(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 Departments 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 Stadium in Columbus opened in 1922, and more than 100 years later, a “first” is coming to the home of the Buckeyes.
Outdoor hockey is coming to Columbus.
The NHL has announced that Ohio Stadium will host a Stadium Series game in 2025.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Detroit Red Wings.
This will be the first-ever outdoor game for the Blue Jackets and the first hockey game ever to be played at the Shoe.
The Findlay Police Department is requesting help from the public in identifying a fraud/theft suspect.
Police say the man in the surveillance picture is believed to have cashed several payroll checks at an area business on January 30th.
The checks were later found to be fraudulent.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Findlay Police Department at 419-424-7150, message them on Facebook, or call Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS.
Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.
(ONN) – Some changes are coming to some high school sports in Ohio.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association approved a proposal to expand divisions for postseason tournaments in seven sports.
The changes mean boys and girls soccer will move to five divisions while girls volleyball, girls and boys basketball, softball, and baseball will now have seven divisions.
The OHSAA says these changes will help smaller schools compete against other schools their size.
The changes will go into effect in the fall.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a driver was seriously injured when their car was hit by a train.
It happened at approximately 1:22 Sunday morning on County Road 53 just south of Township Road 103, west of McComb.
Deputies say a car traveling north on County Road 53 being driven by Augustine Mendez, 34, of McComb, was struck by an eastbound train.
Deputies said their investigation showed that Mendez was within the active railroad crossing as the train was crossing County Road 53.
Mendez was flown to a hospital in Toledo with serious injuries.
(From the Findlay Police Department)
UPDATE – Police say Arthur Hall was involved in another pursuit in Lucas County on Saturday night while driving the Jeep Liberty he stole from the Van Buren area and was apprehended by the Toledo Police Department.
ORIGINAL STORY –
An officer with the Findlay Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle in the 200 block of Western Ave. for numerous traffic violations on Saturday at 7:19 p.m.
The vehicle fled from the officer and the officer pursued for several miles.
The pursuit ended in the 14000 block of Township Rd 218 in Van Buren.
The driver and one of the passengers of the vehicle fled on foot and the driver fired a shot from a handgun.
The officer was not injured nor did he return fire.
The passenger who fled and another occupant of the vehicle were later caught and detained.
The driver, identified as Arthur RC Hall III, has not been captured.
After fleeing on foot, it is suspected that Arthur stole a white Jeep Liberty, bearing Ohio Registration JMF5432.
Arthur is to be considered armed and dangerous and is wanted by the Findlay Police Department for numerous charges.
He is also wanted by the Adult Parole Authority.
Arthur is described as 6’00 tall, 225 pounds and was last seen wearing jeans, a dark hoodie, black boots, and possibly a beanie hat.
He also has a large tattoo across his neck that says, “Don’t Try me.”
(From the University of Findlay)
During its February 9 meeting, the University of Findlay Board of Trustees extended the contract for President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., through June 30, 2026. The board and she will consider a further extension during the academic year 2025-26.
“Throughout her 14 years as president of the University, Dr. Fell has clearly demonstrated outstanding leadership,” said Chris Ostrander, president of the UF Board of Trustees. “She has provided strength and direction in an ever-changing world and is fully committed to Findlay’s core values and vision. We are very pleased to have reached this extension with her.”
During her tenure, UF has expanded and strengthened many facets of the Findlay experience, with a focus on academic excellence, transformative learning opportunities, and expanding the University’s regional and national reputation.
“This year we celebrate the ‘Strong Roots and Bright Future’ of this beloved university,” Fell explained. “Working alongside dedicated colleagues, I am honored to guide and serve UF as we prepare new generations of Oilers for meaningful lives and productive careers.”
The University’s standards for excellence were recently recognized for the 18th consecutive year with top rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey of “America’s Best Colleges.”
Fell has championed high standards and innovation throughout her years of leadership at UF, and she has been a driving force behind “Together We Will,” the largest comprehensive campaign in UF history. Gifts from generous donors recently surpassed $56 million – three-quarters of the way to the $75 million goal. Funds from “Together We Will” have constructed the Conda STEAM Center addition to UF’s Mazza Museum and the Dick Strahm Champions Field. A multi-million-dollar lead gift has positioned UF for success in raising additional dollars for what will be the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership, and $13 million has been provided for student scholarships.
“Student enrollment, loyal donor support, and state grant funding are robust, indicating a strong level of public confidence in the University. The credit goes to our extraordinary trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” Fell noted.
Fell came to Findlay in 2010 after serving at Centenary College, Shreveport, La., for 24 years first as an associate professor of English and eventually as the college’s vice president of advancement.
(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 the University of Findlay)
University of Findlay welcomes guest speaker Scott Oldfield to the stage as part of their Solar Eclipse 2024 programming. Open to the public, the event will take place at 50 North (339 E Melrose Ave. Findlay, Ohio) on February 24 at 2 p.m. A science educator and planetarium director, Oldfield will address April’s total solar eclipse and help listeners strategize.
Guests will learn how to choose the best viewing location, supplies to have ready, what to observe, and how to do so safely. This year’s solar eclipse will be the last chance to see an eclipse in Ohio until 2099. Oldfield hopes to educate listeners and help them prepare for this unique experience before it’s too late.
This event is part of the 2023-2024 College of Sciences Faculty Chair theme, “Solar Eclipse 2024.” Throughout the year, programming will aim to educate community members regarding solar eclipses, specifically the 2024 total solar eclipse. Steven Wild is the current College of Sciences faculty chair.
The total solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024, and Hancock County will be in the path of totality. This rare occurrence offers a chance for residents and visitors to witness the astronomical phenomena. To educate and celebrate this occurrence, University of Findlay will continue with its Solar Eclipse 2024 programming. UF will also be a host sight during April’s solar eclipse and invites community members to take part in the historic event. For more information on the total solar eclipse, visit the University of Findlay website.
(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)
Upper Sandusky residents Mary Harbour and Wilma Savidge joined Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club today after their safety belts saved them from sustaining life-threatening injuries. The crash occurred on U.S. 23 in Grand Prairie Township on September 13.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Mark A. Menendez, Marion Acting Post commander, presented them with “Saved by the Belt” certificates signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent.
“Mary and Wilma are living testimonies to the effectiveness of safety belts,” Sergeant Menendez said. “Everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time.”
Provisional data from 2023 shows 476 people in Ohio were killed in traffic crashes where a safety belt was available, but not in use. For up-to-date statistics and information on safety belts, log onto the Patrol’s Safety Belt Dashboard at https://www.safetybeltdashboard.ohio.gov/.
The “Saved by the Belt” Club is a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. This club is designed to recognize people who have benefited from their decision to wear safety belts.
They also received “Saved by the Belt” license plate brackets.