Two men were arrested after a drug task force searched a Findlay residence.

The Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force along with the Findlay Police Department executed a search warrant at 1025 Cedar Avenue on Tuesday night.

The search of the residence revealed cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, other items of drug paraphernalia and items indicative of drug trafficking.

Arrested for possession of crack cocaine were Roderick T. Williams, 37, and Carlos P. Harris, 47.

Additional charges are expected at the conclusion of the investigation.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has partnered with the University of Findlay, University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, University of Findlay’s Phi Alpha Honor Society, and the University of Findlay’s Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society to bring New Perspectives: A Living Library to the Mazza Museum on October 17, 2023 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Books can educate people through fascinating stories of human experience. Every now and then, you may be lucky enough to pick up an unforgettable adventure that peels away all but the very nature of human beings, exposing the commonality among us all. Long-held biases and beliefs fall away, and you are left with a new understanding and a fresh perspective, all because you read a new story.

Assistant Director of the library Joel Mantey says the event is about breaking down those barriers of preconceived notions of who someone is and what their story is.

New Perspectives: A Living Library seeks to engage our community in conversation by providing a non-judgmental environment for people to speak one-on-one with those they might otherwise never have the chance to meet – people who may have different life experiences, stories, or beliefs. Participants will have 30 minutes to listen to each storyteller’s personal story and ask questions they might normally feel uncomfortable asking. These interactions will help participants and storytellers build a better understanding of each other as human beings through conversation and engagement.

This year’s New Perspectives event expands on previous years’ Human Library experiences and empowers community members to share their amazingly unique stories, no matter their circumstances. Creating a safe, judgment-free learning platform where personal conversations can challenge stigma and stereotypes echoes the library’s mission to treat all equally, respectfully, and with a friendly attitude.

The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System has announced the location of a new Community- Based Outpatient Clinic at 1720 East Melrose Avenue in Findlay.

The nearly 7,000 square foot clinic will serve Veterans in Hancock and surrounding counties in Ohio and will provide primary care, mental health, and blood draw services to more than 9,000 eligible veterans.

Nichole Coleman, director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the new clinic.

“It will be fantastic to have a clinic in Findlay with a primary care physician and mental health services.”

Nichole says Veterans are currently traveling to Lima, Toledo or Marion for VA services and this new facility will be a lot more convenient for them.

Listen to Nichole’s full interview when she was on the air with Chris, below.

(ONN) – More than two dozen drivers were hit with citations for distracted driving over the weekend in northwest Ohio.

The enforcement effort was part of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s weekend blitz to remind drivers of the distracted driving law that became enforceable recently.

A total of 27 drivers were cited during the weekend enforcement effort.

Law enforcement now has probable cause to pull people over if they see them using a phone or other devices while driving.

A driver found guilty can face fines up to $150 and have two points added to their license.

That’s just for the first offense, and go higher with additional offenses.

The Findlay Police Department says a man is facing kidnapping charges after a woman reported being held against her will in a trailer.

Police say a woman in distress arrived at Millstream Career Center at 1100 Broad Avenue at 9:48 Monday morning.

Officers responded to the school and spoke with the woman who said she was bound and held against her will in a trailer not far from the school.

The police department says officers located the trailer in the rear of 718 College Street and the suspect arrived on the scene when officers were checking the trailer.

Police say the suspect, Dewayne Vanatta, 60, of Findlay, was taken into custody without incident and booked at the Hancock County Jail on kidnapping charges.

The woman was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital and treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

It’s National Fire Prevention Week and this year the focus is on home cooking safety.

The Findlay Fire Department says cooking fires are the leading cause of home structure fires in the United States and in Findlay.

Fire Inspector Eric Wilkins says some cooking safety tips are, be alert, stay in the kitchen when cooking, and keep anything that can catch on fire away from the stove.

And if you do unfortunately have a cooking fire, don’t be a hero and fight it yourself, call 911 and the fire department will come out and extinguish it.

If you do fight a cooking fire yourself Eric says you need to be aware that water reacts badly with grease and will make cooking fires worse.

He says to turn the heat supply off and also eliminate the fire’s oxygen supply by putting a lid on top of it.

If that doesn’t work, he says to use an extinguisher on it.

“But, in any event, you should give us a call anyway, we will come and make sure the fire’s out, don’t feel like you need to be the hero.”

(From Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development)

Findlay∙Hancock County Economic Development is pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive report by the A.F.T.E.R. Hours Task Force, a workforce initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of attracting and retaining young talent. Led by a vision of “Attracting Future Talent, Entertainment, and Resources,” the task force, comprised of young professionals, met over the course of a year to collectively identify and work towards the opportunities and resources desired by their cohort.

The comprehensive report delves into various aspects that are vital for making the community an attractive destination for young talent including housing, retail and restaurants, entertainment and nightlife, recreation, transportation and services, regional connectivity, and office and community culture.

“We are thrilled to share the insights and recommendations from the A.F.T.E.R. Hours Task Force with our community,” said Sarah Perrigo, Project Specialist at Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, and facilitator of the task force. “We hope these ideas stimulate broader conversations about how Findlay-Hancock County can become a more attractive, dynamic, and inclusive community where young talent can thrive.”

Findlay∙Hancock County Economic Development invites all economic and community stakeholders to review the report and engage in conversations about positioning Findlay-Hancock County for a prosperous workforce and economy.

To access the full A.F.T.E.R. Hours Task Force Report, please visit findlayecondev.com, under the “Talent Recruitment” tab.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay is performing numerous construction projects throughout the city. Weather and Contractor Schedule is Permitting the status of some of the projects. Listed below are some of the projects and the restrictions that result from the ongoing projects. These restrictions are in effect through October 13, 2023.

• SR 568 – Bright Road to CR 236 – The westbound lane of SR 568 will be closed from 7:30am to 5pm from Bright Road to CR 236. The East bound lane will remain open.
• W. LINCOLN STREET – Western Ave to S. West Street – W. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from Western Avenue to S. West Street for storm sewer installation.

Motorists are advised to avoid these areas if possible. Short delays are expected in these areas over the next week.

The Engineering Department will release updates on information and schedules when it becomes available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any of these projects at 419-424-7121.

(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay is excited to kick off its Solar Eclipse 2024 programming, aimed at educating the general public and local communities about the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the University’s Davis Street Building.

The program will be led by program specialist Tim Kleman of Hancock Park District, who will provide valuable insights into the nature of solar eclipses and share his expertise and knowledge to help participants gain a deeper understanding of these celestial phenomena.

The total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, and Hancock County will be in the path of totality of the total eclipse. This rare occurrence offers a chance for residents and visitors to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of a total solar eclipse. It’s a momentous event that shouldn’t be missed!

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn about solar eclipses and their significance.

University of Findlay’s Solar Eclipse 2024 program will continue with additional community events as the total eclipse draws near.

The University will also be a host sight during April’s total solar eclipse and invites community members to stop by campus to take part in the historic event. For more information on the total solar eclipse, visit the University of Findlay website.

(From Owens Community College)

Owens Community College is expanding its CDL Training Program to the Findlay-area Campus. The first class will be offered October 27-January 27.

The classes will be Saturday – Sunday with no classes November 11-12, November 25-26 or December 23-31. The first two weeks will also have class on Friday.

“For quite some time, we have been approached about adding this program to the Findlay-area Campus,” said Carla Benarth, Manager of the Truck Driving Program. “The area feels they would benefit from this offering because of the industrial area and farm population.”

In this short-term training program, students will be taught by licensed instructors through 160 course hours – 40 in the classroom and 120 hours of hands-on training on the road.

This course will provide students with the skills needed to become a professional CDL Class A truck driver.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio ranks fourth in the nation with the highest employment level in heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. In northwest Ohio, drivers earn an average salary of $54,170, nearly $5,000 above the national average.

The deadline to register is October 20.

For more information, visit www.owens.edu/workforce_cs/.

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