(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County’s Secor Scholarship committee is pleased to name Findlay High School senior Daniel Jung as this year’s United Way Foundation Secor Scholar.

The son of SeaHwa and Su Jung, Daniel plans to pursue a career in medicine. He was chosen from a field of over 40 applicants based on his academic accomplishments, his volunteerism, and his leadership in various school and extracurricular activities.

Daniel started playing the violin at age 5 and has been part of the Findlay City Schools Orchestra program since sixth grade. He has been the concertmaster of the top string ensemble at Findlay High School for the past two years and plays in the Findlay String Factor, a string quartet that performs throughout the community. He is also co-president of the orchestra with additional leadership responsibilities including planning activities, community outreach, recruiting younger students, teambuilding and social media.

Outside of orchestra, Daniel has co-founded two student organizations at the high school: the American Red Cross Club and the PAW (Pets and Animals are Worthwhile) Club. He is a member of Hancock Youth Leadership, co-president and activities chair of Science National Honors Society, vice president of Tri-M Honors Society and a member of National Honors Society. He is active at College First Church of God, where he is a Sunday school teacher and part of the Bible Quiz Team.

The Secor Scholarship is a $2,000 award, renewable for four years for a total of $8,000, and a memorial to the Steven and Doris Secor bequest. The scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior living in Hancock County and highlights the United Way’s belief that education, financial stability and health are the foundations for building a good quality of life.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says two people were arrested after a pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

On March 19 at approximately 4:30 a.m., deputies responded to Township Road 122 in Mount Cory on the report of people walking in a field and arguing.

As deputies responded to the area, the individuals drove off in an SUV.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle but it failed to stop, leading deputies on a 5-mile pursuit that reached speeds of 107 miles per hour.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop at a residence near County Road 139 and Township Road 19 and the driver fled on foot.

Two others remained in the vehicle and were detained.

Deputies located the driver in a field and he was apprehended with the help of a Findlay Police Department K-9.

The sheriff’s office said the following individuals were arrested:

Brandon Johns, 37, of Belle Center, on charges of failure to comply with a police officer and an outstanding arrest warrant from Logan County.

Timothy Werling, 35, of Lima, for an outstanding arrest warrant from Allen County.

The sheriff’s office said suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, and copper wire believed to be stolen were located during the investigation and additional charges are expected at the conclusion of the investigation.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Community members caring for loved ones with dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or other chronic illnesses can learn tools and strategies to help them during an upcoming class at Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH).

The class “Empowering Caregivers with Best Practice Tools & Strategies” will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 in the Aller & Davis meeting rooms at BVH. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required. The class is limited to 20 participants.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), caregiving has become a critical health issue in the United States. Over 53 million unpaid caregivers help support loved ones battling chronic conditions or disabilities. This workshop will discuss both the emotional and physical sides of caregiving. In addition, best practice tools, strategies, and resources will be provided to support the role of caregivers and their loved ones.

Lindsey Buddelmeyer, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, leadership education & training specialist for Blanchard Valley Health System, has presented on the topic to both healthcare professionals and community members in the past. A recent community presentation led to a request for further community education of this kind.

“Everyone can kind of relate to caregiving,” Buddelmeyer said.

She cited a quote from former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who founded the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers: “There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

People often find themselves being thrust into the role unexpectedly and receive no training, Buddelmeyer said.

“They want to take good care of their loved ones, but they aren’t sure what doing it ‘right’ looks like,” she said. “Sometimes just knowing some of the resources available can make a real difference.”

For example, she said, there are types of adaptive equipment that Medicare does not cover, but area nonprofit and community groups may be able to help.

“Caregiving can be financially taxing as well as emotionally stressful, so in the class we will cover resources that can help lessen that stress,” Buddelmeyer said.

She added that she hopes caregivers who attend the class will recognize that they are not alone.

“Caregivers are often encouraged to go to support groups, and these groups can have a big impact on their lives,” Buddelmeyer said. “However, some individuals have trouble finding a group that’s a good fit for them, and, because of the very nature of caregiving, often it’s a challenge to leave the house since their loved one would be alone. This program is designed as another way to help caregivers connect with one another.”

Class participants will break out into small groups and support one another as caregivers.

“Caregivers put so much hard work, and so much love, into what they do. I encourage them to give themselves grace,” Buddelmeyer said. “These community members do so much to keep other individuals safe and improve their quality of life. We’re excited at BVHS to offer this opportunity to support the caregivers who support so many others.”

For more information, or to register for the class, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/caregiverclass

(From the Ohio Department of Health)

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA, has reported the state’s first measles case of 2025. The infected adult is from Ashtabula County. The individual was unvaccinated and had contact with someone who had recently traveled internationally.

ODH is working with the Ashtabula County Health Department to follow up on potential exposures and to promote opportunities for vaccination.

“The fact that we now have a measles case in Ohio adds emphasis to the importance of being fully vaccinated,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “This disease can be very serious, but it is preventable. I strongly encourage you to protect yourselves and your children by getting vaccinated.”

Ohio had 90 cases of measles in 2022, when an outbreak centered in Central Ohio totaled 85 cases. The state had one measles case in 2023 and seven in 2024.

Measles prevalence has been increasing recently internationally and there are ongoing outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.

Measles is extremely contagious and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. It can be brought back to the United States, and Ohio, by individuals who travel. If people are not protected against the disease, 9 out of 10 people who are exposed will become ill.

The measles vaccine (called MMR as it protects against measles, mumps and rubella) is very safe and effective at preventing measles. Two doses of MMR is 97% effective against measles. If you are up to date on measles vaccine, the risk of getting sick is very low.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

MMR vaccine can also be given to adults born after 1957 who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Dr. Vanderhoff on Tuesday held a news conference to discuss Ohio’s childhood immunization rates and to urge parents to get their children up to date on all recommended vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, in light of the measles outbreaks in some states.

You can find the video of that news conference on the ODH YouTube channel.

The measles virus can live for up to two hours in air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch an infected surface and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People infected with measles can spread it to others from four days before, through four days after, a rash appears.

Measles symptoms include a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and red, watery eyes. The rash usually lasts 5-6 days and begins at the hairline, moves to the face and upper neck, and proceeds down the body. Diarrhea and ear infections are common complications of measles. More severe complications may also occur.

Complications from measles are more common among children younger than 5 years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. As many as one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.

More information about measles is available on the CDC website, including general information and the recommended immunization schedule. ODH also has a measles FAQ page.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says it executed two search warrants related to two separate cases assigned to the sheriff’s office by the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The sheriff’s office said search warrants were carried out at 308 South Main Street in Van Buren and 116 East Street in Benton Ridge.

The search warrants yielded several electronic devices which will be examined for any material related to the investigations.

The investigations are ongoing and will be reviewed by the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office at their conclusion.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

HANCOCK COUNTY: State Route 37 safety improvement

SR 37 between SR 15 and CR 180 will close on Monday, March 31, for approximately 45 days to widen the roadway, add edge and centerline rumble strips, and replace guardrails.

Detour: SR 15 to U.S. 68 to I-75 to SR 12, back to SR 37

(From the OHSAA)

The Ohio High School Athletic Association will honor six Ohio greats during the finals of the 2025 Boys State Basketball Tournament Saturday, March 22, as part of its Circle of Champions recognition program.

Among those being saluted is Dr. Aaron Craft, a two-sport high school star at Liberty-Benton High School near Findlay who holds Ohio State University basketball records for career assists and steals and is 2024 spring graduate from Ohio State’s medical school.

Craft was a football and basketball standout at Liberty-Benton High School near Findlay who went on to a tremendous basketball career at Ohio State. He led the Buckeyes to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, was a three-time Academic All-American and holds the school records for assists and steals. Additionally, he was twice selected the Big Ten Defensive Player-of-the-Year and was the named Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 Big Ten Tournament. Following graduation from Ohio State’s medical school in May, Dr. Craft is currently doing his residency at Ohio State with the goal of specializing in surgical and medical management of head and neck conditions.

(pics courtesy of Liberty-Benton High School)

Arlington High School’s boys basketball coach will be among the award winners recognized at the OHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals.

Jason Vermillion is the recipient of the 2025 OHSAA Coaches Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award for boys basketball.

Vermillion has been head coach at Arlington High School for 27 years and his teams have won more than 400 games, numerous conference championships and this year’s team reached the Division VII state semifinals.    

The Red Devils finished the season with a record of 24-4.     

Vermillion is in his 27^th year as a sixth-grade teacher in the Arlington district.

(pics taken by AHS Yearbook students)

(From Gliding Stars of Findlay)

The Gliding Stars of Findlay’s 22nd ice show is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2025, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Cube, located at 3430 North Main Street in Findlay. Doors open at 1:30pm. The theme for this year’s show is “Gliding Stars Really Big Rock Show.”

The show will feature rock music from the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s. The Stars will be wearing costumes reflecting the different decades and the show’s custom-made set will be enhanced with two video boards. The Stars and their volunteers have been practicing weekly since September to prepare a show for the community.

Gliding Stars of Findlay is a non-profit, adaptive ice-skating program for youth and adult individuals with disabilities. The program uses adaptive equipment such as walkers and modified skates to help provide the Stars the chance to skate. During the past 23 years, the program has provided opportunities for over 500 young people from throughout the region to increase their self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as develop physical strength, make new friends, and enjoy a sense of belonging. Forty-seven skaters from Hancock County and the surrounding area are a part of this year’s show.

Nearly 70 volunteers, under the direction of skating coaches, assist the participants during the weekly practices and show rehearsals. Volunteers include students from the University of Findlay and area middle and high schools, area corporations and businesses, and family members and friends.

Ticket prices for this family-friendly event are $10.00 and are available at the door the day of the show.

Eight raffle items each valued from $300 up to $750, will be raffled off during the show. Tickets for the raffle are four for $5.00 and can be purchased in advance from a Gliding Stars parent or board member or the day of the show. Ticket holders do not need to be present at the show to win.

Major show sponsors include Marathon Petroleum Company LP, Hancock-Wood Electric Community Trust Fund, and The Findlay-Hancock Community Foundation.

For additional information, visit www.glidingstarsoffindlay.org or www.facebook.com/GlidingStarsofFindlay

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Limited tickets remain for the Hancock Historical Museum’s Beatrix Potter Tea sponsored by Zonta Club of Findlay. The museum will present a proper Victorian tea party designed for children ages 5-12 with an accompanying adult from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29.

Highlighting the period of English writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter, guests will learn the history of The Tale of Peter Rabbit! and proper Victorian tea party etiquette while enjoying tea, treats and activities. Guests are encouraged to bring their favorite doll and come dressed for the occasion.

The tea will include themed gifts, crafts and refreshments curated by the Victorian Ladies, a group of volunteers dedicated to the Hancock Historical Museum’s enriching opportunities and educational experiences.

The Children’s Victorian Tea is $30 for Hancock Historical Museum members and $35 for non-members. One ticket grants admission for one child and an accompanying adult.

Space is limited. Reservations and payment are required no later than Wednesday, March 26.

To make a reservation, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call 419-423-4433