The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office says K9 Bristol has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s.

Bristol’s vest is embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.

Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, call 508-824-6978 or click here.

The northwest region of the Ohio Department of Transportation officially kicked off its highway construction season on Wednesday with a focus on improving intersection safety.

In 2019, Governor Mike DeWine directed ODOT to target safety improvements at 150 intersections statewide in rural, suburban, and urban areas.

This represents an investment of $425 million over several years.

In northwest Ohio, ODOT will begin construction on eight of those locations this year, holding kickoff events at two.

ODOT District 2 held an event Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. 224 and State Route 587 in Seneca County where the county’s first roundabout will be constructed this year.

On Thursday, ODOT District 1 will highlight roundabout construction at the intersection of State Route 309 and Napoleon Road in Allen County.

“Safety has been the top priority since the first day of the DeWine Administration. We’re constantly looking for ways to better engineer our roads to ensure they’re as safe as possible for those who use them each day,” said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. “However, drivers have an important role to play too. We need every motorist to buckle up, obey the speed limit, drive sober, and drop the distractions.”

Other notable projects in northwest Ohio that will begin this year:

Resurfacing of 12 miles of U.S. 30 between Fifth Street/Lincoln Highway to just east of State Route 65, Allen County. Work is expected to begin in May.
Construction of a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 127/U.S. 224 and Marsh Road, Van Wert County. Preliminary work is underway.
Reconstruction of State Route 25 between Cygnet Road and U.S. 6 south of Bowling Green, Wood County. Work began in March and will complete in fall 2023.
Widening of Interstate 475 to three lanes between Airport Highway and U.S. 24 also includes construction of a new interchange at Interstate 475 and U.S. Route 20A, Lucas County. Work is estimated to begin in July.

Projects that will continue:

The reconstruction of Interstate 75 in Wood and Lucas counties. Two abutting projects between Buck Road and Dorr Street are under way totaling $352 million.

Work began in late 2018 and is expected to complete in 2023.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers are going viral for rescuing a dog that was wandering through heavy traffic on U.S. Route 35 in southern Ohio.

Dash camera video released by the Highway Patrol’s Jackson Post shows troopers working to slow traffic so they can safely corral the animal as it runs down the highway.

In the video, a stopped semi-truck driver can be heard commenting that they have never seen anything like it before in 23 years of driving.

The video ends will troopers reuniting the dog with its owner, who says they have been chasing the pooch for more than an hour.

The Highway Patrol said teamwork between troopers and motorists helped save a lost dog, and they thank everyone who helped.

A number of Hancock County agencies are collaborating on a community forum to bring awareness about second chances for those returning to the community after incarceration.

Claire Osborne, program manager at the nonprofit Focus, will speak at the event about her experiences after incarceration and how a second chance changed her life.

April 2022 is being recognized as Second Chance month for individuals affected by crime and incarceration.

Second Chance month was initiated by the grassroots organization Prison Fellowship.

Prison Fellowship is the nation’s largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading voice for criminal justice reform.

With more than 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.

The community forum will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 5:30-8 p.m. at New Vision Center, 1400 6th Street, Findlay.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn is inviting people to attend one of the Move Findlay Forward workshops and share their ideas for the city’s new strategic plan.

“It’s really important for us to hear from the citizens. What are the hot button issues they care about, what are the things they want to see in their community in years to come?”

The mayor says the workshops are an opportunity to share your ideas and make Findlay an even better place than it already is.

The Move Findlay Forward workshops will be held on April 6th and April 7th.

More information can be found by clicking here and in the post below from the city.

A ceremony to dedicate a new Ohio Historical Marker recognizing William Hoy was held in Houcktown on Tuesday afternoon.

The historical marker can be seen near the intersection of Hancock County Roads 8 and 26.

William Hoy was a center fielder who played for several professional baseball teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds.

He was born in Houcktown, Hancock County, Ohio in 1862.

Hoy is noted for being the most accomplished deaf player in Major League history, and is credited by some sources with the establishment of hand signals for safe and out calls.

He held the Major League record for games in center field from 1899 to 1920, and retired among the leaders in outfield games, assists, and double plays.

He was also an excellent baserunner, with a career record of 597 stolen bases.

His 1,004 career walks put him second in Major League history when he retired.

Hoy is a member of the American Athletic Association for the Deaf Hall of Fame, as well as those of the Cincinnati Reds, Ohio Baseball, and Ohio School for the Deaf. Hoy died at the age of 99 in Cincinnati.

Riverdale High School brought its baseball and softball teams to the dedication.

Craig Taylor is the athletic director and a softball coach for Riverdale.

The William Hoy historical marker has been researched and sponsored by the Hancock County Engineer’s Office (with assistance from the Eagle Creek Historical Organization), Jackson Township Board of Trustees, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the Ohio History Connection.

The funeral services have been set for fallen Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.

An obituary on the Coldren Crates website says visitation will be held on Thursday, April 7th from 3:30 to 7 at the Cory-Rawson High School Auditorium.

The funeral service will be held the following day, on Friday, April 8th at the Sommer Center at Bluffton University beginning at 11.

Burial will follow at Clymer Cemetery.

Last Thursday, Officer Francis was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle while deploying spike strips near mile marker 142 on southbound I-75 at about 2:30 am.

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

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation has established an official fundraising drive authorized by the officer’s family.

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.

Click here to read the full obituary for Officer Dominic Francis.

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague and The Ohio State University are recognizing National Financial Literacy Month as an opportunity to shine a light on financial education and empowerment efforts, as well as the importance of developing strong personal finance skills.

“Sound financial education strengthens not only individuals and families, but also the overall economic health of Ohio’s communities,” said Treasurer Sprague.

“Financial Literacy Month is a great time to encourage wise fiscal management and applaud the many educators who continue to innovate and promote smart decision-making among our students. The Treasurer’s office is proud of its ongoing partnership with OSU Extension and our collective work to empower Ohioans of all ages to take control of their finances.”

In conjunction with National Financial Literacy Month in April, Treasurer Sprague also announced 59 county OSU Extension offices as April’s Compass Award honorees.

The monthly recognition program commends the organizations, programs, and individuals across the state who are working to guide Ohioans toward financial literacy and empowerment.

The Real Money. Real World. program was developed by OSU Extension and is designed for youth ages 12-18.

The curriculum includes an interactive spending simulation that provides participants the opportunity to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults.

“Engaging and educating Ohioans in financial literacy across the lifespan is critical, but that outreach is especially important for our young people” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

“In collaboration with Treasurer Sprague, OSU Extension is working to ensure that future generations have the necessary knowledge and skills to be financially prepared.”

OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

Real Money. Real World is evidence-based and delivered through strategic partnerships involving county OSU Extension offices, local schools, and other community stakeholders that act as volunteers for simulations.

Last year during America Saves Week, Treasurer Sprague announced a new partnership with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences to advance and expand the use of the curriculum statewide.

The video below is from last October when we spoke with Sprague as he stopped by Donnell Middle School to check out the Real Money. Real World. financial literacy program being provided by OSU Extension.

This is National Public Health Week and Hancock County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi is saluting local health workers.

“We should all be proud of our public health professionals and the way they served through the peaks and valleys of this pandemic,” Baroudi said.

He’s inviting people to join him in celebrating their local heroes all week on their social media accounts.

Baroudi says the once in a lifetime pandemic is finally slowing down and its risk is being managed much better with available vaccines and therapeutics.

He thanked the Hancock County Commissioners and the City of Findlay – Mayor’s Office for recognizing the efforts of their staff and Board of Health over the past year.

This is National Library Week and Wednesday specifically is National Library Outreach Day.

One of the ways the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is celebrating is by holding a Find the Bookmobile event on that day.

So, from 9 to 1 on Wednesday the library’s bookmobile will be on the move.

Each hour it will be at a new location in Findlay and clues will be posted on Facebook as to where the bookmobile will be showing up.

Once people locate where the bookmobile will be, they can stop by and get a prize and, of course, enjoy all the library resources the bookmobile has to offer.

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library unveiled its new bookmobile one year ago.

The new bookmobile replaced the one they’ve been using since 2005.

The bookmobile travels to nine locations around the county, visiting the smaller villages in the library’s service area on a weekly basis to deliver services to people where they are.

Get more on the bookmobile from Library Director Sarah Clevidence in the video below from April of 2021.