Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Enforcement Captain Mark Price has announced he’ll be seeking the Republican nomination for Hancock County Sheriff in the 2024 primary election.
Captain Price is a 25-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and says he’ll bring his career experience and leadership abilities to the position.
“Hancock County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It’s a safe community that faces the same challenges that most metropolitan areas are experiencing,” Price said.
“During my career, I’ve worked as a deputy and in administration. I believe having that diverse experience makes me uniquely qualified to become the next sheriff of Hancock County.”
Over his career, Price steadily rose through the ranks at the sheriff’s office, receiving several promotions and being named Enforcement Captain in January.
Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman recently announced that he would not be seeking re-election in 2024 after being sheriff since 1997.
United Way of Hancock County is rallying changemakers throughout the county through its 2023 Annual Campaign.
This year’s campaign theme is “Difference Makers,” emphasizing the fact that each person can make a difference for vulnerable children, families and individuals in our community through charitable giving, advocacy or volunteer work. A variety of campaign-related activities, including bus tours, workplace campaign kickoff events and the upcoming Downtown Restaurant Tour, are being offered to build corporate enthusiasm, provide volunteer engagement, and educate the public on the efforts of local nonprofit agencies.
United Way has set a fundraising goal of $2 million.
“We are grateful for the immense support and unwavering partnership we receive from the Difference Makers in our community,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “All money raised here stays here to impact Hancock County’s most pressing needs. When you give to our campaign, you are measurably improving the lives of our friends and neighbors.”
United Way’s Annual Campaign supports 19 local nonprofit agencies, along with a variety of direct services, community collaborations, and an additional 20-plus programs. These efforts provide critical services to vulnerable children and in the areas of food security, safety and health, workforce development and transportation, and housing. Collectively, these programs serve 1 in 4 people in our community.
Leading the campaign’s efforts for a second consecutive year is Campaign Chair Andrea Kramer, president and owner of City Apparel + Merch. (pictured below)
“As a second-year campaign chair, I can assure you that the United Way is well-positioned to respond to Hancock County’s shifting areas of concern. I can also promise that special attention is placed on ensuring vital and basic needs for all residents through collaborations with local Difference Makers, changemakers and business leaders, and by building trust with donors,” Kramer said.
Kramer is also a member of the University of Findlay College of Business Advisory Board and Promotional Products International Technology Committee; a board member on the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and on the Braden Kramer Foundation; an executive board member for Family Resource Center of Northwest Ohio; a former Dana Scholar Chair; and a member of Findlay Rotary Club.
Michael Steeb, chief financial officer for City Apparel + Merch, and Rich Kramer, chief operating officer for City Uniforms & Linen, are serving as the campaign’s Corporate Division Chairs.
Co-chairing the Commercial Division are John LaRiche, LaRiche Chevrolet dealer, and Chuck Baker, LaRiche Chevrolet general manager.
Education Division Chairs are Heather Ward, vice president of human resources at the University of Findlay, and Kelly Wohlgamuth, coordinator of gifted and ESL services at Findlay City Schools.
Amy Barnhisel, vice president business banking officer at Citizens Bank, and Susan Bunn, associate vice president of treasury management sales specialist at Citizens Bank, are co-chairing the FIRE (finance, insurance and real estate) Division.
Myron D. Lewis, president and CEO of Blanchard Valley Health System, is chairing the Health Division.
Serving as Mercantile Division Chair is Karen Worthington, owner of River + Road.
Chairing the Professional Division is Sean Abbot, attorney at law at Hackenberg, Feighner & Werth, LLC.
Co-chairing the Public Division are Rob Martin, City of Findlay service-safety director, and Kathy Launder, City of Findlay chief assistant to the mayor.
Dr. Andrew Ritz, retired pediatrician with Blanchard Valley Pediatrics, and Jennifer Lysaght, retired personal trainer, are co-chairing the Retiree/Independent Division.
Katie Kramer, owner of Hurdwell, is chairing the Rural Division.
Serving as Youth Division Chair is Madison Tolsma, supply chain business analyst at Marathon Petroleum Corp.
The campaign runs through Nov. 17, with opportunities for workplace and individual giving. All money raised through the campaign stays local to support United Way of Hancock County’s mission to measurably the lives of vulnerable children, families and individuals. Visit www.uwhancock.org to learn more or to donate to the campaign.
We had a chance to check out the iconic Ford Tri-Motor ahead of the Wings and Wheels Car Show and EAA Fly-In at the Findlay Airport.
Pilot Gary Baker says the plane was built just outside Detroit in 1928 and was the first airliner combined with trains to take people from coast to coast.
Gary says only 199 were built and 18 are in museums and six are flyable.
You can learn more about the plane’s history as we talk to Gary in the video below.
Gary says rides will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Findlay Airport.
The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.
The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.
The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.
The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.
This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).
All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:
Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”
WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.
Important information about the EAS test:
The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.
Hancock Public Health is pleased to announce our Fall 2023 Community Flu and Covid Clinics.
Times and locations of clinics are listed below. The public is encouraged to have a conversation with their medical provider prior to receiving any vaccination.
All minors, persons under the age 18, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to receive any vaccine.
The Nursing Department at Hancock Public Health will also be accepting individual appointments via telephone.
If you do not reach a person, please leave a message. Messages will be returned within 1-2 business days.
To receive a vaccination, please bring a valid ID and insurance cards. If the vaccine is not covered by your insurance carrier, check and cash are also accepted.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Findlay’s Riverside Park to dedicate the new Heritage Trail Veterans Story Walk. (video below)
“Our Hancock County Veterans have blazed a trail in many of our great conflicts and wars. We have a rich tradition of Veteran contribution to keeping peace,” said Ed Newton, Resiliency Operations Manager for the Hancock County Veterans Service Office.
The Heritage Trail begins at Litzenberg Memorial Woods on the county’s west side and ends at Van Horn Cemetery on the county’s east side.
It connects parks, historic sites, and landmarks with more than 20 miles of pavement, grass and dirt.
The new Veterans Story Walk currently has four story boards and begins at Liberty Landing and ends at Riverbend Recreation Area.
The board at Riverside Park (above) tells about World War II.
The goal is to add four additional signs next year so the story walk will encompass the entire trail from Litzenberg to Van Horn Cemetery.
The Hancock Historical Museum researched the contributions of Hancock County Veterans in The War of 1812, The Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
“Thanks to a grant from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation, the information will now be available to everyone who uses the trail,” Ed said.
He says each story board will include information about a war or conflict and how Hancock County Veterans served or contributed.
“We want to make sure that we never forget about these important historic events and the part that our Veterans played. It gives us an opportunity to tell their story and helps us carry on our county’s rich heritage to the next generation.”
This total includes 22 responsive grants and 57 donor-advised fund grants.
“A vast majority of our responsive grantmaking is focused on the priorities the community shared with us as being important,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of the Foundation.
“We are proud to partner with local nonprofit organizations and donors to help improve the quality of life for all in Hancock County.”
Among the grants, 50 North was awarded $17,000 for activities as part of the Fun for All series of free community events.
The City of Findlay was awarded $8,700 to purchase critical equipment for the fire department.
The Hancock Park District was awarded $35,000 for improvement to Litzenberg Memorial Woods.
See the full list of grants awarded by clicking here.
Ohio hunters checked more than 210,000 deer during the 2022-23 season, and a record 99,742 deer were taken with archery equipment.
There has been a dramatic increase in the popularity of archery hunting in the past decade.
New this season, non-resident students who are actively enrolled in an Ohio college or university can purchase Ohio resident hunting licenses and permits.
