(From Community Foundation President & CEO Brian Treece)

I’m a proud dad, and my daughter and I talk a lot about our community and always work to identify the helpers—people doing their part to make a positive difference.

She notices many helpers at her school, at the library, when we see first responders, and when we’re running errands.

As we approach the end of another year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible support and generosity shown to The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation again this year. Year after year, I am grateful for everyone who plays a role in this meaningful organization. It’s truly heartwarming to witness the spirit of giving and collaboration that thrives in our community. I would like to identify some of the helpers I get to work with in my work at The Community Foundation.

To read the full editorial from Foundation President & CEO Brian Treece: https://www.community-foundation.com/…/thankful-for-our…

(From the University of Findlay)

Brandon Heidepriem has been named vice president of information technology services and Rob Sauritch as vice president of business affairs and treasurer for the University of Findlay.

University of Findlay President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., believes both administrators are strong additions to her leadership team.

Heidepriem has been a UF employee for 11 years and served as interim vice president of ITS since May, replacing Dr. Ray McCandless, D.A., who was appointed as a UF chief project officer to help lead the UF-Bluffton University merger process.

“Brandon will continue to collaborate with campus leadership to align IT strategies with our overall goals and priorities, and he will explore emerging technologies to enhance UF’s digital environment as higher education continues to evolve,” President Fell said.

Sauritch brings more than 30 years of experience as a financial analyst and manager in higher education and private industry. Most recently he served for 13 years as the CFO/assistant dean of finance and facilities operations for the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

“Rob has successfully overseen complex portfolios, facilities projects of all magnitudes, endowment management, and auxiliary enterprises.” President Fell noted. “His ability to balance fiscal responsibility with strategic vision has resulted in sustainable growth and operational excellence, experience that will help us to remain fiscally strong.”

As vice president of ITS, Heidepriem oversees all aspects of information technology services and infrastructure at UF, while ensuring that cybersecurity and data privacy practices are maintained. He also leads strategic planning and execution of IT initiatives to support academic, administrative, and operational functions.

Previously he served as UF’s assistant vice president of ITS since 2013. He also worked for Microsoft Corp. and for Plumbline Solutions Inc., a Microsoft Dynamics SL-focused consulting business. Heidepriem is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Bowling Green State University.

“I am committed to empowering our campus, leveraging technology to drive positive change, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement,” Heidepriem said. “Together, we will not only meet the challenges of today but also shape the digital landscape of tomorrow, ensuring that UF remains at the forefront of technological advancement and excellence.”

Sauritch explained that in his role of fiduciary responsibility to UF, he oversees the budget, audit, cash management, treasury, banking, insurance, and more.

“I see our Business Affairs team as the heart of University operations – and as the businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie famously said, ‘My heart is in the work.’”

Sauritch earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s of business administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Pictured above, from left: Brandon Heidepriem and Rob Sauritch

The Findlay Fire Department is sharing some safety tips to prevent holiday fires.

The fire department says a heat source too close to a Christmas tree causes one in every four winter fires.

You should make sure your tree is at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and space heaters.

You should always read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.

Make sure to replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

The fire department recommends using battery-operated flameless candles, but if you use the real thing, make sure to always keep lit candles away from decorations and anything that can burn.

Turn off lights and decorations when you leave home or go to bed.

Test your smoke alarms and always have an escape plan.

Get more safety tips by clicking here.

(From the Children’s Museum of Findlay)

Important Update From the Children’s Museum of Findlay

A portion of the Findlay Mall will be closing on January 31, 2025 which includes our current space, so our last day at this location will be Sunday, January 19, 2025. 

While this marks the end of an era, it’s also the beginning of an exciting new chapter!

Our team is working hard to secure a new home, and we’ve narrowed down our options to two promising locations. Stay tuned for updates as we finalize our next adventure!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽:

-𝘿𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 Support our move and future exhibits here: www.cmfindlay.com/give

-𝙑𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧 Help with moving between January 20-31, 2025. Email us to be included: hello@cmfindlay.com

-𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩 View helpful items for our move here: https://a.co/c1axpWz

More Important Info:

𝔹𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕪/𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕝𝕕 𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕡 bookings after January 20? We’ll reach out with options.

𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡𝕤: All active memberships will be extended during our closure.

Thank you for your continued support — we can’t wait to build our future together!

Follow us and our moving updates:

http://cmfmove.weebly.com

With gratitude,

𝒦𝑜𝓇𝒶 𝐵𝓊𝓇𝓉𝒸𝒽, Executive Director

Children’s Museum of Findlay

(ONN) – Two police departments in Ohio are the first in the state to use a new tool to catch criminals.

In a Facebook post, the Garfield Heights Police Department announced that their vehicles have been equipped with ‘the Grappler’ for use in vehicle pursuits.

The Parma Police Department has had their vehicles outfitted as well.

The device allows police to stop a car chase by driving behind the suspect’s vehicle and deploying a net from the cruiser’s front bumper that paralyzes the fleeing car’s back wheels.

Manufacturers of the Grappler say there are now approximately 65 law enforcement agencies across the nation using their device with close to a thousand successful captures.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Today marks nine incredible years and counting!

On December 18, 2015, MCPA opened its doors to the public for the first time

A word from one of our founding members, Rod Walton!

“MCPA has transformed my life by being the cultural hub this community was so longing for. As one of the five founding board members, our vision was to create a world class venue that Findlay and all of Northwest Ohio would be extremely proud of. As we get ready to celebrate the ten year anniversary of our beloved facility in 2025, I am so grateful for all of the opportunities MCPA has been able to share by “enriching lives through arts, culture, and entertainment”.

“That’s MCPA’s mission and one that serves the community well. I am so proud of being able to play a small role in bringing this vision to life which will serve our community for generations to come.”

Will you help us continue the vision of our founders? Donate by clicking here.

Findlay firefighters helped brighten the holidays for several local kids and their families.

The Findlay Fire Department again this year participated in the Shop With a Firefighter program, in conjunction with Findlay Hope House and Walmart.

Firefighters took the youngsters shopping at the Walmart on Tiffin Avenue which donated a $3,000 grant for the event.

The kids bought a gift for each member of their family and also spent some money on themselves.

Families also received a gift card to purchase everything they would need for a nice Christmas dinner.

Millstream Area Credit Union volunteers then wrapped up the gifts for the families.

Findlay firefighter Travis Bohn told WFIN he looks forward to the event every year.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said a person missing from a nursing home was located with the help of a drone thermal camera.

The sheriff’s office said the male resident left on foot from Autumn Court Nursing Home in Ottawa on Wednesday night and staff couldn’t locate him.

Authorities responded to help in the search and the sheriff’s office utilized its drone which located the individual in the back yard of a nearby residence.

The individual was not injured but was transported to a hospital for evaluation.

(From the Ohio Mayors Alliance)

The Ohio Mayors Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s 31 largest cities, held its annual membership meeting at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. During the meeting, the mayors outlined the organization’s policy and legislative priorities for next year, including consistent state funding to support local public safety costs.

“We look forward to working with our partners in the state legislature to ensure that our state and our local communities thrive,” said Findlay Mayor and OMA Board Member Christina Muryn. “Cities play such an important role in driving regional growth and supporting Ohio’s statewide economic success, but more collaboration is necessary on issues such as public safety, housing, and economic development.”

The first recommendation from the bipartisan mayors’ group is to establish a new, dedicated state funding stream to support local public safety needs. The fund would be allocated to local governments with full time police departments by formula and would be directed to helping address the rising costs of critical public safety needs in Ohio’s local communities.

“The largest budgetary expense for most cities throughout Ohio is public safety and those costs continue to increase every year, especially for hiring, attracting, and retaining talented public safety personnel,” said Cleveland Mayor and OMA Board Member Justin Bibb. “Providing state funding support would go a long way to help our cities improve public safety and support our first responders.”

In addition to a dedicated public safety fund for local communities, the Ohio Mayors Alliance also proposed:

• • the establishment of a state commission on home rule;

• • a state program to incentivize pro-growth housing policies;

• • more local regulatory protections on products such marijuana and tobacco sales; and

• support for a range of state economic development initiatives and programs that support local communities.

(ONN) – A new bill could affect hundreds of thousands of Ohio drivers.

Ohio House Bill 29 makes it harder to lose your driver’s license and easier to get it reinstated if it becomes suspended.

Lawmakers argued that having a valid driver’s license is essential for Ohioans to participate in the economy.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Ohio Poverty Center believed prior laws were discriminatory against impoverished Ohioans and actually prevented debt resolution.

On average, there are more than 250,000 license suspensions imposed each year in Ohio.