Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn has issued a proclamation declaring April 2023 as Second Chance Month in Findlay.

Mayor Muryn invites all citizens to join with her in contributing to increased public awareness about the need for closure for those who have paid their debt, and opportunities for individuals, employers, congregations, and communities to extend second chances.

“We all make mistakes, and making sure that a community looks for opportunities to help people live a productive life and be an active member of our society is really important.”

Get more from the mayor in the audio below, and the full proclamation can be read below it.

The Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 is seeking public comment regarding some proposed projects, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 11988.

ODOT is proposing to make concrete pavement repairs at the following locations in Hancock and Allen counties.

• Pavement repairs at the Interstate 75 and State Route 12 (West Main Cross Street) interchange ramps and State Route 12 bridge over the interstate just west of the city of Findlay. Vehicular traffic will be temporarily detoured during construction.
• Pavement repairs at the Interstate 75 and State Route 613 interchange ramps and State Route 613 bridge over the interstate just west of the village of Van Buren. Vehicular traffic will also be temporarily detoured during construction.
• Seven miles of pavement on U.S. 30 between the village of Beaverdam and the State Route 235 interchange. Temporary lane closures are anticipated during construction. No detours will be necessary for the work along U.S. Route 30.

Construction is anticipated to occur in the spring and summer of 2024.

ODOT is also proposing to resurface a little more than seven miles of pavement along U.S. 30 in Hancock and Wyandot Counties.

The proposed work will occur from just east of U.S. 68 to State Route 37.

Construction will result in temporary ramp closures at the State Route 37 interchange.

Vehicular traffic will be detoured temporarily. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is anticipated to occur in the spring and summer of 2024.

For additional information on the projects and to provide feedback, click here.

The month of April is National Deaf History Month.

Last April, a ceremony to dedicate a new Ohio Historical Marker recognizing William Hoy was held in Houcktown.

The historical marker can be seen near the intersection of Hancock County Roads 8 and 26.

William Hoy was a center fielder who played for several professional baseball teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds.

He was born in Houcktown, Hancock County, Ohio in 1862.

Hoy is noted for being the most accomplished deaf player in Major League history, and is credited by some sources with the establishment of hand signals for safe and out calls.

He held the Major League record for games in center field from 1899 to 1920, and retired among the leaders in outfield games, assists, and double plays.

Hoy was also an excellent baserunner, with a career record of 597 stolen bases.

His 1,004 career walks put him second in Major League history when he retired.

Hoy is a member of the American Athletic Association for the Deaf Hall of Fame, as well as those of the Cincinnati Reds, Ohio Baseball, and Ohio School for the Deaf.

Hoy died at the age of 99 in Cincinnati.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the driver killed in a crash west of Arlington on March 31^st.

The sheriff’s office says the driver was 69-year-old Brian Welly, of Jenera.

The crash happened on State Route 103 near Township Road 70, between Arlington and Jenera.

The sheriff’s office responded to that location at 12:27 a.m. on March 31st on the report of a vehicle on fire.

The sheriff’s office said a Chevy Tahoe was traveling westbound on State Route 103 when it went off the road and into a field, striking several trees.

The sheriff’s office believes the collision with the trees caused the SUV to catch on fire.

The driver was declared deceased at the scene.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that includes Findlay and Hancock County.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch goes until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters say wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour are possible, along with some hail and even a few tornadoes are possible.

For the latest forecast and watches and warnings click here.

The head of the Findlay YMCA addressed Findlay City Council at their Tuesday night meeting.

The YMCA has been purchasing nearby properties in the hope of building a new facility or expanding the current one at 300 East Lincoln Street.

There has been concern about how the Y has gone about acquiring some of the properties and that some were historic in nature.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much it hurt my heart to listen to the comments, accusations, and false information that I’ve heard about the YMCA over the past few weeks,” said YMCA CEO Stephanie Parsons.

“So I want to begin tonight by telling you about the important work your Findlay YMCA does every day in our community.”

Parsons went over many of the things the Y does for the community, such as free meals in a partnership with United Way, scholarships and lifeguard training.

She then asked council to withdraw the Y’s application to use city demolition funds to tear down properties it has purchased on East Hardin Street to make room for a planned new facility.

Parsons said their capital project is in its early stages and will move forward but the Y decided to remove the properties from consideration for demo funds “in an effort not to negatively impact our fellow applicants and stand in the way of progress.”

Council granted Parsons’ request and voted to amend the ordinance to remove the Y’s properties from consideration for the funds.

In March, the YMCA removed a property from its demo list it acquired at 404 East Lincoln Street after learning of its historical significance, and you can read more about that here.

The city council meeting from Tuesday night is below.

The first week of April is National Public Health Week and this year Hancock Public Health recognized those in the community who have gone above and beyond to advance their mission for community health and wellness.

The health department honored Jeanie Ploeger as their 2022 Public Health Champion.

Jeanie is a resident of Marion Township and was instrumental in coordinating community immunizations and disease prevention.

Jeanie planned mobile vaccination drives, COVID-19 testing opportunities along with home test giveaways to the residents of Marion Township and beyond.

Jeanie was influential in the administration of more than 300 influenza and COVID vaccinations as well as more than 2,400 home kits were distributed to our community.

“We are humbled by her dedication and grateful for her commitment to community health,” the health department said.

Hancock Public Health also honored The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, its Board, and its Leadership as the 2022 Public Health Partner Champion.

We spoke with President and CEO Brian Treece about the recognition.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has been a trusted partner from the combination of The City of Findlay and Hancock County health districts, and by supporting health and wellness initiatives of the Board of Health through the years.

Severe storms are expected to make their way across northwest Ohio on Wednesday.

WTOL-11 meteorologists are reporting that the greatest threat will be from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Strong winds will be the main concern, but the storms could also contain hail and a few tornadoes are possible.

It will also be a windy day, with wind gusts around 40 miles per hour possible.

Get the latest forecast and watches and warnings by clicking here.

Blanchard Valley Health System says it was recently named to the list of the “Best 50” healthcare supply chains in North America by Global Health Exchange (GHX).

To create the list, GHX, a healthcare business and data automation company, analyzed the performance of more than 4,100 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada that are part of its digital trading network.

The list scored several areas, including maximizing automation and increasing exchange utilization and trading partner connections.

The Best 50 supply chains list, released annually, aims to recognize the highest performing healthcare provider organizations in North America for their work in improving operational performance while driving down costs through supply chain automation.

The Best 50 honorees stand out among North America’s premier hospitals for setting the standard for supply chain excellence during the 2022 calendar year (January 1 through December 31, 2022).

In 2022, BVHS generated more than 36,000 purchase orders for more than 173,000 line items, according to Mark J. Johannigman, BS Pharm, Pharm D., R.Ph., corporate director of pharmacy services and supply chain at BVHS. The organization utilized more than 1,700 vendors.

More than 18,000 items are on the master list of routinely ordered items, not counting pharmaceuticals.

Among the many items BVHS must order are basic medical supplies like masks, gowns and gloves; IV products and tubing; lab supplies; implants and surgical items; and equipment of all types, such as X-ray machines, MRI, CT scanners, beds and stretchers, according to Johannigman.

“Part of our success comes from developing consistent processes and the ability to use data to prepare for shortages and backorders,” Johannigman said. “We have been able to plan for shortages and come up with solutions and alternatives before they become a problem. In addition, we have great people on our team, which has helped us become a more clinically integrated supply chain. We are honored to receive this award.”

The 2022 recipients will be honored at the 2023 GHX Summit taking place May 9 through May 12, 2023, at the Hilton Chicago.

(story courtesy of Blanchard Valley Health System)

The Fostoria Police Division says it has seen a huge increase in loose dog calls in the city.

Officers have been interrupted during their traffic stops or while on calls for service, by people who have caught loose dogs and want to turn the dogs in.

“These types of incidents create a huge risk for officers’ safety, as well as interfering with the officers’ ability to assist the public,” said Police Chief Gabe Wedge.

“The police department has also had weekends where they have had 3-4 dogs in their care/custody for 2-3 days at a time, incurring the liability of each dog should something bad happen.”

Chief Wedge says, effective immediately, like all other surrounding cities, The Fostoria Police Department will no longer take in lost/ stray dogs unless the dog is deemed vicious, by the responding officer.

Any reports of loose dogs will be forwarded to the appropriate County Dog Warden.

People are encouraged to call the County Dog Warden themselves at 419-448-5097 for Seneca County, 419-423-1664 for Hancock County or 419-354-9242 for Wood County.

“Most of the officers here at the Fostoria Police Department are dog owners; so, we hate having to make this decision, but we can’t keep operating in this manner. Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.”