UPDATE – Brayden Grace was located in Columbus and arrested.

(ONN) – A teenager with ties to Columbus is wanted by the FBI in connection with swatting incidents.

That’s when a person makes a false threat like a shooting or a bomb threat to get law enforcement to respond.

18-year-old Brayden Grace is said to have been part of an online group called Purgatory that would do that.

One of their targets was an Ohio casino.

Grace has ties to the Columbus area.

Retired FBI special agent Harry Trombitas says these are extremely serious crimes.

The Van Buren Schools Education Foundation unveiled its Founder’s Wall project.

Working with Rowmark, a committee of Van Buren students created the Founder’s Wall.

“We are particularly excited about our Founder’s Wall as it both celebrates our community members who made donations in our first year, as well as displays the remarkable skills of our students.”

“It is entirely their design and construction, from the creation of the logo to the name plates of our donors.”

During the project, the students got to tour the Rowmark facility and learned about laser engraving, sublimation, and the products and processes used to create their donor wall.

The Founder’s Wall is prominently displayed in the entrance of Van Buren High School.

The Van Buren Schools Education Foundation was formed in February 2023 as a community organization with the mission of providing the means to support the transformation of ideas into impactful experiences for Van Buren Local Schools.

Since the fund was established, we have raised over $80,000. The fund will grow in perpetuity and be used to distribute grants to teachers and organizations within the Van Buren School community.

The City of Findlay Street Department tested the city’s outdoor warning sirens on Wednesday morning, but you probably didn’t hear it.

That’s because the 16 sirens were each tested separately and for a very short time.

The city performed the testing because four of the sirens stopped working when they were sounded during the tornado warning on May 7.

All 16 sirens are now working properly and the city said it believes it was an issue with older radio equipment that caused the four sirens to stop going off on May 7.

Monthly, Findlay and Hancock County test their outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. on the first Monday of the month and all 16 sirens worked during that test.   

Anyone with questions can contact the Street Department at (419) 424-7181 or publicworks@findlayohio.gov

(ONN) – A new Ohio bill could crack down on trespassing and voyeurism with drones.

A bill cosponsor, Republican Representative Brian Lampton, says there’s no state law right now regarding the use of drones over private property.

This bill would give law enforcement the authority to go after someone who flies one on any private property without permission.

The bill would also prohibit voyeurism.

A drone operator couldn’t spy, eavesdrop, record, photograph or livestream you in a place where you have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

The Blanchard Valley Health System Auxiliary recently awarded 11 $1,000 scholarships to students in Hancock and surrounding counties interested in pursuing a health-related career.

The 2024 BVHS Auxiliary scholarship winners include: Ella Armstrong (Bluffton High School), pursuing a nursing degree at Goshen College; Jacob Barnhart (Findlay High School), pursuing a health sciences degree at The Ohio State University; Brooke Camper (Bluffton High School), pursuing a nursing degree at Cedarville University; Molly Crates (Findlay High School), pursuing a biomedical engineering degree at The Ohio State University; Emma Hoffman (Ottawa-Glandorf High School), pursuing a nursing degree at Bowling Green State University; Paige Maas (Ottawa-Glandorf High School), pursuing a nursing degree at Bowling Green State University; Christian Price (Fostoria High School), pursuing a pharmacy degree at the University of Findlay; Iris Schorsch (McComb High School), pursuing a nursing degree at Owens Community College; Kaytlynn Schroeder (Leipsic High School), pursuing a nutrition and dietetics degree at Bluffton University; Cora Sterling (Findlay High School), pursuing a nursing degree at Ohio Northern University; and Adelaide Wilt (Findlay High School), pursuing a pre-medicine/biology degree at Miami University.

Monies for the scholarship fund are derived from the annual membership dues contributed by Auxiliary members.

To learn more about scholarships offered through Blanchard Valley Health System, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/scholarships.

(ONN) – A new law could increase penalties for sextortion crimes in Ohio.

Ohio lawmakers are working to stop an online crime that’s leading to teen suicide.

Braden’s Law is named after Braden Marcus, a 15-year-old Olentangy High School student.

He died by suicide after falling victim to sextortion in 2021.

The FBI reports more than 13,000 sextortion cases of minors since Braden’s death.

 Braden’s Law would make sextortion a first, second and/or third degree felony in ohio.

“If you’re one of those terrible, evil people that are thinking about committing this crime, maybe you’ll think again,” said State Rep. Brian Lorenz of Powell.

Sextortion is defined as ‘the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity.’

(From Millstream Speedway)

Millstream Speedway is excited to announce the dates for its highly anticipated return in 2024.

Millstream Speedway has a rich history, dating back to its opening in 1952. Over the years, it has hosted some of the biggest names in racing and has become a fan-favorite destination for its fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping races.

Under new ownership for the first time in over 20 years, MS Properties and Matt & Beth Cogley have been working hard to get Millstream Speedway ready to welcome dirt racing back to the Findlay/Hancock County area.

“It’s been a real labor of love, and we have been so blessed with the many volunteers who have come out to help us get the facility back in shape!” said Beth Cogley.

After an eight-year hiatus, the speedway will host three special events that are sure to thrill fans and racers alike.

The racing will begin with Ohio Sprint Speedweek Night 8, brought to you by Ohio Logistics on Friday, June 14, 2024. That night will feature the FAST on Dirt winged 410 sprint cars and the USAC Midwest Thunder Midgets. Gates will open at 4 and racing will start at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale at MyRacePass.com.

Next the Great Lakes Sprint Series will invade on Sunday, August 25, 2024 with the Great Lakes Super Sprints (360 cu in winged sprint cars), the Great Lakes Traditional Sprints (the original wingless sprint cars), and the Great Lakes Lightning Sprints (1,000 cc sprint cars).

Garner Trucking proudly sponsors the closing night of the Cogley’s inaugural season on Sunday, October 6, 2024 with the Great Lakes Super Sprints, Stocks vs. Trucks, and Late Models.

Millstream Speedway is located at 7805 Township Road 95, a little northwest of Findlay. 

You can follow the progress on their Facebook page or email millstreamspeedway@gmail.com for more information.

The Hancock County Law Enforcement Memorial Service was held at the Fallen Officers Memorial at the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 on Romick Parkway in Findlay.

The ten officers from Hancock County law enforcement agencies who have died in the line of duty were remembered and honored with their names spoken aloud and a flower placed at the memorial for them.

The speaker at the Hancock County Law Enforcement Memorial Service was Mrs. Vaune Akers, the wife of Findlay Officer Doug Akers who died by suicide in 2018, and she’s dedicated to reducing the mental health stigma among first responders.

“It’s okay to talk about it, the conversation has to happen. It shouldn’t be hidden. It shouldn’t be tucked away. Their struggles are real and we have to acknowledge them and tell them it’s okay, you are going to struggle, you are going to need help eventually and it’s okay to ask for it.”

In addition to her professional and familial responsibilities, Mrs. Akers is deeply involved in volunteer work with FIRST H.E.L.P., a non-profit organization committed to reducing the mental health stigma among first responders and providing support to the families of those lost to suicide. 

Get more from our conversation with Vaune in the video of the memorial service below.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum will feature “Laura” (1944) for May’s classic movie at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17.

Nominated for 5 Oscars, and winner of Best Black and White Cinematography for 1945, “Laura” is one of the most celebrated 1940s film noir films. Manhattan detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) investigates the murder of Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) in her apartment.

On the trail of her murderer, McPherson quizzes Laura’s arrogant best friend, Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb) and her fiancé, Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price). As the detective grows obsessed with the case, he finds himself falling in love with the dead woman.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged, but not required. Historical information is provided before the movie and guests are welcome to stay for discussion afterward.

The rest of the 2024 Classic Movie Line Up includes:

July 19 – Yankee Doodle Dandy (PG) 1942

Starring James Cagney and Jeanne Cagney

August 17 (Outdoor Movie) – Jurassic Park (PG-13) 1993

Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum

October 25 – Strangers on a Train (PG) 1951

Starring Robert Walker and Farley Granger, Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

December 20 – White Christmas (G) 1954

Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen

For more information, please call the museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

(From Putnam County Habitat for Humanity)

Putnam County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) will begin accepting applications for the 15th partner family with the organization’s New Homeownership program. The next enrollment period is May 15 to June 28, 2024, for a new home that will be built in Ottawa. The home will be completed in 2025.

To be considered as an applicant for this new home, interested individuals must complete the current New Homeownership application and return it to the PCHFH office with the following documents:

• Last two consecutive years of most recent federal tax returns files (first two pages only, signed by applicant(s))
• Eight weeks of pay stubs for each applicant
• Documentation of other household income (e.g. social security, disability, food stamps and child support)

Applications are available to download at www.putnamohhabitat.org. You may also request a printed application by calling 419-523-9621 or visiting the PCHFH office at 150 N. Oak Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

Following an initial review, all applicants will receive a letter confirming eligibility for further consideration or a letter stating why the application is denied for this build cycle. The review process can take up to 30 days. All applicants selected to continue in the application process will be asked to complete a Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan application.

Since its inception in 2009, PCHFH has built 13 new homes and rebuilt an entire house. Homeowners purchase their homes through low- or zero-interest mortgages provided by PCHFH or through USDA direct loans. Critical home repair projects completed by Putnam County Habitat for Humanity include bathroom remodels, roof repairs and replacements, electrical repairs, window replacements, wheelchair ramp additions and replacements.