(From Destination Seneca County)

Destination Seneca County has announced they are hosting Eclipse Insights, in partnership with several Seneca County community organizations, on Monday, February 26 to assist business owners and community members in preparing for the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse. Eclipse Insights will be held at 9 AM at North Central Educational Service Center (928 W Market St., Tiffin), 1 PM at the Fostoria Learning Center (342 Perry St., Fostoria), and 5:30 PM at Seneca East Local Schools (13343 US 224, Attica).

Representatives from the Seneca County Emergency Management Agency, Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce/Destination Seneca County, Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership/Downtown Tiffin, Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, Fostoria Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, and Seneca County General Health District will also be in attendance throughout the day’s session to assist the community in their preparation efforts.

Highlights of the sessions will include:

Seneca County Emergency Management Update: Stay informed with the latest safety plans and measures outlined by Seneca County Emergency Management Agency, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of safety protocols.

Business Support & Best Practices: Gain valuable insights and guidance from representatives that aim to support the business community. Learn best practices tailored for small businesses and their employees to maximize opportunities and ensure seamless operations during this significant event.

Seneca County General Health District Guidance: Understand the necessary permits and regulations concerning land leasing and food offerings throughout the weekend. The Seneca County General Health District will provide crucial information for community members engaging in these activities.

(From GROB Systems)

GROB Systems, Inc., a global leader in the development of manufacturing systems and machine tools, announced it broke ground in December 2023 on a 135,000 sq. ft. expansion project that will add approximately 35% more space for production and shipping to the existing 400,000 sq. ft., and add 200 new jobs to its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Bluffton, Ohio.

Marking a 33-year presence in the U.S. along with increased growth in North America, the new, expanded space will house many of GROB’s sub-assembly departments to support final production in the main plant.

On the logistical side, the expansion will provide shipping with two new depressed docks bringing the total to three docks, further increasing the efficiency of shipping and receiving for GROB. The expansion project, which will be located on the east side of GROB’s current facility footprint, is estimated at $24.0 million.

“Demonstrating our strong, unwavering commitment to U.S. manufacturing, GROB has been investing in and expanding the Bluffton location since the first building was constructed in 1991,” said Mr. Michael Hutecker, CEO, GROB Systems, Inc.

“Our new, large East Building expansion represents the success of our manufacturing systems and automation solutions being produced in the U.S. and providing timely, locally based service and support to our customers. With the expanded facility, we will increase our production of manufacturing systems for new technologies in the U.S. — most importantly, systems for the production of batteries.”

Ms. Annette Heslep, CFO, GROB Systems, Inc. adds, “We have been fortunate to employee highly skilled employees who have greatly contributed to our success for over 30 years. With this latest expansion, we are excited to continue our growth in this community and the U.S. by committing to add another 200 jobs over the next three years and offer the latest machining and automation technology.”

Completion of GROB’s East Building expansion in Bluffton is slated for March 2025.

About GROB Systems For over 90 years, GROB has been known worldwide for the development and manufacturing of machines and production lines.

GROB is a family-owned company with global headquarters located in Mindelheim near Munich, Germany and has full manufacturing capabilities in the United States, Germany, Brazil, China, Italy and India. Approximately 900 employees at the 400,000 square foot U.S.A. facility in Bluffton, Ohio support GROB customers across North America.

GROB has in its portfolio several universal 5-axis machining centers as well as a variety of automation solutions. The unique retractable spindle provides unmatched accessibility to the work piece, is the most rigid when extended to the workpiece, and even allows for upside-down machining which provides superior chip control. The Z-axis design also allows tool changes to happen outside of the work area which enables users to machine the largest part that fits in the machine regardless of tool length requirements.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Hancock County Special Deputies are currently looking for candidates to join their organization.

The special deputies hold a vital role for Hancock County to help make sure special events run smoothly.

They help cover a variety of events throughout the year.

Please see the flyer below for more information and how to apply.

For any questions, please feel free to reach out!!

Applicants do not have to be certified.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

The Coach Williman Dedication Ceremony was a HUGE success!

Thank you to everyone who came out to honor Coach Williman and his Liberty-Benton legacy.

The signature is now officially on the Steve Williman Court forever!

To view the ​​Steve Williman Career photos slide show, visit http://tinyurl.com/2r53dk3y

(above picture courtesy of Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

(From Blanchard Valley Center)

Blanchard Valley Center (Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities) will host a series of networking events that will be free and open to the public in 2024.

Nadine Weininger, with Blanchard Valley Center, says the first event of the series will be held Jan. 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at Blanchard Valley Center, 1700 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay. The topic will be, How did I get here and where do I go next? A panel of parents will discuss their journey of navigating life with a child who has a developmental disability.

Each event will include a 30-minute question-and-answer period, followed by an open house for networking with representatives from resource agencies.

“When we were working on our strategic plan and collecting feedback from stakeholders, we had parents, including board members, who said they wanted opportunities to network with families dealing with similar situations,” said Blanchard Valley Center Superintendent Kelli Grisham. “This gives them the chance to not only talk to other parents or caregivers, but to tap onto other resources, such as recommended doctors or facilities.”

Topics for additional networking events will include:

-Transition and Summer Work. This event will focus on young adults, ages 14-22, as they navigate life after post-secondary education.

-Special Ed 101. A parent panel will discuss their experiences working with local school districts, IEPs, and what involvement looks like.

The dates for the additional sessions are April 10 and August 14, respectively.

“We often hear that parents will receive a diagnosis for their child and don’t know where to turn,” Grisham said. “Understanding the world of developmental disabilities can sometimes be daunting. We want to invite families to these networking events to help in that process. It will give people an opportunity to communicate with a professional, and those with lived experience, in a relaxed environment.”

(From Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio)

The Board of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) is happy to announce plans for continuing operations of the Hilty Preschool and Childcare in Pandora, Ohio. Following the January 2, 2024 announcement that the childcare would be closing on January 31 there was a groundswell of local effort to continue the operation of a childcare in Pandora. Parents reported frustration and inability to locate alternative childcare openings in Putnam County and long waiting lists at other facilities, including surrounding towns.

The Pandora Village Council heard their pleas, as voiced at the January 9 Village Council meeting. Council had already approached MHCO and these pleas supported their resolve to find a workable solution for everyone. The Putnam County CIC joined the Village in their efforts. Local businessmen, Zachary Buckland and Evan Schroeder, stepped forward to propose purchase of the childcare operation. They have formed Hilty’s Faithful Foundations Preschool and Childcare, LLC and it will remain in the current location. They plan to expand the childcare space into adjacent space of the former Hilty Memorial Home. In collaboration with MHCO, current operations will continue through March 31, 2024, by which time they expect to have the legal transactions and licensing processes completed.

Meanwhile, the Village of Pandora submitted a purchase proposal to HUD, the loan holder for the empty facility. The Hilty Memorial Home was closed in December 2022 and the childcare

allowed to continue in the building. MHCO had attempted to find purchasers for the building and the childcare, but was unsuccessful. Pandora Mayor, Jeremy Liechty, shared these thoughts about the collaboration, “We believe that by attempting to purchase the building, Pandora will have the Hilty daycare remain in place and opportunities for other businesses to grow within our community. We appreciate how MCHO continued to maintain the Hilty facility and we are hopeful that an offer for the building is accepted by HUD to keep moving forward in 2024.”

Once the transactions are completed, the Village will begin a strategic planning process to determine additional operations that can utilize other areas of the 60,000 square foot space.

Families and Staff have been informed of the plans for continuing childcare services and new operators are eager to move forward with their expansion plans. Zach Buckland expressed hope that Hilty childcare families and staff will “hang in with us” as the transitions take place. “Evan and I know firsthand how difficult it is to find quality childcare close to home. This is what motivates us to take on this challenge. We are committed to making this a successful and permanent operation. And we are especially happy to have Amanda Dettrow continue as the Director, continuing her 17 years of leadership.”

MHCO Board Chair, Elizabeth Kelly, shared her enthusiasm about this turn of events, “We know that it takes a village to raise a child. We are seeing that it takes a village and a county and a group of committed parents and citizens to provide much needed childcare in rural communities. We are thankful for the hard work that is making this possible.”

January is School Board Recognition Month and Findlay City Schools Board of Education members were recognized at the recent board of education meeting.

“Our board members devote hours of their time and energy to propel this district to excellence, opportunity, and belonging,” the school district said on Facebook.

The school district says, over the next few days it’ll be sharing the “why” behind each board member’s selfless service to the community.

Members of the FHS Student Leadership Class attended Monday night’s board meeting to share their experiences in leadership and to celebrate the leadership of the Findlay City Schools Board of Education.

Board members are Mr. Matt Cooper, Dr. Kathy Siebenaler Wilson, Mr. Chris Aldrich, Mrs. Susan Russel, Ms. Laura Eier.

The Seneca County Drug Task Force executed a drug-related search warrant with the assistance of the Fostoria Police Department.

Authorities say the search warrant was executed at 912 South Poplar Street in Fostoria, that being the residence of Robert A. Hall, 42, and Brittany Garner, 33.

The task force says the search revealed suspected fentanyl, meth, and other items indicative of drug trafficking.

Hall was arrested for an active warrant in Seneca County and Garner for obstruction of official business.

Police Chief Gabe Wedge said that address has been the source of numerous drug complaints and the collaboration between agencies is an example of the proactive police work necessary to combat drugs in their communities.

(From Tiffin Police Department)

The Tiffin Police Department is now accepting applications for its annual Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Tiffin Police Department Citizen’s Academy is for area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their police department operates and the policing challenges our community faces. The Academy training will consist of classroom and hands on training, with emphasis on student involvement. The program is designed to develop positive relations between the police and the community through education.

The Academy will begin Sunday, March 17th, 2024. Classes will be held for ten consecutive weeks, every Sunday afternoon, from 12:30 PM until 3:00 PM. No classes will be held on Easter Sunday. Graduation will be on May 26th, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Participation requires a commitment to attend a majority of the class dates. Classes will be held in the Tiffin Police Department training room. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Ohio driver’s license or ID card. Applicants must agree to a background check.

If you are interested in participating in the Citizen Academy, please pickup an application packet at the Tiffin Police Department, 51 E. Market St., Tiffin, Ohio. Class size is limited to 18 students. The deadline to turn in completed applications is February 16th, 2024.

Please contact Sgt. Jared Watson at 419-447-2323 or email jmwatson@tiffinohio.gov with any questions.

One Energy provided the following statement about the failure of one of its wind turbines in Findlay on Monday.

At approximately 11:55 am today, a wind turbine owned by One Energy experienced a blade failure in Findlay, Ohio.

The blade fell directly to the ground below the wind turbine.

There were no injuries and no damage beyond One Energy’s property.

By 12:00 pm, One Energy personnel were on site to immediately secure the scene and perform a full drone inspection of the wind turbine and site.

Out of an abundance of caution, all wind turbines owned by One Energy have been shut down while a preliminary investigation is underway.

One Energy will continue to communicate with the public as it has additional information.

(pictures provided by One Energy)