(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County will be repairing or replacing 25 roofs as a part of its 25th anniversary celebration during the coming months.

“Recently Habitat received a grant for roof repairs and replacements which will enable us to partner with our Habitat preferred roofing sub-contractors between now and the fall to assist 25 Hancock County residents,” explains Wendy McCormick, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County. “Warmer, safer, and drier are the core values of our Critical Home Repair program for the past 12 years and it all starts with a secure roof.”

Habitat’s Critical Home Repair team has found damaged roofs lead to leaks, allowing water to penetrate the home, causing damage to walls, ceilings, floors, and belongings and are often the root cause of many other repairs required on the home. A solid roof protects the structure and occupants from the elements, maintains energy efficiency, and prevents costly long-term damage and reduced property values.

Applicants must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the program, including having:

• household income below $45,000
• at least one resident age 65+ and/or disabled
• owned their single-family home (no mobile homes) of 1300 square feet or less for at least 2 years and it serves as their permeant year-round residence

Applications are being accepted between now and May 2. Those interested in applying, or learning more about the criteria, can go online at habitatfindlay.org/rtr or call 419-429-1400 x6.

Applications will be reviewed and prioritized based on the criteria and the severity of the roof’s condition. Manufacturer warranties will be implemented on materials, and Habitat will warranty the labor in partnership with the Sub-contractor for 1 year. This work will not be completed by Habitat volunteers.

“Our critical home repairs enable individuals to remain in a home they can afford and age in place for as long as possible,” McCormick says. “Together we are framing the future and building community, because everyone deserves a decent place to live.”

(From the City of Findlay)

The Hancock County Commissioners and City of Findlay have been diligently working to address flood mitigation.

Over the past 10 years significant progress has been made and the final three projects are on track to break ground later this year.

The combined impact, once completed is projected at 3ft of decrease in a 100-year storm event and even more benefit in smaller storm events.

As we continue to monitor potential moderate flooding in Findlay over the next few days, we are especially grateful for the completion of phase 1 benching which has appeared to provide benefit in storm events since its completion.

To learn more about flood mitigation progress check out hancockcountyflooding.com.

You can also look at the Blanchard River Hydrological map at https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/fdyo1.

We will continue to closely monitor the storm event and make sandbags available if necessary.

At this point in time we believe road closures will be the most significant impact from this storm.

WFIN – Get the latest forecast, weather alerts, road alerts, and river levels by clicking here.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

For the fourth consecutive year, the Tiffin Police Department has been awarded the Gold Standard Award from Lexipol—the nation’s leading provider of public safety policy, training, and wellness solutions.

This recognition reflects our department’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Through diligent policy review, acknowledgment of updates, and active participation in Lexipol’s training and testing programs, our officers ensure they remain well-prepared to apply best practices in real-world scenarios.

The Lexipol Connect program evaluates agencies on five key performance metrics, measuring adherence to critical policies and ongoing education. Achieving this distinction once again underscores our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in law enforcement and delivering exceptional service to our community.

We are honored to receive this recognition and remain steadfast in our mission to enhance public safety through strong policies and continuous professional development.

Chief Pauly

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay honored 59 employees at a luncheon for their years of service with the City for year ending 2024.

The following individuals were recognized:

5 Years: Jordan Barton, Sewer Maintenance; Lynnette Camp, Street Department; Bailey Cooley, Police Dispatch; Briar Courtney, Parks Maintenance; Brock Davis, Fire Department; Makenna Dysert, Municipal Court; Jeff Fort, Civil Service Commission; Paul Frey, Police Department; Chase Glick, Water Distribution; Kyle Inbody, Airport; Jordan Johnson, Fire Department; Justin Johnson, Traffic Signals Department; Chris Johnston, Recreation Department; Sara Klay, Engineering Department; Seth Longanbach, Fire Department; Chase Miller, Parking Enforcement; Mayor Christina Muryn, Mayor’s Office; Nick Price, Police Department; Geoffrey Shilling, Fire Department; Evan Stump, Fire Department; Nathan Weinandy, Fire Department.

10 Years: Chris Brickner, Police Department; Noah Burkholder, Police Department; Mark Butler, Street Department; James Fox, Water Pollution Control Center; Cody Glick, Street Department; Dan Griffith, Police Department; Ryan Hackworth, Police Department; John Harrington, City Council ; Nick Huber, Police Department; Josh Jansen, Street Department; Michael Knight, Water Distribution; Angie Lee, Municipal Court; Jim Niemeyer, City Council ; Brent Schroeder, Computer Services; Tricia Stozich, Municipal Court.

15 Years: Sara Douglas, Police Dispatch; Jodi Mathias, Zoning Department; Jim Staschiak, Auditor’s Office.

20 Years: Gary Clevidence, Fire Department; Denise DeVore, Law Director’s Office; Aaron Flechtner, Police Department; Tom Kemp, Civil Service Office; Eric Martin, Fire Department; Vince McDonald, Street Department; Joel Rampe, Fire Department; Tonya Stillberger, City Income Tax; Brian White, Police Department.

25 Years: Brian Dill, Police Department; Heather Eigel, Municipal Court; Justin Hendren, Police Department; Dave Hill, Police Department; Lisa Mansfield, Recreation Department; Galen Spaun, Street Department.

30 Years: Judge Alan Hackenberg, Municipal Court; Glenn Springer, Parks Maintenance.

35 Years: Dean Hoge, Water Treatment Plant; Mike McKitrick, Street Department; Brian Sanders, Fire Department.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says some train cars west of Fostoria tipped over during the severe weather that blew through Wednesday night.

The train was stationary and consisted of intermodal container cars and had no hazardous materials onboard.

The railroad crossings near Township Road 261 and 262 south of State Route 613 will be closed for a considerable amount of time as CSX works to clear the tracks, the sheriff’s office said.

No injuries were reported.

UPDATE – The National Weather Service confirmed it was an EF-2 tornado that touched down in northwest Putnam County Wednesday night and went through the Dupont area. The tornado had peak winds of 120 miles per hour. 

The NWS also confirmed an EF-1 tornado in the Ottoville area. 

A state of emergency has been declared for the Village of Dupont and the surrounding area.

People are asked to place debris east of the village garage on Liberty Street.

Residents whose property was damaged from the storm can call the Office of Public Safety at 419-538-7315 to report damages. 

A tornado warning was issued for northwest Putnam County Wednesday night and it’s believed it was a tornado that did quite a bit of damage in the area.

The Dupont area got hit the hardest with several buildings and homes damaged or destroyed.

Three people suffered injuries that are not life-threatening, according to the sheriff’s office.

The National Weather Service will be doing an assessment to confirm it was a tornado and how powerful it was.

(pic taken by WTOL-11’s TaTiana Cash of a destroyed trailer)

(From Findlay City Schools)

Mark your calendars for a Findlay City Schools Town Hall on April 9, 2025 at Donnell Middle School!

We are sticking with the same topic for this Town Hall (district finances) to be sure we get all your questions answered!

Join us to hear accurate information straight from our Superintendent, Treasurer, and members of the FCS Board of Education.

A link will be provided one week ahead of Town Hall for those wishing to submit questions ahead of time.

Watch the livestream here: youtube.com/live/69klF7k4rsY

WFIN – Findlay City Schools in February held a Town Hall at Glenwood Middle School on the district’s finances and financial challenges following the failed levy last November which resulted in a $6.1 million budget reduction. 

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education recently shared a second phase of potential budget reductions should the district’s 1 percent earned income tax levy on the May 6 ballot not pass.

UPDATE – The Tornado Watch has expired.

Findlay, Hancock County, and a large part of Ohio have been placed under a Tornado Watch until 4 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say a few tornadoes are likely as severe storms rumble across the state.

75 mph wind gusts, hail, and torrential rain are also threats with these storms.

Get the latest forecast, weather alerts, road alerts, and river levels by clicking here.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Heather J. Clow, Executive Director of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, has been selected as a member of the 2025 Cohort of the CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), a new initiative designed to empower arts leaders across the state with advocacy skills, legislative insights, and statewide connections. Clow is one of 25 leaders chosen through a competitive application process, representing 15 cities across Ohio. 

Launching in May 2025, ALI is a six-month immersive program that provides arts and culture professionals with the tools and knowledge to advocate effectively for Ohio’s creative sector. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, site visits to cultural hubs, and in-depth discussions on legislative processes, public funding, and advocacy strategies.  

“The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute is more than just a training program—it’s a movement to increase civic literacy and democratic engagement across our sector,” said Sarah Sisser, Executive Director & CEO of CreativeOhio. “This inaugural cohort represents an esteemed and passionate group of leaders dedicated to strengthening Ohio’s creative economy and ensuring the arts have a seat at the table in policy discussions.” 

Throughout the program, ALI members will collaborate with policymakers, industry experts, and fellow arts leaders to develop strategies that support the sustainability and growth of Ohio’s creative industries. The cohort includes professionals from a range of disciplines, from performing arts organizations to visual arts institutions and independent artists. 

“This opportunity will allow me to expand my advocacy skills, connect with leaders across the state, and ensure that MCPA plays a key role in advancing Ohio’s creative sector,” Clow said. 

The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute is made possible with support from The George Gund Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Edwards Companies. 

For more information about the CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute and to see the full cohort, visit creativeoh.org.

Some potentially life-saving advice from the Findlay Police Department as a lot of rain has already fallen with plenty more on the way for the remainder of the week.

The police department is reminding people to always obey road closed signs during flood events and never attempt to drive through flood waters.

The police department says it doesn’t take much water to sweep a car off the roadway and most flood fatalities occur in vehicles.

A Flood Watch is in effect until Sunday and excessive rainfall is expected to cause river and street flooding and the closure of some roads.

Get the latest forecast, weather alerts, road alerts, and river levels by clicking here.