Three separate grants make up The R.L. and Etta L. Triplett Foundation’s 2023 grant distribution, which totals $4,775, according to Tomm Triplett, foundation board president.

This year’s distribution includes $2,000 for a scholarship given to Amber Gladwell, $1,265 to Bluffton Family YMCA for soccer nets and balls and $1,510 to the Bluffton Child Development Center for a toddler sandbox and a cover for a second sandbox.

Amber Gladwell, a 2023 Bluffton High School graduate, will enroll at Bluffton University this fall intending to major in education as an intervention specialist. She is the daughter of Paul Gladwell of Columbus Grove. (Amber and Tomm Triplett are pictured above)

It is the foundation’s intention to provide scholarships to Bluffton High School graduates planning to attend Bluffton University. Amber’s is the second scholarship awarded by the foundation.

About the foundation

R.L. Triplett was the founder of the Triplett Corp. of Bluffton. His wife, Etta Lantz Triplett, was the founder of the Bluffton College Home Economics Department. The foundation incorporated in 1985 and has contributed in excess of $150,000 to Bluffton area organizations from requests it receives.

Board members include Tomm Triplett, president, Fred Steiner, vice-president, Pam Weisenbarger, secretary, James West, treasurer and Terry Mullenhour.

Donations to the foundation may be sent to: Triplett Foundation, PO Box 158, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.

Longtime Findlay resident Weldy Olson, who was on the original ‘Miracle on Ice’ U.S. Hockey team in 1960 that won the Gold Medal, has passed away.

Weldy, 90, was a native of Michigan and a longtime resident of Findlay.

He was born on November 12^th, 1932 and passed away on May 13^th.

Weldy is a member of the Hancock Sports Hall of Fame and left quite a legacy.

Findlay celebrated Weldy Olson night on November 2nd, 2018.

Cliff Browne and Rich Fowler joined WFIN’s Chris Oaks to talk about that and other memories of Weldy.

Rich said Weldy was always helping out others.

“Whether it was his kids, whether it was for the Findlay Area Hockey Association, whether it was for the Findlay Trojan Hockey Team he was always a fixture out there at the games.”

Cliff said Weldy was very, very patriotic.

“Whenever you saw him, he pretty much had his medals somewhere nearby because he wanted people to know that the USA went in there in that timeframe and beat the Russians.”

Weldy’s obituary states that friends may call at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Saturday, June 10, beginning at 10 am until the time of service at 11 am. Rev.

A reception will follow in the funeral home reception room. Interment will be in the Park Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed in remembrance of Weldy to Bridge Home Health and Hospice, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay Ohio 45840.

Findlay High School has announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2023.

Reid Patterson has been named Valedictorian and Arda Dastan Salutatorian.

They, along with their classmates, will graduate on Saturday, May 27^th at 10 a.m. at The University of Findlay’s Koehler Recreation Complex.

The last full day for seniors will be Friday, May 19^th, however, students are expected to participate in graduation rehearsal on May 25^th as their official last day.

Get more graduation information by clicking here.

Tiffin Middle School recently dedicated Cooper’s Corner, a space where Cooper, the school’s facility dog, can be let off the leash and interact with students who are struggling with mental health issues in a different environment outside of school walls.

The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce said the story of Cooper’s Corner began when school counselor and facility dog handler, Melissa Mellott, was expressing her dreams for an outdoor space for Cooper and things were set into motion.

Mrs. Church’s STEM class was awarded a $5,000 grant by Battelle through the Ohio STEM Learning Network.

“Cooper’s Corner would not have been made possible without the awesome students and their vision for Cooper and the space, the community partners of Bryce Kuhn of Tiffin Parks & Rec, Brian Bilger of BILGER’S LAWN & LANDSCAPE LLC, Dan Vera with Mohawk Nursery, and National Machinery LLC!” the Chamber said.

The design for the space and the sign to mark Cooper’s Corner was part of a class contest in which students submitted their concepts by using 3D modeling software and the knowledge they learned from guest speakers.

“We are so excited to see how this space will continue to develop and serve so many in the Seneca County community.”

(pictures courtesy of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce)

The driver of a tanker truck hauling hazardous materials was seriously injured in a rollover crash on Interstate 75 a little south of Findlay.

The crash happened at around 11 o’clock Wednesday morning on Interstate 75 northbound near milepost 154, just north of the rest area.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Joshua Jordan, 40, of Toledo, was driving northbound when he lost control of the tanker and traveled off the left side of the interstate and overturned.

Jordan was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated by first responders.

He was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

The tanker was transporting sulfuric acid and a small amount did spill during the crash and it was being cleaned up.

I-75 northbound was restricted to one lane of travel for about three and a half hours due to the crash.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Liberty Township Fire, Findlay Fire, Hanco EMS, Hancock County EMA, Flag City Towing and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

UPDATE – Roeber was involved in a police chase early Thursday in Toledo and crashed a stolen truck. Get more by clicking here.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says an inmate failed to return from his furlough.

The sheriff’s office says Samuel V. Roeber Jr. was furloughed per court order on Monday and failed to return to the Hancock County Justice Center within the date and time limitations set by the court.

Authorities say Roeber, 40, was in jail for non-violent offenses.

His last known address was 610 Walnut Street in Findlay.

He stands five feet nine inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds.

The sheriff’s office says anyone who may have information about his whereabouts should contact the sheriff’s office at 419-422-2424.

Findlay once again has earned the Tree City USA designation.

Get full details in the following news release from the city.

Findlay was recognized as a Tree City USA at the Northwest Ohio awards ceremony hosted by the City of Wauseon Tree Commission. This is the 41st time Findlay, Ohio, has been honored with this nationally recognized award.

The awards were presented to the Tree City and Tree Campus USA communities by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. Featured speaker, Nate Andre of Andre Farms, shared his company’s experiences with converting municipal yard by-products into compost.

The title of Tree City USA was bestowed upon Findlay, Ohio, for its ongoing efforts to maintain and improve quality of life through a comprehensive tree management program. The program is guided by Findlay’s Shade Tree Commission.

The Ohio DNR, Division of Forestry’s Urban Forestry Assistance Program acts as a guiding hand in helping a community to become qualified as a Tree City USA. The Regional Urban Forester recommends a community to the Arbor Day Foundation for this standing. To achieve the title and the honors, a community must meet four standards:

o A Tree Ordinance
o An active Tree Commission or forestry department
o A comprehensive urban forestry program supported by a minimum of two dollars per capita
o An annual Arbor Day proclamation and public observance.

Ohio boasts the greatest number of Tree Cities in the country and marks Ohio’s 45th consecutive year as the top Tree City USA state, according to the Ohio Division of Forestry. 47 Northwest Ohio’s communities are Tree Cities and two universities are honored as Tree Campus USAs (Ohio Northern University and the University of Findlay.) All were recognized for their achievements at the awards ceremony in Wauseon.

For additional information about the Tree City USA program or the Arbor Day Foundation, visit www.arborday.org.

The City of Findlay has put up a new batch of Hometown Hero banners ahead of Memorial Day.

The 12 new banners are located on the west side of Main Street from Center Street south to Front Street.

The new banners join many others that line Main Street from Center Street to Lima Street.

New banners put up recently are in honor of: Marlo Brannan, Charles Clapper, Julian Davis, Thomas Diller, Cyrus Dillinger Jr., Mark Feasel, Carl Finerd, Todd Hicks, Merle May, Michael May, Rex Orians and Jeffry Patterson.

Mayor Christina Muryn says the Hometown Hero banners honor local members of the military and include active, retired and deceased service members.

Get details about ordering one of the banners by clicking here.

A full list of banners currently being displayed is below.

The Hancock Historical Museum will host its Classic Movie Night on Friday, May 19th at 7 p.m. with a screening of How to Steal a Million.

The 1966 comedy, directed by William Wyler, stars Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public.

Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged, but not required.

Bring your own beverage and enjoy the museum’s freshly popped popcorn.

Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay.

For more information about Classic Movie Night and other upcoming events, call the museum at 419-423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

The Tiffin Police Department’s Detective Bureau said it ended a week-long Internet Crime investigation with the arrest of a man.

Police say Tristan Robert Westover, 29, of Vermilion, thought he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl on social media but it was actually an undercover officer.

Police said arrangements were made for Westover to travel to Tiffin to meet the girl for sex.

However, upon his arrival, he was met by officers from Tiffin and Fostoria Police Departments and the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office who took him into custody.

Westover was charged with Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, Importuning, and Attempted Unlawful Sex with a Minor and booked at the Seneca County Jail.

Police said the investigation began due to a report filed by the mother of a 13-year-old girl who had been contacted by the same account linked to Westover.

According to investigators, the mother and daughter were instrumental in helping to get the child predator off the streets.

“This is a good time to remind all parents of the importance of talking with your children about staying safe on the internet, and if something similar to this occurs that it’s ok to report what is happening,” said Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly.

“Thanks to all the law enforcement that assisted in this morning’s operation. It is of the highest priority for law enforcement to protect those most vulnerable …our children. Great work all!”