Category Archives: Local News

Second Sheetz Gas Station Approved By Planning Commission

The Findlay City Planning Commission approved a Sheetz gas station for the northwest corner of the intersection of Tiffin Avenue and Croy Drive, next to the new Raising Cane’s.

Sheetz is planning to build a 12-pump gas station and convenience store at that location.

The site will have two new curb cuts.

One is a full entrance onto Croy Drive while the other is a right-in/right-out onto Tiffin Avenue.

Sheetz is also building a gas station at the northeast corner of North Main Street and County Road 99, just down the road from where they’re building a large distribution center at the corner of County Road 212 and Township Road 230, east of the Lowe’s Distribution Center.

Voter Purge Deadline Approaching In Ohio

(ONN) – Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose ordered a sweep of Ohio’s voter registration rolls back in May.

The deadline to make changes and updates is looming.

Time is running out for nearly 160,000 Ohioans to update their voter registration before it’s purged.

These names will be removed because they are either inactive or have not lived at their registered address for four or more years.

The Secretary of State’s Office previously published a list of 158,000 names of inactive registered voters that could be purged from the system.

You can update your address online, through the mail, or in person by July 22.

 

WFIN News

Patrol Investigating Fatal Crash In Seneca County

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a three-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 11 at 10:53 a.m. on state Route 18 at County Road 24 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.

The preliminary investigation showed a Ram Promaster, operated by David Gaertner, 57, Janera, was traveling westbound on County Road 24. Gaertner failed to stop at a posted stop sign at state Route 18 and struck a northeast-bound Ford F-250, operated by Joseph Miller, 41, of Vickery. A southwest-bound Freightliner semi tractor-trailer, operated by Aaron Knoll, 42, Tampa, Fla., then struck the F-250 and the Promaster. The F-250 and the Freightliner continued off the southwest corner of the intersection, where both vehicles overturned and the Freightliner struck a utility pole and the F-250 caught fire.

Joseph Miller, and his passengers, Richard Miller, 67, and Conner Miller, 13, suffered fatal injuries at the scene. Gaertner sustained serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. Knoll sustained serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca County EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, Scipio-Republic Fire Department, John’s Welding & Towing, Seneca County Coroner’s Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The incident remains under investigation.

 

Findlay•Hancock County Alliance Announces New President/CEO

(From The Findlay•Hancock County Alliance)

The Findlay•Hancock County Alliance board of directors has announced that Dan Sheaffer will serve as the organization’s President/CEO effective August 1st, 2024.

He follows Don Bruce who will be retiring at the end of July.

Tony Price, Chairman of the Board, said, “We are excited to have Dan take on this leadership role. His 11 years of experience working with the Alliance has provided him with a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and values.

Dan brings institutional knowledge of the Alliance’s overall operations along with excellent relationships with key stakeholders, including business (domestic/international), federal, state, local government entities, elected officials, and community organizations.

His many years of professional business experience, both corporate & entrepreneurial, will be beneficial to his new role as well.

Dan will continue to lead the Economic Development team during the transition period while the search takes place to identify his successor.”

“I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Findlay•Hancock County Alliance as its CEO. The past 11 years have been extremely gratifying as an economic development professional,” Dan said.

“This position will allow me to continue to support the Findlay-Hancock County region through the mission of the Alliance. In my new role, I am looking forward to working more closely with the other two divisions of the Alliance, the Findlay•Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau.”

The Findlay•Hancock County Alliance is a partnership bringing growth and prosperity to the Findlay/Hancock County region. Through a strong economic development focus, leadership programs, business building initiatives and volunteer opportunities, The Alliance helps position its community among the top micropolitan communities in the United States. The Alliance is a blend of the area’s best resources including the Findlay•Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Findlay•Hancock County Economic Development Office and the Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

 

Rowmark Names New CEO

(From The Rowmark Group)

The Board of Directors for Windjammer Capital along with the Executive Team for The Rowmark Group (TRG) is proud to announce that Eric Hausserman has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer of TRG. Eric will replace Al Kabus, who has served as CEO since March 1, 2021 and announced his retirement from TRG effective July 1, 2024.

Eric has been with Rowmark for 24 years, with his most recent role being President of TRG. During his tenure at TRG, he has been responsible for all aspects of manufacturing, warehouse management, and domestic and international distributor relations. Additionally, Eric has been directly involved in numerous strategic acquisitions that have led to product growth and diversification for TRG.

Leaning on his extensive experience in polymer science, he’s been the driver for advancements in Rowmark engravable sheet materials, including innovative products such as LaserGlow, a laser engravable glow-in-the-dark safety signage material, and EcoMark, the industry’s first engravable sheet product made from post-consumer recycled plastics.

Eric has been an active member of the plastics industry for 35 years. He is a member of the Environmental Committee for the International Association of Plastics Distributors and of the Advisory Board for Bowling Green State University’s Advanced Manufacturing Continuing Education Program.

“Eric is the right person to lead TRG into the future, and I share in the Board of Directors enthusiastic support of Eric for this role,” said Kabus. “Eric has been an integral part of our organization and has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and passion for our mission. I am confident that under his guidance, TRG will continue to reach new heights and achieve even greater success.”

“I want to sincerely thank Al for his leadership these past three years, and I look forward to working with all the talented employees we have at TRG across the globe,” Hausserman said.

Eric is a native of Ionia, Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University and his MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University. Eric served on the Board of Education for Vanlue (Ohio) Local Schools for eight years. For more than 15 years, Eric volunteered with Cancer Patient Services, a Hancock County, Ohio non-profit organization, including serving as a board member. Eric has also been active with the local United Way in Hancock County, where he was the 2018 chair for the Corporate Division of the local campaign.

 

NAMI To Honor CIT Officer At Suicide Prevention Vigil

(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/

 

Student Organizes Dog Walkathon To Benefit Humane Society

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

As a reading project this spring, Elliana organized a Dog Walkathon to benefit the Humane Society.

Participants logged the miles their dogs walked during a two-week window in May, and the dog who walked the most received a gift basket filled with treats and toys.

Congratulations to the Stripe family and to Elliana for raising over $135 for the Humane Society!

#WeAreLB

 

Findlay First Edition Holding Annual Garage Sale

Findlay High School’s award-winning show choir, Findlay First Edition, is holding its annual Garage Sale fundraiser at the Findlay High School cafeteria.

FFE says the Garage Sale is the group’s biggest fundraiser of the year and proceeds go towards competition fees and the purchasing of costumes and other items needed throughout the season.

The Garage Sale begins on Thursday, July 11 with the Early Bird Sale in which people can pay $10 to be among the first to check out the items for sale.

The early bird hours on Thursday are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The garage sale will be open to the public on Friday, July 12 from 8 to 6 and Saturday, July 13, from 8 to noon.

The sale takes place at Findlay High School at 1200 Broad Avenue.

 

Community Foundation Seeking Proposals For Community Improvement Opportunities

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Community Foundation is seeking grant proposals for two community improvement opportunities.

“These grants are opportunities to come together as neighbors, coworkers, friends and residents of Hancock County to make it a better place to be,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of The Community Foundation.

“Through these projects in public gathering spaces and neighborhood improvements, we can all invest in the community we call home.”

Community Gathering Spaces

To support critical community gathering spaces, this special grant opportunity focuses on investments in area parks, capital investments/improvements to community buildings and other public community gathering spaces. We seek proposals from Hancock County tax-exempt, private agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations and public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Grants may also be made to governmental agencies in Hancock County. Projects require a 1-to-1 match. Up to $25,000 may be requested per grantee.

Building Community Through Neighborhood Revitalization

This special grant opportunity focuses on engaging residents of all ages in making a difference in their communities through neighborhood revitalization projects. We seek proposals from Hancock County tax-exempt, private agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations and public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Grants may also be made to governmental agencies in Hancock County. Examples of projects could include but are not limited to service-learning projects with local youth and projects developed by residents of all ages focused on improving neighborhoods and benefiting area quality of life (ex. permanent tree/flower planting in public spaces – not private residents and no annual plants; neighborhood clean-ups; and beautification).

“We hope both of these grants offer the opportunity for residents throughout all of Hancock County to engage with one another,” said Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer at the Foundation. “The Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all in the community, and this will help us toward that through various revitalization efforts.”

Applicants must discuss grant ideas and allowable expenses with Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer at the Foundation, prior to submitting a request. Both grant applications are due September 16, 2024, on the Foundation’s online grant platform. Grants will be awarded in October 2024.

 

 

‘Flag City Night Out’ To Bring Community, First Responders Together

The popular community event Flag City Night Out is coming up later in the summer.

Flag City Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 6 at Riverside Park and will begin at 6 p.m.

The free, family-friendly community event is designed to bring community members and public safety professionals together in the same place.

Findlay Police Officer Brian White says the interactions they have with kids at events like Night Out are very important.

 

 

At Night Out, There will be free food and refreshments, live demonstrations, entertainment and other fun activities.

Also, the youngsters will enjoy the large assortment of emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances and police cruisers.

Flag City Night Out will be held at Findlay’s Riverside Park on the west side of McManness Avenue on Tuesday, August 6 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The rain date will be the following Tuesday.