(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Two inspiring visual arts projects in Findlay have been awarded The Marianna Hofer Endowment Grant to foster artistic growth and promote community connection through the power of creativity.

Awakening Minds Art (AMA), a local nonprofit committed to inclusive arts education, is launching Cops & Kids Get Creative, a community initiative bringing together local law enforcement officers and youth through collaborative painting sessions. Hosted at the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 and facilitated by skilled AMA instructors, these guided art experiences are designed to build trust, encourage self-expression, and promote understanding. Spanning four sessions throughout the year, the program focuses on youth involved in therapies and specialized classrooms through the Educational Service Center, with additional spots available to the wider public. Participants will create individual artworks alongside officers, fostering connection in a welcoming and positive environment. [This program] “is designed to foster positive interactions between police officers and youth who may not typically have access to opportunities to engage with law enforcement in a positive, non-enforcement setting,” said Emily Sullivan, Executive Director for AMA. “Through art, students are able to see police officers as approachable individuals, not just as figures of authority.” Participants and their families will provide feedback through surveys and reflections, allowing AMA to evaluate the program’s impact on perceptions of law enforcement and artistic engagement.

Cindy Meadows, a dedicated visual artist and educator, is embarking on an intensive self-paced educational journey through the internationally respected Watercolor Academy. This program, led by acclaimed tutors, provides personalized instruction in classical watercolor techniques. Through one-on-one tutoring, Meadows will work through up to 100 custom-tailored projects while receiving individualized critiques on both assigned and future work. In addition to online coursework, Meadows is investing in professional-grade tools and equipment to elevate her technical execution and teaching practice. Her home studio will also be enhanced with improved lighting to enable more flexible working hours. Ultimately, this initiative will allow her to integrate classical approaches into her teaching, enriching the learning experiences of her students and raising the quality of her own artistic output. “My passion is art! I enjoy teaching and seeing the development of skills,” said Meadows. “These skills gained will apply to other areas of art, as well as improve my teaching abilities in watercolor.”

The Marianna Hofer Endowment Grant was established with The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation to support the vibrant arts community of Hancock County. Inspired by the legacy of Marianna L. Hofer, a beloved University of Findlay professor, poet, and photographer, the grant empowers recipients to explore their artistic visions, enrich their communities, and transform lives through the arts. Since 2018, the Hofer Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation has awarded $53,418 in grant dollars to 23 artists and arts organizations in Hancock County to advance various art education programs.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

On 5-20-2025, at approximately 0118 hours, officers were dispatched to 1245 Crystal Glen Blvd. Apt. C for a report of a domestic disturbance in progress. An officer made contact at the apartment front door with the male and female. The female was actively bleeding from a cut on her hand and the male was attempting to shut the door on the female and officer. The officer pulled the female out of the doorway away from the male, who then shut the door and locked it. The female victim was treated and transported by HANCO to Blanchard Valley Hospital for further treatment of her injury.

Additional officers arrived and began attempting to make contact with the male inside. The male began threatening to harm himself and threatened to tamper with the gas lines inside the apartment and blow up the apartment building. Officers began evacuating residents from their apartments for their safety and contacted the Findlay Fire Department to shut the gas off to the building. Officers continued talking with the suspect, identified as Savas Rivas Jr. (age 56) through the door in an attempt to get him to surrender. After some negotiations, Savas exited the apartment and was taken into custody without incident. Savas was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital as a precaution. Savas was eventually incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center on charges of Domestic Violence (F3), Inducing Panic (M1), and Obstructing Official Business (M2).

Findlay Fire Department and Columbia Gas remained on scene to ensure the apartment building was safe and to turn the gas back on. Residents were then allowed back into their apartments.

(From Hancock Park District)

Zonta Landing Boat Rentals at Riverside Park will be reopening for the season on Saturday, May 24!

The hours are 1-7 pm on Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays through Labor Day.

Canoes, Kayaks, & Pedal Boats are available for rent at a standard rental fee of $5 per 1/2 hour.

Zonta Landing accepts cash or check only.

For more information, please visit the “Park News” section of our website, hancockparks.com.

(From the City of Findlay)

Columbia Gas will be reducing Center Street to one lane in each direction from Main St. to the railroad for gas line replacement.

Work will begin on May 22nd and will continue for approximately 6 weeks.

Flaggers will be on site to help direct traffic.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Columbia Gas if you have any questions about this project at 216-695-9214.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

As planting season is in full swing, you’ll be seeing more agricultural machinery on the roads.

These vehicles move much slower than typical traffic and may take up more space.

Please use extra caution:

• Be patient — don’t rush to pass.
• Give farm equipment plenty of room.
• Watch for wide turns or sudden stops.
• Look for flashing lights and slow-moving vehicle signs.

Our local farmers are working hard to feed our communities. Let’s all do our part to keep them — and everyone else — safe on the road.

(From the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) in Findlay has joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Heart & Vascular Network. The premier network extends Ohio State’s heart and vascular expertise by providing top-tier cardiovascular care and ensuring patients receive the best possible treatment close to home.

“We have the opportunity to redefine cardiovascular care in our community through a strategic collaboration with The Ohio State University Heart & Vascular Network,” said Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Blanchard Valley Health System. “This new partnership will help us fulfill our mission to bring the best health care and highest clinical expertise to those we serve. The road ahead will focus on expanding cardiovascular services and prioritizing quality care. Ultimately, the vision is to advance teamwork and transform the patient experience.”

Collaboration of the Heart & Vascular Network with partner health systems will extend clinical care, research and education across Ohio. “Ohio State’s Heart & Vascular Center and BVHS have a longstanding relationship, especially in electrophysiology. BVHS is now a core member of the Heart & Vascular Network, marking one of the most comprehensive and exciting collaborations in the Heart & Vascular Center’s history,” said John J. Warner, MD, CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State. “This enhanced collaboration speaks to our shared commitment to meeting the health care needs of all Ohioans while also keeping care close to home.”

The heart program at BVHS will benefit from improved access to specialized care and seamless coordination of resources with Ohio State, Lewis said. BVHS recently renamed its cardiovascular facility the Heminger Heart and Vascular Center, with the full support and generosity of donors Jane and Gary Heminger. The name change reflects the organization’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and innovation, ensuring that patients across the region receive the highest-quality treatment.

A family of four was hit by a train on a railroad bridge in Fremont.

The train hit the two adults and two children around 7 p.m. Sunday.

Authorities said the family was from Fort Wayne and was in Fremont on a fishing trip.

The mother, 38, and grandmother, 58, were both killed and a 14-month-old girl was found and life-flighted to a hospital, authorities said.

Authorities were searching for a missing five-year-old girl and have since located the body of the child. 

(picture courtesy of WTOL-11)

The Findlay High School Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m.

The ceremony will be held at the University of Findlay’s Koehler Center.

A livestream of the commencement can be seen by clicking here.

(From the Fostoria Police Department)

The Fostoria Police and Fire Departments teamed up with the Fostoria City Schools, Fostoria Chamber of Commerce and The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society, to bring back Safety Town for Fostoria area Preschoolers who will be going into Kindergarten during the 2025-2026 school year. The energetic group got to learn about school bus etiquette, railroad safety, stranger danger/ DARE, fire safety, traffic signals and signs, while also getting to see a police K9 demonstration and touring all the first responder vehicles.

All of the classes and demonstrations were formulated to teach the children about possible situations and encounters they may run into, while traveling on foot or by bike on their way to school or the bus stop; All in order to help them make the best decisions and to keep them safe.

This one-day event ran from 930AM- 2PM, before each participant received their graduation certificate at the end of the day.

A special thanks goes out to the Fostoria Safety Council, Fostoria Learning Center, Fostoria ProMedica Hospital, The Pizzi Family Fund (grant), Burrow’s Screen-printing, Beyond Laser Creations, Fostoria Pizza Palace, and everyone who worked at the event and made this all possible.

Thanks for such a great day!

Chief Wedge and Chief Root

(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

Cory-Rawson Elementary School hosted families on Friday, May 16, 2025 for its second annual “Habit Hop”.  The purpose of this event is to connect with our families and community while sharing and reinforcing the seven habits that are the foundation of the school’s Leader in Me initiative.  

The event began with a picnic lunch at which families enjoyed the beautiful weather and outdoors.  Later in the day, families made their way through seven stations, one of each of the habits. 

The habits include:  Being proactive; beginning with the end in mind; putting first things first; thinking win-win; seeking first to understand; then be understood; synergizing; and, “sharpening the saw”. 

There was an activity at each station to reinforce the habit and families were assisted by staff and high school student volunteers.

Our “Habit Hop” was planned by the staff Lighthouse Team with assistance from our student Lighthouse Team.  Thanks to The Findlay-Hancock Community Foundation for their support of this event.