(ONN) – Bowling Green State University is parting ways with men’s hockey coach Ty Eigner.

Eigner is out as BG’s head coach after 5 seasons at the helm.

The separation comes after the Falcons finished the season 13-22 and 1 and ended the year with 6 straight losses.

BGSU was swept in the CCHA Mason Cup quarterfinals Saturday.

In five seasons Eigner led the Falcons to two winning seasons and no NCAA tournament appearances.

BG’s director of athletics released a statement saying “The decision to separate from coach Eigner was made after a thorough review and evaluation of our program over multiple years.”

(ONN) – Ohio’s primary election is on March 19^th and Republican Governor Mike DeWine has made an endorsement in the U.S. Senate race.

DeWine announced that he and his wife Fran are endorsing Matt Dolan for U.S. Senate.

He chose Dolan over his current secretary of state Frank LaRose and Trump-endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno.

The winner of the Republican primary will take on incumbent Sherrod Brown in November.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum released its calendar of Classic Movie Nights for the year starting with the ultimate classic film Casablanca (1942) at 7 p.m. Friday, March 15.

Casablanca, winner of the Best Picture Oscar for 1944 stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Raines.

Set in World War II French Morocco, the romantic drama follows Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), who owns a nightclub in Casablanca, as he discovers his old flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) is in town with her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid).

Laszlo is a famed rebel, and with Germans on his tail, Ilsa knows Rick can help them get out of the country.

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 2024 Classic Movie Line Up includes:

May 17 – Laura (PG) 1944 Starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews

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 or to make a reservation, please call the museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

(From the University of Findlay)

James D. Houdeshell ’53, a revered figure in the University of Findlay community, passed away March 2, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades. Born in Hancock County, Ohio Feb.1, 1931, Houdeshell graduated from Rawson High School. As an undergraduate at Findlay College, Houdeshell excelled as a multi-sport athlete, earning letters in basketball, baseball, and football. His remarkable achievements led to his induction into the Findlay College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975.

In 1955, he assumed pivotal roles at the University, serving as an assistant professor, athletic director, and head coach for football, basketball, and baseball. Over the course of three decades, he guided the men’s basketball team to 21 winning seasons, with 16 of those seasons culminating in qualifications for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 22 playoffs. Three of his teams advanced to the championship tournament.

Houdeshell served as president of the NAIA Basketball Coaches Association and the NAIA Athletic Directors Association. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1981.

Houdeshell’s impact extended beyond the court. During his remarkable 60-year career at Findlay College and University of Findlay, the highly respected alumnus also served as the Dean of the College of Professional Studies, the Dean of University College, the Dean of Students, and the Chair of the Division of Teacher Education. His influence also extended to academic programs, including the establishment of one of the University’s first graduate programs—the Master of Arts in Education. Additionally, Houdeshell played a crucial role in developing Findlay’s health and physical education major and contributed to the planning and implementation of the equestrian studies program.

As the athletic director and a chamber member of the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER), Houdeshell spearheaded the planning and construction of the Croy Physical Education Center. Within this facility, nestled inside the Niekamp Arena, the Houdeshell Court was dedicated in honor in 2019. The stage for basketball and volleyball competitions, the Court is a lasting reminder of a man whose dedication and passion left an indelible mark on the University community.

James and his late wife, Mira (Frost ’78), shared a profound passion for Findlay College and University of Findlay. While James served as a member of the faculty and coaching staff, Mira was a super booster, championing the University and supporting all her husband’s efforts. Their commitment to educating young men and women and their unwavering support of Oiler athletics led to the establishment of the Dr. James D. ’53 and Mira M. (Frost ’78) Houdeshell Scholarship Endowment Fund. This endowment provides a scholarship to a full-time student majoring in education, maintaining a 3.0 GPA, and actively participating in varsity football or basketball.

Houdeshell had extensive knowledge of antiques and pottery and published a book, “Houghton and Dalton Pottery” in 1983. His service to the Findlay community has included serving on the board of directors of the Findlay Rotary Club, the board of education of Findlay City Schools, and as the first chairman of the Hancock Recreation and Parks Commission.

Proceeded in death by his wife Mira (Nov. 22, 2023), James leaves behind his son James P. “Jamie” (Cheri) Houdeshell; grandchildren, Ethan and Zoe (Xebastian) Aguilar; and one great-granddaughter, Gianna Aguilar.

A memorial service to celebrate James D. Houdeshell’s remarkable life will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11 a.m.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9 to 11 a.m.  Visitation and the funeral will be held at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, 205 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio.

“The UF family is mourning the loss of this great man; James Houdeshell and his wife were an integral part of our community for more than half a century. He will be deeply missed, but his dedication, passion, and impact on the University and beyond will be remembered for years to come. May he rest in peace,” said University of Findlay President Katherine Fell.

The full obituary for Houdeshell can be found here.

(From the American Red Cross)

On June 7, 2023, Todd James called on his American Red Cross training to save the life of his wife.

The couple was enjoying dinner at a restaurant in Findlay when Kendra James began to choke. Todd James performed back blows and abdominal thrusts to dislodge the food his wife was choking on, techniques taught in Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED courses. For his lifesaving action, James will receive the Red Cross Certificate of Merit, the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross course.

James is Executive Director of the Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter, serving Hancock, Putnam, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Seneca, and Wyandot counties.

The Certificate of Merit is signed by the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross.

The award was presented by Mike Parks, Regional CEO of the Red Cross of Northern Ohio, on Saturday, March 9th, at Terra Community College during the North Central Ohio Chapter Board of Directors’ annual strategic planning retreat.

Hancock Public Health has been awarded the Drive to Succeed Grant from the Ohio Department of Traffic Safety.

The grant aims to expand access to teen driver training to low-income populations by providing funding for localized scholarship programs.

So, if you know a teen who is getting ready to drive, the program could allow them to take driver’s education classes for free.

Click here to see if you qualify for the program and to sign up.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says a section of State Route 613 in Putnam County will be closing for 45 days.

ODOT says State Route 613 between State Route 65 and County Road 5 on the east side of Leipsic will close on Wednesday, March 20, for approximately 45 days for curb replacement and sewer repairs.

The suggested detour is SR 109 to SR 65 to U.S. 224 to CR 5, back to SR 613.

(From the City of Bowling Green)

We can confirm that ODNR officers were in the city this afternoon attempting to live capture and relocate the three male turkeys that have become aggressive.

They were unsuccessful in their attempts and will return to the area at future date(s) to try again.

DO NOT FEED the turkeys!

The community is encouraged to use humane harassment and hazing techniques to help modify the turkeys’ behavior.

Waving arms and making loud noises, opening and closing an umbrella, spraying with water (if temperatures are over 60 degrees), and removing food sources can all be effective tools for discouraging territorial behavior.

We repeat…DO NOT FEED the turkeys!

(ONN) – The solar eclipse is less than a month away – on Monday, April 8th.

Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation, says traffic could come to a standstill in parts of Ohio that day.

He says the roads will actually be worse after the eclipse, especially in smaller towns.

“We didn’t build the system to handle tens of thousands of extra people for this one-time event, so you will have a long delay trying to leave the eclipse.”

ODOT officials say they will reduce the number of cones inside construction zones as much as possible leading up to April 8th.

The local Solar Eclipse Task Force, which is a collaboration of many local entities, has created a website with information about the eclipse.

(From the Fostoria Police Division)

Bandit’s vest is in! Thank you Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. for helping to protect this handsome guy!

Fostoria Police Department’s K9 Bandit has received donation of body armor

Fostoria Police Department’s K9 Bandit has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Bandit’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12/12/23”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,514 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

(story and pic courtesy of the Fostoria Police Division)