(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has been awarded a grant of $5,000.00 from The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. The funds are made available from the HancockREADS Grant 2024.

This grant has been used to purchase a collection of over 100 Playaway audiobooks for children. These audiobook devices allow children to listen to books without a CD player, phone, or other device. All they need to do is plug in headphones or a speaker.

“We’re excited that the grant from The Community Foundation has enabled our library to add this high-demand item,” said Sarah Cramer, Youth Services Librarian.

 “Playaways are a valuable resource for kids who do not have another way to listen to audiobooks. We hope the kids in our community enjoy them!”

For further information, please call the library at 419-422-1712.

(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

Bat houses ready to go!

You may remember that our fifth grade classes researched and presented an idea to have bat houses on campus to Mr. Clark.

CRHS student and Boy Scout Nate Gregorowicz joined the effort, working with the fifth graders to construct the houses last spring.

They are now ready for residents!

Small school. Big opportunities.

(From the Flag City Sluggers)

Flag City Sluggers Board President Joe Fenimore announced Tyler Smith as the head coach of the Sluggers. “We are extremely excited to have Tyler as our first-ever Head Coach.” Fenimore said.“Tyler has proven experience in recruiting and developing players, making him a natural choice for the role. Most importantly, Tyler is a leader both on and off the field, shares our core values of sportsmanship, and is committed to fostering a positive and team environment.”

“I’m excited to be managing the Sluggers,” Smith said. “The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League is one of the most well respected and competitive summer leagues in the country. I’m appreciative of being given this opportunity and can’t wait to get started!” Smith has coached 10 years, (5 years as Head Coach) at Three Rivers after a five year professional career. In Smith’s tenure at Three Rivers, the Raiders have sent 20 players to the Division 1 level, including 15 pitchers into the SEC, Sunbelt, Missouri Valley, SWAC, Ohio Valley, MAAC, Southland, A-Sun). In total, 50 alumni have continued their career into the 4 year level. Raiders catchers and pitchers have experienced unprecedented success under Smith. Logan Carter was an All Conference selection in 2016. Reece Reading garnished All Conference honors in 2018. Nick Fakouri was an All Conference catcher in 2019. Mason Libla was Defensive Catcher of the year in 2021. Trent Buchanan garnished All Region Honors in 2022. Accolades for the pitching staff have followed as well. Noah Stone was National Pitcher of the Week in 2020. Lukas Touma was awarded National Pitcher of the Week in 2023. Austin Gast, Noah Burkey, and Kole Turner have all garnished Region pitcher of the week honors. Academically, Raiders student athletes have excelled in the classroom having 51 players who were named to the National All Academic Team since 2021.

Smith graduated from Arkansas State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. Prior to Arkansas State, Smith was a two-year starter for the Three Rivers Raiders where he was an All Conference selection as well as an Academic All American in 2009. After Three Rivers, Smith attended Arkansas State University where he helped the Red Wolves reach the Sun Belt Conference tournament in 2010 and 2011. Smith was on the Sun Belt Conference all academic team as a senior. Following his senior season, Smith was signed by the Kansas City Royals organization where he played for their short season affiliate in Idaho Falls, Idaho. 2012 Coach Smith started the year in AAA Spring Training and finished the year with the Royals A affiliate in Kane County. Smith began the 2013 season with the Rockford Aviators of the Frontier League. In 2014 he was traded to the Lincoln Saltdogs for the American Association. Smith caught the majority of the games for the Saltdogs and helped them reach the Frontier League playoffs and a first half division championship for the first time in the organization’s history. A native of Paragould, Arkansas, Smith graduated from Senath-Hornersville High School in 2007 where he was an Under Armour All-American.

The Flag City Sluggers are a member of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League and are committed to providing a competitive and educational summer baseball experience in Findlay for collegiate players.

(From the Office of the Ohio Treasurer)

In conjunction with ABLE Today and the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague will recognize Wednesday, August 14^th as National ABLE Savings Day, a time to increase awareness about ABLE Account programs and their life-changing benefits. Under Treasurer Sprague’s leadership, Ohio’s iteration of an ABLE program – STABLE Account – has gained popularity in recent years and seen overall participation grow from fewer than 10,000 accounts in January 2019 to approximately 42,000 active accounts today.

“National ABLE Savings Day is the perfect time to remind Ohioans of the many ways STABLE accounts are empowering people to take better control of their financial health,” said Sprague. “We’re proud of our efforts to expand the program and make it more accessible through intiatives like the STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive and our various partnerships with employers to offer the STABLE Account Payroll Direct Deposit option to those in the workforce.”

In April, Treasurer Sprague announced the launch of the STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive to encourage more eligible Ohioans to open an account. Through the incentive, STABLE Account will match the first $25 that an eligible Ohioan contributes when opening a new account. This matched contribution provides new accountholders with an instantaneous boost toward growing their money and beginning their investment journey.

Just last week, Licking County became the 10^th county to partner with the Ohio Treasurer’s office to offer the STABLE Account Payroll Direct Deposit benefit to county employees. In 2019, Treasurer Sprague announced a similar collaboration with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to provide eligible State of Ohio employees with the opportunity to direct a portion of their paychecks into STABLE accounts. Over the last several years, several public and private sector employers have partnered with the Treasurer’s office to offer the benefit to employees.

STABLE accounts are 529-like specialized savings and investment accounts for people living with disabilities. The accounts allow individuals to save and invest their money without fearing the loss of means-tested benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Accountholders can save up to $18,000 annually without losing federal assistance, and they can save an additional $14,580 each year if they’re employed. Earnings on STABLE accounts grow tax-free if they are spent on qualified expenses, which include housing, transportation, living expenses, healthcare, assistive technology, and more.

Through STABLE Account, Ohioans living with disabilities can enjoy a higher quality of life and build a strong financial future. Signing up for a STABLE account takes about 20 minutes and can be done online from home. For more information about STABLE accounts and to sign up, visit www.stableaccount.com.

(ONN) – A new bill in the Ohio House aims to make tips and gratuities tax-exempt.

This means service workers would only pay taxes on the wages they receive from their employers.

Currently, Ohio service workers make five dollars and five cents an hour. Half the minimum wage.

Both presidential candidates want this to also be federal law.

Rising costs of living have challenged service industry workers in recent years causing a worker shortage nationwide.

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

On Sunday, August 11th, 2024, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of two unresponsive subjects found lying in the back yard at 6425 E. Twp. Road 106, Republic, Seneca County, Ohio. Deputies and emergency EMS personnel arrived at the scene and discovered a female and a male lying in their back yard deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The Seneca County Coroner’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation – Crime Scene Unit and Detectives from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office were requested to the scene.

Erik L. Werling, 52 YOA, and Dawn C. Werling, 53 YOA, both of Republic, Ohio were pronounced dead at the scene by the Seneca County Coroner’s Office and will be transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for autopsies.

The scene preliminarily appeared that one of the deceased sustained a gunshot wound and the other subject appeared to have sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but additional investigation will be needed to conclusively rule on the investigation.

“The investigation is considered a “questionable death” investigation and will be considered an ongoing investigation. Our Detectives, along with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation – Crime Scene Unit are working diligently to track down all facts and circumstances involving the incident.” Sheriff Stevens said.

The Findlay High School Football team has been busy preparing for the upcoming season.

Head Coach Stefan Adams was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to give a preview of what fans can expect on the gridiron from the Trojans this season.

This will be standout quarterback Ryan Montgomery’s senior season for the Trojans. He announced earlier this year that he’ll be playing college ball at the University of Georgia.

The Trojans kick off the season on the road taking on defending state champs Toledo Central Catholic on Friday, August 23.

The following week Findlay has its home opener hosting Lima at Donnell Stadium at 7 o’clock on Friday, August 30.

You can hear all the games on WFIN.

Click here for the full schedule.

The rescheduled Flag City Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, August 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Findlay’s Riverside Park west of McManness Avenue.

It was originally set for Tuesday, August 6th but was postponed due to the weather.

For those not familiar, Flag City Night Out is a free, family-friendly event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live.

Flag City Night Out allows the public a chance to interact with safety services (Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMS and others) on a one on one basis and get a look at the equipment they use.

Flag City Night Out also serves to highlight non-profit community programs available in the community and get people in touch with the resources they need.

This year’s event will feature live entertainment, food, demonstrations, children’s activities and train rides.

Area mascots will also be on hand to participate in our 10th Annual Mascot Games, with an intermission for the Police vs. Fire Games where area youth will be paired up with officers and firefighters in a variety of games.

An inflatable obstacle course will be set up to allow children to test their skills, as well as Root Beer floats and snow cones provided by Movement Church and Kona Ice to cool off.

Area non-profit organizations will also be on hand to offer insight into what they do and connect people with resources.

“For those that can’t make it, we encourage you to turn on your porch light with a blue bulb,” the police department said.

“This is a symbolic gesture to show that you stand unified with area safety services and the fight against crime.”

For more information on the National Night Out initiative you can visit https://natw.org/.

In July, the governor signed a bill requiring that all Ohio school buildings have an automated external defibrillator (AED).

“We are proud to say that FCS was ahead of the game with AEDs in our buildings already, and as of yesterday, all the AEDs in the district have been updated to be ready for this school year,” Findlay City Schools said on its Facebook page.

According to the school district calendar, the first day of the 2024-25 school year for Findlay City Schools students will be Thursday, August 15.

The first day for Liberty-Benton Local Schools will be Wednesday, August 21.

(ONN) – The Cleveland Browns revealed renderings of what a new stadium complex in suburb Brook Park would look like.

Plans for the new, $2 billion stadium would include a dome in order to host events throughout the year, including concerts and the Final Four.

The campus would also feature restaurants, shopping, and hotels.

But, City Council President Blaine Griffin says all of that can be found downtown.

This comes just days after the city of Cleveland announced a $461 million renovation plan to keep the Browns downtown.

An official decision has not been made, but the Browns say they look forward to sharing more information as discussions continue with Cleveland and Brook Park.