(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay student Kaitlyn Froelich is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award (Ages 18-23) from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northwest Ohio chapter.

Froelich earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UF in 2025 and currently is pursuing her doctoral degree in occupational therapy at the University, while working as a cardiac ICU nurse at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay.

“When Katie is not studying or working, she generously gives of her time through many campus offices and community organizations,” said Kenneth McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement. “Her positive attitude radiates a generous nature that extends to fellow UF students, prospective students and their families, and area residents in need.”

She is very involved in UF’s Campus Ministry program, gives tours to new students through the admissions office, serves as an orientation leader, and is a member of the Student Nursing Association and the Students of Occupational Therapy Association. Katie also is the student representative from the College of Health Professions to the Alumni Board of Governors.

Her volunteer work further includes being a member of STRIDE (Students Teaching Respect for Individuals with Disabilities Everyday), a club that volunteers and raises disability awareness on campus and in the community.

In addition, Froelich has volunteered with many organizations that help residents in Northwest Ohio and beyond. She has volunteered with Gliding Stars of Findlay for four years, helping teach individuals with disabilities how to ice skate, bolstering their confidence and social skills, and encouraging them.

She volunteers with Findlay’s City Mission, helping to prepare and serve food to people in need. Since her freshman year, she has been part of multiple Backyard Mission Trips that aid residents of Hancock County by helping them with yardwork and community cleanup.

During Spring Break for the past four years, she has volunteered at numerous camps, including Camp Otyokwah in Ohio, Camp Sonrise Mountain in Maryland, and Camp Yolijwa in Pennsylvania. She assists the camps with labor they cannot afford so they are ready to welcome campers each summer.

Furthermore, Froelich was one of 144 UF graduates in May who earned a Philanthropy Cord to wear at Commencement as a symbol of their commitment to the Oiler culture of philanthropy. The program requires a contribution to a class scholarship benefiting incoming freshman in the fall, volunteering for a minimum of six hours, and attendance at a philanthropic learning event.

“All of this clearly illustrates her mature understanding of philanthropy and her commitment to giving back on a local and national scale,” McIntyre noted. “We are so proud of Katie’s success in the classroom, in the community, and in giving of her time, talent, and treasure.”

Froelich was presented the award November 12 at the 38th annual National Philanthropy Day celebration in Toledo, attended by more than 500 area development professionals. The Greater Toledo Community Foundation also presented a grant to Gliding Stars of Findlay in recognition of her dedication to her community.

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Pictured from left are: UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D.; Ken McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement; and award winner Kaitlyn Froelich.

(From Findlay Trojan Sports)

Congratulations to Girls Basketball Coach Brian Rosendale on earning his 100th career win!

An incredible milestone that reflects hard work, dedication, and leadership.

Proud of our program and our coach!

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Christmas came a little early to the Seneca County Jail. On Dec. 20, about 20 members of the Seneca County Jail Chaplaincy Committee gathered in the jail’s training room to pack Christmas gift baskets for inmates.

The gift baskets were filled with a variety of gifts, including activity books, pencils, toothpaste, deodorant, chips, and candy bars.

The committee has been donating gift baskets to the jail for 30 years.

“Every single person housed in the jail gets one,” said Cpl. Barbara Brooks, who helps organize the event with Chaplaincy Committee Chairman John Bergman from Bible Baptist Church.

Cpl. Brooks distributed the gifts later that day. The jail currently houses about 150 inmates, and the committee packed about 165 bags. Cpl. Brooks kept the extra packages for people who will arrive during the week.

“I get a lot of thank yous,” Cpl. Brooks said. “For some, this is the only Christmas gift they’ll get.”

The Seneca County Jail Chaplaincy Committee is an ecumenical group comprised of representatives from several different local churches. It was formed in 1994 by Sister Jackie Doepker with a mission to minister to inmates. The group has been providing Christmas gift baskets since then.

“We’ve done this every year, except the COVID year,” said Sister Maureen Studer, who has been part of the Chaplaincy Committee since its second meeting in 1994.

Providing Christmas gifts is a small part of the Chaplaincy Committee’s impact in the jail. Every weekday, a member of the committee visits the jail to offer one-on-one visits with inmates. The visits are voluntary and give the inmates an opportunity to talk to clergy about anything that is on their mind.

The committee hosted religious services in the jail for many years, but they were discontinued under a previous administration during COVID.

“When Sheriff (Fredrick) Stevens came in, he allowed us to do one-on-one visits,” Sister Maureen said. “We’re glad the Sheriff came in and let us do them.”

The weeknight ministry is having a strong impact on the inmates.

“Any inmate who wants to can see clergy,” Bergman said. “We’ve had good success with the one-on-one. They appreciate it so much.”

Bergman is grateful to be a part of the Chaplaincy Committee. He was initially uneasy about working in a jail setting, but sitting in a jail service several years ago changed his heart.

“The inmates were so quiet. They were focused on the preaching,” Bergman said. “That’s the first day my ‘wanter’ was changed. God changed what I wanted to do. This is what I want to do now.”

Committee member Wendell Rogers helps the committee obtain Bibles through Rock of Ages Prison Ministries, and the Bibles are distributed to inmates for free. In early December, the group provided two Christmas cards and stamps to each inmate so they could send cards to family for the holidays.

No tax dollars are used for any of the Chaplaincy Committee’s projects, including the Christmas gift baskets. The gifts were donated by local businesses, churches, and committee members.

The gift baskets bring a little holiday cheer to inmates who will spend Christmas behind bars, away from family. Several of the jail staff will also spend Christmas away from family. Cpl. Brooks worked on Thanksgiving, and she will work on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. The inmates are lucky to have her and the other compassionate staff there on the holiday.

“On Thanksgiving, I spent a good half hour with an inmate who was having a hard time,” she said. “I talked with him. It’s hard for them to be away from family on a holiday.”

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Smell and taste disorders can be overlooked, yet they can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life, nutritional status, and overall well-being.

These sensory deficits may present subtly but can be early indicators of underlying health conditions or contribute to broader health challenges, particularly in older adults.

To learn more about smell & taste disorders, the causes, and how they affect patients’ lives, read this week’s Weekend Doctor Column, written by Jeremy Mascaro, PA-C, a physician assistant specializing in otolaryngology at ENT Specialists of Northwest Ohio. Read it now at bvhs.info/wdc122025.

UPDATE: The issue has been resolved, according to the sheriff’s office.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

The County 911 Coordinator was notified of an issue with wireless 911 calls.

Wireless 911 calls are not connecting properly and may not allow you to hear the 911 dispatcher. This outage seems to be affecting multiple counties in Ohio, Should you have an emergency and cannot contact 911 please try our non-emergency numbers.

Hancock County Sheriff (419) 422-2424 and the Findlay Police Department (419) 424-7150. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Findlay Police Dept. also has text to 911 that is available and is working. At this time, we have no time frame for when services will be restored.

Joint Release by: Lt. Jason Morey of the Findlay Police Dept. and 911 Coordinator Brian Stozich of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office

Findlay firefighters helped brighten the holidays for several local kids and their families.

The Findlay Fire Department again this year participated in the Shop with a Firefighter program, in conjunction with Findlay Hope House and Walmart.

WFIN News Director Matt Demczyk spoke with Travis Bohn about how much the event means to the children and the firefighters.

As Travis mentioned in the audio file above, firefighters took some children Christmas shopping at the Walmart on Tiffin Avenue, which donated $3,000 for the event. The firefighters union donated an additional 1,000, and in additional to that, they passed the boot around the fire stations and collected money for a nice gift basket for each family.

Firefighters, their wives, and other volunteers could be seen walking through the aisles with the kids as they bought gifts and essentials for their family members and themselves.

Millstream Area Credit Union volunteers then wrapped up the gifts for the families.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay has hired Tyler Johns as its head football coach, Director of Athletics Jim Givens announced on Friday, Dec. 19.

Coach Johns, who played for the Oilers from 2009-2012, returns to Findlay from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina where he was most recently the interim head coach and served the last two years as the Runnin’ Bulldogs Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line coach.

“I would like to sincerely thank (President) Dr. Katherine Fell, (Vice President) Mrs. Brandi Laurita, and especially (Director of Athletics) Jim Givens for the opportunity to lead the University of Findlay football program”, said Coach Johns. “The University of Findlay is home, and it has been instrumental in shaping who I am as a leader, educator, and mentor. I am incredibly excited to once again wear the Orange and Black and to invest in our Oilers, past, present, and future.”

He went on to compliment his former coach and Findlay’s latest head coach, Kory Allen. “Coach Allen has done an outstanding job elevating the football program and I will work tirelessly to build upon the success he has achieved while bringing a renewed energy, passion, and purpose to the lives of our student-athletes.”

A 2012 all-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) lineman for the Oilers, Coach Johns first got into coaching immediately after college, working as an Assistant Offensive Line Coach at Iowa Western Community College. From there, he transitioned to the University of Illinois where he was a graduate assistant for two years, working on the offensive line with multiple future NFL players.

His first full-time job came in 2017 where he became the Offensive Line Coach / Recruiting Coordinator at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. In his time with the Panthers, ODU won a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) conference championship and boasted one of the top offenses in the country. In that time, ODU had seven offensive lineman earn all-conference honors and had a pair of all-Americans on offense including Harlon Hill Nominee and G-MAC Player of the Year at quarterback.

In 2019 he moved on to Tiffin University where he debuted as the Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line Coach, but eventually became the Offensive Coordinator for a program that won three G-MAC titles and went to the NCAA Division II Playoffs twice in five seasons. At Tiffin, Coach Johns led his offensive lineman to 19 all-conference awards and called plays for an offense that produced a three-time G-MAC Player of the Year at quarterback.

“We are excited to welcome back to Findlay Coach Tyler Johns and his family”, commented Director of Athletics Jim Givens. “From the beginning of this process, it was clear that Tyler carried all the attributes that we desire in a head football coach here at Findlay. He has a proven track record of developing student-athletes to be their best on and off the field and possesses a high-level knowledge of the game that makes him exactly what we require in a head coach. As an alumni of our university and former coach within our league, he also has an understanding and passion for the history and tradition of Findlay football that we believe will this a seamless transition.”

Coach Johns will be introduced officially as Findlay’s head football coach in the Gardner Football Complex on Tuesday, December 30 at 2:00 pm. Fans will be able to watch the press conference live on the Great Midwest Digital Network. Johns will later be introduced to the public at the men’s basketball game in Croy Gymnasium at 7:00 pm that evening.

(From the Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal)

Nearly 200 fire departments will soon have access to additional funds to upgrade their emergency radio communication equipment. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal has announced the recipients of the 2026 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems) Grant. During this grant cycle, 198 fire departments representing 63 counties across Ohio have been awarded a combined total of nearly $4 million.

A complete list of MARCS Grant recipients is available here. Upon signing agreement letters, the selected fire departments will receive the funds in early 2026.

The MARCS radio system provides statewide, secure, reliable public service wireless communication for first responders. The system allows first responders to seamlessly communicate with each other, as well as with other agencies that may be responding to an incident. Costs to acquire and operate the advanced MARCS radio system technology can be significant, which highlights the importance of these grants in helping to ensure fire departments of all sizes are able to access these valuable tools.

“This grant funding is a major resource for fire departments across Ohio, especially since it helps give them access to MARCS radios that they might not otherwise be able to purchase,” said Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These radios help first responders better serve Ohio communities and protect those who call them home.”

The MARCS Grant is available annually to fire departments with service areas of 25,000 residents or less. Up to $50,000 per department is available through the grant. Priority funding goes to departments applying as part of a regional or countywide effort, as well as departments that show they are prepared to immediately begin using the MARCS radios upon receiving the funds.

Since 2020, the Division has awarded more than $24 million to fire departments across the state specifically through the MARCS Grant program, and an additional $13 million through its other grant programs to support equipment and training needs at departments.

For additional details on grant funding, visit the Division’s interactive Grants Dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMDashboard.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

This month, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Wellness Park, its comprehensive 75,000-square-foot location near the I-75 exit. Since opening its doors, Wellness Park has expanded access, added convenience, and brought together the following range of coordinated services:

• Primary Care at Wellness Park
• Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio (including the Community Glucose Monitoring Project)
• Rheumatology Specialists of Northwest Ohio
• Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
• Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine Services, including dedicated pediatric rehabilitation for occupational, speech, and behavioral health therapy
• Neurosurgical Associates of Northwest Ohio
• Onsite imaging and laboratory services
• Podiatry, sports medicine, and additional specialty services

A Year of Impact

In its first year, Wellness Park has seen remarkable growth and utilization, including:

• More than 55,000 patient visits.
• Eight new physicians and advanced practice providers, with more scheduled to join in 2026.
• The introduction of online self-scheduling for many services at Wellness Park and other BVHS locations.

“Wellness Park was opened to meet the growing demand for primary and specialty care through an emphasis on proactive health management,” said Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer. “One year later, we are proud to see that vision becoming a reality for individuals, families, and employers across the community.”

For Northwest Ohio residents, the campus is improving access to quality services close to home and has become a destination for regional care. “Wellness Park has experienced an outstanding first year,” said Kelly Shroll, chief operating officer, ambulatory services. “We look forward to building upon the primary care, specialty care, diagnostics, and therapies offered, as we plan for 2026 and beyond.”

Advancing the BVHS Mission

Alongside other major projects—including the expansion of The Armes Family Cancer Care Center and the development of the Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Blanchard Valley Hospital—Wellness Park furthers BVHS’ long-standing mission of “Caring for a lifetime.”

These space-planning initiatives are gaining vital momentum, thanks to the community they are designed to serve. “We’re humbled by our community’s generosity,” said Ben Sapp, chief development officer. “Our capital campaign has already secured nearly $15 million in gifts—a direct investment in the future of accessible, compassionate care.”

Ensuring Wellness Park’s continued evolution requires sustained community giving. “By working together, we can make this destination for health and wellness even more remarkable for current and future residents,” continued Sapp.

For more information about Wellness Park, visit bvhealthsystem.org/wellness.

To learn more about making a difference through the BVHS Capital Campaign, visit bvhealthsystem.org/ourfuture.

(ONN) – The Cleveland Browns are set to receive $600 million in unclaimed Ohio funds to help pay for their new stadium, and the Ohio Department of Commerce is reporting a surge in people trying to claim their money.

Between June and November of this year, when the Browns’ stadium plans first made headlines, people filed more than 122,000 claims.

Compare that to 2024, when just under 23,000 claims were filed.

That’s an increase of 435 percent.

If you file a claim, the Ohio Department of Commerce says it could take up to 120 days to review.

This is a normal part of the verification process.