On June 7, 2023, Todd James called on his American Red Cross training to save the life of his wife.
The couple was enjoying dinner at a restaurant in Findlay when Kendra James began to choke. Todd James performed back blows and abdominal thrusts to dislodge the food his wife was choking on, techniques taught in Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED courses. For his lifesaving action, James will receive the Red Cross Certificate of Merit, the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross course.
James is Executive Director of the Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter, serving Hancock, Putnam, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Seneca, and Wyandot counties.
The Certificate of Merit is signed by the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross.
The award was presented by Mike Parks, Regional CEO of the Red Cross of Northern Ohio, on Saturday, March 9th, at Terra Community College during the North Central Ohio Chapter Board of Directors’ annual strategic planning retreat.
ODOT says State Route 613 between State Route 65 and County Road 5 on the east side of Leipsic will close on Wednesday, March 20, for approximately 45 days for curb replacement and sewer repairs.
The suggested detour is SR 109 to SR 65 to U.S. 224 to CR 5, back to SR 613.
We can confirm that ODNR officers were in the city this afternoon attempting to live capture and relocate the three male turkeys that have become aggressive.
They were unsuccessful in their attempts and will return to the area at future date(s) to try again.
DO NOT FEED the turkeys!
The community is encouraged to use humane harassment and hazing techniques to help modify the turkeys’ behavior.
Waving arms and making loud noises, opening and closing an umbrella, spraying with water (if temperatures are over 60 degrees), and removing food sources can all be effective tools for discouraging territorial behavior.
(ONN) – The solar eclipse is less than a month away – on Monday, April 8th.
Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation, says traffic could come to a standstill in parts of Ohio that day.
He says the roads will actually be worse after the eclipse, especially in smaller towns.
“We didn’t build the system to handle tens of thousands of extra people for this one-time event, so you will have a long delay trying to leave the eclipse.”
ODOT officials say they will reduce the number of cones inside construction zones as much as possible leading up to April 8th.
The local Solar Eclipse Task Force, which is a collaboration of many local entities, has created a website with information about the eclipse.
Bandit’s vest is in! Thank you Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. for helping to protect this handsome guy!
Fostoria Police Department’s K9 Bandit has received donation of body armor
Fostoria Police Department’s K9 Bandit has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Bandit’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12/12/23”.
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 5,514 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.
Our 41st Annual Bowling for Kids Event has a brand-new twist – Glow Bowling! Picture this: lights down low, bowling under black lights, and a whole lot of glow-in-the-dark fun. It’s a glow-up like never before! Join us for this exciting event, register your sponsorship or team, and let’s make a positive impact on young lives together. Let’s Glow Bowling and light up the lives of the youth we serve!
Stacy Shaw with Children’s Mentoring Connection was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks.
Sportsman Lanes in Findlay Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Three Sessions: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Sunday, March 24, 2024 – Three Sessions: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.
One lane has been donated to allow for any mentor/mentee match (past or present) to bowl together. Watch for registration information to come.
You can participate by becoming a sponsor, creating a team, registering as a player, or making a donation. Visit bowlathon.net.
Sunoco Pipeline has informed us that they will need to close Union Township Road 56 between Union Township Road 25 and Hancock County Road 313 beginning Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15th for pipeline repair work.
This will be a full closure and traffic is advised to find an alternate route.
We’ve received reports that vehicles are failing to slow and yield the right of way to pedestrians at mid-block crossings and intersections. We would like to remind those operating a motor vehicle, as well as pedestrians, to do their part. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe:
– Motorists should check crosswalks before turning at intersections.
– When traffic control signals are not in place, not in operation or are not clearly assigning the right of way, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk, when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
– Pedestrians should only be crossing with the white signal on the pedestrian signal at intersections.
– Mid-block crossings and the yellow warning lights are present to alert motorist to pedestrians in these crossings.
– No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle, which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
– Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please do your part to help keep our downtown area safe.
OASC believes in the power of senior centers to make a difference in the lives of older adults in their communities. To that end, the Senior Center of the Year Award was established to raise awareness about the impact Senior Centers have on their community and recognize best practices.
Executive Director, Carolyn Copus, said the requirement to receive the award was to provide the mission and vision of 50 North and to present an innovative best practice used at 50 North.
According to Copus, 50 North has served Hancock County since 1970, supporting seniors with the resources and opportunities they need to live with health and purpose. The organization has grown and changed so much in the past 54 years. Our mission has stayed the same, enriching lives and supporting independence for older adults in Hancock County.
50 North’s vision is to have highly effective utilization across all services and program spaces, excellent financial strength through future levy renewal, elimination of debt, and a fund for capital expenditures. To be indispensable to the community with expanded public awareness of our services and programs and to be the “go to” place for older adults in Hancock County. Also, to continuously pursue excellence via great staff, board members and stewardship as well as regularly implement solutions for unmet needs in the community.
50 North helps older adults and their families in Hancock County navigate some of life’s biggest transitions: from work to retirement, from good health to chronic conditions, and from full independent living to receiving some support to remain in their homes.
50 North offers solutions to those 50 and older in Hancock County in five key areas: activities, chores, nutrition, outreach, and wellness.
The best practice area 50 North highlighted was the wellness program. 50 North’s wellness programs are designed to encourage well-being and optimal health through movement, strength training and self-awareness. The wellness center provides members with a supportive network of people focused on their health and wellness needs.
Through cardio and strength training equipment, 37 group exercise classes, walking track, WellBeats (a virtual presentation of group exercise classes projected on the wall), VibePlate (improves balance, coordination, posture, and increased bone density), Hydro Massage Bed and Lounger (water and pressurized jets to help massage muscles and soft tissues in the body), personal training, and professional consultation on fitness, nutrition, and disease management, 50 North encourages members to live happier, healthier lives.
Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio provides physical therapy sessions at 50 North two times a week at a cost. Free fall risk screening by licensed physical therapists is offered as well.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, active people generally live longer and are a less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.
In 2023, 2,723 members utilized the wellness center 106,929 times throughout the year. Membership grew by 22 % and the utilization of the wellness center increased by 28% from the previous year.
50 North’s wellness programs educate, motivate, and inspire adults 50 and older to remain active. Increased overall well-being, quality of life, and socialization are key benefits to participating in 50 North wellness programs.
According to Copus, “this award gives recognition to 50 North’s board members, staff, volunteers, members, and Hancock County for the great job everyone does for the areas older adults. People are treated like family and all are taken care of.”
Copus said, “It is an honor to receive the award on behalf of the board, staff and volunteers. This recognition is for the phenomenal job they do every day!”
The purpose of the OASC is to support and enhance the ability of Ohio’s senior center network to effectively serve older adults by providing education, mentoring and training to senior center and aging network staff. OASC provides educational programs, workshops and seminars throughout the year, including the annual conference, regional workshops and educational events cosponsored with other organizations. Staff members can be certified on one of three levels based upon experience and educational achievements.
