(From Findlay City Schools)

Congratulations to our Findlay High School Athletic Director, Nate Weihrauch, who received the NIAAA Quality Program Assessment Award last night at the 2024 National Athletic Directors conference.

This is the highest award given to schools by NIAAA, and recognizes the incredible standards of excellence within Findlay High School athletics.

We are so proud of you, Mr. Weihrauch!

Weihrauch says this recognition is “a true testament to the Findlay City School District, coaches, staff, students, supporters, and Findlay community.”

Image 1: Mr. Weihrauch stands holding his plaque between two other men.

Image 2: Mr. Weihrauch and Mrs. Buck stand holding the plaque.

Image 3: Mr. Weihrauch stands holding his award with the two other Ohio recipients.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its diverse and dynamic winter education programming for 2025. 

Visual Art Clubs: This program offers a variety of arts and crafts projects during a six-week course this winter. Students in each age group will engage in many different 2D and 3D projects in a variety of mediums including clay, paint, printmaking, drawing, and more. Programming is available for students in grades K-12.

Homeschool and Preschool Music Classes: This program offers a variety of art types such as singing, dancing, and stories. We’ll use our imaginations to build confidence, musicality and early literacy skills! Programming is available for ages 2 through 13.

Musical Theatre Dance Classes: Join us for an exciting and informative dance class that will allow students to gain an understanding in developing their skills through movement, proper technique, building confidence, and increasing dance vocabulary. Programming is available for students in grades 6-8 this winter.

One Act Playwriting: Students in grades 6-12 will learn the basics of playwriting including brainstorming ideas, developing characters, using 3-act structure in shorter plays, and formatting scripts for production and competition. Students will also share their work in class and will learn how to give and receive feedback.

Expressions, Connection and Confidence, Oh My!: Students in grades K-2 will learn to express themselves using their bodies, faces and voices and connect those skills to tell the story on the stage. Focus will be on creative dramatics to develop expression and confidence.

Registration for all programs is now open. For detailed descriptions, schedules, and to register, please visit MCPA.org/Register.

For more information, contact Marathon Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Office by calling 419.423.2787 ext. 100 or visiting MCPA.org. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is located at 200 W. Main Cross St, Findlay. Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

(WTOL-11) – WIN Waste Landfill in Fostoria has been denied a 2025 operating license.

The Seneca County Board of Health passed the resolution saying WIN Waste failed to comply with its 2023 and 2024 license conditions.

But, in a statement to WTOL, WIN Waste claims the health board’s decision was groundless and unlawful and plans to take this to litigation to defend the right to operate.

WIN Waste has less than 30 days to request a hearing where an examiner will issue a recommendation.

(ONN) – A new state bill seeks to ensure that patients are never alone when getting care.

The Never Alone Act seeks to prevent nursing homes, hospitals and other congregate care facilities from denying residents and patients access to their designated advocates during public health emergencies.

The bill has now passed both the Ohio Senate and House.

The motivation for the bill was families who were prevented from visiting people with COVID who were hospitalized and subsequently died alone in their rooms.

The bill does not prevent requiring face masks.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

I had the distinct honor of joining Seneca County Sheriff Fred Stevens at Tiffin University for the 2024 Naturalization Ceremony.

Together, we witnessed an incredible moment as individuals took their final, and perhaps most meaningful, step in the journey to becoming citizens of the United States of America.

Surrounded by their loved ones, these new citizens embraced the promise of their new home, and the room was filled with hope, pride, and gratitude.

It was truly a privilege to be part of such an inspiring event that celebrates the diversity and strength of our nation.

A heartfelt thank you to Tiffin University for hosting this beautiful ceremony and for inviting us to share in this special day.

Moments like these remind us of the profound gift of citizenship and the incredible stories that continue to shape the fabric of our great country.

It was a reminder of what makes this nation so special and why we should never take our freedoms for granted.

Congratulations to our newest citizens—welcome home!

Chief David Pauly

(From Findlay City Schools)

It’s a big last week before Winter Break in Trojan Country!

In addition to Winter Spirit Week, don’t forget our two-hour early release on Friday for teachers to finish end-of-quarter grades!

Monday, December 16: Rudolph and Grinch (Red and Green)

Tuesday, December 17: Winter Wonderland (blue, white, snowflakes)

Wednesday, December 18: Holiday Cheer (Holiday accessories—hats, socks, etc…)

Thursday, December 19: Holiday Sweaters (FCS Preschool Only: Fancy Day)

Friday, December 20: Long Winter’s Nap (Pajama Day)

There will be a traffic shift on County Road 99 as part of the Interstate 75/County Road 99 interchange and corridor improvement project on the north end of Findlay.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says traffic will shift to the south side of County Road 99 from Speedway Drive to North Main Street on Wednesday, December 18 to complete drainage work on the north side.

One lane of travel will be maintained in both directions.

The Interstate 75/County Road 99 project is reconstructing the interchange with a diverging diamond design and upgrading the County Road 99 corridor between Technology Drive and North Main Street to reduce congestion and improve safety.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

We were alerted to an online scam where an area resident was sent an email claiming to be from the “Violations and Fines Office”.

The title of the email states “Notice of Traffic Violation”.

The email alleges that the account holder had violated a traffic law (in this case speeding in downtown Findlay) and is required to pay a fine within 72 hours at the online payment center.

The email conveniently provides a link to direct the account holder to a payment page.

The email also states that it is an “automated message sent on behalf of the Violations and Fines Office.”

While Findlay Municipal Court does accept online payments for traffic violations, they do not send out notices of violations such as this.

For actual violations, a paper citation will be issued at the time of stop, or investigation by a law enforcement officer with directions on how to resolve it.

Please be aware of this Phishing scam and DO NOT respond to it.

Please share with those in your circles of influence to prevent them from becoming a victim.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) financial services associates are available to answer any questions or concerns regarding billing statements, including information about financial assistance that might be available.

The process of applying for financial assistance was recently simplified for the patient. BVHS has partnered with healthcare technology company Breez Health to streamline the application process.

Patients can now visit the BVHS website to apply and upload documents, which will then be sent to the Patient Financial Services (PFS) team.

“I’m excited about its simplicity,” said Brittney Larsen, credit and collections manager with PFS. “In the past, patients had to enter information manually, which was more time-consuming. This makes the process of applying for financial assistance much easier.”

“BVHS is here to serve our community with quality healthcare, but we are also committed to being exceptional throughout the organization,” said Myron D. Lewis, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Blanchard Valley Health System. “Integrating this technology into our financial assistance programs streamlines the process of applying for financial assistance with an online platform that is easier to use. It’s just one more way we use the latest technology to ensure we can best support our community.”

Based on income guidelines, PFS associates can determine if the patient qualifies for Medicaid. If not, they may be eligible for assistance programs offered by BVHS.

“We encourage patients to start the conversation and reach out if they have any questions,” Larsen said. “We are here as a resource. Often, patients have questions about some aspect of their bill, such as what is covered by insurance and what is not. Our team is trained to explain these things and can review the bill with a patient. Sometimes, patients call their insurance company again after speaking with us and gathering more information.”

Additionally, PFS associates can provide information about available financial assistance to some patients. These associates ask questions about the patient’s income and household size and can help them apply for appropriate programs. In some cases, patients over the income levels for programs based on income might still qualify for other assistance, depending on their situation.

“If a patient has any questions, it’s better for both parties that they reach out and call us,” Larsen said. “We recognize that sometimes patients may have financial difficulties, and we may be able to help in ways they haven’t considered. If a bill is not paid, we need to resolve the situation, but we would rather discuss any issues than simply be left wondering. Please call us if you have questions and return the call if we reach out about a bill.”

In addition to discussing assistance programs, PFS associates can also review payment plan options. A payment plan of up to three months can be offered directly through BVHS, and a longer payment plan known as ClearBalance is also now an option. ClearBalance is an extended payment plan option where patients pay 0% interest through an account on the ClearBalance portal.

Larsen added that the associates in her department are happy to discuss the situation with the patient, especially if they can’t figure out an issue.

“Our associates will go the extra mile, as they want to help our patients and provide them with more information,” she said.

To apply for financial assistance, please visit https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/patient-and-visitor-information/im-a-patient/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance.

If you have questions about a bill, please call 419.423.5310.

An individual who wishes to remain anonymous has donated $1 million towards the effort to install a monument to women’s suffrage at the Ohio Statehouse.

The Capitol Square Foundation says the donation was given in tribute to Jo Ann Davidson, the first woman to become Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Davidson, who was from Findlay, died in October.

Learn more about the Ohio Women’s Monument planned for the Ohio Statehouse by clicking here.