Four people were inducted into the Hancock County Agriculture Hall of Fame at the annual Farmers Share Breakfast.
The 2023 inductees are Kevin Flanagan, Ron Cornwell, Steve Oman and Merle Higbie.
Cornwell and Higbie were inducted posthumously.
The four were inducted into the hall of fame for their lifetime commitment to the betterment of agriculture in Hancock County.
The annual Farmers Share Breakfast celebrates agriculture in Hancock County and all of those who help to improve it each year.
(From the Findlay Family YMCA)
The Findlay YMCA will be taking over before and after school programming at Findlay City Schools beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
FABSS, or Findlay After & Before School Sessions, was designed to provide safe and quality childcare for children in kindergarten through fifth grade during the school year before school starts and after school is dismissed. The program took place at Chamberlin Hill, Northview Elementary, and Wilson Vance.
The Findlay YMCA has collaborated with Findlay City Schools to provide similar programming for the 2023-2024 school year. The new program, YMCA After & Before School Sessions (YABSS) will continue to operate at Findlay City Schools.
“This is a great program, but more importantly, it is a NEEDED program,” said Kari Harrison Redman, Child Development District Director at the Findlay YMCA. “We are delighted that FCS approached us with this opportunity to show our commitment to working families in our area.”
The YMCA just recently announced Redman as their new Child Development District Director, a newly created position to meet the growing needs of childcare in the community. Redman is familiar with both organizations after teaching preschool at Findlay City Schools for eight years and serving on the YMCA’s Child Development Advisory Board for the past five.
“I am excited to team with Findlay’s YMCA to provide optimal before and after school childcare,” said Krista Crates Miller, Assistant Superintendent of Findlay City Schools. “Our students deserve the best and the partnership between the YMCA and FCS will provide just that!”
The Findlay YMCA is encouraging parents who may be interested in YABSS for the 2023-2024 school year to sign up for YABSS updates in the childcare section of their website at www.findlayymca.org/yabss.
(From the Ohio Association of Food Banks)
The budget passed by the Ohio Senate represents a cut in funding for emergency food programs over the next two years, and a drastic, permanent decline in revenue to support basic health and human services most Ohioans rely on.
“The Ohio Association of Foodbanks and our network of 12 regional foodbanks and 3,600 local faith-based and community organizations have served on the front lines of a complex economic and public health crisis for more than three years – a crisis that is escalating in the wake of the end of pandemic-era relief and after more than a year of record inflation.
Thanks to generous communities and donors, we have collectively secured hundreds of millions of dollars each year in donated foods, philanthropic and corporate giving, and valuable hours of volunteer service to support our mission to keep Ohioans from going hungry.
“We requested state funding of $50 million per year in the upcoming 2024-25 state budget to purchase and distribute Ohio-grown fruits and vegetables, protein and dairy items, and shelf-stable products, a modest amount to help us keep millions of people in our state from suffering the indignity and harmful consequences of hunger.
Instead, the Ohio Senate reduced funding from Am. H.B. 33 from $39.55 million per year to $24.55 million per year. The Senate also eliminated funds that would have made more free school meals available to students from families with low wages and slashed the Governor’s Office of FaithBased and Community Initiatives funding, which has supported the Governor’s Summer Meals Programs for Kids for more than a decade.
“While we are relieved that several egregious provisions that would have threatened access to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hundreds of thousands of low-income Ohioans were removed in the omnibus, we were upset to learn that a new provision that would require photos on SNAP cards, which has previously been estimated by LSC to cost at least $15 million in first-year implementation, was added in the omnibus.
The bill also added prohibitions on efforts that could streamline access to programs like SNAP, Medicaid and Unemployment Compensation for tens of thousands of Ohio families. “The priorities of the Senate are clear and in stark contrast to the Ohio House’s vision and Governor DeWine’s legacy as a champion for food security and families.
The Senate has proposed weakening revenue to such an extent that basic services carried out by state and local agencies, schools and community providers will deteriorate – all to cut taxes for wealthy individuals and corporations.
“We urge Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and members of the Ohio House to firmly reject this budget and return to the fair, balanced and people-focused approach Ohioans want from their elected leaders.”
The Ohio Department of Transportation issued it construction update for Hancock County for the week of June 19th.
Along Interstate 75 through the city of Findlay, the median will be closed to clean along the median concrete barrier wall. ODOT is asking drivers to use caution and move over for crews.
U.S. 30 between State Route 235 and the Wyandot County line will be restricted to one lane for resurfacing.
U.S. 224 between Township Road 254 and Township Road 255, approximately three miles east of the city of Findlay may have temporary land restrictions for a culvert repair.
Get a full list of projects by clicking here.
Due to the Juneteenth Holiday, ODOT crews will not be working on Monday, June 19. Contracted construction projects may continue as usual.
(From Destination Seneca County)
The Slice of Seneca County Pizza and Geocaching Trail sponsored by Destination Seneca County and the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce launches this Saturday, June 17. Following the launch, the trail will continue to run allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to complete it at their own leisure.
The new trail gives those an opportunity to explore Seneca County one slice at a time by supporting six different pizza eateries to redeem a Slice of Seneca County t-shirt or locating 19 pizza-related geocaches to receive a limited-edition and trackable two-piece geocaching coin. Geocaches for the trail will go ‘live’ on the geocaching app this Saturday starting at 10 AM. Participants can choose to complete each individual portion of the trail or both together.
The trail has 19 participating locations that include Smitty’s Pizza and VC Attica Cameo in Attica, Sauber’s Stumble Inn in Bascom, Domino’s Pizza, Fostoria Pizza Palace, Marco’s Pizza, and Red’s Pizza in Fostoria, Big C’s Smokehouse & Pizza in Green Springs, Left Field in New Riegel, Fat Head’s Family Restaurant in Republic, and Domino’s Pizza, Fort Ball Pizza Palace North and South, Heavenly Pizza, Jac & Do’s Pizza, Marco’s Pizza, Napoli Pizza, Reino’s Pizza & Pasta, and VC Tiffin Cameo in Tiffin.
Official passports can be downloaded online and printed out by visiting www.SenecaPizzaTrail.com or they can be picked up at the front desk of Hampton Inn of Tiffin starting Saturday morning at 10 AM. All passports of the Slice of Seneca County Pizza and Geocaching Trail must be turned in at the Hampton Inn of Tiffin to redeem the geocaching coin and/or t-shirt. Once completed and turned into the Hampton Inn of Tiffin, participants will receive 25% off a room stay that night (contingent on room availability).
(From the office of Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn)
Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn has announced she will be competing in the upcoming Mayor’s Cup event being hosted in Toledo, Ohio.
City of Toledo Mayor Wade Kapsukiewicz has thrown down the gauntlet, daring other Ohio/Michigan mayors/elected officials to join him in the first-ever Mayor’s Cup, a contest of skills (punt, pass, and kick) on the gridiron.
The competition will take place on Sunday, June 25th from Noon to 5:00 PM at Central Catholic High School Gallagher Stadium, 2550 Cherry Street, Toledo, Ohio – home of division II champions “The Fighting Irish’. Mike Robinson and his crew from 4th and Goal Athletics along with the Central Catholic Athletic Department will be assisting at the event.
The Mayor’s Cup is just one of several exciting events leading up to the XLII Italian Bowl on July 1. The Italian Bowl features the top two teams in the Italian Football League (playing American-style football), facing off on US soil for the first time at the University of Toledo Glass Bowl Stadium. The XLII Italian Bowl will be a key fixture of Toledo, Ohio’s Fourth of July weekend festivities this year.
Kapsukiewicz states “Admission is free, so that residents from participating cities and towns can come out and enjoy the afternoon and tailgating before the event is encouraged. Local food trucks will be on hand to feed hungry fans. The competition will be televised live on BCSN, and the winning mayors will be awarded the official Mayor’s Cup at the Italian Bowl half-time and promises to be an entertaining afternoon.”
Currently, mayors from Findlay, Perrysburg, Defiance, Northwood, Port Clinton, Rising Sun, Tontogany Clay Center, Waterville, Millbury, Rossford, Lima, and Luna Pier Michigan have committed to the festivities and more are expected to join. The competition will bond Ohio and Michigan together in welcoming our international guests. It celebrates the great American pastime with all the pomp and reverence that is the game of football.
“I am excited to participate in this friendly, yet competitive, event. I may not have a history of playing football but I plan to represent Findlay well and have a lot of fun showing off Northwest Ohio for the world to see.” said Mayor Christina Muryn.
Italian Football has a long history associated with the US. The first unofficial game in Italy was played on November 27, 1913 (Thanksgiving Day) in Genoa by representatives of the USS Connecticut and the USS Kansas, two ships of the Great White Fleet. The first official game was played in Florence on January 1st, 1945 – Between the US Army and the US Air Force. This was the catalyst that brought American football to Europe, which eventually led to the formation of national leagues.
July 1st 2023 will be the first time that the Italian Bowl will be played outside of Italy. In 1981, the first structured Italian Federation of American Football (AIFA) was founded. The current Federation (FIDAF) has
taken up this solid tradition, and over time has continued to promote and spread excitement for American Football throughout the country.
Each year, more than 20 men’s league teams compete for the coveted title of Champion. The top two teams from the 2023 season will meet in Toledo, Ohio for the XLII (42nd) Italian Bowl championship game (the equivalent of the Super Bowl for American football).
The Italian Bowl takes place on Saturday, July 1 at 3:00 PM at The University of Toledo Glass Bowl Stadium. General admission tickets are $15, reserved seating, $30. Limited inside stadium seats are available for $50. For more information, please visit www.italianbowlusa.com.
The Mayor’s Cup competition before allows Ohio/Michigan to show their hometown pride by cheering on local elected officials as they punt, kick, and pass their way to victory in Toledo.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office says a Tiffin man is facing sex charges involving a minor after a search of the man’s residence.
The sheriff’s office says it executed a search warrant at the residence of Leo H. Pickar IV, 43, and the search of the residence revealed evidence consistent with pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, an allegation received from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Tiffin Police Department detectives assisted with the execution of the search warrant on the residence.
“The collaboration with other Law Enforcement Agencies throughout Seneca County, including State and Federal Task Forces was instrumental to the success of this investigation. This investigation is presently ongoing,” said Sheriff Fred Stevens.
A bill at the Ohio Statehouse would make life-saving equipment more accessible to many Ohioans.
The bill would require automated external defibrillators, AEDs, be in every school and recreation center in the state.
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia estimate that 23,000 kids a year suffer from sudden cardiac arrest.
In Ohio, schools aren’t mandated to have an AED on site. Yet, it’s the law in 30 other states.
Supporters are also pushing for each school to have an athletic emergency plan, clearly marked AEDs in each venue, and AED and CPR training for coaches.
The bill passed the Ohio House and now goes to the Ohio Senate for review.
The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts has announced its 2023-2024 season.
The season includes Marie Osmond, Pretty Woman: The Musical, Under the Streetlamp, Sara Evans and CHICAGO The Musical and more.
The Family Series includes Madagascar The Musical, The Magic of Bill Blagg and more.
MCPA says tickets are now available to MCPA donors who have made a contribution of $150 or more within the last twelve months.
“There is still time to make a donation and get early access to tickets before they go on sale to the public, Tuesday, June 27.”
Click here to see the schedule.
Wednesday is Flag Day and the City of Findlay is reminding people why Findlay is called “Flag City USA.”
The city posted on its Facebook page explaining that designating Findlay as “Flag City, U.S.A.” began in the 1960’s and was the inspiration of Findlay Resident John B. Cooke.
As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Cooke believed in the value of flying the American flag and went door-to-door in town asking residents and businesses alike to fly a flag on Flag Day, June 14th, 1968.
Cooke created a fund and purchased 14,000 small flags for the community.
The project continued until 1974, when the Women’s Division of the Chamber of Commerce started a campaign to, once again, have flags fly and to have the city of Findlay become officially known as Flag City USA.
Findlay was officially declared “Flag City, U.S.A.” on May 7, 1974, by House Joint Resolution #1003, introduced by Congressman Tennyson Guyer.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14th, 1777.
