All posts by Matt Demczyk

Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Sworn In

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Today, we had the honor of witnessing Corrections Officer Molly being officially sworn in by Sheriff Cortez—a proud moment made even more special as she took the oath alongside her father.

Join us in congratulating Molly on this incredible milestone!

We’re thrilled to have her as part of the team and look forward to the great work she’ll do.

Welcome aboard, Molly!

Community Foundation Celebrating Dale Dorney On His Birthday

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

Today is Dale Dorney’s birthday, and if anyone deserves a birthday salute, it’s him.

Who could have imagined all the good that would come from the $2.2 million gift he left to establish The Community Foundation?

Dale’s gift has been improving the quality of life in our community ever since.

The Dorney Fund alone has awarded more than $11 million in grants.

Dale’s legacy continues to grow with each passing year. Happy Birthday!

Learn more about Dale and his gift: https://www.community-foundation.com/…/dale-dorney…

Findlay City Schools Announces Second Phase Of Potential Budget Cuts

(From Findlay City Schools)

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education has shared a second phase of potential budget reductions should the district’s 1% earned income tax levy, appearing on the May 6 ballot, not pass. These reductions would be in addition to the $6 million in reductions for the 2025-2026 school year following the unsuccessful November 2024 levy.

Findlay City Schools has not received new operating funds from the community in over 20 years, and under Ohio law, school district property tax levies do not increase with inflation. The 1% earned income tax levy is designed to provide sustainable funding for the district while exempting retirees and those on fixed incomes from additional taxation.

Should the Board continue to be unsuccessful in securing additional operating funding, as shared in September of 2024, a second round of likely cuts would need to be implemented in FY27. The likely cuts would be in addition to the cuts taking place in FY26:

  • Reducing the administrative staff by up to an additional 4 positions
  • Reduce the teaching staff up to another approximate 15-20 positions, further increasing class sizes
  • Shift to half day kindergarten, reducing kindergarten staff in half
  • Further reductions to supplemental positions in athletics and the performing arts
  • Additional support staff reductions and safety/security reductions
  • Custodial and possibly maintenance staff reductions
  • Closing buildings at designated times to reduce utility costs
  • Limit or eliminate bussing to extracurricular activities

These likely reductions are subject to change based on retirements and resignations, changes to enrollment, changes to state or Federal funding, or other circumstances. Should additional revenue not be added to the general fund to offset the impending deficit, a third phase of cuts will be necessary and articulated by the Board of Education at a later date.

Findlay City Schools encourages residents to stay informed about the May 6 levy and its potential impact. Additional information, including financial details and FAQs, is available on the district’s website at www.fcs.org.

The district remains committed to providing quality education and encourages community members to attend upcoming informational sessions or contact the district office with any questions.

Open House To Be Held At New BVHS Wellness Park Campus

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will hold a community open house showcasing its new Wellness Park campus from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 8.

This community event will feature a ribbon-cutting with the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

Guided tours will be available, allowing community members to learn about the comprehensive care offered at Wellness Park. Conveniently located near I-75 on the north end of Findlay, the campus brings together primary care and a variety of specialties at one centralized location.

“In the weeks since Wellness Park opened, our community has benefited from how multiple specialties on the same campus allows for better collaboration among our caregivers and gives patients easy access,” said Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of BVHS. “We look forward to showing Wellness Park to the community and giving Northwest Ohio residents a chance to learn more about the exceptional care our teams provide there every day.”

Services offered include primary care, pediatrics, endocrinology, diabetes management, rheumatology, orthopedics, podiatry, sports medicine, pediatric rehabilitation, and various rehabilitation therapies (physical, occupational, and speech). BVHS also offers imaging and laboratory services right on-site.

Wellness Park aims to address the growing challenges of chronic conditions like diabetes while expanding primary care options.

The site features an expanded Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine with an on-site gym area along with a dedicated pediatric rehab space for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral health therapy.

Wellness Park is located at 3401 and 3411 Wellness Way, Findlay. For more information, please call 1.833.509.WELL or visit bvhealthsystem.org/wellness

Historical Museum Releases 2025 Classic Movie Night Lineup

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum has released its calendar for Classic Movie Night 2025, kicking off with the beloved classic, The Wizard of Oz (1939), at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 21.

Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, and Ray Bolger, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale as she is swept away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. With the help of her newfound friends—the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion—she embarks on a journey to meet the Wizard and find her way home.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Historical information is provided before the movie, and guests are welcome to stay for discussion afterward.

New in 2025!

We are excited to welcome students from the Ray Browne Association (RBA) at Bowling Green State University as guest hosts for select showings! The RBA is a student organization dedicated to promoting the study of popular culture, continuing the legacy of Ray B. Browne, founder of BGSU’s Department of Popular Culture. RBA students will host our March, May, July, and October screenings, adding fresh insight and discussion to these cinematic treasures.

This month’s movie will be presented by RBA BGSU Popular Culture student Sarah Urbank. She is a master’s student in the Department of English, graduating this May, and serves as the Treasurer and Media and Outreach Coordinator for the Ray Browne Association.

The 2025 Classic Movie Line Up includes:

March 21 – The Wizard of Oz (G) 1939

Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, and Ray Bolger

April 25 – Support Your Local Sheriff (G) 1969

Starring James Garner, Joan Hackett & Walter Brennan

May 16 – The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (G) 1966

Starring Don Knotts & Joan Staley

June 20 – State Fair (G) 1945

Starring Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews & Dick Haymes

July 18 – A Face in the Crowd (PG) 1957

Starring Andy Griffith & Patricia Neal

August 16 (Outdoor Movie) – The Goonies (PG) 1985

Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin & Corey Feldman

October 24 – Bride of Frankenstein (PG) 1935

Starring Boris Karloff 7 Elsa Lanchester

November 21 – Dark Passage (PG) 1947

Starring Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall

December 19 – It’s A Wonderful Life (PG) 1946

Starring James Stewart & Donna Reed, Directed by Frank Capra

All movies will be shown at the Hancock Historical Museum at 422 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and movies begin at 7:00 PM. Complimentary popcorn and refreshments will be available.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience these classic films as they were meant to be seen—on the big screen and surrounded by fellow film lovers! For more information, visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.

AI And Drone Use To Study Animals Topic Of Presentation At UF

(From the University of Findlay)

The use of AI-driven drone technology to study animal populations will be the focus of a March 28 “Fridays at Findlay” presentation at the University of Findlay.

Jenna Kline, a computer science PhD candidate at Ohio State University, will discuss “Drones and AI in Field Animal Ecology: Integrating Biology, Animal Science, and Technology.”

Her presentation is open to the public and will take place in the Winebrenner Building, TLB Auditorium on the UF campus. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast buffet with the presentation from 7:50 to 9 a.m.

Kline’s research develops AI-driven drone technology for field animal ecology, integrating computer vision, robotics, and edge computing to enhance wildlife monitoring and behavioral analysis in remote environments.

She will share her fieldwork in Kenya and at the Wilds conservation center in Ohio and how she applies AI to study animal behavior in diverse ecosystems.

By bridging technology with biology and animal science, she aims to improve real-time ecological data collection and aid conservation strategies.

Sponsored by Premier Bank, the Fridays at Findlay lecture series encourages continued educational opportunities for members of the community, the campus, and alumni.

Register online by March 27 at www.findlay.edu/FridaysAtFindlay or call University Advancement at 419-434-5334 for more information. The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for students.

Findlay Family YMCA Hosting Healthy Kids Day

(From the Findlay Family YMCA)

The Findlay Family YMCA will host the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on Friday, April 11, from 5-8 p.m. at the University of Findlay Koehler Center, located at 1000 N. Main St. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families, and a healthy start to the summer season.

Sponsored locally by the University of Findlay, Blanchard Valley Health System, and Hancock Public Health, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to prepare Hancock County families for a safe, healthy and fun summer. Some featured activities will include bounce house, archery, gaga ball, healthy snacks, exercise demo classes, obstacle courses, backyard games, soccer skills, and a walk through the doctor’s office.

Healthy Kids Day will also welcome City of Findlay employees, who will bring a fire truck, police car, and ambulance for kids to see and ask questions.

“It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said CEO Stephanie Parsons. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y has to offer.”

For more information, contact Y Operations Director Chandler Cramer at ccramer@findlayymca.com or at 419-422-4424, ext. 126.

Date Set For Findlay Police Department’s Bicycle Rodeo

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The Findlay Police Department’s Bicycle Rodeo is a free, family friendly event that promotes healthy living and bicycle safety.

This year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 7 and feature a light breakfast, live entertainment, children’s activities and prizes.

There will also be several safety stations, where area youth were learn about the different aspects of bicycle safety and have a chance to practice it on road and obstacle courses.

Helmets and bicycle licenses are also provided free of charge. Emergency vehicles will be on display, as well as other organizations.

This event is geared towards youth ages 4 -12, but all are welcome.

Registration is required at the event, or you can pre-register here to skip the lines:

https://docs.google.com/…/1PakJP5AyCQRR2AsgIIykJJX…/edit

BVHS Retail Pharmacies Open To The Community

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Our retail pharmacies at Blanchard Valley Health System are open to the Northwest Ohio community.

Associates at the Center for Medication Management, located within Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, and Harry’s Pharmacy, inside the Carey Medical & Diagnostic Center, are happy to serve and fill prescriptions for community members.

For more information or to transfer or refill a prescription, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/pharmacy.

You can also call, using the numbers below, for assistance:

Center for Medication Management: 419.429.7002

Harry’s Pharmacy: 419.369.7977

Bill Would Increase Fines For Excessive Speeding

(ONN) – State lawmakers are pushing for an increased fine on drivers who speed excessively on Ohio roads.

House Bill 111 would add a $200 fine to tickets for drivers who exceed posted speed limits by 30 miles per hour or more.

An offender could also receive an additional fine for distracted driving, according to the bill.

More than 6,000 speed-related crashes on Ohio highways have been reported this year.

The bill has been referred to the House Public Safety Committee.