(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

On Monday, January 8th, 2024, at approximately 11:05am, the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Fostoria Police Department and advised that at Hopewell Estates 8702 W. S.R. 18, Fostoria, Seneca County, Ohio, a Toledo company was preparing a Mobile Home for removal tomorrow and the air jacks had failed, and two males were crushed beneath it.

One of the males (37 years of age) appeared to be deceased and the other male (61 years of age) was removed and needs emergency help.

Seneca County Deputies arrived along with Bascom Fire and Bascom EMS and New Riegel Squad.

Toledo Life Flight was contacted and arrived on scene for the second male who had internal injuries.

The Seneca County Coroner’s Office was contacted along with OSHA to come to the scene.

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were called out to photograph the scene.

“This tragic accident in our community is horrific for all that had to respond and for the witnesses as well. Our partners in Law Enforcement and Fire and EMS was once again on display during this incident. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased male and the injured male fighting with critical internal injuries. Also, to the deputies, fire and ems that were involved in pulling them out from underneath the mobile trailer,” Sheriff Stevens said.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

On January 3, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially open the Liberty-Benton Wrestling Room located in the LB Athletic Booster’s Field House.

Thank you to the following groups for their outstanding work on the project:

Warner Mechanical

Garlock Brothers Construction

Ohio Concrete Solutions

Gillig Winery

And a special thanks to the members of our Capital Campaign Committee and the generous donors whose financial contributions made the completion of this project possible.

(From Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce)

Applications are being accepted for the 2024 Agri-Business scholarship program through the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.  Scholarships will be awarded to area students pursuing college studies in agriculture, home economics, natural resources, or other related fields. 

 The Chamber Agri-Business Committee is dedicated to ensuring the heritage of agriculture in Hancock County by promoting educational opportunities and outlining the vital role of agri-business by introducing and exploring value-added agricultural opportunities.

 Applicants can either be high school seniors pursuing further studies or current college students enrolled in an agriculturally related field. Applicants must live or go to school in Hancock County. Applications are available online at www.findlayhancockchamber.com/agribusiness. 

Completed applications must be submitted by Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

 For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 419.422.3313, email djenkins@FindlayHancockChamber.com, or visit findlayhancockchamber.com/agribusiness.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents about a couple of upcoming days off for students.

The school district says there will be no school on Friday, January 12^th and Monday, January 15^th.

Friday, January 12^th is a staff in-service day and Monday, January 15^th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

See the full school district calendar by clicking here.

We could be getting some winter weather this week, and you can click here for school closings and delays, and here for the latest weather forecast and road alerts. 

Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Frank LaRose stopped by the WFIN Studios on Friday and was interviewed by WFIN’s Chris Oaks.

LaRose was in town to speak at the Hancock County GOP’s First Friday Luncheon.

On with WFIN’s Chris Oaks, LaRose said he’s the only candidate in the race who is a lifelong Republican.

“People can try to reinvent their records, I’m proud of mine, I don’t have to reinvent it. I’m a credentialed conservative, a battle-tested conservative. I’ve proven that I’m going to go to D.C. and fight for our values.”

LaRose is facing Matt Dolan and Bernie Moreno in seeking the Republican nomination in the March primary.

The winner of the primary will face off with Democrat U.S. Senator from Ohio, Sherrod Brown, in the fall.

The Findlay Police Department says a car crashed into a house along Tiffin Avenue when the driver suffered a medical issue.

It happened at around 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the 800 block of Tiffin Avenue.

Police say Ronald Smith, 45, of Findlay, was driving eastbound in the 700 block of Tiffin Avenue when he began to have a medical issue and veered off the roadway to the right and through the front yard of 721 Tiffin Avenue.

His car then got back on the roadway and proceeded through the intersection of Tiffin Avenue and Central Avenue before going off the north side of the roadway and striking a house at 804 Tiffin Avenue.

Police say no citations were issued and Smith was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

On Saturday, January 6, 2024, around 4:30 pm, Tiffin Police Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from a resident in the 100 block of Sycamore St. The caller reported two gunshots from an upstairs apartment penetrating his ceiling and entering his apartment.

Upon arrival, officers confirmed the report, secured the area, and initiated communication attempts with the occupants of the upstairs apartment. The Black Swamp Emergency Service Unit (BSESU) was activated for assistance.

Around 5:10 pm, five juveniles voluntarily descended from the upstairs apartment and surrendered to Tiffin Officers. They disclosed the presence of an adult male inside who refused to come out. Confirmation was received that a firearm was in the upstairs apartment, and shots had indeed been fired. At approximately 5:40 pm, after further negotiations, the adult male agreed to exit the apartment and surrendered to the BSESU.

At 5:45 pm, the adult male was arrested and transported to the Seneca County Jail on a separate arrest warrant. Following the arrest, the BSESU conducted a preliminary search to ensure the safety of the upstairs apartment. Subsequently, Tiffin Detectives executed a search warrant to collect the firearm and any other relevant evidence from the scene.

Gratitude is extended to the Tiffin Officers, Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies, Fostoria Police and Fire Departments, and the Black Swamp Emergency Service Unit for their collaboration. We are relieved that the resolution was achieved peacefully without harm to officers or civilians.

Thank you,

Tiffin Police Chief David W. Pauly

The Findlay Police Department is requesting help from the public in identifying a theft suspect.

Police say the man in the surveillance picture is believed to be responsible for a theft that happened at Menards in Findlay.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Findlay Police Department at 419-424-7150, message them on Facebook, or call Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS.

Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Lauren Phillips, RN, has received the first DAISY Award at Blanchard Valley Health System.

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program honoring nurses who have made a special difference in the lives of their patients.

Nurses are nominated by patients, families, coworkers, or anyone who has seen the difference they make in the lives of others. Phillips, a nurse in the intensive care unit at Blanchard Valley Hospital, was nominated by a patient, Brooke Taylor Kruse, who had been admitted into the ICU after having twins.

“When Brooke was very sick, Lauren was there for her not only as a nurse but also someone who made her feel comfortable,” said Nikki Ballinger, RN, outgoing chair of Nursing Congress and co-coordinator of the program. “Lauren was a listening ear and a healing touch for Brooke and her family.”

Phillips was honored at a surprise celebration in late December.

“I was absolutely stunned when I heard my name called,” she said. “I was looking around the room as they mentioned the DAISY Award, wondering who the recipient might be, but it never occurred to me it would be me.”

“I hadn’t even noticed Brooke standing right next to Nikki until after they said my name. After that, the tears just came so fast,” she added.

Phillips has been a nurse in the ICU at BVH for six years since receiving her nursing degree. She is also a house supervisor for the hospital as needed. She previously worked as a weekend supervisor for Bridge Home Health & Hospice, also a division of BVHS.

She said nursing is a meaningful career because she loves people and feels like she gets to make a difference.

“I feel privileged to do this work,” Phillips said. “Taking care of my community when they’re most vulnerable is so special to me.”

She added that she loves educating patients on their care, supporting other associates, and being part of a team at BVHS.

“I love feeling like I am part of a community when I come to work,” she said.

Ballinger said the celebration honoring Phillips made it clear how much impact nurses have on their patients and families.

“Honoring the first DAISY recipient at BVHS was an unforgettable experience,” Ballinger said. “It was emotional in the best way possible, and it felt special to present such a meaningful award. Seeing Lauren and Brooke unite again, this time at a celebration, was touching for everyone there.”

The DAISY Award was created to honor the late Patrick Barnes, who was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia) at age 33 in 1999. Pat’s family was moved by the incredible kindness and compassion his nurses demonstrated throughout the eight weeks he was hospitalized. After his death, they created the award to honor him.

Pat’s wife, Tena, developed the acronym DAISY, which stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.” The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses began at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance at the University of Washington Medical Center, where Patrick had been a patient. It has since been adopted by thousands of healthcare organizations and schools of nursing in the United States and worldwide. Partner organizations run the recognition program.

Each DAISY Honoree is honored at a celebration and receives a certificate in a DAISY portfolio, a beautiful hand-carved “Healer’s Touch” sculpture from Zimbabwe, an honoree pin, a congratulations banner to hang in the unit, a copy of their nomination, and a gift bag. Each honoree also receives cinnamon rolls to share in recognition of the fact that, while Patrick had lost his appetite during his hospitalization, cinnamon rolls were the exception.

“I am so grateful and feel truly honored to be the first recipient of the DAISY Award at BVHS,” Phillips said. “It is truly so special to me.”

Community members are encouraged to nominate a BVHS nurse for their extraordinary efforts. Any nurse at any BVHS facility or location is eligible.

For more information or to nominate a nurse, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/DAISYAward 

Printed nomination forms are also available at various locations across the health system.

(From the City of Findlay)

Mayor Christina Muryn has requested a committee of the whole meeting of Findlay City Council on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 at 4:30 pm in City Council Chambers, it will also be live streamed on YouTube by searching Findlay Ohio.

Muryn has stated it will be to discuss economic development strategies for 2024. A committee of the whole meeting is an information sharing session in which no formal action may be taken.

“The City of Findlay has a vibrant local economy which has continued to grow over the past 10 years with investments such as Valgroup, Campbells, McLane, ZF, R+L Carriers, and extensive growth among our existing businesses. In 2023 alone, there was $358,000,000 in capital investment, 270,000 square feet of constructed or leased space, and over 1,370 net new jobs created. We must continue to look for creative ways to position the City of Findlay for expansion and attraction of new businesses and people,” Muryn said.  

“To ensure we are well positioned I will be introducing concepts that I have been investigating to continue to ensure we are attracting the best businesses and talent for our community while also ensuring our community is a place that has the amenities that people expect. I look forward to robust discussion with Council and moving these priorities forward in 2024.”

Mayor Christina Muryn In 2023, City Council adopted a strategic planning framework, Findlay Forward. The framework took input gathered from citizens, city employees, and city government to determine 7 key goals for the City of Findlay. They are: A Safe Community, A Well-Run City Government, A Caring Government, A Thriving Business Environment, An Attractive Place, An Active Community, and A Connected City.

“These goals are not anything unique, they are the core responsibilities of City Government, however, what is unique is in the objectives and actions we take to achieve each of the goals. As we move into 2024 I expect more discussion on the action item level of the plan and believe that the information that will be shared on Wednesday will be a great jumping off point for a thriving business environment but will also have a positive ripple effect on all other goals.”

The City of Findlay has been named America’s Top Micropolitan Community for the past 9 years by Site Selection Magazine, in 2022 Findlay won this accolade with 32 qualifying projects, 2nd place Thomasville, GA had 12. Site Selection Magazine is the premier international publication specific to site selectors. Site selectors are individuals contracted by companies to find new sites for business expansion. The annual rankings of communities are based strictly upon the number of qualifying projects. A qualifying project is defined by Industrial projects with Capital investment over $1,000,000 – over 20,000 square feet constructed – 20 or more net new jobs created. Qualifying projects show how much investment is occurring in your community.