McComb Elementary students in grades K-6 participated in their first Community Service Project Day. 

“As a Leader in Me School, we know our students are leaders and work to not only grow them academically but in all areas including leadership and helping others,” said 4^th Grade Teacher Kathy Miles.

The students, along with staff, McComb officials, and community members worked on projects around the school and the village of McComb. 

Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd graders worked on campus picking up sticks and trash and planting flowers.

The 3^rd and 4^th graders cleaned up McComb Union Cemetery to get it looking nice for the weekend Memorial Day program.

At the park, the 5^th graders cleaned the pool chairs and equipment while the 6^th graders did yard work and painting around the village.

The City of Findlay says it has delivered around 350 trees to people who requested a free tree from the city since the city announced the opportunity in February. 

Lori Ciallella, who lives on South Main Street, took advantage of the program and got two new trees.

As Lori mentioned in the audio above, she says she’s lost six trees to storms over the past six years so the free tree offer from the city came at a good time.

The city will come out and mark any underground utilities and plant the tree, mulch around it and place a water bag on it.

The City of Findlay and Findlay Shade Tree Commission have allocated a total of $100,000 in federal funds to utilize for community tree planting in 2024.

Residents within the Findlay City limits can request a tree by visiting FindlayOhio.gov and selecting Request a Tree on the homepage.

The Findlay Shade Tree Commission was created in 1978 by Findlay City Council to address the need to care for Findlay’s aging urban forest.  

The Shade Tree Commission’s responsibilities are to provide leadership in the selection, promotion, planting and care of trees in public areas like street right-of-ways, parks, cemeteries and other city properties, as well as hazardous tree removal.

Findlay recently earned the Tree City USA designation for a 42^nd time.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

As you head out around the Memorial Day holiday, you’ll likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of Click It or Ticket.

This campaign, from May 20 – June 2, reminds drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the legal consequences – including fines – for not wearing a seat belt.

In 2022, 11,302 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Among the young adults (18 to 34) killed, 60% were unbuckled — one of the highest percentages for all age groups.

Always Remember to Buckle Up.

For more information: https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/click-it-or-ticket

(ONN) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is calling a special session of the Ohio Legislature to solve the problem of getting President Joe Biden’s name on the November ballot.

The governor says getting Biden’s name on the ballot is an easy legislative fix and called it unacceptable that the Ohio House has not already taken action.

To be on the ballot, Biden’s name has to be certified before Ohio’s August 7th deadline.

Biden won’t be formally nominated until the Democratic National Convention held later in August.

That special session will happen on Tuesday.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a fatal crash involving a train in Loudon Township, in Seneca County.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday on U.S. 224, just west of U.S. 23.

The preliminary investigation showed a Kia Soul, operated by Ellen Atherton, 72, Arlington, was driving northeast on U.S. 224 and went through a lowered railroad gate arm.

The Kia was struck by a northbound CSX train and pushed off the left side of the roadway, before striking a utility pole.

Ellen Atherton and the front-seat passenger, Rex Atherton, 75, Arlington, suffered fatal injuries at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bascom Joint Fire District, Bascom EMS, Seneca County EMS, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, CSX Police Department, Seneca County Community Emergency Response Team and Keller Brothers Enterprise. The crash remains under investigation

ZF Active Safety US Inc. says it has informed employees of the planned closure of its Findlay manufacturing facility located at 1750 Production Drive.

The Findlay Plant manufactures brake control units.

The timing of the closure is anticipated to be in the second quarter of 2025.

“We are announcing well ahead of the plant ending dates to give employees more certainty regarding the future and allow them to prepare for new employment. The company will support them in seeking new employment while the plant closes out their customer commitments,” ZF said in a statement provided to WFIN News.  

Dan Sheaffer, Executive Director Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, says ZF, the economic development office, and Raise the Bar and other workforce partners will support the affected workers in seeking new employment as the plant closes out its customer commitments.

Sheaffer added that the ZF building and its strategic location offer an opportunity to locate and source another manufacturer in the automotive space.

ZF said the reason for the closure is that the serial production contracts for the Brake Controls product have ended and the carry-on business has been sourced to another supplier.

The closure will impact approximately 215 ZF employees and approximately 35 external agency workers.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1’s annual Paint-the-Plow contest winners are Hancock County’s Riverdale Middle School and the Paulding FFA Chapter.

Riverdale, located in Mt. Blanchard, collected the most votes on social media to win the people’s choice award, earning 969 votes on ODOT District 1’s Facebook page contest. The plow with the most likes, comments, and shares wins the award.

The artists’ work honors Mr. Luke Swavel, a beloved middle school teacher and coach who passed away unexpectedly in May 2023.

“Luke was a dedicated Falcon staff member,” said Greg Rossman, Riverdale Local Schools superintendent. “He gave 100 percent effort in his history classes and made connections with all of his students,” he said. 

Ada High School took second place with 513 votes, and in third place, Upper Scioto Valley High School with 480 votes, both with bold school mascot-themed plows.

(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

Congratulations to our 2024 Amazing Shake winner Knikki McNeil!

Knikki was joined in the third round by Noah Phillips, Connor Reese, and our celebrity emcee Corey King.

We received so many compliments on our seventh graders’ skills throughout the first two rounds!

A big thank-you to our guest judges and volunteers (over 50 of them!) and to Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Schulte, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Hosler for coordinating such an impactful event!

The Amazing Shake teaches students that manners, discipline, respect, and how to conduct themselves in a professional environment are all important parts of life.  

At Cory-Rawson Junior High, students learned the mechanics of a proper handshake, as well as how to communicate effectively so that they can present themselves exceptionally well in various situations today and in the future.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible on Ohio’s roadways promoting traffic safety. As motorists travel this weekend, troopers are reminding drivers to utilize their safety belts and to be responsible by designating a sober driver. The effort begins at midnight on Friday, May 24 and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

Last year in Ohio, 24 fatal crashes killed 26 people during the Memorial Day weekend. Of those fatalities, 18 crashes and 19 fatalities were OVI-related. In the fatalities where a safety belt was available, 11 of the 13 were unbelted. Seven of the 10 motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet.

“Memorial Day weekend is a time for remembrance and reflection, but it’s also a busy time on our roads,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This Memorial Day and every day, I encourage drivers to make responsible decisions each and every time they get behind the wheel.”

Also, during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, the Patrol made 399 impaired driving arrests.  

“Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer and we encourage everyone to make responsible choices behind the wheel,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent. “Whether you’re traveling to visit loved ones or enjoying a local getaway, remember to buckle up, avoid distractions and never drive under the influence.”

In addition to the Memorial Day reporting period, the Patrol is continuing the 6-State Trooper Project focusing on the use of safety belts. This high-visibility effort includes the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The initiative began May 20 and will continue through May 27.

The Patrol is also taking part in the Click It or Ticket campaign, which runs May 20 through June 2.

You can help contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.

(ONN) – Ohio has set a new tourism record.

The Ohio Department of Development reports that more than 238 million tourists visited Ohio in 2023, a new record.

A visitor is defined as someone who travels 50 or more miles from home and not as part of a regular routine.

These visitors spent over $56 billion, also a record.

20 percent of them stayed overnight and 84 percent say they will be back within the next year.

More than 400,000 recreation and hospitality workers were positively impacted.

On Tuesday the state celebrated Ohio Tourism Day promoting the summer travel season.