Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, of Findlay, has announced that the State Treasury Asset Reserve of Ohio (STAR Ohio) has generated and distributed more than $1 billion in investment income to participating government entities since he took office in January 2019.

 “With costs rising across the board and volatility roiling the markets, STAR Ohio continues to generate strong returns and remains a sound, trusted investment option for local governments and other public entities across Ohio,” said Treasurer Sprague.

“We’re committed to building on this success and supporting communities as we invest in our state’s future.”

STAR Ohio allows Ohio governmental entities — from municipalities to school districts — to invest in high-grade, short-term securities, while offering safety, penalty-free liquidity and comparatively higher yields. The Treasurer’s office serves as the pool’s investment advisor and administrator, managing the investment of the fund’s assets. Since 1995, STAR Ohio has earned and maintained Standard & Poor’s highest rating of AAAm, further demonstrating the safety, security, and resilience of the fund.

When Treasurer Sprague took office in January 2019, STAR Ohio’s assets totaled $9.55 billion. As of May 1, 2023, assets totaled $20.99 billion, growing by nearly 120% in just over four years. Earlier this year, STAR Ohio exceeded $22 billion in assets for the first time ever. Much of the investment pool’s growth in recent years was the result of participating entities regularly turning to it as a reliable investment option for COVID-19 relief funds.

As of May 1, there are 1,868 STAR Ohio participants. The current daily yield is 5.07% – the highest yield since September 2007.

For more information, visit the STAR Ohio website by clicking here.

The spring ArtWalk will take place at 30 galleries, shops, restaurants, and businesses on Friday, May 5th in downtown Findlay.

 All within walking distance of each other each of the spring ArtWalk locations will house musicians, artists displaying their work, and local vendors. 

Artists will be on-hand to discuss their work and their process, and art will be available for purchase as well.

 Many artists in the Jones Building will be opening their studio doors for tours, demonstrations, and displaying their work for sale. 

The Findlay Art League will be celebrating the opening of their annual Member Show.

Live music can be heard at several locations, and DORA beverages will be sold at participating bars and restaurants for participants to enjoy while they take in ArtWalk.  Many locations will also be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with drink and food specials.

ArtWalk is a triannual, family-friendly, free event that takes place the first Friday of May, August, and November in an effort to promote the arts and integrate them throughout the Downtown Findlay business community.  This event is a collaborative effort between Visit Findlay: Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Findlay Art League, Jones Building Artists, and Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

A complete list of participating locations and artists can be found at VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk.  Printed maps of ArtWalk locations are available at the Visit Findlay Welcome Center, 123 E. Main Cross St., with limited copies at all participating locations the evening of the event.  For more information, go to VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk. 

In Tuesday’s Primary Election, the Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District was seeking a renewal tax levy of 1.5 mills for five years for the purpose of fire service.

Unofficial results from the Hancock County Board of Elections show the issue passing by a vote of 210 to 54.

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of the Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District, for the purpose of fire protection, that the county auditor estimates will collect $118,304 annually, at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $53 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024

Get more election results by clicking here.

Some area school districts found success at the polls in Tuesday’s Primary Election.

The Cory-Rawson Local School District was asking for a renewal income tax of 0.75 percent for five years for current expenses.

Unofficial results from the Hancock County Board of Elections show the tax passing by a vote of 274 to 140.

Van Buren Local School District had a renewal tax levy on the ballot, and it passed by a vote of 467 to 335.

Riverdale Local Schools had an income tax renewal up for a vote and voters who reside in the Hancock County portion of the school district voted in favor of it by a margin of 291 to 53.

Click here for more election results.

Three write-in candidates were vying for the Republican nomination for Findlay City Council’s Fourth Ward seat.

Unofficial results show Dan DeArment defeating Craig Kupferberg and Jeff Stutzman.

DeArment got 98 votes, Kuperberg 70 and Stutzman 25.

Fourth Ward Councilman Jim Slough was unable to seek reelection as his candidate petition was rejected by the board of elections because he didn’t get enough signatures.

Two independent candidates have filed to challenge for the seat in November.

Get more election results by clicking here.

The Sunday sales issues Findlay Brewing Company and Dark Horse had before voters on Tuesday were approved.

Unofficial results from the Hancock County Board of Elections show the issue for Findlay Brewing passing by a vote of 74 to 17, and for Dark Horse the vote was 160 to 51.

The issue was for the sale of wine and mixed beverages and liquor on Sundays at Findlay Brewing at 213 East Crawford Street in Findlay and at Dark Horse at 4136 North Main Street.

Click here for more election results from the Tuesday Primary Election.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn withstood a challenge from a fellow Republican in Tuesday’s Primary Election.

Unofficial results from the Hancock County Board of Elections show Muryn defeating Haydee Sadler by a vote of 1,824 to 1,206, or 60 to 39 percent.

Muryn was appointed mayor in February of 2019 to replace Lydia Mihalik who joined the cabinet of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

In May of 2019 Muryn won the Republican mayoral primary.

In November of 2019, Muryn won the general election earning her first full four-year term as mayor.

Mayor Muryn, in a Mayoral Candidate Forum on WFIN in March, said she understands this community, its people and is ready to move the community forward and address whatever challenges arise.

“Nearly anyone can hold the title of mayor, but only the right person can truly lead a community, and I am that person.”

There were no Democrats running for Findlay mayor in the primary but Muryn could face a write-in challenger in the fall.

Get more election results by clicking here.

Beginning on Thursday, May 4^th drivers won’t be able to use County Road 180 to get across State Route 15 a little southeast of Findlay until an overpass project is completed.

County Road 180 will be closed as crews begin work on the new overpass that will take County Road 180 over State Route 15.

The project is anticipated to take about six months to complete and should be finished in the fall.

The project is one of two overpasses under construction along State Route 15 in Hancock County, with the other one at County Road 169 and State Route 15 near Vanlue.

Hancock County Engineer Doug Cade (video below) says the projects will improve safety by eliminating crashes which have become more frequent over the years as traffic has increased.

ODOT expects State Route 15 to be open with lane restrictions during construction of the overpasses.

Due to safety concerns, ODOT says County Road 8 will also close at State Route 15 during the project, and ODOT supports removing access there permanently with cul-de-sacs.

In preparation for the project, in 2021, Hancock County improved County Road 172 for better access to the State Route 15 interchanges on U.S. 68 and State Route 37.

Get more information about the overpass projects, and other area road construction projects, by clicking here.

The Findlay Municipal Court’s sixth annual Safe Surrender Day was a success.

During the event on April 27th, people with outstanding arrest warrants were able to appear in court without the fear of going to jail.

These individuals were able to address the issues which caused the bench warrant.

There were 73 people who attended the event and 94 warrants were cleared.

“The defendants who appeared were all held accountable for their offenses and provided a chance to make things right with the Court,” said Chief Probation Officer Candace Griffith.

For example, a large number of those who appeared needed to complete community service hours.

Several had their jail time rescheduled so as not to miss work.

Many had driver’s license issues resolved. Others arranged payment plans to pay court fines.

Judge Alan Hackenberg and Judge Stephanie Bishop expressed their appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of the day.

A special thanks was extended to the Findlay Police Department and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office who worked behind the scenes to make sure all of the arrest warrants were quickly removed from the system once the defendants were finished in court.

Also, staff from the Hancock County Public Defender’s Office and the City of Findlay Law Director’s Office were present to assist with resolving pending cases, which was an added benefit to the event.

The Hancock Historical Museum will host its monthly Brown Bag Lecture on Thursday, May 4th at noon.

Dr. Dwayne Beggs will present a lecture on the Tonkin Gulf Resolution and the American entrance to the Vietnam War.

Dr. Beggs is an Assistant Professor of History at Lourdes University, and Director of the Lourdes ARCHES Program (Academic Readiness through Coaching Habits for Excellence and Success).

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Wayne Bible College, a Master of Divinity degree from Anderson School of Theology, and a Master of Arts and PhD from Bowling Green State University.

The lecture is free for museum members, and $3 for nonmembers.

For more information, call the Hancock Historical Museum at 419-423-4433, or visit hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.