Two Findlay Police Officers were on patrol eastbound in the left lane in the 200 block of Center St. just west of the CSX railroad tracks in a marked patrol vehicle on Monday at 1654 hours.
A white 2015 BMW 328I was traveling westbound on Center St. just east of the CSX railroad tracks.
The BMW was observed traveling at a high rate of speed. The BMW entered the curve grade in the roadway and crossed the railroad tracks at a high rate of speed.
The tires of the BMW lifted from the ground as it went over the tracks. When it landed it began to head left of center towards the Officers who were in motion.
The Officer driving made an evasive move to the right to prevent a collision. The driver of the BMW made a correction to back to the right to avoid going left of center and into the Officer’s lane of travel.
The BMW began to drift and fish tail when it corrected back to the right. The driver of the BMW was able to regain control and continued westbound on Center St.
The Officers made a U-turn and activated their lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop on the BMW for reckless driving.
The BMW did not yield to the Officer’s lights and sirens and began to flee westbound on Center St.
The BMW turned northbound on N. Main St. from Center St. It then turned eastbound on Cherry St. and accelerated to a high rate of speed.
The BMW continued eastbound on Cherry St. and turned northbound on Taylor St.
It then pulled into the parking lot of the Howard United Methodist Church (220 Cherry St.) and stopped.
A felony stop was conducted on the BMW.
The driver was identified as Payton Schuler (18 yoa) from Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky.
A passenger was identified as an 18 yoa male from Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Payton was arrested for fleeing and eluding (F-3) and issued a citation for reckless operation.
The passenger was released without charges.
Payton was incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center.
No injuries or damage were reported during the incident.
The pursuit covered .6 miles and reached speeds exceeding 60 MPH.
The first of two candidate forums being put on by WFIN and The Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday night.
The first forum was for Hancock County Common Pleas Court Judge and included Phil Riegle and Alex Treece. The winner will replace retiring Judge Reginald Routson.
Listen to the forum in the audio files below, or watch the video at the bottom of this story.
The second forum will be held on Monday, September 30 and include the candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives 83rd District; Republican Ty Mathews and Democrat Sheila Coressel.
The forums will be held at 50 North from 5 to 6 p.m. and moderated by WFIN’s Chris Oaks.
The deadline to register to vote is October 7 and absentee voting by mail and early in-person voting begins the following day. Election Day is November 5.
Click here for more election information from the Hancock County Board of Elections and click here for the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
The U.S. Department of Education has recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of the National Blue Ribbon Schools, including 14 schools in Ohio.
This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.
Principal Brad Calvelage says they are very proud of this honor.
“All the credit goes to the staff and the students and the work they put in together, the relationships our staff creates with our students, and also the community and the importance they put on education and the support they give to the school.”
The Ohio schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:
Ohio – Willoughby Hills – School of Innovation, Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.
A National Blue Ribbon School award flag displayed in a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized emblem of exceptional teaching and learning. These schools serve as models of effective and innovative practices for educators across the nation.
The Department recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:
Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.
Findlay Police Officer Paul Frey and Canine Officer Axel recently completed a five-week canine handler training class from Von Der Haus Gill German Shepherds in Wapakoneta, OH. They are now a certified canine team for the Findlay Police Department. Their first official day as a working canine team was Sunday, September 22, 2024. This canine handler team is replacing Officer Matthew Paugh and Canine Officer Shadow; in which Shadow was retired on August 17, 2024 after thirteen years of service with the Findlay Police Department. Ofcr. Frey and Canine Officer Axel will be joining Ofcr. Jacob Atkins and Canine Officer Deke as the second working canine team for the department.
Ofcr. Frey has been with the Findlay Police Department for over five years. Axel is a seventeen-month old male German Shepherd from Jessen, Germany. Axel is a dual-purpose patrol canine unit, which Ofcr. Frey and Axel successfully completed a training program approved by the Executive Director designed to prepare canine units to perform law enforcement duties. Such program must include training in those areas tested in the examination for certification in the following areas for patrol related duties:
Obedience
Building search
Area search
Criminal apprehension
Also, for special purpose canine unit, Ofcr. Frey and Axel successfully completed a training program approved by the Executive Director designed to prepare canine units to perform special purpose law enforcement duties. Such program must include training in one or more of the areas which are tested in the examination for certification in the following areas for special purpose duties:
Tracking
Article search
Narcotics detection
Each canine team has to certify annually with the State standards.
Ofcr. Frey and Canine Officer Axel will also be joining Ofcrs. Atkins and Deke in the Northwest Ohio K9 Group that consists of the following Law Enforcement Agencies: Fostoria Police Department, Kenton Police Department, Tiffin Police Department, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This NW Ohio K9 Group of canine handlerstrain on Monday evenings. They get more than the sixteen minimum monthly hours needed for a working canine team in the State of Ohio.
This canine handler team will be available on duty during their shift, as well as call outs, responses and/or assists from other area law enforcement agencies as needed.
We have been awarded a mission ready ballistic vest through a grant from Brady’s K9 Fund from Strongsville, OH; valued at $1,500.00. We also will be receiving a donated canine first aid kit from Blanchard Valley Veterinary Clinic from Findlay, OH.
This National Preparedness Month, we want to give a special shoutout to our incredible MRC Volunteers!
Your dedication plays a vital role in our public health preparedness and response efforts. We’re truly inspired by your commitment and appreciate all that you do!
Interested in volunteering your time in a meaningful way?
Opportunities for both medical and nonmedical personnel! Click here: https://conta.cc/47c3jeJ to complete an information request form to learn more about the MRC!
Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and head to downtown Findlay for the 10th annual Oktoberfest Findlay! German heritage festival presented by Premier Bank taking place from 2 – 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The family-friendly event celebrates German heritage in Hancock County with live music, polka dancing, children’s activities, German food, contests and an impressive selection of German and local craft beer, wine and more.
Kicking off the entertainment at 2 p.m. will be the Toledo-based polka band DynaBrass at the main stage sponsored by LaRiche Chevrolet Cadillac. In recent years, DynaBrass has become one of the most acclaimed Polish-American polka bands in America and has received or been nominated for 15 Polka Music Awards from the International Polka Association and the United States Polka Association since 2016. A fan favorite, Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine will return to the Oktoberfest Findlay! main stage at 6:30 p.m. Ziwich was inducted into the International Polka Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
From 2 – 7 p.m. children of all ages will enjoy German crafts and games in the Kinderplatz! Kids Zone, sponsored by Superior Trim. At 4 p.m., the opening ceremony and official tapping of the firkin will take place. Throughout the day, guests will enjoy a great selection of authentic and themed German cuisine from Findlay and Ohio local vendors including Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Saum’s Market. The festival will have over 50 different styles of German import, craft and domestic beers, in addition to wine and seltzers, with ten regional craft breweries in attendance.
The festival will feature a variety of adult contests from 5 – 9 p.m. at the south end of the festival sponsored by Findlay Brewing Company. Contests include stein holding, an obstacle relay course and a bratwurst eating competition. Attendees can sign up to participate near the Contest Stage located at the south end of the festival starting at 3 p.m. Oktoberfest Findlay! is a cash only event and several ATMs will be available outside of the festival site. Admission is $5 for 21 and over, and $3 for under 21. A complete schedule of events is available at www.OktoberfestFindlay.com.
Or maybe you’re looking for an impactful way to support the foster care system in Hancock County.
Open Hearts, Open Home, scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, will bridge prospective foster families with essential resources and advocates to help them get started on their journey to foster care.
The event is being organized by Fostering Hancock County, comprised of representatives from Hancock County Job & Family Services, Findlay Family YMCA and United Way of Hancock County.
“The state of Ohio, and Hancock County in particular, is experiencing a shortfall in the number of foster homes available to care for children in the custody of public children’s services agencies,” said Randall Galbraith, director of Hancock County Job & Family Services. “This shortfall has led to a crisis in placing children into loving homes. All too often, children must wait in the lobbies of agencies or in temporary shelters until a foster home can be located. In addition, available foster homes are frequently located outside of Hancock County which disrupts kinship, school and friendship ties.
“This is added stress to a child who is already experiencing extreme levels of trauma,” Galbraith added.
Attendance for those who are interested in becoming a foster family is complimentary, provided through community sponsorships.
Sponsorships are available for an individual seat ($35) or a table of 6 ($210). When making a sponsorship, individuals will have the option of choosing to attend as well, or of simply sponsoring a seat or table for others.
To register as a potential foster family, click here.
Development Director Teresa White was presented with the $4,300 check by Kahuna in the picture above.
She says the money will go a long way in helping them help youth in the community.
“Every dollar helps. We’re a very small foundation with limited resources and every single dollar helps us to be able to make a positive interaction between youth and law enforcement.”
You may have seen ‘Do Unto Others’ signs popping up in yards around Findlay.
St. Mark’s UMC in Findlay has launched a ‘Do Unto Others’ campaign – encouraging each of us to share a little kindness to our neighbors and society in general.
Pastor Dan Metzger was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the initiative.
“I’ve had the opportunity to interact with some of the folks in our Haitian community, and it’s given me an opportunity to know, oh, these are the things that are going on in your life,” Metzger said.
“And it’s given me a little bit more compassion, a little bit more understanding.”
If you would like one of the yard signs, they are available in the church office at 800 South Main Street in Findlay.
