(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

Be warned Seneca County Residents, the scammers have made their rounds back to our county…..again.

The recent scammers are using our name, SENECA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE and collecting some of our names off of our website or annual reports and calling your landlines and cell phones and sounding official and even texting documents to your cell phones that look “official”. The typical scam is that you have a warrant because you missed a court date or jury duty, out of Toledo for Federal Court and a Judge has signed a warrant for your arrest. But you can pay it off and not be arrested. They then request $$$ over the phone be sent to them through gift cards or something similar.

For the thousandth time, NO POLICE/SHERIFF official will call you and threaten to arrest you if you don’t send them an ITUNE card or other means of sending money. IF you have a warrant we will come speak with you in person, in uniform with warrant in hand and if it isn’t a Felony then you will be allowed to post bond but not to us as we do not take money, that would be at the court or at TPD Dispatch. PLEASE just hang up and block that number.

There is no need to contact our office or the courthouse as this is 100% a scam. From what we can tell it has been going around about a week now in our County and even our own Deputies are getting the calls and when confronted the scammer hangs up. Of course they spoof the number they are calling on so it cannot be tracked. They have tried using Deputy’s names and a couple of our sergeants or made up Sergeant names, and just today are using our Chief Deputy’s name to make it sound official or to make you second guess yourselves because you may know the name they are using.

Please do not fall for this and let everyone know, especially your elderly relatives who may not be on social media and read this, to just hang up and block the number. The sooner they get no responses (ie. $$$) then they will move on to another geographical area to try their scam.

-Sheriff Stevens

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lima Post is investigating a fatal crash that occurred at approximately 6:46 A.M. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, on Reservoir Road in Allen County.

A bicycle, operated by Luis A. Santiago Garcia, age 38, of Bluffton, Indiana, was westbound on Reservoir Road. A 2020 Ford F-150, operated by James L. Kidd Sr., age 58, of Kenton, was also westbound on Reservoir Road. Mr. Kidd struck Mr. Garcia in the rear. Mr. Garcia was thrown from the bicycle after impact. Mr. Garcia’s bicycle was not equipped with lights in the front or the rear.

Mr. Garcia succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Allen County Coroner’s Office.

The crash resulted in a closure of Reservoir Road, between Cool Road and Thayer Road. The roadway has since been reopened.

The Lima Post was assisted on scene by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette-Jackson Township Fire Department, Bath Township Fire Department, the Allen County Coroner’s Office, H&H Funeral Services, and Minich Truck Repair Towing Services.

The crash remains under investigation

(From Dr. Bill Kose with Blanchard Valley Health System)

Colon cancer is very treatable when detected early, but not enough people get screened for it regularly. At Blanchard Valley Health System, we encourage people not to forget this important aspect of caring for themselves and their health.

The recommended screening age has been reduced to 45 years old for individuals who have no symptoms. People with a family history of colon cancer may want to talk to their doctor about possibly getting screened at an earlier age. People living with other gastrointestinal illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis, may also be at higher risk and might benefit from getting screened at an earlier age. If you have any questions about whether you should be screened, talk to your primary care provider.

The recommended screening age of 45, which was previously 50, has been lowered because more younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer.

People younger than 45 do get colon cancer, too, although not as often. Regardless of your age, it’s a good idea to get checked if you experience symptoms, such as bleeding or a change in bowel habits.

Colonoscopies are the most effective way of screening for colon cancer. People may delay a colonoscopy for many reasons, but the most common is the preparation. The bowel must be completely cleaned out prior to the colonoscopy. This is a day-long process.

However, if you have heard stories of people who had really difficult colonoscopy experiences in the past, keep in mind that things have changed. The preparation process itself, while still uncomfortable, is more tolerable than it used to be.

Anesthesia, too, is very different. You will be fully sedated and should not be awake or aware at all during the colonoscopy itself. However, you should wake up fairly quickly afterward, without the same level of grogginess that patients experienced in the past. You will still need someone to drive you home, but otherwise, you should be able to go about normal activities later that day.

If you’ve never had a colonoscopy before, the process may cause some anxiety if you don’t know what to expect. Be sure to ask your healthcare team any questions ahead of time. They want you to get screened and to be well prepared.

A colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” of screening for colon cancer. It can have its drawbacks, however. For some people, taking a day off of work for the preparation may not be feasible, for example.

So, while it is considered the best test, we encourage you to seek out other types of testing if you are unable or choose not to get a colonoscopy. Home screening tests can look for microscopic traces of blood in the stool or changes in DNA that might indicate cancer or precancerous polyps. While both false negatives and false positives are possible, these tests are generally considered effective. They can be done at home and do not require preparation or any anesthesia.

A healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of colon cancer, just as is the case with many other illnesses. Be sure to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and consume plenty of fiber. Additionally, we urge people to get exercise and generally take good care of themselves. This will go a long way toward protecting not only your colon but your entire body.

William Kose, MD, JD

Vice President of Special Projects,

Blanchard Valley Health System

Hearthside Food Solutions, which has a facility in McComb, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

According to Food Business News, the bankruptcy filing will allow Hearthside’s parent company, H-Food Holdings, to eliminate more than $1.9 billion of debt and acquire $200 million in new capital.

“With strong support from our key financial partners and other important stakeholders, we look forward to moving through this process swiftly and positioning Hearthside for significant long-term growth,” said Darlene Nicosia, Chief Executive Officer of Hearthside.

“With the significant Court approvals received yesterday, we move forward well-equipped to operate in a business-as-usual manner during our cases as we continue delivering the best-in-class products and services our customers expect.”

Hearthside intends to move through its cases in an efficient manner and expects to emerge from Chapter 11 in the first quarter of 2025.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay’s “Fridays at Findlay” executive lecture series walks on the wild side December 13 with a presentation by Jeff Sailer, president/CEO of the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium.

His presentation, “Leadership in Challenging Times: Continuing to Make the Toledo Zoo a Premier Zoo,” is open to the public and will take place in the Winebrenner Building, TLB Auditorium on the UF campus. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast buffet with the presentation from 7:50 to 9 a.m.

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium was voted the “Best Zoo in the Country” by USA Today. From polar bears to red pandas, and baby elephants to electric eels, it is home to more than 16,000 animals representing 680 species.

During Sailer’s 12 years of leadership, the zoo has grown to welcome an average of 1 million guests each year, and several historic buildings have been renovated, including the Aquarium, ProMedica Museum of Natural History, and the Lodge.

Sailer has faced a variety of challenges and has persevered through them to make the Toledo Zoo a well-known place of international research and conservation as well as further its reputation as a popular destination place for family outings.

Sponsored by Premier Bank, the Fridays at Findlay lecture series encourages continued educational opportunities for members of the community, the campus, and alumni.

Register online by December 12 at www.findlay.edu/FridaysAtFindlay or call University Advancement at 419-434-5334 for more information. The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for students.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging drivers to buckle up, never drive impaired and always follow traffic laws ahead of what is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. As those local to Ohio, as well as visitors, travel throughout the state over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, troopers will have an enhanced presence in an effort to promote and enforce safe driving.

Troopers will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers and those failing to wear a safety belt from Wednesday, November 27 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1.

“As we enter the busy holiday travel season, I urge all Ohioans to be safe and smart while behind the wheel,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “All drivers have the opportunity to prevent senseless tragedies by driving responsibly, wearing a seat belt, and remaining focused on the road.”

Many Thanksgiving celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. During last year’s Thanksgiving reporting period, which ran from November 22 through 26, there were 12 fatal crashes in which 13 people were killed. Within the same reporting period, five crashes and six fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. Of the nine fatalities in which safety belts were available, two were unbelted. Two pedestrians and two motorcyclists were killed during this time frame.

“As we gather this Thanksgiving, we want everyone to enjoy a safe holiday,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “By designating a sober driver, staying focused on the road and ensuring everyone is properly wearing a safety belt, you’re not just protecting yourself – you’re helping to save lives.”

The Patrol also made 326 arrests for impaired driving.

Motorists are encouraged to safely call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists on Ohio roadways.

(ONN) – As state lawmakers debate a bill that would require public schools to allow release time for religious programming, a new church has entered the conversation.

The Satanic Temple posted on Facebook that it is establishing a program at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville next month.

The post indicated the “HAIL” program or “Hellions Academy for Independent Learning” will offer off-campus, religious instruction, good works in the community, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

House Bill 445 is currently in the Ohio House Primary and Secondary Education Committee and would require school districts to allow optional religious release.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican State Representative Gary Click said the Satanic Temple is attempting to scare legislators away from adopting the bill.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The Findlay Police Department is participating in the 13th annual Lights for Lives safety campaign, which is being hosted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and focuses on saving lives over the upcoming holiday season.

“Lights for Lives” is a multiagency, multijurisdictional, cooperative enforcement campaign focused on officers activating their overhead LIGHTS and stopping as many vehicles as possible to save as many LIVES as possible.

The hope is that over a short period of time, if we all work together to send a message to the motorists of Northwest Ohio, our efforts will last through the holiday season.

“Lights for Lives” will run from November 25th at 1800 hours until November 27th at 0600 hours. During this enforcement period, officers from all law enforcement agencies in Northwest Ohio will be focusing on stopping cars and enforcing all traffic laws.

The focus for the Findlay Police Department will be on safety belt enforcement, impaired driving enforcement, speeding, failure to yield violations, traffic signal violations, as well as distracted driving enforcement.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

Facebook Friends,

We are asking for assistance in identifying the male shown in these stills from store video footage.

He is involved in a theft investigation from Walmart.

If you recognize this individual, please reach out to Ofc. Perry at 419-447-2323 or via email at cmperry@tiffinohio.gov.

Thank you for helping us keep our community honest and safe!

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a one vehicle fatal traffic crash that was reported on November 25, 2024 at approximately 11:54 AM. The crash occurred on Township Road 154 and Township Road 101, Jackson Township, Seneca County.

Stephen J. Hoover, age 64, of Fostoria, Ohio was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Trail Blazer west bound on Township Road 154. Mr. Hoover failed to yield to a stop sign at Township Road 101, traveled through the intersection and ran off the west edge of Township Road 101. Mr. Hoover’s vehicle went airborne, struck a yard and then a ditch. Mr. Hoover was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and suffered fatal injuries.

It is unknown if alcohol and/ or drugs were a factor in the crash and the crash remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Seneca County Sheriffs Office, Kansas Fire Department, Seneca County Coroners Office and John’s Towing.