(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

In the spring of 2024, Van Buren Local Schools received a $6,000 grant to bring the Tunnel to Towers Mobile 9/11 Exhibit to over 900 students from Cory-Rawson, Liberty-Benton, Riverdale and Van Buren.

Students met two retired New York City Fire Department captains who participated in rescue efforts at the World Trade Center site.

They were able to touch pieces of the building structure that were on display, see artifacts salvaged from the buildings, and learn about the individuals who lost their lives in the building collapse.

This experience profoundly impacted the students’ lives.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting two fatal crashes resulting in three fatalities on Ohio’s roadways during the 2024-2025 New Year’s holiday, according to provisional statistics. The two-day reporting period began at midnight on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and ran through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.  

Of the three fatalities, one was OVI-related and two were pedestrians that were struck. During the reporting period, troopers made 1,474 traffic enforcement contacts; including 77 OVI arrests, 73 distracted driving and 159 safety belt citations.

The public is encouraged to continue using #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available here.

(From The United Way of Hancock County)

Are you a numbers person who likes giving back to your community?

United Way of Hancock County is rallying volunteers as it prepares to once again facilitate free tax preparation services for qualifying community members.

United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free income tax preparation to qualifying individuals who live or work in Hancock County. Volunteers are needed to greet clients as they arrive for their appointments and to prepare and file taxes electronically through the IRS.

No prior tax experience is needed. Training materials are provided free of cost, and all volunteers receive in-person training and certification. Ongoing support is provided by experienced team members.

Client appointments will be offered at 50 North and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library from February through April. Volunteers may commit based on their availability.

Beginning Jan. 22, community members may call the VITA direct phone line to schedule their appointment. More details, including that phone number, will be released in January.

For more information or to sign up as a VITA volunteer, contact United Way of Hancock County Information Manager Bridgit Phillips at 419-423-1432 or accounting@uwhancock.org.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

WinterREAD, a reading program that gives participants a chance to win amazing prizes, will soon return to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. Readers can register to join the winter fun at findlaylibrary.readsquared.com beginning January 6.

WFIN spoke with Children’s Services Librarian Sarah Cramer about their WinterREAD program.

WinterREAD registration is open to all ages, infant through adult. This winter, the library is again using an online platform, READsquared, for participants to keep track of their reading progress. Participants can earn great prizes by logging reading, or completing fun activities. If you prefer not to track your reading online, there will be paper forms available at the library to log reading progress. The prizes can be viewed at findlaylibrary.org/winterread.

Families are invited to join in reading together, and to attend programs such as Family Book Bingo, which can be attended via Zoom or in person at the library. Participants that wish to play bingo must register for the programs at findlaylibrary.org/events by clicking on the event for the registration form. There will also be a Book Bingo Night for teens.

Adults can enjoy book discussions, CrafterWork, and learn more about being healthier in the new year. Please check the library’s website at findlaylibrary.org/events for more information on programming.

Be sure to check the library’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/fhcpl for updates, surprises, and entertaining WinterREAD fun. For more information, please call the library at 419-422-1712 or check our website at findlaylibrary.org.

(WTOL-11) – One of the new laws that is now in effect in Ohio is designed to limit cell phone use in schools.

School districts in Ohio have until July 1st to establish policies about phone use during school hours.

The bipartisan law is an attempt to limit distractions in the classroom and improve the mental health of students. Officials say there are certain exceptions to what will be allowed.

Findlay City Schools says it is in the process of updating its cell phone policy and its current policy is below.

The administration realizes that technological advancements have led to an increased number of students who have cell phones. In order to preserve academic integrity and the safety of the learning community, it will be necessary to place some limitations on the use of cell phones at school. In the classroom, cell phone usage is prohibited unless permitted by the teacher for specific educational use. Use of cell phones in the hallway/cafeteria/non-academic areas are at the discretion of the building principal. Cell phones must be used in accordance with the Student Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy (EDE and EDE-R). Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action being taken, as well as the cell phone being confiscated. When a cell phone is confiscated, the student and/or parent may retrieve the phone from the appropriate principal at the end of the day, provided there are no concerns with the contents of the phone. Bringing a cell phone to school on a scheduled school day is a privilege, not a right; a student does not have a legitimate expectation of privacy as to the contents of a cell phone the student chooses to bring to school. However, a cell phone will only be searched in accordance with established search policies. The school and school personnel are not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones. Cell phones may be taken by a teacher and brought to the office due to a student not following classroom expectations.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Ringing in the new year with the sweetest news! 

Brooke and Dalton Billock welcomed their New Year’s baby girl, Saylor Jude Billock, at 2:19 a.m. on January 1, 2025.

Weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 20 inches, Saylor is a perfect start to the year.

Congratulations to the happy family!

Saylor was “Proudly Born in Findlay,” and we thank Brooke and Dalton for the special choice of entrusting us with their care.

(From NAMI Hancock County)

If you’ve experienced loss there are tools and supports to help you move on in your life through the Grief Recovery Method, which is being offered by NAMI Hancock County

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, says people will say you have to let go and move on with your life, but they don’t tell you how to accomplish that, but the Grief Recovery Method program provides the tools and support to make that happen.

Classes begin January 15.

To register or for more information call 567-301-2101 or email Liana@namihancockcounty.org

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) financial services associates are available to answer any questions or concerns regarding billing statements, including information about financial assistance that might be available.

The process of applying for financial assistance was recently simplified for the patient. BVHS has partnered with healthcare technology company Breez Health to streamline the application process.

Patients can now visit the BVHS website to apply and upload documents, which will then be sent to the Patient Financial Services (PFS) team.

“I’m excited about its simplicity,” said Brittney Larsen, credit and collections manager with PFS. “In the past, patients had to enter information manually, which was more time-consuming. This makes the process of applying for financial assistance much easier.”

“BVHS is here to serve our community with quality healthcare, but we are also committed to being exceptional throughout the organization,” said Myron D. Lewis, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Blanchard Valley Health System. “Integrating this technology into our financial assistance programs streamlines the process of applying for financial assistance with an online platform that is easier to use. It’s just one more way we use the latest technology to ensure we can best support our community.”

Based on income guidelines, PFS associates can determine if the patient qualifies for Medicaid. If not, they may be eligible for assistance programs offered by BVHS.

“We encourage patients to start the conversation and reach out if they have any questions,” Larsen said. “We are here as a resource. Often, patients have questions about some aspect of their bill, such as what is covered by insurance and what is not. Our team is trained to explain these things and can review the bill with a patient. Sometimes, patients call their insurance company again after speaking with us and gathering more information.”

Additionally, PFS associates can provide information about available financial assistance to some patients. These associates ask questions about the patient’s income and household size and can help them apply for appropriate programs. In some cases, patients over the income levels for programs based on income might still qualify for other assistance, depending on their situation.

“If a patient has any questions, it’s better for both parties that they reach out and call us,” Larsen said. “We recognize that sometimes patients may have financial difficulties, and we may be able to help in ways they haven’t considered. If a bill is not paid, we need to resolve the situation, but we would rather discuss any issues than simply be left wondering. Please call us if you have questions and return the call if we reach out about a bill.”

In addition to discussing assistance programs, PFS associates can also review payment plan options. A payment plan of up to three months can be offered directly through BVHS, and a longer payment plan known as ClearBalance is also now an option. ClearBalance is an extended payment plan option where patients pay 0% interest through an account on the ClearBalance portal.

Larsen added that the associates in her department are happy to discuss the situation with the patient, especially if they can’t figure out an issue.

“Our associates will go the extra mile, as they want to help our patients and provide them with more information,” she said.

To apply for financial assistance, please visit https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/patient-and-visitor-information/im-a-patient/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance.

If you have questions about a bill, please call 419.423.5310.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its diverse and dynamic winter education programming for 2025. 

Visual Art Clubs: This program offers a variety of arts and crafts projects during a six-week course this winter. Students in each age group will engage in many different 2D and 3D projects in a variety of mediums including clay, paint, printmaking, drawing, and more. Programming is available for students in grades K-12.

Homeschool and Preschool Music Classes: This program offers a variety of art types such as singing, dancing, and stories. We’ll use our imaginations to build confidence, musicality and early literacy skills! Programming is available for ages 2 through 13.

Musical Theatre Dance Classes: Join us for an exciting and informative dance class that will allow students to gain an understanding in developing their skills through movement, proper technique, building confidence, and increasing dance vocabulary. Programming is available for students in grades 6-8 this winter.

One Act Playwriting: Students in grades 6-12 will learn the basics of playwriting including brainstorming ideas, developing characters, using 3-act structure in shorter plays, and formatting scripts for production and competition. Students will also share their work in class and will learn how to give and receive feedback.

Expressions, Connection and Confidence, Oh My!: Students in grades K-2 will learn to express themselves using their bodies, faces and voices and connect those skills to tell the story on the stage. Focus will be on creative dramatics to develop expression and confidence.

Registration for all programs is now open. For detailed descriptions, schedules, and to register, please visit MCPA.org/Register.

For more information, contact Marathon Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Office by calling 419.423.2787 ext. 100 or visiting MCPA.org. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is located at 200 W. Main Cross St, Findlay. Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

As Ohioans countdown to the new year, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers will be highly visible, keeping the roads safe. Troopers are urging those celebrating New Year’s to plan ahead and designate a sober driver.

The New Year’s holiday reporting period runs Tuesday, December 31 through Wednesday, January 1. The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.

“We want everyone to start the new year off right by getting home safely after the ball drops,” said Governor DeWine. “If you’re going out to celebrate, please plan ahead to ride with a sober driver.”       

During the 2023-2024 four-day New Year’s holiday reporting period, six fatal crashes killed seven people. Of those, three crashes and four fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. In five of the fatalities in which safety belts were available, seven were unbelted.

The Patrol reminds drivers to plan ahead, designate a sober driver or make other arrangements.

“As we welcome the new year, remember that driving under the influence can result in tragic and preventable consequences,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “If you feel impaired, so is your ability to drive safely.”

Troopers also made 280 impaired-driving arrests during the 2023-2024 four-day New Year’s holiday reporting period. In addition, 414 drivers were issued safety belt violations. 

Motorists are encouraged to safely call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.