(ONN) – The head of the Ohio Department of Health is urging parents to keep their kids up to date on vaccines as the new school year approaches.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says required vaccines protect kids from 10 different diseases and he says failure to comply is risky.

“We suffered through a measles outbreak here in Ohio late last year,” Vanderhoff said.

“The outbreak affected 85 children, all unvaccinated, and about 40 percent of the children had to be hospitalized.”

He says a study 25 years ago linking vaccines to autism has been disproven and the study in England making that link was retracted 13 years ago.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash.

It happened on State Route 613 near County Road 139 at approximately 7:45 Thursday night.

The sheriff’s office says Joshua Dutton, 36, was westbound on State Route 613 when his car went off the left side of the road and struck a tree in the front yard of a house in the 8000 block.

Dutton was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The sheriff’s office said he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

His body was transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

Assisting at the scene were Hanco EMS, the Pleasant and Portage McComb Fire Department and Dick’s Towing.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has partnered with the University of Findlay, University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, University of Findlay’s Phi Alpha Honor Society, and the University of Findlay’s Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society to bring New Perspectives: A Living Library to the Mazza Museum on October 17, 2023 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Books can educate people through fascinating stories of human experience. Every now and then, you may be lucky enough to pick up an unforgettable adventure that peels away all but the very nature of human beings, exposing the commonality among us all. Long-held biases and beliefs fall away, and you are left with a new understanding and a fresh perspective, all because you read a new story.

Assistant Director of the library Joel Mantey says the event is about breaking down those barriers of preconceived notions of who someone is and what their story is.

New Perspectives: A Living Library seeks to engage our community in conversation by providing a non-judgmental environment for people to speak one-on-one with those they might otherwise never have the chance to meet – people who may have different life experiences, stories, or beliefs. Participants will have 30 minutes to listen to each storyteller’s personal story and ask questions they might normally feel uncomfortable asking. These interactions will help participants and storytellers build a better understanding of each other as human beings through conversation and engagement.

This year’s New Perspectives event expands on previous years’ Human Library experiences and empowers community members to share their amazingly unique stories, no matter their circumstances. Creating a safe, judgment-free learning platform where personal conversations can challenge stigma and stereotypes echoes the library’s mission to treat all equally, respectfully, and with a friendly attitude.

The library is seeking volunteers to be storytellers for this program. If you are interested in being a volunteer and sharing your story, please contact Melody Flick at mflick@findlaylibrary.org or the visit the library’s website at www.findlaylibrary.org for an online application.

(From Dr. Bill Kose with Blanchard Valley Health System)

Navigating the world of health care can sometimes feel complicated, but it’s an easier process when you have a primary care provider on your side.

However, many people don’t have one. They may not be particularly worried about it. If they’re not sick, they may assume, why should they go to a doctor? Urgent care and the emergency room are available, after all.

But there are pitfalls to this approach. First of all, receiving health care solely in the emergency room is more expensive, and keeps the emergency room congested.

Also, a primary care provider will conduct routine screenings and ask about your personal and family health history in more detail, while working to build a relationship in the long term.

And it is indeed a relationship, as much as anything. A patient and primary care provider get to know one another over time.

That trust may allow for more honest and open conversations. This is especially important for patients who feel self-conscious discussing certain health concerns, such as depression or sexual health issues. While providers at urgent care or the emergency room will also provide excellent care, there isn’t as much time to build a relationship, so the patient may not bring up all of their health questions.

A primary care provider can also be a great sounding board if you have a symptom that is worrying you. They may help find easy ways to address it, whether with medication or lifestyle changes. They can also tell you when going to a specialist or getting further testing is warranted.

Additionally, they may be able to help relieve stress related to your health. Sometimes a patient may worry more than they need to, as a situation is not as serious as they think. If it is more serious, the provider will help patients come up with a plan to address it, which may help the patient feel more of a sense of control over the situation moving forward.

Long-term relationships with providers means that they can see patterns, like how weight and blood pressure change over time. They will run laboratory tests and remind patients of screenings that may be recommended at certain stages of life. They’ll also ensure that patients don’t miss needed vaccines that can help them stay healthy.

Providers today want to work with their patients as a team. While the provider will advise you of lifestyle changes to make, such as modifying your diet or quitting smoking, the goal is not to lecture, but instead work in partnership with you to improve your health.

If you don’t currently have a primary care provider, now is a great time to start that relationship. The provider can help you prevent long-term health problems and improve your quality of life in the here and now.

Blanchard Valley Health System has primary care providers throughout Northwest Ohio. Please call 419.422.APPT to set up an appointment, or if you have any questions about the process.

William Kose, MD, JD Vice President of Special Projects, Blanchard Valley Health System

UPDATE – Findlay and Hancock County have been dropped from the Severe Thunderstorm Watch that was to go until 11 Thursday night.

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

The watch goes until 11 o’clock Thursday night.

The severe threats include wind gusts of 75 miles per hour, large hail, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes.

Click here for the latest forecast and weather alerts.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said a man fled the scene on foot after crashing his vehicle into the back of a truck in the western portion of the county.

It happened on US 224 near Township Road 123 at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday.

The sheriff’s office said Kavon Haddon, 27, of Elyria, was driving westbound behind a pickup truck when he failed to maintain assured clear distance ahead and struck the back of the truck.

Haddon then fled the scene on foot, the sheriff’s office said.

A perimeter was established by responding deputies and he was located a short distance from the crash.

Haddon was transported to the Hancock County Jail and booked for failure to stop after an accident.

Assisting at the scene were the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team and Findlay Police Department K9 unit.

The Findlay Police Department has promoted Jason Morey to the position of Lieutenant.

Lt. Morey will be sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn at the City of Findlay Municipal Building Council Chambers (318 Dorney Plaza) on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM.

Morey is a graduate of Wapakoneta Senior High School and he obtained an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and his Ohio Peace Officer Certification while at Rhode State College.

He also completed his bachelor’s degree in 2017, graduating from the University of Findlay with a degree in Business Management with a health, environment, and safety emphasis.

Morey began his career with the Findlay Police Department in 2000 as a full-time officer and was assigned to the Patrol Division.  Prior to his appointment at Findlay PD, he worked as an Auxiliary Deputy for the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2017 and served in the Patrol Division.  He has served as a Field Training Officer, a Crash Reconstructionist, a member of the Active Shooter Team, and a Drone Operator.

Morey is married to his wife Wendi and they have three children.

The Findlay Police Department has promoted Timothy Brown to the position of Sergeant.

Sgt. Brown will be sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn at the City of Findlay Municipal Building Council Chambers (318 Dorney Plaza) on Monday, July 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM.

Brown is a graduate of Liberty Benton High School and he obtained an Associate Degree in Applied Science and Public Service and also his Ohio Peace Officer Certification while at Rhodes State College.

Brown began his career with the Findlay Police Department in 2010 as a full-time officer and was assigned to the Patrol Division.  He has served as a Field Training Officer, a Crash Reconstructionist, a member of the Active Shooter Team, and a Crisis Management Team Operator.

Brown is married to his wife Amanda and they have seven children.

The National Weather Service says we could get some severe thunderstorms on Thursday.

The weather service has placed much of Ohio in an Enhanced Risk for severe storms, which is level 3 out of 5 on the severe scale.

Threats include wind gusts of 70 miles per hour, large hail, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes.

The greatest risk is after 4 p.m, according to WTOL’s Chris Vickers.

Click here for the latest forecast and weather alerts.

Findlay Service-Safety Director Rob Martin addressed city council and community partners about the efforts being undertaken in response to the increased presence of homeless people in the community.

Martin says both he and Mayor Muryn recognize that it is a frustrating and complex issue that did not show up overnight and won’t be solved overnight.

He says the city will work tirelessly to help the individuals in need while also addressing the community concerns arising from an increase in homeless people in the downtown area.

Martin says there are currently 150 to 160 homeless people in Hancock County. He says 80 to 90 are sheltered by an organization such as the City Mission, 30 to 40 are in cars or couch surfing, and the remainder are in tents or on the streets.

Martin says he and Kathryn Bausman, Director of City Mission, have pulled together local stakeholders to discuss how to address the issue.

After much discussion, he says the group prioritized three areas of focus they felt would help alleviate the situation.

Those three areas are, community education, affordable/accessible housing, and low-barrier housing.

You can get more details on the three areas by clicking here.

Martin says it’s important to note that the city has not seen any instances of violence of confrontation involving homeless individuals, although there have been issues with trespassing which have been addressed.

The Hancock Historical Museum will host its Classic Movie Night on Friday, July 21st at 7 p.m. with a screening of They Drive by Night (1940).

The classic film noir crime drama, directed by Raoul Walsh, stars George Raft, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan and Ida Lupino.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged, but not required.

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

The museum’s special outdoor movie is coming up on Saturday, August 19^th, as Back to the Future will be shown. Click here for the full schedule.