The Hancock Park District partnered with the ODNR to complete the two sites.
Combined, the projects, which sit side by side, cover 142 acres and created 43 individual wetlands.
The eastern site transformed 65 acres of farmland into wetlands and pollinator habitat.
The western site took farmland out of production to create and restore wetlands, woodland, and prairie.
The Hancock Park District’s Chad Carroll says, during high flows, the project will allow Aurand Run to flow into the wetlands which will absorb and filter nutrients and sediments before reaching the Blanchard River and eventually Lake Erie.
Chad says there is a third H2Ohio project underway just east of the Findlay reservoirs which will open in the spring.
“These two sites really exemplify the goals of H2Ohio when it comes to water quality and the importance of outdoor space for communities,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said.
“People can walk along the paths soaking in the sights and sounds of nature, while these wetlands work to make water cleaner for everyone.”
The sites offer three miles of walking paths for people to enjoy.
The recreational perk was something that the Hancock County Parks District was really excited about.
“Since 2009, the Hancock Park District envisioned the transition of farmland to a natural area,” Hancock Parks District Executive Director Gary Pruitt said.
“Thanks to the wetland restoration funding through H2Ohio, we were able to bring that idea to life and give the community a place to come and enjoy nature. The project led to a thoughtful expansion of Oakwoods Nature Preserve.”
This project is one of more than 110 H2Ohio wetland projects now underway or complete by ODNR.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that someone is trying to use their phone number to scam people.
The sheriff’s office says, using the sheriff’s office phone number, the scammer contacts people advising them that they have warrants or have missed their court date.
The scammer states that the person has a bond that needs paid, and that they need to come to the sheriff’s office to take care of the warrant.
The sheriff’s office reminds people that they never call people to advise that they have a warrant or collect any payment for bond over the phone.
People are advised that these are scam calls and to not give any information to the would-be scammers.
The village of Mount Cory will be celebrating its Sesquicentennial on Saturday, September 17th.
Mount Cory was established in 1872 and on Saturday the community will be celebrating the fact that they’re still going strong 150 years later.
The Sesquicentennial festivities will include a parade and festival marking the 150th anniversary of the village’s founding.
The celebration begins with a parade through town at 2 o’clock ending at the Village Park where numerous activities will be held throughout the day.
Mike Noggle, Pastor of Mount Cory United Methodist Church was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to talk about the celebration.
The Sesquicentennial Celebration logo includes a DF on the right side of the trolley in memory of Dominic Francis, the Mt. Cory resident and Bluffton police offficer who was killed in the line of duty in March.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man fired a handgun at a person at a residence on the southern end of the county and then fled the scene.
The sheriff’s office says it happened at 7400 County Road 304 at around 12:42 Thursday afternoon.
Deputies responded to the area and were unable to locate the suspect, identified as Austin Wickman, 28, of Findlay.
They say Wickman was reported to be driving a 2007 Chevy 2500 truck, black in color with a plate of JTA-9755.
The sheriff’s office says Wickman should be considered to be armed and should not be approached if located.
Anyone who sees him or knows where he might be should contact the sheriff’s office.
A Hancock County Grand Jury has indicted a former scouting troop instructor on sex charges involving minors.
Court records show Dale E. Lingo, 26, of Columbus, was indicted on one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a 4th-degree felony, and three counts of sexual battery, a 3rd-degree felony.
The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred in Eagle Township, Hancock County in the summer of 2017.
Lingo was about to go on trial in connection with two of the charges when another victim came forward and the prosecutor’s office re-indicted him to include the new charges.
There will be more than 300 vintage books on many topics available for purchase.
Emilee Whetstone, manager of the Book Cellar, says this is a great opportunity to add to your collection or start a new collection.
We spoke with Emilee about some of the most expensive books in the sale.
Funds from books purchased at the sale benefit the numerous programs the Friends of the Library support each year for the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.
Emilee says the Book Cellar has been around since November of 1991 and since then has donated more than $300,000 to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library from its book sales.
The vintage book sale will be held in the Blanchard Room at the library on Monday, September 19th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cash and checks only will be accepted.
For questions about the sale, contact the Book Cellar at 419-434-1044.
The Findlay Police Department has hired a new officer.
Chance Collins was recently sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn.
Police Chief Robert Ring says the 34-year-old Collins is a graduate of Arlington High School and attended Tiffin University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Collins previously served with the Forest Police Department and has spent the last 13 years with the Carey Police Department.
While with the Carey Police Department, Collins served on the Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit and held several positions within the department.
Collins will be assigned to the Findlay Police Department patrol division.
The United Way of Hancock County will launch its 2022 Annual Campaign on Thursday, September 15th with a variety of kickoff week activities designed to build corporate enthusiasm, provide volunteer opportunities, and educate the public on the efforts of local nonprofit agencies.
This year’s campaign theme is “Difference Makers,” emphasizing the fact that each person can make a difference for vulnerable children, families and individuals in our community through charitable giving, advocacy or volunteer work.
UWHC has set a fundraising goal of $2 million to $2.2 million.
“We are so thankful for the Difference Makers who work tirelessly to offer hope to all who call Hancock County home,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of UWHC.
“All money raised here stays here, so you can be confident that your donation will measurably improve the lives of the residents of Hancock County.”
United Way’s Annual Campaign supports more than 20 local nonprofit agencies and an additional 20-plus unique programs designed to measurably improve people’s lives in the areas of health, education and financial stability. These programs provide critical services to 1 in 4 people in our community.
Leading the campaign’s efforts is Campaign Cabinet Chair Andrea Kramer (pictured below), president and owner of City Apparel and founder at Go Grow Strategies.
“As the 2022 United Way of Hancock County Campaign Chair, I invite you, alongside me, to be a Difference Maker,” Kramer said.
“As a business leader and community member, I believe we all have a responsibility and the ability to make Hancock County a great place to be.”
Kramer is also a former Dana Scholar Chair; a board member on the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and on the Braden Kramer Foundation; an executive board member for Family Resource Center of Northwest Ohio; and a member of Findlay Rotary Club.
Erin Poling, business development for City Apparel, is serving as the campaign’s Corporate Division Chair Liaison.
Co-chairing the Commercial Division are Luke Gibson, president of Gibson Concrete Construction and Gibson Decorative Surfaces; and his wife, Tiphanie Gibson, of Kirk Brothers Construction.
Education Division Chairs are Heather Ward, interim vice president of human resources at the University of Findlay; and Kelly Wohlgamuth, coordinator of gifted and ESL services at Findlay City Schools.
Matt Wood, senior vice president/market president for Citizens National Bank, is chairing the FIRE (finance, insurance and real estate) Division.
James Wellman, chief digital and information officer at Blanchard Valley Health System, is chairing the Health Division.
Serving as Mercantile Division Chair is Karen Worthington, founder and owner of River + Road.
Chairing the Professional Division is Drew Mihalik, ESQ, owner/managing partner at Fitzgerald & Mihalik.
Co-chairing the Public Division are Rob Martin, City of Findlay service-safety director; Josh Eberle, Findlay Fire Department chief; and Kathy Launder, City of Findlay chief assistant to the mayor.
Dr. Andrew Ritz, retired pediatrician with Blanchard Valley Pediatrics; and Jennifer Lysaght, retired personal trainer, are chairing the Retiree Division.
Jeff Cole, president of the Hancock County Agricultural Society/Hancock County Fair, is chairing the Rural Division.
Serving as Youth Division Chair is Madison Tolsma, supply chain business analyst at Marathon Petroleum Corp.
UWHC’s fundraising season will kick off with the 2022 Campaign Kickoff Kickball Championship held Thursday at Marathon Diamonds. This event features 16 teams competing in a single-elimination tournament — all while promoting United Way and the agencies and programs it supports. Games begin at 4:30 p.m., and the public is invited to come cheer the players on.
The following week, Sept. 19-21, Days of Caring will see about 160 volunteers completing 36 projects throughout the county. This value to the community is more than $19,000, based on a volunteer hour being valued at $29.95.
During Days of Caring, employees of area corporations and small businesses lend a hand to local organizations. Nonprofits in need of help submit projects, volunteer teams register to help, and the United Way matches up the two groups. Volunteers then head out in force to complete projects such as landscaping, organizing, painting, cleaning, construction and more.
On Sept. 22, UWHC will host two Difference Maker Media Tours. HATS will be providing transportation around the community, offering media personalities an inside look at programs that are impacting lives in our community.
The campaign runs through Nov. 15, with opportunities for workplace and individual giving.
All money raised through the campaign stays local to support UWHC’s mission to measurably improve people’s lives in Hancock County.
Activities begin at 9 a.m. at 50 North and the walk will get underway at 10 a.m.
The Hancock County Walk is one of more than 600 national walks that annually raise money for Alzheimer’s and other dementia research and allows the Alzheimer’s Association to provide free care and support services to local families.
Walk Manager Wenda Quanrud says this year’s goal is to raise $47,000.
As Wenda mentioned in the audio above, the event will have several new areas this year such as the Dementia Experience where you can do some hands-on activities as well as a “Get Your Purple On” tent where you can get purple beads, tattoos, and purple hairspray.
The Promise Garden Ceremony features multi-color flowers, each color representing the person’s connection to Alzheimer’s disease.
The visually striking display allows participants to unite in the fight against Alzheimer’s, which affects more than 6 million Americans of all ages.
The Walk route is about a mile and there’s also a shorter quarter-mile route.
At the end of the Walk, hot dogs and chips will be served and there will be a drawing for several prizes.
50 North is located at 339 East Melrose Avenue in Findlay.
A standoff in Seneca County ended peacefully on Monday when police arrested a Dayton man who was wanted for shooting a woman and stealing her car earlier in the day near Xenia.
Police put out a ‘be on the lookout’ for LaDashiaun Brown and a few hours later Seneca County sheriff’s deputies found the stolen car next to a trailer near the town of Republic.
Neighbors were evacuated for their safety when police tried to talk to Brown.
When Brown gave himself up, he was placed under arrest for stealing a vehicle and felonious assault.
The 18-year-old woman Brown is accused of shooting was hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries.
