(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

On December 4, 2024, Cory-Rawson Local School District received a bond rating upgrade from Moody’s Investors Service to “Aa3” which is considered “high quality” according to Moody’s methodology. Like a personal credit report, the District carries a bond rating from a bond rating agency to signify the District’s financial, management and demographic strength to investors and potential investors who buy the District’s bonds. The higher the bond rating, the lower the cost of financing.  For comparison purposes, this ranks Cory-Rawson Local School District, in the top 25% of all currently rated Ohio public schools.

Mike Burns, Managing Director at Baird, who served as the District’s bond underwriter commented, “Receiving a rating upgrade in today’s climate is a testament of the administration’s strong fiscal management, hard work and positive momentum at the District. There is a bright future ahead for the students at Cory-Rawson Local School District.” 

In addition to the rating upgrade, the District is also pleased to announce that the Cory-Rawson board of education and administration decided to refinance the Series 2014 Bonds (from the elementary school construction project) which resulted in total interest savings of over $200,000.  Since these are voted property tax bonds being repaid by the taxpayers, 100% of the savings will flow back to the taxpayers during the remaining term of the bonds.

Jay Clark, the Superintendent of Cory-Rawson Local School District stated, “It was important for the administration to take advantage of the current interest rates to generate these strong savings for the taxpayers. Additionally, the rating upgrade to ‘Aa3’ bond rating is something that we are very proud to have achieved. We believe it proves how well the district is financially managed and the many wonderful things going on at Cory-Rawson.”

(From the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation)

The Fort Findlay Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 20 Foundation has announced a special fundraising gala to honor the legacy of Officer Douglas T. Akers and endow the Officer Douglas T. Akers Memorial Scholarship. The event, ‘Cuffs & Stuff,’ is on Thursday, February 6, at the Old Mill Stream Centre, 1017 E Sandusky St, Findlay, OH 45840.  An additional purpose of the event is to highlight mental health awareness and support aspiring law enforcement professionals.

A significant highlight of the evening is the Master of Ceremonies, Vinnie Montez, a seasoned law enforcement officer and acclaimed stand-up comedian. Montez, a 20-plus-year veteran of Colorado law enforcement, began performing comedy in 2007 as a way to cope with the stresses of his job. Drawing from his experiences as a police officer and his Mexican heritage, Montez quickly became a comedy favorite, appearing at venues nationwide, including Denver’s Comedy Works and the Great American Comedy Festival.

Montez’s comedy special, Vinnie Montez: Armed & Hilarious, debuted on Dry Bar Comedy in 2019. He has shared the stage with top comedians such as Michelle Wolf, Josh Blue, and Gilbert Gottfried. Known for his hilarious and heartfelt stories about policing and mental health, Montez uses humor to bridge gaps between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

“We’re thrilled to have Vinnie Montez bring his incredible energy and humor to this event,” said Teresa White, Development Director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation. “His dedication to mental health and law enforcement mirrors the goals of this fundraiser, making him the perfect MC for this special evening.”

The evening will also feature a live auction offering exclusive experiences with local FOP members, including:

• Mommy’s Day Out with Officer Brian White

Moms can enjoy a day of relaxation at a local spa while Officer White supervises up to four children for an adventurous afternoon at The Children’s Museum.

• Pew Pew with Officer Brooks Deidrick

Spend three hours at a local shooting range under the expert guidance of Officer Deidrick. All ammunition is included in this exclusive experience.

• Retirees Refuge with Officer Tom Davis

Explore the Hancock County Courthouse with a private tour led by “John Hancock” himself. Follow it up with a backyard barbecue catered by Texas Roadhouse and a live performance by the four-piece band East of Cheyenne.

• Privacy Please with Sheriff Cortez, Chief Mathias, and Lt. Slates

Enjoy a three-course meal for two in the Presidential Suite at the Hancock Hotel, hosted by Sheriff Mike Cortez, Police Chief James Mathias, State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Evan Slates, and their spouses. The winner and guest will also enjoy an overnight stay in the luxurious suite.

Cuffs & Stuff tickets and sponsorship levels are available online at fortfindlayfop20.org or the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge. For more information, contact Teresa White at 833-563-4320.

About Officer Douglas T. Akers

Officer Akers (March 9, 1964 – December 31, 2018) distinguished himself in the Findlay Police Department from 1991 until his passing in 2018. He was Named Officer of the Year in 2012 and was a dedicated member of Findlay FOP Lodge #20. Known for his Christian faith, devotion to family, and love for the outdoors, Doug’s life was tragically cut short by suicide. The scholarship in his name honors his legacy and supports students pursuing careers in law enforcement.

About Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20

The Fort Findlay Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police has served Hancock County since 1935. It supports active, retired, and fallen members and their families while fostering positive relationships between citizens and law enforcement through youth and community programming.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

What an amazing day to be a 4th grader at Liberty-Benton!

Twenty 4th-grade students participated in Round 2 of The Amazing Shake, showcasing their communication and leadership skills with 20 community members.

Through stations, they demonstrated hard work and preparation, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts!

In no particular order, congratulations to the top 5 students moving on to Round 3:

Vada Weininger

Stella Singer

Micarah Moore

Dylan Gray

Hudson Matheny

These talented students will compete again on February 21, where we’ll crown the 2025 Liberty-Benton Amazing Shake Champion!

Stay tuned for the excitement!

(ONN) – The Ohio Department of Transportation is having a record year and not in a good way.

ODOT says 28 snow plows have been hit so far this season, which is twice as many compared to last winter, and a new record for the state.

The previous record was 22.

Two plows were hit by drunk drivers.

ODOT is reminding drivers to give plows plenty of room.

“If you hit one you’re going to lose and your car is going to get pretty messed up,” said ODOT’s Brent Kovacs.

“These are big trucks. They’re carrying ten tons of salt. They have a 12 foot steel blade in front of their truck.”

ODOT is reminding drivers to keep a safe distance and don’t tailgate a plow to get extra traction from the salt.

And, if you can, try not to pass a snow plow.

(From Garner Trucking)

On Saturday, January 18th volunteers are needed to support wreath clean-up and disposal effort from the Wreaths Across America event held in December.

Wreath clean-up will start at approximately 9:00am, at Maple Grove Cemetery in Findlay.

Volunteers are asked to pick up only those Wreaths Across America wreaths placed in December, leaving any other wreaths or decorations in place.

The National Wreaths Across America organization suggests that it would be helpful if volunteers bring a stick, pole, rake or something equivalent to support carrying multiple wreaths per dumpster trip.

Please dress for the weather and wear gloves and water-proof footwear.

In December, Findlay’s Maple Grove Cemetery was host to Wreaths Across America.

Local dignitaries, volunteers and coordinators laid wreaths on the graves of several hundred veterans.

Wreaths Across America is a national event whose mission is to Remember the fallen US Veterans, Honor those who serve our country and Teach future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

Congratulations to Ashton Sampson- the first GED graduate of 2025, and the 4th since the program first started a year ago.

He scored College ready in 3 out of 4 subjects, and will now begin working on college pre-courses to keep him productive while he is in jail until March.

Thank you to the teachers, Shelli and Melissa, and GED Coordinator, Grace, who are doing great work in preparing these people to re-enter society with better tools to stop their return.

– Sheriff Stevens

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) financial services associates are available to answer any questions or concerns regarding billing statements, including information about financial assistance that might be available.

The process of applying for financial assistance was recently simplified for the patient. BVHS has partnered with healthcare technology company Breez Health to streamline the application process.

Patients can now visit the BVHS website to apply and upload documents, which will then be sent to the Patient Financial Services (PFS) team.

“I’m excited about its simplicity,” said Brittney Larsen, credit and collections manager with PFS. “In the past, patients had to enter information manually, which was more time-consuming. This makes the process of applying for financial assistance much easier.”

“BVHS is here to serve our community with quality healthcare, but we are also committed to being exceptional throughout the organization,” said Myron D. Lewis, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Blanchard Valley Health System. “Integrating this technology into our financial assistance programs streamlines the process of applying for financial assistance with an online platform that is easier to use. It’s just one more way we use the latest technology to ensure we can best support our community.”

Based on income guidelines, PFS associates can determine if the patient qualifies for Medicaid. If not, they may be eligible for assistance programs offered by BVHS.

“We encourage patients to start the conversation and reach out if they have any questions,” Larsen said. “We are here as a resource. Often, patients have questions about some aspect of their bill, such as what is covered by insurance and what is not. Our team is trained to explain these things and can review the bill with a patient. Sometimes, patients call their insurance company again after speaking with us and gathering more information.”

Additionally, PFS associates can provide information about available financial assistance to some patients. These associates ask questions about the patient’s income and household size and can help them apply for appropriate programs. In some cases, patients over the income levels for programs based on income might still qualify for other assistance, depending on their situation.

“If a patient has any questions, it’s better for both parties that they reach out and call us,” Larsen said. “We recognize that sometimes patients may have financial difficulties, and we may be able to help in ways they haven’t considered. If a bill is not paid, we need to resolve the situation, but we would rather discuss any issues than simply be left wondering. Please call us if you have questions and return the call if we reach out about a bill.”

In addition to discussing assistance programs, PFS associates can also review payment plan options. A payment plan of up to three months can be offered directly through BVHS, and a longer payment plan known as ClearBalance is also now an option. ClearBalance is an extended payment plan option where patients pay 0% interest through an account on the ClearBalance portal.

Larsen added that the associates in her department are happy to discuss the situation with the patient, especially if they can’t figure out an issue.

“Our associates will go the extra mile, as they want to help our patients and provide them with more information,” she said.

To apply for financial assistance, please visit https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/patient-and-visitor-information/im-a-patient/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance.

If you have questions about a bill, please call 419.423.5310.

New Hancock County Sheriff Mike Cortez was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss how he’s settling into his new position and following in the footsteps of longtime Sheriff Michael Heldman.

Sheriff Cortez told Chris his priorities as Sheriff are; building stronger partnerships with local organizations and residents; strengthening relationships within the community through transparency in all aspects of service, and addressing challenges through collaboration with community-based resources to ensure a safer environment for everyone to live, work, and raise their families.

Listen to Chris’ full interview with Sheriff Cortez in the audio file below.

(From Hancock Public Health)

Do you have access to the internet and technology you need?

Are there barriers preventing you or others in our community from staying connected?

We’re conducting a Digital Equality Survey to better understand the technology needs of our community.

Your input will help us identify gaps and create programs that ensure everyone has equal access to digital resources.

Take the survey here: https://bgsu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d0QjfhffB6ezOg6

Together, we can work toward a more connected and equitable community.

Thank you for helping us make a difference!

(From Findlay City Schools)

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education has announced $6 million in budget cuts, following the failed levy attempt in November 2024. The reductions, which will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, represent a pivotal moment for the district and the community.

Ohio’s school funding system requires districts to maintain financial stability, leaving the Board no choice but to make painful decisions to balance the budget. These cuts, affecting over 150 staff positions and all areas of district operations, will have a far-reaching impact on the quality of education and services provided to Findlay students.

“This is a heartbreaking moment for our district and community,” said newly-elected Board President Matt Cooper. “We have worked tirelessly to protect our classrooms, but these reductions are unavoidable without additional funding. There is no sugar-coating it, these cuts will be deeply felt by our students, staff, and families.”

The reductions include:

Proposed Reductions           Estimated Savings

Administrators (6 positions) $799,000

Teachers (43 positions + positions reduced through attrition) $3,578,300

Support Staff (23 positions) $820,800

• Eliminate high school busing
• Increase walking distance to two miles

Supplemental Positions (92 positions) $307,200

Middle School & High School Pay-to-Participate For Extracurriculars $340,000

Programming & Instructional Resources $170,300

Extended Work Days $75,000

TOTAL $6,090,600

In the same meeting, the Board passed a resolution to place a 1% Earned Income Tax levy on the May 6, 2025 ballot. If approved, this levy would generate operational funding required to prevent the next round of devastating cuts.

“We’re at a crossroads,” said Board Vice President Laura Eier. “With no new funding in 20 years, our community faces two clear choices: fund our schools to maintain the quality of education we desire, or accept further reductions to what Findlay City Schools has historically been able to provide its students. This is up to our community. We hope that all Findlay residents will weigh in on this important community decision on May 6.”

Findlay City Schools is committed to working transparently with the community throughout this process. Regular updates will be shared via the upcoming board discussions and the district’s website and social media pages.