(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), and Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) are asking motorists to make safe driving a top priority this holiday season to ensure Ohio hits its goal of four straight years of declining traffic fatalities.

While there had been a rise in traffic deaths from 2018 to a peak of 1,356 in 2021, Ohio has seen a reduction over the last three consecutive years. In 2024 there were 1,157 people killed on Ohio roads, down from 1,242 in 2023 and 1,275 in 2022.

However, current crash data shows traffic deaths in 2025 are tracking closely with last year’s pace, prompting state agencies to launch a year-end enforcement and education blitz focused on the behaviors that most often lead to deadly crashes — distraction, impairment, lack of seat belt use, and speeding.

As of November 13, there have been 976 lives lost on Ohio roads compared to 1,029 at the same point in 2024.

“We’ve made tremendous progress in saving lives on Ohio roadways, but we can’t afford to let up now,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Every driver plays a role in keeping this positive trend going by staying alert, slowing down, and always buckling up.”

Governor DeWine has prioritized roadway safety during his administration. Increased funding for ODOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program has vaulted the program to one of the largest in the nation and helped fund projects that target top crash locations and deadly crash types.

“With record investments in roadway safety, engineering can only go so far. We need drivers to take responsibility and do their part to make safe decisions behind the wheel,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that speed, impairment, and failure to wear a seat belt remain factors in the majority of fatal crashes. Troopers and will increase visibility and enforcement through the end of the year to remind motorists that safe driving saves lives.

“Our message is simple: We want everyone to make it home for the holidays and enjoy time together,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “Put the phone away, buckle up, drive sober, and make the safe choice every time you get behind the wheel.”

In 2024, 43% of traffic deaths were a result of a crash that involved drugs, 34% of those killed chose not to wear a seatbelt, 32% involved alcohol impairment, and 30% were from crashes involving excessive speed.

The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is supporting the statewide effort through targeted safety messaging and community outreach.

“Ohio is close to achieving a fourth straight year of declining traffic fatalities – a milestone made possible by the everyday choices Ohioans make behind the wheel,” said OTSO Director Emily Davidson. “Simple, safe decisions like buckling up, slowing down, and staying focused while driving can make all the difference. These small actions add up and help ensure more loved ones make it home to share in their holiday celebrations.”

With the holiday travel season approaching, Ohio’s traffic safety partners urge all drivers to do their part to make sure 2025 ends as another year of progress — not tragedy.

Flag City Honor Flight had a big 2025 flight season, flying hundreds of area Veterans to Washington D.C. to see the memorials that stand in their honor.

Flag City Honor Flight flew four missions in 2025, and preparations are already underway for the 2026 flight season.

Incoming president Will Miller was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss what goes into making these special trips happen.

Miller telling Chris in the audio above, they anticipate having three flights in 2026, with those dates being announced early in the new year.

The trips are totally free for the Veterans.

Honor Flight relies on community donations and flight sponsorships to continue the mission. 

As a 100 percent volunteer-led organization, every dollar received goes directly toward honoring and thanking Veterans for their service.

(ONN) – A new measure to protect children with autism is working its way through the Ohio Legislature.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Joshua Alert Law unanimously passed the Ohio House of Representatives.

House Bill 359 would require local law enforcement to notify the statewide emergency alert system immediately if a missing child is known to have autism or developmental disabilities.

The bill is named after six-year-old Joshua al-Lateef Junior, who went missing last November and did not meet the criteria for an alert.

The nonverbal child drowned.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

The Marion Township Trustees have announced that leaf pick-up will begin in residential areas on Monday, November 17.

The trustees point out that only loose leaves, piled at the curbside, will be sucked up by a leaf vacuum truck.

Bagged leaves will not be accepted.

Trustees say the equipment is unable to reach leaves placed more than three feet from the curb and will not be picked up if further away.

The crew picking up the leaves will make one pass with their leaf vacuum truck and will not return to any area a second time.

Four Findlay High School student-athletes recently announced at what college they’ll be continuing their athletic and academic careers.

Ryan Boes will be playing softball for East Stroudsburg University; Natalie Gutman will be running track and cross country at the University of Findlay; Olivia Gayheart will be playing soccer for the University of Findlay, and Addie Sprang will be playing softball at Wheeling University.

Good luck to these Trojans as they continue their athletics and academics at the next level.

A semi crashed on Interstate 75 northbound under the new County Road 99 overpass and caught on fire.

The crash happened at around 6:30 Wednesday night.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2000 Volvo VNL, driven by 40-year-old Khaled Saleh, of Dearborn Michigan, was traveling northbound on Interstate 75, when the commercial vehicle had an equipment failure,” The Ohio State Highway Patrol said. “The commercial vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a concrete wall. The commercial vehicle caught on fire as it traveled against the concrete wall before stopping under the County Road 99 overpass.”

The crash shut down the northbound lanes as firefighters responded and put the fire out.

The center and left lanes eventually reopened, but the right lane was to remain closed overnight. 

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said there were no injuries involved.

The Ohio Department of Transportation said the bridge appears to be okay, but the contractor will be inspecting it to make sure.

The new diverging diamond interchange was anticipated to open the afternoon of Monday, November 17.

(picture courtesy of Brian Nye)

Former Findlay High School Boys Basketball coach Jim Rucki has been nominated for the Morgan Wootten Lifetime Achievement Award.

Coach Rucki finished his career in 2024 with an overall record of 545 wins, including a record of 385-178 at Findlay High School.

“With 385 wins, no losing seasons in 25 years, and Hall of Fame honors, Trojan legacy at its finest,” Findlay Trojan Sports said on its Facebook page.

Findlay Athletic Director Nate Weihrauch says Coach Rucki devoted his life to teaching and guiding our youth and has spent countless hours preparing his team for success on and off the court. 

(WTOL-11) – Tiffin City Schools will soon be looking for new leadership.

Current Superintendent Jerry Nadeau announced he plans to retire, effective December 8th.

He posted on the district’s Facebook page saying he plans to focus on “his family’s health and time together.”

The school board praised Nadeau, highlighting the contributions he made to foster a positive environment for student success.

The board says it will now begin developing a transition for leadership.

(From the Children’s Museum of Findlay)

The truth is, we’ve got some work to do — but she’s officially ours!

The NEW home of your Children’s Museum of Findlay:

11600 CR 99, Findlay, Ohio

We can’t wait to bring PLAY back to life for our community.

A special thank-you to our Board Members, donors, and community champions who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen.

You may not have seen it all unfolding, but there were so many dedicated hands and hearts making sure this dream stayed alive.

More to come — WE GOT THIS!

(From Bowling Green State University)

Bowling Green State University is located in what WalletHub recently named the No. 1 best small college town in Ohio and among the top 10 in the Midwest for 2025, reaffirming Bowling Green, Ohio, as the right place to provide students with a quintessential college experience.

In addition to being located in an ideal college town, BGSU also empowers students with the right in-demand programs and is the right size to offer all the opportunities of a large school, yet small enough so that each student can actually take advantage of the experiences.

In WalletHub’s latest rankings, the personal finance company named the city of Bowling Green as one of the nation’s best small college towns based on three primary factors: access to academic and career growth opportunities, social environment and overall affordability. From its celebrated small shops and restaurants to its close-knit community, Bowling Green fits the bill in every category for this year’s rankings.

“There is incredible momentum at Bowling Green State University, and being located in such a welcoming, supportive and safe community like Bowling Green that embraces the University is, in large part, why more and more students want to join our learning community,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “From its great local businesses to its engaging year-round events and activities, we have long known that Bowling Green is one of the best small college towns in the nation. This recognition reaffirms our longstanding connection with the city, which provides multiple opportunities for students and residents to connect with one another, both on campus and in the community.”

“This recognition highlights what we in Bowling Green already know – that our community and University share something truly special,” Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher said. “The close collaboration between the City and BGSU has created an environment where innovation, opportunity and a strong sense of belonging come together to make Bowling Green an outstanding place to live, learn and grow. Being named Ohio’s best small college town is a reflection of the pride we take in our community, our partnership with the University and the welcoming spirit that defines Bowling Green.”

As Ohio’s best small college town, Bowling Green offers multiple ways for students to engage with and be part of the broader community, serving as the right place for a true college experience.

Through a longstanding connection with BGSU, the city of Bowling Green has collaborated with the University throughout the years on multiple signature events to ensure students are welcomed in the community, including RallyBG on Main, Black Swamp Arts Festival, Firefly Nights, BG Farmers’ Market and the BG Community Holiday Parade.

Bowling Green also provides students and residents with ways to support their health and well-being with four distinct parks, a city pool, a community center and year-round special events and programming. The city also serves as a main entrance to the Slippery Elm Trail, a 13-mile asphalt multi-use trail for walking, bicycling and in-line skating.

Along with its latest accolades, the city of Bowling Green has also been recognized as one of the safest college towns in the nation, the No. 3 most-popular college town in America and as an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown multiple times.