People are encouraged to check out the new Reflections Exhibition at the Findlay Art League.

It’s an exhibition celebrating the history of the Findlay community by displaying historical photographs of Findlay alongside the work of Findlay artists.

In a collaboration between the Findlay Art League and the Hancock Historical Museum, seven artists have created paintings and photos reflecting their thoughts and interpretations of buildings represented in historical photos from the Museum.

Artists participating in this exhibit are Jen Sowders, Chong Hui Lee Blanton, Janealla Killebrew, Lynn Phillips, Sharon Hammer Baker, Kent Tarbox, and Janice Oaks Williams.

Crystalyn Hutchins from BGSU, who interned at the Museum, is curating the show.

She has selected more than 20 historical images including of the first Findlay Hospital, the fire at the Presbyterian Church, Findlay’s 1886 Gas Jubilee, the Hancock County Court House and others.

The display will feature written information about the buildings and events.

Crystalyn will be speaking remotely about the exhibit during the Art League meeting, April 4, at 7:00. Visitors are welcome.

The photos and paintings will be on display during open hours at the Findlay Art League, Tuesday-Friday, noon-5:30, and Saturday, noon-4:00, through April 22.

It’s free and open to the public.

The City of Findlay Green Waste Site will be opening for the season on April 5th.

The Green Waste Site is located at 330 North Cory Street, behind the Public Works Department building and the entrance is near the railroad tracks off of North Cory Street.

The green waste site is for yard waste disposal (leaves, brush, limbs, grass) and is available to Findlay residents at no charge.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors will be permitted to use the site.

Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

The city says absolutely no plastic bags, trash, or debris other than leaves, brush, limbs, and grass will be accepted.

Residents caught dumping construction debris, household items, tires, or other debris not considered yard waste will be forbidden to dump at the site in the future and their names will be forwarded to the Findlay Police Department.

The hours for the Green Waste Site will be: Tuesday through Friday: 2 p.m. -7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. -1 p.m. (excluding holidays).

Get more information on the Green Waste Site by clicking here.

The third suspect police had been looking for in connection with the death of a Bluffton police officer has been taken into custody.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the suspect was located at around 12:50 p.m. Thursday.

The police pursuit started in Marion County at around 2 a.m. Thursday when troopers tried to stop an Infiniti sedan for speeding.

The pursuit entered Hancock County on State Route 15 and went southbound on Interstate 75.

Bluffton officer Dominic Francis was placing stop sticks on the interstate when he was struck by the fleeing vehicle and killed.

The car kept going but stopped soon afterward.

Three people fled the vehicle. One suspect stole a car from a residence on County Road 29 and was ultimately taken into custody hours later in Elyria, in northeast Ohio, during a traffic stop.

A second suspect was taken into custody near the residence where the car was stolen.

The third suspect remained on the loose for a while but was apprehended at around 1 p.m. Thursday.

“This community lost a hero,” said Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder.

“He was an outstanding police officer and his heart was big.”

Burkholder said not only was Francis a police officer but he was very involved in the community as a teacher, coach and bus driver for Cory-Rawson.

In honor of the life and legacy of Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds in Hancock and Allen Counties, as well as in Columbus at the Statehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower.

In honor of the life and legacy of Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds in Hancock and Allen Counties, as well as in Columbus at the Statehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower.

“Fran and I are sad to learn of the death of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, who tragically died today after being hit by a fleeing driver. We are grateful to him for his selfless service to Ohio, and our hearts go out to his family and his colleagues at the Bluffton PD,” DeWine said.

Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder says this is a devastating loss for the community.

“This community lost a hero,” said Burkholder.

“He was an outstanding police officer and his heart was big.”

Burkholder said not only was Francis a police officer but he was very involved in the community as a teacher, coach and bus driver for Cory-Rawson schools.

Francis was hit and killed on I-75 southbound in Bluffton early Thursday by a fleeing vehicle.

At a Thursday morning news conference, police said two of three suspects were in custody and they were still searching for the third.

Officer Francis was with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Findlay Police Department before joining the Bluffton Police Department.

(above pic courtesy of the Bluffton Icon)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol revealed at a news conference that a Bluffton Police Officer, Dominic Francis, was killed in the line of duty on Thursday morning.

A pursuit started in Marion County on U.S. 23 around 2 am when State Troopers observed an Infinity traveling at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued to SR 15 and then on I-75 southbound. In an effort to stop the vehicle, Officer Francis attempted to deploy stop sticks when he was struck by the Infinity and killed. Three occupants in the Infinity traveled a short distance before exiting the car. One of the persons proceeded to steal a Toyota Prius at a residence near Bluffton. A second person was apprehended shortly after and a third person is still on the loose. That person is described as a young, thin, African-American male wearing black pants and a gray sweatshirt.

The Prius was eventually pulled over and stopped near Elyria. The person was arrested at that time.

Law Enforcement is asking the public if they see the suspect to call 419-423-1414 with information.

“This community lost a hero,” said Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder.

“He was an outstanding police officer and his heart was big.”

Burkholder said not only was Francis a police officer but he was very involved in the community as a teacher, coach and bus driver.

We will have additional information as we learn more.

Photo courtesy of the Bluffton Icon.

BLUFFTON — Deputies are on the lookout for three people who fled after a pursuit on Interstate 75 near Bluffton.

According to a press release from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, that agency and numerous other agencies are looking for the three people. Several roadways are closed in the Bluffton area, and law enforcement urges the public to stay out of the area.

Bluffton schools decided to close for the day, according to an alert from the school.

ODOT said Interstate 75  was shut down in both directions at State Route 103 in Bluffton.

If anyone sees any suspicious individuals in the area surrounding Bluffton, people are urged to call the sheriff’s office at 419-422-2424.

Blanchard Valley Health System is again adjusting its visitation guidelines to lessen restrictions on visitors coming into the organization as COVID cases continue to decline.

BVHS is lifting visitor restrictions for non-COVID-19 patients at its acute care facilities (including Findlay and Bluffton Hospital and the Findlay Surgery Center), as well as all medical practice settings.

The health system’s long-term care facilities continue to follow state and federal guidelines put into place to help ensure the safety of the residents.

Click here for the latest updated guidelines.

All BVHS visitors are still required to wear a mask at all times (this includes time spent in the room of a loved one).

The health system will provide an appropriate mask (masks must cover the nose, mouth and chin).

Additionally, visitors are required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every time they enter or exit a patient room.

When visiting BVHS, it is important to note the safest practice for patients and visitors is to wear a mask and physically distance, regardless of vaccination status, when entering or exiting a patient room.

When wearing a mask, it is important that it covers a person’s mouth and nose to prevent the spread of secretions when breathing, talking, sneezing or coughing.

BVHS continues to take temperatures and screen at the door.

Visitors with symptoms or a high temperature will not be allowed into the facility in order to better protect our patients and visitors.

Medical professionals have the right to refuse appointments to those who do not comply.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know that the median crossover at County Highway 44/Township Highway 44 along U.S. 23, just north of Upper Sandusky, will permanently close on Monday, April 11th.

Going forward, access to U.S. 23 will be restricted to only right-in and right-out movements to improve safety.

“Safety for motorists is everyone’s primary concern,” said Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes.

“The restricted access on the four-lane divided highway will prevent the most serious types of crashes such as T-bone or angled collision accidents.”

The decision to close the median was made jointly with local officials who support the action to improve safety at the location.

ODOT says a number of serious crashes have been recorded at the location from 2016 to 2021, including one fatal.

On April 11th, crews with the ODOT Wyandot County garage will begin the work of removing the pavement and updating the signage.

Traffic on U.S. 23 will be reduced to one lane through the work zone for approximately five days.

Click here for information on a few upcoming overpass projects planned for State Route 15.

Ongoing work by Columbia Gas will cause some lane closures and delays on South Main Street in Findlay.

A couple of signs are in place on South Main Street alerting drivers to expect delays beginning on Monday, April 4th.

Columbia Gas has been installing new gas lines in Findlay and the work has caused some road closures, including on East Lima Street at South Main Street.

The work Columbia Gas has been doing on East Lima Street has been getting closer to South Main and now the work will be crossing over South Main Street.

So, beginning on Monday, South Main Street will be down to one lane in either direction in the area of Lima Street to give crews room to install a line across Main Street.

The lane closures will be in effect for about a month.

Delays are to be expected.

Drivers are encouraged to find another route.

Findlay First Edition traveled to Nashville, Tennessee on March 25-26 to compete in Show Choir Nationals held at the Grand Ole Opry.

Findlay First Edition finished in 4th place, and also won the award for Best Technical Crew.

Los Alamitos, California was named the overall Grand Champion, with Ankeny, Iowa finishing second, and Loveland, Ohio finishing third.

FFE would like to thank all of the support they received from the community over the past several weeks and all season long.

FFE can next be seen at their annual Cabaret on May 6-7 at Findlay High School.