Findlay High School went through another swatting situation on Tuesday morning.

Police Chief James Mathias, in the video below, says a call came into police dispatch at 9:36 Tuesday morning about a person in the high school with a rifle.

The caller said he had an AR-15 style rifle and was holding two students hostage in a second floor restroom. 

The school went into lockdown and the SafeDefend active shooter protection system was activated and numerous law enforcement responded to the scene.

The chief said the school was searched by police and no threats were found and everyone was safe.

The high school was also the victim of an active shooter hoax in September of 2022.

Swatting is a term used to describe the action of making hoax phone calls to report serious crimes to emergency services to elicit a large police response.

Get more from the chief in the video below.

UPDATE:  Police have confirmed a threatening call regarding Findlay High School was a swatting, or hoax, call. There is no longer any threat.

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According to a message from Findlay City Schools, Findlay High School is on a level 3 lockdown due to a potential swatting call. Numerous law enforcement are on site and currently sweeping the building to check every room.

All other FCS buildings are on a Level 2 lockdown as we monitor the situation.

Swatting is a term used to describe the action of making hoax phone calls to report serious crimes to emergency services.

More details to come.

The Findlay Police Department says a man was killed when he crashed his motorcycle.

The crash happened in the 300 block of Coventry Drive around 11:07 Monday night.

Police say the 44-year-old was driving east on Coventry Drive when his Harley Davidson went off the road and struck a mailbox.

The man was thrown from his motorcycle and struck a tree.

He was deceased when police arrived at the scene.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

To celebrate Earth Day, the Hancock Historical Museum will be hosting a family-friendly event on Saturday, April 20th from 5-8 pm.

Guests of all ages can learn more about the water cycle and soil, create crafts, games from recycled materials, make a cyanotype sun print, chat with a local bat and natural experts, and much more!

The Hancock Park District, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, Blanchard River Watershed Partnership and Masters Gardeners will be on-site with additional activities.

The first 50 families will receive a new, children’s book. Additional giveaways include pollinator seed packets and tree saplings, while supplies last.

Admission for the event is just $1 per person.

The museum’s Earth Day celebration has been made possible with support from the Richard Barchent Educational Fund and The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 W. Sandusky Street in Findlay.

For more information, visit hancockhistoricalmuseum.org, or call (419)423-4433. 

(From the Ohio High School Athletic Association)

Fifteen individuals will be enshrined in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame and 21 individuals will be honored as the OHSAA Official of the Year in their respective sport during the OHSAA’s annual Celebration of Officiating banquet this summer.

Additionally, the OHSAA will recognize 34 individuals who have dedicated 50 years of service as state-certified officials in Ohio.

The banquet is set for June 22 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus.

The 15 Hall of Fame inductees are being honored for outstanding officiating careers and significant contributions to interscholastic officiating in Ohio. More information on the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame is posted at: http://www.ohsaa.org/Officiating/HOF.

The officials of the year are selected through a process that includes OHSAA staff, OHSAA Directors of Officiating Development and local officials associations.

“Each of these individuals has dedicated themselves to the service of officiating and set the standard for excellence within their sports,” said Beau Rugg, OHSAA Director of Officiating and a member himself of the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame. “We appreciate the commitment of all of our officials and congratulate the hall of fame inductees on their distinguished careers.”

2024 OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame Induction Class (name, city and sports officiated)

Scott Anders, Zanesville (Basketball, Baseball)

Jeffrey Ayers, Cincinnati (Basketball)

Larry Bartlett, Middletown (Football)

Jeff Bauer, Columbus (Football, Track & Field)

Nick Bavaro, Seville (Soccer)

Don Cash, Bridgeport (Basketball)

John Jasin, Brunswick (Football, Basketball)

Richard Keys, Lancaster (Softball, Volleyball, Basketball)

Robert Lee, Upper Sandusky (Basketball) – posthumously

Rick Merb, McDermott (Baseball, Softball, Football)

Don Muenz, Columbus (Soccer)

Mark Riley, Westerville (Basketball, Football)

Timothy Shumaker, Lancaster (Baseball)

James Siler, Hicksville (Baseball)

Bill Wonders, Defiance (Football)

2023-24 Officials of the Year

Baseball: Ryan Thompson, Rockford

Boys Basketball: Jose Davis, Steubenville

Girls Basketball: Jerry Snavely, Mt. Gilead

Boys Cross Country: Ron Weaver, Rock Creek

Girls Cross Country: Gail Bowers, Walton Hills

Field Hockey: Anywyan Reynolds, Westerville

Football: Bruce Bame, Findlay

Gymnastics: Jody Borda, Dayton

Ice Hockey: Nic Watson, Newark

Boys Lacrosse: Kyle Closen, Lakewood

Girls Lacrosse: Jesse Hunt, Cincinnati

Boys Soccer: Robert Krauss, Winchester

Girls Soccer: Tammy Gillogly, Albany

Softball: Pamela Schultz, Vandalia

Boys Swimming and Diving: Christopher Paolini, Dublin

Girls Swimming and Diving: Hal Hawk, Port Clinton

Boys Track and Field: Penny Zuber, Pataskala

Girls Track and Field: Rodney Russell, Mason

Boys Volleyball: Monique Huffman, Kettering

Girls Volleyball: Michael Chandler, Powell

Wrestling: Dave Detec, Girard

OHSAA 50-Year Officials

James Lanese, Lyndhurst

Larry Bartlett, Middletown

Jeff Bauer, Columbus

Danny Kleckner, The Villages, Fla.

Gene Mileusnich, Madison

Dennis Foltz, Norwalk

Robert McCollow, Venedocia

Thomas Lewis, Brunswick

Marie Anthony, Columbus

Lee Barlow, Kettering

Richard Brooks, Uniontown

Tim Gebhardt, Pepper Pike

Douglas Hladek, Ashtabula

Douglas Hoffman, Marion

Robert Kruthaupt, Cincinnati

Roy McCarty, Dresden

Allen Radlinski, Maumee

Frank Rea, Follansbee, W.Va.

Robert Baumgardt, Lancaster

John Butch, Wexford, Pa.

Gary Wilkins, Galena

Bruce Treadway, Bay Village

Robert Fuchs, Clarington

George Gulas, Medina

Donald Levy, Canton

Brian Urquhart, Centerville

Paula Coder, Sidney

Thane Hecox, Canal Winchester

Roger Hosler, Logan

Robert Karl, Kettering

Mark Klopfenstein, Springfield

Diane McClellan, Toledo

Rodney Russell, Mason

Lee Sternberg, East Canton

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Findlay Police Department, and other police, fire and EMS agencies across the area and country are saluting their dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week runs from April 14 – 20.

Captain Mark Price with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says dispatchers play a crucial role by providing that initial contact with people to get them the help they need.

“The dispatchers work together to help us as first responders in the field gain the information needed in a timely fashion that we need to do our jobs.”

Captain Price says, while the sheriff’s office and Findlay Police Department each have their own dispatch centers, they do work together a lot and work well together.

He’s asking anyone who knows a dispatcher to reach out to them this week and thank them for what they do.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will offer a bulk trash drop-off for Findlay residents from Saturday, April 20, 2024, to Saturday, April 27, 2024. Hours are 8am-3pm or until dumpsters are full on Saturdays and 8am-7pm or until dumpsters are full Monday-Friday.

Dumpsters will be at the Public Works Department, 330 N. Cory St., where city residents may dispose of unwanted debris. The drop-off is in conjunction with the annual Backyard Mission Trip on Saturday, April 27. The City will keep dumpsters open for an additional six days to encourage citizens to clean up the community in observance of Earth Week.

During the Earth week drop off event in Spring 2023 over 1,500 tires and 93,000 lbs of trash were collected. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us in working to keep our community clean!

Hazardous materials, commercial tires, concrete, appliances, and electronics will not be accepted. Proof of residency or ID may be required.

The City will accept noncommercial vehicle tires on Saturday, April 20, and Saturday, April 27. The tires must be off the rim. Proof of residency in the City of Findlay and/or ID will be required. Please note that it is illegal to transport more than ten scrap tires at any time without obtaining a registration certificate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency per ORC 3734.83.

The Findlay Municipal Court will be holding its 7th Annual Safe Surrender Day on Thursday, April 18th from 9 to 4 p.m.

Over the last 6 years, the Findlay Municipal Court has helped over 450 individuals and recalled over 545 bench warrants.

“The Safe Surrender event continues to be a great success for the court, law enforcement and the community,” said Judge Stephanie Bishop, who, along with Judge Alan Hackenberg was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the program.

Individuals with active bench warrants who report to the Court on that day will not be arrested.

Instead, individuals who take advantage of this opportunity will work with designated court staff to solve their legal issues.

Some examples include:

Individuals who failed to attend a court hearing will be seen by the Judge, Magistrate or court staff that day.

Individuals who failed to perform community service will be reassigned to a work location. If the individual missed a community service contempt hearing, the hearing will be rescheduled to allow the person time to complete the community service;

Individuals who did not complete counseling for mental health or substance abuse will have their appointments rescheduled;

Individuals who did not attend a status conference will meet with a magistrate or court staff to review their financial ability to pay outstanding fines and to establish a new payment plan;

Individuals who did not report to serve a jail sentence will be issued a new date to report.

The Hancock County Public Defender will be available at the court to meet with clients.

Upon reporting to the Court on Safe Surrender Day, the warrant will be lifted and recalled from law enforcement.

This is a one day only event. Individuals who are unsure if they have an outstanding bench warrant can view a list of active Findlay Municipal Court warrants.

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are also accepted.

To schedule an appointment or for more information call the Clerk’s office at 419-424-7141.

(From the Hancock County Engineer’s Office)

Hancock County Engineer Doug Cade announced the start of the Hancock County Road 18 Bridge Replacement project beginning April 22nd and lasting approximately 2 weeks (weather permitting).

The project will replace an existing bridge whose condition has warranted the construction of a new structure meeting current bridge standards.

The bridge is located on Hancock County Road 18 between Allen Township Road 99 and Cass Township Road 213. The project is being constructed by Hancock County Engineer crews.

Hancock County Road 18 between Allen Township Road 99 and Cass Township Road 213 will be closed while the bridge is constructed and residents are encouraged to use local roads to detour the area.

The project is being funded through local Gas Tax and License Plate Fees by the citizens of Hancock County.

The Hancock County Engineer maintains 358 miles of county roads and 372 bridges throughout Hancock County.

(From Owens Community College)

Owens Community College is expanding its healthcare offerings on the Findlay-area Campus with a new American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers CPR class.

The first 4-hour class will be offered Thursday, April 25 in the Education Center at 3200 Bright Road, Findlay. Classes will be offered on an ongoing basis.

The class covers adult, child and infant CPR and is designed for healthcare professionals, daycare providers and others requiring CPR training. The hands-on class includes training with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Students who successfully complete the class will earn a 2-year certification.

The Owens Community College Foundation funded the purchase of $3,300 in the new equipment for the CPR classroom on the Findlay-area Campus.

The CPR class costs $85 and includes the book. To register, visit www.owens.edu/workandplay and click on the CPR link, or call (567) 661-7357.