Category Archives: Local News

Riverside Civic Concert Series

UPDATE- The Wednesday night concert has been moved indoors at MCPA.

WFIN invites you to the Riverside Civic Concert Series at the Allen P. Dudley Memorial Band Shell at Dick Daugherty Plaza in Riverside Park, presented by the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Concerts are on Wednesday nights beginning at 7.

If you are unable to attend, WFIN will broadcast each performance on Sunday mornings at 11.

You can also visit the WFIN Music Audio Archive, presented by Coldwell Banker/Flag City, and listen to a podcast of each concert, plus past years.

Please note, in the event of inclement weather on the day of a performance, the concert will be moved inside to the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

2024 Schedule

  • June 19 – Fostoria Community Band
  • June 26 – Findlay Civic Band
  • July 3 – Night Jazz
  • July 10 – Findlay Civic Band
  • July 17 – Northwest Ohio Low Brass Collective
  • July 24 – Lake Plains Barbershop Chorus

 

Deputy Fatally Shoots Man In Wood County

A deputy fatally shot a person in Wood County after the individual pointed a gun at the deputy.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to an address on South Dixie Highway near Rudolph to conduct a welfare check on a person on June 16 that the caller said was suicidal.

The sheriff’s office said, during de-escalation attempts by the deputies, the individual pointed a rifle at a deputy.

In response, the deputy fired his handgun once, striking the person, later identified as George E. Taylor.

The deputies performed CPR but Taylor died.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to look into the shooting.

 

Hancock County Agriculture Hall Of Fame 2024 Inductees

(From the Findlay – Hancock County Chamber of Commerce)

The Hancock County Agriculture Hall of Fame is proud to announce the induction of four outstanding individuals at the annual Farmers Share Breakfast. This year, we honor Craig Holmes, John Deeds, Marvin Tuttle, and Tom Walter for their remarkable contributions to agriculture and the community.

Craig Holmes

Craig Holmes is celebrated for his significant impact on agriculture through his business, Findlay Implement Company, which he founded in 1972. His dedication to customer service and agricultural innovation led to the expansion of his business across multiple locations, benefiting countless farmers. Craig’s influence extends beyond his business endeavors; he served as the director of the Ohio/Michigan Equipment Dealers Association and was a member of the John Deere Managers Club. His community contributions include support for the Hancock County Fair, the Boy Scouts of America, and the establishment of the Adoption Assistance Fund through the Community Foundation. Craig’s legacy is also marked by his active involvement in St. Andrews United Methodist Church.

John Deeds

John Deeds, a lifelong resident of Rawson and a 1965 Cory-Rawson High School graduate, has been a cornerstone of the agricultural community. Starting his farming journey at age 7, John’s passion for agriculture led him to acquire a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from The Ohio State University and Findlay College. He transitioned from dairy to crop farming, implementing sustainable practices such as no-till farming and cover crops. John’s dedication to youth education is evident through his roles with Ag Days, 4-H, and the Hancock Historical Museum. Beyond farming, John is an active musician and community volunteer, contributing to the Findlay Civic Band and the Cory-Rawson Pep Band.

Marvin Tuttle

Marvin Tuttle’s agricultural roots run deep, beginning on his family’s farm and expanding through his leadership in managing a 740-acre farm. His involvement in livestock and crop farming, along with his contributions to the Hancock County Pork Producers Association, Cattlemen, and various boards, highlight his dedication to the industry. Marv’s passion for community service includes a long tenure with the Hancock County Fair board, earning him the Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award and a lifetime pass for his contributions. His commitment to public service extends to his role as a volunteer firefighter and active member of Good Shepherd Church of Benton Ridge.

Tom Walter

Tom Walter’s 60-year career in auctioneering and farming exemplifies his commitment to agriculture and community service. As part of Walter Bros Auctioneers, Tom has facilitated numerous farm machinery and livestock auctions, supporting agricultural operations across multiple counties. His dedication to youth in agriculture is recognized by a Lifetime Membership to Wyandot County’s 4-H. Tom’s community involvement includes service with Grace United Methodist Church and various charitable efforts through his auctioneering services. His contributions have left a lasting impact on both the agricultural and broader community.

Please join us in honoring Craig Holmes, John Deeds, Marvin Tuttle, and Tom Walter as the newest inductees into the Hancock County Agriculture Hall of Fame.

For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business Committee at DJenkins@FindlayHancockChamber.com or (419) 422-3313

About Hancock County Agriculture Hall of Fame: The Hancock County Agriculture Hall of Fame, run by the OSU Extension Office, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry and the community. Through recognition and celebration of these achievements, the Hall of Fame aims to inspire future generations of agricultural leaders.

 

Miracle Park Playground Closed For Repairs

The City of Findlay says the Blanchard Valley Health System Miracle Park playground will be closed from June 18 to June 25 for surface repairs.

Miracle Park is located at 3430 North Main Street and provides a safe and fun environment where those with special needs can play baseball in a stadium of their own.

The play structure allows children of all abilities to play together.

Miracle Park includes Miracle Field and Miracle Playground. 

The Park is also home to The Miracle League of Findlay.

The Miracle League of Findlay is a non-profit organization focused on providing a safe and enjoyable team sport experience for kids and young adults with disabilities regardless of his or her experience level of ability.

Players ages 5 and up are welcome.

 

Cooling Stations Available In Findlay

(From the City of Findlay)

The following are cooling stations available in the City of Findlay:

St. Andrew’s Annex
214 W. Sandusky Street, Findlay
Operated by City Mission
Water will also be available
Hours:
Daily from June 17-21, 2024: 12pm-4pm

50 North
339 East Melrose Avenue, Findlay
For City of Findlay and Hancock County residents 50 and older
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 7am-8pm
Friday: 7am-5pm
Saturday: 7am-12noon

City Mission
510 W. Main Cross Street at the Community Window
Water Station only – Bottled Water will be available during high temperatures

It’s going to be scorching hot all week and you can get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

 

Red Cross Recognizes Volunteers, Elects New Board Members

(From The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio)

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio recognized volunteers for their work and elected new members to the Chapter’s Board of Directors Thursday night at the Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Annual Meeting held at the Sandusky Yacht Club.

Elected to the volunteer Board of Directors were Tish Keegan of Erie County, Keith Hodkinson of Seneca County, Chris Lewis of Seneca County and Joe Matuscak of Lorain County. The new members will begin their terms at the start of the Red Cross fiscal year on July 1..

The Chapter recognized volunteers for their outstanding service to the Red Cross with several awards. The Red Cross Volunteer Humanitarian Award was presented to John Lavelle of Avon Lake, a Disaster Services volunteer. Chris Raftery of Monroeville was presented the Volunteer Leadership Award and the Volunteer Spirit of Excellence Award was given to Eilene Guy of Sandusky and Pam Kimball of Norwalk.

The Red Cross Hero Award is presented annually by the North Central Ohio Chapter to an individual, company or organization for exceptional commitment to the mission of the American Red Cross and support of the North Central Ohio Chapter. This year, the award was presented to Jon Monk, a reporter for WTOL-TV in Toledo.

The final award of the evening was the Executive Director’s Challenge Coin, presented by Chapter Executive Todd James. James presented a coin to Shirley May, an administrative volunteer in the Findlay office for her outstanding work in support of Red Cross programs, services and volunteers.

 

Hot Weather Safety Advice From Hancock Public Health

Hancock Public Health wants you to be safe during the heatwave that’ll impact Ohio beginning on Monday and is providing residents with some tips for staying cool.

We spoke with Laura Reinhart, nurse practitioner for Hancock Public Health who says the most important things are to stay cool and hydrated and inside air conditioned buildings whenever possible.

“Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink, drink water throughout the day.”

 

As Laura mentioned in the audio above, never leave kids in a parked car as they heat up very, very fast even if the windows are cracked.

Get more tips from the health department below and at CDC.gov.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s, with feels-like temps around 100 or higher, all next week.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

 

Health Department Seeking Feedback In Survey

(From Hancock Public Health)

Hancock County Online Community Member Survey!

We are excited to present this survey to you.

This survey will help us collect data for developing the 2026-2028 Hancock County Community Health Assessment, a process conducted every 3 years.

Below is the survey link and QR code {available in English and Spanish (Espanol), all in one link and QR code} and information as well as posters that can be circulated to the community.

SurveyMonkey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HancockCounty

 

Raise The Bar & University of Findlay Hosting Teacher Bootcamp

(From Raise the Bar Hancock County)

Raise the Bar {RTB) and University of Findlay (UF) have partnered and are excited to announce the 2024 Summer Educator Experience in Transportation, a unique professional development opportunity for Ohio-licensed K-12 educators in NW Ohio.

RTB Executive Director, Tricia Valasek and Dr. Julie McIntosh, Dean of the College of Education from the University of Findlay were approved by Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted as one of eight institutions in Ohio to host a Teacher Boot Camp Program.

This innovative hybrid graduate course along with in-person local business tours, is designed to immerse educators in the transportation industry, providing them with valuable insights and tools to enhance their teaching practices used to strengthen the local upcoming workforce.

The program, enrolling twenty five educators, aims to address professional challenges by introducing emerging education concepts such as career development and exploration, ensuring participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the transportation sector.

Participants will engage in both face-to-face and distance learning pedagogies, accumulating a total of 36 contact hours that meet UF’s graduate course standards. The course will encompass independent reading and writing exercises, group sessions, workplace tours, and the development of a final unit lesson/presentation.

The program is designed to be beneficial to educators across various grade levels and content areas. The highlight of the program includes three consecutive days of touring.

Each day will focus on different aspects of the transportation industry, featuring guest speakers, workplace visits, and direct interactions with industry professionals.

This will be taking place June 17 – June 19  at the University of Findlay.

 

 

BVHS Announces Winners Of Julie Cole Charity Golf Classic

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

The Blanchard Valley Health Foundation hosted the 35th Annual Julie Cole Charity Golf Classic, presented by Dinsmore & Shohl and Gary & Jane Heminger, on Monday, June 10, at the Findlay Country Club.

Players on 32 teams had the chance to tee off for great causes. The 2024 beneficiaries include Bridge Home Health & Hospice, Blanchard Valley Health System Wellness Park, and the Julie Cole Youth Golf Fund.

BVHS Wellness Park will offer easy access to primary care along with specialists in fields including rheumatology, endocrinology and diabetes management, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine, and rehabilitation at a new campus on the north side of Findlay beginning in early 2025.

A champion and runner-up were announced in each of four flights of teams. They include:

Flight A winners included Keith Brennan, Justin Day, Terrie Kahle, and Dave Welch. Flight A runners-up were Jon Ballinger, Trevor Ballinger, Travis Ballinger, and Nate Heintzelman.

Flight B winners included Jacob Bowe, Cody Diemer, Lee Kanney, and Jason King. Flight B runners-up were Doug Dantuano, Paul Kramer, Rich Kramer, and Paul Worstell.

Flight C winners included Jeff Bryant, Chris Fordham, Tim Hadding, and Bill St. John. Flight C runners-up were Jill Coppus, Shawn Coppus, Todd Farless, and Mark Moore.

Flight D winners included Michael Hennigan, Chris Keller, Dean Monske, and Mayor Christina Muryn. Flight D runners-up were Jami Koziel, Mychal Liparoto, Lauren Pirrone, and Andrew Taylor.

Julie Cole, a former LPGA golf professional, established this tournament in 1989 to raise funds for hospice. For 35 consecutive years, she has returned to her hometown of Findlay, Ohio, raising over $3 million for local beneficiaries.

This year’s event is projected to raise more than $200,000 for the beneficiaries. If you are interested in donating to community healthcare projects, please call 419.423.5457.