(From the Seneca County Drug Task Force)

On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Officers from the Sandusky County Drug Task Force, Columbus DEA and the Ottawa County Major Crimes Task Force, ended a three-month drug operation involving Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl.

The Seneca County Drug Task Force’s investigation was a collaboration of multiple area Law Enforcement agencies which unveiled an illicit drug trafficking ring out of Columbus, Ohio and into Seneca and Sandusky County area.

The three-month investigation led to the confiscation of approximately eleven pounds of Methamphetamine, two kilograms of Cocaine, four ounces of Fentanyl, four ounces of Crack Cocaine and three firearms.

The investigation was presented to the Seneca County Grand Jury, which resulted in multiple indictments/arrest warrants for a Justice Anthony Slane, 26 YOA, Clyde, Ohio.

Slane was arrested on multiple counts of Trafficking in Drugs, two First degree Felonies, and two Third degree Felonies for his involvement in illicit drug trafficking ring.

He was also arrested for an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear out of Sandusky County.

“The collaboration between all the local and federal agencies was instrumental to the success of this investigation. It’s always considered a “good day” and a success when that many firearms and that amount of drugs were prevented from reaching the streets in our community. All the Task Force Agents involved should be commended for a job well done!”……Chief Deputy Charles W. Boyer/Unit coordinator, said.

I would encourage citizens to continue reporting suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Crime Hotline at Local 419-443-0463, ext: 1140.

The Findlay High School athletics program has been named a 2024 recipient of the Quality Program Assessment Award presented by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association — the organization’s highest national honor.

Findlay High School Athletic Director Nate Weihrauch tells WFIN that the Quality Program Assessment “is a standard of excellence and is a reflection of our district, community, our amazing coaches, and all past, present and future student-athletes.”

Nate says Findlay is only the fourth school district in Ohio to achieve this recognition and it’s “a true testament to the Findlay City School District, coaches, staff, students, supporters, and Findlay community.”

In April, The Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) named Weihrauch the 2024 Athletic Director of the Year.

The Findlay City Council is deciding whether to implement a moratorium on the establishment of recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city.

The ordinance is listed below:

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWELVE (12) MONTH MORATORIUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, OR DISPENSING OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF FINDLAY IN ORDER FOR THE CITY OF FINDLAY, OHIO TO CONSIDER THE RAMIFICATIONS OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND POTENTIAL ZONING CHANGES THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

The ordinance requires three readings before city council and the third reading will happen on August 6^th.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the possible moratorium and that audio is below.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

July 17 – 18, 2024 were Operation BRIDGE Days across Ohio. (Bridging Recovery Interdiction Data Gathering Enforcement)

The Findlay Police Department, Hancock Co. Sheriff’s Office, and the Hancock Co. Metrich Enforcement Unit partnered with the Family Resource Center in an outreach event today in the City of Findlay.

Resources and supplies were provided to several locations today that might have contact with individuals dealing with overdose and/or substance abuse.

The collaboration also contacted area citizens dealing with housing issues in and around Hancock Co.

The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and partially funded by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.”

Family Resource Center can meet you on the road to recovery. If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse, please contact the Family Resource Center – (419-425-5050).

As part of their yearlong 50^th anniversary celebration, Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County will be holding a Summer Picnic.

The picnic will be held at Riverbend Recreation Area at The Lodge on Saturday, July 20^th from 11 to 3.

Executive Director Stacy Shaw, on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks says the free picnic is open to everyone, not just mentors and mentees.

“It’s a FREE event for the community, so bring your family and friends for a day of fun, food, and meaningful connections. See you there!”

The picnic is a Fun for All event sponsored by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

(From the Findlay Police Department and NAMI)

This fall NAMI Hancock County will be hosting a Suicide Prevention Vigil at their office on September 14th. As part of this event, NAMI of Hancock County also recognizes a Hancock County CIT trained officer who has shown exemplary service in de-escalating a crisis situation with their CIT Officer of the Year Award.

For those not familiar, Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT) is a community partnership that trains officers in de-escalation techniques when responding to mental health crises. “CIT is a program that provides the foundation to necessary to promote community and statewide solutions to assist individuals with a mental illness and/or addictions.” (citinternational.org)

If you would like to nominate an officer from Findlay/Hancock County, you can do so at the link below.

Also, you can find more information on the Suicide Prevention Vigil at NAMI of Hancock County’s website here: https://www.namihancockcounty.org/

(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

At the Club’s Wednesday, July 17 meeting, The Findlay Rotary Club presented the Cliff Dochterman Award to Findlay Rotarians Matt Black and Tom Parke.

The Cliff Dochterman Award recognizes Rotarians who act as role models and render distinguished and dedicated service to the Boy Scouts of America through active service, leadership or other exemplary contributions to BSA.

In keeping with the objectives and principles of both Rotary and Scouting to encourage character development, leadership, citizenship and personal growth for youth, this award is presented to an active Rotarian who has displayed distinguished service and outstanding dedication to the program of Scouting.

Matt Black has been actively involved in the Black Swamp Area Boy Scouts since 2017. He is currently serving as the Council President, and has served in several capacities, including Executive Board Member At-Large, Key 3 Delegate and Arrowhead District FOS Chair, and Council Campaign Chair.

Black has been a Rotarian since 2016, serving as President 2021-2022.

Nominated by Rotarian Char Simons, “Matt truly exemplifies the type of person this award was meant to recognize.”

Black serves as Vice President, Contract Management & Administration, at Cornerstone Consulting Organization.

He and his wife, Renee, reside in Findlay.

Tom Parke is an excellent example of how a parent can take an active role in guiding a youngster to experience Scouting.

In Tom’s case, it was his three sons who were involved in Scouting and he helped each to achieve Eagle.

Parke has offered his talent and treasure to support the BSA. Nominated by Rotarian Puck Rowe, “Tom is the perfect example of what a Rotarian should strive to be.”

Parke had a very successful career with the Findlay Fire Department.

Recently, as a Findlay Rotarian, he led efforts to collect and ship much needed supplies to Ukraine.

Parke has been a member of Rotary since 2017. He and his wife, Jodi, reside in Mt. Blanchard.

Cliff Dochterman earned the Eagle Scout award in 1939 in the Central Ohio Council just before he reached his 14th birthday. His professional career in higher education administration included 20 years at the University of California in Berkeley and 20 years at the University of the Pacific. He served as the President of Rotary International from 1992-93. He has been awarded three of the highest honors of the Boy Scouts of America, the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope and Distinguished Eagle awards. Dochterman was presented the Silver Wheel award of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians in 2003. The Findlay Rotary Club was founded in 1920 and is a member of Rotary International, an association of Rotary clubs around the world, which today numbers almost 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries. The Rotary Club of Findlay was founded by the city’s leaders in 1920, and continues with the leaders of today. The club also sponsors the Rotaract Club at The University of Findlay.

(From the American Red Cross)

Todd James, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio is joining the ongoing Red Cross flood relief operation in northwest Iowa. James will be serving as the Assistant Director of External Relations, helping coordinate efforts with local, state and federal partners in assisting families affected by flooding with their ongoing recovery needs.

The Red Cross is working with officials and partners in Iowa to provide comfort and support to people impacted by flooding following torrential rains several weeks ago. The flooding has caused tremendous losses, and the Red Cross will be with those affected in the weeks and months to come, helping them recover. More than 320 Red Cross responders have;

• Provided nearly 4,000 overnight shelter stays with partners
• Served more than 57,000 meals and snacks with partners
• Provided nearly 26,000 relief supplies to over 1,500 households
• Reached an estimated 4,600 individuals with relief and recovery services,

including financial assistance

In addition to James, two volunteers from the Northern Ohio Region are also deployed to the disaster relief operation in Iowa, and 10 volunteers are in Texas, responding to the devastation caused last week by Hurricane Beryl.

How You Can Help

You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

(From RCM Architects)

RCM Architects, Inc. is excited to share these renderings of Findlay’s new YMCA Early Learning Center. 

To be located at the southwest corner of Hardin Street and Grand Avenue, this facility will replace the YMCA’s existing Early Learning Center, at the corner of Lincoln and East Streets.

The latest planning and designs for the Early Learning Center will expand classroom and multi-purpose square footage while increasing efficiencies and internal logistics.

This will allow the YMCA to accept more children into their programming while offering additional internships and training opportunity for Childcare providers.

This raises the available offerings of childcare options through Findlay and Hancock County, which is desperately needed.

We are honored to be positively impacting our Findlay community!

Last year, the Findlay Family YMCA announced that it will be building a new Y with one of the key improvements being the addition of an Early Learning Center.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay’s Board of Trustees welcomes two new members this summer: Marathon senior executive Brian Partee M ’05 and Winebrenner Theological Seminary leader Andrew Draper, Ph.D. (pictured below)

“These new trustees bring a wealth of experience with their corporate and ministerial backgrounds,” UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., said. “We appreciate their support and wise counsel as we chart the course for a strong future for the University.”

Partee is the chief global optimization officer for Marathon Petroleum Corp., and senior vice president of MPLX GP LLC.

The UF alum began in 1995 as an accountant for Marathon Pipe Line. He progressed through positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of business development and franchise at Speedway. He served as MPC’s manager of crude oil logistics and analysis and was director of business development. He went on to serve as vice president of business development, senior vice president of marketing, and senior vice president of global clean products before assuming his current position earlier this year.

Partee holds a master’s degree in business administration from UF and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bowling Green State University.

“I have always been passionate about continual learning and love the rich environment the University of Findlay provides to students while they gain experiences and education that will help them advance personally and professionally,” Partee said. “After nearly three decades – and counting – in the corporate world, I look forward to combining my passion for learning and experiences on the job to guide future generations of leaders while helping the University achieve its strategic mission.”

Rev. Draper became the new executive director of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, on the UF campus, as of March 1. A Findlay native, he is an ordained pastor with the Churches of God, General Conference. He also is the senior and founding pastor of Urban Light Community Church in Muncie, Indiana, a position he has held since 2005.

For 14 years, he served as a board member and was a past president of Urban Light Christian Development Corporation in Muncie, Indiana. His teaching experience includes six years as dean of the Sacred Roots Thriving in Ministry project at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

Rev. Draper earned a Ph.D. in theological ethics from University of Aberdeen in Scotland, a master’s of divinity from Winebrenner, and a bachelor of arts in communication studies from Taylor University.

“Because of our unique heritage and bright future, the University of Findlay is well positioned to continue to be a premier institution of private liberal arts higher education,” Draper said. “As a pastor, scholar, and educator aligned with the University’s sponsoring tradition, I am thankful to assist our historically-grounded and forward-thinking administrators and faculty by serving as a member of the Board of Trustees.”