State Route 568 will be closing for construction of the pedestrian bridge portion of the Blanchard River Greenway Trail extension project.
The City of Findlay says the closure will go from Bright Road to County Road 236 and begin on Wednesday, October 25th and last approximately 45 days.
The pedestrian bridge will be located north of the existing State Route 568 bridge and take people over the Blanchard River.
For a while now, the westbound lane of State Route 568 has been closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow for construction of the shared-use path on the north side of State Route 568.
This extension of the Greenway Trail will take it to County Road 236, and in the future, the city says it wants to extend the Greenway Trail from County Road 236 out to Riverbend Recreation Area.
Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced plans to purchase $20 million in five-year, fixed-rate Israel Bonds.
“Now is the time to stand with Israel,” said Treasurer Sprague. “For 30 years, Israel Bonds have been – and continue to be – a strong investment for the Ohio Treasury. We’re proud to make this $20 million purchase and provide desperately needed liquidity to Israel as they fight against these heinous acts of terrorism.”
The bonds will mature in five years, on October 1, 2028, with an interest rate of 5.74%. Since Israel Bonds was established in 1951, Israel has maintained a perfect record of interest and principal payments.
Since 1993, every Ohio Treasurer has invested in Israel Bonds, joining more than 115 other state and municipal public employee pension and treasury funds. With the upcoming purchase, the Ohio Treasury will hold a total of $187.5 million in Israel Bonds, continuing Ohio’s standing as one of the largest government holders of these bonds in the United States. This purchase will bring Ohio’s total purchases to $227.5 million since Treasurer Sprague took office.
This morning, I announced plans to purchase $20 million in five-year, fixed-rate @IsraelBonds.
Findlay crime prevention officer Brian White says we all need to do our part to make sure schoolkids are safe around their buses.
He says drivers are required to stop at least 10 feet in front of or behind a school bus when flashing lights and a stop arm are displayed and cannot resume driving until the school bus begins moving.
On a two-lane road all lanes of traffic must come to a stop for a school bus that’s loading or unloading students.
On a four-lane road, only vehicles going in the same direction as the school bus must stop.
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.
Since 2018, there has been a total of 6,298 school bus-related traffic crashes in Ohio.
On Friday night, a Findlay City Schools bus was involved in a crash, and you can read more about that by clicking here.
First responders were able to pull a driver from a wrecked SUV before it became fully engulfed in flames in southwest Hancock County.
The crash happened at around 11:22 Friday night in the area of State Route 235 and County Road 24.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said Jason Lawrence, 37, of Lima, was driving north on State Route 235 in a Chevy Tahoe when he went off the left side of the roadway and into a creek near County Road 24.
The vehicle caught on fire and deputies assisted Bluffton EMS in removing Lawrence from the vehicle before it became fully engulfed in flames.
Lawrence was taken to a Lima hospital with unknown injuries.
A Findlay City Schools bus was involved in a crash on Friday night in Findlay.
The crash, between the bus and a pickup truck, occurred in the area of Interstate 75 and Trenton Avenue at 10:58 Friday night.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said a pickup truck was driving eastbound on Trenton Avenue when it was struck by a Findlay City Schools bus that was exiting from I-75 southbound to Trenton Avenue.
After impact, both vehicles went off the roadway and down an embankment, coming to rest in the southbound lanes of I-75.
The front of the bus appeared to have sustained significant damage.
Six people in the pickup truck, including four juveniles, were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for minor injuries.
The school bus had 31 students on board and three were taken to BVH with minor injuries.
Findlay City Schools, in the Facebook post below, said all students who were on the bus were safe.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Findlay Family YMCA has announced that it will be building a new Y.
“The new facility will enhance our ability to deliver programs and services that align with our mission,” said Findlay Family YMCA CEO Stephanie Parsons.
“We know that childcare is a major need in Hancock County. This project will address that need.”
Get more details from Stephanie in the letter below that she wrote to the community.
Dear Hancock County Community,
We are writing to share some exciting news about the future of our beloved Findlay Family YMCA. For over a century, the Findlay YMCA has been a pillar of our community, offering support, resources, and opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Now, it’s time for us to take the next step in our journey of service and impact.
The YMCA has been an integral part of Findlay since 1888, and our mission has always been clear: to provide everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Over the years, we have witnessed the transformative power of this mission in the lives of countless individuals and families.
In response to feedback from our community and extensive facility assessments, we have identified the need to build a new YMCA facility. This new facility will not only replace our aging buildings but also enhance our ability to deliver programs and services that align with the evolving needs of our community. The current YMCA and Child Development Center will remain open with ongoing programming throughout the construction of the new building on the east end of the parking lot, allowing us to keep our central downtown location without disrupting YMCA services to the community. Once construction is completed, the current YMCA facility will be demolished and replaced with parking and green spaces.
One of the key improvements will be the addition of an Early Learning Center, addressing a critical need for quality childcare in our area. With a larger and more accessible Early Learning Center, we aim to reduce the stress on working families searching for quality care. By expanding our childcare services, we aim to improve families’ health and financial well-being while providing infants and toddlers with a safe, enriched environment that prepares them for future success.
The new YMCA facility will also offer a broader range of state-of-the-art fitness equipment, two pools, larger gyms, a kitchen, and more spaces dedicated to youth development. We will also introduce new programs such as life skills education, S.T.E.M. activities, and expanded recreation options for children.
We understand the importance of low-stress fun and wellness programs for children, as well as adults and seniors. The new facility will provide a welcoming environment for all activities, promoting physical and mental health for all ages. We are committed to providing access to experiences and opportunities some may take for granted, from basic needs like food and safe spaces to life-changing activities like swimming and attending camp.
With over 60,000 people living within a 15-minute drive of the Findlay YMCA, our new facility will serve as a vibrant hub for individuals and families, attracting new users and retaining existing. We believe this project aligns perfectly with the “Findlay Forward” Strategic Plan, contributing to a better quality of life and stimulating the local economy. It will symbolize community pride and allow people to come together to learn, grow, and thrive.
We want to thank our community for your continued support over the years. Together, we have significantly impacted the lives of many, and we look forward to continuing this journey with your support for the new Findlay YMCA facility.
In the coming months, we will share more details about our plans and how you can get involved. We are excited about the positive changes this new facility will bring to our community, and we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. We also kindly request your patience as we unite with local historical experts to explore potential opportunities to utilize the house of historical significance, situated at 404 East Lincoln Street, and expand upon its value to the community.
Thank you for being a part of the Findlay YMCA family, and we look forward to a brighter, more inclusive, and vibrant future together.
Sincerely, Stephanie Parsons, CEO of the Findlay Family YMCA
The City of Findlay is seeking the help of the citizens of Findlay for a donation of a tree for Findlay’s Christmas Tree that will be displayed in Dorney Plaza during the Christmas season.
Requested specifications for the tree are listed below:
– 25-35 feet tall
– Short Needle Spruce Tree (Preferred)
– Easily accessible for equipment to access
– No obstructions such as overhead lines
– No backyard trees unless totally accessible for large equipment
The City will remove the tree, grind the stump, clean up the area, and seed. Additionally, we will plant a new tree in the spring if desired by the property owner.
If you are interested in donating your tree, please contact Kathy Launder in the Mayor’s Office at 419-424-7137 or by email at klaunder@findlayohio.gov.
Approximately 20 volunteers are needed for positions to assist with directing individuals, groups, and floats to proper places at the beginning of the parade.
Volunteers are also needed for collecting items at the end of the parade and directing entrants to exit.
Youth groups with adult representatives are welcome.
The parade will be held on October 24th starting at 7 p.m. Volunteers will need to arrive at 5 p.m. for most positions. Clean-up volunteers are needed at 8:30 p.m.
The parade route will be Main Street from Sixth Street to Lima Street. It is expected that the parade will end around 9 p.m.
“We couldn’t bring this major event to life without the support of our dedicated volunteers,” said Tracy Kennedy, volunteer coordinator for the Cops & Kids Halloween Parade. “Your contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a tremendous difference and helps create memories for children and families in our community.”
All information for the parade, including volunteer registration, is available at fortfindlayfop20.org/halloweenparade or call 833-LODGE20 (833-563-4320).
The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is inviting everyone to Author Fest.
It will be held on Friday, November 3rd from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
During the event people can meet, mingle and support local authors at the library.
Among the others who will be at the event are Olivia Cornwell, who was born and raised in Findlay and whose specialty is fantasy, and Abbey Easton from Ottawa, who has always enjoyed a good romance.
See the full list of authors who will be at the event and get more details by clicking here.
The Findlay City Planning Commission approved the site plan for a 16-unit apartment building.
The plan that was approved for the apartment building on West McPherson Avenue was downsized from the original plan.
Initially, the plan called for a 24-unit apartment building on the south side of McPherson Avenue a little east of Hurd Avenue.
However, that plan needed a variance to increase the allowed total units from 16 to 24, but the Board of Zoning Appeals voted against granting the variance.
The three-story apartment building will be located in the 300 block of West McPherson Avenue, east of the AEP substation.
The developer plans to move the apartment building on Grand Avenue near the YMCA to McPherson Avenue to serve as the bones for the project.
