An organization is working again this year to give some area families the Best Christmas Ever.

The charity Best Christmas Ever helps out families who have fallen on hard times at no fault of their own.

This weekend the organization will be surprising four Findlay-area families with a custom and unique Best Christmas Ever tailored to each family’s situation. 

Last December, Best Christmas Ever surprised four local families and video of one of the surprises can be seen below.

Jaclyn Pessel, of Best Christmas Ever, says this wouldn’t be possible without the generous community we live in.

“You get more out of giving than you do receiving, and you can see by how many people were here that people want to give and to help and there’s so many good people out there.”

You can learn more about Best Christmas Ever by checking out their website here and Findlay Facebook page here.

(From Wood County Plays)

Wood County Plays is pleased to announce a partnership with the city of Fostoria to build the city’s first inclusive playground at City Park.

The over 14,000 square foot playground will feature state of the art equipment and innovative designs.

A wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, sensory tunnel, adaptive zip line, and poured rubber surfacing highlighting the 100% accessible play space.

Zone-specific equipment for younger toddlers and older kids will keep different age groups engaged for family visits.

Ryan Wichman, president of Wood County Plays commented on the announcement, “Our team is excited to be renewing our commitment to bring inclusive playgrounds to Wood County. This is a play space for everyone and every family. For the first time in Fostoria, children of all abilities will be able to play side by side with their peers.”

“It is really gratifying that Wood County Plays has chosen Fostoria for their next inclusive playground. This addition to City Park along with the Splash Pad will create a wonderful destination for families and especially children. Many thanks to all who are working to make this happen,” added Don Mennel, Fostoria Council Member.

The campaign to fund the playground will combine grant funding and community donations to fulfill the projected one-million dollar budget. The city of Fostoria has already committed $50,000 dollars toward the project.

The playground will be located at the site of the former community pool and adjacent to a still-to-be built splash pad. Construction for the playground is expected to begin early in 2025 with completion during the summer. A fundraiser, Night of Play, will be held in January for members of the public to come together to support this unique community project.

Tickets for Night of Play are available HERE

(From the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission)

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has announced the eight winners of its third annual Name-a-Snowplow contest. Each winner will receive a $100 gift card.

The winners are:

Don’t Flurry Be Happy
Denise Hocevar-Rendlesham (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) 
Kunkle Maintenance Building

Blades of Flurry
Cameryn Wise (Waterville, Ohio)        
Swanton Maintenance Building

We’re Off To See The Blizzard
Philip Metro (Painesville, Ohio)
Elmore Maintenance Building

Hang On Scoopy
Steven Borzymowski (Sandusky, Ohio)           
Castalia Maintenance Building

Scoop! There It Is
Annette Soule (Lorain, Ohio)                 
Amherst Maintenance Building

Who Let The Plows Out
Christie Williamson (Akron, Ohio)                  
Boston Maintenance Building

I’ve Got Friends In Snow Places
Jacqueline Flowers (Austintown, Ohio)
Hiram Maintenance Building

 Fast and Flurrious                        
David Kelso (Boardman, Ohio)
Canfield Maintenance Building

A snowplow truck will be named at the each of the Ohio Turnpike’s eight maintenance buildings (west to east): Kunkle (Williams County), Swanton (Fulton County), Elmore (Ottawa County), Castalia (Erie County), Amherst (Lorain County), Boston (Summit County), Hiram (Portage County), and Canfield (Mahoning County).

“We thank everyone who participated in this year’s Name-a-Snowplow contest,” said Ferzan Ahmed, executive director of the turnpike commission in Berea, Ohio. “The Name-a-Snow contest serves as a reminder that roadway safety needs to be top-of-mind during the winter driving season.”

This year, more than 100 snowplow trucks will be available to maintain the Ohio Turnpike’s 1,395 lane miles, 31 toll plaza interchanges, and 14 service plazas across 13 counties in northern Ohio.

“Motorists should take every precaution to avoid passing snowplow trucks and allow extra space for the crews to clear the road. They typically work together clearing multiple lanes simultaneously, so make sure to give them space to work,” Ahmed added. “Don’t crowd the plow. The safest place to be is behind a snowplow truck. During winter storms, motorists should consider traveling only when necessary.”

The entire Ohio Turnpike (241 miles in each direction) can be plowed once per hour with current staffing and equipment levels at the eight maintenance buildings. Each facility maintains about a 30-mile stretch of the turnpike in both the eastbound and westbound directions.

More than 3,600 names were submitted, and nearly 8,100 votes were cast on ohioturnpike.org during the 2023 Name-a-Snowplow contest.

The launch of contest coincided with the Ohio Turnpike’s annual safety inspection of all snowplow trucks and equipment, which was held from Oct. 24-27, 2023.

(From University of Findlay)

University of Findlay has been awarded nearly $1.2 million for the fiscal year 2024 Choose Ohio First (COF) funding round. The money will be made available for eligible students in more than 30 academic programs at the University. Areas of study that qualify for the COF scholarships include adolescent/young adult (AYA) math or science education, pharmacy, computer science, biology, health professions, among others.

Choose Ohio First is part of the state’s strategy to develop STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) talent in Ohio. Under the DeWine-Husted administration, more than $200 million has been set aside for STEM and STEM education scholarships over the past five years. Selected schools must support STEM programs and showcase a strong commitment to high-quality STEM programs that meet the needs of Ohio’s employers.

“University of Findlay has played a vital role in preparing STEM students for successful careers in Ohio, and I am pleased to have University of Findlay among this latest group of Choose Ohio First awardees,” said Chancellor Randy Gardner with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Julie McIntosh, Ed.D., serves as the dean for the College of Education and knows first-hand the effects of the ongoing educator shortage in Ohio. While districts continue to struggle to find math and science teachers, Choose Ohio First is helping to fill those positions. “This scholarship helps the University fill this gap. We are pleased to receive Choose Ohio First funding for FY24 so we can continue to provide math and science teachers for area schools,” said McIntosh.

Hear from some of UF’s current Choose Ohio First scholarship recipients, as they talk about the opportunities made possible to them thanks to Choose Ohio First.

For more information on the University of Findlay, visit Findlay.edu. To learn about the Choose Ohio First Scholarship and the eligible programs at UF, visit the Financial Aid Office online.

The Findlay Police Department says it was contacted by Findlay City Schools security on Sunday that several school administrators received an email containing threats.

The police department says multiple Ohio school districts, including Findlay City Schools, received emailed threats on Sunday.

Findlay City Schools immediately reported the threats to the Findlay Police Department.

The police department says state and federal law enforcement have investigated, and according to assessments from the Ohio Homeland Security/Terrorism Analysis Unit and the Statewide Terrorism Analysis & Crime Center, the emails appear to be part of a swatting campaign or hoaxes, with no credible threat detected.

To ensure the safety of students and staff, all FCS school buildings were walked through, searched, and cleared by the Findlay Police Department.

Out of an abundance of caution, in the coming days the Findlay Police Department will provide increased security measures and closely monitor all buildings.

Additionally, given the recent increase in successful phishing emails and ransomware attacks across the state of Ohio within the last week, software systems are being closely monitored.

Findlay City Schools will maintain continued collaboration with law enforcement and the learning day will operate as usual on Monday morning.

The police department and school district say the public can be assured that the safety and well-being of students and staff are their top priorities.

The Fort Findlay FOP Foundation held its annual Cops & Kids Go Shopping event on Sunday morning.

Local police officers were paired with income-challenged and at-risk children for a shopping spree at the Findlay Meijer.

Lt. David Hill with the Findlay Police Department, says they were able to take 135 kids shopping this year thanks to generous donations from businesses and community members. (video below)

He says the event is about building a positive relationship between youth and law enforcement.

“We want to make sure that they know that if there’s an issue they can come to us and we’re going to help them.”

And he says the officers get as much out of the event as the kids do.

“You hit that toy aisle and their eyes light up, it’s such a great time of year and a good feeling to be able to help them out.”

Learn more about the Fort Findlay FOP Foundation and its other Cops and Kids programming by clicking here, and see video from this year’s Cops and Kids Go Shopping below.

The suspect in an April shooting in Findlay decided to plead guilty instead of going to trial.

Isaiah J. Moore, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious assault, a second-degree felony, in connection with the April 8^th shooting at a building on East Front Street that wounded two men.

The police department says officers responded that night to a building at 230 East Front Street in reference to a fight involving shots being fired.

The two men who were shot were treated at Blanchard Valley Hospital and are still recovering from their injuries.

Court records show that Moore had a jury trial scheduled for January but recently entered a plea of guilty to the two charges.

As part of the plea deal, a gun specification was dropped.

Prosecutors say Moore faces 2 to 8 years in prison for each count and some additional years could be added on as part of Ohio’s indefinite sentencing guidelines for a maximum possible sentence of 20 years.

His sentencing hearing has been set for December 29^th in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s scholarship application is live.

“Our universal application could qualify you for over 140 different scholarships, with $430,000 available to award this year!”

The application closes on February 7th, 2024, at noon.  

Click here or below to access the online scholarship portal and apply.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

Yesterday (12/07/23) Findlay PD officers intercepted a couple involved in a complex gift card scam.

This scam involves suspect(s) manipulating gift cards in area stores, recording the card number and replacing the cards on the shelves for unsuspecting customers.

When the customer has the card activated at the register, the suspects are able to use that card with the numbers they have already recorded.

This is a nationwide scam in multiple states.

To protect yourself, be sure to examine gift cards and packaging.

This would include looking at the back of the card to ensure the scratch off section has not been removed.

If you have questions about the card, make sure to ask a customer service representative.

Please let family members know as well.

(From Mayor Christina Muryn)

Thursday, December 7th Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn attended a holiday reception at The White House with President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. 

The reception brought together local leaders from across the country.

“I am always grateful for the opportunity to visit The White House. Having the pleasure to experience it during the holiday season is an added bonus. It is incredibly gorgeous and a surreal experience. I had to hold back tears as I walked in with the Marine Corps band performing, the decorations, and the twinkling lights. It is overwhelming to think of the history and importance of this great home that represents so much for our country. I am truly grateful to have the experience to visit.”

While in Washington she also met with Congressman Bob Latta and Former Columbia South Carolina Mayor and current Director of The White House Office of Public Engagement, Steve Benjamin.

Sincerely,

Mayor Christina Terry Muryn

City of Findlay, Ohio