(From the Findlay Police Department)

This year’s Flag City Night Out event will be held on Tuesday, August 6th 2024 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Riverside Park near the “Kiddie Corral” off Carnahan Avenue.

For those not familiar, Flag City Night Out is a free, family-friendly event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, better place to live.

Flag City Night Out allows the public a chance to interact with safety services (Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMS and others) on a one on one basis and get a look at the equipment they use.

Flag City Night Out also serves to highlight non-profit community programs available in the community and get people in touch with the resources they need.

This year’s event will feature live entertainment, food, demonstrations, children’s activities and train rides.

Area mascots will also be on hand to participate in our 10th Annual Mascot Games, with an intermission for the Police vs. Fire Games where area youth will be paired up with officers and firefighters in a variety of games.

An inflatable obstacle course will be set up to allow children to test their skills, as well as Root Beer floats and snow cones provided by Movement Church and Kona Ice to cool off.

Area non-profit organizations will also be on hand to offer insight into what they do and connect people with resources.

For those that can’t make it, we encourage you to turn on your porch light with a blue bulb.

This is a symbolic gesture to show that you stand unified with area safety services and the fight against crime.

For more information on the National Night Out initiative you can visit https://natw.org/.

We hope to see you on August 6th!

Officer Brian White, Findlay Police Department, Crime Prevention

(From Findlay City Schools)

We are so grateful for this community’s help to “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies for Hancock County students.

A huge amount of our kids receive bright and shiny school supplies for the year because of this!

Thank you.

Families: there are still a few slots available to receive these supplies!

Find the link to register for on our Findlay Opportunities page: https://www.fcs.org/parents-students/findlay-opportunities

Thank you 100.5 WKXA and Rex Howard for having Dr. Hatton on to chat about this amazing program.

McDonald’s, WFIN , WKXA and 106.3 The Fox are joining with area organizations like Christian Clearing House again this year to “Stuff The Bus” with school supplies for local school children in need.

We invite you to stop by McDonald’s on Tiffin Avenue on Thursday and Friday, July 25-26 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 27 from 10 to 2 to donate.

Federally purchased American flags will now be made exclusively in America thanks to new legislation that began in Ohio.

The All-American Flag Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that was introduced by Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

The bill requires that the federal government buy only flags completely produced in America.

“When a flag flies over a post office in Sidney, Ohio or Zanesville or Bowling Green; when a flag drapes over the coffin of a soldier coming to Dover Air Force Base it should be American made.”

Get more on the All-American Flag Act by clicking here.

(From the Findlay Family YMCA)

Swim, run and ride your way to victory! The Findlay Family YMCA will host its annual community Youth Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9-11 a.m. at Riverside Park.

New this year is an All Abilities (AA) Division, providing an empowering opportunity for youth with developmental differences.

With three fun sports – swimming, biking, and running – triathlons offer kids the opportunity to learn and enhance their fitness skills. They also promote the larger goals of developing self-esteem, teamwork, goal setting, self-discipline and friendly competition.

 Open to kids ages 6 through 18, this event is USA Triathlon (USAT) certified and appropriate for all skill levels as both an introduction to sport for beginners and a challenge for the serious competitor. Adult volunteers will be present at locations throughout the race to monitor and assist participants if needed.

 Boys and girls will compete separately in their age groups. Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group. Age groups and distances include:

Ages 6-10: 50-yard swim, 1-mile bike, 1K run.

Ages 11-12: 200-yard swim, 4-mile bike, 2K run.

Ages 13-14: 300-yard swim, 8-mile bike, 3K run.

Ages 15-18: 500-yard swim, 12-mile bike, 5K run.

AA Division ages 8-12: 50-yard swim, 1-mile bike, 1K run.

AA Division ages 13-18: 50-yard swim, 1-mile bike, 2K run.

The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 5. Participants must first register as a member with USAT. Visit their site at https://member.usatriathlon.org/register. The cost for membership is approximately $10. Once you have registered with USAT, make note of your USAT registration number and then register for the triathlon on the YMCA’s website at www.findlayymca.org/register-programs, under “special programs.” The entry fee is $25.

Every athlete will receive a finisher’s medal, a race T-shirt (register by Aug. 3 to guarantee your shirt size), snacks, and plaques for the top three finishers in every age group for boys and girls. Each participant will also be entered in a raffle for some great prizes!

 For more information, race routes and registration links, visit www.findlayymca.org/events/2024-youth-triathlon.

 To volunteer at this year’s Youth Triathlon, email Sierra Hutton, YMCA development director, at shutton@findlayymca.com; or access the sign-up sheet at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA8AB28A6F9C16-findlay#/

 Presenting sponsors include Blanchard Valley Health System, ACI, and Automated Logic. Other sponsors include Kreate, Commercial Comfort Systems, Northrich Company, Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Gasser Bush Associates.

A jury has found a man guilty of having illegal drugs in his vehicle when he was pulled over in Hancock County.

Keon L. Rutledge was convicted of possession of drugs, a second-degree felony, in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

The 43-year-old from Dayton will be sentenced in September.

In May of 2023 Rutledge was stopped on Interstate 75 in Hancock County.

Authorities say a probable cause search warrant for his vehicle was obtained because the trooper smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, which was still illegal at the time.

The Highway Patrol said it found more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in the trunk of his vehicle.

Rutledge’s sentencing hearing will be held on September 17 and he faces up to eight years in prison.

(ONN) – Ahead of the new school year and football practices beginning, Ohio’s governor signed a bill that requires AEDs in every public and chartered non-public schools in Ohio.

House Bill 47 is a long time coming.

Over the years we’ve reported several stories of kids who’ve died from sudden cardiac arrest because an automated external defibrillator wasn’t available.

Yes, it was a recommendation, but now it’s state law.

AEDs are now required in every public and chartered non-public school in Ohio and all municipally owned or operated sports and recreation venues.

AEDs have a long history of saving lives during cardiac emergencies.

According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is the number one killer of student-athletes.

(ONN) – In November, Ohioans will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed state constitutional amendment about how the redistricting process is carried out in Ohio.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office announced the group ‘Citizens Not Politicians’ submitted enough valid signatures to put an initiative on the November ballot regarding removing politicians from the congressional and statehouse redistricting process.

The maps would be created by a group of citizens instead comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans and five independents.

Lobbyists, political consultants and elected officials would be banned from the group.

The panel would be selected with the help of retired judges.

(From the Liberty Township Fire Department)

Liberty Township Fire Department was called to a fully involved residential structure fire on 9747 Township Road 95, Findlay, Ohio at 14:38 on Tuesday, July 23. When we arrived the house was fully involved and every person was out of the residence.

The homeowner was home at the time of the fire and was able to remove a dog from the residence. The fire claimed one feline.  House is a total loss. The fire is currently unknown at this time. The Ohio State Fire Marshal will be coming in to do the investigation.

We called 4 total neighboring fire departments on scene to help fight the fire. Allen Twp Fire, Blanchard Twp Fire, Southwest Joint Fire District Station 800, and Northwest Hancock Joint Fire District. 

Assisting also Hanco EMS, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Fire Marshall Office.  Liberty Maintenance Department, Liberty Township Fire Department Auxiliary, Red Cross, and GLR Excavating.

As stated above the fire is still under investigation pending the State Fire Marshal investigation.

Chief Joseph Morton

Note: A GoFundMe page has been established to help the woman affected by the fire who owns K9 Retreat and Spa.

(ONN) – A federal judge ruled that Ohio’s strict new election laws violate the rights of people with disabilities who rely on caregivers or family members to return their absentee ballots.

The state law violates the federal Voting Rights Act and can no longer be enforced.   

The League of Women Voters of Ohio brought the suit.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that 35 states now allow someone else to return a voter’s absentee ballot.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank Larose disagrees and is exploring a challenge to the ruling.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Hospital (BVH) has created a new pediatric-friendly dayroom designed to make a hospital stay less traumatic for children.

The dayroom, on the hospital’s sixth floor, features a mural depicting an ocean scene titled “Adventure Cove” with a “Seek & Find” including a list of animals children can search for, such as an orca and a seahorse.

The dayroom also features new toys for the children. Legos are available, and a piano mat plays musical notes when a child steps on it.

“This provides a safe, colorful, bright place for children to play,” said Julie Rieman, RN, pediatric care coordinator and nurse educator.

“We know being in the hospital can feel scary, and our hope is that this space is reassuring for them.”

The dayroom builds upon previous efforts to make a hospital stay less stressful for children, including providing toys as well as sound machines that can project pictures on the ceiling to help children sleep. Associates bring an activities cart with items like coloring books and Play-Doh to their rooms, and children receiving IV therapy can get a stress ball or something else to hold as a distraction.

Rieman regularly researches how children’s hospitals work to ensure children feel as comfortable and safe as possible.

“We admit a relatively small number of children, but there are many creative ways to replicate these ideas on a smaller scale,” Rieman said. “We want to reassure families that, while we are not a children’s hospital, we are here for this community’s children.”

She added that reducing stress can improve children’s health.

“Children who are calmer while in the hospital are likely to fare better medically,” she said. “For example, reducing this stress upon children will help them sleep better. Sleeping is healing.”

The mural was painted by Findlay native and longtime Northwest Ohio resident Amber Kear.

“I’m just grateful for this opportunity,” Kear said. “Knowing that this might bring some comfort to children when they’re feeling vulnerable is so rewarding as an artist.”

Rieman said “Adventure Cove” is meant to be a colorful and intriguing place for children to explore.

“Our hope is that this will help children find hope in unexpected situations,” she said.

Parents can use a QR code to gather information on the “Seek & Find.”

“This gives them a chance to interact with their child, and strengthen that developmental bond,” Rieman said. “Research has shown that play and bright colors help children’s health.”

While the mural is meant to make the environment more comforting for children, Rieman said associates are also excited.

“Our entire team cares so much about these children, and we’re thrilled to have a beautiful space for the kids and their families,” Rieman said. “As adults, too, we love having such beautiful art where we work.”

Rieman said BVH has a group of nurses who are especially drawn to pediatric patients.

“These nurses go above and beyond for the comfort of these patients, caring for them like they are their own children,” she said. “They’re passionate and committed, and eager to keep learning new things about how to improve this care.”

“Each patient matters to us, and if we can affect even one child in a positive way these efforts are worth it,” Rieman said. “This is a vulnerable time for children.”

The mural was funded through donations from the Palmer Family and Friends of Pediatrics.

If you are interested in donating to community healthcare projects, please call 419.423.5457.