(From the Ohio Turnpike)

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is reminding toll customers everywhere to be aware of a resurgence in fraudulent texts from scammers requesting payment for unpaid tolls through fraudulent websites.

The Ohio Turnpike does NOT request its E-ZPass customers to make payments by text. Collections of unpaid tolls and/or toll violations do NOT occur by text either.

The only website links associated with the Ohio Turnpike’s E-ZPass accounts are ezpassoh.com and ohioturnpike.org.

We encourage all customers to stay alert to these “smishing” and “phishing” scams by text and email, respectively.

For questions about the Ohio Turnpike’s E-ZPass notifications, contact us through ezpassoh.com or ohioturnpike.org.

(From Fostoria Economic Development Corp.)

The newly established Ignite419 event offers Northwest Ohio-area businesses a full day of informative and engaging workshops and panel discussions on today’s essential business topics, led by respected subject matter experts from the region.

Presented by the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce, Ignite419 promises to inform and inspire those who work in roles that call for leading teams and growing successful businesses.

Leaders, owners, and managers from all areas of business, industry, and nonprofits who are looking to advance their knowledge and meet like-minded members of the community are encouraged to attend the October 21, 2024 event.

The Ignite419 agenda features a morning Wildfire Leadership Training session followed by lunch. Keynote speaker Meg Adams, entrepreneur, visual storyteller, professor, and TEDx speaker, will discuss storytelling as a means to build your community and grow your business. The afternoon’s four panel discussions will cover topics ranging from finance and accounting to HR, management, marketing, and social media. Attendees should bring their questions and join the discussion. Additionally, at the end of the day’s programs a networking hour and cash bar will provide an opportunity to visit with other Ignite419 participants from area businesses and organizations.

Save the date for Ignite419: October 21, 2024. Early bird registration for Ingnite419 opens August 1st. Ignite419 participants can save $10 with early bird registration before August 31st. The registration fee includes all sessions and lunch. Ignite419 will be held at Stacy’s Place in Fostoria.

For more event information, updates on the Ignite419 participating panelists, and to register, please visit ignite419.com. Or call the FEDC office at 419-435-7789.

(ONN) – Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday is set to go into effect from July 30th through August 8th.

The holiday has historically been meant for families to buy clothing and school supplies for their children ahead of the school year.

There’s good news this year.

The budget has been raised so Ohioans can make tax free purchases in person or online of up to $500, compared to just $20 for school supplies and $75 for clothes in previous years. 

More purchases are eligible this year. Click here for more details.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Swanton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian. The crash occurred July 20 at approximately 10:43 p.m. on the Ohio Turnpike near Interstate 475 in Springfield Township, Lucas County.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2024 Ram 1500 pick up truck, operated by Ashley L. Hartford, 40, Toledo, OH was traveling eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike. Matthew T. Savord, 30, Toledo, OH was struck while walking across the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike.

Savord succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Springfield Township Fire Department, Springfield Township EMS, Lucas County Coroner’s office and Bubba’s towing and recovery LLC.

(From the City of Findlay)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE WEEK OF 7/22:

The City of Findlay is performing numerous construction projects throughout the City.

Listed below are the projects and restrictions for the week of 7/22.

-Allen Ave. will be closed to through traffic from N. Main St. to the railroad for waterline replacement.

-Midland Ave. will be closed to through traffic from N. Main St. to the railroad for waterline replacement.

-S. Blanchard St. will be closed to through traffic from Sixth St. to Hobart Ave. for waterline replacement.

-Garfield Ave. will be closed to through traffic from N. Main St. to the railroad for waterline replacement.

-Crystal Ave. will be closed to through traffic from N. Main St. to the railroad for curb replacement.

-Frazer St. will be closed to through traffic from N. Main St. to Morey Ave. for resurfacing.

Please contact the Engineering Department with any questions at (419) 424-7121.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

We went searching for sticky, icky, cool things and found them in the Ripley Run Wetland we established in 2006 when four-lane U.S. 30 was constructed.

Here’s what we found and why we care about those plants and creatures that now live there.

Ripley Run Wetland is along U.S. 30 three miles east of U.S. 68 in southern Hancock County.

(From the Findlay Airport)

Ever been on a runway before?

What about RUNNING on a runway?

This is your chance to be part of something special!

Participate in the “Run the Runway 5K” to support a scholarship in honor of our local Aviation Legend Hal Durbin.

Sign up here: www.runsignup.com/flyfdy

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System will host a “Live & Learn” educational presentation on Thursday, July 25, focusing on “Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Blanchard Valley Hospital.” The presentation will provide information on the new ARU at Blanchard Valley Hospital, which provides rehabilitation care for patients recovering from stroke, trauma, and other injuries and illnesses.

The presenters will be Dr. Bill Kose, vice president of special projects for BVHS, Jessica Moore, BSN, RN, director of inpatient nursing, and Beth Courtright, program director of the new ARU. They will discuss how rehabilitation care in the ARU can help community members get back to the highest possible quality of life. Their conversation will also include the services offered in this environment and how this program is designed based on each patient’s needs.

The presentation will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. on the BVHS Facebook page.

To submit questions prior to the livestream, please email community@bvhealthsystem.org. For further assistance, please call 419.423.5551.

(From the Putnam County Health Department)

Please be aware that a bat in Putnam County, OH tested positive for rabies.

For more information, see the press release attached from the Putnam County Health Dept as well as additional safety tips about bats.

Share this post with friends and family.

Additional information can be found at www.odh.ohio.gov/rabies.

(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County will officially begin construction of its 60th and 61st homes during a Raise the Wall ceremony open to the public on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.

The new homeowners, the Butler and McMaster families, will share their journeys followed by a countdown and raising of the first walls of each home simultaneously. The ceremony will be held at the build site, located in the 1700 block of Bishop Lane in Findlay, Ohio.

These are the third and fourth homes to be built by Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County in 2024. They are the first two of 20 homes Habitat will build in the Krystal Ridge Addition neighborhood by the end of 2027.

The Butler family consists of a single mother and her daughter. Their housing situation left them cost burdened due to continued high rent increases. Additionally, their living conditions were unsafe with no ventilation in the bedrooms and an exterior door in the daughter’s bedroom. For the past two years the Butler family has been working with Habitat for Humanity after seeing several close friends go through the process. After a year of financial education and savings they were chosen to be a Partner Family. They are forever grateful that everyone at Habitat chose to put their faith into them and grant this opportunity. They have gained so much knowledge already in the program and cannot wait to build their own home this fall!

The McMaster family consists of a single mother and her two sons. For a number of years they struggled off and on financially. For almost a year they lived with family and friends. After a lengthy search, they found a landlord willing to accept their housing voucher. Six years later the landlord sold the duplex, and the new landlords raised the rent $250. Their previous landlord suggested they apply for Habitat. Within the past year, with the help of the FOC, their credit score has gone up more than 80 points and they are living within their budget and saving. This opportunity allows them to not only have a home, but a legacy!

Each of the homes will be constructed in 10 weeks by more than 300 volunteers. Volunteers work under the guidance of construction professionals, and also alongside other volunteers and future Habitat homeowners. Pre-registration to volunteer is required by calling 419-429-1400 x5, emailing volunteer@habitatfindlay.org, or signing up on the website habitatfindlay.org. No skills or tools are necessary to volunteer.

Through donations of money and materials and volunteer labor, Habitat is able to build a Habitat Home and sell it at an affordable price. The Butler and McMaster families qualified as a low-income family unable to qualify for a conventional loan who were willing to partner with Habitat and complete at least 400 sweat equity hours.

The most recent housing study released earlier this year indicated the Findlay community needs 150 single-family homes, costing less than $200,000, constructed during the next five years. Families seeking to become homeowners in the Krystal Ridge Addition can apply with Habitat for Humanity by visiting habitatfindlay.org or calling 419-429-1400.