(Release by the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

Monterey Township – On May 5, 2025, at approximately 10:57 A.M., the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report of fatal crash on US 224 and SR 66 near Ottoville in Putnam County.

Dorothy Smith, age 72, from Anderson, Indiana was driving a 2021 Honda CR-V eastbound on US 224. Brittany Patton, age 28, from Van Wert, Ohio was driving a 2007 Ford E-150 Van southbound on SR 66. The Ford failed to stop at a posted stop sign and struck the Honda. The Honda went off the right side of the roadway, struck a stop sign and overturned. The Ford went off the left side of the roadway.

Dorothy Smith was pronounced deceased at the scene and was transported by Ottoville EMS to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office. Brittany Patton suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by Putnam County EMS to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. Nathan Smith, age 72, from Anderson, Indiana was a passenger in the Honda. He suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported by Ottoville EMS to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. There were three children in the Ford, ages 4, 4, and 3 months. The three children were not injured and were transported by Putnam County EMS to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima for precautionary purposes.

Both vehicles sustained severe damage and were transported from the scene by Jim Schmidt Chevrolet.

The children were all in child safety seats and all occupants were wearing their safety belts.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ottoville Police Department, Kalida Police Department, Ottoville Fire Department, Fort Jennings Fire Department, Kalida Fire Department, Putnam County EMS, Ottoville EMS, Kalida EMS, The Ohio Department of Transportation, Jim Schmidt Chevrolet, and The Putnam County Coroner’s Office.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to put their phones down while driving and wear their safety belts.

The crash remains under investigation.

A Pre-Trial Conference (Zoom) today on a dispute of ballot language with a proposed Allen Township zoning resolution on Tuesday’s primary election has been referred for second Pre-Trial (again by Zoom) on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. 

The case involves One Power Company vs. the Board of Allen Township Trustees requesting votes cast be rejected. Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Starn has requested the parties file their briefs no later than 4:00 pm today.

According to the judgement entry, the parties discussed the status of the pending motion for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). Based upon those discussions, the Court directed counsel for the parties to brief the issue of what impact, if any, the requested TRO could have on the ability to certify election results if resolution of this matter could not occur before the statutory deadline for certification of election results.

From Mayor Christina Muryn’s Office…

Due to a malfunction of several sirens during this morning’s monthly test, the disaster warning sirens will be retested at 1:30pm today, May 5, 2025.

(From the Diocese of Toledo, May 2025)

The Diocese of Toledo’s St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Findlay will open a Chesterton Academy for the 2026-2027 school year. This new high school will be in addition to the existing St. Michael the Archangel Elementary School, which has provided a high-quality Catholic education to students in pre-K through 8th grade for over 150 years.

“We are blessed to have many good high schools in our community which our students can attend when they complete 8th grade,” said Fr. Adam Hertzfeld, the pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish. “The new Chesterton Academy, however, will provide families in our region a completely different educational option from anything else being offered.”

According to Bishop Daniel Thomas, “I am grateful to Fr. Hertzfeld and his team for this new initiative and excited that this model of instruction will be offered in our Diocese. Grounded in a faith and virtue based education, the curriculum challenges students to develop skills of logic and reason so that they can think critically and learn independently. This Chesterton Academy will enrich St. Michael the Archangel Parish, the local region, and Catholic Education in our Diocese.”

The new parish high school will be part of the Chesterton Schools Network, a faith-based educational organization that has over 60 schools around the globe. Students at Chesterton Academies receive a classical Catholic education which provides a broad humanities-focused curriculum. The course of studies defined by the Chesterton Schools Network offers classes in mathematics, the sciences, classical literature, philosophy, and theology. Additionally, all students are also required to take art, music, and drama classes. Students participate in a “house system” which helps build community, fosters
leadership, and cultivates virtues.

“We’ve done a tremendous amount of market research and analysis over the past 18 months that have demonstrated the desire for a Catholic high school in Findlay,” said board chair Rob Spicer. He continues, “a Chesterton education provides students with a broad exposure to many different disciplines which helps to expand their interest and uncover hidden talents, providing integral human formation so students may be articulate, clear thinking, well-rounded and joyful individuals.”

The Chesterton School model is based on the principle of small class sizes and small schools. Instead of a traditional classroom setting, with individual desks and a teacher at a blackboard, Chesterton Academy students are taught in a seminar style around a central table meant to foster discussion and engagement.

While the Catholic faith is interwoven into every subject within the school day, many non-Catholic students attend Chesterton Academies. Both Catholic and non-Catholic families alike appreciate the rigorous classical education the schools offer. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, visit findlaychesterton.org.

(Release provided by Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is pleased to announce Benjamin Sapp’s appointment as its new Chief Development Officer at the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation.

Sapp brings more than 18 years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, education, and nonprofit management. A results-driven development professional, he has consistently excelled in creating and implementing impactful fundraising strategies, building high-performing teams, and fostering meaningful donor relationships.

“We welcome Ben to the organization,” said Myron Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, President & CEO of BVHS. “He will be an extraordinary addition to the team whose focus is to support the health system and community through philanthropy. His experience and relationship-building skills are essential to this role and the overall success of our mission.”

Sapp most recently served as Director of the Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay, where he led with vision and collaboration, significantly advancing the museum’s outreach and philanthropic efforts. His deep ties to the University of Findlay include earning a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in Children’s Literature in 1995 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1993, with a focus in Social Studies.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Sapp is an active and passionate community steward. He serves on the boards of the YMCA (2025–present), Hancock Federal Credit Union (2021–present), and Christian Clearing House (2022–present). He is also involved with the Arts and Heritage Council (2017–present) and Toledo Area Cultural Leaders (2014–present), and he previously served on the Macklin Intergenerational Institute Board (2017–2024).

“BVHS is an incredible community partner that provides seamless, high-quality healthcare throughout the region, “ said Ben. I look forward to supporting its mission and working with an outstanding team dedicated to making a difference daily.”

The Blanchard Valley Health Foundation plays a vital role in advancing the mission of BVHS by connecting generous donors to programs and initiatives that enhance patient care and community health. Sapp will be instrumental to these efforts, beginning with the “Our Future” capital campaign, which is already underway.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with current and future donors whose passion is healthcare,” added Sapp. “Together, we will build a foundation for quality care for generations of families.”

To learn more about Blanchard Valley Health System, visit bvhealthsystem.org. You can also support the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation by giving to the capital campaign at bvhealthsystem.org/ourfuture.

Findlay Police have identified the victims who were found deceased in Apartment 1, 708 N. Main Street at 4:31 am on April 20.

In a release by FPD, the victims have been identified as Richard Gutierrez Jr. (52 years old) and Ernesto Mendoza Jr.(61 years old), both of Findlay. Next of kin were notified.

Autopsies have been ordered and the investigation is on going.

An early Saturday morning fire caused extensive damage to a Findlay residence at the corner of W. Edgar and Chapel Drive. The fire was discovered around 5:30 am when smoke alarms went off. 

The fire started on a back porch which allowed flames to travel up into the soffits before smoke triggered the alarms.

Dr. Richard Deerhake is the homeowner and was in the house at the time of the fire and able to escape the flames.

No dollar estimate of damage was provided.

This is a press release from Raise The Bar Hancock County® announcing a new video series:

FINDLAY, OH [July 5, 2024]– Raise the Bar Hancock County® announces the release of a new video series spotlighting in-demand education and human service careers in Hancock County. This initiative continues Raise the Bar’s effort to enhance workforce development and support local talent in pursuing rewarding careers.

The video series provides a close-up look at the opportunities available within several people-oriented sectors. Each video aims to inspire and inform students, job seekers, and community members about the careers that are essential to the county’s growth and prosperity.

Area Employers and Professions Spotlighted:
1. Findlay Family YMCA Early Learning Professionals
2. Findlay City Schools K-12 Paraprofessionals
3. Millstream Career Center Instructors
4. Findlay-Hancock County Public Library Youth and Adult Learning Staff
5. Family Resource Center and Hancock County Job and Family Services Case Managers

“Our community’s best asset is our people,” says Tricia Valasek, Raise the Bar’s executive director. “Taking the time to develop people from infancy through adulthood is one of the best investments we can make. It’s imperative that we continue to create awareness and fill a pipeline of individuals who can take on this rewarding task. It is because of this demand that we focused our initial these five targeted careers.”

Each video in the series features local professionals in the field, offering viewers a glimpse into the daily responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of these careers. The videos also provide information on the education and skills required, potential career growth, and the impact these roles have on the community.

“Supporting our children is vital for the growth and prosperity of our community. Childcare workers are truly the workforce behind the workforce,” shares Kari Redman, the Findlay Family YMCA Childcare Development Center Director. Raise the Bar highlighted the YMCA’s childcare team in one of their videos because of the growing demand for early learning/childcare options in the community. Valasek points out that the YMCA, like other licensed facilities in Ohio, requires specific staff-to-child ratios depending on age. “Adding spots for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children requires our childcare facilities to hire more trained and qualified staff. We need to build this career sector quickly.”

The video series is available on Raise the Bar’s YouTube channel (@raisethebarhancockcounty7737). Raise the Bar also intends to release individual videos on its social media platforms and to the schools for use with their career programming.

Raise the Bar Hancock County® connects stakeholders to advance workforce excellence. Through collaboration with local businesses, educational institutions, and community partners, Raise the Bar® strives to evolve the paradigms of workplace opportunity to build a community where employment and career advancement are accessible and attainable.

Photo:  Sandra Velasquez, Preschool Teacher Mentor at the Findlay Family YMCA Childcare Development Center, shares her personal experience in one of Raise the Bar’s videos.

The City of Findlay has issued a press release regarding Door to Door Energy Companies not affiliated with the city possibly contacting local residents.

Findlay, Ohio – July 5, 2024: The City of Findlay recently issued solicitor licenses to several representatives of various energy companies pursuant to Section 767 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Findlay.

These energy companies are NOT affiliated with the City of Findlay in any way. They are NOT authorized to act on the City’s behalf. They are NOT authorized by the City to request to see residents’ utility bills. They are an outside, independent agency seeking your business.

Energy Harbor remains the City of Findlay’s only governmental electric aggregation utility through March 2026, and IGS Energy remains the City of Findlay’s only governmental gas aggregation utility through October 2024.

The City of Findlay does not send representatives of the governmental utility aggregation program to your door. Communication is made through the US Mail.

If you feel you are being harassed by representatives of these energy companies, please contact the Police Department at 419-424-7150.

You may also file a complaint about a utility service with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). You can reach the PUCO at 1-800-686-7826 or at https://puco.ohio.gov.

From City of Findlay Auditor, Jim Staschiak II

The City of Findlay’s published Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the Fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 was released at Findlay City Council’s meeting on 7/2/23.

The financial information has been taken from the 2023 City of Findlay’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The Annual Report consists of detailed financial statements, notes and schedules as well as very detailed statistical information.