Lt. Governor Jon Husted and other state and local officials stopped by the Whirlpool plant in Findlay on Monday.

Husted talked with company officials about workforce development, supply chain and other issues and also got a tour of the facility.

We spoke with Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn afterward.

“We’re very fortunate that the Lt. Governor and Director Mihalik are interested in understanding how they may be able to support organizations like Whirlpool, and some of our other manufacturing, to continue to grow our state and local economy.”

In the video below Lt. Governor Husted asks Whirlpool what its best-selling dishwasher is, and one happened to be in the room where the discussion was taking place.

Meantime, Whirlpool’s Ottawa facility will be holding a groundbreaking this week for its $65 million dollar expansion.

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.

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

The United Way of Hancock County is gearing up for its 28th annual Days of Caring in May.

This week-long volunteer event places volunteer groups county-wide to complete service projects for non-profits, public service entities and human services groups.

“Volunteer participation this year is incredibly high,” said United Way CEO, Angela DeBoskey, “so we are doubling the number of projects we normally tackle. The entire event will place more than 3,500 volunteer hours which will take care of a lot of needs within Hancock County.”

With approximately 900 volunteers participating, the United Way is in search of more projects from organizations in Hancock County.

Local agencies are encouraged to submit a request.

Project examples have included landscaping, indoor and outdoor painting, basic carpentry, power washing, cleaning and organization.

Projects that require specialized skill sets may also be considered.

Agencies must provide their own supplies and a representative to supervise the project.

To submit a project request, you can call the United Way office at 419-423-1432.

Requests are due by Monday, April 18th.

Agencies will be connected with their volunteer project leader the week of April 25th.

DeBoskey continues, “Days of Caring benefits non-profit agencies, public service entities such as schools and parks, and human services groups. Individual residents seeking volunteer help are encouraged to connect with Backyard Mission.”

The United Way of Hancock County’s 28th annual Days of Caring will run from May 2nd to May 6th.

The three people arrested in connection with the death of a Bluffton police officer last month have been indicted by a grand jury in Hancock County.

Court records show that Emin Johnson, 20, of Euclid, has been indicted on ten felony charges including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, failing to stop after an accident and improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle. Emin (on the left) is believed to have been the one who was driving the car that hit and killed Officer Dominic Francis.

Records show that Zachary Love, 21,  of Columbus, has been indicted on five felony charges including improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle and receiving stolen property.

And Dante Tate, 19, was indicted on four felony charges including grand theft of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.

Johnson and Love are being held at the Hancock County Jail (pictured) while Tate was still being held in northeast Ohio where he was apprehended.

All three are expected to be arraigned in Hancock County Common Pleas Court this week.

Authorities say the three were in a car that was fleeing from police on Interstate 75 southbound around 2:30 a.m. on March 31st that struck and killed Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.

Officer Francis was placing stop sticks on the interstate in an effort to end the pursuit.

The Highway Patrol said the three fled on foot and one stole a car and was later arrested in northeast Ohio in Elyria.

Another was arrested near where the car was stolen in Hancock County and the third suspect was arrested that afternoon in Hancock County.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation has established an official fundraising drive authorized by the family of fallen Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.

Donations can be made online at fortfindlayfop20.org. and checks can be mailed to Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20, P.O. Box 1335, Findlay, OH 45840.

The week of April 10-16 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and area sheriff’s offices are honoring their 911 dispatchers for their hard work and dedication.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page that it’s recognizing the dedication and professionalism of all of their telecommunicators.

“Unfortunately, too many times the person calling is having one of their worst days, and our telecommunicators are the calming voice when the public needs assistance,” said Lt. Mark Price with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

“We want to thank them for everything they do, not just for the public, but for every employee of the Sheriff’s Office, as they are our lifeline too when we need help.”

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office thanks dispatchers for everything they do on a daily basis.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and other area sheriff’s offices are also honoring their dispatchers for their hard work and dedication.

The Findlay Police Department says a man is facing charges after assaulting someone and stealing their truck.

Police were dispatched to the 100 block of George Street at around 12:15 Sunday morning to investigate a report of a stolen vehicle.

Police say the suspect, William Taylor, 31, of Findlay, struck the victim in the face and then fled the area in the victim’s pickup truck.

Officers in the area were able to quickly locate the truck and take Taylor into custody.

He was booked at the Hancock County Jail on robbery charges.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says National Work Zone Awareness Week is coming up the week of April 11-15.

Officials are reminding drivers to obey the state’s move over law, which requires them to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles with lights activated.

Lt. Matt Crow, Commander of the Findlay Post of the Highway Patrol, says the law is designed to keep people from getting hurt.

ODOT says in 2021 there were 4,796 work zone crashes in Ohio resulting in 30 deaths, and ODOT work crews were struck 154 times.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol issued more than 6,000 citations in work zones in 2021, and 41 percent of the citations were for speeds of more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit.

The top three causes of work zone crashes are following too closely, excessive speed and distracted driving.

Wednesday is Wear Orange Day.

Thousands of people filled the Sommer Center at Bluffton University for the funeral service for Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.

Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder spoke about how Officer Francis helped so many people and touched so many lives by being so involved in the community as a police officer, a firefighter, a teacher, a bus driver, a coach and a mentor.

“Dominic was all of this and so, so much more. He is so very much missed by all. He impacted so many lives in so many ways, I look forward to the day we see him again.”

The funeral procession then made its way to Clymer Cemetery where Officer Francis was laid to rest.

As the procession went through Mt. Cory, it went under a giant American Flag that firefighters held in place with their ladder trucks.

The 42-year-old Francis had served in law enforcement for 19 years.

On March 31st, Officer Francis was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle while deploying spike strips on southbound I-75 near Bluffton.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation has established an official fundraising drive authorized by his family.

A University of Findlay alumnus and his wife are giving the university $6 million for a new building to help students become well-rounded and ethical leaders.

The generous gift from Billy and Brenda Watterson will support building the new Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership on campus.

That is the largest single gift the university has ever received.

The Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership will serve as a focal point on campus for the University’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The new building will provide an effective place for future students to become well-rounded, ethical leaders no matter what professional career path they choose.

Billy Watterson, CEO of Watterson Brands, is hopeful that the new building will give students the opportunity to engage in difficult conversations about ethical leadership, equity, and inclusion, and inspire open dialogue and constructive debate.

“We hope to create an army of ethical leaders,” Watterson stated. Along with this generous lead gift, more funds are needed to bring this Center to life.

“We are asking for your support – we need you,” he said. “Together, we are going to build the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership. Together, we will secure the future of the University of Findlay. And together, we will become a beacon of light and hope for the world.”

Billy earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Management from the University of Findlay in 1996, received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014, and now serves on the University’s Board of Trustees.

He continues to be involved with the University and remains an active alumnus both in and out of the classroom by serving as a mentor and speaking at various University events.

In 2013 Billy and Brenda established a scholarship fund for students in the Environment, Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS) Program EHSS.

More recently they created a fund for students who are involved in Campus Ministry to serve and study abroad, and last fall made a $1 million gift towards the renovation of EHSS academic spaces.

A man has been indicted on charges in connection with a fatal crash on Interstate-75 that killed two people, one of them from Findlay.

The Wood County Prosecutor’s Office says Nicholas Luderman is facing two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and four counts of aggravated vehicular assault.

The 24-year-old from Napoleon is also charged with failing to stop after a crash involving an injury and tampering with evidence.

He’s also charged with OVI as authorities believe he was intoxicated when they say he caused the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate-75 Sunday night.

The crash happened a little before 10 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 75 near the Cygnet Road exit.

Troopers arrived on the scene to find six vehicles involved in the crash and two engulfed in flames.

Crash investigators say a Chevy Malibu was traveling southbound when it struck the back of a Dodge Dakota.

The Dodge then traveled across the center median and struck at least two northbound vehicles.

The Dodge and a Jeep Grand Cherokee became engulfed in flames and other vehicles in the area also sustained damage.

The Highway Patrol says the driver of the Dodge, Andrew Jones, 19, of Findlay, and the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, Kassidi Krzykwa, 23, of Kalamazoo, both died at the scene.

Two other people in the Jeep were flown from the scene with life-threatening injuries.

Three people in a fourth vehicle involved were taken to Wood County Hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

A woman in a fifth vehicle involved was taken to Wood County Hospital with minor injuries.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is voicing concerns about House Bill 616, a measure similar to Florida’s controversial Don’t Say Gay law.

Former Congressman and OCC head Steve Stivers said the organization has concerns the bill may drive away businesses.

Stivers said the OCC is worried that House Bill 616 could hurt the state’s ability to lure the best and brightest minds and pointed to Intel’s proposed $20 billion computer chip manufacturing plant east of Columbus.

Stivers said Ohio needs to be a welcoming place for all, and the focus should be on harnessing in-state and out-of-state talent.