The statewide emergency drill previously scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled due to threat of potential severe weather across the state. The City of Findlay had planned to test the warning sirens as part of the Statewide Tornado Drill.

March 20-26 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Ohio.

Area residents are encouraged to still prepare for weather emergencies and to know the difference between storm watches and warnings.

For example:

A Tornado WATCH means conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and near areas designated by the National Weather Service. Be ready to move to a place of safety if the watch is upgraded to a warning or if threatening weather approaches.

A Tornado WARNING means a tornado is imminent or has been sighted. Warnings indicate impending danger to life and property. Seek safe shelter immediately.

Watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service are automatically posted to the home and weather pages of WFIN.com, WKXA.com, and 1063TheFox.com. You can also sign up to receive text and email weather alerts by visiting GoFindlay.com.

The ENTIRE Village of Forest is on a WATER BOIL ADVISORY for the time being. Stay tuned for when the advisory is lifted.  Please tell your neighbors if you think they may not see the alert here.

Officials are asking residents to be patient and understanding as the maintenance crew is working diligently to get this fixed. You may have seen they were digging for a large share of the day trying to find the broken spot(s) at the corner of S. Patterson and W. Daisy streets.

Troy Roth, Findlay City Schools Superintendent, has sent a letter out to the FCS community cancelling classes for Friday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 18. In the letter, Roth states staffing shortages and student absenteeism. Monday, January 17 is a scheduled day off for students and staff to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 19. St. Michael the Archangel School  will also follow this schedule.

The letter goes on to say the buildings will be closed to thoroughly sanitize. Information is also provided regarding guidance for COVID protocols.

Letter can be read below.

If you’re traveling through downtown Findlay please use caution as traffic lights are not operational during the power outage. Traffic lights from Sandusky Street at South Main to Sixth Street are not on. Motorists are asked to treat the intersections as four way stops. Several near accidents were reported.

Area power outages due to strong storms and high winds are impacting over 4,400 AEP customers. Power went out around 2:15am Saturday morning. Areas affected include parts of downtown Findlay and south of Crawford Street. Radio stations WFIN, WKXA and 106.3 The Fox were off the air for a short time as well. Spectrum is also reporting outages, interrupting cable and internet services.

In a news release from Detective Sergeant, Jason Seem of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, authorities arrested Brian L. Ziessler (65 years of age) for the murder of Sherri Lynn Ziessler. Brian was taken into custody without incident and is currently incarcerated in the Hancock County Justice Center. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released.

The sheriff’s office says it received a 911 call  Monday morning, November 15 and responding deputies found that Sherri Ziessler, 59, suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Findlay Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

Photo courtesy Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

Father Michael Zacharias, pastor at St. Michael The Archangel Parish in Findlay has been arrested by the FBI and charged with coercion and enticement, sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of an adult.

The FBI says they made the arrest Tuesday morning at his residence near the church.

According to the complaint, investigators are aware Zacharias, age 53, has engaged in sexual conduct with minors since the late 1990s.

The offenses he has been charged with allegedly involve two boys from Catholic schools in Toledo.

The FBI believes there are additional victims they are unaware of and is asking anyone who had contact with Zacharias and was inappropriately touched or sexually assaulted by him to contact the FBI at 216-622-6842.

The Diocese of Toledo has placed Father Zacharias on administrative leave effective immediately.

“I am distraught by the news of the arrest of Father Michael Zacharias,” said Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn.

“These allegations are not taken lightly, and the Findlay Police Department and our community at large will support the full and thorough investigation by the FBI. Such abuse of power, and perversion of sexuality is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by any organization, individual, or society.”

You’ve probably seen the demolition happening just north of the Blanchard River along Main Street in Findlay the last few days.

Hancock County is tearing down 130 and 136 North Main Street, two properties that have repeatedly been damaged by flooding.

County officials say the area won’t be redeveloped for business or retail since it’s still in the flood zone.

However, a park and bike paths are being considered for the area.

Since the 2007 flood, the county has acquired about 160 flood-prone properties through a combination of sales tax money and federal grants.

The winter weather is creating hazardous driving for the area. Snow and drifting snow is contributing to low visibility and slippery conditions. Local sheriff departments have declared roadway and snow emergencies and numerous activities are being cancelled.

For an updated list of cancellations click HERE. If you have a cancellation to submit, call the WFIN Newsroom at 419-422-2056.

To sign up for weather and sheriff road alerts, click HERE.