Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, of Findlay, visited Donnell Middle School to check out the Real Money. Real World. financial literacy program in action.

Provided by OSU Extension, the Real Money. Real World. curriculum emphasizes experiential learning by placing students in real-life scenarios.

Sprague engaged with students as they participated in an interactive spending simulation that challenged them to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults.

Announced earlier this year, Treasurer Sprague partnered with The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) to advance and expand the use of the college’s Real Money. Real World. program statewide.

The partnership aims to shine a brighter light on Real Money. Real World.’s innovative curriculum and reach more students who can benefit from it.

Learn more about the Real Money. Real World. program by clicking here, and watch our conversation with Treasurer Sprague in the video below.

The board of directors of the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance has announced that Glenn Jost will serve as the organization’s President/CEO effective November 1st.

He follows John Haywood who retired in August.

“We are fortunate to have Glenn accept this leadership role,” said Richard Kirk, Chairman of the Board.

“Glenn is a seasoned executive as well as a servant-leader in the Findlay/Hancock County community for eight years. He served on The Alliance board from 2017-2018, and the Economic Development Advisory Board from 2015-2018. We’re committed to build upon The Alliance’s success and will do just that with Glenn’s leadership and support of the division directors.”

Jost says he feels very fortunate to have been chosen for this very important role in the community.

“One of my goals is to continue to facilitate strong partnerships between the private and public sectors, which have led to many successes over the past several years in the Findlay and Hancock County community. I am looking forward to working with The Alliance team on future projects and activities.”

Ball Corporation brought Jost and his family to the Findlay community in 2012 where he served as the Plant Manager for nearly seven years teaming up with 400 employees.

Prior to coming to Findlay, he served as the Plant Manager for Ball Corporation in Ft. Worth, Texas leading a 170 workforce.

In both locations, Yost oversaw the operations including human resources, environmental and safety efforts.

Both Findlay and Ft.Worth plants were awarded Quality Awards representing a workforce who were committed to advancing the organization’s missions.

The Findlay-Hancock County Alliance is a blend of the area’s best resources including the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Office and the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Hancock Literacy was presented with a sizable donation that will help them continue their mission of coordinating and supporting community initiatives that promote lifelong literacy.

On Friday, Hancock Literacy received a check for $4,500 from the 100.5 WKXA and 106.3 The Fox Charity Golf Scramble that was held in September.

Kevin Hall, owner of Flag City Furniture & Mattress also added $1,000 to that total, meaning Hancock Literacy has $5,500 to help them achieve their goals.

In 2020, the golf scramble raised $4,100 for Hancock Literacy.

Kellie Bibler, Hancock Literacy board member, says they’re very grateful for the big donation.

As Kellie mentioned in the audio above, the money will be used to make sure kids in Hancock County from birth to age five have a book delivered to them each month through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Get more on Hancock Literacy and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library by clicking here.

(in the picture left to right are Big Kahuna, 106.3 The Fox, Kevin Hall, owner, Flag City Furniture, Andie Gray, GM, Flag City Furniture, Casey Brown, board chair elect, Hancock Literacy, Kellie Bibler, Secretary, Hancock Literacy, Rex Howard, WKXA)

Volunteers are being sought for the upcoming 2021 Cops and Kids Halloween Parade.

Approximately 35 volunteers are needed for positions to assist with directing individuals, groups, and floats to proper places at the beginning of the parade.

Volunteers are also needed for collecting items at the end of the parade and directing entrants to exit.

Youth groups with an adult representative are welcome.

The parade will be held on Tuesday, October 26th starting at 7 p.m.

The parade route will be Main Street from Sixth Street to Lima Street.

It’s expected that the parade will end around 10 p.m.

All information for the parade, including volunteer registration, is available at fortfindlayfop20.org/halloweenparade or call 833-LODGE20 (833-563-4320).

Email inquiries can be sent to Teresa White at copsandkidsfindlay@gmail.com.

The City of Findlay has presented its John Edward Seman Award for Employee Excellence.

The winner of the 2021 award is A.J. Copus, Public Works Foreman with the Public Works Department.

Copus started with the City of Findlay as a seasonal employee from 2002-2005 working in the Cemetery Department and Parks Maintenance Department.

In 2006, he was hired full time in the Street Department as a Street Maintenance Worker I.

In 2007 he was promoted to Street Maintenance Worker II and in 2012 he was promoted to Street Maintenance Worker III.

In 2015, A.J. was promoted to Public Works Foreman.

The award is named in honor of Assistant City Engineer John E. Seman who passed away in late 2004.

John’s service to the City began in May 2000.

John’s distinguished character and passion for excellence in building a community established a pinnacle for all to follow.

The annual John Edward Seman Award for Employee Excellence is intended to formally recognize a City employee whose service, dedication, integrity, and commitment to community are exemplary.

The Findlay Police Department says several of their officers help the community by fostering children in need of a home, and now they have one more “kid” to add to the family.

The police department says officers came across and abandoned Dodge Charger with out of state plates while on patrol Wednesday night.

While checking the vehicle, officers discovered a single occupant…a goat.

The police department says the owner could not be located and the goat was in distress and in need of food and water.

Officer Jake Atkins, being a K-9 handler and having a soft spot for animals, agreed to foster the goat for animal control since their resources were limited.

The police department says the goat is in good hands until the rightful owner can be located.

The goat has been given the temporary name of “Dodge” by Officer Atkins.

Ballreich Snack Food Company of Tiffin has announced a new partnership with the Ohio State University to launch new Ohio State-themed potato chips.

Ballreich’s says the Tailgate Series is a collection of popular tailgating flavors packed into bite-size, crunchy potato chips – Buffalo Ranch, Cheddar Slider, Jalapeño Popper, and Classic.

“We are excited about the new partnership with Ohio State University and the unique development of four new potato chip snacks that encompass popular tailgating flavors. We have something for everyone,” said Jamie Twining, Vice President of Sales at Ballreich Snack Food Company.

The new chips are set to launch on Thursday October 14th and will be available in two different sizes.

The 2.75oz for those looking for an individual size and an 8oz bag for a crowd or family at home.

The entire Tailgate Series can be found at local grocery and convenience stores or can be purchased on the Ballreich website at www.ballreich.com

“This is only the beginning, as the relationship between OSU and Ballreich’s grows, so will the product line,” said Twining.

The head of the Putnam County Council on Aging has been recognized with a statewide award.

Jodi Warnecke, the Executive Director of the Putnam County Council on Aging, was recognized by the Ohio Association of Senior Centers (OASC) with the organization’s most coveted honor, the Muriel Bertsch Award.

The statewide award is reserved for individuals within the aging network who show outstanding leadership, advocacy and service to older adults and exemplify the spirit and passion of its founder, Muriel Bertsch.

“I am honored and humbled to accept this award and join the other men and women who came before me,” Warnecke said.

“Although this is a personal award, it was not accomplished alone. It is a direct result of teamwork and collaborative efforts. It takes all of us working together to fulfill our mission of serving older adults within our communities.”

Warnecke was nominated by OASC Board Member Mike Turner of United Seniors of Athens County.

The Findlay Police Department is asking the public if they recognize a man who stole from Best Buy.

Police say the man in the picture entered the Best Buy at 1800 Tiffin Avenue at around 2 o’clock Monday afternoon and pocketed some items.

He left the store and got into a black Ford Focus and left the area.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the picture, or has information about the crime, is urged to contact Findlay police dispatch at 419-424-7150 or Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS.

The Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce held its 2021 Small Business Awards on Wednesday afternoon at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Each year, the Chamber highlights local individuals, who through their independent entrepreneurial spirit, play a vital role in building the community and the economy.

We spoke with Crystal Dye, owner of Details Auto Spa in Findlay, who won the Women In Business Champion of the Year award.

Crystal says they enjoy giving back to the community.

The other award winners are listed below:

Customer Service Champion – Miller’s Meats BBQ & Catering

Family Owned Small Business of the Year – Legacy Marble & Granite

Downtown Champion of the Year – Findlay Brewing Co.

Manufacturing & Distribution Leadership Impact Award – Margaret Graham of Whirlpool

The 2021 ATHENA Award – Gwen Kuenzli

Small Business Manufacturing Excellence – PaperTech

Go Local Champion – Habitat for Humanity ReStore Findlay

Do Good! Award – Chuck Bills – Ohio Logistics

Diverse Small Business Champion – Power Up Fitness

Ag Enterprise Champion – Metzger’s Farm Market

Our Spirit Shows Hospitality Award – The Baker’s Cafe

Professional of the Year – Irvin Reinhart – RCM Architects, Inc.

Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Stacy Shaw – Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County

Emerging Business of the Year – Omni Feed and Supply

Small Business Person of the Year – Josh Elchert – Heavenly Pizza-Findlay Ohio

Small Business of the Year – DNC Hydraulics