The Ohio Department of Health says flu activity is very high in the Buckeye State.

The Director of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, offers advice to Ohioans to avoid contracting or spreading the flu.

“Use common sense precautions. If you’re feeling sick, stay home from work or school.”

The CDC reports Ohio is in the dark red when it comes to flu cases.

That means infections are very high on the CDC’s influenza map.

Medical experts say the biggest symptom to watch out for is fever.

The Hancock County Veterans Service Office and Owens Community College will be holding a Veterans Empowerment Fair.

The event will be held at Owens Community College at 3200 Bright Road in Findlay from 10 to 2 on Saturday, February 24th.

The free event will include several resource booths with information on support programs for wellness, finances, home/environment, growth, and life resources.

All Veterans and their friends and family members and community leaders are invited to attend the event in support of local Veterans.

The University of Findlay’s Newhard Planetarium hosted an event to talk about the science behind the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8^th and give people an idea of what to expect that day.

UF Physics Professor Steven Wild was one of the university staff members who spoke at the event.

“I think all people share a common wonder of the stars and of space, and this is one of those shared experiences as people we can all experience together.”

He says Findlay is within the path of totality and the total eclipse will start a little after 3:10 p.m. and last for about 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

The Solar Eclipse Task Force, which is a collaboration of many local entities, has created a website with information about the eclipse.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

A new collaboration between United Way of Hancock County and the Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) is enhancing the economic benefits for clients utilizing the United Way’s free tax preparation service.

Representatives from the FOC will be stationed twice a week through tax season at the check-in table for the United Way’s free tax service, called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), in the basement of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. Here, FOC staff will greet clients and share additional resources for stabilizing and advancing their personal finances.

“The presence of the FOC experts at our free tax site is an incredible resource that we are so proud to offer to our community,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “This collaboration is a direct reflection of our Financial Stability Initiative, which seeks to put every person in Hancock County on a path toward financial empowerment. The initiative is comprised of three pillars — personal income stabilization, financial education, and collaboration and strategic partnerships — that are being fully reflected by this cooperative effort with the FOC.”

FOC manager Dustin Fuller said representatives from his organization will be present from 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays through the close of the VITA program in mid-April. He said the purpose of the FOC is to provide individualized, long-term support and empowerment to families looking to increase their financial health and stability, making the free tax service a perfect fit.

“VITA offers us a great opportunity to get in front of people we might not otherwise get in front of,” Fuller said. “We want to connect with people and help them be successful however they define success.”

He said tax season offers a unique opportunity to counsel people on using their tax refund wisely, as this is the only time a year many people see some form of disposable income. He added that he was eager to team up with the local VITA program after having managed the FOC in Defiance and managing a VITA program in that county.

“I love the VITA program because its impact literally adds up to dollars and cents in people’s pockets,” he said, noting that some commercial tax preparer’s fees are so high that they cancel out an individual’s deserved tax refund.

The United Way’s free tax service made over $1 million in impact to community members in 2023, with nearly 1,500 state and federal returns filed by VITA volunteers. This year’s program capacity has been expanded and is expected to make an even greater impact.

Free tax appointments are available for individuals who live or work in Hancock County and whose combined household income is $64,000 or less. Appointments are available at the library and at 50 North and can be set by calling 567-250-1955.

The United Way also sponsors a free self-filing tax service in partnership with the IRS for households that earn under $79,000 annually. Visit www.myfreetaxes.com to learn more about this online program for state and federal filings.

(From Findlay Fire Department)

Do you need smoke detectors for your home?

Do you have questions about fire prevention or home safety?

Would you like to have a safety survey of your home?

We can help you with all of the above!

Just contact the Findlay Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 419-424-7814.

WFIN News spoke with Fire Inspector Eric Wilkins about the ways the fire department helps out the public.

(ONN) – Ohio’s Blue Ribbon Task Force has released a new report to improve law enforcement training in the state.

One of the biggest changes the task force is spearheading is officers will have to participate in 48 hours of communication training.

A representative with the task force said it’s about making sure they’re talking to the community and getting to the heart of what’s going on when they respond to a scene.

The task force formed last fall and is made of a group of law enforcement officials from around the state.

Ohio’s Primary Election is coming up on March 19^th and WFIN has been holding candidate forums to get you familiarized with the candidates.

On February 19th we heard from the Republican candidates in the 83^rd District of the Ohio House of Representatives, incumbent Jon Cross and challenger Ty Mathews. 

On February 12^th, a forum was held with the candidates for Hancock County Prosecutor, Heather Pendleton and Sean Abbott.

The next forum on WFIN will be held on Monday, February 26^th and feature the candidates for Hancock County Sheriff; Mark Price, Mike Cortez, and Dan Harmon.

Then, on March 4^th a forum will be held with the candidates for Hancock County Commissioner.

The forums are held live at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts from 5 to 6 p.m. and are moderated by WFIN’s Chris Oaks.

The forums can be heard on AM 1330 & 95.5 FM WFIN, WFIN.com and Alexa and also viewed live on WFIN Facebook and WFIN.com.

See what candidates and issues are on the ballot in Hancock County by clicking here for the Board of Elections. 

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash on U.S. Route 23 in Wyandot County.

The crash happened at around 6 a.m. Monday, February 19th near Township Road 65 in Pitt Township.

The Highway Patrol said Brady D. Neifer, 25, of Archbold, was driving south on Route 23 when his vehicle struck an unknown vehicle.

The impact caused Neifer’s vehicle to go off the road and crash, coming to rest along a tree line.

The unknown vehicle left the scene of the crash, according to investigators.

Neifer was pronounced dead on the scene by the Wyandot County coroner.

The Highway Patrol says further examination of the damage sustained to the car leads them to believe the other vehicle involved is a semi, dump truck or other heavy commercial vehicle.

The impact likely caused damage to the rear of the unknown vehicle which possibly went northbound on U.S. 23 after leaving the scene of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information about the unknown vehicle or its driver should contact the Bucyrus Post at 419-562-8040.

The Christian Clearing House 2024 Annual Benefit Garage Sale is coming up in March.

It will be held on March 16th from 8:30 -4 p.m., and on March 17th from 1 – 4 p.m. at Brinkman’s Greenhouse at 1800 E Sandusky Street in Findlay.  

Executive Director Tammy Stahl was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Volunteers are being sought and people can sign up to help by clicking here.

Donations will be accepted from February 19th until March 9th.

CCH will provide limited pickup of larger items as long as the items are on the ground floor and in sellable condition.  

Call Christian Clearing House at 419-422-2222 for details.

The Velvet Chandelier (presale event) will be held on March 14^th from 6 – 8 p.m.

Tickets are $50.

Visit the CCH website at cchsupport.org to purchase tickets.

Tickets will be available in the office after February 24, 2024.

(ONN) – A bill introduced in the Ohio House aims to fight election misinformation by requiring disclaimers on any AI-generated political content.

House Bill 410 would regulate deep fakes so they can’t be put out there to influence an election.

Creators could face charges if they make these deep fakes.

This is similar to House Bill 367 which would add the use of artificial intelligence into an existing law that states no one can use another person’s name, image or likeness without their consent to either promote or bash a product.

The bill is currently in House committee.