Registration is open for the 2021 Cops and Kids Findlay Halloween Parade.

Registration options are available for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals.

Entries before midnight on September 30th will receive a discounted entry fee.

Registration will run through October 22nd.

Types of entrants include walking groups, floats, regular vehicles, and oversize vehicles (more than 45 feet).

This year’s presenting sponsor is loanDepot of Findlay.

The parade is also sponsored by South Branch Solar and Valfilm.

All band performances are sponsored by Valfilm.

The parade will be held on October 26th starting at 7 p.m.

The parade route will be Main Street from Sixth Street up to Lima Street.

Funds raised by parade sponsorships and entry fees will be used to support active, retired, and fallen FOP members and their families while building positive relationships between citizens and law enforcement through youth and community programming.

All information for the parade, including registration, maps, frequently asked questions, rules and regulations, and awards, are available by clicking here, or by calling 833-LODGE20 (833-563-4320). Email inquiries can be sent to Teresa White at copsandkidsfindlay@gmail.com.

The woman killed in a mass shooting at a Kroger in Tennessee on Thursday was the mother of the director of bands at the University of Findlay.

Wes King wrote on Facebook, “I cannot believe I am typing this, but my mother Olivia King was one of the victims today at the shooting in Collierville at Kroger. I normally don’t post publicly about Mom’s medical concerns, but this is obviously different.”

He later posted an update saying his mom died of her injuries, “she was shot directly in the chest. EMTs attempted CPR until the hospital. They tried to save her at the hospital to no avail. I apologize for the graphic details, but this type of crime needs to stop being glossed over and sanitized. No one deserves this.”

More than a dozen other people were wounded in the shooting.

The gunman apparently killed himself as police arrived on the scene.

Wes King was hired as the University of Findlay’s Director of Bands in July of 2020.

(pictured above is Olivia King with son Mark King)

A project to totally redo the Interstate 75/County Road 99 interchange on the north end of Findlay is moving ahead after receiving initial funding.

The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) has included the project in its annual list of projects and approved $4 million for design work and land acquisition.

In January, The Ohio Department of Transportation, the City of Findlay, and the Hancock County Engineer’s Office announced the decision to proceed with the design of a diverging diamond interchange at that location.

Transportation officials say a DDI shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the traffic signals for left turns. (design below)

The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free flow movement to the ramps which reduces the long start and stop times of trucks at signals.

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

ODOT says the improvements will combat congestion at the important economic hub while reducing the risk of crashes and making travel in the area easier and safer.

“A DDI will ensure the sustainability of the economic opportunities in this corridor,” said County Engineer Doug Cade.

“With increased commuter and truck traffic comes the need to take steps to improve the efficient movement of our labor force and goods to and from this area so that we can continue to see prosperity and be ready for future opportunities,” he added.

The project will also include upgrading intersections along County Road 99 between North Main Street and Technology Drive.

A separate multi-use bridge for pedestrians and bikes that would connect Miracle Park with future development on the west side of I-75 was also considered but will not move forward at this time.

It remains an option for future development.

The diverging diamond interchange is anticipated to cost $26.9 million.

Officials say the earliest construction would begin is 2023.

(ONN) – A lawsuit has been filed challenging Ohio’s newly-drawn state legislative districts as giving an extreme and unfair advantage to the Republican Party.

The litigation is believed to be the first in the nation against district maps drawn under the 2020 census.

An ACLU-led legal team filed the suit on behalf of voters and voter-rights groups, including the League of Women Voters of Ohio.

The lawsuit targets the maps the new Republican-dominated Ohio Redistricting Commission passed along party lines last week.

The maps are predicted to deliver supermajorities to the GOP that are not commensurate to the party’s voter turnout in the 2020 elections.

The partisan vote meant the maps would last only four years, rather than 10.

A 7-member committee voted against moving the Hancock County Probate/Juvenile Court to the Findlay Village Mall.

The vote was 4-3 against the idea.

The Hancock County Board of Commissioners announced in April that they had negotiated a purchase price for a section of the mall property and wanted to move the Probate/Juvenile Court there and potentially other county offices.

The 7-member committee is comprised of commissioners Tim Bechtol, William Bateson and Michael Pepple as well as Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Kristen Johnson, Clerk of Courts Cathy Wilcox, Judge Reginald Routson and Sheriff Michael Heldman.

The three commissioners voted in favor of the idea and Johnson, Routson, Wilcox and Heldman voted against it.

Judge Routson said the committee wasn’t sold on the idea for a variety of factors including the cost, security and safety concerns, maintenance concerns with an older building and concerns with keeping the courts in the same general area.

The judge said he believes that they could build a new Probate/Juvenile Court near the area where it currently is at Dorney Plaza for about the same cost as moving it to the mall after you factor in the purchase price of the mall location, renovation costs and ongoing maintenance.

Get more of our conversation with Judge Routson in the audio below.

Governor DeWine has announced a new vaccine incentive program aimed at younger Ohioans,

DeWine says the Vax-to-School initiative is open to those between the ages of 12 and 25 who are fully vaccinated.

They can enter drawings for one of five $100,000 scholarships, along with 50 $10,000 scholarships.

Money for the program will come from Ohio’s share of federal COVID relief funds.

The Vax-to-School incentive program is similar to the governor’s Vax-a-Million program from earlier in the year.

Prizes will be announced Monday through Friday beginning the week of October 11th.

More details will be announced soon, including how to register.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says two people were seriously injured in a crash in Eagle Township early Thursday.

The sheriff’s office says Austin Tate, 32, of Jenera, was southbound on County Road 9 near County Road 37 in an SUV when he failed to maintain control and went off the side of the road.

His vehicle struck an embankment and a utility pole and overturned before coming to rest upright in a corn field.

Tate was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

A passenger, Darren Sadler, 30, of Rawson, was ejected from the vehicle.

He was taken to BVH with serious injuries.

The sheriff’s office said both men were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released a video on social media they say serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face, day-to-day.

The video comes from the Lebanon Post of the Highway Patrol.

Troopers pulled over and arrested a man they say was driving impaired.

During the stop, the Highway Patrol says a second impaired motorist nearly struck the two troopers and the first suspected driver.

The Highway Patrol says to drive sober and always move over for flashing lights.

The Findlay Police Department is asking the public if they recognize a theft suspect.

Police say the man in the picture stole several items from the Walmart on Trenton Avenue at around 3:55 p.m. on Tuesday.

The man left the area on foot.

Police say their investigation has revealed that he may have ties to the Fremont and Clyde areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Findlay police dispatch at 419-424-7150 or contact Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS.

Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.

The football game between Van Buren and Liberty-Benton that was set for Friday has been canceled due to a number of Van Buren players being unable to play.

The Van Buren Athletic Department posted on Facebook that the game was canceled due to COVID-19 quarantining protocol.

The post says any tickets purchased for the game will be refunded.

Both the varsity and junior varsity games have been canceled for Van Buren.

Liberty-Benton was able to find a new JV opponent for Saturday and will face Pioneer North Central.

Liberty-Benton also tried to find a new varsity opponent but was unable to.

Liberty-Benton’s game against North Baltimore earlier in the season was also canceled due to COVID concerns at North Baltimore, but they were able to find a new opponent.

Click here to check out the Van Buren Schools COVID dashboard and click here for Liberty Benton’s.