Officials say there are still some openings for Camp 911 in Hancock County.

“We would love to see your kiddo this summer!” the Findlay Fire Department said.

Camp 911 is an interactive safety camp for kids who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2024 and helps them learn basic safety.

At Camp 911 children will learn different safety lessons, such as bike safety, stranger danger and so much more while interacting with local first responders. 

Surprise visitors will make an appearance throughout the week to keep the kids engaged with the program. 

They will grow in their independence as they experience camp through hands-on activities.

Camp 911 is a joint effort led by local emergency response agencies, including Hanco, Findlay Fire and Police Departments, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Hancock Public Health.

The camp will be held June 10-14 at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street in Findlay.

There will be morning and afternoon sessions.

See some of the fun from last year by clicking here.

(From Findlay High School)

FHS Students-

There is a wellness space set up at FHS for students today (Wednesday). This will be available all day. Students who wish to visit with a counselor will have the opportunity to do so.

If you feel you could benefit from talking with someone about yesterday’s events, please know that this opportunity is available to you for support.

I am so proud of how the staff and students responded to the hoax/swatting incident yesterday. While I hope we never experience an incident like this again, your cooperation, patience, and attentiveness were critical in ensuring the safety of all students.

Students should check their emails and Remind messages for more specific information on how to access the wellness space.

Have a great day and GO TROJANS!

Mrs. Simon

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Bowling Green Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a train that occurred April 16 at approximately 9:45 a.m. on N. Fostoria Road between state Route 795 and state Route 51 in Millbury, Wood County.

The preliminary investigation showed a Honda Accord, operated by Daniella Gamboa Pabon, 25, Toledo, was southbound on N. Fostoria Road when her vehicle was struck by an eastbound train.

Pabon succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Allen-Clay Joint Fire District, Lake Township Police Department, Lake Township Fire Department, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Coroner’s Office, Norfolk Southern Police Department, Mercy Health Life Fight, and Pat & Son Towing & Recovery.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D., officially kicked off highway construction season in Findlay.

Marchbanks met with the media for the kickoff event, held at the County Road 99 interchange with Interstate 75 in Findlay, where a project will begin this year to construct a diverging diamond interchange (DDI).

Along with Marchbanks, ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Chris Hughes, and ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley provided remarks.

Statewide, ODOT is kicking off a record construction season, investing $2.8 billion into 950 road and bridge improvement projects across the state. There are 39 projects classified as “major projects” with a value above $10 million. 

Also on Tuesday, a public informational meeting was held at Owens Community College in Findlay about the interchange.

ODOT construction engineer Dan Niese says they chose a diverging diamond interchange because they move traffic so well.    

A DDI shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the left-turn traffic signal phase. The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free-flow movement to the ramps.

Visit the project website for further details: I-75/CR 99 interchange improvements | Ohio Department of Transportation

He says construction will start in about three weeks and the interchange should be finished in 2026.

(From the Second Chance Coalition of Hancock County)

Second Chance Month is observed every April and is a national effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction and unlocking second chance opportunities for people having completed their sentences to become contributing citizens.

The Second Chance Coalition of Hancock County is inviting the public to an awareness event on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at The Dock at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 800 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio.

Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. and feature information and resources for individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

A light lunch will be provided, and you will hear personal accounts of local individuals who have navigated barriers to rebuild their lives in Hancock County.

The Hancock County Second Chance coalition was created to highlight the challenges formerly incarcerated individuals face when they return to the community.

Many formerly incarcerated individuals strive to be fully contributing members of their communities and struggle to overcome the negative stigma of being a criminal.

It is a core belief of this coalition that every person has value in our community and together, as a community, we can help rebuild lives.

Many local and regional agencies to provide information and resources for those who are working through barriers post incarceration.

Among those agencies are the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas, the Findlay Municipal Court, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Hancock County Job and Family Services, Habitat for Humanity’s Financial Opportunity Center, Welcome to a New Life, Hancock Public Health, Focus Wellness & Recovery, and the Veterans Service Office to name a few.

For questions, please contact Cheryl Miller (567) 250-5192 or email at cmiller@hancockph.com.

Findlay High School went through another swatting situation on Tuesday morning.

Police Chief James Mathias, in the video below, says a call came into police dispatch at 9:36 Tuesday morning about a person in the high school with a rifle.

The caller said he had an AR-15 style rifle and was holding two students hostage in a second floor restroom. 

The school went into lockdown and the SafeDefend active shooter protection system was activated and numerous law enforcement responded to the scene.

The chief said the school was searched by police and no threats were found and everyone was safe.

The high school was also the victim of an active shooter hoax in September of 2022.

Swatting is a term used to describe the action of making hoax phone calls to report serious crimes to emergency services to elicit a large police response.

Get more from the chief in the video below.

The Findlay Police Department says a man was killed when he crashed his motorcycle.

The crash happened in the 300 block of Coventry Drive around 11:07 Monday night.

Police say the 44-year-old was driving east on Coventry Drive when his Harley Davidson went off the road and struck a mailbox.

The man was thrown from his motorcycle and struck a tree.

He was deceased when police arrived at the scene.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

To celebrate Earth Day, the Hancock Historical Museum will be hosting a family-friendly event on Saturday, April 20th from 5-8 pm.

Guests of all ages can learn more about the water cycle and soil, create crafts, games from recycled materials, make a cyanotype sun print, chat with a local bat and natural experts, and much more!

The Hancock Park District, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, Blanchard River Watershed Partnership and Masters Gardeners will be on-site with additional activities.

The first 50 families will receive a new, children’s book. Additional giveaways include pollinator seed packets and tree saplings, while supplies last.

Admission for the event is just $1 per person.

The museum’s Earth Day celebration has been made possible with support from the Richard Barchent Educational Fund and The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 W. Sandusky Street in Findlay.

For more information, visit hancockhistoricalmuseum.org, or call (419)423-4433. 

(From the Ohio High School Athletic Association)

Fifteen individuals will be enshrined in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Officials Hall of Fame and 21 individuals will be honored as the OHSAA Official of the Year in their respective sport during the OHSAA’s annual Celebration of Officiating banquet this summer.

Additionally, the OHSAA will recognize 34 individuals who have dedicated 50 years of service as state-certified officials in Ohio.

The banquet is set for June 22 at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus.

The 15 Hall of Fame inductees are being honored for outstanding officiating careers and significant contributions to interscholastic officiating in Ohio. More information on the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame is posted at: http://www.ohsaa.org/Officiating/HOF.

The officials of the year are selected through a process that includes OHSAA staff, OHSAA Directors of Officiating Development and local officials associations.

“Each of these individuals has dedicated themselves to the service of officiating and set the standard for excellence within their sports,” said Beau Rugg, OHSAA Director of Officiating and a member himself of the OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame. “We appreciate the commitment of all of our officials and congratulate the hall of fame inductees on their distinguished careers.”

2024 OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame Induction Class (name, city and sports officiated)

Scott Anders, Zanesville (Basketball, Baseball)

Jeffrey Ayers, Cincinnati (Basketball)

Larry Bartlett, Middletown (Football)

Jeff Bauer, Columbus (Football, Track & Field)

Nick Bavaro, Seville (Soccer)

Don Cash, Bridgeport (Basketball)

John Jasin, Brunswick (Football, Basketball)

Richard Keys, Lancaster (Softball, Volleyball, Basketball)

Robert Lee, Upper Sandusky (Basketball) – posthumously

Rick Merb, McDermott (Baseball, Softball, Football)

Don Muenz, Columbus (Soccer)

Mark Riley, Westerville (Basketball, Football)

Timothy Shumaker, Lancaster (Baseball)

James Siler, Hicksville (Baseball)

Bill Wonders, Defiance (Football)

2023-24 Officials of the Year

Baseball: Ryan Thompson, Rockford

Boys Basketball: Jose Davis, Steubenville

Girls Basketball: Jerry Snavely, Mt. Gilead

Boys Cross Country: Ron Weaver, Rock Creek

Girls Cross Country: Gail Bowers, Walton Hills

Field Hockey: Anywyan Reynolds, Westerville

Football: Bruce Bame, Findlay

Gymnastics: Jody Borda, Dayton

Ice Hockey: Nic Watson, Newark

Boys Lacrosse: Kyle Closen, Lakewood

Girls Lacrosse: Jesse Hunt, Cincinnati

Boys Soccer: Robert Krauss, Winchester

Girls Soccer: Tammy Gillogly, Albany

Softball: Pamela Schultz, Vandalia

Boys Swimming and Diving: Christopher Paolini, Dublin

Girls Swimming and Diving: Hal Hawk, Port Clinton

Boys Track and Field: Penny Zuber, Pataskala

Girls Track and Field: Rodney Russell, Mason

Boys Volleyball: Monique Huffman, Kettering

Girls Volleyball: Michael Chandler, Powell

Wrestling: Dave Detec, Girard

OHSAA 50-Year Officials

James Lanese, Lyndhurst

Larry Bartlett, Middletown

Jeff Bauer, Columbus

Danny Kleckner, The Villages, Fla.

Gene Mileusnich, Madison

Dennis Foltz, Norwalk

Robert McCollow, Venedocia

Thomas Lewis, Brunswick

Marie Anthony, Columbus

Lee Barlow, Kettering

Richard Brooks, Uniontown

Tim Gebhardt, Pepper Pike

Douglas Hladek, Ashtabula

Douglas Hoffman, Marion

Robert Kruthaupt, Cincinnati

Roy McCarty, Dresden

Allen Radlinski, Maumee

Frank Rea, Follansbee, W.Va.

Robert Baumgardt, Lancaster

John Butch, Wexford, Pa.

Gary Wilkins, Galena

Bruce Treadway, Bay Village

Robert Fuchs, Clarington

George Gulas, Medina

Donald Levy, Canton

Brian Urquhart, Centerville

Paula Coder, Sidney

Thane Hecox, Canal Winchester

Roger Hosler, Logan

Robert Karl, Kettering

Mark Klopfenstein, Springfield

Diane McClellan, Toledo

Rodney Russell, Mason

Lee Sternberg, East Canton

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Findlay Police Department, and other police, fire and EMS agencies across the area and country are saluting their dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week runs from April 14 – 20.

Captain Mark Price with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says dispatchers play a crucial role by providing that initial contact with people to get them the help they need.

“The dispatchers work together to help us as first responders in the field gain the information needed in a timely fashion that we need to do our jobs.”

Captain Price says, while the sheriff’s office and Findlay Police Department each have their own dispatch centers, they do work together a lot and work well together.

He’s asking anyone who knows a dispatcher to reach out to them this week and thank them for what they do.