(ONN) – Secretary of State Frank LaRose has published a list of 158,000 names of inactive registered voters that could be purged from the system.

LaRose says the names are eligible for removal because records show they haven’t lived at their registered address for at least four years.

It could be because of death or a change of address or because you moved and are no longer eligible to vote at your former address.

You have until July 22nd to check if your name is on the list.

That’s when county board of elections will purge the names.

If your name is on the list and you want to reactivate your registration, you can contact your local board of elections.

The list of voter names that are potentially going to be purged can be found at registrationreadiness.ohiosos.gov.

Owens Community College in Findlay held a surprise 90^th birthday party for someone who has meant so much to the college.

Dr. Peggy Bensman served the Owens community from 1968-92.

She started the Nursing program, serving as the first Nursing department chair.

She was promoted to dean of all Health programs and then vice president of Academic Affairs before retiring.

The top nursing student award is presented annually in her name.

Originally from Minster, Ohio, she attended Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati for her bachelor’s degree, Xavier University for her master’s degree and Bowling Green for her doctoral degree.

Dr. Bensman resides in Minster.

College officials and former colleagues gathered Wednesday in Findlay to celebrate Dr. Bensman’s 90^th birthday and WFIN had a chance to chat with her for a few minutes.

(From Bowling Green State University)

Under the guidance of Chair Drew Forhan ’81, the Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees recently welcomed three new trustees to the learning community.

Following appointments by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, graduate student Kathryn Ware ’22 of Findlay and Paula M. O’Reilly ’93 of Columbus began terms on the BGSU Board of Trustees beginning May 31. The board also voted on May 3 to name alumnus Paul J. Hooker ’75 as national trustee.

“The momentum we are experiencing at Bowling Green State University is absolutely a reflection of the strength of our Board of Trustees,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “The appointments of Trustees O’Reilly, Hooker and Ware will further add to the depth of our board, with experience in the technology sector, business and entrepreneurship and as a graduate student. We are grateful for their time and leadership in serving the University as trustees, and we are excited to leverage their unique skillsets, perspectives and expertise in continuing to move the University forward.”

Kathryn Ware ’22
BGSU doctoral student and alumna Kathryn Ware ’22 was appointed to a non-voting term as graduate student trustee through May 2026.

Currently in her third year of graduate school, Ware is pursuing a doctorate in biological sciences. Her research focuses on how birds respond to various forms of disturbance, including forest management and hurricanes.

At BGSU, Ware enjoys engaging with the learning community and has served as the Graduate Student Senate environmental affairs representative for two years. She also serves in various other capacities, including as a teaching assistant in anatomy and physiology, an officer of the Biology Graduate Student Association, member of the Biology Departmental Seminar Committee and founding member of the Biology Research Forum Committee.

Ware holds a master’s degree from BGSU in biological sciences and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Findlay in biology and animal science.

Paula M. O’Reilly ’93
An experienced consultant and strategist, Trustee Paula M. O’Reilly ’93 joins the BGSU Board of Trustees for a nine-year term through May 2033.

Currently, O’Reilly serves as senior managing director and Midwest technology lead for Accenture, a global professional services company with leading capabilities in information technology and consulting. She recently was appointed to lead the company’s Columbus office.

Throughout her career, O’Reilly has held several leadership roles with Accenture, focusing on managing capital markets, banking, insurance and risk and operations. In 2005, she was named partner, and her expanded portfolio now focuses on technology, digital, cloud and security.

Additionally, O’Reilly is active in the greater Columbus community, serving as a member of the Ohio Business Roundtable and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. She was also included in Columbus CEO Magazine’s Future 50 Class of 2022.

O’Reilly graduated from BGSU in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and international business.

Paul J. Hooker ’75
At May’s board meeting, trustees appointed Paul J. Hooker ’75 as national trustee in recognition of his professional accomplishments, national reach and contributions to the learning community.

After graduating from BGSU in 1975 with a bachelor’s in business administration, Hooker spent most of his professional career with SFERRA Fine Linens – a luxury bedding, bath and home decor store based in Edison, New Jersey – and eventually retired as CEO.

Previously, he served as a member of the BGSU Foundation Board and was a member of the Changing Lives for the World Campaign steering committee. Hooker also has supported the Alumni Laureate Scholars and the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business Building Fund.

Hooker is the namesake for the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Schmidthorst College of Business, which is one of only 20 centers worldwide recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The center serves as northwest Ohio’s premier resource for entrepreneurial education, featuring a weeklong Entrepreneurship Week each April that brings entrepreneurial leaders from around the country to campus.

In 1990, he and his wife founded a nonprofit to help children with disabilities and their families become involved with programs in basketball, soccer, Little League softball, golf, flag football and tennis. Now known as RallyCap Sports, the program has chapters at various colleges and universities across the Midwest and Northeast, with the BGSU chapter serving as the first and largest.

Hooker was named a top 100 graduate in the first 100 years of BGSU and was inducted into the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame in 2012.

Hooker’s term as national trustee ends in May 2027.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

On 06-05-24 at 0336 hours the Findlay Police Department received a 911 call regarding a female being strangled by her boyfriend in their room at the TownePlace Suites on Tiffin Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim. She had injuries consistent with being strangled. She reported that her boyfriend, 31 year old Jamie Hoverman of McComb, Ohio, was intoxicated. She reported that he assaulted her and strangled her to the point of unconsciousness several times throughout the evening. He had fled the hotel room on foot prior to police arriving on scene.

While officers were interviewing the victim, a separate officer located a pickup truck driving recklessly on Tiffin Avenue near Bright Road. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The pickup truck lost control and crashed on Bright Road near Shore Blvd. The driver, later identified as Jamie, fled from the crash on foot. The pursuing officer deployed a Taser on Jamie, subduing him and placing him under arrest.

The suspect (pictured below) complained of injuries from the traffic crash and was transported to BVH by HANCO EMS for treatment. After being medically cleared, he was transported to the Hancock County Justice Center for incarceration. It was then determined that the pickup truck Jamie had been driving was stolen from a nearby hotel. Jamie Hoverman was issued a traffic citation for driving with a suspended license, failing to maintain control, and not wearing a seat belt.

Jamie Hoverman was incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center on the following charges: Kidnapping (Felony 1) Strangulation (Felony 3) Receiving Stolen Property (Felony 4) Obstructing Official Business (Misdemeanor 2) Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor 2) Failure to Disclose Personal Information (Misdemeanor 4).

(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County held a home dedication ceremony for its 58th home on Tuesday.

Talisha Balicki and her two daughters will reside in Home #58 on Logan Avenue in Findlay.

Talisha is a single mother currently working as a state-tested nurses aid at the Heritage.

She began her journey with Habitat in 2021, frustrated with not having a stable place to raise her daughters.

“Home means roots being put down. A place to build memories, a place to gather no matter what age,” said Balicki. “Somewhere you’re comfortable and accepted and can always be yourself. Home is a place where my kids can always come to.”

Habitat will officially finish construction of its 59th home during a Home Dedication ceremony open to the public on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

The ceremony on June 18 will be held at the build site, located at 201 Durrell Street, Findlay, Ohio. The program for the dedication will include a blessing, words from the new homeowners Troy and Morgan representing the Daughenbaugh-Gossman family as well as comments from Wendy McCormick, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County and Kelly Croy, Habitat’s Board President.

Troy, Morgan and their two daughters will reside in Home #59 on Durrell Street. Troy currently works at ValFilm and Morgan became a substitute teacher once both of their daughters were old enough to attend school. Although they both hold steady jobs, and work together to support their family, they were still unable to afford a home on their own.

They began their journey with Habitat in 2021, admitting financial stability has always been a challenge. Their decision to partner with Habitat, and the Financial Opportunity Center, has led them to a brighter future where they have paid off extensive credit card debt, and were selected as a partner family.

These are the first homes to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County in 2024. Both homes were built in just 10 weeks by nearly 600 volunteers representing many corporate build teams and organizations that enable their employees and team members to take part.

Both homes are Signature Homes, which are financed by the donors who bought a “piece of the house” during Habitat’s 2023 Signature Fundraiser. The presenting sponsor was Marathon Petroleum Corporation. Dream Builder Sponsors were Tim & Paula Aydt, Jon & PJ Burkin, Gary & Jane Heminger, Dave & Melissa Heppner, Rick & Tracy Hessling, Lynn McCord, Rodney & Barbra Nichols, Ohio Logistics, Brian & Stephanie Partee, Garry & Kathy Peiffer, Premier Bank, Scott & Laura Rhodes, State Farm – Dan Maciejewski, and Don & Carrie Templin. Many thanks to all the corporations and organizations that provided build teams for the home.

Through donations of money and materials and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build a Habitat Home and sell it at an affordable price. The Balicki and Daughenbaugh-Gossman families qualified as a low-income family unable to qualify for a conventional loan who were willing to partner with Habitat and complete at least 400 sweat equity hours.

Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications from families now for new homes. To apply for a home or a home repair, visit habitatfindlay.org or call 419-429-1400.

(ONN) – Bowling Green city leaders are asking for the community’s input on a proposal to keep people from feeding wild animals.

The ordinance is a response to increased reports of aggressive wildlife throughout the city.

It would restrict any intentional feeding of wild animals including deer, squirrels, and turkeys.

Officials point out that the ordinance will not impact properties with bird feeders.

The ordinance will have a third reading at Monday’s city council meeting.

It will either be voted on or tabled for further discussion.

(ONN) – A new Ohio bill would cap the rate at which property taxes increase each year.

Some Republicans at the Ohio Statehouse think they have a solution to increasing property taxes.

A new amendment being proposed to the Ohio Constitution would see property taxes capped at 4 percent per year.

The proposal still needs to make it through the House and the Senate, and then the Secretary of State before it is passed.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office says a bicyclist from Findlay died after being hit by an SUV.

The crash happened at around 5:20 Monday afternoon on State Route 281 at the Slippery Elm Trail in Rudolph.

The sheriff’s office says Andrew Bell, 32, of Findlay, was riding northbound on the trail and failed to stop at State Route 281, entered the roadway and was struck by an SUV.

Bell was life-flighted to a Toledo hospital where he died.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Findlay Police Department says the county 911 coordinator was notified of an issue with AT&T wireless calls on Tuesday afternoon. 

AT&T is advising that customers may or may not be able to call 911.

This is a nationwide outage for AT&T.

“Should you have an emergency and cannot contact 911 please try our non-emergency numbers,” the police department said. 

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office number is 419-422-2424

The Findlay Police Department’s number is 419-424-7150.

Hancock County also has text to 911 that’s available and is working for AT&T users.

The police department said AT&T is advising of a repair date early morning on June 5th.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Shoppers are expected to spend over $2,000 in SNAP tokens this season at the Hancock County Farmers’ Market through a collaboration with United Way of Hancock County, the farmers’ market, Habitat for Humanity’s Financial Opportunities Center and the OSU Extension – Hancock County Office.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (called SNAP, and previously known as food stamps) can be exchanged for tokens each week at the farmers’ market. These tokens can be used to purchase market items including fresh produce, honey, hot sauce, baked goods, food plants and more.

Additionally, with each SNAP token, the customer receives a 1 to 1 match, up to $25, in Produce Perks. Tokens through the USDA-backed Produce Perks program can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables and may be saved for use later.

Bobbie Sue Grenerth, volunteer interpretive planner for the Hancock County Farmers’ Market, said $2,461 in SNAP sales were captured during the 2023 market season. This, combined with $1,627 in Produce Perks sales utilized by 52 local households, yielded 1,914 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables accessed through these incentives.

Feeding America estimates that 11% of Hancock County residents are food insecure. Grenerth noted that partnerships such as this help market shoppers to stretch their food dollars further while supporting over 30 local vendors.

“Programs like these not only directly provide assistance to those in need of nutritional resources, they also support local farms and small business owners,” Grenerth said. “The farmers’ market is deeply appreciative of community partnerships with United Way of Hancock County, OSU Extension of Hancock County and the Habitat for Humanity Financial Opportunity Center to make these programs possible.”

Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County, explained the SNAP partnership with the farmers’ market was initiated in 2022 in direct response to anticipated cuts to emergency SNAP allocations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As SNAP allotments were projected to fall, the United Way stepped in to help fill this gap by securing state funding for the project.

“In Hancock County, 2 out of every 5 kids don’t have enough food,” DeBoskey said. “We have wonderful partner agencies that are committed to feeding hungry people in our community. This collaboration complements those efforts well by giving families a unique, seasonal opportunity to choose their favorite produce items.

“We are happy to connect families to local producers, and we thank the Hancock County Farmers’ Market and county government officials for their partnership.”

The Hancock County Farmers’ Market is open every Thursday from 4-6 p.m. through the end of October at 200 W. Main Cross St. in downtown Findlay. Visit the Welcome canopy with your Ohio Direction card to get started using your SNAP benefits at the market.

Additional market programs include:

• Senior Nutrition Program: Vouchers are distributed to senior citizens by the local Agency on Aging. These state funds can be spent at grocery stores or the farmers’ market, and can be used on items similar to those for the SNAP program.
• POP Stars (Power of Produce): Kids ages 4-15 can sign up to receive $4 in tokens each week throughout the summer at the farmers’ market, to be spent on produce. This program, made possible through a partnership with Blanchard Valley Health System, is designed to encourage youth in food exploration and to build healthy habits.
• Third Thursdays: In addition to the traditional farmers’ market vendors, Third Thursdays include booths from service organizations, charities and community groups, along with performing artists and live cooking demonstrations.