(WTOL-11) – Thanks to the mild winter and lack of ice, ferry service from Port Clinton to the Lake Erie Islands and locations such as Put-in-Bay is underway – three weeks ahead of normal.

Most of the ferry traffic last Wednesday was island residents making their first runs to the mainland, which in a standard winter would have cost about $100 for a plane ride.

Only a few businesses on South Bass Island are currently open, with many scheduled to launch their 2023 season in mid-April or May.

The Miller Ferry will be averaging four runs a day with the option to run six a day if there is heavier traffic.

Their full schedule will begin on May 23rd.

Registration is underway for Camp 911 in Hancock County.

Camp 911 is an interactive safety camp is for kids entering kindergarten and helps them learn basic safety.

The free camp presents important safety lessons such as stranger danger, drug safety and pedestrian safety through a combination of demonstrations, videos, and activities.

Camp 911 is a joint effort led by local emergency response agencies, including Hanco, Findlay Fire and Police Departments, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Hancock Public Health.

The camp is available to kids across Hancock County who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2023.

The camp will be held in June at at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street in Findlay.

There will be morning and afternoon sessions.

See some of the activities from last year in the video below.

The heavy rainfall the Findlay area received on Friday caused some minor flooding and road closures.

Findlay picked up around 1.3 inches of rain during the day Friday.

The heavy rain forced Eagle Creek into moderate flood stage and the Blanchard River almost reached flood stage.

Among the roads closed from flooding were East Main Cross and River Road, which you can see in the videos below.

Authorities remind everyone to obey all road closed/high water signs and never try to drive through high water.

Click here for the latest river levels and here for the latest forecast.

A Findlay auto dealership is in new hands for the first time in decades.

Larry Warner tells WFIN that he has sold Warner Automotive, located at 1060 Bright Road, to Spitzer Autoworld in Elyria.

“It’s been a great ride. I had a birthday at the end of January – 79-years-old – so I just determined a little bit ago that it’s time to step down and step aside and let somebody continue with the great dealership we built.”

Larry says he came to Findlay in 1985 with the understanding that he’d be here two to three years but he ended up falling in love with the place and in 1988 he bought out the previous owner.

“Findlay is a great, great community to be in business. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the absolute best people around.”

Larry’s been in the business for 57 years, 37 of which have been in Findlay.

In retirement, Larry says he and his dog Casper will do some traveling and spend more time at his house in northern Michigan but Findlay will always be home.

“Wow, what a ride. I’ve been blessed.”

The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce has surpassed 500 members from Seneca County and surrounding communities, a new record for membership in the organization’s history.

Kellie Hartsel, long-time Chamber Ambassador, and now a travel advisor with Magical Moments Vacations, was the 500th member to join the chamber.

“I’ve been a dedicated volunteer for the Chamber for more than ten years and I’ve seen firsthand the work that they do that directly impacts small businesses and organizations here in our community,” Hartsel said.

Dan Reineke, Chamber Board of Trustees Chair and Co-Owner of Reineke Family Dealerships, praised the news, “The Chamber is stronger today than ever before. The Chamber truly serves as a community connector and are able to do this through the strong network of its members.”

The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the milestone by hosting a networking event, 500 at 5, with their members on March 16 at 5 p.m. at The Renaissance of Tiffin.

The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce exists to enable community businesses and organizations in enhancing their success, serve as a source of information, and advocate for members and economic growth in the area through their four main points of education, promotion, relationships, and resources and savings.

For those interested in learning more about how the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce can assist their organization, they can visit www.SenecaRegionalChamber.com or call the office at 419-447-4141.

(story and pic courtesy of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce)

The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) of the Ohio Department of Transportation has approved the annual draft list of projects to receive funding over the next four years.

TRAC will vote on the final list at their March 29 meeting.

On the list is the project to redo the Interstate 75/County Road 99 interchange on the north end of Findlay into a diverging diamond interchange.

Transportation officials say a DDI shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the traffic signals for left turns. (design below)

The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free flow movement to the ramps which reduces the long start and stop times of trucks at signals.

A successful example of a DDI is located in Perrysburg at I-475 and State Route 25.

ODOT says the improvements will combat congestion at the important economic hub while reducing the risk of crashes and making travel in the area easier and safer.

“A DDI will ensure the sustainability of the economic opportunities in this corridor,” said Hancock County Engineer Doug Cade.

“With increased commuter and truck traffic comes the need to take steps to improve the efficient movement of our labor force and goods to and from this area so that we can continue to see prosperity and be ready for future opportunities,” he added.

The project will also include upgrading intersections along County Road 99 between North Main Street and Technology Drive.

A separate multi-use bridge for pedestrians and bikes that would connect Miracle Park with future development on the west side of I-75 was also considered but will not move forward at this time.

Detailed design and right-of-way acquisition for the project is slated to begin in October of 2023.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $1,428,531 at the February board meeting. The total includes 11 responsive grants, three president’s discretionary grants and 163 donor-advised fund grants.

“The Foundation is proud to partner with donors to make this $1.4 million available for so many nonprofit organizations in the community,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of the Foundation.

“Many of these grants address critical needs like housing, safety, transportation and workforce, all of which are priority areas in Hancock County. As we strive to improve the quality of life for all in the community, listening to and responding to community needs continues to be a priority.”

Among the grants awarded; The Family Center was awarded $265,814 for payment on the building loan, Findlay Hope House was awarded $24,500 to support an increase in housing needs and costs for clients and shelter residents and the West Ohio Food Bank awarded $13,420 to pilot food pantries in two local schools.

Click here for the full list and for more information about the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Wind Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

The Wind Advisory goes from 2 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday.

Winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour will gust up to 50 miles per hour at times.

Unsecured objects will be blown around and tree limbs could be taken down, resulting in some power outages.

People should use caution while driving, especially if operating a high-profile vehicle.

There’s also a Flood Watch in effect for Friday for the potential of 1 to 2 inches of rainfall.

Click here for the latest river levels and here for the latest forecast.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) showed its appreciation for exceptional leadership and commitment to conservation by honoring the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Sunrise Cooperative, and Ed Crawford of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The awards were presented by ODA Director Brian Baldridge at the 2023 Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Annual Partnership Meeting.

In the picture, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge presents the H2Ohio Lifetime Conservation Advocate Award to Putnam SWCD for outstanding H2Ohio program delivery and administration.

The H2Ohio Lifetime Conservation Advocate Award recognizes those who exhibit exceptional leadership and commitment to water quality through H2Ohio.

Recipients of this award are devoted stewards of water quality improvement and conservation who demonstrate innovation, partnership, enthusiasm, and a “get it done” attitude.

The recipients were chosen from three categories:  agricultural retailers, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and conservation-minded individuals.

This recognition supports Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio Initiative to ensure safe and clean water in Ohio.

It is a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improving water quality over the long term, involving ODA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Lake Erie Commission.

H2Ohio focuses on encouraging agricultural best management practices, restoring wetlands, and improving water infrastructure to reduce nutrients that contribute to harmful algal blooms.

For more information on the H2Ohio initiative, visit h2.ohio.gov.

(In the pic above, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge presents the H2Ohio Lifetime Conservation Advocate Award to Putnam SWCD for outstanding H2Ohio program delivery and administration.)

(story and pic courtesy of the Ohio Department of Agriculture)

Registration is open for United Way of Hancock County’s 29th Annual Days of Caring, for both nonprofits looking to submit projects for help and the volunteers who will complete them.

The spring event will take place May 8 – 12.

During Days of Caring, employees of area corporations and small businesses lend a hand to local organizations.

Nonprofits in need of help submit projects, volunteer teams register to help, and the United Way matches up the two groups. In four-hour shifts, the volunteers take on projects such as landscaping, organizing, painting, planning an event, cleaning, or construction.

Shifts run from 8 am-12 pm or 12-4 pm.

“Volunteering, especially in large numbers like this, is a powerful way to make a substantial impact in our community,” said United Way CEO Angela DeBoskey.

“Last year, between our spring and fall Days of Caring events, about 1,200 volunteers completed more than 4,800 service hours. The work was a value to the community of nearly $144,000. We celebrate that the nonprofits could then apply those dollars toward their most important services.” According to Independent Sector, the national value of a volunteer hour is $29.95.

While corporate groups are the most common team make-up for Days of Caring, any group can volunteer, whether it be a classroom of students, a church group, or a group of friends.

“We invite anyone to come volunteer with us,” said Sarah Mayle, volunteer coordinator for UWHC. “Students in particular are seeing an increased need to fulfill volunteer requirements for schools. Teachers can sign up to lead a team of students for a great group volunteering experience.”

UWHC can also tailor volunteering for groups outside of the scope of Days of Caring. Last year, the agency connected 46 groups with projects where volunteers were able to make a difference.

Registration for Spring Days of Caring is open and closes on April 14, and UWHC will connect volunteer teams and agencies for final project planning by the week of April 24. To learn more, register a volunteer team, or register a project, visit www.uwhancock.org and click on the Volunteering tab.

In September, UWHC will host a second opportunity to participate in Days of Caring. Fall Days of Caring will run Sept. 18 – 20, and a separate registration will open for those dates later this year.

Last year’s volunteer teams represented: Marathon Petroleum Corp., Blanchard Valley Health System, Whirlpool Corp., First National Bank of Pandora, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, City Apparel, Goodyear/Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., the McComb Future Farmers of America Club, Fifth Third Bank, Aktion Club of Hancock County, Hearthside Food Solutions, the United Way of Hancock County Community Connections Group, UIS Insurance & Investments, the Hancock County Democrats, and Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD.