Findlay City Schools says every primary and intermediate school building in the school district now has a book vending machine.

The school district says the book vending machines were made possible by a generous grant from the Barton & Josephine Wilson Fund for Education and the Madeleine Thomas Schneider Fund, via the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

The vending machines will be filled with books provided by remaining grant funds from the Community Foundation.

“With this support from our community, we are able to celebrate our students and continue to grow readers,” the school district said.

Captain Ryan Kidwell is retiring from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

He’s been the Jail Administrator since 2006, overseeing corrections operations at the sheriff’s office.

Kidwell has been with the sheriff’s office for more than 32 years and Jail Administrator since 2006.

Ryan says he’s had a lot of great colleagues over all the years.

“I’m so grateful for all I’ve been able to serve with. The trust, respect, support has been second to none, and I’m so thankful and so blessed and can’t tell them thanks enough.”

Sheriff Heldman wishes Ryan the best in retirement and says he will be missed.

He credits Ryan with working to improve mental health for inmates.

“We give him a lot of credit for helping us to be where we’re at today with the mental health issues we deal with on a daily basis at the jail.”

Ryan says, in retirement, he plans on doing projects around the house and camping and traveling with his wife.

Captain Jesse Sterrett will be the new Jail Administrator.

The Fostoria Fire Department held an active shooter victim evacuation drill at the Junior/Senior High School.

Some students volunteered to simulate victims to make the drill as realistic as possible for the firefighters.

Captain Reinhart explains more about the training scenario in the video below, including why real people are better to train with than mannequins.

NOTE- Be cautioned that the video includes simulated shooting victims.

Findlay City Schools’ Donnell Stadium is getting new turf and a new track.

Athletic Director Nate Weihrauch says the Donnell Family certainly blessed the community with such a tremendous venue in Donnell Stadium.

“We are truly thankful for the opportunity to play in the most exquisite high school stadium in Ohio, Donnell Stadium.”

He says the history of the stadium dates back to its first game in 1928 and the first night game in 1930.

Get more from Nate on the history of the stadium and the improvements over the years in the interview below.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The Findlay Police Department has been awarded re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This will make the agency’s fourth consecutive award, with initial accreditation in 2012. Findlay is one of just sixty-one Municipal Law Enforcement agencies across the State of Ohio who maintains this accreditation; see attached letter.

This award will remain in effect for four years. During which time the agency must maintain compliance with one hundred eighty-three CALEA standards. Annually, the Findlay Police Department will be required to submit a Status Report, agency information and statistical tables, as well as be reviewed by a CALEA Compliance Service Manager (CSM).

WFIN spoke with Police Chief James Mathias about the significance of the reaccreditation.

The CSM will choose approximately 25% of those standards to review and conduct several interviews of agency personnel. At the completion of the four-year cycle, a site-based assessment will occur. During the site-based assessment, CALEA assessors will visit the agency over a three-day period to conduct interviews with various agency personnel and community members, observe compliance of the agency facilities and review any additional means of compliance.

CALEA assessors will then complete a report of their findings to be submitted to the Commission for review. The Commission will then determine if the agency has successfully complied with all of the appropriate standards. According to W. Craig Hartley, Jr., the Executive Director of CALEA, “The process of CALEA Accreditation begins with a rigorous self-assessment, requiring a review of policies, practices and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards.

This is followed with an assessment by independent assessors with significant public safety experience. Additionally, public feedback is received to promote community trust and engagement, and structured interviews are conducted with select agency personnel and others with knowledge to assess the agency’s effectiveness and overall service delivery capabilities.

The decision to accredit is rendered by a governing body of twenty-one Commissioners following a public hearing and review of all reporting documentation.” The Findlay Police Department includes an authorized strength of sixty-seven sworn officers, twelve dispatchers, and seven civilian employees. In addition to CALEA, the Findlay Police Department also maintains accreditation through the Ohio Collaborative for Law Enforcement Agencies.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

A local high school student recently added some beauty to the lives of those going through cancer treatment.

When a temporary wall was set up during construction at The Armes Family Cancer Care Center, a Blanchard Valley Health System division, associates discussed creating a mural.

“Cancer treatment is stressful enough,” said Samantha Sheets (RTT), a radiation therapist. “We are working hard to minimize the effects construction may have on patients, but it sometimes means additional noise. We thought having something pretty to look at would have a calming effect.”

Dr. Stephen Lutz, a radiation oncologist at the cancer center, is also a Findlay High School cross-country coach. He had mentioned to others at the school that BVHS was seeking an artist.

The word spread to Zoie Scott, a 17-year-old junior who said she has been drawing “ever since I can remember.”

Sheets acted as the liaison. Since the wall would be up for a significant portion of winter, they settled on a winter scene. Zoie came up with an image of mountains and trees amid the snow.

Zoie started on her iPad, creating a digital mock-up of what the mural would look like based on the dimensions of the wall.

“I primarily create portraits rather than landscapes,” Zoie said. “But I like painting, and I had never created one that big before.”

The mural was nine by 12 feet. Zoie said she learned new things as an artist. For example, acrylic paint doesn’t spread as easily on larger surfaces like this.

Zoie spent about a week working on the painting each day after school. Lutz provided funds for paint and supplies.

Patients receiving radiation therapy generally come for 15-minute sessions five days a week over several weeks to avoid being exposed to too much radiation at once. Sheets said at least 25 patients saw the mural each day. Associates enjoyed it, too, she said.

“Zoie’s work made the place more cheerful,” Sheets said. “Patients were always telling us how nice it looked. Many were surprised to learn that a high school student had created this.”

“I was really happy to be able to provide people with something beautiful during their cancer treatment,” Zoie said.

She also sees a tie between art and health in general. “Creating art is meaningful and feels healing,” Zoie said. “Drawing is relaxing for me.”

The project allowed her to learn a lot and set new creative goals. For example, she wants to work more with oil paint in the future. She’s also interested in creating more landscapes.

“I would love to do more things like this,” Zoie said.

For more information about The Armes Family Cancer Care Center, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/cancer

(From Findlay City Schools)

Our Honors Career Mentorship program bridges the classroom to potential careers! Findlay High School‘s Honors Career Mentorship students spend 18 hours over a 12-week period with a mentor from our community to explore a profession of interest. Students learn the ins and outs of a career from their mentor, and then complete a final report at the end of their time together.

Our mentors leave a lasting impact on these students, and we are grateful for the time and energy that goes into truly guiding a young adult in this way. Thank you to Marathon Petroleum Corporation for supporting our Honors Career Mentorship program!

For more information or to express your interest in becoming a mentor for a future session, please contact Dr. Kelly Wohlgamuth (kwohlgamuth@fcs.org), Coordinator of Gifted & English Learner Services.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging the motoring public to exercise the three “P’s” when it comes to the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8^th.

Sgt. Ryan Purpura says those three “P’s” are plan, prepare, and patience.

He says if you don’t have to be on the road that day, don’t, but if you do, plan out your route in advance and plan on plenty of congestion on the roadways.

The Sgt. says it would be a good idea to top off your vehicle’s gas tank ahead of the eclipse.

He makes clear that drivers need to keep moving on the day of the eclipse.

“Don’t plan on setting up camp or stopping along interstates or entrance or exit ramps, or any other roadway. This is never permitted.”

He says people need to plan ahead on where they’ll be viewing the eclipse.

The Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Transportation made a video with more advice that you can watch below.

The Solar Eclipse Task Force, which is a collaboration of many local entities, has created a website with information about the eclipse.

And, Visit Findlay has a lot of great information on their website as well. 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement on the death of former Hamilton County Auditor and State Representative Brigid Kelly:

“Fran and I are saddened by the death of Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly. Brigid dedicated much of her career to public service, first as a Norwood City Councilwoman, then as a State Representative, and then as Hamilton County Auditor. Like many who worked with her, I knew Brigid to be cordial, collaborative, and willing to work with both parties to help advance the interests of Ohioans. Fran and I extend our sincerest condolences to Brigid’s husband, Steve, and her entire family.”

In honor of the life and service of former State Representative Brigid Kelly, Governor DeWine orders the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Hamilton County, the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower from sunrise to sunset on the day of her funeral.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

The 2024 Hope House Benefit Auction ‘Hope Shines Bright’ will be held on Friday, April 12^the at the Hancock Hotel.

Development Director Laurie Poland was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the event and how their organization helps homeless and impoverished individuals and families in Hancock County.

With the help of dedicated volunteers and generous donors, Hope House assists with securing safe and affordable housing for over 3500 individuals each year.

Born out of the need for homeless services for women and children in 1990, Hope House now provides a continuum of services that help individuals and families locate and permanently maintain housing. In addition to the Hope House Shelter, Hope House serves as the Front Door for housing assistance in Hancock County out of its offices in The Family Center.

Get more on Hope House and their upcoming ‘Hope Shines Bright’ benefit auction by clicking here.