Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the report of a truck crashed into a tree to find the vehicle unoccupied and the driver not in the immediate area.

The truck was found crashed into a tree on Liberty Township Road 89 a little east of Hancock County Road 139, west of Findlay, on Thursday afternoon.

The driver wasn’t with the vehicle and deputies were keeping an eye out for anyone in the area who may have been involved in a crash.

As of Friday morning, the sheriff’s office said the driver still had not been located, and that the crash was under investigation.

Some Findlay Trojans were named to the Division I Football All-Ohio Teams by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.

Offensive Lineman Luke Montgomery was selected to the First Team Offense.

The 6-5, 287 pound Montgomery committed to Ohio State earlier in the year and has enrolled early.

His quarterback brother, Ryan, was selected for the Honorable Mention category.

The 6-3, 210 pound Montgomery will be in his junior year next season.

Findlay defensive back Tucker Oliver was also recognized in the Honorable Mention category.

See the full list by clicking here. 

The Findlay City Planning Commission has approved the site plan and conditional use for a mixed-use building at the site of the long-vacant Argyle lot in downtown Findlay.

The four-story building will be located at 526 South Main Street, across from Marathon Petroleum.

The building will include 24 residential units on the top floors and a mix of commercial and amenities for the apartments on the first floor.

There will be 25 parking spots for tenants behind the building.

Dan Sheaffer, director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, expects construction to begin in the second quarter of 2023 and to take about a year.

The property is located within the Downtown Design Review District, and final design of the building will be subject to approval from the Downtown Design Review Board.

The Argyle building, which was directly across from Marathon Petroleum, was torn down after being severely damaged in a fire in February of 2012.

The Argyle lot was purchased by Trivium Development.

The application for site plan review was filed by Peterman Associates.

The City of Findlay honored 107 employees at a luncheon held on December 6th, 2022, for their years of service with the City for years ending 2021 and 2022. The following individuals were recognized:

5 Years: Erik Adkins, Zoning Dept.; Emily Butler, Municipal Court; Ryan Cates, Water Distribution; Clay Cooper, Fire Dept.; Jeff Corbin, Engineering Dept.; Peyton Correll, Municipal Court; Brandon Craft, Fire Dept.; Deziree Crawford, Municipal Court; Charles Curley, Computer Services; Melanie Donaldson, City Income Tax; Ian Edinger, Police Dept.; Marshall Finelli, Law Director’s Office; Joe Francis, Water Distribution; Cameron Freed, Water Distribution; Tim Fritz, Fire Dept.; Steve Girdler, Street Dept.; Joe Hoover, City Income Tax; Tammy Kirkpatrick, Water/Sewer Billing; Dillon Kliesch, Police Dept.; Shawn Martien, Fire Dept.; Jon Morter, Fire Dept.; Mat Otto, Water Treatment Plant; Jason Phillips, Water Treatment Plant; Kyle Plumley, Police Dept.; Nick Price, Fire Dept.; Seth Rosselit, Water Pollution Control Center; Brian Rutter, Police Dept.; Ray Stelmaszak, Water Treatment Plant; Brenda Stimmel, Police Dept.; Ben Stoner, Police Dept.; Kevin Stozich, Fire Dept.; Savannah Swanson, Water Pollution Control Center; Jedidiah Walker, Police Dept.; Isaac Williams, Police Dept.

10 Years: Judge Stephanie Bishop, Municipal Court; Heather Bolen, Municipal Court; Levi Butler, Street Dept.; Brooks Deidrick, Police Dept.; Candace Griffith, Municipal Court; Morgan Huber, Municipal Court; Matt Karl, Water Treatment Plant; Jennifer Niederkohr, Water Treatment Plant; Matt Paugh, Police Dept.; Jason Rayle, Traffic Lights; Tamara Warrington, Municipal Court; Jonathan Wilkins, Findlay Airport; Randy Zacharias, Water Treatment Plant

15 Years: AJ Copus, Street Dept.; Shawn Doe, Municipal Court; Raeanna Drake, Water/Sewer Billing; Kyle Hendren, Police Dept.; Ryan Lease, Fire Dept.; Adam Lutz, Fire Dept.; Cari Price, Police Dispatch; Jessica Rayle, Police Dispatch; Robin Schey, Street Dept.; Brent Vaughan, Sewer Maintenance; Tyler Waldbauer, Police Dept.; Derek Welch, Fire Dept.

20 Years: Raul Amesquita, Water Pollution Control; Brian Andrews, Police Dept.; Brad Bash, Municipal Court; Rich Cap, Supply Reservoir; Dave Claflin, Municipal Court; Don Dawson, Police Dept.; Matt Eier, Police Dept.; George Elston, Storm Water Maintenance; Jerry Greer, Fire Dept.; Dave Hocanson, Police Dept.; Ann Houpt, Water/Sewer Billing; Betty Jones, Water Distribution; Kathy Launder, Mayor’s Office; Doug Marshall, Police Dept.; Rick Parker, Water Treatment Plant; Huck Roesch, Water Pollution Control; Chris Scherger, Parks Maintenance; Kevin Shenise, Fire Dept.; Joe Smith, Police Dept.; Kevin Spieker, Police Dept.; Elliott Tyzzer, Street Dept.; Rich Warner, Police Dept.; Eric Wilkins, Fire Dept.

25 Years: Jason Abbott, Fire Dept.; Jim Atchison, Fire Dept.; Amy Baird, Auditor’s Office; Ed Bickford, Findlay Airport; Beth Crusa, Police Dispatch; Dave Honse, Street Dept.; Chris Huber, Police Dept.; Andy Kunst, Fire Dept.; Garret Lafferty, Fire Dept.; Kurt Necker, Police Dept.; Mark Randolph, Water/Sewer Billing; Chief Robert Ring, Police Dept.; Barbara Rodrigues, Cemetery Dept.; Alan Rutherford, Findlay Airport; John Schimmoeller, Police Dept.; Troy Stoner, Fire Dept.; Todd Ward, Water Treatment Plant

30 Years: Bob Courtney, Sewer Maintenance; Brad Eblen, Water Treatment Plant; Kenny Paul, Water Distribution; Ken Thomas, Fire Dept.; Matt Traver, Fire Dept.

35 Years: Cheryl Horne, Police Dept.

40 Years: Dave Beach, Water Pollution Control Center

45 Years: Tom Davis, Police Dept.

The United Way of Hancock County’s Halt Hunger initiative received a big donation recently.

McComb-based Hearthside Food Solutions donated 133 frozen turkeys to the initiative.

The donated turkeys will be included in holiday meal boxes for distribution to local families and individuals through United Way’s partner agencies.

“Hearthside’s generosity will bless so many families,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Angela DeBoskey.

“We know that rising food cost is a concern for many and that this donation will bring a sense of relief to the recipients. We applaud companies that choose to Make a Difference in our community.”

“The people of Hearthside take our commitment to the communities we serve to heart,” said Senior Human Resources Manager Eric Huttenlocher.

“On behalf of our 1,600 McComb employees, we thank the United Way of Hancock County for their leadership and accepting our contribution on behalf of the Hancock County community.”

United Way of Hancock County’s Halt Hunger Initiative seeks to identify and meet immediate needs while promoting long-term, sustainable solutions to the problem of food insecurity.

According to Feeding America, 11.2 percent of Hancock County’s population is food insecure.

Click here to learn more about helping local hunger initiatives.

The City of Findlay is accepting applications for its Building Demolition Program which provides grant money to Findlay residents, nonprofits, and businesses to remove unwanted buildings.

Private property owners who are in good standing with the city’s income tax department are eligible for the program as are nonprofit organizations in the city.

The demolition of structures owned by nonprofit organizations will be funded in full by the City of Findlay Building Demolition Program.  Private property owners will be responsible for 15 percent of the demolition costs.

Only currently existing structures located within city limits are eligible to be demolished under the program.

This may include, but is not limited to, residential, agricultural, or commercial/businesses.

Any demolition completed prior to the approved award process will not be eligible for the program. Priority will be given to structures deemed blighted within city limits.

The application deadline is January 6^th. Get more details on the program by clicking here.

Findlay firefighters helped brighten the holidays for several local kids and their families.

The Findlay Fire Department again this year participated in the Shop With a Firefighter program, in conjunction with Findlay Hope House and Walmart.

Firefighters took the youngsters shopping at the Tiffin Avenue Walmart.

The kids had $200 to spend on their family members and themselves.

And families received an extra $100 to purchase food for a nice Christmas dinner.

Millstream Area Credit Union then wrapped up the gifts for the families.

We spoke with Findlay firefighter Travis Bohn (below) who said it’s one of his favorite events of the year. He said this is the fourth year for him and the department has been participating for more than 20 years.

Get more of our conversation with Travis and see video from the event below.

The Fort Findlay FOP Foundation’s Cops and Kids Go Shopping event will be held on Sunday.

In remembrance of the lives lost on December 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, flags are being flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio from midnight to midnight on December 7, 2022.

81 years ago, 2,403 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice at Pearl Harbor and many more were injured.

Wednesday, December 7^th, is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The City of Findlay presented Kyle Inbody, Airport Operations Coordinator with the Findlay Airport, with the John Edward Seman Award for Employee Excellence.

Inbody started with the City of Findlay in 2019 in the Zoning Department as a Code Enforcement Officer.

He transferred to the Findlay Airport in 2021 as the Airport Operations Coordinator.

Inbody earned his private pilot license at age 17 and earned his bachelor of science degree, majoring in Aviation Management and Operations from Bowling Green State University.

Findlay Service-Safety Director Rob Martin says Inbody goes above and beyond to ensure the success of the airport.

“Inbody has tremendous work ethic and always has a positive outlook. I thought Inbody was a great employee when he worked in Zoning, but when he transitioned to the airport, I was able to see him truly thrive in an industry that he is extremely passionate about. The Airport and the City are extremely lucky to have such an engaged individual on our team.”

Martin said Inbody takes on projects in an effort to save money and his hard work has led to an increase in transient air traffic and a 100 percent hangar occupancy rate.

He said Inbody is dependable and goes out of his way to provide the best customer care.

Mayor Christina Muryn added that Inbody is a great asset to the team, and is eager to serve and is always looking for ways for the City to improve.

In his spare time, Inbody is an active member of the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter, is the secretary of the flight club, and is an entrepreneur.

The following City employees were nominated by their peers: Matt Huth, Street Department; Kyle Inbody, Findlay Airport; Josh Jansen, Street Department; Elliott Tyzzer, Street Department.

The program is named in honor of Assistant City Engineer John E. Seman who passed away in late 2004. John’s service to the City began in May 2000.

John’s distinguished character and passion for excellence in building a community established a pinnacle for all to follow.

The annual John Edward Seman Award for Employee Excellence is intended to formally recognize a City employee whose service, dedication, integrity, and commitment to community are exemplary.

John’s parents, Dave and Beth Seman, and his brother and sister-in-law Dan and Katie Seman helped present the award.

City employees who have served at least one year, except elected officials, are eligible for nomination.

Nominations were made by employees of the City of Findlay.

A plaque displaying the names of past award recipients is displayed in the Municipal Building.

Findlay First Edition will be presenting their 22^nd Annual Christmas Show on Saturday, December 10^th at Findlay High School.

The event will include two shows, a spaghetti dinner, and the freshman show choir Voices in Perfection.

Show tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or by calling the Choir Office at 567-250-5027.

Director Kevin Manley was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to talk about the show.