The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released statistics from the Memorial Day reporting period.

The Highway Patrol says there were 17 deaths on the state’s roadways this year, an increase of two from last year.

Troopers made 26,150 traffic enforcement contacts, including 490 OVI arrests, 299 drug arrests and 3,992 safety belt citations.

In addition, the Highway Patrol made 13,249 non-enforcement contacts, including 2,706 motorist assists.

Troopers remind motorists that roadway safety is a shared responsibility.

Everyone can contribute to making our roadways safer by following traffic laws, wearing safety belts and driving sober.

You can help contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.

The four-day reporting period began Friday, May 27 and ran through Monday, May 30.

Ohio’s fair season is almost here.

There are 94 county fairs in the state, plus the Ohio State Fair.

The fairs will be held over a five-month period.

The 2022 fair season will begin on June 11th with the Paulding County Fair and the season will wrap up on October 15th with the Fairfield County Fair.

The Hancock County Fair in Findlay as usual will be held Labor Day Weekend, and this year the fair will run from August 31st through September 5th.

The Putnam County Fair is one of the earliest fairs and will run from June 20th through 25th in Ottawa.

For the complete 2022 fair schedule, click here.

More than 6 million people attended a fair in Ohio last year.

Several apprentices in Raise the Bar’s Manufacturing Apprenticeship (formerly known as the Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education [OH FAME]) were honored during a graduation ceremony at the University of Findlay’s Winebrenner TLB Auditorium.

The ceremony marked the cohort’s completion of the two-year “learn while-you-earn” program.

Apprentices also received their Associate of Technical Studies in Applied Engineering during Owens Community College’s commencement the following evening.

Apprentices and their respective employers included: Lincoln Bockbrader, Simona-PMC; Ryder Egbert, Molten; Gabe Heilman, Molten; Brendon Iliff, Ball Corporation; Conner Klaft, ZF Active Safety; Clay Santos, Simona-PMC; and Cory Warnecke, Hitachi Astemo Findlay.

Upon graduation, the apprentices have been offered full-time employment at their apprenticeship locations.

Graduates in Raise the Bar’s ceremony received notes of congratulations from Raise the Bar’s Board President, City of Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn; Owens Community College’s President, Dr. Dione Somerville.

“Apprenticeships are becoming more prevalent in the manufacturing industry for outstanding reasons,” said Tricia Valasek, Raise the Bar Executive Director.

“Apprenticeships intentionally provide simultaneous high-quality instruction, mentorship, and on-the-job training for individuals to retain knowledge and skills as well as gain confidence. Employers know the importance of this purposeful development, and they are willing to invest the time and resources necessary to fill their workforce gaps.”

Each year the Manufacturing Apprenticeship program welcomes a new cohort of apprentices.

Companies currently seeking apprentices for the August 2022 cohort include Kalmbach Feeds, Hitachi Astemo Findlay, and Cooper Tire and Rubber (Mold Operations – Tall Timbers).

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age.

Additional program details and an application are available at www.raisethebarhancock.org/manufacturing-apprenticeship.

Raise the Bar also recently held its Manufacturing Week at Owens and you can get more on that by clicking here.

Nichole Coleman, director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office and president of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, accepted a personal invitation to attend the Memorial Day breakfast at the White House.

President Biden spoke to those gathered following breakfast about the importance on Memorial Day and all year long of honoring the service members who paid the ultimate price in service to our country.

During the open time before and after breakfast Coleman was able to meet Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Army General Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (pictured above)

Additionally, as an Air Force veteran and woman, she was honored to meet Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Joanne S. Bass, first female to serve in this role. (pictured below)

During President Biden’s movement through the audience following his remarks he took selfies with those visiting the White House.

Coleman and Randy Reese, Executive Director of DAV’s National Service and Legislative Headquarters were able to be photographed with Dr. Jill Biden before the attendees had to leave the White House to get on the bus for transportation to the Arlington National Cemetery for the service.

Coleman was elected president of the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers in July of 2021 and you can read more about that by clicking here. 

Investigators believe alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in a fatal crash in Seneca County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the crash happened Sunday night on County Road 29 in Flat Rock.

The Highway Patrol says Kenneth Salyers, 36, of Bellevue, was driving an SUV northbound on County Road 29 when he drove left of center and hit a parked truck that was not occupied.

In the SUV with Mr. Salyers was Heather Salyers, 34, of Bellevue.

She sustained fatal injuries in the crash, while Mr. Salyers was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

Neither was wearing a seat belt, according to the Highway Patrol, and the crash remains under investigation.

More than 30 Ohio colleges and universities are being recognized for supporting students with military backgrounds.

Governor DeWine and state education officials announced the first group of colleges and universities to receive the Collegiate Purple Star Award.

“Congratulations to the 33 schools chosen as the first Collegiate Purple Star campuses! Thank you for being examples of Ohio’s proud tradition of honoring our servicemen and women,” DeWine said.

“With these Collegiate Purple Star Award designations, service members, veterans, and military-connected students are able to pursue higher education knowing that their school has the necessary support system and guidance to help them find their next steps.”

Schools honored with the Collegiate Purple Star Award include Tiffin University, Owens Community College, Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo.

Learn more about the award and see the full list of recipients by clicking here.

The City of Findlay took to its social media to answer some common questions about things like grass height and construction projects.

The city listed the following as the most common questions they get.

High grass – Grass height may not exceed 6 inches in height.
Junk Vehicles – Vehicles must be fully operable and have current registration
Garage Sales – Each resident may have up to two a year per code
Swimming Pools – Anything over 14 feet in diameter or length must be permitted and location verified prior to construction
Fences, Decks, and Sheds – A permit must be obtained and location must be verified prior to constructing

People who need to file a complaint can do so by clicking here.

People with questions may contact the Zoning Department at 419-424-7108.

In the wake of the school shooting in Texas, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Friday outlined steps the state will be taking that he says will enhance the safety of students and teachers in Ohio.

The governor says the state must do more to strengthen the physical security of schools, and also ensure that school personnel have the proper training and support to keep students safe.

“It is important to identify early on someone who is having problems in order to intervene and get them the help they need,” DeWine said.

The priorities the governor outlined are:

– Comprehensive Behavioral Threat Assessment Training for Ohio Educators

– Strengthening Ohio’s Mental Health Workforce

– Enhanced Statewide Safety Support for Schools

– Improved Physical Safety in Ohio’s School Buildings

– Enhanced Penalties for Violent Crime

– Accurate and Complete Background Checks

The governor says these priorities will focus on helping school officials evaluate potential threats and develop appropriate responses, as well as improve the physical security of school buildings and campuses.

The governor said he’ll also work to expand Ohio’s behavioral health workforce to increase access to mental health services.

On June 13th, Ohio’s permitless carry law that the governor signed in March will go into effect.

The new law allows people in Ohio to carry a concealed firearm without having to obtain a permit or take a training course.

The law also removes a requirement to tell officers about the weapon during a traffic stop unless asked.

Many in law enforcement voiced their opposition to the bill, including the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, which believes it will create a greater threat to officer safety.

A high school in Hancock County won the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Paint the Plow contest.

Cory-Rawson’s plow was painted in honor of fallen Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis and won in a landslide victory.

Cory-Rawson won both the ODOT choice award and the people’s choice award.

“We are especially proud that the plow honoring the life and service of Officer Francis was voted the winner of this competition,” said Chris Hughes, the deputy director of ODOT District 1.

“At ODOT, we value our partnerships with law enforcement agencies at all levels as we work together to keep our highways and communities safe. Officer Francis was killed in the line of duty while protecting and serving the citizens of Ohio and we are forever grateful for his service and that of all law enforcement officers,” said Hughes.

ODOT District 1 began holding an annual Paint the Plow contest in 2014.

It allows high schools and vocational schools within the district’s eight-county region to paint an ODOT snowplow blade with a message of school spirit, Ohio pride, patriotism or safety.

This year, 28 groups across the district’s eight counties painted plows – a record number of participants for the program.

The plows will be displayed at community events throughout the district.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation has an official fundraising drive authorized by the family of Dominic Francis.

Donations can be made online at fortfindlayfop20.org. and checks can be mailed to Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20, P.O. Box 1335, Findlay, OH 45840.

The Findlay Police Department says a driver ran a stop sign, causing a rollover injury crash.

The crash happened at the intersection of Londonderry Drive and Queenswood Drive on Wednesday afternoon.

The police department says Cheryl Mull, 63, of Findlay, was driving an SUV westbound on Queenswood Drive and failed to stop at the stop sign at Londonderry Drive.

Upon entering the intersection, her SUV was struck on the right, rear side by a car that was traveling southbound on Londonderry Drive.

The impact sent the SUV onto its side and caused a lot of damage to both vehicles.

Police say Mull was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of injuries that are not life-threatening.

She was cited for running the stop sign and for not wearing a seat belt.