The Ohio Army National Guard stopped by the WFIN, WKXA and 106.3 The Fox Studios to thank them for their partnership in bringing awareness to the National Guard and their recruitment efforts.

Brigadier General Thomas Moore presented the radio stations with a minuteman statue that read, “In appreciation of your support of the Ohio Army National Guard through the NCSA Program.”

During the presentation, General Moore emphasized how important it is to get their message out about the many opportunities available through the National Guard.

“The better we can get that message out there — we can put the right people in uniform.”

Get more details about joining the Ohio National Guard by clicking here, and video of the presentation is below.

The West Ohio Food Bank and Fresh Encounter stores (Chief and Community Markets) in Findlay and Lima teamed up in August for a back-to-school themed food bag drive called “Nourish our Students.”

Donations were collected at the stores from August 4th through September 14th, and those numbers totaled $9,750.

A check presentation ceremony took place recently at the Chief Supermarket Cable Road location in Lima.

Store managers from the Cable Road and Northland Lima locations were on hand, along with West Ohio Food Bank CEO Tommie Harner.

“Fresh Encounter stores have been a longtime supporter of what we do at the West Ohio Food Bank,” Harner said.

“These donations collected will help us to continue to help feed families and students, as many are still struggling with rising gas, food, and medicine prices.”

Fresh Encounter, a supermarket management company in Findlay, operates stores throughout Ohio, including the Great Scot stores in Findlay, as well as in eastern Indiana, Kentucky and Florida.

The week of October 9^th – 15^th is Fire Prevention Week and we spoke with the Findlay Fire Department about ways to keep you and your family safe.

The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape!”

Inspector Eric Wilkins of the Findlay Fire Department says to make sure you and your family have a plan in case of a fire.

This should include knowing two ways out of every room, having a meeting place, and practicing the plan at least twice a year.

Other safety tips include:

Know the sounds of a smoke/carbon monoxide detector

Know two ways to get out of every room in your house.

Establish a meeting place for your family, outside and away from the building.

Ensure everyone knows to call 911 once they are out.

Ensure everyone knows their street address.

Ensure everyone knows that once they are out, stay out!

The Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional agencies, executed a drug-related search warrant at a Fostoria house.

The task force says the house at 1009 Buckley Street is the residence of Jamie M. Tornow, 46, Alexander J. Ferguson, 34, and April L. Iannantunono, 30.

The task force says the search of the residence yielded suspected fentanyl, suspected cocaine, criminal tools and evidence of drug trafficking and use.

Additional charges, including trafficking in fentanyl, are pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Fostoria Police Chief Gabe Wedge said this extensive investigation stemmed from citizen complaints and will improve the quality of life in the community.

The City of Findlay is letting drivers know that a street in the downtown area will be closed for a portion of the day on Wednesday.

The city says West Sandusky Street, from South Cory Street to South West Street, will be closed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12^th.

The closure is necessary as crews will be making repairs to a portion of the street that was damaged in a previous water line break.

Also, a reminder that some AEP work is causing temporary lane closures in the downtown area, and you can get more on that by clicking here.

For an hour on Monday night, the two candidates running for Ohio’s open US Senate seat, Tim Ryan and JD Vance, took jabs at each other during a debate in Cleveland.

In one of the most highly-watched races this fall, Republican JD Vance took aim at Democratic spending bills.

“They’ve borrowed and spent trillions of dollars we just don’t have, and that’s thrown fuel on the fire of the inflation problem,” Vance said.

Democratic Congressman Tim Ryan fired back at the author and venture capitalist.

“JD Vance has invested into companies in China. The problem we’re having now with inflation is that our supply chains all went to China.”

The two are vying for the seat being vacated by the retiring Rob Portman.

The voter registration deadline for the fall election is Tuesday, October 11^th.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 8^th.

See what issues and candidates are on the ballot by clicking here. 

Honda says it plans to build a $3.5 billion joint-venture battery factory in rural southern Ohio and hire 2,200 people to staff it as it starts to turn the state into its North American electric vehicle hub.

The plant will be built 40 miles southwest of Columbus, along Interstate 71, just southwest of Jeffersonville in Fayette County.

The company also plans to invest $700 million and add 300 jobs at three of its own Ohio factories to prepare them to start making EVs and components.

The battery plant, to be built jointly with LG Energy Solution of South Korea, could see a total investment of $4.4 billion.

Groundbreaking is expected next year with production beginning in 2025.

The Hancock County Board of Elections is reminding people about some important dates surrounding the upcoming election in November.

Jody O’Brien, Republican Director of the Hancock County Board of Elections says the voter registration deadline is Tuesday, October 11^th.

As Jody mentioned in the audio above, early voting will begin on Wednesday, October 12^th.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 8^th.

Jody encourages county residents to go to the BOE’s website to see if they are registered at their current address.

And while visiting the website you can also see what candidates and issues will be on the ballot and where your voting precinct will be located.

Jody says they can always use more poll workers, and people interested in becoming a poll worker should contact the board of elections at 419-422-3245.

The Hancock Historical Museum will host an evening of fun for all ages at a Halloween “Spooktacular!” Saturday, October 22nd from 5 – 8 p.m.

Executive Director Sarah Sisser was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to talk about the annual event.

As Sarah mentioned in the audio above, guests will enjoy the “haunted” Hull House, built in 1881 and sample seasonal treats cooked over the hearth in the historic Crawford Log House.

Decorate pumpkins and cookies. Children will enjoy fall activities, crafts and games throughout the museum’s multiple buildings.

Guests are encouraged to come in costume.

Admission is $1 per person and includes all museum facilities.

Get more details by clicking here. 

The October Classic Movie will be Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and will be held on Friday, October 14th at 7 p.m.

The Findlay Police Department has announced the promotion of David P. Hill to the position of Lieutenant.

Lt. Hill was sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn on Monday morning at the Findlay Municipal Building.

Lt. Hill, a graduate of Findlay High School and Owens Community College, joined the Findlay Police Department in August of 1992 as an auxiliary officer.

Hill became a full-time officer in March of 1999 and was promoted to Sergeant in November of 2005.

Lt. Hill has served a variety of assignments within the patrol division and the special services division.

Going forward, Lt. Hill will oversee the department’s Special Services Division.

Below is video from last December when we spoke with Lt. Hill at their Cops and Kids Go Shopping event at Meijer.