Monthly Archives: June 2022

Tornadoes Touch Down In Ohio During Severe Weather

Forecasters say it was definitely a tornado that severely damaged a warehouse in Tipp City on Wednesday and it wasn’t alone.

The National Weather Service says at least 3 tornadoes touched down in Ohio during Wednesday’s severe weather.

Officials say the twister that heavily damaged a Meijer distribution center in Tipp City, north of Dayton, was a category EF-2.

They have also confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Clark County, north of Springfield and that there was an EF-0 touchdown near Sardinia, in Brown County.

There have been no reports of injuries.

 

Camp FUN Registration Deadline Approaching

Time is running out to get your child signed up for Camp FUN.

Camp FUN is a free day camp designed for area youth who have been affected by family addiction and/or overdose.

The camp will be held Saturday, June 18th from 10 to 4 at Camp Berry at 11716 County Road 40, a little south of Findlay. Check-in begins at 9.

Camp FUN (Friendship, Understanding and Nurturing) is open to youth between the ages of 9-12 and 13-17.

The purpose of the camp is to provide a positive, encouraging and supportive experience for impacted youth.

Activities will include hiking, a climbing tower, crafts, games and even horses.

Parents or guardians can register their child online by clicking here.

The registration deadline is Tuesday, June 14th.

There is no fee to attend the camp.

 

 

Two Dead In Hancock County House Explosion

Authorities say two bodies were found in the rubble after a house exploded a little east of Bluffton.

The Bluffton Fire Department responded to the report of a house explosion at 2275 State Route 103, between State Route 235 and Interstate 75, around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The house was completely leveled in the explosion, which happened around 6 o’clock Wednesday night.

The explosion could be heard and felt miles away.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Assisting at the scene were the Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District,  the State Fire Marshals Office, Bluffton EMS and Hanco EMS.

 

 

UPDATE – House Explodes Near Bluffton

UPDATE- Authorities confirm two bodies were found at the scene of the house explosion east of Bluffton. Click here for more.

ORIGINAL STORY – Various responders were on the scene of a house explosion that happened a little east of Bluffton.

The explosion occurred around 6 o’clock Wednesday night at a house on State Route 103, between State Route 235 and Interstate 75.

The house was leveled in the explosion, which could be heard miles away.

We’re working on gathering more information and as soon as we know more we’ll update this story.

 

FHS Graduating Class Awarded $5.2 Million In Scholarships

Findlay High School says more than $5 million in scholarships has been awarded to the 2022 graduating class so far.

The scholarships come from colleges, universities, the Community Foundation, local donors and others.

Findlay High School head principal Ryan Imke says they had 124 different students that received awards this year, and 22 of those students graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

 

 

As Imke mentioned in the audio above, the school is very appreciative of the Findlay-Hancock Community Foundation and the many local people who support them with scholarship donations.

Imke highlighted Mary Ellen Biery Cole and Ralph D. Cole, who left a significant contribution to support students that has been ongoing for years.

He says their Valedictorian each year receives an $11,000 scholarship to support their college endeavors while the Salutatorian receives a $5,500 scholarship.

Get more in the post below from Findlay High School.

 

 

Longtime Findlay Community Leader John Kovach Dies

A man who was instrumental in the economic development efforts of Findlay for many years has passed away.

John Kovach died on June 5th at the age of 78.

Former Findlay Mayor Tony Iriti says John created the blueprint for being successful in economic development.

“He was responsible for most of the development that occurred from the early 80s until the mid to late 90s.”

 

 

John arrived in Findlay in 1984 to lead the newly-created Findlay Community Development Foundation.

Tony tells WFIN that John was a genuine person and could build trust with people easily.

“And that went a long way in establishing the relationships that he needed to accomplish all of the things that happened in Findlay at that time.”

Tony says John can be credited with starting what would later be known as the “Findlay Formula” of getting the business, government, and education communities working together in both the public and private sectors to the benefit of economic development.

Tony said John had the vision of creating the Tall Timbers industrial park in Findlay, among many other projects.

John’s obituary says visitation for family and friends will be held 4 to 8 on Wednesday, June 8th at Kirkpatrick Behnke Funeral Home.

There will also be an hour of visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday June 9, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 750 Bright Road.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday following visitation.

Online condolences can be made to the family via kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

“He was a good friend to many, many people and he will certainly be missed,” Tony said.

 

 

Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal Crash

A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Wyandot County.

The sheriff’s office says the crash happened on County Highway 53 a little west of Township Highway 102 at around 5 a.m. Tuesday.

The sheriff’s office says Dennis Grassel, 80, of Mansfield, was driving east on County Highway 53 in an SUV when he failed to negotiate a curve.

His SUV went off the road to the right, hit a tree and overturned.

Grassel was pronounced dead at the scene and was taken by EMS to Wyandot Memorial Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office.

 

ODOT Advising Drivers Of Upcoming Ramp Closure

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know of an upcoming ramp closure in Wyandot County.

ODOT says the US 30 westbound exit ramp to US 23/US 30 northbound, on the east side of Upper Sandusky, will close on Friday, June 10th for approximately one day.

The closure will allow crews to remove a light tower.

ODOT says the detour will be US 23 south to SR 199 to back to US 23 north.

 

Council Approves Resolution To Remove FirstEnergy Name

Cleveland City Council approved an emergency resolution calling for FirstEnergy’s name to be removed from Cleveland Browns stadium.

In a 16-1 vote, the council cited the company’s role in a bribery scheme now under federal investigation.

Cleveland city councilman Michael Polensek spoke before the vote.

 

 

The vote does not mean FirstEnergy’s name will be removed, as the utility has a naming rights deal with the Browns.

The vote serves more as an official statement by the city council.

 

FPD: Burglary Suspect Getting In Through Unlocked Doors, Windows

The Findlay Police Department is reminding residents to secure the doors and windows on their property.

This reminder comes as police say they’ve taken some burglary reports from some residents.

Police say the method of entry was the same in each of the incidents, with the burglar entering through unlocked doors and windows during the early morning hours.

Once inside the residence, police say the suspect grabs purses, wallets, cell phones and credit cards.

A few hours after posting the reminder on Facebook, police said a suspect in the burglaries had been identified.

Police are urging residents to always report any suspicious activity.