Sheetz has announced that it will be constructing a new $150 million facility in Findlay that will house additional food preparation and distribution functions as they expand their footprint into new markets.

The project is expected to create 750 jobs over five years.

The facility will be located on a 73 acre site on the east side of Lowe’s Distribution Center, bordered by Township Road 99 on the north and County Road 212 on the south.

Sheetz has been working closely with Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, the Regional Growth Partnership, and JobsOhio on the project.

“Sheetz is thankful for the cooperation and support of all the local, county and state leaders who have helped make this project possible,” said Sheetz President/CEO Travis Sheetz.

“We’re excited to bring new opportunities to the area, as we continue to expand throughout the state of Ohio and into Michigan in 2025. Findlay is located in the heart of this new growth area and will play a big role in the future of Sheetz.”

“We are happy to have played a role in attracting this project and look forward to seeing the positive impact that Sheetz will have,” said Dan Sheaffer, Executive Director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development.

“The facility will bring more well-paying, quality jobs to the area by a family-owned company that is truly committed to community success.”

Local government also played an important part in attracting the company as demonstrated by Findlay City Council’s commitment to infrastructure related to the project.

“The unanimous decision to support this project by City Council sends a strong signal that Findlay is proud of our business community and is willing to make investments to continue to set our community up as a premier place to do business,” said Mayor Christina Muryn.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sheetz to our community.”

In 1952, Sheetz, Inc. was founded in Altoona, PA where headquarters are still located. The company remains family-owned and operates over 685 convenience restaurant stores in six states including Ohio.

The company employs more than 25,000 people. Sheetz has been continually recognized for creating a top workplace for employees and is a staunch community advocate.

The Hancock County Fair is coming up.

It will be held August 30^th through September 4^th at the Hancock County Fairgrounds in Findlay.

The Hancock County Fair features a variety of events and activities and you can click here for the daily schedule.

Senior Day at the fair will be Thursday, August 31^st and seniors 65 and older get in free.

The 6^th annual Donkey Race will be held on Wednesday, August 30^th at 7 p.m. in the North Grandstand.

The Demolition Derby will be back again this year and will be held on Saturday, September 2^nd at 6:30 p.m.

Get the full list of activities and events by clicking here.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents about a couple of upcoming days off.

The school district says there will be no school for students on Friday, September 1^st for a teacher professional development day.

And then there will also be no school on Monday, September 4^th for Labor Day.

You can see the complete school district calendar by clicking here.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office showed off its new armored tactical vehicle to other law enforcement agencies and officials.

Captain Mark Price with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says the Lenco BearCat will be very valuable in any scenario involving officer safety, like a barricaded subject with a gun and having to make an approach.

And he says they’ll be ready to assist other agencies in the area with the BearCat as well.

“It’s truly a great asset to have, not only for our county but also for surrounding counties.”

The BearCat cost around $250,000 and the purchase was made with federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

We got a look at the BearCat and you can see that video below.

A Silent Watch will be held in front of the Hancock County Courthouse in honor of a local Veteran who took their life and to bring awareness to how many Veterans suffer from PTSD and die by suicide.

The event will be hosted by Allen-Kramp Wealth Management in honor and memory of their friend Gaven Smith and his fellow fallen.

At last year’s event we spoke with Rodney Kramp and Leah Cook and you can see that video below.

Every day, 22 Veterans take their own life, and on Thursday, September 7^th from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. friends, colleagues and strangers will stand in Silent Watch for 22 minutes at a time to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder and to show Veterans they don’t fight alone.

A flag-draped casket will honorably be carried from the backside of the Hancock County Courthouse to the front sidewalk by Veteran and active-duty military and set in place at 7 a.m.

Opening ceremonies will begin promptly with volunteers showing support by standing guard and changing out every 22 minutes.

This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

The Hancock County Veteran Service Office will be in attendance with mental health support information.

(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

The Findlay Rotary Club has announced its nine semifinalists for the 2023 Golden Apple Awards for teaching excellence.

Annually, Rotary chooses three teachers from the elementary level, three teachers from the middle school level and three teachers from the high school level to compete for the award. The finalists will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner on October 18, 2023.

The finalist at each level receives the Golden Apple Award along with a $2,500 cash prize. Second and third place semi-finalist each receive a $250 cash prize. Finalists also accept an invitation to join the Golden Apple Academy, a group consisting of all past Golden Apple Award finalists.

At the elementary level, the three semifinalists are: Katie Kin, 4th Grade Teacher at Bigelow Hill Intermediate; Crystal Whipkey, English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher at Whittier Primary; and Stephanie Wiegand, Preschool Intervention Specialist at Findlay City Schools Preschool.

At the middle school level, the three semifinalists are: Angel Buck, ELA 6th Grade at Glenwood Middle School; Ryan Lindahl, Algebra at Glenwood Middle School; and Brooke Meyer, 6th Grade at Glenwood Middle School

At the high school level, the three semifinalists are: Adam Flugga, English Teacher at Arcadia Local Schools; Tyler Smith, Physics at Findlay High School; and Jason Wagner, Art Educator at Findlay High School.

The Findlay Rotary accepted nominations for the award from students, parents, administration, colleagues and the community-at-large through the beginning of April.

Nominees are required to be a current teacher in the Findlay area or a Hancock County school and have at least three years of experience.

Nominated teachers submit a resume, a teaching philosophy essay, and two letters of recommendation to the Rotary Community Selection Committee who selected this year’s semifinalists. A second group of members from the Rotary Final Selection Committee interviews and conductions classroom visits to determine the finalists.

Click here for a story and interview with one of the winners from 2022.

(ONN) – The Ohio Ballot Board has approved language for a fall abortion rights measure that Democrats and the issue’s backers are criticizing as inaccurate and misleading.

Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights is considering litigation.

Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, an abortion opponent, developed the language.

It changes the word ‘fetus’ to ‘unborn child’ and suggests that the amendment would prohibit citizens from limiting abortion access when it would actually limit the government from doing so.

Ohio Right to Life’s president said he likes the language.

The abortion measure will be issue 1 on the November ballot.

A proposal to legalize recreational marijuana will be called issue 2.

The Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be conducting an OVI sobriety checkpoint in Findlay.

It will be held on Friday night, August 25^th from 8 to midnight along North Main Street in the area of the University of Findlay.

The Findlay Police Department, University of Findlay Police Department, and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office will be assisting.

The checkpoint is designed to deter and intercept impaired drivers and will be held in conjunction with nearby saturation patrols to aggressively combat alcohol-related injury and fatal crashes.

The Highway Patrol is reminding people who consume alcohol to always designate a driver or make other travel arrangements.

“Don’t let another life be lost for the senseless and selfish act of getting behind the wheel impaired.”

State and federal guidelines require that the time and location of an OVI checkpoint be made public in advance.

(From the Center for Advanced Manufacturing)

Industry leaders from Northwest Ohio, along with the presidents from Bowling Green State University, University of Findlay, and Owens Community College welcomed several legislators on Tuesday for a manufacturing roundtable highlighting the Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

The Center for Advanced Manufacturing was created through a partnership between BGSU, UF, and Owens Community College. Its purpose is to serve as the crucial conduit between regional industry, higher education, and economic development.

The Ohio General Assembly passed a State Operating Budget that in July Governor DeWine signed HB 33 into law. The budget included a $1,000,000 investment toward the Center.

“Northwest Ohio’s economy is anchored by manufacturing,” said Tim Mayle, executive director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

“When industry, education, government, and economic development collaborate the results are improved capacities, higher quality products, reduced costs, and expanded talent pipelines, among other benefits.”

Mayle was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss how the event went.

“We work every day to support industry to retain the companies we have and attract new investment,” Mayle said.

“Their investment shows that members of the Ohio Legislature recognize the unique capabilities of three higher education schools working together.”

As an innovation hub, the Center facilitates partnerships that allow manufacturers to tackle their largest obstacles, including changes in Workforce, Policy, Supply Chain, Operations, and Energy. Its signatory educational partners bring unparalleled access to training, research, data collection and analysis.

Examples of the Center’s capabilities include: From Co-Ops to up-training. From reshoring to Industry 4.0. For challenges seen and unseen.

The Center for Advanced Manufacturing is your first connecting point. Legislators that attended include Rep. Jon Cross, Rep Gary Click, Rep Jim Hoops, Rep Roy Klopfenstein, Rep Susan Manchester, Rep Josh Williams and Sen Theresa Gavarone. “I’m proud to have championed funding in the State of Ohio operating budget the past two budget cycles, totaling $3 million,” said Rep. Jon Cross.

“These state funds, in collaboration with public and private sector funding from the three institutions of higher education, will help prepare students with the degrees, skills and career pathways needed to fulfill the in-demand manufacturing jobs that continue to locate in Northwest Ohio. It’s a trifecta win for the students, colleges and businesses!”

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is seeking proposals for grants for the upcoming Solar Eclipse in 2024.

Potential projects should be focused on education and educational activities related to the eclipse, which will take place on April 8, 2024.

“Two of the priorities the community identified through Community Conversations 2022 were affordable, family-friendly community activities and education,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of the Foundation.

“With those two things in mind, coupled with this rare event, we want to make sure as much of the community can benefit from these grants as possible to experience this phenomenon together.”

Nonprofit organizations, including government entities, providing services to residents of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio are invited to complete a short application requesting funding for their projects.

Priority will be given to educational opportunities leading up to and related to this meteorological phenomenon.

“There are so many innovative ways that residents of all ages can be part of this event,” said Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer at the Foundation.

“We are looking forward to partnering with local organizations and schools to build excitement for this unique and exciting experience.”

To discuss a grant idea, contact Kimberly Bash at kbash@community-foundation.com or (419) 425-1100.

The brief grant application is due October 2, 2023, on the Foundation’s online grant platform.

Grants will be awarded in November 2023.