Tony-winning actor Gavin Creel, a native of Findlay, has passed away.

Creel was a 1994 graduate of Findlay High School and a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.

According to his website, Creel made his Broadway debut in the role of Jimmy Smith in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, for which he received his first Tony Award nomination, and then went on to star in the Broadway productions of HAIR, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, SHE LOVES ME, THE BOOK OF MORMON, and WAITRESS.

Creel then received a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in HELLO, DOLLY! starring Bette Midler.

Creel died on Monday after a battle with cancer. He was 48.

(picture courtesy of gavincreel.com, photographers Matthew Murphy and Mark Willshire)

(From the Community Enrichment Dinner)

The 2024 Community Enrichment Dinner will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 6:00pm at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center and will feature the play Black Angels Over Tuskegee.

Inspired by true events, Black Angels Over Tuskegee is a vibrantly energetic, emotionally captivating, award-winning drama that tells the story of six trail-blazing men who exhibited courage to excel in spite of overwhelming odds.

The play follows the collective struggle of the first African American aviators in the United States Army Air Forces as they overcame Jim Crow-era injustices with intelligence, patriotism and brotherhood as they worked towards their dreams of an inclusive and fair society.

The Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay is partnering with the Community Enrichment Dinner and will be providing artifacts that will be on display at the dinner.

Director Jerome Gray will also be a featured speaker at the dinner.

“The Black Heritage Library is honored to be a catalyst of change, as we join the efforts to expose students to opportunities for growth in S.T.E.M. and other areas of educational advancement,” says Gray.

“We’re very excited to bring The Tuskegee Experience to Lima for the 2024 Community Enrichment Dinner,” says CED Chairman Jerome O’Neal.

“This amazing story shows how a group of passionate people can achieve their dreams despite overwhelming obstacles. The Tuskegee Airmen’s story goes beyond race and is an inspiration to all of us. Our partners for the event are: The Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center, Your Hometown Stations, the Bradfield Center, the Hy Ho Club, The Stalwart Magazine, and Custom Advocacy Partners.”

The 2024 Community Enrichment Dinner begins at 6:00 pm in the Civic Center’s Exhibit Hall with welcoming remarks; an update on local inclusion efforts; the presentation of awards; and a catered dinner. Following dinner, guests will go next door to the Crouse Performance Hall for Black Angels Over Tuskegee.

Tickets to the 2024 Community Enrichment Dinner include preferred seating for Black Angels Over Tuskegee.

They are $90, $100 and $110. Tables of eight and sponsorships are available.

Tickets may be purchased online at cedlima.com or the Civic Center Box Office.

The Community Enrichment Dinner is attended by a diverse crowd of more than 700 people annually. Proceeds fund programs that support diversity and inclusion in the Lima region.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay is performing numerous construction projects throughout the city. The status of some of the projects is weather and contractor schedule permitting. Listed below are some of the projects and the restrictions that result from the ongoing projects. These restrictions are in effect from September 30, 2024, until further notice.

GARFIELD AVENUE – N. Main Street to railroad – Garfield Avenue will be closed to through traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for waterline replacement.

GEORGE STREET – N. Main Street to railroad – George Street will be closed to through traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for waterline replacement.

ALLEN AVENUE – N. Main Street to railroad – Allen Avenue will be closed to traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for waterline trench repair.

MIDLAND AVENUE – N. Main Street to railroad – Midland Avenue will be closed to traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for trench repair.

S. BLANCHARD STREET – Sixth Street to Pearl Street – S. Blanchard Street will be closed to through traffic from Sixth Street to Pearl Street for waterline installation.

TR 99 – Distribution Drive to TR 230 – TR 99 will be closed to through traffic from Distribution Drive to TR 230 for sewer installation.

TR 230 – CR 212 to TR 99 – TR 230 will be closed to through traffic from CR 212 to TR 99 for road reconstruction.

LIMA AVENUE – Ra-Nik Ct to Payne Avenue – Lima Avenue with be reduced to one lane with traffic control lights from Ra-Nik Ct to Payne Avenue for sanitary sewer installation.

WASHINGTON AVENUE – Sixth Street to Olive Street – Washington Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Sixth Street to Olive Street for storm sewer installation.

Motorists are advised to avoid these areas if possible. Short delays are expected in these areas over the next week. The Engineering Department will release updates on information and schedules when it becomes available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any of these projects at 419-424-7121.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

We’re excited to announce that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program is back at the Tiffin Police Department!

Officer Chris Perry and Officer Alec Traxler have recently graduated from D.A.R.E. Instructor Training and are ready to start working with our local students.

Their primary audience will be fifth and sixth graders, but our officers are trained to instruct K-12 programs as well. Not only will Officers Perry and Traxler teach in the classroom, but you’ll also see them interacting with students during lunch or recess.

These officers were carefully chosen for their excellent communication skills and their ability to connect with students. They’ve been trained by specialists in education and psychology to deliver the D.A.R.E. curriculum in a way that’s both engaging and effective.

The D.A.R.E. program, originally developed in Los Angeles, is co-sponsored by the Ohio Attorney General, the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Ohio Department of Education. It’s supported by local law enforcement and school districts across the state.

Previous D.A.R.E. Officers for the Tiffin Police Department where Jan Fabian, David Pauly, Julie Brothers, and Fred Stevens. By teaching essential life skills to our students, we believe we’re giving them the tools they need to confidently “Just Say No” to drugs.

Congrats to Officer Perry and Officer Traxler on this achievement!

Chief Pauly

(From the Findlay Police Department)

On 9-30-2024 at approximately 0105 hrs. officers were dispatched to Circle K (100 Crystal Ave.) for a report of a possible Robbery that had taken place at another location.

The victim claimed a male got into a vehicle he was in, pistol whipped him, and stole cash from him.

The victim was driven from the scene of the Robbery to the area of Circle K, where he called 911.

The victim was injured as a result of the robbery and was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital for treatment of a head wound and later released.

Persons of interest were spoken to and a possible suspect was identified.

This matter is currently under investigation.

The Findlay Police Department says a bicyclist was injured when they were hit by a vehicle.

It happened in the 3300 block of North Main Street at around 8:20 Saturday night.

Police say Caleb Dutton, 20, of Findlay, was operating an electric bicycle northbound on North Main Street when he was struck from behind by a vehicle.

The vehicle then fled from the scene. No description of the vehicle was provided in the police report. 

Police say Dutton was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for an apparent head injury.

The crash remains under investigation.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Licensing and Commercial Standards Section, in partnership with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), recently collaborated to enforce state and federal laws pertaining to commercial motor vehicles on four major interstates, covering hundreds of miles of roadway in Ohio.

The high-visibility enforcement blitz focused on enforcing licensing and commercial standards across Interstate 70, Interstate 71, Interstate 75 and Interstate 80. The initiative began at midnight on August 18 and continued through 11:59 p.m. on September 13.

Troopers, enforcement inspectors, and PUCO inspectors collectively issued 1,108 citations and conducted 2,014 inspections throughout the initiative, identifying serious violations such as faulty brake systems, damaged tires with missing or snapped lug nuts, and load securement issues. During that time, there were decreases in commercial vehicle-related crashes along each interstate, with reductions of up to 81% compared to 2023.

“Through our combined efforts with PUCO, we are committed to making our roadways safer for all motorists,” said Captain Aaron J. Reimer, Licensing & Commercial Standards Section Commander. “By focusing on commercial motor vehicle safety, we not only work to reduce crashes and save lives but also ensure that commerce can flow safely and efficiently through our state.”

This collaborative initiative is the latest example of the Patrol and PUCO’s commitment to reducing commercial vehicle crashes and enhancing road safety through proactive enforcement and public education.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

What a great morning for the annual Walk and Roll to School!

Once again this year, Tiffin University and Washington Elementary School hit the streets for a fantastic event!

Hundreds of students, staff, and teachers from Washington K-1 Elementary, along with Tiffin University staff and student-athletes, joined forces with community members, the Tiffin Police Department, and Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division.

It was an awesome way to get some exercise, enjoy fresh air, and show the power of community spirit.

Thanks to everyone who made it a success!

Chief Pauly