Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn recently attended the annual meeting of the Ohio Mayors Alliance in Columbus, Ohio.

Mayor Muryn says it’s always beneficial to get together with other mayors across the state and hear about projects their communities are undertaking as well as issues they are facing and solutions they are implementing.

During the meeting they heard from Jobs Ohio, Intel, the Governor’s Office, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and other entities on topics that impact Ohio communities.

“It’s always a great resource and I really enjoy the conversations and have a couple of follow-ups that I know I’m going to implement here locally.”

The Ohio Mayors Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s largest cities. 

The Findlay Police Department says a man was struck by a vehicle and killed while trying to cross Interstate 75 on foot.

It happened at around 6:30 Sunday night on Interstate 75 at West Trenton Avenue.

Police say Belony Pierre, 51, of Coldwater, Michigan, climbed over the guardrail at the southwest corner of Interstate 75 and West Trenton Avenue.

He then crossed over the southbound lanes of traffic and over the concrete barrier separating the northbound and southbound lanes.

Police say Pierre then attempted to cross the northbound lanes of traffic and was struck by a car and suffered fatal injuries.

Hanco EMS,  the Findlay Fire Department, and D & D Towing all responded to the scene in addition to the police department. 

Police say the crash remains under investigation. 

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Birchaven Village, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, has been awarded on Newsweek’s list of America‘s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world’s leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer long-term care options, allowing residents to access higher-level care when medical needs progress. The communities include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. To provide people looking for guidance on CCRCs with a comprehensive resource for informed decision-making, Statista and Newsweek have partnered for the first time to award America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024. The list is based on three data sources, including national online surveys (from medical professionals and staff working in management/administration, acquaintances of residents and residents), a quality dimension score (participants were asked to rate quality dimensions on a scale), and accreditations (those relevant to the industry).

Blanchard Valley Health System is honored to be recognized on Newsweek’s list of America‘s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024.

“We are honored that Birchaven Village has been named to this prestigious list,” said Judith Bishop-Pierce, director of residential care. “Our associates work daily to ensure that our residents receive quality care and can lead enriching lives. While this recognition spotlights our work, our true reward is the relationships we build through that work.” To learn more about Birchaven Village, please visit https://www.birchaven.org/birchaven-village/birchaven-village-home

The Findlay Police Department says a person walking along the Blanchard River discovered a WWII mortar round.

The person was walking along the river in the area of River Street and Liberty Street on Sunday morning when they located a suspicious item.

The person advised dispatch that he believed it was a claymore.

Officers arrived on the scene and determined that the item appeared to be a WWII mortar round.

The Allen County Bomb Squad was contacted and responded and determined that it was a 16 pound mortar round that had already been fired.

The bomb squad collected the item for disposal.

Wreaths Across America Day was Saturday and events were held at several area cemeteries.

During the event wreaths are placed at the graves of Veterans and the volunteer placing the wreath speaks the Veteran’s name aloud.

Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, President of Garner Trucking, is the coordinator of the Findlay event at Maple Grove Cemetery.

In the video below, Sherri tells us that 2,100 wreaths were placed at Maple Grove Cemetery this year, an increase of 600 from last year.

More than 4,000 wreaths were placed at the seven area cemeteries participating this year. 

The mission statement of Wreaths Across America is Remember, Honor, Teach.

REMEMBER our fallen Veterans, HONOR those who serve, and TEACH your children the value of freedom.

A Sheetz gas station is planned for just down the road from where the company is building a large food and distribution facility in Findlay.

The Findlay City Planning Commission approved the site plan review for a Sheetz gas station to be located on the northeast corner of County Road 220 (North Main Street) and County Road 99, on the north end of Findlay.

The location is just outside the city limits and Sheetz wants to use water and sewer service from the city, so the planning commission recommended the company begin the process of annexing the location into the city limits.

The gas station would include 12 pumps, a convenience store/restaurant, and a car wash.

A traffic impact study is in the works.

In August, Sheetz 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.

The Salvation Army Findlay Corps updated the public on its Red Kettle Campaign on Friday.

Major Mike Morales said the campaign had raised $62,513 as of around noon on Friday.

The 2023 goal is $80,000, which is the same as the 2022 goal, which Mike says was achieved thanks to the generosity of this community.

“I cannot say enough about my appreciation for the community helping us as we help their friends and neighbors,” Morales said.

“It’s a very heartfelt appreciation, it amazes me.”

 Morales says he’s been in charge of other Salvation Army’s and nothing compares to the generosity of Findlay and Hancock County.

The campaign runs until December 23^rd at 8 p.m.

Money raised from the campaign goes to cover the cost of food and toys for those looking for assistance and also helps them maintain other programs throughout the year such as the soup kitchen, food pantry and youth and music programs.  

(From the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office)

Tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary of the tragic accident that took Deputy Daniel Kin from us.

Prior to the accident, Dan went deer hunting and shot a buck that ran off.

He was unable to find it at the time. After his accident, the deer was located by the land owner.

With the help of several people, spearheaded by Bill Shumaker, it was taken to a local taxidermist where it was made into a European mount (shown below).

This morning Bill presented it to Dan’s wife.

Everyone who knows Bill, knows that he can be ornery, but has a heart of gold. It’s people like Bill that makes our community a great place to live! Thanks to everyone involved.

The summer fair schedule for next year has been released.

There are 94 county and independent fairs slated for Ohio in 2024. 

The first county fair of 2024 is in Paulding County beginning on June 8th.

The Putnam County Fair is always one of the earliest fairs and will be held June 24-29 in Ottawa.

The Hancock County Fair will be held August 27-September 2^nd in Findlay, as the sign above says, “always Labor Day weekend.”

The fair season will end in Fairfield County on October 12th.

(From the Fostoria Police Division)

Christmas came early for our good boy, Bandit… Thank you Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Fostoria Police Department’s K9 Bandit to get donation of body armor.

Fostoria Police Department’s K9 Bandit will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

K9 Bandit’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12/12/23”.

Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.

Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,379 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest.

Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.