(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

The Findlay Rotary Club has announced its semifinalists for the 2024 Golden Apple Awards.

The club selected three teachers from the elementary level, three teachers from the middle school level and two teachers from the high school level to compete for the award. The finalists will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner on October 16, 2024.

The finalist at each level receives the Golden Apple Award along with a $2,500 cash prize. Second and third place semi-finalist each receive a $250 cash prize. Finalists also accept an invitation to join the Golden Apple Academy, a group consisting of all past Golden Apple Award finalists.

At the elementary level, the semifinalists are: Heagan Sparling, Kindergarten at Liberty Benton; Jena Meloy, Kindergarten at Whittier; and Jayson Schube, 4th grade at Bigelow Hill.

At the middle school level, the semifinalists are: Angel Buck, 6th Grade Social Studies at Glenwood Middle School; Andy Honse, Band at McComb; and Maryann Holderman, Science at Riverdale.

At the high school level, the semifinalists are: Amy Teders, English at Liberty Benton; and Tyler Smith, Science at Findlay High School.

The Findlay Rotary Club accepted nominations for the award from students, parents, administration, colleagues and the community-at-large through the beginning of April.

Nominees are required to be a current teacher in the Findlay area or a Hancock County school and have at least three years of experience.

Nominated teachers submit a resume, a teaching philosophy essay, and two letters of recommendation to the Rotary Community Selection Committee who selected this year’s semifinalists. A second group of members from the Rotary Final Selection Committee interviews and conducts classroom visits to determine the finalists.

Below is a picture of last year’s winners, and you can learn more about them by clicking here. 

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.

(WTOL-11) – The City of Fostoria is going “greener.”

It’s launching a new drop-off recycling program.

Recycling bins will now be available for household items including paper, cardboard, glass and plastic bottles and aluminum.

The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Foundation Park to kick off the city-wide initiative.

(WTOL-11) – A man accused of shooting and killing two people in Bowling Green last year was back in a Wood County courtroom.

According to the prosecutor’s office, 63-year-old Xiaosong Wang pleaded guilty to multiple charges including aggravated murder, murder, and attempted murder.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in October.

The prosecutor’s office says Wang was accused of killing the owners of Ninja Hibachi Sushi Steak House.

At the time Wang was an employee of the restaurant.

The shooting also injured another one of his co-workers.

(From the Bluffton Craft Show)

Join us for Bluffton’s 51st Annual Juried Craft Show!

For over 50 years, we’ve been a community favorite, showcasing unique, high-quality handmade treasures from talented small business owners.

Come meet the crafters, find perfect gifts, and enjoy a day of local shopping on Saturday, September 28th, from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Plus, the first 100 shoppers at 106 W College Avenue will receive a free swag bag!

Don’t miss out—arrive early and experience the best of Bluffton at the Craft Show!

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on August 27, 2024 at 12:34 p.m. on State Route 18 at the Township Road 15 intersection in Clinton Township, Seneca County.

The preliminary investigation showed a 2018 Hyundai Sonata, operated by Sarah A. Law, age 25, of Republic, traveling east on State Route 18. A 2005 Dodge Magnum, operated by John D. Adcock III, age 46, of Fremont, was traveling south on Township Road 15.

Mr. Adcock failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection and struck the Hyundai. After the collision, the Dodge struck a traffic sign and overturned into a field in the southeast corner of the intersection. The Hyundai struck a traffic sign before coming to rest in the same field.

Mr. Adcock was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was flown from Tiffin Mercy Health to St. Vincent Medical center.

Chavis J. Freeman, age 40, of Fremont, was a passenger of the Dodge. He was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was flown to St. Vincent Medical Center from the scene where he later died. 

Destiny M. Stines, age 28, of Fremont, was a passenger of the Dodge. She was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. Ms. Stines sustained fatal injuries from the crash.

Ms. Law was wearing her seatbelt. She sustained minor injuries and was transported to Tiffin Mercy Health.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Tiffin Fire Department, Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department, Seneca County EMS, Mercy Health Life-Flight, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, The Ohio Department of Transportation, and Rush Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office says a bicyclist was killed when they were struck from behind by a car.

It happened around 6:30 Tuesday morning on Devils Hole Road between Pemberville Road and Lemoyne Road in Troy Township.

The sheriff’s office says 78-year-old Gary Donaldson, of Pemberville, was heading west on his bicycle when a car driven by 44-year-old Amy Bushman hit him from behind, causing fatal injuries.

Donaldson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

The sheriff’s office said alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash.

The Hancock County Fair is underway. 

The fair will be held August 27 – September 2 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds located at 1017 East Sandusky Street in Findlay.

“The Hancock County Fair is more than just a fair, it’s a tradition,” the fair says on its website.

WFIN’s Chris Oaks previously spoke with the fair’s Haley Reese about some of the exciting changes at the fair this year.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents that there will be no school for students on Friday, August 30^th.

That day will be a professional development day for staff members.

There will also be no school on Monday, September 2 which is Labor Day.

See the full school district calendar by clicking here.

(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help in locating Mark Christopher Ruvoldt.

Mr. Ruvoldt was out of jail on bond for Misdemeanor charges and was on a GPS.

Mr. Ruvoldt let the GPS battery go dead and failed to appear for court.

There is now a warrant out for Mr. Ruvoldt and possible felony charges pending.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Mark Christopher Ruvoldt Please contact the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 419-523-3208.

Please do not confront Mr. Ruvoldt and contact your local Law Enforcement.

Mr. Ruvoldt may be in the Lima, Celina and St. Mary’s areas.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Don’t miss Trojan Country Kickoff 2024 on Friday, August 30th from 4:30-6:30!

Come early for the first home football game of the season to enjoy bounce houses, face painting, dunk tanks, blue & gold *everything* and concessions that support Findlay Trojan Club and Findlay Music Boosters!

Swing by tables for our incredible district support organizations, hang out with our Blue Crew, and then head into Donnell Stadium in time for Senior Night and the home game start of our football season!