(From the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force)

The  Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force assisted by the Hancock County Special Response Team (SRT) executed a narcotic search warrant at 119 S. Cumberland St. Arlington Oh.

The search of the residence yielded suspected methamphetamine, suspected Prescription Pills and drug paraphernalia. Multiple items indicative of drug trafficking were also located.

As a result of the search the following person was arrested and incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center:

Shane Lively Sr. (age 38)

119 S. Cumberland St

Findlay, Ohio

Charge: Warrants Hancock County Sheriff’s Officer two counts of trafficking F5

Additional charges of drug trafficking in a school zone and possession of drugs are expected at the conclusion of this investigation.

The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and funded in part by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.”

(From the University of Findlay)

Ten University of Findlay students are the 2024-25 recipients of more than $60,000 through the Business Affiliates Scholarship Program. This University program offers academic scholarships to Oiler students who have graduated from a Hancock County high school or who are employed by Hancock County organizations.

This year’s scholarship recipients are: Emily Morehart, sophomore from Findlay, accounting major with a finance minor; Kelsie Ritzler, sophomore from Findlay, marketing major; Haleigh Gatchel, fourth year doctor of pharmacy program from Bluffton; Frankie Jones, junior from Forest, finance and accounting major; Maria Saltzman, junior from Alvada, wellness and health promotion major; Owen Styer, senior from Kenton, computer science major; Ashlyn Bohman, junior from Osgood, exercise science for pre-physical therapy major; Caylee Combs, senior from Delaware, pre-vet/animal science and English equestrian studies major; Jaylesiyah Barner-Moon, senior from Columbus, criminal justice major; and Marisa Supers, senior from Dennison, pre-vet/animal science major.

“We appreciate the many local businesses and organizations that are supporting, recruiting, and employing UF graduates,” said Madelynn Greenslade, ’21, UF director of annual giving, who coordinates the program. “Their efforts are developing the talents of new generations of Oilers who are becoming key contributors to our community and local workforce, creating lasting positive impacts.”

The program is administered by the University’s Business Affiliates advisory board, a group of nine Findlay and Hancock County business leaders working with the UF Advancement office. The 2024-25 board members are Erin Schwiebert, chair, O-I Glass; Brian Beltz, Beltz Home Service Co.; Laura Brown ‘07, ’09, Marathon Petroleum Corporation; Mark Cosiano ‘05, ’07, Whirlpool Corporation; Michael Epps, Citizens National Bank; Shawn Fultz ’95, Pfizer; Joshua Reams ’02, Millstream Area Credit Union; Thomas Wagner, Mass Mutual; and Austin Wilson, ’14, Hixon Zuercher Capital Management.

Schwiebert said the generous support of Business Affiliates members helps to ease the financial burden on students as they pursue their academic goals and future careers.

“The Business Affiliates program isn’t just a scholarship, it is a foundation for success and a testament to the endless possibilities when knowledge and industry converge,” she added.

The Business Affiliates Scholarship Program has secured more than $790,000 in scholarship contributions during the past 23 years and impacted the financial well-being of 370 UF students financially since its inception in 2001, Greenslade noted.

“We are so proud of our UF graduates who have developed into valuable members of our community,” she said.

For more information on Business Affiliates, visit the program website https://give.findlay.edu/corporate-engagement/ or call the UF Advancement Office at 419-434-4008.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

On November 20, we celebrate Madeleine Schneider’s birthday.

Madeleine was born in Findlay in 1914 and led an incredible life.

She left her entire estate, totaling $25 million, to The Community Foundation without restriction.

This gift to our Community’s Endowment is the largest unrestricted gift in our history and has resulted in more than $21.5 million in awarded grants.

Madeleine’s legacy continues to grow with each passing year.

Happy Birthday! https://www.community-foundation.com/…/madeleines-legacy 

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Brian T. Schneck has been selected as the 2024 Trooper of the Year at the Findlay Post.

The selection of Trooper Schneck, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2024 at the Findlay Post.

Fellow officers stationed at the Findlay Post, chose Trooper Schneck based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.

Trooper Schneck joined the Highway Patrol in 2017 and has served at the Mansfield Post and Findlay Post since then.

Trooper Schneck graduated from Tiffin University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Other Highway Patrol awards received in the past include: 2023 Findlay Post Trooper of the year, the Safe Driving Ribbon, Physical Fitness with excellence Ribbon, and Field Training Officer Ribbon.

Trooper Schneck and his wife, Faith, reside in Allen County with their child.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Dispatcher Courtney Barth has been selected as the 2024 Dispatcher of the Year at the Findlay Dispatch Center.

Barth, 32, was honored in recognition of outstanding service during the past year at the Findlay Dispatch Center.

Sworn officers and dispatchers chose Barth based on technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork, and prompt and courteous response to the public’s request for information and assistance.

Dispatcher Barth joined the Highway Patrol in 2012 and has served at the Findlay Dispatch Center since joining the Division.

She is originally from Findlay and a graduate of Liberty-Benton High School.

Dispatcher Barth was Dispatcher of the year for the Findlay Post in 2020.

Barth is a field training officer.

Dispatcher Barth resides in Findlay with her husband and son.

Weather forecasters are saying we could get the first snow of the season on Thursday and the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Hancock County Garage on Lima Avenue in Findlay is ready.

Deidra Noel, transportation administrator for ODOT in Hancock County, says they started prepping their trucks in mid-October and had a district-wide inspection to make sure they were ready to go.

And as usual, ODOT is asking drivers to do their part to help their snow plow operators clear the roads as efficiently as possible.

“Just take your time and slow down, give yourself enough distance between the vehicle in front of you, especially if it’s one of our trucks. Snow coming off of a truck makes visibility even worse so just back up and give us some space.”

Noel says the Hancock County ODOT Garage has 21 trucks and is responsible for 621 lane miles in the county, including Interstate 75 from Bluffton to North Baltimore.

Noel says, as a manager, she doesn’t get to plow snow as much as she used to, unfortunately.

“It’s really fun. Everybody who works here enjoys it. It’s a public service and when you’re good at what you do, you’re proud of it.”

Click here for the latest forecast, weather alerts, and road alerts.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is excited to announce the upcoming opening of Wellness Park, a new, comprehensive campus on the north end of Findlay.

At this innovative healthcare destination, the skilled team will provide a full spectrum of services, including primary care, endocrinology, diabetes management, rheumatology, orthopedics, sports medicine, and podiatry. Additionally, both pediatric and adult physical, occupational, and speech therapies will be available. On-site imaging and laboratory services will further enhance patient convenience, offering centralized and accessible care.

The campus encompasses more than 75,000 square feet and is designed to employ around 150 associates when fully staffed. With its cutting-edge resources, strategic location, and commitment to quality care, Wellness Park will stand as a beacon of health, healing, and innovation. Conveniently located at 3401 Wellness Way in Findlay, the campus is easily accessible from County Road 99 and nearby I-75, providing a valuable resource for both patients and associates.

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

“Wellness Park will bring together a variety of specialty physicians, but also will serve as an opportunity to expand primary care offerings,” said Myron D. Lewis, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of BVHS. “We’re excited about the opportunity to increase the community’s access to care, and we know this state-of-the-art campus will help in our efforts to recruit primary care physicians to the area. Primary care is just one example, however, of how we are confident this new location will improve access to healthcare in our area.”

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.

With practitioners from several specialties coordinating care at a single site, the organization will be able to manage our community’s health and well-being needs even better than before. Wellness Park brings together comprehensive care in one centralized location, reinforcing the BVHS mission of “Caring for a lifetime.”

“BVHS has been planning for Wellness Park for several years,” said Kelly Shroll, chief operating officer-ambulatory services. “In addition to serving as a site for doctor’s appointments, Wellness Park will also be a convenient location for patients who just need routine lab work. This location at the north end of town, close to the I-75 exit, is easily accessible not only to residents of Findlay but to those who live in surrounding communities.

“The campus itself was designed with input from our associates to ensure we were meeting their needs as well as those of our patients,” Shroll went on. “We put an emphasis on making it both functional and attractive. For example, the pediatric rehabilitation area is designed to be kid-friendly and soothing, and we placed large windows throughout the campus to let in a lot of natural light.”

Many community members may have already received letters informing them that their physician or provider will be at a new location. However, BVHS reminds the public that, as of December 16, 2024, the following practices will be seeing patients at Wellness Park: Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio (including the Community Glucose Monitoring Project), Rheumatology Specialists of Northwest Ohio, and Primary Care at Wellness Park. (Primary Care at Wellness Park is a new practice.)

Soon thereafter, the practices of Julie A. Cole Rehab and Sports Medicine Services and Blanchard Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, as well as laboratory and imaging services, will begin operating at Wellness Park on January 6, 2025.

New patients seeking to make an appointment with these or any other BVHS practice can call 419.422.APPT.

The new Wellness Park campus is one of the cornerstone projects of an exciting space planning effort at BVHS that continues the organization’s longstanding tradition of delivering high-quality care to the Northwest Ohio community.

Other cornerstone projects include the expansion of The Armes Family Cancer Care Center and hospital enhancements including the new Acute Rehabilitation Unit. BVHS is requesting the community’s support through a capital campaign that will help fund the construction, expansion, accessibility, and technological advancements.

“The generosity of the community has been humbling and overwhelming. As we wrap up the silent phase of the capital campaign, the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation has secured over $13 million from generous philanthropists for these important projects,” commented Karen George, chief development officer. “These improvements will help BVHS deliver better health outcomes for those who live and work here. As we move into the public phase of the campaign, we aspire to secure a total of $20 million. It will take the entire community to support this landmark vision.”

For more information about Wellness Park, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/wellness-park

For more information about the capital campaign, please visit https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/support-the-foundation/events-campaigns/capital-campaign/bvhs-capital-campaign

(ONN) – A coalition of voting and civil rights organizations can now move forward with its effort to enshrine new voting rights in the Ohio Constitution.

The Ohio Ballot Board approved the group’s petition for a proposed constitutional amendment called the “Ohio Voters Bill of Rights.”

The key points in the amendment include allowing same-day voting, meaning Ohioans could register and vote on Election Day.

It would expand valid voter ID options to include a school-issued photo ID.

Plus, the measure would give county boards of elections the power to extend early voting hours and add early voting locations and ballot drop boxes.

Supporters will have to gather more than 400,000 valid signatures to get the proposed amendment on a future ballot.

The City Mission of Findlay is inviting people to attend its upcoming Gala in support of the City Mission.

“We are thrilled to invite you to a spectacular night of Glitter, Glitz, & Jazz! So bring those dancing shoes and get ready to groove to the sensational sounds of the Pinup Project. Savor delicious cocktails and hors D’oeuvre as you bid on incredible destinations at our live auctions. And don’t miss out on our silent auctions, filled with fantastic treasures. Get ready for an unforgettable evening!”

The Gala will be held at the Findlay Inn and Conference Center on Friday, December 6^th beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Click here to purchase tickets and for more information. 

(From the Seneca County Drug Task Force)

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Officers from the Fostoria Police Department, conducted a drug operation in an area of East Fremont St. and Anderson Avenue, in the City of Fostoria, Seneca, County, Ohio, which resulted in the arrest of a Tiffin, Ohio resident.

The “sting” drug operation led to the confiscation of suspected Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, a stolen Firearm & US Currency.

Cody A. Johnson, 34 YOA, Tiffin, Ohio, was arrested for an active arrest warrant for Failure to Appear out of Seneca County.

Additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm are pending on Johnson at the conclusion of the entire drug investigation.

Johnson is being held at the Seneca County Jail pending further court proceedings.

Seneca County Drug Task Force Agents & Officers from the Fostoria Police Department were utilized to conduct the stop and assisted Agents with apprehending the suspect, Johnson.

“This investigation is consistent with what local Law Enforcement is seeing with an influx of Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Cocaine trafficking and abuse in our area. We are utilizing all of our resources to attempt to track down the source of the illicit drugs to prevent any further overdoses and to prosecute those who continue to bring them into our community. And, of course, I’m always pleased to see another firearm removed from a dangerous criminal’s hands!” Chief Gabriel Wedge, Fostoria Police Department, said.

I would encourage citizens to continue reporting suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Crime Hotline at Local 419-443-0463, ext: 1140

The City of Findlay Christmas Tree arrived on Monday morning and was put up in Dorney Plaza in front of the municipal building.

The tree is a 30-foot-tall blue spruce and will be decorated over the coming days leading up to the tree lighting ceremony on Friday, November 29^th at 6 p.m.

“Thank you to Findlay residents John and Betty Lee for providing the 2024 community tree.” The city said.

Get more details on the tree lighting ceremony by clicking here.

The tree already has its topper in place, a star that was by students at Millstream Career Center in 2021.