Monthly Archives: November 2021

Increase In COVID Cases In Hancock County

COVID-19 cases continue to trend in the wrong direction in Hancock County.

Hancock Public Health is reporting 347 new cases, 22 new hospitalizations and three new deaths for the week of November 12th through the 18th.

Hancock County averaged 49.6 new cases per day over that period and cases per 100,000 is 430.18.

Community transmission in Hancock County remains “high” as defined by the CDC.

For the reporting period of November 5th through the 11th there were 303 new cases, 20 new hospitalizations and five new deaths.

753 people have been hospitalized with COVID in Hancock County since the beginning of the pandemic and 165 have died.

 

 

 

Findlay Fire Department Training Exercises

We got a behind the scenes look as the Findlay Fire Department was conducting some training exercises on Thursday.

The drills were being conducted at a building at 410 East Sandusky Street, which was already set to be torn down.

Assistant Chief Brian Sanders says the drills they were practicing included a wall breach and zero visibility rescues.

He says they go over different drills on a daily basis to stay sharp.

Get more in the video below.

 

State Rep. Cross Taken To Columbus Hospital

State Representative Jon Cross became ill at the Ohio Statehouse on Thursday.

His office says the Republican from Kenton was taken to a Columbus hospital as a precaution after he experienced flu-like symptoms prior to the Thursday session of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Cross issued the following statement.

“Today during a caucus meeting I became ill. My decision to go to the hospital was one I did not take lightly. I tested negative for COVID-19, but I am very disappointed to have missed several key votes that are of great importance to my constituents and all Ohioans. I appreciate the kind words from those that have reached out. I am resting now and will await further test results.”

Cross previously had COVID in December of 2020.

Cross is in his second term in the Ohio House serving the people of the 83rd District, which includes Hancock and Hardin counties and part of Logan County.

 

Findlay Rotary Presents Check To Braden Kramer Foundation

The Findlay Rotary Club has presented a $10,300 check to the Braden Kramer Foundation.

The funds were raised during the rotary’s inaugural 5K “Beer Chase” event held on November 6th in downtown Findlay.

The 5K and Kids Dash began and finished at the Findlay Brewing Company.

5K participants “chased” Club President Matt Black who was appropriately dressed as a can of beer. (pic below)

The Braden Kramer Foundation was established in 2016 to assist families fighting childhood cancer.

In 2015, Braden Kramer was diagnosed with t-cell all (acute lymphoblastic leukemia).

Braden’s family quickly recognized the challenges and heartache that accompany a childhood cancer diagnosis.

The initial months seemed like a tornado of medical terms to be learned, reports to be read and lifestyle changes that the family needed to adapt to in order to provide the best environment for Braden.

Through these experiences, the family felt compelled to help other families that would benefit from the type of community support they were so fortunate to have.

To date, the foundation has supported 25 children in Hancock and Putnam counties and donated over $300,000.

More information can be found at https://www.bradenkramer.org.

 

Ohio House Passes Two Major Gun Bills

(ONN) – The Ohio House of Representatives has passed two major gun bills that Democrats and law enforcement officials largely oppose.

One of the bills allows teachers to carry guns in schools and the other allows Ohioans to carry a concealed handgun without having to take a class or go through a background check and obtain a permit.

House Bill 99, which is the bill that allows school districts to arm teachers, passed by a 58 to 33 vote.

House Bill 227 is the concealed carry bill. It passed 60 to 32.

Both bills now head to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

 

 

 

Whirlpool Expanding Ottawa Facility, Adding Jobs

Whirlpool has announced it’s investing more than $65 million over the next several years into its factory in Ottawa.

Whirlpool says the investment in the Ottawa operation is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to position the plant as the Premium Refrigeration Factory in its North American Region.

The investment will include an expansion of the Ottawa plant to accommodate production of premium refrigeration products, including Built-In Refrigerator production.

Expansion of the facility’s existing footprint will begin in mid-2022, with Ottawa assuming full production in 2023.

Whirlpool says the plant expansion will create more than 100 additional jobs.

“We’re excited about this investment in the future of the Ottawa Operations and in our people,” said Whirlpool Corporation VP of Integrated Supply Chain and Quality Don Metzelaar.

“This is a testament to our skilled workforce, and will unlock our potential to bring the newest and best refrigeration innovation to our customers who count on us to improve their lives at home.”

The company’s Ottawa Operations were established in 1990, and currently produce freezers, under counter ice makers and hybrid heat-pump bases for ventless dryers.

Its nearly 500 employees manufacture products for the Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Amana, Maytag, Gladiator and JennAir brands.

“Whirlpool’s plans to invest in its Ottawa facility will bring 100 good-paying new jobs and the latest refrigeration production technology,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef.

“The cutting-edge advancements and Ohio talent will provide a strong competitive advantage as Whirlpool positions Ottawa to be a premium refrigeration plant in the North American market.”

Read more about Whirlpool’s plans for its Ottawa operation by clicking here.

 

Findlay To Extend Greenway Trail With Shared-Use Path

The City of Findlay is partnering with the Ohio Department of Transportation on a project to install a shared-use path along the north side of State Route 568.

The proposed shared-use path will start at the existing Blanchard River Greenway Trail on East Main Cross Street and will extend to the east towards the County Road 236 shared-use path.

Officials would eventually like to see the path extend all the way out to Riverbend Recreation Area but this portion will end at County Road 236.

The proposed path will go under the Bright Road overpass, turn south towards State Route 568, and then turn back to the east.

At the Blanchard River a new pedestrian bridge will be erected, just north of the existing bridge, to get users across the river.

We spoke with Mayor Christina Muryn about the project.

 

 

This project is scheduled to begin construction in spring 2023 with a completion by the end of December 2023.

The city says the project is currently being designed and there may be times that the City of Findlay, the city’s design consultant, and/or ODOT may need to enter properties to complete the necessary environmental field studies.

A portion of this path will take place within the boundaries of Eastpoint Area and Vogelsong Conservation Preserve.

Work within the parks will consist of installation of the proposed shared-use path.

Detailed construction updates will be posted along the impacted route on the City of Findlay’s website, www.findlayohio.com, prior to the start of construction.

During construction, traffic will be maintained along State Route 568 by closing the westbound shoulder and allowing vehicles to travel along an eleven foot wide lane in the westbound direction.

Access will be maintained to all adjacent properties and businesses for the duration of the project.

The city welcomes questions and comments about the project.

Comments are requested by November 26th, 2021, to ensure your comments may be considered during project development.

For any questions or comments, people can contract the City of Findlay Engineering Department at 419-424-7121 or email at engineering@findlayohio.com.

 

Pieology Opens Location In Findlay

Pieology has opened a location in Findlay.

According to a news release, Jerrod Hartman is bringing the leadership skills he developed as a U.S. Army Officer in opening Pieology, with great custom-made pizzas focused on high-quality ingredients.

His franchise group, Pizza Pie Investments, LLC, signed a multi-unit development agreement in Ohio last December, and Findlay is their first location.

He and Amie Hartman are the owners, and David Utrup is the general manager of the fast-casual pizza restaurant, located at 1123 West Trenton Avenue.

The restaurant serves beer and wine and will be open Monday – Thursday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m and Friday – Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

The Findlay location opened on Wednesday.

A grand opening charity fundraiser is scheduled November 23rd.

People can order pizza in the store or online and 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the City Mission of Findlay.

Hartman is also co-owner of Main Street Deli and the Main Street Deli Bar and Arcade.

“We are excited to be joining the Pieology family,” he said.

“The Pieology brand is based on innovation – introducing a new version of pizza and a new approach to the pizza business, and it inspires us to be different as well.”

Learn more about Pieology by checking out their website by clicking here.

 

Findlay Police Officer Promoted To Lieutenant

The Findlay Police Department has promoted officer Andrew Welch to the position of Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Welch was sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn at the Findlay Municipal Building on Wednesday.

Lt. Welch began his career with the Findlay Police Department in 2005 as a Dispatcher.

He was hired as a full-time police officer in 2007 and was assigned to the Patrol Division.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 where he also worked in the patrol division and the Special Assignment Unit.

Lt. Welch has served as a Field Training Officer, one of the department’s active shooter instructors and is the current commander of the department’s Crisis Management Team.

Lt. Welch was the Findlay Police Department Officer of Year in 2019.

Lt. Welch is a graduate of Cory-Rawson High School and the Police Academy at Owens Community College.

Lt. Welch will be assigned to the Special Services Division within the Findlay Police Department.

 

 

Officer’s K9 Partner Apprehends Findlay Burglary Suspect

A Findlay Police Department K9 helped apprehend a man who was stealing from a convenience store.

Police responded to the Casey’s at 1403 North Main Street at 3:11 Tuesday morning on the report that someone had broken the glass door and entered the business.

Police say they arrived on the scene to find the suspect, William Brewer, 53, of Toledo, climbing out the broken door with more than $5,000 worth of cigarettes.

He was ordered to stop but ignored the officer’s commands.

The officer deployed his K9 partner who quickly apprehended the suspect.

The suspect sustained an injury to the lower portion of one of his legs during the K9 apprehension.

He was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment and then transferred to a Toledo hospital due to the extent of the injury.

(below is a K9 demonstration from Camp 911 over the summer)