(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

Congratulations to our 2024 Amazing Shake winner Knikki McNeil!

Knikki was joined in the third round by Noah Phillips, Connor Reese, and our celebrity emcee Corey King.

We received so many compliments on our seventh graders’ skills throughout the first two rounds!

A big thank-you to our guest judges and volunteers (over 50 of them!) and to Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Schulte, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Hosler for coordinating such an impactful event!

The Amazing Shake teaches students that manners, discipline, respect, and how to conduct themselves in a professional environment are all important parts of life.  

At Cory-Rawson Junior High, students learned the mechanics of a proper handshake, as well as how to communicate effectively so that they can present themselves exceptionally well in various situations today and in the future.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible on Ohio’s roadways promoting traffic safety. As motorists travel this weekend, troopers are reminding drivers to utilize their safety belts and to be responsible by designating a sober driver. The effort begins at midnight on Friday, May 24 and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

Last year in Ohio, 24 fatal crashes killed 26 people during the Memorial Day weekend. Of those fatalities, 18 crashes and 19 fatalities were OVI-related. In the fatalities where a safety belt was available, 11 of the 13 were unbelted. Seven of the 10 motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet.

“Memorial Day weekend is a time for remembrance and reflection, but it’s also a busy time on our roads,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This Memorial Day and every day, I encourage drivers to make responsible decisions each and every time they get behind the wheel.”

Also, during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, the Patrol made 399 impaired driving arrests.  

“Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer and we encourage everyone to make responsible choices behind the wheel,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent. “Whether you’re traveling to visit loved ones or enjoying a local getaway, remember to buckle up, avoid distractions and never drive under the influence.”

In addition to the Memorial Day reporting period, the Patrol is continuing the 6-State Trooper Project focusing on the use of safety belts. This high-visibility effort includes the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The initiative began May 20 and will continue through May 27.

The Patrol is also taking part in the Click It or Ticket campaign, which runs May 20 through June 2.

You can help contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.

(ONN) – Ohio has set a new tourism record.

The Ohio Department of Development reports that more than 238 million tourists visited Ohio in 2023, a new record.

A visitor is defined as someone who travels 50 or more miles from home and not as part of a regular routine.

These visitors spent over $56 billion, also a record.

20 percent of them stayed overnight and 84 percent say they will be back within the next year.

More than 400,000 recreation and hospitality workers were positively impacted.

On Tuesday the state celebrated Ohio Tourism Day promoting the summer travel season.

The Findlay Police Department says two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash.

The crash happened around 6:30 Thursday morning at the intersection of Tiffin Avenue and North Blanchard Street.

Police say Maria Sanchez, 21, of Findlay, was eastbound on Tiffin Avenue and ran the red light at North Blanchard Street, striking another car in the front end that was southbound on North Blanchard Street and being driven by 42-year-old Christy Colley, of Findlay.

Police say Sanchez was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for injuries to the left side of her body and a possible broken arm, while Colley was treated on the scene for injuries to her legs, knees and chest.

Police issued Sanchez a citation for running the red light.

(From the Fostoria Police Division)

On 05/22/2024 at approximately 0100 hrs, the Fostoria Police Department responded to the 1300 block of S. Main St, for a call of a suspicious person, attempting to open vehicle doors.

As officers checked the area, they located a subject wearing all black with a black bag. Officers then got out on foot and began approaching the subject. When the subject seen the officers, he ran. Fostoria Police Sergeant Nate Elliott and Patrolman Chad Marchetto began chasing the subject westbound down McLean St across S. Union St. As Sergeant Elliott and Officer Marchetto closed the distance with the subject, and warned the subject of being tazed, the subject fired a gun.

Officers then drew their weapons and continued after the subject who they found throwing items over a fence, of which he then could not get over. Officers were able to apprehend the subject, identified as Elijah Keiffer, 26 YOA, of Fostoria.

On the other side of the fence, where Mr Keiffer was throwing items was a black bag, containing a large amount of coins and numerous other items officers were able to determine were stolen from several vehicles on the south end of Fostoria. Also located was a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm and a spent shell casing.

Mr Keiffer was arrested on several Felony charges, including possession of weapons under disability, discharging a firearm in the city, and possession of a stolen firearm. The firearm was found to have been stolen during a car break in a few days ago outside of Arcadia.

While the spent casing and gun were located, investigators were unable to locate the spent round, at this time. The location of the evidence found, in alignment with where Mr Keiffer was apprehended, suggests and are consistent with Mr Keiffer shooting the gun at the pursuing officers.

Additional charges are pending upon further investigation and prosecutor review.

Thankfully no injuries were reported by any of the parties involved!

Chamberlin Hill Elementary sent its 5^th graders out in style with a clap-out.

The 3^rd and 4^th graders lined the sidewalks around the school and cheered, clapped and high-fived the 5^th graders as they walked by.

Family members also joined in on the fun.

Principal Ryan Eldridge says this was a great 5th grade class and knows they’ll do well in middle school.

Most of the 5^th graders will be attending Donnell Middle School next school year, while some will be attending Glenwood Middle School.

Other FCS schools in the district held clap-outs for their students as well.

See some video of the clap-out below.

(From FEMA)

FEMA is hiring Ohio residents to support the March 14 tornado recovery effort.

Qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds and a desire to serve are needed immediately. These temporary positions start as 120-day appointments and may be extended depending on the needs of the recovery mission.  

FEMA is accepting applications for 11 positions in and around the Columbus area, ranging from administrative and logistics work to coordinating recovery support with local voluntary agency partners and helping survivors navigate their application process with FEMA.

To see all open positions, visit usajobs.gov and type the keywords “local hire” and enter “Ohio” for the location. Detailed information is provided for each position, including pay and benefits.

Hiring locally helps build FEMA’s disaster recovery workforce. Many career FEMA employees began as local hires.

 All applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or GED. If the position description instructs you to email your application, the subject line of your email must include the title of the position for which you wish to be considered. Your resume should also clearly indicate the position you’re applying for.

Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and credit check. Employees are also required to participate in mandatory direct deposit/electronic funds transfer for salary payment. If you are found qualified, you may be called to participate in an interview. FEMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Ohio, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4777.

Findlay’s Riverside Pool will open for the season on Saturday, May 25^th.

The pool will be open Monday through Friday for open swim from 1 to 7, and noon to 6 on the weekends.

Day passes are $3 for kids and $5 for adults.

The pool is operated by the Findlay Family YMCA in partnership with the City of Findlay.

One of the pool rules is that no one under the age of 13 is allowed to enter the facility without an adult 18 years of age or older.

See the full list of rules and get more information about Riverside Pool by clicking here.

You can also contact the YMCA at 567-250-9994 for additional information.

(From the Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District)

SHJFD would like to welcome our (3) three new firefighters!

G. Heaster
J. Warnimont
M. Warnimont

Congratulations on passing your classes, training and test last month!

Thank you for stepping up and serving our communities, welcome to the Fire District!

Be safe!
C. Miracle

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

The Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) Auxiliary has awarded a $2,500 scholarship in memory of dedicated volunteer Marty Lemley to Caitlyn Couch, a 2024 graduate of Bluffton High School.

Lemley, who passed away in October 2023 at age 79, was a devoted volunteer at Bluffton Hospital. Lemley (pictured below at a BVHS event with Santa and Mrs. Claus) volunteered more than 7,000 hours, stopping only when her health declined.

“Marty was so dedicated to serving the community, and was beloved by so many people,” said Heather Schalk, volunteer services manager for BVHS. “She was so friendly and it seemed like she never knew a stranger.”

A lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio, Lemley was passionate about giving. Over many years of volunteering, she held nearly every available volunteer position at Bluffton Hospital. She held every position in the BVHS Auxiliary, including president, vice president, and treasurer, and she spearheaded several fundraisers. Lemley also volunteered for other community organizations and served on several boards.

Schalk said Lemley was very outgoing and had a unique sense of humor. Schalk recalled reminding Lemley of the 10-minute time limit right before she spoke at the 2023 volunteer appreciation banquet. However, Lemley’s enthusiasm led her to exceed the time limit.

“She was just so passionate about Bluffton Hospital,” Schalk said. “And she loved to talk about it. It was so endearing, and I wasn’t at all surprised. It remains a memory of her that makes me smile.”

After Lemley’s death, her family designated the Auxiliary to receive memorial donations in her obituary.

“There was an overwhelming response,” Schalk said. “The Auxiliary decided the best use of these funds would be to give them back to the community and invest in our youth. Because that’s what Marty would do.”

The Auxiliary has a scholarship committee which oversees the distribution of funds for scholarships awarded every year to graduating high school seniors throughout the region served by BVHS. This group also handled the logistics for the special, one-time scholarship in Lemley’s memory, which was open only to students graduating from Bluffton High School. Lemley’s children had attended Bluffton schools and her son, Steve, is a guidance counselor for the school district.

Applicants submitted a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume. Schalk said the committee was also looking for traits similar to Lemley when selecting the recipient.

“Marty wanted to make a difference, and she knew the hospital was a place she could do a lot of good,” Schalk said. “Marty was very much a go-getter.”

Couch, who was at the top of her senior class, plans to study music technology at Capital University in Columbus. Her extensive high school music career includes, among other activities, playing baritone in concert band, singing in the choir, and providing piano accompaniment for choir and vocal ensembles. She also has played baritone in the Bluffton University concert band since 2023. Couch has taken piano lessons since kindergarten.

Additionally, she participated in the Bluffton High School drama club, played on the varsity tennis team, and served as high school class treasurer from 2020 to 2023. She has volunteered at a public library to assist with a summer reading program, as a server and lector at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and as a performer in the community with the Four Guys and a Gal Quartet.

“I think Marty would be very, very proud,” Schalk said. “She would be excited about the possibilities Caitlyn has ahead of her. I feel like she couldn’t wait to see what Caitlyn will do and how she will continue to make a difference in her own way.”

To learn more about scholarships offered through Blanchard Valley Health System, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/scholarships.