(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)
Liberty-Benton has proudly preserved and displayed the lettering of the old gymnasium floor from the 1959 portion of our original elementary and middle school.
The old gym floor adorns the north wall of the high school gymnasium.
Special thanks to Midwest Environmental for the asbestos abatement and J. Alexander Roofing for the installation.
Findlay City Schools Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton provided an update on the Findlay First Edition investigation.
He says the school district is still awaiting the final investigation findings and hopes to have them soon.
“As we shared previously, Mr. Manley has resumed his teaching duties and his non-FFE related supplemental duties,” Dr. Hatton said.
“We promised the students we would do everything we could to keep their competition season alive, which begins in earnest later in January. I am working with Mr. Manley and the high school administration to do everything we can to make that happen. While Mr. Manley has not returned to FFE directing duties, he is helping with logistics behind the scenes to keep the competition season moving forward.”
Findlay First Edition Director Kevin Manley returned to his teaching duties on December 21st after being placed on administrative leave at the end of November when the school district announced that an investigation was underway into reports regarding student behavior and the culture of the Findlay First Edition program “that do not align with our values and expectations for our students,” said Dr. Hatton.
Dr. Hatton made clear at the November 27 school board meeting that the reports did not include allegations of boundary issues involving FFE Director Kevin Manley and students.
Dr. Hatton said the school district retained a third-party investigator to conduct an unbiased comprehensive investigation.
Dr. Hatton says the school district will provide an additional update when it has and processes the results of the investigation findings and takes any necessary action.
A K9 who served with the Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is retiring.
“Please help us congratulate K9 Boy, Findlay District, who has retired after six and a half years of service to the Patrol and the citizens of Ohio,” the Highway Patrol posted on their social media.
“Boy is an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois. During his years of service, he was utilized for tracking, article searches, narcotics detection and criminal apprehension. Boy will spend his retirement years with his handler, Trooper Matthew M. Manly, and family.”
In 2019, when WFIN did a story about Boy and Trooper Manly, Manly said Boy is a great partner and has a good temperament.
“He realizes when I put my uniform on and we get in the Tahoe that it’s time to go to work, but when I take him home he knows how to take that work hat off and just be a dog.”
The City of Findlay and the Findlay Police Department are letting residents know that, due to last Monday being the New Year’s Day Holiday, the monthly test of the outdoor warning sirens will be conducted on Monday, January 8th at 10 a.m.
The monthly test of the sirens is typically conducted on the first Monday of each month in Hancock County.
(From Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio)
After much thoughtful consideration, discussion, and prayer the Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) Board of Directors has announced plans to close the Hilty Preschool and Child Care Center in Pandora, Ohio at the end of January. Following the closure of the Hilty Home Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing services at the end of 2022, the Center remained in the nearly empty building with continued operations and service to families throughout 2023.
The Center has provided excellent care consistent with its mission for 35 years. Intergenerational programming with the Hilty Home residents offered hundreds of youngsters and elders the opportunity to develop nurturing and enriching relationships. With the closure of the Hilty Home, a significant piece of this mission was lost.
Over the past year, MHCO subsidized the continuing daycare operation while exploring opportunities for a new location and ownership. Unfortunately, these efforts were not successful. Elizabeth Kelly, MHCO Board Chair said: “Our goal was that the Center continue to provide its stimulating and caring program. We simply were not able to find a suitable location or buyer and the cost of subsidizing this program is unsustainable.”
MHCO shared news of the closure with staff and families on January 2. Families were provided with contact information for local childcare programs. Staff will remain employed until the end of January or they are released as attendance declines. MHCO Human Resources is available to work with staff during this transition.
Kelly concluded: “We appreciate the impact this closing has on the special bonds between staff, children, and parents. MHCO will support everyone as much as possible through this difficult transition. Our gratitude and appreciation go to the staff for their years of service and dedication to so many children and elders.”
(From Flag City Honor Flight)
Flag City Honor Flight (FCHF) announces its 2024 flight schedule, continuing its mission to honor our nation’s Veterans.
2024 Dates:
April 23
June 11
September 10
November 12
Flag City Honor Flight President, Steve Schult, shares his enthusiasm for the upcoming year, stating, “We are honored to announce our 2024 flight schedule. Our Veterans have given so much to our nation, and it is our duty to ensure they have the opportunity to visit the memorials that stand in their honor. Flight sponsorships, financial contributions, and dedicated Guardians (volunteers) are increasingly crucial as we prepare for four flights this season.”
Veterans to Fly
World War II, Korea, and Vietnam War Veterans living in Northwest Ohio and surrounding areas are encouraged to apply. If Veterans have already applied, there is no need to reapply. FCHF will begin making calls in January to those Veterans who are scheduled to fly in 2024. We encourage Veterans from other eras to go on flights as Guardians. All applications can be found on flagcityhonorflight.org.
Involvement
For individuals or groups looking to volunteer at the Welcome Home celebration, host a third-party fundraiser to benefit FCHF, or explore partnership opportunities, please visit the Flag City Honor Flight website or email info@flaghonorflight.org.
ABOUT FLAG CITY HONOR FLIGHT: Flag City Honor Flight, a 100% volunteer-run 501c3 organization, is dedicated to providing Veterans in Northwest Ohio and surrounding areas with the opportunity to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C., at no cost. Annual flights are supported by charitable donations and an enduring commitment to honoring America’s heroes.
(above picture courtesy of Flag City Honor Flight)
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says two people were injured in a single-vehicle crash in the southwestern portion of the county.
At 8:25 Wednesday morning, the sheriff’s office responded to an injury crash on County Road 16 near County Road 78 in Union Township.
The sheriff’s office says a car driven by Doril Dorsainvil, 23, of Lima, was northbound on County Road 16 when it went off the right side of the road and rolled three times into a field.
The driver, and a passenger, Doudly Laguerre, 20, of Lima, were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital.
The sheriff’s office said the extent of their injuries was unknown.
Both were wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver was cited for failure to maintain control and operating a vehicle without a driver license.
(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Next time you are visiting us at the office, look for our new kiosk that makes checking in for your appointment and/or directing you to the correct division, so much easier!
If you have any questions when you get here, ring the bell and we will be there to assist you!
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is located at 200 West Crawford Street in Findlay.
Their number is 419-424-7097.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife reminds people that, after the holidays, live-cut Christmas trees can be repurposed as habitat for wildlife.
Trees donated to the Division of Wildlife are bundled together and weighed down so they sink to the bottom of waterways, attracting and providing cover for fish.
Decomposing trees also feed zooplankton, which provide food for aquatic invertebrates and attract larger fish.
On land, donated trees are useful as wildlife-friendly brush piles, compost, and mulch.
Click here for more information.
(ONN) – State Treasurer Robert Sprague’s office is starting a new program called ‘Ohio Homebuyer Plus‘ that will help Ohioans save for a down payment.
Essentially, it’s a savings account designed to encourage home ownership.
It works by giving qualified homeowners a savings account with a higher interest rate so their money grows faster to put down a down payment on a home.
Sprague says affordable housing is a big issue in Ohio.
To participate in the program must be an Ohio resident and your savings can’t exceed $100,000.
Get more details by clicking here.