(From the Cincinnati Reds)

The Reds have hired Terry Francona as their new manager, announcing on Friday morning that they have agreed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2028.

Francona, 65, who stepped down as Guardians manager after the 2023 season, returns to the dugout having managed three teams over a 23-year career. He has a 1,950-1,672 record with the Phillies (1997-2000), Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023). He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

Francona’s hiring comes 12 days after the Reds parted ways with David Bell.

In six seasons under Bell, Cincinnati went 409-456 (.473), never finishing above third place in the National League Central outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign (31-29 record, second-place finish).

With young and rising stars like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, as well as promising prospects like Rhett Lowder, the Reds are looking to take the next step and reach the playoffs following a full season for the first time since 2013.

Francona’s reputation precedes him. Upon taking the helm in Boston in 2004, he led a Red Sox team that hadn’t been able to get past the rival Yankees to an ALCS upset before its first World Series title in 86 years. Boston won another title under Francona three years later, and overall, he guided the Red Sox to the postseason five times in his eight seasons as manager.

In 2013, Francona became manager in Cleveland, leading that club to the postseason for the first time in six years. In ’16, Cleveland reached the World Series, but lost in seven games to the Cubs. Overall, Francona became the winningest manager in Cleveland history, going 921-757 with six postseason appearances in 11 years. He also won three American League Manager of the Year Awards in that span (2013, ’16 and ’22).

Following the 2023 season, Francona stepped down as Guardians manager due to health reasons, but said he hoped to return to baseball in some capacity when healthy again.

Francona played for the Reds in 1987 as part of his 10-year playing career.

(From the Ohio High School Athletic Association)

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has designated the week of Oct. 6-12 as Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week.

Officials Appreciation Week is part of the OHSAA’s Respect the Game program, which encourages sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.

“We are grateful to the men and women all across the state who serve as contest officials,” said OHSAA Director of Officiating Beau Rugg. “Officiating is a commitment, and these individuals deserve our appreciation and respect not only for their work on the field and court, but also for the hours they spend in clinics, rules meetings and professional development during the offseason.”

Athletic administrators are encouraged to utilize an OHSAA-provided public address script before all home games during the week and use their social media accounts to show appreciation for contest officials.

Future appreciation weeks are set for Jan. 12-18, 2025 (winter sports) and April 6-12, 2025 (spring sports).

(From the Hancock County Engineer’s Office)

Fenson Contracting, LLC notified our office that they will be closing Madison Township Road 66 to traffic between TR 32 and TR 31 for a culvert replacement starting Monday 10/7/2024. 

This project is expected to last approximately 2 weeks. 

Naturally, the schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Get ready to tap your toes and sing along as MCPA proudly presents The Music Man, a delightful musical that has captivated audiences for generations.

The Music Man will be presented on October 4 and 5 at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Performances will be at 7:00 p.m. October 4, and 2 p.m. October 5.

This production is sponsored in part by Ohio Logistics.

The Music Man, written by Meredith Willson, tells the charming story of con artist Harold Hill, who plans to swindle the unsuspecting residents of River City, Iowa, by posing as a boys’ band leader.

Little does he know, his plans will be derailed by the town’s librarian, Marian Paroo, leading to unexpected romance and community spirit.

The show will include beloved musical numbers such as “76 Trombones,” “Goodnight, My Someone,” and “Till There Was You.”

There are more than 60 youth in grades 6-12 involved in the on-stage cast and technical crew.

Collectively, these students represent 11 area schools and homeschools.

The Music Man is directed by Kristina Rowe.

The production team also includes Zachary Thomas, music director and Timothy Frost, choreographer.

Tickets are on sale now. Advance ticket prices are $16 for adults, $13 for senior citizens & students. $1 from each ticket will go towards the Youtheatre College Scholarship.

All seats are reserved seating. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact MCPA Box Office by calling 419-423-2787 or visiting www.mcpa.org. MCPA is located at 200 W. Main Cross St, Findlay. Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Music Man is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). This program is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC).

The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Craig VanRenterghem at education@mcpa.org.

Leaders of local organizations gathered to discuss the serious need for more childcare in Findlay and Hancock County.  

Among those who spoke at the meeting was Kimberly Bash with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

She says more than 1,000 kids are waiting on childcare lists and for every available slot there are six children waiting. 

Findlay Family YMCA CEO Stephanie Parsons also spoke at the meeting.

The YMCA recently held the groundbreaking for its new Early Learning Center which will serve 320 children.

Randy Gailbraith with Hancock County Job and Family Services also spoke on the state of local childcare.

(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

The Findlay Rotary Club will present its 2024 Golden Apple Awards at a ceremony on October 16th.

The club selected three teachers from the elementary level, three teachers from the middle school level and two teachers from the high school level to compete for the award.

The finalists will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner on October 16, 2024.

The finalist at each level receives the Golden Apple Award along with a $2,500 cash prize. Second and third place semi-finalist each receive a $250 cash prize. Finalists also accept an invitation to join the Golden Apple Academy, a group consisting of all past Golden Apple Award finalists.

At the elementary level, the semifinalists are: Heagan Sparling, Kindergarten at Liberty Benton; Jena Meloy, Kindergarten at Whittier; and Jayson Schube, 4th grade at Bigelow Hill.

At the middle school level, the semifinalists are: Angel Buck, 6th Grade Social Studies at Glenwood Middle School; Andy Honse, Band at McComb; and Maryann Holderman, Science at Riverdale.

At the high school level, the semifinalists are: Amy Teders, English at Liberty Benton; and Tyler Smith, Science at Findlay High School.

The Findlay Rotary Club accepted nominations for the award from students, parents, administration, colleagues and the community-at-large through the beginning of April.

Nominees are required to be a current teacher in the Findlay area or a Hancock County school and have at least three years of experience.

Nominated teachers submit a resume, a teaching philosophy essay, and two letters of recommendation to the Rotary Community Selection Committee who selected this year’s semifinalists. A second group of members from the Rotary Final Selection Committee interviews and conducts classroom visits to determine the finalists.

Below is a picture of last year’s winners, and you can learn more about them by clicking here. 

The Findlay Rotary Club was founded in 1920 and is a member of Rotary International, an association of Rotary clubs around the world, which today numbers almost 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries. The Rotary Club of Findlay was founded by the city’s leaders in 1920, and continues with the leaders of today. The club also sponsors the Rotaract Club at The University of Findlay.

(From the Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade)

Findlay and Hancock County invite the community to nominate candidates for King and Queen for the 2024 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot. These individuals should exemplify the Halloween spirit by excelling in home decoration, costume planning, or participating in Halloween-related events and activities.

To nominate someone, visit fortfindlayfop20.org/halloweenparade and click on “Nominate our King and Queen”. Nominations will be accepted until midnight on October 8. This is an opportunity to recognize someone who truly embodies the Halloween vibe.

The Halloween Parade committee will make the selection based on nominations. The crowned King and Queen will not only wear their regal accessories but also play a special role during the Halloween Parade. They will be seated at State Bank Judges’ Square, where they will join the panel of judges in evaluating parade entries and contributing to the decision-making process.

The annual Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot is Tuesday, October 22, starting at 7 p.m. on S. Main St. between Sixth St. and Lima St. Parade registration closes on October 15 at midnight. Parade proceeds benefit the Cops & Kids Champion fund, ensuring continued support of law enforcement and their increased positive interactions with youth in Hancock County.

Volunteers are also needed for the event. Volunteer positions and sign-ups are on the parade website. Click the volunteers button. https://www.fortfindlayfop20.org/halloweenparade

(From the Red Cross of North Central Ohio)

Todd James, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio is joining the Red Cross Hurricane Helene relief effort. James will be serving as the External Relations Chief, helping coordinate efforts with local, state and federal partners in assisting families affected by flooding with their ongoing recovery needs.

Hurricane Helene is one of the deadliest storms to ever hit the United States, leaving behind hundreds of miles of catastrophic damage and changing lives forever. The American Red Cross has launched a massive response to ensure no one faces this challenging time alone.

Across the Southeast, hundreds of people are still missing, and damaged roads and bridges have cut off entire communities, making it difficult to get help to those areas. People need water, food, medicine and medical care. Tens of thousands of homes have been affected and some 1.3 million customers — about 4 million people — are still without power.

“With massive relief efforts underway in response to Hurricane Helene, we are working around the clock to help people and communities devastatingly impacted by this storm’s path of destruction,” said Trevor Riggen, president of Red Cross Humanitarian Services. “Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected, and we want you to know that you are not alone. The Red Cross and our partners will be there to provide shelter, food and comfort in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

RED CROSS RESPONSE More than 1,200 Red Cross disaster responders from across the country are helping people across the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

The Red Cross is managing shelters where residents can get hot meals and emotional support. In these same areas, emergency response vehicles — deployed from every state — are on the roads providing meals and critical supplies as families begin to clean up their homes. In the Carolinas, we’re working with state taskforces to coordinate feeding efforts to help ensure communities are getting the help they need. And in Florida, the Red Cross is helping to assess residential damage.

With the support of our partners, the Red Cross has provided tens of thousands of overnight shelter stays, meals and snacks. And more than 200 Red Cross reunification team members are working to reconnect loved ones. We’ve received more than 3,000 reunification requests for help and that number continues to grow.

How You Can Help

People affected by Hurricane Helene need urgent help now, and we can’t do this alone. You can help by making a financial donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word HELENE to 90999. Financial donations for Hurricane Helene enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

(ONN) – A case heading to the Ohio Supreme Court involves the 24-hour waiting period for women who want to get an abortion.

The law mandates physicians meet with pregnant patients in person at least 24 hours prior to an abortion being performed or induced.

The goal is to provide state-mandated information.

The ACLU argues this law creates a barrier to getting an abortion procedure.

It now goes to the Ohio Supreme Court.

(From the Elbert Dubenion Drive Planning Committee)

The Village of Bluffton will recognize Bluffton University’s most famous athlete in a ceremony at noon, Friday, Oct. 4, with the unveiling of Elbert Dubenion Drive.

The Drive covers a section of Bentley Road in front of Bluffton University’s Salzman football stadium from the Yoder Recital Hall parking lot to the intersection of Bentley and Elm Street. The ceremony will take place near the recital hall portion of the Drive.

The ceremony, open to the public, will include the unveiling of Drive signs and a brief program recognizing Dubenion, a 1959 Bluffton College graduate, who played for nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills professional football team. He is the only Bluffton athlete to play professional football. Following his playing days, Dubenion served as a college scout for the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, as well as working for the Bills.

Bluffton Mayor, Richard Johnson, will read a proclamation and several teammates, will speak. Members of Dubenion’s family will also attend.

The group launching the project includes teammates who played football with Dubenion and fans who watched him play during his college years from 1955 to 1958.

One of the alumni committee members is Jim “Spike” Berry,  who quarterbacked the Bluffton College Beaver football team during the Dubenion era at Bluffton.

 In his first year at Bluffton, Dubenion worked on the Bluffton village street crew. As a town celebrity, downtown business owners were among his most loyal fans, making him the most recognized Bluffton student for a generation of those community leaders.

Among his college-era achievements was being named first team Small College All-American in 1958 and was among 33 players selected to play in the College All-Star game in 1959 against the Baltimore Colts. As a member of the Buffalo Bills, Dubenion played in the 1964 NFL Pro Bowl. He holds the record for the longest reception in AFL playoff history with a 93-yard TD. He is also a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.

 Dubenion died at age 86 on Dec. 26, 2019, at his residence in Westerville, Ohio. His wife, Marilyn, is also a Bluffton College graduate.

 Members of the planning committee are Tom Benroth, Jim “Spike” Berry, Jim Buffenbarger, Charles Buroker, Larry Copeland, Everett Collier, Don Hostetler, Gene Long,  Ronald Lora, Mary Ramseyer, Richard Ramseyer and Fred Steiner.