(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)
We went searching for sticky, icky, cool things and found them in the Ripley Run Wetland we established in 2006 when four-lane U.S. 30 was constructed.
Here’s what we found and why we care about those plants and creatures that now live there.
Ripley Run Wetland is along U.S. 30 three miles east of U.S. 68 in southern Hancock County.
(From the Findlay Airport)
Ever been on a runway before?
What about RUNNING on a runway?
This is your chance to be part of something special!
Participate in the “Run the Runway 5K” to support a scholarship in honor of our local Aviation Legend Hal Durbin.
Sign up here: www.runsignup.com/flyfdy
(From Blanchard Valley Health System)
Blanchard Valley Health System will host a “Live & Learn” educational presentation on Thursday, July 25, focusing on “Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Blanchard Valley Hospital.” The presentation will provide information on the new ARU at Blanchard Valley Hospital, which provides rehabilitation care for patients recovering from stroke, trauma, and other injuries and illnesses.
The presenters will be Dr. Bill Kose, vice president of special projects for BVHS, Jessica Moore, BSN, RN, director of inpatient nursing, and Beth Courtright, program director of the new ARU. They will discuss how rehabilitation care in the ARU can help community members get back to the highest possible quality of life. Their conversation will also include the services offered in this environment and how this program is designed based on each patient’s needs.
The presentation will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. on the BVHS Facebook page.
To submit questions prior to the livestream, please email community@bvhealthsystem.org. For further assistance, please call 419.423.5551.
(From the Putnam County Health Department)
Please be aware that a bat in Putnam County, OH tested positive for rabies.
For more information, see the press release attached from the Putnam County Health Dept as well as additional safety tips about bats.
Share this post with friends and family.
Additional information can be found at www.odh.ohio.gov/rabies.
(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)
Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County will officially begin construction of its 60th and 61st homes during a Raise the Wall ceremony open to the public on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
The new homeowners, the Butler and McMaster families, will share their journeys followed by a countdown and raising of the first walls of each home simultaneously. The ceremony will be held at the build site, located in the 1700 block of Bishop Lane in Findlay, Ohio.
These are the third and fourth homes to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County in 2024. They are the first two of 20 homes Habitat will build in the Krystal Ridge Addition neighborhood by the end of 2027.
The Butler family consists of a single mother and her daughter. Their housing situation left them cost burdened due to continued high rent increases. Additionally, their living conditions were unsafe with no ventilation in the bedrooms and an exterior door in the daughter’s bedroom. For the past two years the Butler family has been working with Habitat for Humanity after seeing several close friends go through the process. After a year of financial education and savings they were chosen to be a Partner Family. They are forever grateful that everyone at Habitat chose to put their faith into them and grant this opportunity. They have gained so much knowledge already in the program and cannot wait to build their own home this fall!
The McMaster family consists of a single mother and her two sons. For a number of years they struggled off and on financially. For almost a year they lived with family and friends. After a lengthy search, they found a landlord willing to accept their housing voucher. Six years later the landlord sold the duplex, and the new landlords raised the rent $250. Their previous landlord suggested they apply for Habitat. Within the past year, with the help of the FOC, their credit score has gone up more than 80 points and they are living within their budget and saving. This opportunity allows them to not only have a home, but a legacy!
Each of the homes will be constructed in 10 weeks by more than 300 volunteers. Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals, and also alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners. Pre-registration to volunteer is required by calling 419-429-1400 x5, emailing volunteer@habitatfindlay.org, or signing up on the website habitatfindlay.org. No skills or tools are necessary to volunteer.
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 Butler and McMaster 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.
The most recent housing study released earlier this year indicated the Findlay community needs 150 single-family homes, costing less than $200,000, constructed during the next five years. Families seeking to become homeowners in the Krystal Ridge Addition can apply with Habitat for Humanity by visiting habitatfindlay.org or calling 419-429-1400.
(From the Seneca County Drug Task Force)
On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Officers from the Sandusky County Drug Task Force, Columbus DEA and the Ottawa County Major Crimes Task Force, ended a three-month drug operation involving Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl.
The Seneca County Drug Task Force’s investigation was a collaboration of multiple area Law Enforcement agencies which unveiled an illicit drug trafficking ring out of Columbus, Ohio and into Seneca and Sandusky County area.
The three-month investigation led to the confiscation of approximately eleven pounds of Methamphetamine, two kilograms of Cocaine, four ounces of Fentanyl, four ounces of Crack Cocaine and three firearms.
The investigation was presented to the Seneca County Grand Jury, which resulted in multiple indictments/arrest warrants for a Justice Anthony Slane, 26 YOA, Clyde, Ohio.
Slane was arrested on multiple counts of Trafficking in Drugs, two First degree Felonies, and two Third degree Felonies for his involvement in illicit drug trafficking ring.
He was also arrested for an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear out of Sandusky County.
“The collaboration between all the local and federal agencies was instrumental to the success of this investigation. It’s always considered a “good day” and a success when that many firearms and that amount of drugs were prevented from reaching the streets in our community. All the Task Force Agents involved should be commended for a job well done!”……Chief Deputy Charles W. Boyer/Unit coordinator, said.
I would encourage citizens to continue reporting suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Crime Hotline at Local 419-443-0463, ext: 1140.
The Findlay High School athletics program has been named a 2024 recipient of the Quality Program Assessment Award presented by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association — the organization’s highest national honor.
Findlay High School Athletic Director Nate Weihrauch tells WFIN that the Quality Program Assessment “is a standard of excellence and is a reflection of our district, community, our amazing coaches, and all past, present and future student-athletes.”
Nate says Findlay is only the fourth school district in Ohio to achieve this recognition and it’s “a true testament to the Findlay City School District, coaches, staff, students, supporters, and Findlay community.”
In April, The Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) named Weihrauch the 2024 Athletic Director of the Year.
The Findlay City Council is deciding whether to implement a moratorium on the establishment of recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city.
The ordinance is listed below:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWELVE (12) MONTH MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, OR DISPENSING OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF FINDLAY IN ORDER FOR THE CITY OF FINDLAY, OHIO TO CONSIDER THE RAMIFICATIONS OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND POTENTIAL ZONING CHANGES THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
The ordinance requires three readings before city council and the third reading will happen on August 6th.
Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the possible moratorium and that audio is below.
(From the Findlay Police Department)
July 17 – 18, 2024 were Operation BRIDGE Days across Ohio. (Bridging Recovery Interdiction Data Gathering Enforcement)
The Findlay Police Department, Hancock Co. Sheriff’s Office, and the Hancock Co. Metrich Enforcement Unit partnered with the Family Resource Center in an outreach event today in the City of Findlay.
Resources and supplies were provided to several locations today that might have contact with individuals dealing with overdose and/or substance abuse.
The collaboration also contacted area citizens dealing with housing issues in and around Hancock Co.
The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and partially funded by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.
METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.”
Family Resource Center can meet you on the road to recovery. If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse, please contact the Family Resource Center – (419-425-5050).
As part of their yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County will be holding a Summer Picnic.
The picnic will be held at Riverbend Recreation Area at The Lodge on Saturday, July 20th from 11 to 3.
Executive Director Stacy Shaw, on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks says the free picnic is open to everyone, not just mentors and mentees.
“It’s a FREE event for the community, so bring your family and friends for a day of fun, food, and meaningful connections. See you there!”
The picnic is a Fun for All event sponsored by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.