(ONN) – Former Cleveland Browns player Bernie Kosar has revealed he is dealing with some serious health issues.

The now 60-year-old former quarterback and Cleveland sports icon says he needs a new liver and has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

According to an article from Cleveland Magazine, Kosar was placed on the liver transplant list in late spring and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease back in February of this year.

The Ohio native led the Browns to three AFC championship game appearances.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) has released a new installment of the “Our Stories” video series, featuring Julie Cole, a successful and accomplished golf professional with a heart for giving back to her community.

BVHS Corporate PR & Marketing created the “Our Stories” series to remind one another of our shared humanity, to strengthen and build bridges between people, and to teach the value of listening, and to enhance our culture.

Julie Cole tells her story in the most recent installment. As a proud Findlay native, Julie developed a fundraiser for Bridge Hospice 35 years ago that supported the mission of Blanchard Valley Health System. This annual event has now raised over $3.2 million for its beneficiaries. Each year, Julie returns to her hometown, dedicating her time and passion to this very special event.

As well as Julie herself, the video features interviews with many past and present BVHS leaders as well as members of the community touched by Julie’s generosity. This year’s Julie Cole Charity Golf Classic, which occurred June 10, is projected to raise more than $200,000 for three beneficiaries, Bridge Home Health & Hospice, Blanchard Valley Health System Wellness Park, and the Julie Cole Youth Golf Fund.

BVHS Wellness Park will offer easy access to primary care along with specialists in fields including rheumatology, endocrinology and diabetes management, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine, and rehabilitation at a new campus on the north side of Findlay beginning in early 2025. Wellness Park will be the new location of Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine, a division of BVHS now located on Medical Drive. To watch this latest video, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/ourstories.

If you are interested in donating to community healthcare projects, please call 419.423.5457.

(From the Bluffton Police Department)

On Saturday, July 13th at 3pm, the Beyond the Call of Duty “End of Watch Ride to Remember” will be arriving in Bluffton to honor fallen Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis (EOW March 31st, 2022).

Beyond the Call of Duty and their End of Watch Ride to Remember is an organization out of Spokane Valley, WA that travels the country with their rolling memorial every other summer to honor the officers that were killed in the line of duty in the previous two years.

The organization stops in each community across the United States that have had a line of duty death to pay tribute to the officer, their families, and departments. The purpose of Beyond the Call of Duty “is to ensure that no officer is forgotten, that their families know their loved one has not been forgotten; and that there is recognition, support and understanding to help them heal. We also support department safety and training to help lower the number of fallen officers we see each year.”

Founder Jagrut Shah, a former deputy sheriff, says they want to show departments and their families who have lost partners and friends they are not alone. “I wanted to bridge this gap that we have and give back to the departments and let the surviving officers and their families know that their loss has not been forgotten.”

• In 2024 EOW Ride will be honoring 259 fallen officers killed in the line of duty in 2022 and 2023 at 234 different departments, beginning June 1st, 2024, and travelling 22,500 miles in 73 days.
• Information on the organization and this year’s ride can be found at www.endofwatchride.com

The rolling memorial will be arriving at the Bluffton Dairy Freeze, 595 S Main St, around 3pm and leaving around 4:30pm with a police escort through downtown Bluffton. This event is open to the public and if there are any questions, please contact Lt. Matt Oglesbee at the Bluffton Police Department 419-358-2961 ext. 110 or oglesbeem@bluffton-ohio.com

Lt. Matt Oglesbee

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

Tiffin Police responded to a 100 block Erie St. residence this afternoon (7-9-24) for a 75 year old female that had went missing from the residence.

Tiffin Police immediately launched an intensive search calling in extra officers including Drone operators, detectives, and the K9 Unit.

Numerous leads were screened by dispatchers during the search. Tiffin Fire and Rescue, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Seneca County CERT, and ProMedica Mobile Air Unit all provided valuable assistance during the four hour search effort.

In times like this it’s nice to see the community come together and also provide valuable assistance.

It was obvious to Tiffin Police that numerous citizens were out trying to help locate the missing female. That assistance is what eventually led officers to her location.

A concerned citizen was walking an alley and thought she saw a tarp move. Upon closer inspection she noticed feet sticking out from under the tarp.

She called 911 and reported that to dispatchers. Officers quickly arrived at the location and confirmed it was the missing female.

Tiffin Fire and Rescue was called to the location to assess the victim and provide necessary medical care. The female was transported to Tiffin Mercy Hospital for further assessment where she was also reunited with close family members.

Lt. Jason Windsor

(From the Mazza Museum)

University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum will showcase a selection of the world’s finest fantasy artists in its 10th annual Enchanted Brush exhibit, open now through August 30.

This year’s exhibit, free and open to the public in the Lea Gallery of the Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, has a theme of “Heroes Welcome.”

“Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Ask an artist to interpret this theme and you can all but guarantee there will be more than a few surprises, which is precisely what inspired this exhibition,” explained Dan Chudzinski, director of curation and exhibitions at Mazza and founder of the Enchanted Brush exhibition.

There are 25 works of art, representing 22 international fantasy artists, in the display. Chudzinski is proud this is the 10th year of the exhibit, which features both debut artists and some “old favorites.”

The theme emphasizes the connection between fantasy artwork and literature, and the artwork highlights real and fictional heroes from a variety of historical and cultural backgrounds.

“Every great story has a hero,” the curator said. “Although this archetype is familiar and occasionally overused, the characteristics that embody this persona are often quite rare.”

Among the featured pieces is “Off With Their Heads,” acrylic and watercolor on watercolor paper, by Tran Nguyen. It originally was created as a cover for Zoe Hana Mikuta’s book of the same name, which is a Korean-inspired re-imagining of “Alice in Wonderland” filled with magic, unearthly monsters, and betrayals. The painting features the two protagonists from the story surrounded by hints of what the world entails.

Another piece is “Sylvester Roper and His Self-Propeller,” a mixed media sculpture by Chris Sickles that pays tribute to the inventor of the motorcycle. Chudzinski himself has a mixed media sculpture on display, “The Reliquary of St. George,” depicting a life-sized dragon skull.

Other participating artists are Kaysha Siemens, Mark Poole, Allen Douglas, C.F. Payne, Colin Nitta, Armand Baltazar, Colin Poole, Kristine Poole, Vanessa Lemen, Kelley Hensing, Serena Malyon, Don Maitz, Janny Wurts, Bud Cook, Jason Mowry, Reiko Murakami, Scott Gustafson, Melissa Sue Stanley, and Ed Binkley.

Many of the pieces of artwork on display are available for purchase, with all of the proceeds going to the artists.

A reception will take place Monday, July 15, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., with a gallery tour and some of the artists attending to discuss their work.

For more information on the exhibit, visit mazzamuseum.org.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know of a one-day ramp closure in Findlay.

ODOT says the ramp from Lima Avenue to Interstate 75 northbound will be closed on Wednesday, June 26 for one day for guardrail repair.

The suggested detour from ODOT is: U.S. 68 south to U.S. 68/SR 15 interchange, exit and reenter U.S. 68 north, back to I-75 north.

Get more Hancock County road construction updates from ODOT by clicking here.

Tickets to individual shows in the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts 2024-25 Mainstage Series went on sale to members on Friday, June 21.

“Become a member of MPCA with a donation of $150 or more for early access to the best seats in the house. Benefits extend to all members of your immediate household all season long!”

Individual show tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 28.

The Marathon Center for the Performing Arts recently announced its 2024-25 Mainstage Series which includes Jo Dee Messina, Hadestown, Mandy Patinkin In Concert, and much more. 

Click here for the full schedule.

(From the Hancock County Democratic Party)

On Wednesday, June 26th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, the Hancock County Democratic Party will be hosting a Democrats in the Park social event at Riverbend Park shelter house #5 in Findlay. This will be an opportunity to meet the Hancock County Democratic Party’s new leadership team including the newly elected Chairwoman, Eve Gray, and Vice Chairman, Shaun Mason. 

This is a family-friendly event with special guest Sheila Coressel, the Democratic candidate for Ohio House in the 83rd District. Food will be available as well as a friendship bracelet making station sponsored by the Hancock County Young Democrats.

The Hancock County Democrats will be offering a brief presentation on mindfulness, self-care, and politics as well as an optional training at the end for interested prospective volunteers. 

“Events like this help individuals find belonging with each other. As we lead into election season, there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities and ways to help. But let’s first spend some time together primarily for fun and to spread joy so we can reflect on what is really important,” Chairwoman Gray noted. 

For more information on this event please visit the webpage: www.facebook.com/share/p/qkF3X6Y34cHMVVYB/

Preliminary plans have been approved for a new housing subdivision at the corner of County Road 9 and State Route 12, across from Liberty Benton High School and next to the Dold subdivision.

The new neighborhood will be called LB Estates and include 46 single-family lots.

The developer now has to submit construction drawings to the county engineer’s office and submit a final plat for approval.  

Ground will be broken on the subdivision in the fall or spring.

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education approved an income tax levy for the fall ballot.

On November 5^th, voters in the school district will decide whether to approve a 1 percent income tax levy for the purpose of paying current expenses.

The school district points out that it has not received any new operating funds for almost 20 years and property tax funds don’t go as far as they used to and it will see a reduction in state funding next school year.

Findlay City Schools says it will begin running a deficit this year and expects its cash balance to run negative in fiscal year 2026 if a levy isn’t passed.

The school board said this is the best mechanism to proceed to get new operating revenue into the district because it is earned income tax and it will grow with inflation and won’t be held flat like property tax. Get more details near the end of the board meeting below.

In 2020, the school district had three separate attempts at passing an operating levy rejected.

Below is the statement from the school district about the levy.

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education approved a resolution to proceed with a 1% earned income tax to be placed on the November 5, 2024 ballot.

This levy would generate operating funds, which are used for salaries, benefits, utilities, materials, repairs, and certain equipment. Funds generated from Permanent Improvements and Bonds issues are unable to be used towards those items covered by operating funds.

Currently, Findlay City Schools generates local revenue through property taxes alone, which does not provide inflationary growth. Due to HB 920, when a community’s property values increase, school districts only receive the amount at which the levy was passed. The district last received new operating funds from the community in 2004.

To create sustainability and consider the population changes within Findlay, the Board of Education has recommended an earned income tax levy. An earned income tax will only tax W-2 compensation or self-employment income that is subject to the self-employment tax. Income that is not taxed would include retirement income, Social Security income, IRA distributions, pensions, unemployment compensation, workers compensation, interest and dividends, capital gains, royalties, profit from rental activities, lottery winnings, distributive shares of profit from S Corporations, alimony received, and distributions from trusts and estates.

An earned income tax will fluctuate with the income of a community’s residents, and will lessen the burden on senior citizens. It spreads the tax amongst all who live within the district of Findlay City Schools and earn income.

Findlay City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Andy Hatton, said, “I am proud of the Board of Education for taking their time, working with an expert, doing the research, and landing on a decision that is fair to the taxpayers and could provide long-term stability.”