The 2023 Tiffin Historic Trust Holiday House Tour on Sunday, December 3, from 1 to 5 PM, features the beauty of area houses of worship (Christian Churches) and older historic homes, some of which serve as commercial residences. Eight buildings are included in the self-guided tour. Visitors can admire both the architecture and the holiday decorations of the beautifully maintained buildings, some of which have received Historic Preservation Awards from Tiffin Historic Trust.
The Holiday House Tour ticket includes a map showing the locations of the sites. Several homeowners are offering holiday refreshments to their guests.
Tickets are available until December 2, at Great Lakes Ace Hardware (1550 W. Market Street) and (Simply Susan’s, 70 S. Washington Street, Tiffin). On the Sunday of the tour, December 3, tickets will only be available at the Grammes-Brown House, 172 Jefferson Street, Tiffin. The ticket donation is $20 per person.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone that scammers always seem to get busier around the holidays and this year is no exception.
The sheriff’s office posted the following on its social media.
Tis the season! Scammers are going strong. We have 2 scams that we are receiving calls on. One is the “you missed court and if you don’t pay you will get arrested” and the other is the “I am (name), your grandchild, and I just got arrested for (whatever) and need bail money.” Please do not send money to anyone unless you are 100% sure it is legit! And law enforcement and the courts do not contact and threaten to arrest by call, email, or text. Please be careful with your money, so you can enjoy a happy holiday season. Be safe out there!
An open house was held on Sunday during which visitors toured the new home and the fine craftsmanship skills employed by PCHFH volunteers and the local industry.
The dedication ceremony then followed in which the Dudgeon Family celebrated their new home.
In July, the Dudgeon family broke ground on the 14th Putnam County Habitat for Humanity home.
The family partnered in the construction of this house which was dedicated on Sunday.
Since its inception in 2009, PCHFH has built 12 new homes and rebuilt an entire house.
Homeowners purchase their homes through low- or zero-interest mortgages provided by PCHFH or through USDA direct loans.
Critical home repair projects completed by Putnam County Habitat for Humanity include bathroom remodels, roof repairs and replacements, electrical repairs, window replacements, wheelchair ramp additions and replacements.
To learn more, visit www.putnamohhabitat.org, call 419-523-9621 or visit the PCHFH office at 150 N. Oak Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
The County Road 169 overpass over State Route 15 near Vanlue opened to traffic on Tuesday morning, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The opening of the new overpass comes just days after the County Road 180 overpass over State Route 15 south of Findlay opened to traffic on Friday, November 24.
ODOT has plans to construct yet another overpass over State Route 15 between Findlay and Vanlue, with this latest one going up at County Road 193 in 2025.
ODOT says it is optimistic that the County Road 8 crossover, between County Road 180 and State Route 37, will be closed off permanently.
ODOT says County Road 8 will remain closed with barrels and barricades through the winter, and they are tentatively planning to remove the pavement and cul-de-sac the route in the spring.
We spoke with ODOT officials and Hancock County Engineer Doug Cade about the new overpasses (video below) and how they will improve safety along the State Route 15 corridor.
Psst, we just received word that this brand-new overpass is open! Enjoy and please drive cautiously as crews may still be present on the jobsite. pic.twitter.com/rmsDAzeaxK
Findlay City Schools says there is an investigation 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,” Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton said at Monday night’s school board meeting.
Dr. Hatton says the school district has retained a third-party investigator to conduct an unbiased comprehensive investigation.
Dr. Hatton made clear that the reports do not include allegations of boundary issues involving FFE Director Kevin Manley and students.
Dr. Hatton’s full statement is below.
The school district says Manley has been placed on administrative leave.
According to the school district website, Manley is in his 32nd year of teaching with Findlay City Schools and directs three concert choirs and the Findlay First Edition show choir.
Dr. Hatton said, as the investigation is ongoing he is unable to provide any more information at this time.
“FFE is a treasured program that is rich in talent and onstage excellence, therefore, in the meantime, our top priorities will be focusing on student wellbeing and belonging and working diligently to keep the season moving forward.”
The Ohio Department of Development today announced the release of more than $5.3 million in funding to support business growth and community enhancement.
During its Monday meeting, the Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of more than $1.6 million through its Regional 166 Direct Loan program to benefit a pair of businesses and more than $3.7 million in Roadwork Development Grants to assist in a trio of construction projects.
“Through strategic partnerships with businesses across Ohio, we’re creating environments that directly support economic growth and job creation in communities large and small,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “Infrastructure improvements are seldom pretty, but the millions of dollars we’re investing in these projects are investments in the lives of Ohioans and the futures of the places they call home.”
The Regional 166 Direct Loan Program provides low-interest loans to businesses with limited access to capital from private funding sources. Through the Regional 166 Direct Loan program, Flormak Developments USA, Inc., will receive $1 million, and Advance Apex, Inc., will receive $640,000.
Flormak Developments USA, Inc., is a real estate holding company that will receive the loan, along with coborrowers Kamrolf Developments, Inc., Marnat Enterprises International, Inc., Defifoods Group International, Inc., Group Defi Inc., Karlo Flores, and KFM Foods International, Inc., to assist in financing the purchase of a new HVAC system and climate control upgrades at 1340 W. High St. in Defiance. The project will create 10 new full-time-equivalent jobs, and four existing jobs will be retained.
Funds from the Regional 166 Direct Loan escrow account will also assist Advance Apex, Inc., in financing the purchase of two new Makino DA300 5-Axis Vertical Machining Centers at 2375 Harrisburg Pike in Grove City. Through the project, three new full-time equivalent jobs will be created and 43 existing jobs will be retained.
Three communities will benefit from the Roadwork Development Grant, also known as the 629 program.
The Village of Bluffton will receive $1.22 million for public roadwork improvements in support of the GROB Systems, Inc., project in Hancock County. The proposed roadwork consists of constructing a single-lane roundabout on State Route 103 at the intersection with Navajo Drive and the reconstruction of Navajo Drive from State Route 103 moving south and then west to the intersection with Pocono Drive. As a result of the project and state assistance, 200 full-time equivalent jobs will be created, and 838 full-time equivalent jobs will be retained.
Dan Sheaffer is Director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development.
Annette Heslep is CFO of GROB Systems, “GROB Systems appreciates the support shown by Findlay Hancock County Economic Development. the Ohio Department of Development, Jobs Ohio and the Regional Growth Partnership. Their ability to facilitate not only the funding, but a partnership as well, has allowed GROB the opportunity to expand our facility here in Bluffton. We are pleased to continue the growth of our facility and our workforce here in the greater Bluffton area.”
The City of Brookville will receive $1.5 million for public roadwork improvements to assist the Dmax, Ltd. project in Montgomery County. The proposed roadwork involves the extension of West Campus Boulevard by 2,800 linear feet to the south boundary of the Brookville Retail & Industrial Campus. As a result of the project and state assistance, 814 full-time equivalent jobs will be retained.
The City of Columbiana will receive $1 million for public roadwork improvements in support of the S-P Company, Inc. project in Columbiana County. The proposed roadwork involves the reconstruction and widening of 2,350 linear feet of West Railroad Street from Columbiana-Lisbon Road to Main Street, and 625 linear feet of West Street from Union Street to West Railroad Street. West Railroad Street will be widened from 26 feet to 32 feet to allow for improved truck access. As a result of the project and state assistance, 14 full-time equivalent jobs will be created, and 167 full-time equivalent jobs will be retained. The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.
According to provisional statistics, eight people were killed in seven crashes on Ohio’s roadways this Thanksgiving holiday, resulting in the fewest deaths since 2018. The five-day Thanksgiving reporting period began on Wednesday, November 22 at midnight and ran through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26,
Of the eight people killed, one was not wearing a safety belt and one crash involved impaired driving.
During the reporting period, troopers arrested 319 people for operating a vehicle while impaired and 111 for illegal drugs. Troopers also issued citations for 526 safety belt and 181 distracted driving violations. Throughout the holiday reporting period, troopers also assisted 1,567 motorists.
A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available here.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Dispatcher Ashlee Tyree has been selected as the 2023 Dispatcher of the Year at the Findlay Dispatch Center.
Tyree, 38, was honored in recognition of outstanding service of the past year at the Findlay Dispatch Center. Sworn officers and dispatchers chose Tyree based on technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork, and prompt and courteous response to the public’s requests for information and assistance.
Dispatcher Tyree joined the Highway Patrol in 2014 and has served at the Findlay Dispatch Center since joining the Division. Originally from Tiffin and a graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School, Dispatcher Tyree has an Associate’s Degree from Brown Mackie College. Dispatcher Tyree was Dispatcher of the year for the Findlay Post in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Dispatcher Tyree was the Findlay District Dispatcher of the Year in 2022. Tyree is a field training officer and has also received the Dispatcher Criminal Patrol Award in 2018.
