Monthly Archives: August 2022

Goodyear Blimp Visits Findlay

The Goodyear Blimp paid a visit to Findlay on Wednesday afternoon.

The blimp could be seen in the sky over Cooper Tire circling several times and then over the Hancock County Fairgrounds as well.

On their social media, the blimp said Findlay is family now and they were saying hello to their legacy Cooper Tire associates and the Findlay and Hancock County communities ahead of the opening night of the Hancock County Fair.

In 2021, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company completed its purchase of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in Findlay.

 

 

 

Hancock County Fair Underway

It’s time for the 2022 edition of the Hancock County Fair in Findlay.

The fair will run from Wednesday, August 31st through Monday, September 5th, which is Labor Day.

Hancock County Fair President Jeff Cole and Events Manager Haley Reese spoke with WFIN’s Chris Oaks about what’s new this year. Click here for that interview.

The opening ceremonies were held on Tuesday night at the Old Mill Stream Centre.

The opening ceremony included the coronation of the fair’s King and Queen, which you can see video of below.

 

Fostoria Police: Company Misleading Residents

The Fostoria Police Division wants residents to know that a certain company going door to door is not the company the city signed up with.

Police Chief Gabe Wedge posted to the police department’s social media the following on Wednesday morning…

“Please be aware that at this time there is a company going door to door stating that the city signed citizens up for their electric services, the city did not use their company and they did not get a solicitior permit.”

“If anyone knocks on your door trying to sell products please ask to see their permit if they do not have one contact dispatch with a description and we will have an officer check the area.”

 

Former Blanchard Valley Hospital CEO Bill Ruse Has Died

Bill Ruse, former President and CEO of Blanchard Valley Hospital has passed away.

Ruse led the local hospital system for decades before retiring in 2001.

Scott Malaney replaced Ruse as CEO and says Bill was very gracious in the transition and afterward.

“Bill was absolutely exemplary in terms of how he dealt with leaving after so long and helping me,” Malaney told WFIN.

Malaney says there were many times he talked with Bill to pick his brain about things and Bill was always ready and willing to help out.

 

 

As Malaney mentioned in the audio above, he feels like the community has lost an icon with Bill’s passing.

“He was always thoughtful, inciteful and most gracious.”

Malaney says when Bill was in on something, he was all in, and the community is much better off because of it. He said Bill was instrumental in developing the local hospital system we see today.

“Whatever we were able to achieve over the last 20-plus years, the table was set by Bill Ruse, he made possible what exists today.”

“A remarkable man, a most gracious man and one that will be missed.”

Bill Ruse passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88.

The emergency room of Blanchard Valley Hospital is named the William E. Ruse Center as seen below.

 

Drug Task Force Searches Findlay Residence

The Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force along with the Findlay Police Department Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at a Findlay residence.

Police say the search of 206 Western Avenue yielded 111 grams of methamphetamine, numerous loose prescription pills and a large amount of drug paraphernalia.

The evidence substantiated the ongoing investigation into the residence for suspected drug possession and drug trafficking, the task force said.

The substances seized will be sent to the BCI Crime Lab for further testing.

Charges for drug trafficking, drug possession and paraphernalia possession will be sought at a later date, pending the lab results.

Police identified the suspect as Derek Boyd, 26, of Findlay.

The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and funded in part by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

 

No School Friday For Findlay City Schools Students

There will be no school for students in Findlay City Schools on Friday, September 2nd as that day will be an in-service day.

The school district is also reminding parents and students that there will no school for students on Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day.

October 25th will also be a staff in-service day and there will be no school.

Among the 2022-23 school calendar highlights, fall break will be November 21-25 with students returning on Monday, November 28.

Click here to see the full calendar for this school year.

 

City Mission Upgrades Family Suites

(WTOL-11) – The City Mission of Findlay says it has completed some much-needed improvements to its family suites.

The Mission offers five family suites to house entire families who are dealing with homelessness.

But, until recently, the rooms were very plainly furnished and decorated.

Executive Director Kathryn Bausman told WTOL-11 that the rooms didn’t do much to support the mental health of the people staying in them.

 

 

She says through multiple local grants, organizations adopting individual rooms, and volunteers, three of these family suites have been transformed into a much more comfortable environment.

Grant money was also used to add more outdoor seating and toys in the family play area.

 

Tree Falls On Woman During Storm, Child Electrocuted

(ONN) – Two people died as severe storms rolled across northwest Ohio and southern Michigan on Monday.

A woman died in south Toledo after a tree fell on her during severe thunderstorms.

The woman was crushed by a falling tree on Beverly Drive.

A strong line of thunderstorms moved through that area between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

The Toledo Fire Department confirmed the woman’s death at the scene.

Also Monday, a 14-year-old girl was electrocuted and died in Monroe, Michigan, after touching downed electrical lines.

Monroe is about 20 miles north of Toledo.

 

LB Opens New Entryway To Outdoor Athletic Complex

Ahead of their football game Friday night, Liberty-Benton Local Schools dedicated its new athletic complex entryway.

The new entryway includes several donor walls and a memorial area to remember fallen Eagles.

“I feel very fortunate to be a part of this great school community,” said Superintendent Mark Kowalski.

“We have proved that when we come together we can accomplish anything, as you can look around and see this beautiful campus we’re gonna have.”

A day earlier we were on hand when County Road 9 reopened after a widening project to prepare the area for the added traffic the district’s new K-8 building will generate.

The first day of school in Liberty-Benton Local Schools will be Tuesday, September 6th.

 

Trojans Drop Home Opener To Perrysburg

The Findlay Trojans gave their hometown fans some highlights to enjoy Friday night but Perrysburg was just too much to handle.

A kick return TD by Donovan Harris, a QB scramble TD by Ryan Montgomery and an interception were a few of the first half highlights but they went into halftime trailing Perrysburg 35-14.

The final score ended up being 49-21 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.

The loss drops Findlay to 0-2 on the season.

The Trojans travel to Bowling Green next Friday.

See their full schedule by clicking here.

Get more scores by clicking here for our High School Scoreboard.