Ohio’s 2022-23 white-tailed deer hunting season wrapped up on Sunday, February 5th, with 210,977 deer checked, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The final total represents all deer harvested during archery, gun, muzzleloader, and youth hunting seasons since September 10, 2022.
“Ohio is consistently one of the nation’s best states for deer hunting, and this season reaffirmed that status,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker.
“Ohio hunters have enjoyed a long season with many chances to get afield. This is the first time since 2012-13 that the number of deer taken surpassed 200,000.”
Top 10 counties for 2022-23 deer harvest:
Coshocton (7,590). Last season, Coshocton County also led the state with 7,144 deer checked.
The team will now represent Ohio in the 2023 We the People National Finals in Washington, D.C. in April.
Teacher Mark Dickman says the We the People team is comprised of students from the high school’s AP Government and Politics class.
The activity simulates experts testifying before Congressional panels.
In the competition, the students present prepared responses to a variety of questions and then answer follow up questions asked by panels of three judges.
Dickman says Findlay has competed in the competition since its inception as the Bicentennial of the American Constitution competition in 1987.
Findlay High School has won the state competition 31 times in the event’s 36 year history, with its best finish being second in the nation in 1991 under the leadership of retired teacher Al Bell.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know about an upcoming ramp closure near Upper Sandusky.
ODOT says the U.S. 30 eastbound exit ramp to U.S. 23 northbound on the northwest side of Upper Sandusky will be closing on Tuesday, February 7th for approximately one day for repairs.
The detour is to continue eastbound to State Route 199 to U.S. 30 westbound and back to U.S. 23.
WYANDOT COUNTY: U.S. 30 eastbound exit ramp to U.S. 23 northbound on the northwest side of the city of Upper Sandusky will close tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 7, for approximately one day for repair. https://t.co/V9I5UlPtJU
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office believes alcohol was a factor in a crash that sent three people to the hospital.
The crash happened around 9:30 Sunday night at the intersection of U.S. 224 and State Route 66 in southwest Putnam County a little west of Ottoville.
The sheriff’s office says a Nissan hatchback was traveling south on State Route 66 when it failed to yield the right of way at U.S. 224 and collided with a Kia SUV that was eastbound on U.S. 224 being driven by Danney Trewyn, 66, of Ottawa.
Trewyn and two passengers in his vehicle were injured and taken to a hospital in Lima.
The sheriff’s office said the occupants of the Nissan fled the scene after the crash and had not been located at the time of the news release.
The sheriff’s office said alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash which remains under investigation.
Garner Trucking, of Findlay, has announced that they’ll be inducted into the Best Fleets To Drive For Hall of Fame.
The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and CarriersEdge recently announced the Hall of Fame recognition for Garner Trucking.
This marks the 7th year that Garner has been named a Best Fleet to Drive For, and the first year in the Hall of Fame.
Garner will be recognized on stage at the TCA’s 2023 Annual Convention in Orlando in March.
Now in its 15th year, Best Fleets to Drive For is an annual survey and contest that recognizes the North American for-hire trucking companies who provide the best workplace experience for their drivers.
To be considered, fleets must be nominated by a company driver, after which they are evaluated across a broad range of categories reflecting current best practices in human resources.
Nominated fleets are evaluated in areas such as: driver compensation, pension and benefits, professional development, driver and community support, and safety record.
Last year, TCA and CarriersEdge expanded the program by adding a Hall of Fame category.
This recognition level is above the regular Top 20 and honors fleets demonstrating Top 20 performance for extended periods of time.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, fleets must be named as a Best Fleet for 10 consecutive years or 7 years with at least one overall award, and must continue to qualify as a Top 20 to be eligible.
Garner Trucking has been named to the Best Fleets Top 20 seven times and was named the Best Overall Small Carrier in 2022.
“Proud of my Garner team of professional drivers and staff that have achieved Best Fleets to Drive For, Hall of Fame! They truly are the best of the best!” shared Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, Garner’s President/CEO.
Garner Trucking is located at 9291 County Road 313 in Findlay.
Liberty-Benton Local Schools is seeking feedback from community members that will be used to craft the school district’s strategic plan.
Liberty-Benton families are being asked to take a few minutes to complete an anonymous survey.
The school district says the feedback will be valuable information for the Board of Education as the district creates a strategic plan to carry the district through the next three years.
The survey can be filled out by clicking here, and more information is below.
The United Way of Hancock County announced that its 2022 campaign raised nearly $2 million to allocate toward grants that provide critical services to 1 in 4 residents of the community.
The United Way recognizes and responds to the changing needs of Hancock County’s most vulnerable residents by communicating regularly with local nonprofit agencies, government officials and community leaders. In the fall, United Way’s grant review committee of trained volunteers identified food security, children’s issues, housing, health, workforce development and transportation as community priorities and voted to fund 23 local programs that support these areas in the coming year.
“We know that changes in the economy have impacted so many children, families and individuals in our community,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Angela DeBoskey. “We are proud to support programming that delivers critical services and tools to those who need them most.”
The funds being distributed were raised through United Way’s 2022 Annual Campaign, which engages individual donors and retirees, as well as employees through workplace philanthropy. The 2022 fall campaign raised a total of $1.9 million.
“We are proud to contribute to our community in such a meaningful way, and we thank our fundraising team, individual donors and workplace campaign partners for joining us in this effort. We are truly so appreciative of your contributions and for supporting our work to strengthen those who are struggling to meet basic needs,” DeBoskey said.
Vulnerable Child Initiative
Although many of the 2023 funded programs cross categories, those falling under United Way’s Vulnerable Child Initiative will receive a total of $335,000 in support of advocacy, prevention and crisis response efforts.
Child safety funding will be distributed to CASA/GAL of Hancock County, which trains volunteers to give youth a voice in the court system; the Center for Safe and Healthy Children’s forensic interview program following a report of child abuse; child victim services programs through Open Arms; equine-assisted therapy for youth through Challenged Champions Equestrian Center; Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County’s youth mentoring programs; Scouting programs through Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio; the Salvation Army’s summer enrichment program; and preschool programs through Findlay City Schools and the Hancock County Educational Service Center.
Food security
Food security programs have been allocated over $266,000. United Way strategically increased funding in this area in response to rising grocery prices and the anticipated end to emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Food security funds will support the YMCA’s Feed-A-Child program, which administers the summer lunch program and provides weekend meal bags for students; vouchers for individuals and families in need of supplemental food through Christian Clearing House; West Ohio Food Bank’s distributions to Hancock County food pantries; and food programs at the Salvation Army.
Safety and health
Safety and health allocations for 2023 total $272,000. Supported programs are aimed at strengthening physical and mental health among Hancock County residents.
Funds allocated for safety and health will support financial assistance through Cancer Patient Services, an organization dedicated to cancer patients living or working in Hancock County; adult victim services through Open Arms; and disaster services programs though the local American Red Cross.
Housing
Realizing the impact housing has on the stability of our community, $216,000 has been awarded to the family shelter and independence programs at Hope House – Housing Services for the Homeless. Both programs are aimed at helping amid rising rent costs and evictions.
Workforce development and transportation
Workforce development and transportation programs will receive $79,000. Funds will be distributed to HHWP Community Action Commission for the Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) program, which provides rides to employment, medical appointments and more; and Raise the Bar Hancock County for career exploration for students countywide.
Additional funding will continue to help United Way deliver programs like the Halt Hunger Initiative and Community Gardens, which yields an average of 4,000 pounds of produce each season; and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, currently underway and providing free tax preparation services for qualifying Hancock County residents. Volunteers United placed over 10,500 volunteer hours in 2022.
All money raised in Hancock County stays local to support vital services, unless otherwise designated by the donor. United Way of Hancock County regularly seeks state and federal grants to help bolster funds raised locally and to allow the organization to use campaign dollars most effectively.
Visit uwhancock.org to donate or to learn more about the United Way’s mission and work.
