(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay, in partnership with the Hancock County Commissioners and consulting engineers from Stantec, today announced submission of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to FEMA following the official completion of Phase I benching of the Blanchard River. Once approved, the revision will revise the boundaries and elevations of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) in multiple locations, removing or reducing flood risk designations for certain parcels. Letters of Map Revision will also be submitted following the additional flood mitigation projects with additional properties expected to be further positively impacted. Click here for the parcels proposed for removal. 

Key Impacts

• Reduced Flood Zones: Based on updated hydraulic modeling by Stantec, 375 parcels (totaling approximately 15 acres) will be completely removed from FEMA’s SFHA.
• Lowered Water Surface Elevations: Another 985 parcels (around 67 acres) will remain in the SFHA, but with a reduced 100‑year water surface elevation.
• Yellow‑marked areas in the attached exhibit are those that will be removed from the SFHA.

Background

• The Hancock County Flood Risk Reduction Program, which encompasses several flood mitigation efforts including Phase I hydraulic improvements, has been underway to address rising flood frequency in the Blanchard River and surrounding watershed.
• Phase I involved floodplain benching near Swale Park, removal of several low‑head dams downstream of Lye Creek, and instream riffle construction at low‑head dam sites.
• These improvements, together with property acquisition and demolition of flood‑prone structures, have lowered flood stages as measured at Main Street in Findlay. The National Weather Service revised flood stage definitions in early 2021 to reflect the benefits of these improvements.

What This Means for Property Owners

• Properties completely removed from the SFHA may no longer be required to carry flood insurance under certain regulations, depending on lender, mortgage, or insurance company requirements.
• Those with reduced flood elevations may see lower flood insurance premiums, fewer regulatory restrictions, and reduced risk exposure.
• Affected property owners will need to check with the local floodplain administrator and insurance provider after the LOMR is approved to understand specific implications for their parcels.

Next Steps

1. Review & Approval: FEMA will review the submitted LOMR. Once FEMA issues a Letter of Final Determination, the changes become official. This process is expected to take 6 months.
2. Mapping Updates: Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) will be updated to reflect the changes.
3. Notification: Property owners in affected areas will be notified once the revisions are effective. Local officials will provide resources for understanding the changes.
4. Continued Mitigation: Additional hydraulic improvements are planned, including additional river benching in downtown Findlay, replacement of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, and construction of the Eagle Creek Basin with construction anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026.

Quotes

“Phase I benching marks a significant milestone in reducing flood risk for Hancock County. These map changes will bring both regulatory and financial relief for many property owners.” — William Bateson, Hancock County Commissioner

“Progress such as this has been a long time in the works. There is more work to be done but this is a significant step forward in resolving flooding in Findlay and Hancock County. Our goal has always been to create long‑term safety, and decreased expense to Findlay and Hancock County residents.” — Christina Muryn, Mayor, City of Findlay

For more information, for maps showing which parcels are affected visit findlayohio.gov or hancockcountyflooding.com.

About Hancock County Flood Risk Reduction Program

Since the 1990s, Hancock County has been experiencing more frequent flooding. To address this, in 2016 the Hancock County Commissioners and Maumee Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) entered into an agreement to identify flood risk reduction opportunities. Key projects include hydraulic improvements (benching, dam removal, riffle construction), railroad bridge improvements, and dry basin construction, among others.

A significant reduction in workforce has occurred at One Power Company as the company undergoes a reorganization, the company confirmed to WFIN News.

One Power Company provided the following statement.

“One Power Company and its affiliates are still operational, but are undergoing a reorganization. A significant reduction in workforce occurred as part of this process. One Power is working with its lenders and creditors on this reorganization.”

According to their website, One Power Company is an industrial power company and the largest installer of on-site wind energy in the U.S.

One Power Company is located on County Road 215 just north of Findlay.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation was presented with a nice check from the 13th annual WKXA / 106.3 The Fox Charity Golf Scramble presented by Ohio Logistics.

Development Director Teresa White was presented with the $4,300 check by Chuck Bills in the picture above.

She says the money raised will go into the Cops and Kids Champion Fund.

“Which ensures law enforcement’s continued positive interaction with youth in our community. But more importantly, especially lately, the continued support of law enforcement in Hancock County. There’s been a tremendous need for that recently, specifically with the death of Office Schimmoeller, so the donation today means a little bit more than it normally does.”

FOP Lodge 20’s biggest annual events are Cops and Kids Go Shopping and the Halloween Parade, and they also put on other events.

Click here to learn more about Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 and its programming.

(in the picture above are Kahuna from The Fox, Teresa from the FOP Lodge Foundation, Chuck Bills of Ohio Logistics, and Rex from WKXA)

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay welcomes Broadway performer Ali Ewoldt as the featured guest artist for the latest edition of the Donnell Broadway Concert Series. She will be accompanied by Grammy-nominated Broadway conductor Phil Reno. The event will take place on Sunday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Winebrenner TLB Auditorium on the University’s campus.

Ewoldt played the role of Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway for more than two years, including during the show’s 30th Anniversary celebration.

Her other New York credits include Cosette in the first Broadway revival of “Les Misérables,” the Tony Award-winning revival of “The King and I” at Lincoln Center, “Titanic” with NY City Center Encores! Series, and Luisa in “The Fantasticks” Off-Broadway. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Yale University. As a proud Filipino American, Ewoldt is the first Asian American featured Donnell artist.

Ticket Information:
Adults: $30
Senior Citizens: $27
Students: $10

University of Findlay students, faculty, and staff: Free (with valid University ID). UF students and employees are eligible for one free ticket using the UF discount code DBCS25 at checkout when ordering online at mcpa.org.

Tickets can also be purchased at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA) box office, located at 200 W. Main Cross St., or at the door on the night of the event.

For additional information or to purchase tickets by phone, please call 419-423-2787. Discover more about Ewoldt’s career works and background by visiting her website at https://aliewoldt.com/.

The Donnell Broadway Concert Series is supported by the Thomas and Kathleen Donnell Broadway Concert Series Endowment Fund, established through the University of Findlay’s Give Voice to Your Values campaign. This annual series continues to bring distinguished Broadway talent to the stage locally, enriching the cultural landscape of our community.

To learn more about the Donnell Broadway Concert Series, please visit the Donnell Broadway Concert Series webpage.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

It’s Roundabouts Week 2025 and we have some awesome news to share!

The dogbone roundabout at I-75/U.S. 68/SR 15/Lima Avenue in Findlay is a huge success.

The data is in, and we’ve seen a major drop in crashes and injuries.

ODOT said from 2016-18, before the roundabouts were built, there were 48 crashes and eight injury crashes. 40 percent were injury crashes.

ODOT said, from 2021-24, there have been nine crashes and one injury crash.

That’s an 86 percent drop in total crashes and a 91 percent drop in injury crashes.

ODOT’s Cheri Newton on the effectiveness of roundabouts.

“They improve intersection safety and improve congestion. They can handle a lot of traffic efficiently and do so while reducing crash severity and crash numbers.”

Learn more about roundabouts by clicking here.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Announcing our 2025 Findlay High School Homecoming Court:

Back Row: Isaac Weese, Will Hammer, Jaycob Bosse, Reece Stillings, Braden Cramer

Front Row: Libby Mihalik, Lauren Heydinger, Rayanna Cap, Lola Spieles, Olivia Gayhart

Celebrate with us the week of September 21-27, 2025!

Spirit Week Themes:

Monday (9/22): Pajama Day

Tuesday (9/23): Jersey Day

Wednesday (9/24): Royalty Day

Thursday (9/25): Surfers vs. Bikers

Friday (9/26): Blue & Gold

Homecoming Parade Friday 9/26: 5:30pm

Homecoming Football Game Friday 9/26: 7:00pm

We can’t wait to see who receives the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, watch our Alumni Cheerleaders and Band, and celebrate the 20th Reunion of the class of 2005.

Join us for Homecoming 2025, Trojan Country!

(From the Vanlue Fire Department)

This foggy morning around 5:30am, Vanlue Firefighters were dispatched to a three vehicle injury accident at the intersection of SR 330 and SR 568, with entrapment.

One of the vehicles was on top of another vehicle with the passenger front wheel through the windshield trapping the driver inside.

Our firefighters did a great job, stabilizing the vehicles and extricating the driver.

All persons involved escaped serious injuries and were able to walk away.

Thank you to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Hanco EMS and Dick’s/Ed’s Towing for their assistant with this scene.

Great job by everyone!

(ONN) – The killings of Charlie Kirk and Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman are prompting new legislation in Ohio.

Two lawmakers introduced a bill that would elevate politically motivated murder to aggravated murder.

The sponsors say the bill would carry a mandatory sentence of life without parole, and the crime would be eligible for the death penalty.

It establishes a political motivation specification.

This would apply to elected officials, their staff, journalists, and activists peacefully exercising their 1st amendment rights.

(From Reineke Family Dealerships)

Reineke Family Dealerships is proud to donate a Ford Focus to Millstream Career Center’s Automotive Technology Program! This vehicle will provide students with valuable hands-on shop experience while preparing them for successful careers in today’s automotive industry.

We greatly value our long-standing partnership with Millstream, are proud to employ many of its alumni, and are especially appreciative of the outstanding work done by Pam Hamlin, Kyle Watts, John Nitchie, Robert Richards, and the entire Millstream Career Center team in supporting students’ growth and success.

“The Automotive Tech Prep program prepares students with the skills to succeed in the workplace and beyond,” said Suzie Reineke, Reineke Family Dealerships. “We’re proud to support such an impactful program for our community.” 

Did you know? In 2025, Millstream Career Center serves over 800 students from three counties through its career tech programs!

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County is calling on all Difference Makers — the givers, the advocates and the volunteers — to help support our community through its 2025 Annual Campaign.

This year’s campaign kicked off with a community pickleball tournament and continues through mid-November. During this two-month window, the United Way aims to raise $1.8 million to help strengthen local safety net services.

As always, every donation made to the United Way will stay in our community. The money raised during the Annual Campaign will be allocated to the United Way’s local partner agencies and their programming that exists to champion children, promote safety and health, fight hunger, foster financial stability and provide safe housing. These critical services serve 1 in 4 people in Hancock County.

“We love our campaign theme, ‘Difference Makers,’” because that’s exactly what our supporters are to those who are assisted by the life-changing services the United Way helps fund,” said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County.

“Whether you are contributing dollars toward our campaign goal, your time as a volunteer or your voice to speak up for a cause that matters, you are making a difference for a vulnerable child, family or individual in our community. No action is too small to make a difference.”

Campaign season incorporates a variety of activities designed to build corporate enthusiasm, provide volunteer engagement and educate the public on the efforts of local nonprofits. Leading the campaign’s efforts are Kirby Overton, dean of the University of Findlay College of Business; and Kelly Wohlgamuth, coordinator of Gifted and English Learner Services at Findlay City Schools.

“United Way of Hancock County truly is one place to give, many ways to help,” said Overton. “This year, our United Way is supporting 19 local programs that are measurably improving people’s lives.”

“Every dollar you give stays in our community to enable critical services that act as a safety net for those who need them most while empowering vulnerable individuals to thrive,” Wohlgamuth added.

Each year, the United Way assembles a campaign cabinet to serve as the key connection between the organization and its corporate partners. This year’s cabinet members include:

• Overton and Wohlgamuth, serving as Campaign chairs.
• Chuck Bills, president of Ohio Logistics, serving as Corporate Division chair.
• Jeff Young, superintendent of the Hancock County Education Services Center, serving as Education Division chair.
• Myron Lewis, president and CEO of Blanchard Valley Health System, serving as Health Division chair.
• Karen Worthington, owner of River + Road, serving as Mercantile Division chair.
• Sean Abbott, Hancock County Prosecutor; and Jennie Treece of Findlay Brewing Co., serving as Professional Division co-chairs.
• Jaclynn Hohman, project manager for the City of Findlay, serving as Public Division chair.
• Josh Slough and Britt Knippen, both of Key Realty, serving as FIRE Division co-chairs.
• Cathy Schroll, mayor of the Village of McComb, serving as Rural Division chair.
• Anne Whitman, retired from Premier Bank, serving as Retiree/Independent Division chair.
• Elizabeth Babcock, supply chain business analyst with Marathon Petroleum Corp., serving as Youth Division chair.

Visit www.uwhancock.org to learn more or to donate to the campaign.