The Salvation Army Findlay Corps says it surpassed its 2023 Red Kettle Campaign goal.

Major Mike Morales said the campaign total for 2023 was $96,659, which is well over their goal of $80,000.

He says this year’s goal was blown away thanks to the generosity of this community.

“I cannot say enough about my appreciation for the community helping us as we help their friends and neighbors,” Morales said.

“It’s a very heartfelt appreciation.”

Morales says he’s been in charge of other Salvation Army’s and nothing compares to the generosity of Findlay and Hancock County.

Money raised from the campaign goes to cover the cost of food and toys for those looking for assistance and also helps them maintain other programs throughout the year such as the soup kitchen, food pantry and youth and music programs.  

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers who intend to celebrate the new year to plan ahead and designate a sober driver. The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.

The New Year’s holiday reporting period begins Friday, December 29 at midnight and ends on Monday, January 1 at 11:59 p.m.                                   

During the 2022-2023 four-day New Year’s holiday reporting period, 11 fatal crashes killed 13 people. Of those, alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in nine fatal crashes. Of the 10 fatalities in which safety belts were available, eight were unbelted. Additionally, two motorcyclists and one pedestrian were killed during the holiday reporting period.

“We want everyone to have a great start to the new year,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “If you plan to go out and celebrate, please designate a sober driver.”

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

“When you’re ringing in the new year, remember driving impaired can have tragic and senseless consequences,” said Colonel Chuck A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “If you feel different, you drive different.”

Troopers also made 219 impaired-driving arrests during the 2022-2023 four-day New Year’s holiday reporting period. 

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

(From Findlay City Schools)

The FHS Counseling Department will be hosting our annual College Credit Plus (CCP) Information Night on Thursday, January 18th from 6pm-8pm in the FHS Auditorium.

Topics to be covered include: an overview of what the CCP program is, recent changes in CCP-related legislation, and the process of completing the CCP Intent to Participate Form.

Representatives from local colleges/universities and Millstream Career Center will be in attendance.

Students and their parents/guardians that are considering CCP participation for next school year should plan on attending!

(From City Mission of Findlay)

Have you had a chance to drive by our building lately?

If so, have you seen our new sign?

We’re thrilled to finally have a City Mission sign in front of our building, and we want to give a special thank you to Masterpiece Signs & Graphics for doing such an incredible job with it.

(ONN) – Four current or former state officials were the target of swatting calls recently.

State Representative Kevin Miller, State Senator Andrew Brenner, former State Representative Rick Carfagna and Attorney General Dave Yost all had police show up to their homes.

There were reports of a shooting at each of the locations.

All four believe they were targeted because they supported a bill that went into effect earlier in 2023 that made swatting a felony.

Senator Brenner says he wants to talk to Congressional leaders about federal penalties for these incidents. 

(ONN) – A new law will go into effect soon in Ohio intended to give parents more control over the use of their child’s social media activity.

The Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act was approved by the Ohio Legislature in July.

It requires websites to obtain parental consent before activating accounts for kids under the age of 16.

Once consent is granted, the websites must send written confirmation of the account to parents.

It goes into effect on January 15th.

(From Hancock Park District)

Even with the colder temperatures in winter many birds still call the park home.

We will search the park for some of Ohio resident birds like Chickadees, Cardinals, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers and our winter visitors like Juncos and Kinglets.

After our hike we will go inside the Discovery Center to view birds at the bird feeders. Binoculars will be provided or bring your own.

The Winter Bird Hike will take place at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, Discovery Center. 9-11 AM on February 17. Ages 16 and up. Free; registration is not required.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve is located at 1400 Oakwoods Lane, off CR 144, west of Findlay. For more information about other upcoming park programs and events, view the “Programs & Activities Calendar” at www.HancockParks.com” or call the park office at 419-425-7275.

(ONN) – Ohio Department of Transportation vehicles were hit 56 times by drivers on the roadways in 2023, which is a sharp drop from previous years.

ODOT’s Matt Bruning says that number was at 135 in 2022, and 154 in 2021.

Bruning believes the crashes are most often caused by drivers who are either distracted or impaired.

He says there may be several contributing factors to the downward trend in 2023.

Those factors include the new hands-free driving law, more awareness of the move over law, and last year’s mild winter meant fewer plows were out.

(From Dr. Bill Kose with Blanchard Valley Health System)

Healthcare providers routinely order laboratory testing to help determine how to treat their patients. We want to take this opportunity to remind you not only that it’s important to get testing when it’s recommended but also that there are steps you can take to help make the process go more smoothly.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have fallen behind on routine appointments and other regular healthcare. If you are not yet caught up on your laboratory tests, we urge you to sooner rather than later to ensure that any problems the lab tests identify can be dealt with promptly.

Your primary care provider can help you determine which tests you should have routinely. Generally, standard recommendations are based on an individual’s age and gender. However, the recommendations may vary depending on your specific situation, such as if there is a family history of a certain condition.

If you see a healthcare provider when you are ill, follow through on any requested tests. Keep in mind that your provider may take action, such as adjusting your medication, based on what the lab results reveal, so it’s best to have accurate information as soon as you can.

If you don’t understand why a certain test is recommended, ask your provider. Patients who better understand their health situation may feel better equipped to make healthier decisions. Also, the associates at the laboratory have expertise in performing the lab work, but the provider who ordered the testing will have more context as to why he or she recommended it specifically for you.

Ask your provider how to prepare for lab work, particularly if you need to fast beforehand. Eating too soon before some tests may make it impossible to get accurate results, and you may be asked to come back at another time.

Additionally, if you have received a laboratory order on a piece of paper, bring it to the lab. That way you, your physician, and the team at the laboratory all have the same information.

Blanchard Valley Health System offers several locations to get laboratory work done, so seek out testing wherever is most convenient for you. While many people come to the Center for Diagnostic Studies at the main campus of Blanchard Valley Hospital, we also offer lab testing at EasternWoods Outpatient Center, Bluffton Hospital, Carey Diagnostic Center, and Ottawa Medical & Diagnostic Center.

BVHS is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which expands our testing capabilities. There are thousands of possible laboratory tests a provider could order, some of which are rarely needed. If BVHS does not offer a particular test, we can work with Mayo Clinic and its laboratory program to help patients obtain it.

Following laboratory testing, we encourage you to sit down for a discussion with your provider. Make sure you understand the information and ask questions if you do not. Remember that some tests may decisively indicate a particular condition. In contrast, others may help identify a trend or the beginnings of a problem that should be addressed before it becomes more serious. There is an increased interest in some types of genetic testing, and those tests may indicate not that an individual will definitely develop a certain disease but simply that the probability is higher. Make sure you understand what your specific test results mean and what steps you should take to address them.

Finally, we want the community to rest assured that our laboratories are held to very strict standards to ensure the accuracy of test results. We at BVHS are committed to encouraging young people to pursue careers in healthcare, and there is a growing need for medical professionals throughout the laboratory field. As science continues to evolve, these opportunities will only grow.

William Kose, MD, JD Vice President of Special Projects, Blanchard Valley Health System

(From Raise the Bar Hancock County)

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced Raise the Bar® as one of the 26 workforce partnerships that will receive funding through the Industry Sector Partnership (ISP) Grant.

The program supports collaborations that help bring Ohioans into the workforce pipeline while meeting the needs of job creators and the local economy.

This announcement marks Raise the Bar’s 4th consecutive ISP award.

Over the next 18 months, Raise the Bar will focus on helping job seekers and employers in the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors.

Strategies will expand employer and educator engagement, increase awareness of industries and occupations, and increase accessibility and attainment of industry credentials.

“It’s an honor to be among the partnerships receiving these grant funds,” shared Tricia Valasek, Raise the Bar’s executive director while speaking with WFIN’s Chris Oaks. 

Valasek continued, “Our community’s workforce development strategies are data informed and designed to meet our employers’ needs, today and into the future. We look forward to continuing our excellence in work, and we are very grateful for the employers and partners who support us in our efforts.”

Efforts that will unfold during this funding round include the launching of a data dashboard, giving robust insight into the metrics that inform the county of its current and future talent pool; the mapping of partners and funding available throughout Ohio to assist employers with training employees; the continuation of the wildly successful Career Expo Series and Summer Educator Experience, supporting teachers and students in grades K-12; and creation of marketing and branding materials that highlight Hancock County as a place to work in manufacturing and transportation.

About Raise the Bar®: Raise the Bar® prepares and connects an adaptive workforce for Findlay-Hancock County through education and training. The organization strives to meet emerging employment needs, fostering a thriving community of skilled professionals. Details on Raise the Bar® available at www.raisethebarhancock.org.

About the Industry Sector Partnership Grants: Industry Sector Partnerships are designed to develop regional workforce strategies, with the goal of driving collaboration between local businesses, education and training providers, and community stakeholders. Ohio has invested $12.5 million in Industry Sector Partnerships over the last four years.