Monthly Archives: January 2023

Cleveland Guardians Talk Upcoming Season During Findlay Visit

The Cleveland Guardians were in Findlay to talk with Guardians affiliate WFIN staff and broadcast sponsors about the success achieved in the previous season and the expectations for the upcoming season.

Sr. VP of Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio and analyst and host of the Guardians Radio Network Jim Rosenhaus spoke during the event at the Findlay Inn and Conference Center.

The two shared the franchise’s philosophy for developing a winning program and said expectations are high for the upcoming season after the success of last season.

The Guardians’ regular season schedule kicks off on WFIN with a 7-game road trip beginning in Seattle on Thursday, March 30th.

Cleveland’s home opener will be on Friday, April 7 against Seattle.

With the new schedule format, the Guardians will host eight Interleague opponents in 2023, including the Miami Marlins (April 21-23), Colorado Rockies (April 24-26), St. Louis Cardinals (May 26-28), Milwaukee Brewers (June 23-25), Atlanta Braves (July 3-5), Philadelphia Phillies (July 21-23), Los Angeles Dodgers (August 22-24) and Cincinnati Reds (September 26-27).

 

Nominations Being Accepted For Golden Apple Awards

The Findlay Rotary Club is accepting nominations for its 2023 Golden Apple Awards for teaching excellence.

The Rotary’s Golden Apple Awards are awarded annually to outstanding teachers in the elementary, middle, and high schools of Findlay and Hancock County.

The Rotary hopes the Golden Apple Awards will enhance the public’s respect for teachers and help attract new, dedicated people to the teaching profession.

People in Findlay and Hancock County who know a teacher who has improved a student’s life through excellent, dedicated teaching are encouraged to nominate that teacher for the Golden Apple Award.

Nominations will be accepted until April 7th.

There will be three semifinalists at each the elementary, middle, and high school level.

The Findlay Rotary Club will then name the three winners at an awards banquet on October 18th.

Each of the three outstanding teachers will receive a Golden Apple Award and a $2,500 cash award.

Click here for the nomination form and to learn more, and click here to read about the winners of last year’s Golden Apple Awards. (pictured below)

The 33rd Annual Golden Apple Awards Banquet will be held on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 at Winebrenner Seminary on the University of Findlay campus.

 

Hancock County Community Health Improvement Plan

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition completed its Community Health Improvement Plan based on results from the 2021 Hancock County Community Health Assessment that was released in June 2022.

A community health improvement plan (CHIP) is a community-driven, long-term, systematic plan to address issues identified in a community health assessment (CHA).

The purpose of a CHIP is to describe how hospitals, health departments, and other community stakeholders will work to improve the health of the county.

We spoke with Zach Thomas, Director of Wellness and Education at the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services, about the ‘CHIP’.

 

 

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition collaborated with the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio to gather important community information and statistical data.

This information was then studied by the Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition, where health priorities were created, resources were discussed and projects, programs and policies were identified.

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition will be hosting a community forum on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10:30 am at Hancock Public Health, 2225 Keith Parkway, Findlay, Ohio 45840.

The forum is open to the public and a presentation of the Community Health Improvement Plan will be available for discussion.

Click here to go over the Community Health Improvement Plan. 

 

The Be Healthy Now Hancock County coalition is composed of many public and private agencies that make up the public health system in Hancock County. Those partners include Hancock Public Health, Blanchard Valley Health System, United Way of Hancock County, The Community Foundation, Hancock County ADAMHS Board, Family Resource Center, Hancock County Job & Family Services, Findlay City Schools, Hancock County Schools and Educational Service Center, HHWP Community Action Commission, Hancock County Family and Children First Council, Findlay YMCA, The Ohio State University Extension Office, 50 North, West Ohio Food bank, the City of Findlay Parks & Recreation, Hancock County Commissioners, Welcome to a New Life, Spectrum of Findlay, Raise the Bar, Children’s Mentoring Connection, Habitat for Humanity, and the University of Findlay

FHCPL Holding Writing Contest For Kids

Children of Hancock County with a passion for literature have an opportunity to express their creative side in Findlay-Hancock County Public Library’s Tell-a-Tale Short Story Contest.

Beginning February 1, 2023, young scribes from kindergarten through 5th grade who live in Hancock County or attend a Hancock County school may submit an original story that is no more than 350 words in length.

Stories must be submitted to the library with a signed entry form before February 28, 2023. Illustrations and/or cover art is encouraged, but not required. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in each grade level at an awards ceremony in April.

The winning stories being published in the 2023 Tell-A-Tale book to be circulated at the library. Writers are free to use their imaginations and write about whatever they wish. Full contest rules, entry forms, writing exercises, and more are posted at findlaylibrary.org/content/tell-a-tale.

The library has partnered with University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum for the cover illustration portion of the contest. Any child submitting a story for Tell-A-Tale will automatically have the cover illustration of their story entered into the cover illustration contest. A group of volunteers from Mazza will judge the illustrations and rank the top three illustrations in each grade level.

All winning illustrations will be printed in the 2023 Tell-A-Tale book. All eligible illustrations must be submitted with a story to be judged.

To help contestants get started on their writing, the library is hosting a Young Writers Workshop on Thursday, February 9 at 6 p.m. in the Lindamood Room at the library. Attendees will learn how to write a story by playing fun writing games.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

For more information about the contest, please go to findlaylibrary.org/content/tell-a-tale, or contact the library at 419-422-1712.

 

Bowling Green Named #3 College Town By Zillow

(BGSU) – It’s something the BGSU community and alumni have known for a long time: Bowling Green is one of the best college towns in America. Now, Zillow is making it known on a national scale.

The real estate marketplace company recently named Bowling Green the third-most-popular college town in the United States for 2022, behind top-ranked Tempe, home to Arizona State University, and Smithfield, Rhode Island, home to Bryant University.

Bowling Green State University students live and learn while nestled in a city that is safe and affordable and provides a number of personal and professional opportunities.

Click here to read the full article from BGSU.

 

Marathon Reports 4th Quarter And Full Year 2022 Results

Marathon Petroleum Corporation on Tuesday reported net income of $3.3 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared with net income of $774 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Adjusted net income was $3.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022, which compares to adjusted net income of $794 million for the fourth quarter of 2021.

For the full year 2022, net income attributable to MPC was $14.5 billion, compared with net income of $9.7 billion for the full year of 2021.

Adjusted net income was $13.5 billion, which compares with adjusted net income of $1.6 billion for the full year of 2021.

“In 2022, we delivered on our strategic commitments,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hennigan.

“We operated our system at 96% utilization and executed commercially, resulting in $16.4 billion of net cash from operations. We returned nearly $12 billion through share repurchases during the year, bringing total repurchases to almost $17 billion since May 2021. In addition, back in November, we increased our quarterly dividend by 30%. Today, we announced a 2023 MPC standalone capital spending outlook of $1.3 billion, and with the incremental share repurchase authorization we now have $7.6 billion in remaining authorization.”

 

Bob “Monk” Montgomery Has Died

Longtime color commentator for WFIN’s Findlay Trojans broadcasts Bob Montgomery has passed away.

Bob “Monk” Montgomery is in the University of Findlay Athletics Hall of Fame and was a teacher at Findlay High School and coached at the high school and college level.

Bob was the grandfather of former Trojan football player and current Ohio State Buckeye Luke Montgomery and current Trojans quarterback Ryan Montgomery.

Bob was the color analyst for WFIN’s Trojans football and basketball games for decades.

Former WFIN Sports Director Chris Miller called many, many games with Bob and says they became great friends over 30 years.

“I just want people to know what a great human being Bob was,” Chris told WFIN.

“I can honestly and sincerely say I have never met anybody who just wanted everybody to be happy like Bob did. He wished nothing but good things for people.”

 

 

Visitation will be on Friday, February 3rd from 2 – 4 P.M. and 6 – 8 P.M. at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home at 205 West Sandusky Street in Findlay and funeral services on Saturday, February 4th at 11 A.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be private for family at Oak Hill Cemetery in Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Bridge Hospice of Findlay, 1900 S. Main St., Findlay, OH 45840; The Oilers Club at The University of Findlay, 1000 N. Main St, Findlay, OH 45840; or the Findlay Trojan Club at PO Box 1112, Findlay, OH 45840.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.coldrencrates.com.

 

City Of Findlay Announces Annexation Plan

The City of Findlay will be contacting the owners of approximately 400 parcels that have been identified for annexation into the City of Findlay corporation limits.

This includes properties that are surrounded by city corporation and have not previously been annexed, properties that are contiguous to the City of Findlay corporation limits, and/or properties that have an annexation agreement in place that the City would like to exercise.

Communication from the City will provide an overview of the proposed process for annexation, frequently asked questions, and contact information for questions.

Information showing the areas that will be contacted is on the City of Findlay website at www.findlayohio.gov along with the frequently asked questions.

The City is not currently proposing to annex large residential areas such as Hillcrest, Western Meadows, Forrest Lake, or Brickstone subdivisions.

The City is offering property owners that are interested in annexing but are not being contacted to submit letters of interest to the City to be included in this process.

Property owners interested in annexing are requested to submit their letter of interest (available on the City website) by March 1, 2023, but sooner is encouraged.

Since the City is initiating this process the City will be managing the process including the submission of all paperwork and covering all associated costs of surveying, filing fees, etc.

A public meeting is slated to be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the Findlay City Council Chambers to go over the properties proposed to annex and answer questions.

“The City of Findlay team recognizes that annexation is a complex and important topic,” said Mayor Christina Muryn.

 

 

“We look forward to working with property owners to ensure that this is a collaborative process that assists property owners while cleaning up the City of Findlay corporation map and positioning the city for future development.”

Matt Cordonnier, Director, Hancock Regional Planning added, “Proactive annexation is a key part of community development and planning. Over the past few decades the City of Findlay has not ensured a clean municipal map which has caused a variety of problems specifically related to safety services and development. This process will allow the City of Findlay to work with property owners to easily annex into the City of Findlay.”

Click here for more, including an overview of the annexation areas and frequently asked questions.

 

Cleveland Guardians Drummer And Lifelong Fan Dies

The Cleveland Guardians are saddened to announce the passing of John Adams, a lifelong Cleveland baseball fan and bleacher drummer of the Cleveland Guardians. He was 71 years old.

“For nearly five decades the beat of John’s drum was the heartbeat of baseball here in Cleveland,” said Guardians Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio.

“We are all saddened by John’s passing. His dedication, commitment and passion for our franchise, at both Cleveland Stadium and Progressive Field, was unmatched. John will forever remain a member of our team.”

A native of Cleveland, Adams graduated from Parma High School in 1969. His attendance at Cleveland baseball games, accompanied by his drum, became a Northeast Ohio staple when he drummed at his first game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on August 24, 1973, an 11-5 Cleveland victory over the Rangers. When he was asked about the bleachers, Adams responded “I’ve found the perfect place and I love it.”

Over the course of more than 3,500 games, Adams has drummed at:

  • 3 All-Star Games
  • 11 Playoff Series
  • 3 World Series
  • Len Barker’s Perfect Game

Last season, John was inducted into the Cleveland Guardians Distinguished Hall of Fame and a bronzed drum and his bleacher seat have been moved to Heritage Park in his honor.

He will be remembered for his passion for the game and this city. “I do it for the players. I love the organization. It’s my way of drumming up enthusiasm for the team,” Adams said.

(story and pic courtesy of The Guardians)

 

Hancock Historical Museum Opening For 2023 Season

The Hancock Historical Museum is opening for its 2023 season on Wednesday, February 1st.

The museum says it’s looking forward to welcoming back visitors during regular business hours, which are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 to 4 and Sunday 1 to 4.

The museum was closed in January as the staff was busy preparing for the 2023 season.

Kicking off the museum’s 2023 Brown Bag Lecture series will be Kate Hayfield, presenting “Indiana Jones Lied to you!: An Archaeologist’s Perspective” on Thursday, February 2nd at noon.

The lecture is free for museum members, and $3 for nonmembers.

For more information, click here or contact the Hancock Historical Museum at 419-423-4433.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay.