Monthly Archives: December 2023

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn Takes Oath Of Office

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn was sworn in for her second full term.

In the picture, Mayor Muryn is being sworn in to office by Judge Kristen Johnson.

Mayor Muryn’s husband, Tyler, is by her side. The Color Guard can also be seen in the picture.

Mayor Muryn tells WFIN News that she’s incredibly grateful for the support of the citizens of Findlay and she doesn’t take the responsibility of leading the city lightly.

“I know that we’ve accomplished a lot over the last four years but we have a lot more work to do and I’m very excited to continue to lead the city of Findlay.”

 

 

Muryn was appointed mayor in February of 2019 to replace Lydia Mihalik who joined the cabinet of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

In May of 2019 Muryn won the Republican mayoral primary.

In November of 2019, Muryn won the general election earning her first full four-year term as mayor.

 

Man Traveled From Nashville To Tiffin To Meet Girl For Sex, Police Say

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

On Thursday, December 21, 2023 Tiffin Police Detectives, with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies, arrested an adult male, age 43, who traveled from Nashville, Tennessee to Tiffin, Ohio to engage in sexual conduct with a minor female child.

In early December a concerned mother contacted the Tiffin Police after learning her daughter was being paid by a 43-year-old male to send him nude images of herself. The male making those requests of her daughter was identified as Shane Allyne and he was a family acquaintance. Tiffin P.D. Det. England’s investigation confirmed the juvenile had been paid by Mr. Allyne for providing nude images of herself and was offered additional money from Mr. Allyne if the juvenile agreed to engage in sexual conduct with him. Additionally, the investigation revealed Mr. Allyne sent explicit photos and videos of himself to the juvenile and continued to direct the juvenile to send him explicit images of herself to him.

Today, Mr. Allyne traveled from Nashville, Tennessee to the Columbus area where he was to attend a holiday party for his business. After arriving in Columbus he then traveled by car to Tiffin. Mr. Allyne made it clear that he would pay several hundred dollars and up to a thousand dollars to the juvenile if she met with him and engaged in sexual conduct with him at a hotel room. With the assistance of Homeland Security Agents from Nashville Tennessee and from Columbus, Ohio, as well as help from Special Agent Hoffert, the Sandusky County Drug Task Force, and the Seneca County Drug Task Force, Mr. Allyne was tracked and tailed from the Nashville airport to the Columbus airport to a local lodging establishment in Tiffin, Ohio.

Mr. Allyne arrived in Tiffin and checked into the local lodging establishment. Upon exiting that establishment, Mr. Allyne was immediately arrested by law enforcement. Mr. Allyne was transported to the Seneca County Jail. Pending charges for Mr. Allyne will be Compelling Prostitution, Attempted Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, as well as additional charges.

I would like to personally thank ALL the law enforcement agencies for providing their assistance in this investigation and subsequent operation. The Tiffin Police Department remains dedicated to investing time, effort and resources in the ongoing protection of our most precious asset – our children. In particular, we recognize the gravity of the threat posed by child sexual predators and want to assure this community that our commitment to investigating and combating this heinous crime remains steadfast. If you have concerns, information, or suggestions regarding the protection of our children, including issues related to their safety, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Tiffin Police. We are here to listen, engage, and work together to ensure a safer community for us all.

Tiffin Police Chief David W. Pauly

 

Police: Man Fires Gunshot Into Bar After Argument

The Findlay Police Department says a man fired a gunshot into a bar after leaving the business after getting into an argument.

Police say it happened at Tim and Tommy’s Tavern on Walnut Street at approximately 12:42 Friday morning.

Police say Alexander Lorenzo, 44, of Findlay, had been in an argument inside the bar and left.

A short time later he drove by the bar and fired a handgun from his truck as he drove by.

The bullet struck the door to the bar and lodged in the metal frame.

Lorenzo was located by police and arrested for discharging a firearm and creating a substantial risk of physical harm, a third-degree felony.

He was booked at the Hancock County Jail.

There were no injuries.

Marathon Announces Changes To Executive Management Team

(From Marathon Petroleum)

Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hennigan today announced changes to the executive management team of MPC, effective January 1, 2024.

Maryann T. Mannen, executive vice president and chief financial officer of MPC, has been appointed president of MPC. Hennigan will continue to serve as MPC’s CEO, as well as the chairman, president and chief executive officer of the general partner of MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX). 

As MPC president, Mannen will have oversight responsibility for the nation’s largest refining business, commercial performance, and the health, environment, safety and security function. She also will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors of the general partner of MPLX. Prior to joining MPC in 2021, Mannen had a 35-year career in the energy sector, holding positions of increasing responsibility at TechnipFMC and predecessor companies, including executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Maryann’s new role is in recognition of her leadership capability and the contributions she has made across the Marathon landscape over the past few years,” said Hennigan. “She has been instrumental in achieving our strategic progress.”  

Succeeding Mannen, John J. Quaid, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the general partner of MPLX, has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of MPC. He also will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors of the general partner of MPLX. Quaid joined MPC in 2014 as vice president and controller and became executive vice president and chief financial officer of the general partner of MPLX in 2021. Prior to joining MPC, Quaid held several roles of increasing responsibility at U. S. Steel.

“John’s financial expertise and effective communication style with the investment community will serve MPC well as we continue our relentless pursuit of shareholder value,” said Hennigan.    

Mannen and Quaid will continue reporting to Hennigan in their new roles.

 

Ground Broken On New Childcare Center In McComb

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in McComb for a new childcare facility.

The Little Panthers Learning Center will be located at 321 Park Drive South.

“It will be a blessing for the people living in this community,” said Mayor Cathy Schroll.

“They are scrambling looking for sitters.”

 

 

The mayor says some parents go to Findlay and Bluffton for childcare and this new facility will make a big difference in many lives.

Schroll said childcare services, including before and after-school programming, have been among the goals of the current village council.

 

Salvation Army Reaches Red Kettle Campaign Goal

The Salvation Army Findlay Corps says it has reached its 2023 Red Kettle Campaign goal.

Major Mike Morales said the campaign reached its $80,000 goal on Thursday.

He says the goal was achieved thanks to the generosity of this community.

 

 

“I cannot say enough about my appreciation for the community helping us as we help their friends and neighbors,” Morales said.

“It’s a very heartfelt appreciation.”

Morales says he’s been in charge of other Salvation Army’s and nothing compares to the generosity of Findlay and Hancock County.

He says the campaign will continue until December 23rd at 8 p.m., and then he’ll post the final amount raised as soon as he has it.

Money raised from the campaign goes to cover the cost of food and toys for those looking for assistance and also helps them maintain other programs throughout the year such as the soup kitchen, food pantry and youth and music programs.  

 

‘Best Christmas Ever’ Surprises Van Buren Family

The organization Best Christmas Ever let us tag along as they surprised a Van Buren family.

The charity helps out families who have fallen on hard times at no fault of their own.

This year the organization surprised four Findlay-area families with a custom and unique Best Christmas Ever tailored to each family’s situation. 

Jaclyn Pessel says you truly do get more out of giving than you do receiving.

 

 

Jaclyn says the surprises wouldn’t be possible without the generous community we live in.

You can see video of the Van Buren surprise below, and you can learn more about Best Christmas Ever by checking out their website here and Findlay Facebook page here.

 

Prosecutor Says Troopers Who Ended Chase Are Heroes

Hancock County Prosecutor Phil Riegle provided the following statement in the aftermath of the Ohio BCI investigation and grand jury review of an incident in September in which Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers fired their weapons at two murder suspects during a pursuit in September.

On September 2, 2023, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and a number of other local law enforcement agencies participated in a high speed pursuit of two individuals wanted in connection to a carjacking and shooting from Michigan beginning in Wood County, Ohio and culminating in Hancock County Ohio. Trooper Huffman and Trooper Born led the pursuit down I75 and onto Ohio 15. During the pursuit which reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour, the suspects fired gunshots at troopers from their vehicle, cut off numerous unrelated vehicles nearly causing a number of high speed crashes, and tried to ram or crash Trooper vehicles. This was a very dangerous situation and the lives of many members of the general public as well as Troopers and other law enforcement were put at risk.

When the suspects stopped for a short time at Ohio 15 and Ohio 37 on the exit ramp, Trooper Born used a rifle and fired shots at the vehicle in an effort to end the dangerous situation. The vehicle took off again and was traveling along the ditch along east bound Ohio 15 until it hit a culvert at Township Road 240 and came to a stop. After giving verbal commands to show hands and end the situation, all of which were ignored, Trooper Huffman then fired shots at the vehicle again in an effort to end this extremely dangerous situation and protect the lives of the general public. No additional shots were fired. The suspects were eventually taken into custody and one suspect needed medical attention which he received and has fully recovered.

Ohio BCI-a separate and distinct state agency under the Attorney General- conducted a thorough investigation of the situation viewing/collecting hours of body and dash cam footage, conducting a large number of interviews, and reviewing radio traffic. Ohio BCI submitted that report to the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office for review. Per best practices, the investigation was then submitted to the Hancock County Grand Jury for their review as well. Yesterday, the Hancock County Grand Jury reviewed that BCI investigation and after deliberation declined to request charges against the Troopers.

In a world where law enforcement is under a constant microscope and second guessed regularly, the public usually only receives bad news about law enforcement. This skewed view overlooks the thousands of professional officers who do their jobs and do it well everyday. In this case, Trooper Huffman and Trooper Born acted as heroes. On September 2, 2023 they put their lives on the line in an effort to protect the general public from two suspects who could have caused horrific damage to life and limb of countless others, as well as cause thousands of dollars of damage to property as well. The Troopers used force, but also showed incredible restraint. Trooper Huffman, Trooper Born, and dozens of other law enforcement officers involved in this incident from a number of law enforcement agencies deserve our sincere thanks and are owed a tremendous amount of respect. We thank them for their service. May God bless all our law enforcement officers who risk their lives to protect ours.

 

Man Facing Drug Charges After Residence Searched

A man was arrested after a drug-related search warrant was executed at his Tiffin residence.

Authorities say a drug task force carried out the search warrant at an address at 253 ½ 4th Avenue, that being the residence of 37-year-old Nathaniel R. Heil.

Authorities say the task force located suspected crack cocaine, criminal tools, and cash in the residence.

Heil has pending charges for trafficking in drugs and criminal tools stemming from this investigation as well as additional counts of trafficking from previous investigations.

Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly said the success of an investigation isn’t always about the amount of drugs confiscated but more so about addressing the complaints from citizens and improving the quality of life in the community.

People are encouraged to continue to report suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit crime hotline at 419-443-0463, extension 1140.

 

Food Bank Offering Free Ham Dinners On Christmas Eve

(From the West Ohio Food Bank)

The West Ohio Food Bank will be offering a free ham dinner to anyone who wants one on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2023, from 9am-11am at the food bank on East Kibby Street in Lima.

Members of the West Ohio Food Bank staff, along with some volunteers, will pass out the meals, drive-thru style, just like we do for our monthly food distributions.

Cars with families can line up in our back lot, drive up, and receive one meal for each person in their family, and if you know of anyone that cannot make it, you can pick up a dinner for them as well!

The meals will consist of ham slices, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, a roll, and a dessert.

These meals are free to anyone who wants one, while supplies last, starting at 9am until 11am or until the dinners are gone.

A huge thank you goes out to Riteway Foods, Bob Evans Foods, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, and all of the volunteers who made these meals possible.