(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Some of Seneca County’s little-known heroes work in the shadows – and some deep in the water – and now they have a new home. On Nov. 24, Seneca Regional Chamber & Development hosted a ribbon cutting for the Seneca County Support Operations Center (SOP), the new home for the Seneca County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Seneca County Water Rescue Team (SCWRT). Both organizations are fully volunteer-run.

The much-needed building, located near the Seneca County EMA building at the Seneca County Fairgrounds, will house the organizations’ equipment and provide a central location for operations, which will streamline service and prevent response time delays.

John Meisner is a member of CERT, the former director and a current member of SCWRT, a Clinton Fire Department Captain, and a Seneca County EMT. He said the building is a vital addition to CERT and SCWRT operations because assets were stored in different locations around the county. Those assets include a SCWRT equipment trailer, inflatable boat with trailer, and V-bottom boat with trailer, and CERT’s operations truck.

“We would get a call, and no one would know where to go to pick up what. Not everyone had a radio,” Meisner said. “It created delays, and if it’s a rescue, you don’t have time for delays.”

Meisner said the SOC committee hoped to build a 30-by-40-foot structure, but generous donations allowed for the construction of a 36-by-44-foot building, giving them even more space. CERT Coordinator, Suzanne Black, is grateful for the new building. Black has been a member of CERT since 2010 and has served as its coordinator since 2014.

“This is fantastic,” she said of the new building.

SCWRT provides lifesaving service to the community. The group is dispatched by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office to respond to water and ice-related emergencies in Seneca County and the surrounding area. Their work includes search and rescue and recovery. Their service is vitally important to the county, which includes the Sandusky River, Wolf Creek, tributaries to the Huron River, and numerous reservoirs and ponds.

CERT volunteers assist with emergency and non-emergency situations. CERT members are educated on disaster preparedness and trained in basic disaster response skills. They provide support to First Responders during extended emergency calls by providing canteen services and other assistance. They help with traffic control and safety monitoring at community events, verify operation of emergency sirens, and participate in search and rescue operations.

Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens attended the SOC ribbon-cutting along with several local and state dignitaries, including Congressman Bob Latta; State Representative Gary Click; Seneca County Commissioners Bill Frankart, Tony Paradiso, and Brent Busdeker; Seneca County EMA Director John Spahr; Seneca County Collaborative Executive Director Bryce Riggs; Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson; and Tiffin City Councilman Kevin Roessner.

Sheriff Stevens is grateful for the impact that SCWRT and CERT have on the community and on his staff.

“The Water Rescue Team provides a vital service to our county. I’m grateful they are ready at any moment to respond to calls and save lives,” he said.

Sheriff Stevens has worked with CERT since he was the Tiffin Police Chief.

“Since being Chief of Police in Tiffin, I have utilized CERT for various things – parades, accidents, large scenes, etc. – and watched them grow into the organization they are today. As Sheriff, they have been a tremendous asset to our office and frankly to our community,” he said. “The time and effort that their membership puts in for the training is outstanding and unselfish. When our deputies are at a critical scene at two in the morning for hours, they are right there assisting us behind the scenes with whatever we need.”

SCWRT and CERT are the quiet heroes supporting and serving the county in residents’ most difficult moments. The new SOC building is a well-deserved and lifesaving addition to their operations.

“What a dedicated and remarkable group of volunteers we have,” Sheriff Stevens said. “This building was greatly needed to house their equipment and to give them a headquarters.”

(From the City of Findlay)

Due to a minor mulch fire this morning, the Green Waste Site will be closed today (Wednesday, November 26th) and will reopen Friday, November 28th with hours of operation between 8am-6pm. Thank you for your understanding.

WFIN – As leaf pick-up continues in Findlay, the city says residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge.

The last day for the green waste site will be December 6, 2025.

The Findlay Police Department says a pedestrian was hit by a minivan while trying to walk across Tiffin Avenue.

The police department said it happened at 7:41 Tuesday morning in the 1900 block of Tiffin Avenue.

Police say David A. Feasel, 76, of Findlay, was attempting to walk across Tiffin Avenue from south to the north when he was struck by the minivan.

Feasel was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital for a cut on his head and general pain.

He was later said to be in stable condition, and had a broken leg, police said.

The police report shows Feasel was cited for jaywalking.

Police said the minivan was being driven by Jordan M. Jacobsen, 37, of Findlay. 

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging all motorists to prioritize safety as they travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, which is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. 

During the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday reporting period, which runs from midnight on Wednesday, November 26 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, troopers will be focusing on removing impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways. In addition, they will be on the lookout for safety belt, speeding and distracted driving violations.

“As the busy holiday travel season begins, I urge all Ohioans to be safe and smart while behind the wheel,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Every driver has the ability to prevent devastating crashes and serious injuries by buckling up, putting distractions away, and driving sober.”

To promote roadway safety and prevent needless tragedies, the Patrol is asking drivers to keep four critical safety steps in mind as they travel this week:

• Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare.
• Make sure every occupant in the vehicle is wearing a safety belt.
• Follow the posted speed limits.
• Put distractions away and focus on driving.

According to Ohio State Highway Patrol statistics, 11 people were killed in 10 crashes on Ohio’s roadways during last year’s five-day Thanksgiving reporting period. Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a contributing factor in five of the fatal crashes. There were also three pedestrians fatally stuck during the five-day reporting period.

“Driving responsibly isn’t just a choice; it’s a shared obligation,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Help make this a fatality-free holiday period by prioritizing sober driving, wearing your safety belt and staying focused on the task of driving.”

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

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Wind Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

The Wind Advisory goes from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour will gust up to 50 miles per at times.

Unsecured objects will blow around and some tree limbs could come down, resulting in a few power outages.

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution when driving.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Please join us in congratulating Hannah Szippl, RN, on receiving a DAISY Award!

Hannah works at Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH) in labor & delivery. A patient nominated her after she fostered a positive birth experience. The nominator was impressed by Hannah’s patience and gentle, comforting spirit while she and her husband were sleep-deprived and overwhelmed after the birth of their first child. “Her genuine advice, attention, and care will forever leave an impact on my heart,” wrote the nominator.

When she delivered her second child two years later at BVH, the nominator was overjoyed to see Hannah again. “Seeing her was like a warm hug, and I ask myself all the time how lucky I am to have had her again to care for me.”

Thank you, Hannah, for your dedication to providing compassionate care. We are proud to have you as part of #TeamBVHS.

Pictured (Photo 1): Jessica Moore, RN, director of inpatient nursing; Nikki Ballinger, RN, clinical manager – maternity; Hannah Szippl, RN; BJ Pasztor, RN, chief nursing officer and chief operations officer of acute care services; Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer.

Pictured (Photo 2): Michael Cifranic, MSN, RN, nursing recruitment and retention specialist; Hannah Szippl, RN; Pace, facility dog and working partner.

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

Join the Hancock County Veterans Service Office and the American Red Cross for a free Holiday Breakfast for Hancock County Veterans and their families, Saturday, December 6th from 8am to noon at the Findlay Elks Banquet Hall located at 900 W. Melrose Ave in Findlay.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast from Moore than Just BBQ, connect with fellow veterans, sign up for free fire alarm installation, and visit with our staff to learn more about local resources, benefits and support available to veterans and their families.

The first 110 veterans will receive a special gift.

The American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter will have information on programs and resources available to veterans, including:

• • Sign up for free smoke alarm installation

• • Information on our Resiliency Workshops and Mind-Body workshops for veterans, service members and military families

• • Information on emergency preparedness

• • Volunteer and blood donation opportunities

• • Red Cross Animal Visitation Team will be on site with their therapy dogs

This special event is made possible through the generosity from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation. For questions or additional information, visit www.hancockveterans.com or call 419-424-7036.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay and Bluffton University will collaborate on a performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the TLB Auditorium of the Winebrenner Building, located at 950 N. Main St. in Findlay.

This special event will feature the combined voices of the Bluffton Choral Society, UF Concert-Chorale, College First Church of God Choir, and the Findlay Civic Choir. The performance will be conducted by SeaHwa Jung, director of Choral Activities at the University of Findlay. Last year, more than 100 singers from these ensembles performed the historic work to a full-capacity crowd.

The concert is free and open to the public; however, seat reservations are required and may be reserved at www.bluffton.edu/tickets. A free-will offering will be accepted. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Visit the UF Performing Arts webpage to learn more about performing groups at Findlay.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Movie night at MCPA! 

Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive screening of Elf on Tuesday, December 2, at 7:30 PM!

We’ll have free popcorn, plus a cash bar and additional refreshments available at concessions.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents of the dates of Thanksgiving Break.

The school district says there will be no school for students or teachers from November 26-28 for Thanksgiving Break.

See the full school district calendar by clicking here.