The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting people know that construction of the new roundabout near U.S. 68 and S.R. 15 on the south side of Findlay will begin soon.

ODOT says U.S. 68 and the S.R. 15 and U.S. 68 eastbound ramps will close Monday, August 19, for 75 days.

The suggested detour is listed below.

ODOT’s Cheri Newton explains how the project came about.

ODOT says the project is needed because Township Roads 49 and 77, which currently provide access to U.S. 68, will be removed as part of the Eagle Creek Dry Storage Basin project, one of the projects included in the Flood-Risk Reduction Program currently underway by Hancock County and the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. 

The project will:

-Remove the current U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Connect Township Road 80 to the ramp to provide access to U.S. 68.

-Construct a new U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 68, the new U.S. 68 exit ramp, and the eastbound State Route 15 entrance ramp.

Get more on the project by clicking here.

(From the Bluffton Historical Society)

On Saturday, August 10, the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society will celebrate the Bluffton Fire Department with a Bluffton History Day program that recreates an 1898 photograph of volunteer firefighters shooting water over Main St. as a test of the new Village water system. 

Bluffton’s Main St. will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to create a splash zone for the demonstration that will include an early Bluffton #1 Studebaker fire truck.

The fire department program will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the ringing of the Town Hall bell, which was originally installed as a way to sound the official call to firemen.

Food and beverages will be sold including:

Chicken and BBQ sandwiches, drinks and desserts by Bluffton Presbyterian Church Fellowship Committee

Corny Brothers kettle corn

(From the City of Findlay)

On August 7, 2024, from 7am-4pm Washington Street from Liberty Street to Hurd Avenue will be closed for sanitary sewer repair.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued by the National Weather Service.

The Watch goes until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Forecasters say storms that develop could produce 75 mph wind gusts, large hail, heavy rainfall, and a couple tornadoes are possible.

(ONN) – A child died after being struck by a vehicle in Clyde on Sunday evening.

Police in Clyde described the victim as being under the age of two.

Emergency crews attempted life-saving measures but the child succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The circumstances leading up to the incident were not provided by authorities.

Police say an investigation is ongoing.

The Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, the Sandusky County Coroner’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted on the scene.

This year’s Flag City Night Out event, which was scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Riverside Park in Findlay has been postponed due to potential bad weather conditions.

“Based on the most current weather forecasts for our area, there is a chance of pop up showers, potential thunderstorms and strong winds for this evening,” said Findlay Police Officer Brian White.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are sadly postponing Flag City Night Out for tonight and moving to our rain date of next Tuesday, August 13th at 6 pm. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we hope to see you next Tuesday!”

For those not familiar, Flag City Night Out is a free, family-friendly event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live.

Flag City Night Out allows the public a chance to interact with safety services (Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMS and others) on a one on one basis and get a look at the equipment they use.

Flag City Night Out also serves to highlight non-profit community programs available in the community and get people in touch with the resources they need.

This year’s event will feature live entertainment, food, demonstrations, children’s activities and train rides.

Area mascots will also be on hand to participate in our 10th Annual Mascot Games, with an intermission for the Police vs. Fire Games where area youth will be paired up with officers and firefighters in a variety of games.

An inflatable obstacle course will be set up to allow children to test their skills, as well as Root Beer floats and snow cones provided by Movement Church and Kona Ice to cool off.

Area non-profit organizations will also be on hand to offer insight into what they do and connect people with resources.

For those that can’t make it, we encourage you to turn on your porch light with a blue bulb.

This is a symbolic gesture to show that you stand unified with area safety services and the fight against crime.

For more information on the National Night Out initiative you can visit https://natw.org/.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation reported its second-quarter 2024 numbers on Tuesday.

The oil refiner headquartered in Findlay is reporting net income of $1.5 billion for the second quarter of 2024, compared with net income of $2.2 billion for the second quarter of 2023.

Adjusted net income was $1.4 billion for the second quarter of 2024. 

“Our second quarter results reflect our commitment to peer-leading operational and commercial performance,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Mannen.

“Overall, the business generated $3.2 billion of net cash provided by operating activities and we returned $3.2 billion through share repurchases and dividends during the quarter. We continue to execute disciplined, high-return refining investments and advance attractive midstream growth opportunities.”

Get more on the company’s second-quarter results by clicking here.

Flag City BalloonFest is coming up this weekend in Findlay.

It will be held on August 9th, 10th and 11th at Emory Adams Park.

BalloonFest is a free, family-friendly event that features food vendors, live music, Glow Encounter, a kids’ zone with inflatables and games, and much more.

There will also be hot air balloon rides, weather permitting.

BalloonFest’s Kellie Bibler has more about all the fun things you can do at BalloonFest in the audio below.

Admission to BalloonFest is free thanks to the generosity of their sponsors.

Below is video from last year when WFIN’s Matt Demczyk went up on Friday morning.

(From Premier Bank)

Premier Bank recently donated a check to the Hancock Historical Museum for $15,000.

The funds will be used to sponsor the Oktoberfest event in downtown Findlay on September 28, 2024.

“We are celebrating 10 years of Oktoberfest in downtown Findlay! We are proud to celebrate our local German heritage with the largest single-day event in the area, highlighting German food, beverages, live bands, 20+ kids activities, contests and so much more for all ages,” explained Sarah Foltz, Executive Director, Hancock Historical Museum.

“All proceeds from the event ensure we can actively preserve our local history, to educate and inspire the future.”

“We are proud to support the Hancock Historical Museum as they bring the Findlay community together to enjoy this German heritage celebration,” said Trish Gelsomino, Foundation Giving Coordinator, Premier Bank.

“Together we can spread kindness and make Hancock County stronger!”

For more information about the Hancock Historical Museum, please call 419-423-4433 or visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org.

To learn more about the Oktoberfest, please visit OktoberfestFindlay.com.

(From the Fostoria Economic Development Corp.)

Registration is now open for Northwest Ohio’s Ignite419 event, designed to reengage and reignite entrepreneurs, business owners and managers. The event will include a quick, full day of engaging workshops, a keynote speaker and panel discussions with area experts to answer your burning questions on a variety of essential business topics.

Ignite419 will take place on Monday, October 21, at Stacy’s Place in Fostoria. The event is presented by Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), in partnership with the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Ignite419 agenda features a morning Wildfire Leadership Training session where attendees will unlock their mission, discover their working genius and learn how to elevate their impact.

Keynote speaker Meg Adams, entrepreneur, professor and TEDx speaker, will speak on how to effectively use storytelling as a means to build community and grow a business.

An afternoon of panel discussions will cover topics ranging from finance and accounting to HR, management, marketing, and social media in an “Ask Me Anything” style – including a “Tell All” panel composed of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Panel discussions will kick off with questions submitted by attendees during registration and continue with live questions from the audience.

The Ignite419 panelists include:

Ashley Barger Founder of Do Some Good Marketing, LLC

Bill Beach

Attorney at Law, RCO Law

Ron Burns

Founder, Corporate One Benefits and Investor

Kyle Elfring Sr. HR Manager / HR Business Partner for Church & Dwight

Steve Dandurand

Auditor, City of Fostoria

Andy Faber, CPA Assistant Professor of Accounting at Tiffin University

Madison Geroski Sole Proprietor of Madison Paul Boutique and Merry by Madison Sarah Foltz Executive Director, Hancock Historical Museum

Marisa Huss Director of Marketing for the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Destination Seneca County

Blair Lane

Senior Commercial Lender, Premier Bank

Les Lipski

Former CFO, Callies Performance Products

Chris Keller Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Findlay Hancock Economic Development Office, Owner/member of Oler’s Bar and Grill, Details Auto Spa and a property investment company

Kate Mennel

Physician Practice Manager, NWO Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Weston Reinbolt President and Investment Consultant at Financial Design Agency of Ohio

Kati Thompson

Economic Development Director, City of Bowling Green, Owner Eden Fashion Boutique

Jason Yoakam President at Yoakam Communications Group

Registration for Ignite419 is Now Open Stoke your professional growth and fan the flames of your potential – register today for Ignite419 to ensure your spot at www.Ignite419.com.

Early bird registration is $115 per person and is open through August 31. Full price registration is open through October 1 and is $125 per person. Registration fee includes all sessions and lunch.

For more information visit Ignite419.com or call the FEDC office at 419-435-7789