The Kenton home of State Representative Jon Cross was destroyed in a fire.

The Kenton Fire Department responded to the report of a garage fire on Maureen Drive Saturday night.

When firefighters arrived on the scene the garage and house were engulfed in flames.

Cross and his family safely made it out of the house, and Cross posted the following on his Facebook page.

“Christina Q. Cross, Carson, Connor, Buckeye and I are very, very grateful for the love and prayers from our community and many friends near and far! We thank GOD we are all safe, as well as our neighbors and first responders.

The fire didn’t win! We may have lost the house, the cars and everything else, but the flags still fly and our spirit is still strong!”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The district Cross represents includes Hancock County , Hardin County and a portion of Logan County.

UPDATE – Issue 1 was projected to fail as the early results skewed much in favor of the opposition and some outlets, such as the Columbus Dispatch, called the election in favor of the ‘no’ side. See the unofficial results by clicking here. 

ORIGINAL STORY –

Voters are heading to the polls in Ohio on Tuesday for a special election to decide the fate of Issue 1.

Issue 1, if passed, would increase the voter approval threshold for constitutional amendments from a simple majority up to 60 percent.

Supporters say voting yes on Issue 1 will strengthen the Ohio Constitution by protecting it from out of state interests.

Critics of Issue 1 say, if approved, it would destroy citizen-driven ballot initiatives and take power away from the people.

Polls will be open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Read the ballot language of Issue 1 by clicking here.

Click here for the results.

This year marks 100 years of tradition for the University of Findlay’s Arch Ceremony.

The University of Findlay will honor new students on Thursday, August 10th, as faculty, staff, students, and their families celebrate the long-standing tradition of walking through the Griffith Memorial Arch.

Students will not walk back through the Arch at any point during their time at UF out of superstition that they won’t graduate.

Instead, students will save the walk back through the Arch for their Commencement.

“The Arch Ceremony is one of the oldest college traditions in Northwest Ohio, and the most sacred tradition at the University of Findlay,” the university said.

Since 1923, new students proceed through Griffith Memorial Arch toward Old Main during orientation weekend while they are being welcomed to campus by faculty, staff, and their loved ones to symbolize the official start of their college experience at Findlay.

The Findlay Police Department says a man was arrested after trying to rob a convenience store.

Police said Trevor Vealey, 20, of Findlay, entered Som Carry Out at 825 North Main Street on Thursday night and demanded money from an employee or he would shoot them.

The employee used pepper spray on Vealey and he fled, without any money.

Officers witnessed Vealey fleeing from the store.

Police said Vealey was arrested and booked at the Hancock County Justice Center on robbery charges.

State Senator Rob McColley (R) and State Representative Jim Hoops (R) stopped by WFIN to discuss the one issue voters will decide on in the special election in Ohio on Tuesday, August 8^th.

Issue 1, if passed, would increase the voter approval threshold for constitutional amendments from a simple majority up to 60 percent.

McColley says Issue 1 would ensure that future proposed constitutional amendments have broader, bipartisan support because when they become a constitutional amendment there’s no changing it.

“The 60 percent threshold would ensure, that in order to get that number, it needs to be bipartisanly supported by a wide array of groups; rural, urban and all other sorts of groups across the state.”

Supporters say voting yes on Issue 1 will strengthen the Ohio Constitution by protecting it from out-of-state interests.

Critics of Issue 1 say, if approved, it would destroy citizen-driven ballot initiatives and take power away from the people.

Read the ballot language of Issue 1 by clicking here.

Polls will be open on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Findlay Police Department says a man was arrested on various charges after a traffic stop.

It happened at the intersection of Sixth Street and South Blanchard Street at 2:06 Thursday afternoon.

Police say Raheem Glenn, 28, was a front seat passenger in the vehicle and had several bench warrants for his arrest.

Police said Glenn resisted arrest when he was taken into custody.

Police said a search of Glenn and the area of where he was sitting in the vehicle revealed a total of 32.2 grams of methamphetamine, 1.3 grams of cocaine and 2.2 grams of marijuana.

Glenn was booked at the Hancock County Justice Center for his active warrants as well as resisting arrest and drug possession.

(From the Hancock Park District)

If you have a passion for photography or if you want to learn, come along on a hike with fellow photographers to capture the beauty of our parks through the lens of the camera.

We will hike the trails taking photos of scenery, wildlife, plants, and anything else that would make an interesting subject. All skill levels and camera types are welcome.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center Porch. 9-11 AM.

Ages 16 and up. Free; registration is not required.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve is located at 1400 Oakwoods Lane, off CR 144, west of Findlay.

For more information about other upcoming park programs and events, view the “Programs & Activities Calendar” at www.HancockParks.com” or call the park office at 419-425-7275.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System will offer a Dementia Friends training for members of the community in September.

This informational session will give participants an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do to make a difference in the lives of those affected. They will learn how to communicate effectively, as well as best practice strategies for patients and caregivers.

The goal is to create a more dementia-inclusive community.

The course is designed for any and all community members interested in learning more about dementia and how to further their understanding and actions for people experiencing memory challenges. This may include but is not limited to caregivers, families, business owners, service-related professionals and staff, church communities, students and volunteers.

“Most of us will at some point encounter someone living with dementia in our personal or professional lives. Sometimes making just small changes in how we communicate with them can make a world of difference in their lives,” said Lindsey Buddelmeyer, leadership education and training specialist at BVHS. “Those who take this class will come away from it feeling more confident about their ability to understand their loved ones with dementia and to connect with them. And the more people that receive this training, the more people who have dementia are likely to feel better respected.”

The class will be held from 2-3:15 p.m. on September 19 in the Aller Meeting Room-North at Blanchard Valley Hospital.

There is no cost to attend. All attendees will be provided access to the informational session materials and resources to help assist and support persons with dementia, caregivers, and families.

The class is open to a maximum of 20 people. Preregistration is required. For more information, or to register, please visit https://bvhs.info/DementiaFriendsSept

The Findlay Police Department put officers through active shooter drills at the high school ahead of the new school year beginning.

Lt. Andrew Welch says their officers are trained to enter the school immediately and become the focus of the shooter.

“If you can become the focus that means he’s not focused on hurting anybody in the school,” Welch said.

“Our safety becomes second to those in the school because we are prepared, we’re trained and we understand what we need to do.”

He says the new SafeDefend active shooter protection system installed in Findlay schools will be very beneficial because it provides emergency responders with instant information about the location and nature of the threat.

Last fall police responded to two active shooter hoax calls; one at Findlay High School and the other at Liberty Benton High School.

The police department let us tag along as they held a drill in which an officer went classroom to classroom in search of a shooter, and the video can be seen below.

Dr. Andy Hatton, the new Findlay City Schools superintendent, officially began the job on Tuesday, August 1^st but he’s been in the area for a while now getting familiar with the community.

On with WFIN’s Chris Oaks, Hatton said one thing that jumped right out at him is that Findlay is a family-centered community and that everyone at Findlay City Schools loves what they do.

Chris mentioned how there seems to be so much more involved in education nowadays and Hatton agreed.

“We are educating students for their future, not our past. We are trying to prepare students to flourish for anything they want to do in life, and to do that the expectations are high, and we welcome that.”

Dr. Hatton says public education is a calling that he’s been blessed to be a part of the over 25 years.

The first day for Findlay City Schools is Tuesday, August 22^nd.

Click here for the full district calendar.