(From Visit Findlay)

ArtWalk, a family-friendly free event, will take place in Downtown Findlay for the first time in the summer this Friday.

 The Summer ArtWalk will take place at more than 30 locations the evening of August 4.  All within walking distance of each other these locations will house artists displaying their work, as well as highlight local vendors.  Artists will be on-hand to discuss their work and their process, and art will be available for purchase as well.

Many artists in the Jones Building will be opening their studio doors for tours, demonstrations, and displaying their work for sale.  The Findlay Art League will be celebrating the opening of their Fiber Show.  Marathon Center for the Performing Arts will be bustling with live music from Two Groovy, featured artists hosted on-site, and a reception for current Fisher/Wall Art Gallery featured artist, Steve Mockensturm.

There will be live music taking place throughout Downtown Findlay, including Trends! On Main, The Urban Market, Journey Salon & Day Spa, Mancy’s Steakhouse at The Hancock Hotel, RooBarb Studios, Findlay Brewing Company, Gathering Wine, TOT’s BBQ, Logan’s, Alexandria’s, and Open Mic Night at Coffee Amici.  Also taking place the evening of ArtWalk is the Chamber of Commerce’s Rally in the Alley, featuring The Reunion Band in Latham Courtyard.

The Jones Mansion will have their historic doors open and featuring a collection of work from the late Steve Youngpeter and Chris Kohli.  In addition to live music, Journey Salon & Day Spa will be hosting an interactive art experience, and Smarty Pants will have a Kids Craft Activity.  TOT’s BBQ will be participating in ArtWalk for the first time since opening their doors earlier this summer.  They will have artist Jennifer Sowders on their patio creating a painting live during the event.

ArtWalk is a triannual, family-friendly, free event that takes place the first Friday of May, August, and November in an effort to promote the arts and integrate them throughout the Downtown Findlay business community.  This event is a collaborative effort between Visit Findlay: Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Findlay Art League, Jones Building Artists, and Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

A complete list of participating locations and artists can be found at VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk.  Printed maps of ArtWalk locations are available at the Visit Findlay Welcome Center, 123 E. Main Cross St., with limited copies at all participating locations the evening of the event.  For more information, go to VisitFindlay.com/ArtWalk. 

(picture courtesy of Visit Findlay)

(ONN) – Bowling Green State University hosted the second annual Ohio Anti-Hazing Summit.

BGSU’s president, state leaders, and national speakers took the podium, including Shari and Cory Foltz, parents of BGSU student Stone Foltz, who died tragically following an off-campus event in 2021.

Teachers, coaches and sorority and fraternity leaders from across the state learned about the best practices to eliminate hazing incidents.

A new apartment building that’s planned for Findlay cleared another hurdle.

In July, The Findlay City Planning Commission approved plans for a three-story, 24-unit apartment building on West McPherson Avenue.

The building would be located on the south side of McPherson Avenue a little east of Hurd Avenue.

The planning commission approved the plans with conditions.

The conditions are that the site gets approval by city council to be rezoned from O-1 Office/Institution to M-2 Multi-Family High Density, and that variances are provided from the Board of Zoning Appeals to increase the allowed total units from 16 to 24 and the reduction in parking from 53 to 41.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, council approved the rezoning of the site from O-1 Office/Institution to M-2 Multi-Family High Density.

Next, the site needs variances from the Board of Zoning Appeals to increase the allowed total units from 16 to 24 and the reduction in parking from 53 to 41.

The Board of Zoning Appeals next meets on August 10^th at 6 p.m.

UPDATE – The sheriff’s office says deputies located Mary in a wooded area about 3/4 of a mile from her residence at around 9:30 Wednesday morning. She suffered minor injuries and was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital. The sheriff’s office thanks all the concerned family, friends and neighbors who helped search for Mary.

ORIGINAL STORY –

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a woman who suffers from dementia has gone missing.

The sheriff’s office responded to a residence at 8609 Township Road 98 on Tuesday night.

Responding deputies learned that 74-year-old Mary Martinez (pictured below) was last seen at 6 p.m. walking eastbound on Township Road 98 wearing a yellow coat.

The area was searched by deputies and a drone but Mary was not located.

Anyone who sees Mary should contact the sheriff’s office at 419-422-2424.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s ‘Fun for All’ series of free events continues in August.

“We’ve heard time and time again that finding affordable, family-friendly activities is a challenge in Hancock County,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece.

“The Community Foundation is proud to provide Fun for All to help bridge the gap.”

The August events include free boat and kayak rentals at Zonta Landing at Riverside Park in Findlay, a free swim day at the Mt. Blanchard Pool, free admission to Puppy Pals at MCPA, and more.

See the full list of August activities below and get more details by clicking here.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is planning its next Citizens Sheriff’s Academy Class for people interested in learning more about how the sheriff’s office operates.

The 9-week class will begin on September 14^th and meet on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9.

Sheriff Michael Heldman says each class focuses on a different aspect of the sheriff’s office such as crime prevention, policing, firearms, traffic enforcement and more.

He says each session contains unique insight the sheriff’s office, including the differences between the duties of the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement agencies.

Learn more about the Citizens Sheriff’s Academy Class by calling 419-424-7229 or clicking here.

(From the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a new Director, Jocelyn Reinhart.

Reinhart was selected by the Chamber Board of Directors and begins her new role August 1.

Jocelyn Reinhart is a graduate of St. Wendelin High School and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in Public Policy and Criminal Justice. While in college, she served as an intern with the Portman for Senate Campaign, Republican National Convention, Hardin County Republicans, Community Improvement Corporation of Fostoria, and the City of Fostoria.

Most recently, Reinhart served as the Brand Ambassador for Clear Choice Exteriors. She currently serves as the Fostoria Rotary Club President, is a member of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Fostoria, the Fostoria Kiwanis Club, and the Geary Family YMCA Board. Reinhart resides in Fostoria with her husband and son.

Sarah Stephens Krupp, who served in the role prior to August 1, accepted a position with the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation as a Project Administrator.

“Jocelyn is a great addition to the Chamber and brings with her strong relationships and experience with small business and non-profit operations.” Stephens Krupp said of her replacement.

“I look forward to working with her as the Chamber Director and am confident she will continue to grow and strengthen the organization while bringing with her fresh new ideas.”

Of her new role, Reinhart says, “I am honored to be chosen as the new Chamber of Commerce Director. As a Fostoria native, I am thrilled to start this new position and to continue the growth that Sarah has accomplished over her years as the Director. I am thankful to the board of directors for accepting me into this new position, I am excited to hit the ground running.”

The new contact information for the Chamber Director is, Director@FostoriaChamber.com.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation reported its second quarter numbers on Tuesday.

The oil refiner headquartered in Findlay reported a net income of $2.2 billion for the second quarter of 2023, which is down from a net income of $5.9 billion in the second quarter of 2022.

“Our second quarter results reflect continued execution against our strategic initiatives,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hennigan.

“The business generated $4.0 billion of net cash provided by operating activities and we returned $3.4 billion through share repurchases and dividends during the quarter.”

Get more on Marathon’s second quarter numbers by clicking here.

The Findlay Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect who attempted to steal a cart full of merchandise from a Walmart.

It happened at the Walmart at 2500 Tiffin Avenue on July 25^th.

Police say the woman in the surveillance pictures with this story fled the area when she was confronted by store security.

Police say the vehicle in the surveillance picture was identified as the suspect’s vehicle.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact police at 419-424-7150 or message the police department’s Facebook page.

People can also contact Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS, and tipsters may be eligible for a reward.