Findlay City Schools staff on Friday received training on the SafeDefend active shooter protection system that was recently installed in school district buildings.

Interim Superintendent Krista Crates-Miller says the system will help keep students and staff safer during an emergency situation such as an active shooter by providing teachers, staff and emergency responders with instant information.

“SafeDefend will provide instant texts to say where the threat is, what exits to avoid, and then you can make a decision based on your location whether you run, you hide or fight.”

She says all rooms now have a SafeDefend box in them that’s equipped with items that help defend against a threat and items that help treat injured individuals.

The moment the system is activated notifications also go to first responders in Findlay with the exact location of the activated device so they can respond immediately.

“We are absolutely more prepared, and each day we’re going to become more and more prepared as we learn and grow and improve our process,” Krista said.

“This is not an era of being reactive and hoping it doesn’t happen, this is an era in Findlay City Schools where we’re taking every precaution so we’re safer the next day than we were the day before.”

She said training involving students will soon be held and the system will be fully up and running shortly.

Sheriff Michael Heldman has announced promotions in the Enforcement Division of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Mark Price, formerly the Enforcement Lieutenant, has been promoted to Captain.

He will oversee the Enforcement operation of the Sheriff’s Office.

Some of his many duties will include administration, policy and procedure, labor management, computer services and staffing.

Captain Price began his career at the Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer in 1998. A year later, he became a Deputy.

In 2012, Price was promoted to Sergeant and then advanced to Lieutenant in 2020.

Jason R. Seem, formerly Detective Sergeant, has been promoted to Enforcement Lieutenant.

He will oversee the daily enforcement operations, including Sergeants, detectives and deputies.

Seem began his career with the Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy in 2000.

He transferred to the Detective division in 2004, working many years with the METRICH Drug Task Force, being promoted to Detective Sergeant in 2012.

“We congratulate both Captain Price and Lieutenant Seem and look forward to moving forward with their leadership,” said Sheriff Heldman.

Below is video from November when we spoke with Captain Price about the hoax shooter report at Liberty Benton High School.

The City of Findlay is planning to put up a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. mural in partnership with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and a local artist.

The city announced in July of 2022 that the mural would be placed on the overpass named after Dr. King in downtown Findlay.

But, since the area where the mural would’ve been located will be undergoing improvements over the next few years a new location will be selected.

Mayor Christina Muryn says they’re still looking to put the mural in that general area.

“So, we are holding tight to make sure that we get an appropriate and acceptable location that exemplifies our respect for Dr. King and also is a feature within our community.”

The mural will be made by local artist Amber Kear who created the mural on the side of The Baking Company & Bread Kneads building.

The mayor says the project is still a ways off.

The Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay is excited to be a part of the project.

“A positive representation of Dr. King can serve as a reminder that his fight for justice and inclusion for all people is an ongoing battle,” said Jerome Gray, Executive Director.

“His words still remain quite relevant today as we continue the struggle to alleviate poverty and other social and economic ills.”

Monday, January 16^th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

A Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity walk is being held in Findlay on Sunday.

Progressive Field, the home of the Cleveland Guardians, is getting a makeover.

The Guardians and owner Paul Dolan announced a $200 million investment, which includes a market hall in left field, with authentic-to-Cleveland food and beer.

For the players, the clubhouse area, which hasn’t seen an update since the stadium opened in 1994, will be renovated.

The Guardians staff will also reap the benefits of the project as the front offices will be renovated.

The Guardians expect the renovations to be completed by 2025.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a man from McComb was killed in a crash a little southeast of the village.

The crash happened at Township Road 131 and County Road 97 at 6:39 Friday morning.

The sheriff’s office said David Aller, 65, of McComb, was driving his car northbound on Township Road 131 and failed to yield at the County Road 97 intersection.

Aller’s car collided with a car that was eastbound on County Road 97 being driven by Steven Schroeder, 55, of McComb.

Aller was ejected from his car and pronounced deceased at the scene.

Schroeder was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital where his injuries were treated.

The sheriff’s office says the crash is under investigation and impairment is not suspected to be a factor.

A coffee shop that’s been serving the Findlay community since 1993 will no longer be operating at its current location.

George House Coffee & Tea took to Facebook to let their loyal customers know that their lease at 1041 North Main Street was not renewed.

“It seems that our previous landlords wish to start a coffee and food service business of their own from that location,” the post said.

George House said they’ve looked into ways to keep operating but no realistic options have presented themselves, and thanked the community for sharing in their passion for coffee and community.

“We, at George House, hope for some future opportunity to serve you all once again. But until then, please know of our great appreciation for each of you. We will miss serving you.”

“Before we were Pirates,” the story of Bluffton sports teams before 1929 is the topic of a presentation by Fred Steiner at 3 p.m., Monday, Jan. 23 at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main Street in Bluffton.

Steiner says the Pirate did not become the school mascot until 1929. Prior to that the school had no mascot. The presentation is about the earliest teams in the history of the school. The origin of the mascot will also be explained.

“If you can imagine in 1893 jumping on a railroad box car, riding to Lima and back to watch a Bluffton baseball team play a Lima team, then this lecture is for you,” Steiner said.

The presentation includes stories about Bluffton teams as early as 1893 and photos of both girls’ and boys’ athletic teams as early as 1900.

Stories about the teams and their fans demonstrate that community pride was just as important 125-plus years ago as it is today.

“In 1896 Bluffton sports fan were very interested in receiving game results. Arrangements were made to display scores of games played out of town on a board outside a Bluffton business by 7:30 each evening of the game,” said Steiner.

And, many people today don’t realize that Bluffton High School had girls’ basketball teams as early as 1913. Several of those teams won Allen County tournament titles. Bluffton’s first girls’ track team was in 1925.

Persons interested in attending the presentation should contact the library at 419-358-5016.

In the picture above provided by Steiner is the 1914 Bluffton High School girls basketball team, and below is the Bluffton High School baseball team of 1910.

The University of Findlay is two-thirds of the way to its goal of raising $75 million to foster scholarships and improve campus facilities, transforming the lives of students and investing in the future.

Gifts to the “Together We Will” campaign from more than 8,670 donors have topped the $50 million mark as of late December, according to UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D.

“As we begin the new year, we are excited about the new opportunities for students that these donations will bring to fruition,” Dr. Fell said.

“Together, we have surpassed the $50 million milestone, and we are incredibly grateful to the friends, alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and employees who have supported the campaign thus far. This is a moment for celebrating.”

The Together We Will campaign launched its public phase in October at a gala during the Homecoming 2022 celebration with a mission “to develop graduates who serve and lead with purpose, passion, and skill.”

Priorities for the campaign are to increase annual scholarships and financial aid; provide endowments for faculty and research; enhance laboratories, environmental and athletic facilities; and expand student experiences in campus ministries, study abroad and service learning.

The campaign has successfully secured several major gifts – most prominently, a $6 million gift from Billy ’96 and Brenda Watterson, which will support the building of the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership that will house the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Mr. Watterson is a co-chair of the fundraising campaign, which he believes is bringing UF supporters together to “share resources to ensure that future generations of students have the best technology and great experiences.”

Anyone interested in donating to the campaign may contact the University Advancement office at 419-434-4008 or visit the Together We Will campaign webpage.

Some crashes affected traffic on Interstate 75 through Findlay on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

One of the crashes involved a semi and happened at around 2:15 p.m. on I-75 southbound between US 224 and SR 12.

That crash had all southbound lanes blocked but one lane of traffic was eventually able to get by.

About an hour later a few more crashes happened on I-75 northbound a little north of the Pioneer Sugar towers.

There was no initial word on injuries.

Drivers are reminded to pay extra attention when driving on wet roads in rainy weather.

A man charged with killing a cashier with a machete at a Dollar Tree store in Upper Sandusky on New Year’s Day was in court for his arraignment.

Bethel Bekele has been indicted on six charges by a Wyandot County grand jury.

At his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to all six charges, which include two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, one count of felonious assault and one count of aggravated burglary.

Upper Sandusky police say he entered the store with a machete and killed 22-year-old cashier Keris Riebel.

Police have not released information on a motive and have called the attack random.

Click here for the GoFundMe that was set up for the victim’s family.