Mr. Kevin Shoup, principal of Van Buren High School, announced that Nigel Woodall has been named a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Mr. Shoup presented a Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to this scholastically talented senior.
“Nigel is a brilliant young man who is always willing to take on challenges and is determined to achieve academic excellence through hard work,” Principal Shoup said.
Woodall is one of about 34,000 commended students throughout the nation being recognized for exceptional academic promise. Although he will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Woodall placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
“Those being named commended students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC.
“These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
(From the Elbert Dubenion Drive Planning Committee)
The Village of Bluffton will recognize Bluffton University’s most famous athlete in a ceremony at noon, Friday, Oct. 4, with the unveiling of Elbert Dubenion Drive.
The Drive covers a section of Bentley Road in front of Bluffton University’s Salzman football stadium from the Yoder Recital Hall parking lot to the intersection of Bentley and Elm Street. The ceremony will take place near the recital hall portion of the Drive.
The ceremony, open to the public, will include the unveiling of Drive signs and a brief program recognizing Dubenion, a 1959 Bluffton College graduate, who played for nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills professional football team. He is the only Bluffton athlete to play professional football. Following his playing days, Dubenion served as a college scout for the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, as well as working for the Bills.
Bluffton mayor, Richard Johnson, will read a proclamation and several teammates, will speak. Members of Dubenion’s family will also attend.
The group launching the project includes teammates who played football with Dubenion and fans who watched him play during his college years from 1955 to 1958.
One of the alumni committee members is Jim “Spike” Berry, who quarterbacked the Bluffton College Beaver football team during the Dubenion era at Bluffton.
In his first year at Bluffton, Dubenion worked on the Bluffton village street crew. As a town celebrity, downtown business owners were among his most loyal fans, making him the most recognized Bluffton student for a generation of those community leaders.
Among his college-era achievements was being named first team Small College All-American in 1958 and was among 33 players selected to play in the College All-Star game in 1959 against the Baltimore Colts. As a member of the Buffalo Bills, Dubenion played in the 1964 NFL Pro Bowl. He holds the record for the longest reception in AFL playoff history with a 93-yard TD. He is also a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.
Dubenion died at age 86 on Dec. 26, 2019, at his residence in Westerville, Ohio. His wife, Marilyn, is also a Bluffton College graduate.
Members of the planning committee are Tom Benroth, Jim “Spike” Berry, Jim Buffenbarger, Charles Buroker, Larry Copeland, Everett Collier, Don Hostetler, Gene Long, Ronald Lora, Mary Ramseyer, Richard Ramseyer and Fred Steiner.
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved $72,485 in grants for mental health projects. Eight local organizations will receive these grants.
“Mental health continues to be a priority for Hancock County, and your Community Foundation as a result,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of The Community Foundation. “These grants demonstrate Hancock County’s commitment to coming together to support our friends, family and neighbors in need of mental health care. Each of these grants will help improve the quality of life in that way.”
Family Resource Center was awarded $28,185 for the Helping the Helpers program.
Findlay YMCA was awarded $20,000 for early childhood occupational therapy support.
FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Community was awarded $5,000 for the LOFT Peer Pals program.
Hancock County ADAMHS Board was awarded $6,710 for office network improvements.
Hancock Public Health was awarded $2,400 for the Building Connection in the Community program.
NAMI of Findlay was awarded $3,500 for the Never Too Manly for Mental Health program.
Sight Center of Northwest Ohio was awarded $1,680 for a low vision/blindness peer group.
Welcome to a New Life was awarded $5,000 for positive engagement activities.
“Mental health is a critical measure of overall health,” said Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer at the Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with donors and local nonprofit organizations to make this work happen.”
The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on the Ohio Turnpike (Eastbound Lanes), near Milepost 142, in Amherst Township, Lorain County. The crash was reported at approximately 8:52 p.m., on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
A white 2021 International Tractor/Trailer outfit (Unit 1) was being operated by Samantha Taylor (33), of McComb, OH. Unit 1 was traveling eastbound in the right-hand lane. A gray 2015 Toyota Rav4 (Unit 2) was being operated by Rita M. Robinson Whitman (78), of Willoughby, OH. Unit 2 was driving the wrong way, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike. Unit 1 and Unit 2 struck head on in the middle lanes. Ms. Taylor sustained minor injuries, and was transported to University Hospitals-Elyria by Life Care EMS. Mrs. Robinson Whitman succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
It is unknown at this time what caused Unit 2 to be driving the wrong way. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Life Care EMS, Amherst Fire/EMS, Lorain County Coroner, Ohio Turnpike Commission, and Interstate Towing.
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, at approximately 12:22 hrs., the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a vehicle that crashed into a residence in the 6000 block of N. Co. Rd. 33, Pleasant Township, Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio. Deputies and multiple surrounding Fire/EMS rescue personnel responded to the scene and discovered the vehicle and residence were engulfed in flames.
The preliminary investigation revealed a vehicle was traveling eastbound on North County Road 33 at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve, and the vehicle went off the roadway, striking the residence at that location. The resident was home and inside the residence at the time of the crash but was uninjured.
Anterius D. Thomas, 23 YOA, Tiffin, Ohio, was cited for Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated, Failure to control, and Driving Under Suspension. Thomas was transported to Tiffin Mercy Hospital by EMS rescue personnel, while the passenger, Reece Frisch, 22 YOA, Tiffin, Ohio, was transported by life flight to Toledo ProMedica Hospital.
The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, are investigating the traffic crash.
“While Fire Rescue personnel were attempting to suppress the fire, ammunition from inside the residence started to ignite from the fire. I am grateful to report that NO Fire/EMS rescue personnel, Deputies, or bystanders were injured during the incident.” Sheriff Stevens said.
On 09-26-24 at 1101 hours the Findlay Police Department received a 911 call from a child caller stating they were at Donnell Middle School and someone had a gun, before hanging up the phone.
All available FPD patrol officers responded to Donnell Middle School and began searching for the cause of the call.
It was determined that there were no active emergencies going on in the school.
As a precaution, school administration activated a lock down while the matter was investigated.
Through investigation of the call that was made, a juvenile female, 11 years old, was determined to be in possession of the phone that was used to make the call.
She was a student of Donnell Middle School.
She was located and confessed to making the hoax call.
The juvenile was placed under arrest and is incarcerated at the Wood County Juvenile Justice Center for ORC 2917.31 Inducing Panic, a Felony of the 2nd degree.
Due to the age of the female, her name is not being released at this time.
Findlay City Schools will have an income tax levy on the fall ballot.
On November 5th, voters in the school district will decide whether to approve a 1 percent earned income tax levy for the purpose of paying current expenses.
The school district points out that it has not received any new operating funds for almost 20 years and property tax funds don’t go as far as they used to and it will see a reduction in state funding next school year.
“Investing in our schools is investing in our community’s future. The Findlay City Schools Board of Education voted to place a 1 percent earned income tax issue on the November 5, 2024 ballot to keep Findlay City Schools excellent. The district has extended the last new operating levy 19.5 years, which means they are paying 2024 bills with 2004 dollars,” according to the website voteforfindlayschools.com which has plenty of information about why the levy is necessary.
Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton points out that an earned income tax levy will not impact things like social security and pensions as a traditional tax would.
Findlay City Schools says it will begin running a deficit this year and expects its cash balance to run negative in fiscal year 2026 if a levy isn’t passed.
The school board said this is the best mechanism to proceed to get new operating revenue into the district because it is earned income tax and it will grow with inflation and won’t be held flat like property tax.
The Findlay City Schools Board of Education says an exceptional school district is essential to the vibrancy of Findlay. It attracts new businesses, fosters economic growth, and upholds the high standards the city is known for. A strong education system is a key component of the community’s long-term prosperity. Findlay prides itself on being a place where families want to live, businesses want to invest, and children are provided with the best opportunities for success. The Findlay City School District has achieved a high standard of education that has been vital to families and the community’s continued growth and success.
Increasing FCS’s revenue is vital to ensuring that the excellence of Findlay City Schools continues to deliver educational quality for parents and drive the community forward.
Maintaining Excellence in Challenging Times: Findlay City Schools struggles to keep pace with growing expenses as inflation outpaces revenue growth. Like most school districts, Findlay City Schools receives mostly flat funding from the State of Ohio based on the most recent state budget from Ohio’s school funding model. This requires the District to rely on the community through voter-approved levies to help offset inflation and sustain operations.
Findlay City Schools has stretched local tax support for nearly twenty years, with the last operating levy passed in November 2004. This has led Findlay Schools to have one of the lowest current residential tax costs in the region. The new state funding formula indicates Findlay has a greater local ability to support a larger portion of the funds needed to educate our students than is currently being generated. The new state funding formula looks at a community’s ability to support local schools using both property and income tax and then determines state support to augment the local ability to generate funding. State funding will not be increased to compensate for lack of funding at the local level.
Full Transparency and Expert Consultation: To ensure the community receives accurate, objective, and verifiable information, the district has brought in a consultant with expertise in school finance sustainability. This consultant has been working with the team to clearly communicate the urgency and validity of the need for additional operating funding. By providing expert insights, the district is committed to transparency and accountability in demonstrating why this levy is critical and creating a tax policy.
The Need: Findlay City Schools needs to increase their operating income to sustain the current level of excellence and quality of education. The finance team, working with the Board and its finance expert, determined a 1.00% earned income tax will deliver an increase in revenue that will not only meet the current needs of the District but carry it forward for the foreseeable future.
The Critical Role of the 1.00% “Earned” Income Tax: The revenue generated by this levy is essential to sustaining the educational excellence that the community values. It supports programs, services, and rising operating costs, ensuring students continue to receive the high-quality education that is key to their success. It also supports the District’s long-term goal to become financially sustainable over longer periods of time, as well as providing tax relief to residents who are on fixed incomes, retired, or soon to be retired. An “earned” income tax is specifically designed to minimize the future cost of taxes to our community’s older residents.
Impact of Levy Failure: If the levy is not approved, a first phase of immediate reductions will need to be implemented, continuing into the 2025-26 school year. These cuts will negatively affect the district’s ability to maintain its current level of excellence in programs and opportunities, directly impacting students and families.
The Board of Education will have to enact the following likely consequences:
Phase One: Initially Proposed Reductions (School Year 25-26):
Reduce staff by 27 teaching positions, including Teachers on Special Assignments, using a combination of average salaries since the reductions will be in the future and by not replacing projected five retirees.
Reduce additional 12 staff by eliminating Middle School Block Teaching for Math and Language Arts
A minimum of five administrators will be reduced.
Athletic supplementals and non-athletic supplementals will be reduced
Cutting the purchased service expenditures related to the Leader in Me Program and reducing professional development.
Reduce Kindergarten staff by returning to half day kindergarten
No busing to high school and maximum amounts for walking
Reduce 15 support staff positions
These likely reductions are subject to change based on retirements and resignations, changes to enrollment, or other circumstances.
Phase Two Proposed Reductions (School Year 26-27):
Should the Board continue to be unsuccessful in securing additional operating funding, a second round of likely cuts would need to be implemented in FY27, of an additional 4 million dollars.
Reduce the teaching staff up to additional 26 positions
Reduce up to an additional 25 supplemental positions
Reduce up to an additional 4 administrative positions
Reduce security guards by up to 8 positions
Close all buildings by 6:00 p.m. and end busing to all events
Police responded to a 9-1-1 call of a potential threat towards Donnell Middle School on Thursday morning.
According to the mayor’s office, the Findlay Police Department received a 9-1-1 call that a gun was seen at the middle school. There were no shots fired and no one was injured.
Findlay City Schools say police searched the building to verify there was no threat and all students are safe. There was no gun found.
The Level 2 Lockdown the school was on was then lifted.
“The school day will continue as scheduled, and we will have enhanced safety measures in place for the remainder of the day,” the school district said.
The Hancock Public Health Flu and Covid Booster Vaccine Clinics will be mobile throughout Hancock County, Ohio starting September 24th, 2024, until October 21, 2024.
Mobile clinic days and times will be posted regularly on the Hancock Public Health website as well as the Facebook page.
Days and times will vary.
This Saturday, September 28th, 2024, will be the second Mobile Vaccine Clinic from 9am-12pm at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.
If any person is unable to attend these Mobile clinics, they can make an appointment or walk-in for a Flu or Covid vaccine any Friday in October between 9am-11am and 1p-3pm.
To make an appointment they can call 419-424-7441 and select option #2. Hancock Public Health is located at 2225 Keith Parkway, Findlay, Ohio 45840.
The Hancock Park District has acquired Cooper Pond located on County Road 144, north of and adjacent to Oakwoods Nature Preserve. The property was donated by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Cooper Pond is currently closed to the public, and it will remain closed until site cleanup, ground maintenance, and building demolition occurs. Eventually, the Meadowlark Trail will be expanded through the native prairie and wetland restoration area in Oakwoods Nature Preserve with a connection to Cooper Pond. When that happens, fishing (catch and release), hiking around the 12-acre pond, picnicking, birdwatching, photography, and other forms of passive outdoor recreation will be afforded.
The long-term plan for Cooper Pond, how it will be used, managed, maintained, and improved will be the subject of a Cooper Pond Master Plan. Stay tuned for more information about a new and exciting destination at Oakwoods Nature Preserve.
