(From the State Fire Marshal)

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau continues to investigate a significant fire incident that occurred Saturday, June 8, at 8755 State Route 638 in Belle Center (Logan County) and resulted in approximately 44 equine deaths.

Upon arrival, responding fire crews encountered a structure that was heavily engulfed in flames, necessitating a substantial response from numerous mutual aid agencies. The affected structure, an approximately 60,000 sq. ft. agricultural building, was being used as an equestrian training center.

At the time of the fire, there were numerous civilians and between 40 to 50 horses in the barn. Fortunately, all civilians were able to exit the structure safely, although one individual required treatment and transport for burn injuries. While some horses were rescued, approximately 44 horses perished in the fire.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the investigation is ongoing. State Fire Marshal investigators continue to work in collaboration with local authorities and other agencies.

(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay’s Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management announced today that it has been recognized for excellence in policy management and training in 2023 by Lexipol, the nation’s leading provider of policy, training, and wellness support for first responders and public servants. This is the fourth consecutive year UF’s Safety and Emergency Management team has been recognized.

The Lexipol Connect program tracks University of Findlay’s performance on five metrics proven to measure success in policy management. The Office of Campus Safety and Emergency Management achieved Gold, the highest level of recognition offered, for consistent and effective policy dissemination to personnel, timely policy updates as laws change, and offer training on policies.

“Policies and training are the foundation of Campus Safety and Emergency Management operations which are essential to providing our services to the campus community. Our continuous improvement over the past four years has demonstrated our dedication to professionalism and safety. We are proud to be recognized again by Lexipol Connect for our continued efforts, “ says Chief William Spraw.

“Chief Spraw and his team have demonstrated excellence in policy and training which enhances community safety by ensuring consistent, effective response based on state and federal law and nationally recognized best practices,” added Skylar Mettert, associate vice president for safety and wellness. “This is another indication of our progressive efforts to enhance both living and learning at University of Findlay.”

For more information about campus safety, visit University of Findlay’s Campus Safety and Emergency Management webpage.

(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County will officially break ground on its first neighborhood of 20 homes at 9:00 am on Wednesday, June 26.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Bishop Lane in the Krystal Ridge Addition neighborhood, located on the north end of Findlay near the intersection of East Melrose and Crystal Avenues. The ceremony is open to the public.

The program for the ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Christina Muryn; representatives from the Koehler family who, along with the Croy family, are partnering with Habitat to build the neighborhood; Wendy McCormick, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County; and Kelly Croy, Habitat’s Board President; and other invited guests. Following the ceremony, Kershner Excavating will begin installing the foundation for both homes.

Currently four Habitat homes exist in the Krystal Ridge Addition neighborhood. The first two of the 20 homes Habitat will construct by the end of 2027 are homes #60 and #61 which will be built between July and September for the McMaster and Butler families. This effort emulates similar Habitat neighborhoods developed in other communities across the United States.

Funding from a variety of sources has enabled Habitat to commence the initial phase of construction. Sources include grant funding from Habitat for Humanity of Ohio which was awarded a $25 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending package that was signed into law by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in 2023, a gift from Jane and Gary Heminger, the Whirlpool BuildBetter Grant, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, The Larson Family, Signature Event donors, and other supporters. Habitat will continue to seek funding to construct the balance of the homes through 2027.

“We are excited about the impact this neighborhood will have in reducing the current affordable housing deficit we have in our community,” says Wendy McCormick, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County. “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.”

(ONN) – A parochial school teacher in Tiffin is facing charges of inducing panic.

A teacher at Calvert Catholic High School is accused of writing a threatening note that was found in the high school last month.

The note referenced someone having a gun inside the school and threatened those that were there.

According to the Tiffin Police Department, a grand jury indicted 47-year-old Rhonda Huffman.

The school placed her on administrative leave once she was identified as a person of interest.

She’s charged with two counts of felony inducing panic.

(ONN) – The Ohio State Senate is considering a bill that would make Ohio hospitals publish the cost of their services.

The Ohio House recently passed the bill which includes language that allows patients to submit complaints to the Ohio Department of Health if hospitals failed to comply.

Supporters of the bill say it allows the patient to price shop in advance of having a procedure.

At issue is the patient complaint clause and publishing prices versus publishing estimated costs.

The bill is in committee.

(From Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio)

The Board of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) is pleased to announce the sale of the Hilty Home building in Pandora, Ohio to the Village of Pandora. The sale was completed on June 4th and includes the 60,000-square-foot former Hilty Memorial Home building and two adjacent parcels of land donated to the Village by MHCO.

Following the November 1, 2022 announcement that the Hilty Memorial Home would close efforts were made to find buyers for the long-term care facility. In addition, efforts were made to find a new owner-operator or location for the Hilty Preschool & Childcare program. Unfortunately, MHCO did not receive offers for either operation, and no suitable location was found to relocate the childcare.

The Pandora Village Council stepped forward in early 2024 and submitted a purchase proposal to HUD, the loan holder for the empty facility. Meanwhile, all parties went to work to finalize the business details.

The Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation joined the Village in its efforts to find a workable solution for the building and childcare. Jenna Buckland and Molly Schroeder offered to purchase the childcare operation. Hilty Faithful Foundation Preschool and Childcare, LLC was established and remains in the Hilty Building under the continued direction of Amanda Dettrow. Expansion of the childcare space and program is in progress.

Owners will continue to find additional business operations to utilize the remaining areas of the building, providing opportunities for new and expanding businesses to have accessible space in the local community.

Hilty Memorial Home opened in 1979, after retired teacher, Margaret Hilty, left her entire estate to the Missionary Church East Central Conference District to establish a nursing home “like the Mennonites did in Bluffton”. The Hilty Memorial Home was acquired by Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio in 2012 when the Missionary Church decided to divest of the long-term care facility.

MHCO Board Chair, Elizabeth Kelly, offered her reflections, “We have been committed to honoring Margaret Hilty’s generous legacy and her intention to serve the people of Pandora and Putnam County. Sometimes we must bring closure to something so that new life has an opportunity to emerge. Already, new and good things are happening. Our Board remains deeply grateful to the many people who made this transaction possible and wish the Village and new tenants well in their future endeavors.”

MHCO continues to serve the elders of the region at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Willow Ridge and Maple Crest locations in Bluffton through Long-Term Care, Short-Term Rehab, Assisted Living and Independent Living service offerings.

(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

Olivia Smith has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Richard E. “Dick” Daugherty Scholarship. Smith is a 2024 graduate of Findlay High School and is the daughter of Valerie and Ryan Smith. She plans to attend the Huntington University in the fall to pursue a degree in film production and minoring in television (broadcasting) production.

While in high school she participated in orchestra, National Honor Society and was a member of the Honor Roll. Smith was also chosen for All Trac Conference Honor Roll, All NLL Conference Honor Roll and various other honors in the All Trac and All NLL Conferences for volleyball.

Smith has volunteered in various volleyball camps, Special Olympics, City Mission and several other community service roles.

The Richard E. “Dick” Daugherty Scholarship fund was endowed by The Findlay Publishing Company and the Findlay Rotary Club in 2004 in honor of Daugherty, who passed away in 2008. He had spent more than 50 years with the company. Daugherty had been recognized as “Mr. Findlay Rotary.” Dick was the first recipient of the Findlay Rotary Lifetime Achievement Award. The award has since been named the Richard E. Daugherty Lifetime Achievement Award. The Richard E. “Dick” Daugherty Scholarship is designated for students studying art, including graphic design, music, dance, theatre or speech (broadcasting).

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Richard E. “Dick” Daugherty Scholarship Fund may contact The Community Foundation at 101 West Sandusky Street, Suite 207 Findlay OH 45840 or call (419) 425-1100.

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.

(ONN) – We’ve had some wild weather this spring in the Buckeye State and we are on course to break the all-time state tornado record.

There have been 62 tornadoes in Ohio so far this year, and these are official tornadoes by National Weather Service surveys.

They confirmed that they were, at least on the ground for some point of their track, and that is a number that we have never seen, at least at this point into this season, that is across the entire state of Ohio.

So, let’s put it in perspective as far as historical terms.

1992 holds the standing record of 62 tornadoes, now in 2024, with plenty of time left in the year we’ve already tied that number and we’ll very likely be breaking that in the coming weeks ahead.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Have you ever wondered how Findlay got the nickname Flag City USA?

Discover the fascinating story behind Findlay’s iconic nickname in an enlightening presentation by Joy Bennett, Curator and Archivist at the Hancock Historical Museum.

Learn about the dedicated individuals who made it happen and the celebrations that have defined our city for over 50 years.

Join us to explore Findlay’s enduring legacy as a symbol of American pride!

Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library Meeting Room 1.

Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into our city’s rich history and patriotic spirit!

The Findlay Police Department took a man into custody after being engaged in a standoff with the individual.

It happened in the 1800 Block of Bishop Lane.

Police said they received a call Tuesday morning about gunshots being heard coming from the residence.

Police responded and tried to get the man to come out but he refused.

Police told the man they obtained a search warrant for discharging a firearm within city limits and needed to enter the house.

The man refused to let them enter and after trying to convince the man to come out for several hours police could be seen entering the house and a few minutes later walking out with the man.

Police said the man told police that he had been setting off firecrackers in his backyard, and remnants of exploded firecrackers were found in the yard. 

Police searched the home and no firearms were found. 

Lt. Morey, in the video below, said the man has a history of mental illness and they will get him the help he needs.

The man was booked at the Hancock County Jail for obstructing official business and will undergo a mental health screening.