Authorities say a man out on bond from two other drug trafficking investigations was arrested yet again in Fostoria.

The Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit says Richard Seaburn III was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his residence on West Lytle Street in Fostoria.

The task force says the search revealed suspected methamphetamine, pills, criminal tools, drug paraphernalia and other items indicative of drug trafficking.

Seaburn, 53, was out on bond for two previous drug trafficking investigations in which search warrants were executed, in June of 2021 and July of 2022.

“Mr. Seaburn is a perfect example of why we need stiffer penalties for habitual offenders,” said Fostoria Police Chief Gabe Wedge.

Chief Wedge encourages people to continue reporting suspicious activity to their local agencies.

(picture courtesy of The Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit)

(ONN) – In August, Ohioans will vote on an Ohio Constitution change aimed at making it harder for voters to pass an abortion rights issue that’s likely to be on the ballot in November.

The measure cleared the politically fractured Ohio House 62-37 on Wednesday, and senators agreed to its changes.

Now, in August, voters will be asked whether to raise the threshold for passing future constitutional amendments, such as the abortion issue, from a simple majority to 60 percent.

The long-awaited vote came as the statehouse resounded with cries of protests.

Democratic lawmakers produced hand-painted signs from under their seats after the vote and exited the chamber chanting, ‘one person, one vote.’

The labor-backed group ‘We Are Ohio’ announced an immediate launch of its opposition campaign.

Wednesday was Ohio Tourism Day and Governor DeWine announced Ohio is going back to an old slogan to promote tourism in the state.

The state’s tourism catch-phrase – ‘Ohio, Find It Here’, is no more.

DeWine announced that it is being replaced with: ‘Ohio, The Heart Of It All’.

“’The Heart Of It All’ was Ohio’s brand from the 1980s through 2001, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of so many Ohioans,” the governor said.

DeWine says Ohio is the heart of opportunity, adventure, technology, family, education and creativity.

A ribbon-cutting was held for some improvements that were made to Van Buren State Park.

The improvements include a pollinator garden and sensory path as well as improvements to a picnic area to make it accessible to everyone.

The upgrades were made possible by a $24,000 grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and we spoke with CEO Brian Treece at the event.

Mary Mertz, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources attended the event as did Brian Treece, CEO of The Community Foundation, and Lisa Daris, Director of the Ohio State Parks Foundation.

Get more on the improvements and of our conversation with Mertz in the video below.

The Liberty-Benton Local Schools Board of Education voted to approve Bruce Otley (below) as the district’s new superintendent.

Otley is currently Liberty-Benton’s Director of Operations.

He will assume his new role as superintendent on August 1^st.

Superintendent Mark Kowalski’s last day as superintendent will be July 31st.

He’s leaving the district to take a job as superintendent of Coshocton City Schools.

The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says, with temperatures warming up they’re seeing more motorcycles on the roadways which means more opportunities for crashes.

The Highway Patrol wants to make it clear that everyone needs to be alert because crashes with motorcycles are likely to cause more injuries.

The Highway Patrol reminds motorcyclists that they need to be properly trained in motorcycle safety, have a motorcycle endorsement, always wear a helmet, and not consume alcohol or drugs when operating a motorcycle.

And they’re asking everyone else on the roadways to always pay attention for motorcycles.

Sgt. Kinney of the Findlay Post has more safety advice in the audio below.

As Sgt. Kinney mentioned in the audio above, he strongly recommends wearing a helmet, as most of the fatal crashes they see are motorcyclists suffering head injuries who were not wearing a helmet.

Ohio law requires helmets for riders under 18 and drivers with less than one year of motorcycle experience.

Passengers on motorcycles must also wear a helmet when the driver is required to do so.

The United Way of Hancock County’s sweet new fundraiser, the Downtown Chocolate Tour, will be held from 10 to 2 on Saturday, May 13, falling on Mother’s Day weekend and Downtown Findlay’s Second Saturday.

Ticketholders will make their way to each of the participating retailers and restaurants at their leisure during this four-hour window, collecting chocolate treats and taking advantage of special offers at each stop.

The event will include around 25 local food establishments and retailers, including Dietsch Brothers of course.

Some establishments located outside the downtown area will be paired with shops downtown to allow their participation in the event.

Ticket sales for the event directly support United Way’s Vulnerable Children’s Initiative, dedicated to programs helping kids find a better path in life. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by clicking here. Only 300 tickets will be sold.

“This new event is a great way to show your support for youth in our community and the organizations that serve them. That it falls on Mother’s Day weekend makes it all the sweeter,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County.

United Way of Hancock County for many years has funded local efforts to support children and is currently partnered with various local agencies championing children’s needs.

Bags and maps can be picked up at the United Way office, 318 W. Main Cross St. (above Kan Du Studio), from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11-12; and at Hancock Hotel (a stop on the tour) beginning at 10 a.m. the day of the event.

Call the United Way office at 419-423-1432 for more information.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and other area sheriff’s offices are saluting its correctional officers during National Correctional Officers Week which runs from Sunday, May 7^th through Saturday, May 13^th.

We spoke with Lt. Jesse Sterrett with the sheriff’s office about the crucial role correctional officers perform.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office took to its Facebook page to recognize its correctional officers.

“Join us in honoring the Correctional Officers and employees of the Hancock County Justice Center for the committed and professional service they provide to the citizens of Hancock County. Each of these individuals serves admirably to help keep you as citizens and our community safe.”

On May 5, 1984 then President of the United States of America Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation which stated “Correctional officers have the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the custody, safety and well-being of the over 600,000 inmates in our Nation’s prisons and jails. Their position is essential to the day-to-day operations of these institutions; without them it would be impossible to achieve the foremost institutional goals of security and control.”

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is in need of correctional officers and information about applying can be found by clicking here. 

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Myron Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Blanchard Valley Health System, has been named to the Becker’s Hospital Review “Community Hospital CEOs to Know” list for 2023.

Becker’s has recognized these CEOs for their dedication to improving community health.

“Community hospitals are often the unsung heroes in healthcare, and CEOs are tasked with managing the delivery of coordinated and affordable community care,” the organization stated in announcing the release.

“Top community hospital executives ensure that patients can access not only acute care but also primary care, rehabilitation, public health services and other resources,” the statement added.

The Becker’s announcement also noted that these leaders “shape workforce culture, plan for the future, broaden hospital offerings and sustain financial wellness for their community hospitals.”

Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, was named president and CEO of BVHS in January 2021.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology (industrial/organizational) from Michigan State University, a Master of Science degree in clinical social work (MSW) from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“I am honored to be named to the Becker’s ‘Community Hospital CEOs to Know’ list for 2023 alongside so many accomplished healthcare leaders,” Lewis commented. “We are the stewards of quality care for the individuals and families who count on us every day. This involves an unwavering commitment to service excellence for our patients, collaboration across our communities, and a culture of engagement for our associates.”

Lewis is passionate about healthcare and the community. He serves on the Hancock County Economic Development Advisory Board, The Center for Civic Engagement Board and is a Rotarian. He is on the Board of Hart Medical, Vantage Healthcare of Ohio, and the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio. He also serves on the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) CEO Advisory Committee, the OHA Behavior Health Committee, and the OHA Small & Rural Hospital Committee. Mr. Lewis is also a member of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Mid-Size Regional Health System CEO Roundtable.

The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team accepted nominations and curated the list to highlight the great work of CEOs from community hospitals across the nation. The full list features individual profiles of all CEOs on the list and can be seen by clicking here.

Becker’s Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing media platforms in the industry. Through print, digital and live event platforms, Becker’s Healthcare equips healthcare leaders with information and forums they need to learn, exchange ideas and further conversations about the most critical issues in American healthcare today.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says three suspects have been indicted in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on a combined 116 counts of conveyance-related charges after a drone containing contraband was located inside the perimeter fence of the Toledo Correctional Institution.

The Highway Patrol says, through the several months-long investigation, troopers and investigators identified three suspects, Robert A. Faulkner, 33, Columbus; Cory A. Sutphin, 28, Grove City; and Charles Gibbs, 33, Sandusky, who were utilizing drones to convey illegal drugs, phones and other contraband onto the grounds of the Toledo, Mansfield, Richland, and Ross correctional institutions, and the North Central Correctional Complex.

As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Faulkner’s Columbus residence on November 16, 2021, where a total of $319,820 worth of illegal drugs, weapons, cell phones and contraband were located and seized, according to authorities.

Troopers and investigators believe the contraband was suspected to be used in future conveyance operations at correctional institutions across the state.

On April 7, 2023, Faulkner (60 felony counts), Sutphin (26 felony counts) and Gibbs (30 felony counts) were indicted. The indictment included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking and possession of cocaine and a fentanyl-related compound, possession of criminal tools, aggravated possession of drugs, and having weapons under disability.

If convicted, Faulkner could face a maximum of 142 years in prison; Sutphin could face a maximum of 69 years in prison; and Gibbs could face a maximum of 83 years and six months in prison.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Office of Investigative Services and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction’s Chief Inspector’s Office ask people to call 833-DRC-TIPS to report illegal acts of contraband conveyance into Ohio prisons.