(From Scouting America Black Swamp Area Council)

The Scouts of the Black Swamp Area Council recently wrapped up the 65th Annual Klondike Derby, a winter adventure that brought together over 350 Scouts BSA members and adult volunteers. Held at Camp Berry on Saturday, January 18th, the event showcased the camaraderie, competition, and outdoor spirit that define Scouting.

Twenty-two teams participated in this year’s Klondike Derby, navigating their handcrafted sleds through six “cities” scattered across the camp. These stations tested Scouts on a range of skills, including two-person saw use, first aid, knot tying, tree identification, nature tracking, team building, and compass course navigation. Despite the cold and snow, Scouts demonstrated their resilience and commitment to Scouting values.

The event drew inspiration from the historic Alaskan expeditions, where dog sled teams raced across the frozen tundra. It provided a unique opportunity for Scouts to apply the skills they’ve learned throughout their Scouting journey in a challenging and engaging environment.

And the Winners Are…

The Pink Fluffy Unicorn Patrol of Troop 216 from the Chinquapin District in Hicksville, Ohio, took first place. Second place went to the Frogs Patrol of Troop 444 from the Arrowwood District in Tiffin, Ohio, and third place was awarded to the 449ers Patrol of Troop 449, also from the Arrowwood District in Tiffin, Ohio.

About the Black Swamp Area Council:

The Black Swamp Area Council serves Scouts in Northwest and West Central Ohio, providing programs that develop character, citizenship, and leadership skills. The Klondike Derby is just one example of the many exciting opportunities offered to Scouts throughout the year.

(ONN) – It’s official, Ohio State national championship football coach Jim Tressel will become Ohio’s next lieutenant governor.

He’ll replace Jon Husted, whom the governor appointed to replace now vice president JD Vance in the US Senate.

The Senate voted first confirming Tressel in a 31-1 vote.

The House then followed shortly after with a vote of 68-27.

Tressel is also the retired president of Youngstown State University.

When announcing Tressel as his choice for lieutenant governor, DeWine said one of Tressel’s focuses would be education.

The governor’s office said Tressel will be sworn in at a later time.

(ONN) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is under a judicial order to ask the federal government for unclaimed funds that the state turned down four years ago.

The judge is ordering DeWine to ask the US Department of Labor for an estimated $900 million in federal pandemic unemployment assistance.

It’s funding that the state turned down in 2021.

More than 300,000 Ohioans joined a class action lawsuit to release the funds.

Governor DeWine’s office had no immediate comment on the order.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn gave her State of the City address on Wednesday.

The address had a different look to it this year with WFIN’s Chris Oaks interviewing the mayor in front of a crowd at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Chris began the conversation by asking the mayor “the state of the city is?” To which the mayor replied “amazing!”

During the conversation, Mayor Muryn outlined key projects and initiatives on the horizon for the coming year, focusing on economic growth, and community priorities, and also provided updates on ongoing projects.

If you couldn’t make it to MCPA to watch the address in person or listen to it live on WFIN.com you can listen back to it in the audio file below and watch it in the video below that. 

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay has a rich history of successful alumni making positive impacts on the University, Oiler students, the community, and society as a whole. The Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends is now accepting applications for the 2025 Alumni Awards.

“We welcome nominations so that we may recognize and thank these outstanding individuals for their accomplishments,” said Samuel Yates ’16, president of the Alumni Board of Governors.

Nominations will be reviewed by the Recognition Committee of the Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Awards in four categories are presented annually during the University’s homecoming celebration:

• • Distinguished Alumni Award – presented to UF alumni who have exhibited the highest standards of individual achievement in professional or personal endeavors, who have demonstrated loyalty and support to UF, and contributed to the advancement of all humanity. Nominees must have graduated more than 10 years ago.

• • Old Main Award – presented to UF alumni who have demonstrated distinctive achievements in a career, civic involvement, or service to the University and are younger than 36.

• • Gold Medallion Award – presented posthumously to alumni who had superb records of distinguished career accomplishments and made outstanding contributions to their profession, the University, or their community but were not recognized by UF prior to their death.

• • Arch Award – presented to a member of the Findlay community who has demonstrated loyalty and support to the University with at least 15 years of service, but does not hold a degree from UF.

Nomination forms can be found here and must be submitted by April 1, 2025, or call the Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends at 419-434-4008.

(From Findlay Trojan Sports)

Meet FHS alumni & national champions Luke Montgomery & Nate Riegle during the Boys Basketball game on Fri, Feb 14!

Tickets must be purchased at: findlaytrojans.com/tickets

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Findlay and Hancock County are now included in an Ice Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

The Ice Storm Warning is in effect until 7 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say total snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations of one tenth to three tenths of an inch are possible.

The weather service says power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice.

Travel will be very difficult due to slippery road conditions and periodic poor visibility.

The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep a flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Prepare for possible power outages.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts here and school delays/closings here.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

Calling All Young Artists! Design Our Next Library Card! 

Your creativity could be part of library history!

We’re looking for Hancock County artists under 18 to design the new Youth Library Card, and we want YOUR artwork!

Winning design = Our next youth library card!
Submit entries by February 28, 2025
Drop off at the Children’s Desk, Arlington, or the Bookmobile

Pick up an entry form at the library or download it from our website.

The community will vote to choose the winner! 

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Deputies from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, and Agents from the Sandusky County Drug Task Force, executed a drug-related search warrant on a residence located at 7715 N. Co. Road 29, Flatrock, Seneca County, Ohio, which is the residence of Paul Buchanan, 36 YOA. ​

The search warrant signed by Judge Damon Alt, Seneca County Common Pleas Court led to the confiscation of suspected Methamphetamine, Criminal Tools, & Firearms.

The investigation is presently an “ongoing” investigation. The charges of Illegal Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Criminal Tools are all pending on the residents in the conclusion of the entire drug investigation.

“Task Force Agents and Deputies who were executing the Search Warrant on the residence immediately contacted Seneca County Children Services for assistance when they entered the residence and discovered two small children living in dreadful living conditions. Besides the illegal drugs discovered in the residence, there was a range of factors that threaten the safety of the children, including unhygienic conditions, inadequate sanitary conditions, exposure to dangerous substances and objects, and insect infestations. I’m always pleased to see drugs removed from our community, but I’m even more grateful that the children were removed from that unhealthy and unsafe environment!”

Sheriff Fredrick W. Stevens

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Please join us in congratulating our January team DAISY Award recipients: Adam Neinberg, Kelley Van Atta, Emily Shumaker, and Gabi Searfoss! 

These #TeamBVHS associates did a wonderful job supporting a young patient and her mother during a post-tonsillectomy emergency.

These team members in the emergency department (ED) showed incredible patience. They took the time to comfort the frightened child and explain every step of her care to her and her mother.

In the surgery holding area, the team worked seamlessly to prepare her for surgery, ensuring the child and her mother felt reassured and supported during a stressful time. After the procedure, the recovery team provided compassionate care, listening to the mother’s concerns and making the little girl feel like she was the center of attention.

The thoughtful and professional care from these nurses transformed a difficult day into a story of kindness and connection.

Pictured are Sara Jones, emergency services clinical manager, BJ Pasztor, chief operating officer of acute care services & chief nursing officer, Adam Nienberg, RN, emergency services, Kelley Van Atta, CNP, operating room, Emily Shumaker, RN, same day surgery and post anesthesia unit (SDS/PACU) RN, Gabi Searfoss, RN, SDS/PACU, Trevor Schmiedebusch, director perioperative services, and Natalie Phoenix, director of emergency services.