(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County is honored to recognize Brian Kreinbrink as its 2023 Jeri Bjorling Distinguished Volunteer of the Year for his exceptional and wide-ranging service, whether it be a hands-on project in the field or offering expertise on several boards of directors.

The award is presented each year to an individual who has demonstrated dedication and willingness to serve the community through their overall involvement with United Way as a volunteer and leader, as well as with other organizations in the nonprofit sector. Kreinbrink was honored for his service at United Way of Hancock County’s Annual Meeting on March 27.

Kreinbrink currently serves as treasurer of the United Way of Hancock County Board of Directors, and has served on the board since 2019. He is also chairman of the finance committee and is a member of the administrative advisory committee. Kreinbrink has served as an Impact Team member — meaning that he helps review grant submissions for funding — and has participated in Days of Caring, United Way’s communitywide service event, for several years. Kreinbrink also served on United Way’s campaign cabinets in the 1990s, helping to distribute and collect campaign materials.

“In his role with the finance committee, Brian has strengthened and improved our financial management operations, created a financial dashboard so effective it is an example now being used by other nonprofits, has successfully managed our investments, and reinforced the overall health of our finances,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “He spends a great deal of time physically present at meetings adding insight, but on top of that, hours and hours looking over numbers and doing prep work for these meetings. We can’t thank him enough for the incredible impact he has made.”

Kreinbrink, director of treasury and financing risk at Marathon Petroleum Corp., enjoys lending his expertise to nonprofit financial management. With 19 programs currently being supported, he appreciates the unique position of the United Way to address the county’s greatest needs in a diversified way.

“Accounting is looking back, finance is looking forward,” he said. “Maybe that is why I like working with nonprofits — you get to see the whole picture, investigate, check how you did on the back end and prepare for the future.

“I really have come to appreciate the broad nature on how what we do (at United Way) can have an impact and that it can move and change depending on what the community needs assessments says.”

In addition to board service, Kreinbrink enjoys helping in the field, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Backyard Mission Trip, and United Way’s Days of Caring. His most memorable Days of Caring project was helping to erect a huge Vietnam Memorial Wall, a travelling exhibit which came to Findlay last spring. His group carried stone pieces across a field and set them into place, assembling the wall.

“It was pretty impactful to be a part of that, setting up for veterans to be able to come and see it. You could see the names on the wall coming together as you were building it. It was a lot of responsibility. You think of the sacrifice they made.”

Throughout the community, Kreinbrink has served on the board of directors, often as president or treasurer, for American Red Cross, Findlay Family YMCA, Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services, and City Mission. He is currently a member of the finance committee for Blanchard Valley Health System.

Kreinbrink highly recommends volunteering to anyone considering it. He started volunteering because he wanted to make a difference and give back to his community, yet there were additional benefits. He has made close friends through service, and feels he has become a better person, too.

“I would treat volunteering the same way I would if I were talking to a young professional at Marathon — don’t pass up an opportunity,” he said. “The more you push yourself to do things through work or volunteering, you end up getting more out of it than you could ever imagine. You just have to find what fits you, and that’s going to be different for everyone. I have gotten more out of it than I have given … it has made my life better.”

The Distinguished Volunteer of the Year Award has been presented since 1981 and was renamed in 2012 in memory of Jeri Bjorling. Bjorling was chair of the United Way of Hancock County’s Board of Directors when she passed away. She was a remarkable volunteer, leaving an indelible impact throughout the community through her involvement both with the United Way and a wide range of service organizations. She was a difference maker in the truest sense.

Officials are reminding drivers to watch for, and obey, high water and road closed signs.

We’ve had a lot of rain the last few days and both the Blanchard River and Eagle Creek are swollen in Findlay.

Some water is spilling over the banks and causing some road closures around town. (list below from the city)

The Blanchard River in Findlay is expected to reach minor flood stage, as it is in Ottawa as well. 

Again, officials are reminding drivers to obey high water and road closed signs and never try to drive through high water.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here and and river levels by clicking here.

Get the latest road closures due to flooding from the city’s Facebook page below. 

(From the University of Findlay)

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The Findlay Police Department has announced the hiring of a new police officer.

Zach Dewese was sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn on April 1^st.

Dewese, 21, is a graduate of Old Fort High School.

Dewese is attending Terra State Community College, majoring in Business.

Dewese will attend the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy at EHOVE Career Center in order to earn his Ohio Peace Officer Certificate.

Dewese will be assigned to the department’s patrol division after he successfully completes the academy.

The City of Findlay Green Waste Site opened for the season on Tuesday, April 2^nd.

The Green Waste Site is located at 330 North Cory Street, behind the Public Works Department building, with the entrance near the railroad tracks off North Cory Street. Follow the arrow boards.

Hours are Tuesday – Friday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on the location, visit www.findlayohio.com.

The green waste site is for yard waste disposal (such as leaves, brush, limbs, grass) and is available to City of Findlay residents only at no charge.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors are permitted to use this site.

Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site. Absolutely no bags, trash, or debris other than leaves, brush, limbs, and grass will be accepted.

The City of Findlay will not be responsible for any damage or injury to vehicles or equipment resulting in the loading or unloading of yard debris, mulch, or dirt.

A Flood Warning was issued for Eagle Creek in Findlay.

The Flood Warning was issued on Tuesday morning and goes until Wednesday morning.

Moderate flooding is forecast.

Flood stage is 9 feet and the creek is expected to rise to around 10 feet before receding.

Click here for the latest forecast and weather alerts. 

Click here for the latest level of Eagle Creek, and here for the latest level of the Blanchard River.

Forecasters say Ohio is under a significant severe weather threat on Tuesday.

Findlay City Schools is taking precautions as severe weather is possible in the area on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

“Out of an abundance of caution as we monitor the incoming weather, all FCS evening extracurricular activities are canceled,” the school district said.

Forecasters say Ohio is under a significant severe weather threat on Tuesday.

In the outlook put out by the National Weather Service Tuesday morning, Findlay was in the Enhanced Risk category, which is level 3 out of 5. (map below)

Forecasters say all severe weather threats are possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes.

The NWS says the timing of the threat is afternoon through late evening on Tuesday.

Get the latest forecast by clicking here and river levels by clicking here.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

The total solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday, April 8 is expected to bring a lot of traffic to Northwest Ohio. Many Blanchard Valley Health System offices and practices are adjusting their hours or having staff work remotely for part or all of the day of the eclipse to accommodate the community’s needs.

While some offices are reducing their hours, Physicians Plus will be extending its hours on Sunday, April 7. Physicians Plus will be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. Usually this office closes at 5 p.m. on Sundays. Physicians Plus will be open its regular operating hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Monday, April 8. Urgent care is available to walk-in patients at 3949 North Main Street, Findlay.

“We anticipate a lot of visitors arriving in our community over the weekend, which means more people may need healthcare,” said Jesse Parker, supervisor at Physicians Plus. “Additionally, community members may want to get health concerns checked out on Sunday evening in case it’s difficult to get an appointment on Monday.”

A list of BVHS office closures and changes to hours can be found at  https://bvhs.info/officeclosures 

Community members are encouraged to plan ahead where their health is concerned. For example, make sure prescriptions are filled beforehand so you don’t have to drive to the store in traffic. If you are experiencing symptoms related to a chronic illness on Thursday, April 4 or Friday, April 5, you may want to call your physician at that time rather than waiting, as it may be hard to get a Monday appointment. However, people experiencing chest pain or other symptoms of medical emergencies should head to the emergency room.

Anyone looking at the eclipse must protect their eyes, and more than regular sunglasses are needed. To avoid the possibility of damaging your vision, wear authorized eclipse glasses that indicate they comply with ISO 12312-2 requirements.

For more information, including educational resources on health topics related to the eclipse, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/eclipse.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum will present a lovely, lavender tea party for children ages 5-12 with an accompanying adult from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

Highlighting historical uses and benefits of lavender in the Victorian era, guests will learn proper Victorian tea party etiquette while enjoying tea, treats and activities.

Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite doll and come dressed for the occasion. The Children’s Tea will include handmade lavender-themed gifts, crafts and treats curated by the Victorian Ladies, a group of volunteers dedicated to the Hancock Historical Museum’s enriching opportunities and educational experiences.

“Our Children’s Victorian Tea is one of many ways we immerse youth into history in a fun and hands-on way,” said Sarah Foltz, Hancock Historical Museum Executive Director.

“This is an opportunity to experience proper tea party, learn how lavender is and once was used, and spend meaningful time with a parent, grandparent or guardian.”

The Children’s Victorian Tea is $35 for Hancock Historical Museum members and $40 for non-members. One ticket grants admission for one child and an accompanying adult.

Space is limited. Reservations and payment are required no later than Wednesday, April 10.

To make a reservation, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a mentally disturbed individual armed with a firearm engaged deputies and officers in a standoff.

It happened at an address on Redwood Drive in Riverview Terrace Mobile Home Park in Liberty Township on Monday morning.

The sheriff’s office says the combined efforts of deputies and Findlay police officers de-escalated the situation and the male put down the firearm and was transported for mental health assistance.