The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash on US 30.

The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says the crash occurred at around 8:20 Thursday morning at the intersection of US 30 and County Road 15 (Allen/Hancock County Line Road).

Crash investigators say Delaney Miller, 38, of Bluffton, was driving her car east on US 30 and failed to yield the right of way while turning left to travel north on County Road 15 and was struck by a semi that was westbound on US 30.

She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The semi driver suffered minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Beaverdam-Richland Fire and EMS, Allen County Coroner’s Office, H&H Funeral Services, Ohio Department of Transportation, Beaverdam Fleet Service and Big Daddy’s Towing.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to use extra caution and give extra space while driving during inclement weather.

The American Red Cross says it’s experiencing an urgent need for blood and platelet donors.

If you would like to help out, several local blood drives are coming up.

Among the local blood drives coming up is one at the Findlay Family YMCA on Friday, February 17^th from 9 to 3.

There will also be a blood drive at the Findlay Moose Lodge at 1028 West Main Cross Street on Tuesday, February 21^st.

Click here to see a full list of area blood drives and for more information about how you can help.

https://twitter.com/RedCross/status/1624831698792853506

The West Ohio Food Bank will be holding food distribution events in Hancock and Putnam Counties over the weekend.

The Hancock County event will be at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street in Findlay.

It will run from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and is a drive-thru event.

It will be open to any Hancock County residents who are in need.

We spoke with the food bank’s Jason Aldrich about the food distributions.

The Putnam County event will be at St. John’s Mennonite Church at 15988 Road 4 in Pandora.

It will run from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday with line up and sign up beginning at 8.

It will be open to any Putnam, Allen, Hancock or Hardin County residents in need.

The site plan for a new judicial center in downtown Findlay has been approved.

The Findlay City Planning Commission approved the plan for the new facility at 209 West Main Cross Street.

That location, between the post office and Cory Street, is currently a parking lot.

The new building will be home to Probate and Juvenile Court, which are currently located in a building east of that location.

Construction could begin in the spring and the building could be finished by the fall of 2024.

The site plan was approved with some conditions which can be seen by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom.

UPDATE – The water department announced that the boil advisory was lifted on Friday morning.

The Findlay Water Department on Wednesday afternoon issued a Water Boil Advisory due to repair work on a water main located on Northtowne Drive.

The Boil Advisory is for all residents on Northtowne Drive, Villa West Drive, Villa South Drive and 2501 Broad Avenue.

As a precaution, it’s being recommended that people in the affected addresses boil, for at least one minute, any water used for drinking, cooking or oral hygiene or bottled water should be used.

The water department said it will give notice when the advisory has been lifted.

Any questions can be directed to the Water Treatment Plant at 419-424-7193.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents about a couple of upcoming days off.

The school district posted to its social media a reminder that there will be no school on Friday, February 17^th or on Monday, February 20^th.

Friday the 17^th will be a professional development day for staff members and February 20^th is Presidents Day.

Click here to check out the full school district calendar.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has dismissed charges against a reporter who appeared to have been pushed by the head of the Ohio National Guard, leading to the reporter’s arrest during a news conference in East Palestine last week.

NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert spent several hours in jail before being released, but still faced charges of criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

Governor Mike DeWine indicated that Major General John Harris was in the wrong and talked to him about the incident.

Yost said the charges are unsupported by sufficient evidence and that the reporter’s conduct was consistent with the purpose of the event and his role as a reporter.

https://twitter.com/NewsNation/status/1625885828269453314

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition completed its Community Health Improvement Plan based on results from the 2021 Hancock County Community Health Assessment that was released in June 2022.

A community health improvement plan (CHIP) is a community-driven, long-term, systematic plan to address issues identified in a community health assessment (CHA).

The purpose of a CHIP is to describe how hospitals, health departments, and other community stakeholders will work to improve the health of the county.

We spoke with Zach Thomas, Director of Wellness and Education at the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, about the ‘CHIP’.

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition collaborated with the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to gather important community information and statistical data.

This information was then studied by the Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition, where health priorities were created, resources were discussed and projects, programs and policies were identified.

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition will be hosting a community forum on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10:30 am at Hancock Public Health, 2225 Keith Parkway, Findlay, Ohio 45840.

The forum is open to the public and a presentation of the Community Health Improvement Plan will be available for discussion.

Click here to go over the Community Health Improvement Plan. 

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition is composed of many public and private agencies that make up the public health system in Hancock County. Those partners include Hancock Public Health, Blanchard Valley Health System, United Way of Hancock County, The Community Foundation, Hancock County ADAMHS Board, Family Resource Center, Hancock County Job & Family Services, Findlay City Schools, Hancock County Schools and Educational Service Center, HHWP Community Action Commission, Hancock County Family and Children First Council, Findlay YMCA, The Ohio State University Extension Office, 50 North, West Ohio Food bank, the City of Findlay Parks & Recreation, Hancock County Commissioners, Welcome to a New Life, Spectrum of Findlay, Raise the Bar, Children’s Mentoring Connection, Habitat for Humanity, and the University of Findlay

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education has selected the school district’s next superintendent after an exhaustive search.

Dr. Andy Hatton, Associate Superintendent for Upper Arlington City Schools, will become Findlay’s superintendent effective August 1, 2023.

The Board of Education said Dr. Hatton surfaced as the top candidate for the job based on his strong understanding of instructional practice, ability to effectively communicate with a wide array of stakeholders, and his clear passion for serving the students, staff, and Findlay community.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Hatton to the Findlay City School District and to the Findlay Community,” said Board President Matt Cooper.

“He brings a unique skillset that will elevate our district in many areas, including enhancing our academic achievement which aligns to our strategic plan. He also brings a strong leadership ability that will foster collaboration with community members, parents, administrators, teachers, and students. We believe in Dr. Hatton and are confident in his ability to lead our district to the top while also communicating progress to all stakeholders.”

The Board of Education says Dr. Hatton is an experienced teacher and educational leader. He started his career with Columbus City Schools as a middle school teacher. He then assumed his first leadership role as the Principal of Dempsey Middle School in Delaware City Schools. After a successful tenure as a building principal, Dr. Hatton became the Director of Curriculum for Dublin City Schools prior to assuming his current role as the Associate Superintendent of Learning and Leadership for Upper Arlington City Schools. Dr. Hatton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University, and Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership from Miami University.

Dr. Hatton and his wife Sally are the proud parents of two children, Madalyn and Noah. Madalyn is a junior at Bowling Green University and Noah plans to attend the University of Cincinnati in the fall. In addition to spending time with his family, Dr. Hatton enjoys biking, running, and reading. In Dr. Hatton’s words, “It will be the honor of my career to serve as the next Superintendent of Findlay City Schools. Findlay is clearly a special place, steeped in pride and history, and I continue to fall more in love every day. I can’t wait to get started and pour everything I have into serving the students, staff, and community of Trojan Country!”

The Board of Education said Dr. Hatton is eager to begin his transition as superintendent and will be visible in the district over the coming months prior to his official August 1, 2023 start.

“Please join the Findlay City Schools Board of Education in congratulating Dr. Hatton on this well-deserved honor.”

Assistant Superintendent Krista Crates-Miller was named Interim Superintendent when Troy Roth left the position in the summer of 2022.

The Hancock Historical Museum is home to a lot of interesting pieces of history, including the captain’s bathtub from the USS Maine.

The battleship Maine sunk in the Havana harbor on February 15th, 1898, and Joy Bennett, curator at the Hancock Historical Museum, says groups from around the country requested mementos from the ship when it was raised years later.

Joy says the tub has had many homes in Findlay, including the courthouse, the university, and the historical museum, where it’s been for many years.

She said some people come specifically to see the tub and other people are surprised to come across it while visiting the museum.

Learn more about the USS Maine bathtub and other exhibits at the Hancock Historical Museum by clicking here.