A man from Tiffin is facing a charge of felonious assault – accused of shooting at a sheriff’s deputy and state highway patrol trooper.

On Saturday, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a potentially suicidal 50-year-old man with a gun in a park in Bettsville.

A deputy and trooper say they discovered Shawn William Varner inside one of the fenced-in ball fields and say that he fired his weapon at them.

Both the deputy and trooper were able to seek cover and were unharmed.

Varner eventually surrendered after a swat team arrived.

He was arrested and additional charges are pending.

“It was a very intense and serious situation that occurred inside the park this evening,” said Sheriff Fredrick Stevens.

“I am very thankful that no one got hurt, especially our area Law Enforcement. It is the outcome we should all be proud of. I also appreciate the assistance from all the personnel from the area agencies. It’s a small example of how important it is to maintain great relationships with all area Law Enforcement Agencies, and it certainly made an impact today!”

The University of Findlay is being recognized by three separate publications as being among the best universities in the country.

U.S. News and World Report has named the University of Findlay to its annual national rankings of higher education institutions for the 16th consecutive year.

The 2022 Best National University Rankings comprises over 300 universities around the country.

“To be included in this prestigious national ranking of universities is certainly an honor,” said University of Findlay President Katherine Fell, Ph.D.

“This achievement is proof of our faculty and staff’s commitment to the University’s mission to equip students for meaningful lives and productive careers.”

U.S. News considered many factors when ranking colleges and universities including: graduation and retention rates, social mobility, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources for students, and expert opinion.

UF is ranked nationally at 263 of more than 390 schools considered. Get more by clicking here.

Also, the Princeton Review has again named the University of Findlay as one of the best four-year institutions in the Midwest for 2022. Get more on that by clicking here.

And the University of Findlay is also nationally ranked in The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings 2022 which includes nearly 800 colleges and universities.

Get more on that by clicking here.

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County dedicated its 48th and 49th builds during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning.

One of the new homes is for the Ibarra family, and Miriam Ibarra thanks everyone who helped make it a reality.

Warren Long, with Marathon Petroleum, is the president of the Habitat board as well as a volunteer.

He says it’s tremendously rewarding to a part of the organization.

The two new homes are for the Williams and Ibarra families and are located at 2050 and 2060 Elyria Street in Findlay.

Through donations of money and materials and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build a Habitat Home and sell it at an affordable price.

The Williams and Ibarra families qualified as a low-income family unable to qualify for a conventional loan who were willing to partner with Habitat and complete at least 400 sweat equity hours.

They will purchase the home with a low interest loan, and their monthly mortgage payments will be used to build future Habitat houses.

These two homes are the third and fourth homes that have been built in 2021, as Habitat doubled its construction this year to help stabilize more families within the community

Habitat says it is accepting applications from families now for new homes. To apply for a home or a home repair, visit habitatfindlay.org or call 419-429-1400.

(picture and audio courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

This October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching the first National Pedestrian Safety Month with the goal of increasing awareness about pedestrian safety, and reminding drivers and walkers that staying safe is a shared responsibility.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says, as the end of Daylight Saving Time approaches and the nights get longer, the risks for pedestrians increase.

From September to February, more than 30 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 and 9 p.m.

Also, know that things like drugs and alcohol, and distraction not only affect someone’s ability to drive, but to walk safely.

The Highway Patrol says, since 2016, there have been 14,677 pedestrian-related crashes on Ohio’s roadways.

Of those, 807 were fatal crashes involving the deaths of 814 pedestrians.

During this time, 41 percent of pedestrian-related crashes occurred between 6 and 11 p.m.

One in three pedestrian-related crashes occurred on a Friday or Saturday.

Pedestrians were at fault in 35 percent of pedestrian-related crashes, and 53 percent of the fatal pedestrian-related crashes.

Pedestrians should always use a sidewalk when it is provided.

It is unlawful for pedestrians to walk along and upon the adjacent roadway if a sidewalk is available.

Where no sidewalk or shoulder exists, pedestrians may walk as close as practicable to an outside edge of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

“Whether you’re on foot or behind the wheel, you should always be aware of your surroundings,” said Lieutenant Matt Crow, Findlay Post Commander.

“Keep alert at all times to ensure pedestrians can be seen.”

He says pedestrians and motorists can follow the following tips to increase pedestrian safety:

– Do not be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.

– Pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night.

– Pedestrians should cross where motorists expect them to, follow pedestrian signs and signals, and never assume a driver can see you.

– Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

– Motorists can use bright headlights when legally able to illuminate the roadway and possibly spot a pedestrian walking near the roadway.

– Motorists should slow down and drive cautiously in residential areas.

The West Ohio Food Bank is asking people to help them provide a Thanksgiving meal to a family in need.

The food bank is looking for turkey donations in October as part of their “Turkeys & Touchdowns” initiative.

Throughout the month of October, the food bank is seeking donations of frozen whole turkeys from individuals.

The donated turkeys will be stored and then distributed in November.

The names of the people who donated will be entered into a drawing at the end of the month for some football-themed prizes, hence the “Turkeys and
Touchdowns” name.

“We are always looking for different ways that we can help those in need,” said West Ohio Food Bank CEO Tommie Harner.

“So in the spirit of football season, we thought this would be a good idea to generate some interest and some donations.”

People are asked to drop off their turkey donations at the West Ohio Food Bank front office at 1380 East Kibby Street in Lima during normal business hours, and fill out an entry form so they can be included in the prize drawings.

A Hancock County grand jury has indicted a man on kidnapping and other charges.

Court records show that Joshua Perrie Boltz, 30, of Findlay, was indicted on charges of kidnapping, trafficking in drugs and failure to comply.

The kidnapping charge is a second-degree felony while the other two charges are third-degree felonies.

Boltz is accused of fleeing from a traffic stop in Findlay on August 10th and leading police on a chase with a female acquaintance in the vehicle with him.

The woman was eventually let go and was not injured.

On the drug charge, Boltz is accused of selling methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school in Findlay.