All posts by Matt Demczyk

City Seeking Input And Ideas For New Fort Findlay Playground

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay is thrilled to present a vision (see images below) for the future of Emory Adams Park and we are asking for your input.

The current Fort Findlay playground has been well-loved by our community since 2001.

The existing structure requires upgrades and maintenance that are unsustainable and require a new park to be built.

The renderings below allow Fort Findlay Playground to remain a community staple while creating increased sightlines for safety and accessibility for all.

We want to know what is important to you as we prioritize different park features.

A community input survey has been created in order to gather responses.

The survey may be accessed on the front page of the City’s website and will remain open until Friday, August 23, 2024.

Whether you’re a frequent visitor or someone who enjoys the parks occasionally, thank you for taking the time to give us your insights.

 

MCPA’s First Annual Day of Giving Coming Up

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Mark your calendars for August 27 — MCPA’s First Annual Day of Giving …AND National Rock, Paper, Scissors Day!

As the artistic heartbeat of Hancock and the surrounding counties, we’re committed to delivering amazing shows, community events, and arts education. Your donation on August 27 will help us kick off this special day with a bang and support our mission.

Let’s make it a huge success together!

-Rock

MCPA serves as Hancock County’s entertainment hub, offering a diverse range of performances from rock concerts to Broadway musicals and ballet.

-Paper

MCPA delivers hands-on arts experiences workshops, summer camps and Youtheatre productions.

-Scissors

MCPA prioritizes community by hosting free events and collaborating with local organizations to opportunities for neighbors to connect and celebrate together.

Give! 

To learn more about the Day of Giving, please contact:

Kristen Pickens, Development Director, at KPickens@MCPA.org • 419.423.2787 ext. 110

 

Findlay Kiwanian Selected To Ohio Kiwanis Hall Of Fame

(From the Kiwanis Club of Findlay)

During the Ohio District Kiwanis Convention held on Saturday in Toledo, Findlay Kiwanian Richard Ulmes was announced as one of the newest members of the Ohio District Kiwanis Hall of Fame.

Richard “Rich” Ulmes has been a member of Kiwanis since 1993, joining the Findlay club in 2016 when he relocated to the area from Troy. Ulmes has taken on a variety of leadership positions at club, division, and district levels, including serving as president of the Kiwanis Club of Troy in 2001, two terms of Division Lt. Governor, and is currently an Ohio District Kiwanis Foundation Board Member.

Through his work in Kiwanis Ulmes has assisted in opening 17 new clubs and continued to mentor those members and help both the individuals and clubs grow. Ulmes is known in Kiwanis for his service-forward attitude and has a reputation for being a “do’er”. But beyond walking the walk, Ulmes is also known for identifying leadership qualities in members who do not see it in themselves, empowering them to step up, supporting them, and help guide them by being always available for assistance and always available to listen.

Also inducted as part of the 2024 class were Lima Kiwanian Robert (Bob) Day Jr. and Jak Hilborn from the Kiwanis Club of Delaware County. The Ohio District Kiwanis Hall of Fame features Ohio Kiwanians who were nominated and selected and through their Time, Talent, Dedication, and Leadership roles in Kiwanis resulted in Building Better Lives and Communities.

Ulmes is the second Findlay Kiwanian to be added to the Hall of Fame. In 2021 member Richard “Rick” Kidwell was inducted, tapped for his service as Lt. Governor, his lead on the development of Brucklacher Memorial Park, located at Hancock Historical Museum’s Little Red Schoolhouse, and his part in bringing Kiwanis Closets to life, which provide clothing for schools to support children, and a project that has inspired projects across the country.

The Ohio Kiwanis Family consists of more than 20,000 men, women, and children serving in Kiwanis, Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club, K-Kids, and Aktion clubs throughout the State of Ohio.

Chartered in 1920, the Kiwanis Club of Findlay is open to people who want to make a difference in their community and the world through service. Persons wishing to learn more about Kiwanis are encouraged to attend a meeting or visit the club’s website FindlayKiwanis.org. The club meets weekly over lunch on Wednesdays at St. Mark’s DOCK beginning at Noon.

 

City Council Passes Moratorium On Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries

Findlay City Council passed a 12-month moratorium on the establishment of recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city.

“I think it is a really complex topic that we don’t have all the answers on yet,” said Mayor Christina Muryn.

“And that’s why we brought forth the moratorium to kind of push pause to make sure that we get clearer guidance from the state and execute this really well for our community.”

The ordinance reads as follows:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWELVE (12) MONTH MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, OR DISPENSING OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF FINDLAY IN ORDER FOR THE CITY OF FINDLAY, OHIO TO CONSIDER THE RAMIFICATIONS OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND POTENTIAL ZONING CHANGES THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

The vote was 9-1 in favor of the moratorium with Councilman Niemeyer voting against it.

The moratorium will go into effect immediately.

 

Judge Upholds Ohio Ban On Gender-Affirming Care

(ONN) – The American Civil Liberties Union has filed an appeal after a judge upheld Ohio’s gender-affirming care ban.

The ACLU of Ohio filed this lawsuit back in March, stating the law was unconstitutional.

Its legal director, Freda Levenson, says they’re extremely disappointed in the judge’s decision.

Levenson says the ban on gender-affirming care for minors goes against the freedoms they aim to protect.

“The government should not come between people and their doctor.”

Meanwhile, organizations like the Center for Christian Virtue believe the judge made the right call.

 

Findlay Teen Killed In Crash On Interstate 75

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a single vehicle.

 The crash occurred on August 7, 2024 at approximately 1:26 A.M. on Interstate 75 near mile post 160 in the City of Findlay in Hancock County.

The preliminary investigation reveals a 2010 Nissan Sentra, driven by Dane Green-Moran, age 17, of Findlay, Ohio, was traveling north on Interstate 75 near mile post 160.

The Nissan Sentra swerved off the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail and continued off the roadway and struck a ditch culvert.

The vehicle came to final rest and became fully engulfed by fire. The fire was extinguished a short time later by Liberty Township Fire Department.

Dane Green-Moran succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.

It is unknown if a seatbelt was used, and impairment does not believe to be a factor at the time of the crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Hancock County Fire Department and EMS, Liberty Township Fire Department, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Findlay Police Department and Ed’s Towing.

 

Road Closing For Roundabout Construction South Of Findlay

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting people know that construction of the new roundabout near U.S. 68 and S.R. 15 on the south side of Findlay will begin soon.

ODOT says U.S. 68 and the S.R. 15 and U.S. 68 eastbound ramps will close Monday, August 19, for 75 days.

The suggested detour is listed below.

ODOT’s Cheri Newton explains how the project came about.

 

ODOT says the project is needed because Township Roads 49 and 77, which currently provide access to U.S. 68, will be removed as part of the Eagle Creek Dry Storage Basin project, one of the projects included in the Flood-Risk Reduction Program currently underway by Hancock County and the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. 

The project will:

-Remove the current U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Connect Township Road 80 to the ramp to provide access to U.S. 68.

-Construct a new U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 68, the new U.S. 68 exit ramp, and the eastbound State Route 15 entrance ramp.

Get more on the project by clicking here.

 

Historical Society To Celebrate Bluffton Fire Department

(From the Bluffton Historical Society)

On Saturday, August 10, the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society will celebrate the Bluffton Fire Department with a Bluffton History Day program that recreates an 1898 photograph of volunteer firefighters shooting water over Main St. as a test of the new Village water system. 

Bluffton’s Main St. will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to create a splash zone for the demonstration that will include an early Bluffton #1 Studebaker fire truck.

The fire department program will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the ringing of the Town Hall bell, which was originally installed as a way to sound the official call to firemen.

Food and beverages will be sold including:

Chicken and BBQ sandwiches, drinks and desserts by Bluffton Presbyterian Church Fellowship Committee

Corny Brothers kettle corn

 

Findlay Road Closing For Sewer Repairs

(From the City of Findlay)

On August 7, 2024, from 7am-4pm Washington Street from Liberty Street to Hurd Avenue will be closed for sanitary sewer repair.

 

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued by the National Weather Service.

The Watch goes until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Forecasters say storms that develop could produce 75 mph wind gusts, large hail, heavy rainfall, and a couple tornadoes are possible.