What does the future hold for Ohio workplaces? Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, will share her insights Friday, October 4, at the next presentation in University of Findlay’s “Fridays at Findlay” lecture series.
Mihalik, a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, is a 2002 University of Findlay graduate and former mayor of Findlay. She will discuss “Ohio’s Workforce of the Future,” including workplace trends and challenges and how the Ohio Department of Development is helping Ohioans to prepare for future employment.
The informative discussion will focus on skills and abilities that will be in demand, how technology and automation will affect jobs, and what businesses, workers, customers, and communities can expect.
The event, open to the public, will take place in Winebrenner, 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.
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 October 2 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.
(WTOL-11) – Two northwest Ohio counties are warning residents about a new jury duty money scam.
The sheriff’s offices in both Wood and Lucas Counties say people have been getting phone calls and text messages about fake warrants regarding missed jury duty.
Scammers pretend to be law enforcement officers and make demands for payments.
Neither the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office nor Wood County will call about jury duty or demand money.
Friday night, we gave out the Distinguished Alumni Award during halftime.
The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor graduates of Findlay High School who have made significant and noteworthy achievements as successful adults in their chosen careers and/or have served as benefactors to mankind.
Furthermore, the purpose is to give current students the opportunity to realize and appreciate the contributions made by those who have graduated before them.
Dr. Joyce Friesner Swisher was a skilled and accomplished single mother to five children and educator within Findlay City Schools.
A few highlights include becoming the Special Education Supervisor of Findlay City Schools during the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition, she and two of the learning disabilities teachers spent a summer in Baltimore, Maryland at the Johns Hopkins University to become certified in teaching the Orton-Gillingham Multi-sensory approach to reading, a method that helped her dyslexic son learn to read.
For her doctoral thesis, Dr. Swisher ran a free summer school for kids with dyslexia.
Dr. Swisher continued expanding special education access for the children in the Findlay City Schools and adults with learning disabilities who she taught in her home.
She was an adjunct professor at Bowling Green State University, Ohio Northern University and Findlay College, (University of Findlay).
She helped write and promote the perceptual motor program used by Findlay City Schools.
Dr. Swisher touched so many lives and taught so many to read who thought they couldn’t.
About 35 supporters joined to dedicate the Bluffton Lions Way State Route 103 Path dedication Tuesday afternoon. Special music was given by a Bluffton High School Ensemble; Bluffton Administrator, Jesse Blackburn introduced Chris Hughes, ODOT District Deputy Director who congratulated the many pathway partners. Mayor Richard Johnson and Council President Jerry Cupples added their kudos and thanks. The MC for the event was Jackie Bourassa, the Bluffton Lions Foundation President.
Many donors, individuals, corporations, state agencies, and board members celebrated by cutting a ribbon and unveiling a recognition sign.
The State Route 103 Path connects numerous food vendors near the I-75/SR 103 interchange with the Village of Bluffton. Its construction represents a major improvement to the corridor entering the Village.
The State Route 103 Path is part of a master-plan to create 9.3 miles of class I pathway that completely encircles the Village of Bluffton and connects the 6 major recreation areas. The Bluffton Lions Foundation and the Bluffton Pathway Board have been consistently working on the master-plan for over 15 years. Completed pathways include Lions Way County Line Path; Augsburger Path; Bently Road Path; Bently Road North Path; Parkview Path and the Original Lions Way – on the Norfolk Southern Railway bed.
Community support is the reason these pathways exist; there have been extraordinary efforts and giving in Bluffton along with several major gifts and grants to make these paths a reality. ODOT and several other government agencies were instrumental in the SR 103 Path development.
Officials say, due to construction, the Hancock County Job and Family Services and OhioMeansJobs Hancock Building at 7746 County Road 140 will be closed to the public on October 1 and 2.
The agency says DNA testing appointments will not be affected and those with appointments should still arrive at their scheduled time.
The agency also says it will still be providing services on those days, just not in person.
Hancock County JFS is currently sharing space with OhioMeansJobs while the JFS building at 7814 County Road 140 is under construction.
According to the JFS website: Due to construction, the JFS office located at 7814 CR 140 is currently unavailable for use and all JFS lobby traffic is being directed to the OhioMeansJobs-Hancock County office located in the building north of the JFS building. The phone lines are currently unavailable at the JFS office.
There are also 2 drop boxes available for use: one is located just inside the OMJ main entrance and the other is located at the end of the main drive for the OMJ office off County Road 140.
Echoes of Memory: Explaining the Alzheimer’s Journey will be held on October 10 at the University of Findlay.
The event will focus on the impact that dementia has on families and detail how the disease journey changes over time, and how to navigate the Alzheimer’s continuum from diagnosis to end of life.
This will be a true community event featuring local experts and organizations:
-Dr. La Mancusa, M.D. – diagnostic process
-Tim Burkart, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, University of Findlay College of Pharmacy – medications and treatment options
-Andrea Sensel, OTD, OTR/L, University of Findlay Occupational Therapy – home safety/modifications for people living with dementia
-Misty Schnipke, RN, Bridge Home Health and Hospice – home health, palliative and hospice care
-Alzheimer’s Association – 10 Warning Signs of Alzhimer’s
Registration is requested by Oct. 3 by calling 419.419.5858 or emailing matorsell@alz.org.
Local vendor booths will open at 5:00 p.m; dinner served at 5:30 p.m.; presentations from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
“We are grateful to all our community partners and experts offering their time to educate the community on important topics related to Alzheimer’s,” said Pam Myers, senior director, programs for the Alzheimer’s Association Northwest Ohio and Central Ohio Chapters. “This will be an uplifting event to help educate and empower families that are facing the challenges of this disease.”
There are 236,200 Ohioans 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. More than 4,900 Ohioans died from Alzheimer’s in 2021. A total of 414,000 Ohio caregivers provide 624 million hours of unpaid care each year valued at over $11.4 billion.
Two Findlay Police Officers were on patrol eastbound in the left lane in the 200 block of Center St. just west of the CSX railroad tracks in a marked patrol vehicle on Monday at 1654 hours.
A white 2015 BMW 328I was traveling westbound on Center St. just east of the CSX railroad tracks.
The BMW was observed traveling at a high rate of speed. The BMW entered the curve grade in the roadway and crossed the railroad tracks at a high rate of speed.
The tires of the BMW lifted from the ground as it went over the tracks. When it landed it began to head left of center towards the Officers who were in motion.
The Officer driving made an evasive move to the right to prevent a collision. The driver of the BMW made a correction to back to the right to avoid going left of center and into the Officer’s lane of travel.
The BMW began to drift and fish tail when it corrected back to the right. The driver of the BMW was able to regain control and continued westbound on Center St.
The Officers made a U-turn and activated their lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop on the BMW for reckless driving.
The BMW did not yield to the Officer’s lights and sirens and began to flee westbound on Center St.
The BMW turned northbound on N. Main St. from Center St. It then turned eastbound on Cherry St. and accelerated to a high rate of speed.
The BMW continued eastbound on Cherry St. and turned northbound on Taylor St.
It then pulled into the parking lot of the Howard United Methodist Church (220 Cherry St.) and stopped.
A felony stop was conducted on the BMW.
The driver was identified as Payton Schuler (18 yoa) from Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky.
A passenger was identified as an 18 yoa male from Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Payton was arrested for fleeing and eluding (F-3) and issued a citation for reckless operation.
The passenger was released without charges.
Payton was incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center.
No injuries or damage were reported during the incident.
The pursuit covered .6 miles and reached speeds exceeding 60 MPH.
The first of two candidate forums being put on by WFIN and The Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday night.
The first forum was for Hancock County Common Pleas Court Judge and included Phil Riegle and Alex Treece. The winner will replace retiring Judge Reginald Routson.
Listen to the forum in the audio files below, or watch the video at the bottom of this story.
The second forum will be held on Monday, September 30 and include the candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives 83rd District; Republican Ty Mathews and Democrat Sheila Coressel.
The forums will be held at 50 North from 5 to 6 p.m. and moderated by WFIN’s Chris Oaks.
The deadline to register to vote is October 7 and absentee voting by mail and early in-person voting begins the following day. Election Day is November 5.
Click here for more election information from the Hancock County Board of Elections and click here for the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
The U.S. Department of Education has recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of the National Blue Ribbon Schools, including 14 schools in Ohio.
This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.
Principal Brad Calvelage says they are very proud of this honor.
“All the credit goes to the staff and the students and the work they put in together, the relationships our staff creates with our students, and also the community and the importance they put on education and the support they give to the school.”
The Ohio schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:
Ohio – Willoughby Hills – School of Innovation, Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.
A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.
The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:
Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.
Findlay Police Officer Paul Frey and Canine Officer Axel recently completed a five-week canine handler training class from Von Der Haus Gill German Shepherds in Wapakoneta, OH. They are now a certified canine team for the Findlay Police Department. Their first official day as a working canine team was Sunday, September 22, 2024. This canine handler team is replacing Officer Matthew Paugh and Canine Officer Shadow; in which Shadow was retired on August 17, 2024 after thirteen years of service with the Findlay Police Department. Ofcr. Frey and Canine Officer Axel will be joining Ofcr. Jacob Atkins and Canine Officer Deke as the second working canine team for the department.
Ofcr. Frey has been with the Findlay Police Department for over five years. Axel is a seventeen-month old male German Shepherd from Jessen, Germany. Axel is a dual-purpose patrol canine unit, which Ofcr. Frey and Axel successfully completed a training program approved by the Executive Director designed to prepare canine units to perform law enforcement duties. Such program must include training in those areas tested in the examination for certification in the following areas for patrol related duties:
Obedience
Building search
Area search
Criminal apprehension
Also, for special purpose canine unit, Ofcr. Frey and Axel successfully completed a training program approved by the Executive Director designed to prepare canine units to perform special purpose law enforcement duties. Such program must include training in one or more of the areas which are tested in the examination for certification in the following areas for special purpose duties:
Tracking
Article search
Narcotics detection
Each canine team has to certify annually with the State standards.
Ofcr. Frey and Canine Officer Axel will also be joining Ofcrs. Atkins and Deke in the Northwest Ohio K9 Group that consists of the following Law Enforcement Agencies: Fostoria Police Department, Kenton Police Department, Tiffin Police Department, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This NW Ohio K9 Group of canine handlerstrain on Monday evenings. They get more than the sixteen minimum monthly hours needed for a working canine team in the State of Ohio.
This canine handler team will be available on duty during their shift, as well as call outs, responses and/or assists from other area law enforcement agencies as needed.
We have been awarded a mission ready ballistic vest through a grant from Brady’s K9 Fund from Strongsville, OH; valued at $1,500.00. We also will be receiving a donated canine first aid kit from Blanchard Valley Veterinary Clinic from Findlay, OH.
