St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish is letting people know that they’ll be conducting safety training on Monday, August 21st.
The church, at 750 Bright Road in Findlay, posted to its social media informing people of the training.
“We do not want families or neighbors to be alarmed by the presence of multiple police cars on site.”
The church says the parish office will be closed until 11:30 a.m. on Monday to allow all staff members to attend the training.
The Findlay Police Department is once again participating in the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”.
According to the NHTSA website, one person is killed about every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash, totaling more than 13,000 lives lost each year.
“During the Labor Day holiday period, we typically see an increase in drunk-driving deaths – and that’s why you’ll likely see more law enforcement on the roads. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which runs from August 15th – September 4th, aims to educate people about the dangers and consequences of driving drunk.”
“For this Labor Day holiday period, remember that drunk driving is dangerous and illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Since alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination, even one drink before operating a vehicle can put you and others in danger.”
Drivers are asked to always be responsible and have a plan.
A Findlay man died in a single-vehicle crash in Seneca County, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post reported.
The highway patrol said Michael Hough, 24, of Findlay, was driving a pickup truck northbound on Township Road 21 near Township Road 112 in Loudon Township when he went off the roadway and struck a barn.
The crash happened sometime before 2:30 Friday morning and was reported at 5:35 a.m.
Hough was ejected from his truck and sustained fatal injuries.
He was not wearing a seatbelt, the highway patrol said.
The highway patrol said alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.
(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.
(From Blanchard Valley Health System)
As part of its commitment to not just treat, but also prevent, disease, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) offers individual counseling and education for community members who wish to quit smoking.
The Tobacco Cessation Program at Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine of Northwest Ohio, a division of BVHS, takes an evidence-based team approach tailored to each smoker’s individual needs. The dedicated team of “quit specialists” provides resources, education, medication support, accountability and encouragement for each step of the journey.
Different tools may work for different people, and some smokers may want guidance finding the right approach for them.
In addition, many smokers may have some ambivalence, or may be thinking about quitting but not sure they’re ready. No matter what stage they are at, the “quit specialists” meet them where they are.
They ask the smoker about their smoking history and their support system, as well as any physical and mental barriers that might make it harder to quit.
It’s important to think about these potential obstacles might be, as well as what might strengthen your motivation to quit, said Amber Chavana, medical assistant and tobacco cessation navigator.
“Every single person has something different that can motivate them to quit,” she said. “Maybe it’s a desire to spend more time with a grandchild, or simply be more active. Our team will help you to stay focused on your goal. Each time we see someone successfully quit, it’s so rewarding, and we would love to help more community members in this way.”
Many tools are available now to help patients quit including nicotine patches and gum, and prescription medication.
Often, a former smoker might think “just one” cigarette won’t hurt, but this is a situation that often leads to relapse.
“Relapses do happen sometimes,” said Marlana Risley, MSN, RN, manager of outpatient specialty services. “Don’t give up. It often takes smokers multiple tries before they quit for good. Remember, we are here to help you along the way, and we can help you determine the next steps.”
A good support system is invaluable. Often, people smoke as a way of coping with stress or anxiety. Loved ones can help by offering support and encouragement, Chavana said. Setting a “quit date” allows the smoker to tell friends and family ahead of time, so they can help them prepare as the date gets closer.
The Tobacco Cessation Program is open to anyone 18 and older, whether they are a longtime smoker or started smoking more recently.
For more information, call 419.429.6441 or click here.
It’s back-to-school time and safety officials are reminding drivers to start watching out for school buses and schoolkids and to follow all state laws.
Parents are also urged to talk with their kids about how to act around school buses as drivers are reminded to keep their eyes peeled for children getting on and off of buses.
Officer Brian White with the Findlay Police Department says drivers also need to remember to slow down in school zones when children are present.
A driver who fails to stop for a school bus that’s loading or unloading students can be fined up to $500 and have their license suspended for a year.
On a road with fewer than four lanes, all traffic approaching a stopped school bus from either direction must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus and remain stopped until the bus begins to move or the bus driver signals drivers to proceed.
On a four-lane road, only vehicles going in the same direction as the school bus must stop.
The first day for Findlay City Schools is Tuesday, August 22nd.
The first day for Liberty-Benton Local Schools is Tuesday, September 5th.
Liberty-Benton Local Schools will be holding a grand opening celebration for its new Elementary/Middle School.
The celebration will be on Monday, August 28th beginning at 4 p.m.
The event will include food, music and walkthroughs of the new school and the renovated high school.
The ribbon cutting will take place from 6 to 6:15 in front of the new school.
The first day of school in the district will be Tuesday, September 5th.
Click here for the Liberty-Benton Local Schools calendar.
The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office is introducing its new K9 Unit, Deputy Melvin Yoder and K9 Christo.
“Christo is from Berlin, Germany and started his career as a police K9 in 2018,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
“He and Deputy Yoder, served with a neighboring agency where they trained with the Wyandot County K9 Teams weekly. They recently transferred to the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office.”
The sheriff’s office said Christo is a dual-purpose K9 trained in narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, handler protection, tracking, and evidence/article searches.
“Deputy Yoder and Christo are excited to serve the citizens of Wyandot County and look forward to meeting everyone at future events!”
Earlier in August, K9 Ace retired.
(ONN) – Voters will decide in November whether Ohio should become the 24th state to allow recreational marijuana.
If passed, the measure would allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home.
A 10 percent tax would be imposed on purchases, to be spent on administrative costs, addiction treatment programs, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs.
A study from Ohio State University found that the plan could generate about $275 million to $450 million in tax revenue after five years.
Last year five states had the issue up for a vote: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota – and the measures were approved in Maryland and Missouri.
The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County has unveiled a new project to help people grieve the loss of a pet.
The Rainbow Bridge project is in conjunction with grief recovery classes that the humane society will be offering this fall.
Some people when they lose a pet say they have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
We spoke with the humane society’s Natalie Reffitt about their new Rainbow Bridge and the importance of grieving for pets you have lost.
“Oftentimes people have had their pets for 10-plus years and when their pet passes on we don’t know what to do with ourselves,” Natalie said.
She says the Rainbow Bridge is a place where people can come to reflect on the relationship with their pet that has died. There’s even a spot where you can leave your pet’s collar.
Natalie says one of the most important parts of the grieving process is to not bottle it up inside, instead make sure you let yourself grieve.
Through a grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Natalie was able to become a Certified Grief Specialist.
The grief classes will begin in September and anyone interested in attending can email Natalie at natalie@hancockhumanesociety.com or call the humane society at 419-423-1664.
People interested in seeing and utilizing the Rainbow Bridge are asked to call the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County ahead of time.
See what animals the humane society has up for adoption currently by clicking here.