number was around 46.

It’s now above 50 – the threshold Governor DeWine formerly used in determining whether to lift health orders such as the mask mandate.

Despite the upward trend, a spokesperson for the governor said there is no intention of reinstating mask mandates or other orders.

The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts and the United Way of Hancock County are co-hosting 419 SINGS, a five-week virtual competition.

419 Sings invites vocalists and bands from the 419 area code to submit a video sample of their best work for a chance to participate in the 419 Sings virtual talent competition

The competition is taking song submissions through August 13th.

People entering the competition must be at least 18-years-old and be from the 419 area code.

Counties in the 419 area code include, Hancock, Allen, Ashland, Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hardin, Henry, Holmes, Huron, Lucas, Marion, Mercer, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Wayne, Williams, Wood and Wyandot.

Prizes include $2,500 cash, a professional recording session and your own headline performance at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Get more on the competition by clicking here. 

The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Fire Prevention Bureau is teaming up with the Findlay Fire Department to conduct a side-by-side burn demonstration for students at the University of Findlay to showcase the many benefits of having sprinkler systems installed in college dormitories.

The demonstration will be done in coordination with the university’s safety training for resident directors and resident advisors to prepare them for students returning to campus for the fall semester.

The demonstration will be held on August 5th at 2 p.m. at the University of Findlay parking lot at the corner of Howard Street and North Cory Street.

The month of September is Campus Fire Safety Month.

Flag City BalloonFest is returning this summer after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.

BalloonFest will be held August 13th, 14th and 15th at Emory Adams Park.

BalloonFest’s Kellie Bibler says more than 40 balloons will be attending the event and the pilots are very excited to be back.

As Kellie mentioned in the audio above there will be a lot of things to check out at BalloonFest this year, including the entertainment district and beer tent, food vendors, live music, Glow Encounter, a kids area with inflatables and games, a petting zoo and much more.

There will also be balloon and helicopter rides, weather permitting.

Click here for the Flag City BalloonFest website and click here for their Facebook page.

Below is video from 2019 when WFIN’s Matt Demczyk went up on a perfect morning for flying.

The Findlay City Schools football program will kick off the upcoming season with Midnight Madness under the lights at Donnell Stadium.

Head Coach Stefan Adams says Midnight Madness is right in line with his “All In” motto about engaging the community.

Coach Adams says Midnight Madness will include meeting the team, some fun competitions, the band and much more.

Then at midnight, fans can watch the team hold its first official practice which will be about 45 minutes long.

The Trojans will kick off the season at home against Anthony Wayne on Friday, August 20th.

Governor DeWine wants more state employees vaccinated, so he’s offering $100 to any state worker who has gotten the shot.

DeWine says, since January, 99 percent of all people hospitalized in the state were unvaccinated.

He says this money has already been set aside for all employees, whether they get the shot now or have already gotten it in the past.

The governor’s office says the spouses of all state employees will be offered $25 to get vaccinated, as well.

A man is facing felony charges after authorities say he intentionally crashed his vehicle into another vehicle in a Findlay intersection.

It happened at the intersection of East Sandusky Street and South Blanchard Street at 12:20 Wednesday afternoon.

The Findlay Police Department says Jeffrey Melms, 24, of Findlay, was driving a truck east on Sandusky Street when he ran a red light at South Blanchard Street and crashed into a truck being driven by Maximilian O’Brien, 21, of McComb, who was driving south on South Blanchard.

The impact pushed O’Brien’s truck into a third vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle and a passenger were not injured.

Police say witnesses at the scene provided information that led officers to determine that Melms intentionally crashed into O’Brien’s truck.

Police say Melms was arrested for felonious assault and booked at the Hancock County Justice Center.

He was also issued a citation for driving under suspension, running a red light and having plates from another vehicle.

O’Brien sustained minor injuries in the crash and did not have to be transported to the hospital.

Police say the two men had a dispute earlier in the day over property that one of them claimed the other stole.

The University of Findlay is making futures “BRITE” with a new program that offers students and members of the community entrepreneurial support.

Details are in the following news release from the University of Findlay.

University of Findlay’s College of Business is offering assistance to entrepreneurs through a new multi-faceted program, the Business Resource for Innovation, Teamwork, and Entrepreneurship (BRITE) Center.

The BRITE Center will offer guidance in starting a new business or exploring a new profession by offering think-tank events where participants can gain insight on the validity of a business idea, keynote speaker videos and presentations on a variety of business topics, and even pair people with mentors in a relevant industry to get real-world advice.

Carla Treadway, director of the BRITE Center, stated, “the goal of this program is to break down barriers to help students and other participants transition to becoming successful entrepreneurs.”

UF students, alumni, and, eventually, the public will be able to take advantage of the Center’s unique offerings. Some other services to be provided include:

-Business plan completion
-Presentations by business owners, entrepreneurs, investors
-Review and analysis of profit potential
-Assistance with market research
-Marketing planning

“With this program, we hope to instill in students of every major and members of the community that entrepreneurial ideas can be achieved,” said Treadway. “You don’t have to be in business to start one! Whether you’re starting up a multimedia business, opening a veterinary clinic, or running a unique online business, no matter what your passions is, there is an opportunity for it.”

The Center is currently seeking professionals in various industries and professions who are interested in being mentors or presenting to aspiring entrepreneurs. Treadway explained, “As a mentor, you will make an impression on young people and foster the growth of future businessmen and women.” Mentors will be connected with students to provide both professional support and an experience-based leadership. “We hope to connect students with professionals that can provide guidance and experience-based opportunities for students to grow and learn,” said Treadway.

The BRITE Center is made possible by the Garner Trucking Entrepreneurial Endowment fund. Future sponsorship opportunities for events, speakers, competitions, and campus wide innovation programs will be available.

Learn more about the BRITE Center by clicking here.

The Findlay Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in identifying a suspect they believe burglarized a Findlay residence.

Police say the male in the picture is believed to have entered a residence in the 1600 block of Washington Avenue where he stole an assortment of jewelry and electronics.

The burglary happened the evening of July 25th.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact police dispatch at 419-424-7150 or private message Findlay PD on their Facebook page.

People can also call Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS and may be eligible for a reward.