The Findlay Fire Department is reminding everyone to change the batteries in their smoke detectors over the weekend when they move their clocks back for the time change.

We spoke with Inspector Eric Wilkins, who told us that there’s nothing in our houses more important to safety than a smoke detector.

He says batteries should be replaced every six months and smoke detectors last about ten years before they should be replaced.

Instead of “smoke detectors save lives”, Inspector Wilkins says he says “working smoke detectors save lives” because if it’s not functional it isn’t going to help.

He says when they have a fire in which a smoke detector didn’t go off to alert the occupants it’s usually because of human error, such as dead batteries or the detector was taken down because it was going off during cooking and wasn’t put back up.

People are also urged to have carbon monoxide detectors in their home as well.

Congressman Tim Ryan brought his U.S. Senate campaign to Findlay on Thursday.

The Democrat spoke before a crowd of supporters at the Wine Merchant.

During his remarks, Ryan reinforced how high the stakes are in this election.

He says many Republicans support his campaign.

On Tuesday, November 8^th voters will decide whether Ryan or Republican JD Vance will take over for retiring Ohio U.S Senator Rob Portman.

In the video below you can hear some of Ryan’s remarks and he tosses a football with son Brady afterward.

Learn more about Ryan by clicking here, and Vance by clicking here. 

Hancock Public Health will be holding a COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Clinic on Monday, November 14th from 1 – 6:30 at their offices located at 2225 Keith Parkway in Findlay.

People interested should bring photo identification, an insurance card and their COVID Card.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available while supplies last.

The Flu vaccine will also be available for people interested.

No appointment is necessary.

People with questions may call 419-424-7441.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is asking for your help to encourage safe driving for the millions of people hitting the road for the upcoming holidays.

ODOT is encouraging people to submit a holiday-themed safety message that may be selected to go up on the highway message boards over the holidays.

Previous messages have reminded drivers that life is “fra-gee-lay,” a reference to the popular holiday movie “A Christmas Story,” and to “Drop The Phone, We Triple Dog Dare Ya.”

“Turkey Says Buckle Buckle” was a previous one over Thanksgiving.

You can submit your message by clicking here.

Garner Trucking President and CEO Sherri Garner Brumbaugh went on Fox News to talk about the high cost of fuel and the effect it’s having on the industry and her operation in Findlay.

Sherri tells WFIN that they’re on track to spend around $1.2 million more on diesel fuel this year compared to last.

She says this week they bought diesel at $5.25 a gallon, when a year ago it was $3.60 and $2.60 the year before that.

“I’m putting more money in fuel tanks than I am paychecks.”

To help deal with the high cost of fuel, she says they do pass on a fuel surcharge to their customers who then factor that into the cost of their products, causing inflation.

She says they’re fortunate to have good customers with contracts that have fuel surcharge repayments.

“But it just makes you look at your whole operation and want to reserve cash, because that bill for fuel comes every seven days.”

The City of Findlay says the city’s water is experiencing an earthy taste and odor.

The city says this is due to a mechanical failure, but points out that the water is safe to drink and will not cause any adverse health effects.

On Wednesday afternoon, the city said the issue is anticipated to be resolved and taste and odor should normalize within 48 hours.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted toured Findlay’s Millstream Career Center on Wednesday and spoke with teachers and students.

Millstream Director Pam Hamlin led Husted’s tour through the center.

The tour started in a networking and cyber security classroom with business partner RCR Technology.

The tour then moved down the hall to health professions and then to Flow Studio, where students are learning to build a T-shirt business from the ground up. (video below)

The tour then wrapped up in an engineering and robotics classroom.

The Lt. Governor was impressed with the operation when we spoke with him after the tour.

“Many of their students are already working out in the community, they have jobs before they graduate.”

Husted highlighted Millstream’s use of the state’s Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP), which increases opportunities for high school students to earn industry-recognized credentials.

Get more of our talk with the Lt. Gov at the end of the video below.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is conducting an online survey to identify traffic safety concerns and obtain feedback about interactions with the agency.

The 2022 Public Survey is anonymous and takes about five minutes to complete.

The survey is designed to be used as a platform for organizational learning, asking specific questions related to traffic safety issues and previous interactions with OSHP employees.

The survey is created in accordance with standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says it’s committed to providing professional law enforcement services focused on deterring crime and promoting traffic safety to improve the quality of life for the citizens and visitors of Ohio.

“Please consider taking the survey to help us better serve you.”

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is hosting a free family event for community members to decorate ornaments for the City of Findlay Christmas tree.

The event will be held in coordination with ArtWalk on Friday, November 4, from 5-9 p.m. at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

There are 300 white ornaments, purchased with a Foundation grant, to decorate.

Supplies for decoration will be provided.

Parking will be available in the Marathon Center’s adjoining parking lot.

The Foundation will also provide refreshments.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner made a campaign stop in Findlay on Tuesday night.

Brunner, a Democrat, is running for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, a position that’s being vacated by current Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor due to term limits.

“For me, public service is doing whatever I can in my job to make people’s lives better,” Brunner said to supporters in front of the Hancock County Courthouse.

Brunner says, over the past year, she’s met with people in every corner of Ohio and laid out a plan for Ohio’s courts that includes creation of a Task Force to establish a Commission on Fairness and Equality in Ohio’s Courts and Legal System, completing the implementation of the Criminal Sentencing Database, expanding specialized dockets, establishing an Environmental Justice Task Force, improving technology for the courts, and supporting judges and local courts in addressing the opioid epidemic.

Brunner says, as the next Chief Justice, she would work with community leaders and elected officials to implement those plans.

Brunner’s opponent in the race for Chief Justice is fellow Ohio Supreme Court Justice, Republican Sharon Kennedy, who spoke at the Hancock County GOP’s First Friday Luncheon in September.

Learn more about Brunner here, and Kennedy here.

Brunner was joined in Findlay by Jeff Crossman, who is running for Ohio Attorney General against incumbent Dave Yost.