Category Archives: WFIN Top Story

Projects Causing Road Closures In Findlay

The City of Findlay is letting people know of the following road closures across town.

The following road closures are in effect from March 18, 2024 to March 22, 2024.

-Putnam St. will be closed to through traffic from Western Ave. to Portz Ave. for curb replacement.

-Portz Ave. will be closed to through traffic from Sandusky St. to Main Cross St. for curb replacement.

-Imperial Lane will be closed to through traffic from Saratoga Dr. to Bristol Dr. for curb replacement.

-Greendale Ave. will be closed to through traffic from Bright Rd. to Sutton Pl. for curb replacement.

Avoid these blocks if possible.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Engineering Department if you have any questions about these projects at (419) 424-7121.

 

United Way Of Hancock County Holding Annual Meeting

The United Way of Hancock County will host its 69th Annual Meeting from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27th, at the office of its downstairs neighbor, Kan Du Studio, at 318 West Main Cross Street in Findlay.

The event is open to the public and will celebrate donors and organizations committed to United Way’s mission of measurably improving people’s lives in Hancock County.

Those who plan on attending may RSVP by emailing marketing@uwhancock.org or calling 419-423-1432.

 

Historical Museum Holding ‘Eclipse Excitement’ Event

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Get in the spirit for the upcoming total solar eclipse and learn about some of the local history behind solar eclipses at the Hancock Historical Museum’s “Eclipse Excitement” event taking place 5 – 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23.

Open to all ages, this program is free to attend with no registration required. Enjoy refreshments and discover Hancock County’s connection to eclipses including Cass Township native William Wallace Campbell who used eclipses to prove Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.

While exploring the museum campus, visitors will find family-fun stations led by community partners: Hancock Park District, University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, Hancock Public Health and Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.

Attendees will also learn how to protect their cameras when taking photos of an eclipse and enjoy the park district’s planetarium.

The first 50 families will go home with a children’s book made possible by the museum’s Richard Barchent, Jr. Educational Fund and all attendees will receive a pair of solar eclipse glasses while supplies last.

Thanks to the generosity of the Findlay Elks Lodge #75, Heavenly Pizza and The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, this event is completely free and open to the public.

For more information, visit Hancockhistoricalmuseum.org, call 419-423-4433 or follow the Hancock Historical Museum on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Ohio’s Primary Election Is On Tuesday

Ohio’s Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 19th.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

In Hancock County, voters will be deciding on many races, including Hancock County Sheriff, Commissioner, and Prosecutor.

Voters in the 83rd Ohio House District will decide between incumbent Jon Cross and challenger Ty Mathews.

Ohio voters will decide the U.S Senate Republican Primary between Matt Dolan, Frank LaRose, and Bernie Moreno.

Among the issues Hancock County voters will decide on will be a renewal levy for the Blanchard Valley Center – Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and a replacement levy for the Hancock Park District.

In Putnam County, there are two contested commissioner races.

Incumbent Michael Lammers is being challenged by Brad Brubaker, and incumbent Vincent Schroeder is being challenged by Tim Wehri.

Get more details from the Hancock County Board of Elections by clicking here, the Putnam County Board of Elections here, and click here for the Ohio Secretary of State website.

 

Diebler Named New Ohio State Basketball Coach

(From the Ohio State University)

Senior Advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics Ross Bjork today announced the hiring of Jake Diebler as head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball program. Diebler, who becomes the 15th head coach in program history, will receive a five-year contract.

“Jake Diebler possesses all of the characteristics we were seeking as we conducted a very comprehensive and thorough search for a new head coach,” Bjork said. “Those include coaching ability, passion, energy, program knowledge, character, integrity and ties to Ohio. As an Ohio native, the son of a longtime Ohio high school coach and with deep connections to Ohio State, Jake knows what it takes to lead this program on a championship course.

“I’d like to thank Dan Cloran, our executive associate athletic director who oversees the men’s basketball program, for his efforts throughout our search.”

Diebler, the first Ohioan to be named Ohio State’s head coach in 35 years, is in his eighth season at Ohio State. He was named the interim head coach on Feb. 14 and led the Buckeyes to a 6-2 record over the last month of the season. The first of those six wins came in his first game as the interim coach and in stunning fashion, over No. 2 Purdue on Feb. 19. Ohio State lost at Minnesota in its next game, but then won five consecutive games: at Michigan State, vs. Nebraska, vs. Michigan, at Rutgers and over Iowa in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. 

The team played a terrific quarterfinal game against Big Ten tourney finalist Illinois only to lose, 77-74, on Friday. The Buckeyes are 20-13 overall.  

“Throughout the search, every time we analyzed what was best for the program, our decision kept leading right back to Jake,” Bjork said. “The way he has led the program since February 14 has been exemplary and is only the beginning of what lies ahead for Buckeye Basketball. The future is exciting, and I cannot wait to watch him lead this program.”

“Our Buckeyes have rallied and shown true grit on the court with Coach Diebler, who has exhibited impressive leadership with the team,” said President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “In addition to his multiple wins since being named interim head coach, he’s been an inspiration to the players. I’ve gotten to know Jake and I’m confident he will continue to lead the team admirably.” 

Diebler first worked with Ohio State basketball in 2014, spending three seasons as a video coordinator on Thad Matta’s staff. After three seasons as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt, he returned to Ohio State as an assistant coach under Chris Holtmann prior to the 2019-20 season. He was then promoted to associate head coach before the 2021-22 season. 

“It’s a blessing and a privilege to serve this program and I’m excited for this opportunity,” Diebler said. “I’d like to thank Ross Bjork and President Carter for believing in me and the vision that I have moving forward. Ohio State basketball is special and means so much to me and my family. I look forward to serving the entire Ohio State basketball family as best as I possibly can.”

Diebler’s stellar high school career included three seasons at Fostoria High School and one at Upper Sandusky High School, and he is still the OHSAA career leader in assists and steals. He then played four seasons at Valparaiso from 2006-09 for head coach Homer Drew. Known as one of the hardest workers in the program, Diebler set a Valparaiso Division I record by starting every one of the Crusaders’ 98 games over his final three seasons. He also had a string of 278 consecutive minutes played over seven games in the final half of his senior season.

After graduating with his marketing degree in 2009, he spent three more seasons at Valparaiso, one as a graduate assistant and two as an assistant coach under Bryce Drew. He then joined Drew at Vanderbilt from 2016-19, serving as assistant coach for three seasons. 

While at Ohio State in the role of video coordinator, he helped mentor Aaron Craft, the 2014 National Defensive Player of the Year, and D’Angelo Russell, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and 2015 first-team All-American.

Coaching runs deep in the Diebler family. His father Keith coached high school basketball in Ohio for almost 40 years, while his older brother Jeremiah coached high school basketball as well. His younger brother, Jon, is currently the director of recruiting at Butler University.

Jake and his wife, the former Jordyn Ellwood, from Columbus and an Ohio State graduate, have two young daughters, Jaymes and Jessa and a young son, Jackson. The couple is expecting a fourth child this July.

(above pic courtesy of Ohio State)

 

Police Department Holding Citizen’s Academy

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

The Tiffin Police Department has extended the application deadline for its annual Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Tiffin Police Department Citizen’s Academy is for area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their police department operates and the policing challenges our community faces. The Academy training consists of classroom and hands on training, with emphasis on student involvement. The program is designed to develop positive relations between the police and the community through education.

Classes are meeting now and held every Sunday afternoon, from 12:30 PM until 3:00 PM. No classes will be held on Easter Sunday. Graduation will be on May 26th, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Participation requires a commitment to attend a majority of the class dates. Classes will be held in the Tiffin Police Department training room. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Ohio driver’s license or ID card. Applicants must agree to a background check.

If you are interested in participating in the Citizen Academy, please pickup an application packet at the Tiffin Police Department, 51 E. Market St., Tiffin, Ohio.

Please contact Sgt. Jared Watson at 419-447-2323 or email jmwatson@tiffinohio.gov with any questions.

 

Dale Dorney’s Legacy Honored On His Birthday

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

Today is Dale Dorney’s birthday, and if anyone deserves a birthday salute, it’s him.

Who could have imagined all the good that would come from the $2.2 million gift he left to form the Foundation?

Dale’s gift has been improving the quality of life in our community ever since.

The Dorney Fund alone has awarded more than $11 million in grants.

Dale’s legacy continues to grow with each passing year. Happy Birthday!

Learn more about Dale and his gift by clicking here.

 

Public Invited To Meeting On New Findlay Interchange

The Ohio Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting regarding the upcoming construction of the new interchange at Interstate 75 and County Road 99 on the north end of Findlay.

The meeting will be held at Owens Community College on Bright Road on Tuesday, April 16th at 1 p.m.

The new interchange will be a diverging diamond interchange (DDI), which shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the left-turn traffic signal phase. The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free-flow movement to the ramps. (video below)

A successful example of a DDI is located in Perrysburg at I-475 and State Route 25.

The project will construct an additional bridge to the south of the existing County Road 99 bridge over I-75. The new structure will provide three westbound lanes.

Additional improvements will be made along the County Road 99 corridor at the intersections with Technology Drive, Speedway Drive, and Ventura Drive.

A shared-use path for bike and pedestrian traffic will be constructed along the south side of County Road 99 and will utilize the original bridge structure for crossing over I-75.

“This project ensures the expected economic growth in this area of the county will be supported by the infrastructure,” said Chris Hughes, ODOT District 1 deputy director. He cited the support of officials with the city of Findlay and Hancock County as critically important in moving the project forward. “We’re grateful to the city and county for seeing the need for a modern interchange design at this location,” he said.

Construction will begin early this spring and conclude in 2026. 

More information can be found on the project website: I-75/CR 99 interchange improvements | Ohio Department of Transportation

 

Day Off For FCS Students, Professional Development Day For Staff

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents that there will be no school for students on Monday, March 18th.

That day will be a professional development day for staff members.

“A quick reminder: There is no school for students on Monday, March 18 while our staff members dive into professional development opportunities!”

According to the school district calendar, spring break will be Thursday, March 28th to Monday, April 1st.

And there will be no school on Monday, April 8th because of the eclipse. 

Click here to see the full school district calendar.

 

Hancock Included In State Of Emergency Declaration By Governor

(From the Office of the Ohio Governor)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation today declaring a state of emergency across 11 counties impacted by last week’s severe weather. 

The counties include: 

Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland, Union.

The declaration orders all relevant State departments and agencies to lend their services, equipment, supplies, and personnel as necessary to assist in the response and recovery effort. Agencies providing support include the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

In addition, Governor DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard to help Logan County officials with the clean up of storm debris on public property. An assessment team from the 200th REDHORSE Squadron was deployed to Logan County this morning to conduct an assessment of needed support. 

In the video below, Rick Marshall describes what it was like when the tornado rumbled over his Hancock County property and nearly destroyed his barn.